Wyoming Sweethearts (17 page)

“For how long?” he asked.

“Six months. They were the hardest of my life.” She could not bear to watch the caring slide from his gaze, so she stared at the sidewalk ahead. She caught a glimpse of the main street and the Steer In, where the lot was empty. The bright sun tumbled over her with summer’s heat and light, but she felt locked in the shadows of the past. “Don’t get me wrong. I was deeply thankful to have survived the car accident. When I was trapped in the driver’s seat, terrified and unable to move, I thought I might die there. I thought it was the end.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Sympathy layered his words. He didn’t sound distant, as if he was emotionally withdrawing yet, but it would come. She had to prepare for it.

“So I tried to be positive when they told me my spinal cord injury was complete and permanent and I would never walk again. I fought hard, and I walked again.” She pushed away the crushing grief that had consumed her at the time and that was consuming her now.

“But you were in a wheelchair for a while,” he empathized.

“Yes.” The lazy summer breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees marching alongside the curb, and the world so bright and colorful and summery made
her want to believe that a man’s love might be strong enough to accept all her imperfections.

Except she knew better.

“There’s no guarantee the paralysis won’t be harder to compensate for as I get older.” She squared her shoulders, ready for the rejection she knew was coming. She’d known it from the moment she’d met Sean and been attracted to him. She had plenty of experience with this moment, thanks to her grandmother’s fix-ups. “Over time, it is likely I may be a paraplegic again.”

“I see.”

No man, not even Sean, could love her now.

She did her best not to let it show as she took a wobbly step forward. Her knees were far from steady. Any moment he would turn away. Since it was Sean, he would be kind, gallant, gentlemanly, but he would not look at her with love in his eyes. Never again.

“This was the biggest reason behind your breakup with Gerald?” He dug his fists into his pockets. “He bailed on you when you were injured?”

“He was a nice guy. He wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to behave the right way. He tried to be there for me, but it was hard. When I was in the hospital, the prognosis was so grim. When I was in a wheelchair, there were a lot of adjustments to get used to. There were logistical challenges like sidewalks and finding the wheelchair-accessible ramps instead of stairs, which is harder than you think. So much had changed between us, I had lost so much. The sadness was simply overwhelming.” She bowed her head, her hair cascading forward to hide her face. Now he knew the truth. He was free to go. He would be polite, he would be sympathetic, but he would leave.

“You said there were other things wrong with the
relationship.” He watched her carefully. His gaze had darkened, his forehead furrowed with thought.

“Yes. Our relationship wasn’t as solid as it should have been, but nothing could have withstood the strain. Sometimes love isn’t enough.”

“Sometimes.” He had to agree with that. But at least now he knew what had wounded Eloise so badly she had lost her faith in the fairy tale. He had, too, until she saved his heart. “You would be worth all of that and more. My love for you is strong enough.”

“What did you say?” She gazed up at him, disbelieving.

“I love you now, I’ll love you then, I’ll love you forever. No matter what.” He towered over her, more breathtaking than any hero could possibly be. “Nothing is ever going to change that.”

No, it couldn’t be true. She felt wrenched into pieces, wanting to believe. He was being chivalrous. Optimistic. He was such a good man, he was saying what he wanted to be true instead of what actually was.

“Love is kind.” As if he sensed her reluctance, he bridged the distance between them and cradled her chin in his hands.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

“First Corinthians.” How could she not recognize those words? They stirred her soul and lifted her hopes, but how could she believe? She had been through sadness and loss and had worked hard to rebuild her life realistically, so she could never be hurt like that again. How could she be sure?

The truth was in Sean’s eyes. He gazed at her with endless, abiding love, more powerful than it had been before he’d known about her prognosis. He knew the whole truth and he loved her more.

Joy rolled through her like a prayer answered and she leaned into his touch, savoring the warmth of his fingertips against her face, the bliss of this moment, knowing she was truly loved.

“Now that I’ve bared my soul, that only leaves one question.” Vulnerability flashed across his rugged features. “How do you feel about me?”

She laid her hand on his chest, remembering how gentle he’d been with the mare. How good he was to all God’s creatures. He would never hurt anyone intentionally. He was one man who would always cherish her.

I love him, she finally admitted. I truly love him.

When his hand cupped her chin, she went up on tiptoe. His lips brushed hers with a beauty that brought tears to her eyes. She hated for it to end. Sean must have felt the same way because his hand lingered against her jaw and his gaze locked with hers. It was like being soul-to-soul.

“I love you with the kind of love that never fails.” Love sailed through her so forcefully, it nearly lifted her from the ground. Bliss drove out all doubt as she wrapped her arms around Sean, her Sean. Being enfolded against him was the sweetest blessing, the only one she could ever want. Dreams she thought long lost burned as bright as the sun. There was so much good ahead in store for her life she could not hold the images back—glimpses of Sean proposing on bended knee, a wedding in the town church, a little home made happy with their lasting love. So very much good ahead, she held him more tightly, determined never to let go.

“There is one more thing we have to talk about.” Sean stepped back just enough to meet her gaze. “I would like to discuss the possibility of more kisses.”

“I would be in favor of it.”

“Good, then we are in perfect agreement.” He claimed her lips in a kiss that dimmed the sun with its beauty and captured her soul with its sweetness.

Romance had found her, after all.

“D
o you know what your problem is, Eloise?”

“I didn’t know I had a problem, Gran.” Eloise adjusted her cell phone against her ear as she reined Pixie off the country road and onto Main. Town was busy for a hot June Saturday afternoon. A couple of vehicles were parked in front of the diner, she recognized a Granger pickup, and a truck or two at the feed store. Yep, there was nothing like small-town living. Enjoying the peace, she lifted her face and let the temperate winds puff her bangs off her forehead. “My life is nothing but blue skies. Not a cloud in sight.”

“You spend way too much time helping in my garden instead of with that young man of yours. Next time you come over to weed, you bring along young Mr. Granger.”

“I might consider it.”

“I’ll make him some of my homemade lemonade. I’m pleased you found Mr. Right, but I’m bummed I didn’t find him for you.”

“Yes, sadly my blind-date fix-ups have come to an end. Forever.” Hallelujah. That wasn’t the greatest thing about being with Sean, but it was a definite perk. She’d
found the best man, the very best. “Now that my blind-date days are over, whatever will you do to amuse yourself?”

“You need to ask? I’ve already got your wedding figured out. The minute he pops the question, you let me know. I’ve got a notebook started and the church hall booked.”

“Help me, Lord.”
She sent the prayer heavenward. Was her grandmother ever going to stop meddling? Not that she minded, but it was the principle.

“I just want you to be happy, sweet pea.”

“I want that for you, too.” She so loved her grandmother. Pixie lifted her head, neighing in welcome at the sight of the black gelding standing in the drive-in lot where a car should be parked. Bandit lifted his nose in an answering welcome, and a cowboy moseyed into sight.

Handsome.

“Gran? I’ve got to go.”

“All right, dear. I’ll see you this evening. Don’t forget to bring that boyfriend of yours.”

“I’m making no promises.” She didn’t remember disconnecting the call or stuffing the cell into her pocket. The man beside his horse with a Stetson shading the splendor of his face commanded every shred of her attention.

“Hey there, pretty lady.” He tipped his hat, his deep baritone layered with warmth and humor. “How would you like to join me for an ice-cream cone?”

“I could be tempted.” The strong, lean lines of his cheekbones, his sparkling blue eyes and his chiseled jaw held her captive. Wow. “What is a handsome man like you doing here all alone?”

“Trying to pick up a gorgeous chick.” Humor flashed in his bright blue gaze. “Interested?”

“Very.” She slipped off the saddle and into his waiting arms, such strong arms. There was no place on earth she would rather be than enfolded against his chest, so near to him their souls felt as one.

His chin rested on the top of her head as she snuggled closer and cozy feelings left her smiling into his sun-warmed T-shirt. He smelled like summer and hay and leather. She never wanted to let go. If she could stay just like this cuddled in Sean’s strength, she would ask for nothing more.

“Guess what I did today?” His lips brushed her hair.

“Did you end up going to the sale with your uncle?”

“Sure did. I tagged along at the auction over in Sunshine. The ranch did real well selling off some of the cattle.” He paused, remembering. He was a permanent employee now and the excitement of the bidding, all the cows to check out and spending time with his uncle and cousins had been fun. But it wasn’t the highlight of his day. “Frank came on an errand with me to offer his opinion.”

“An errand? You didn’t say anything about that before.”

She leaned back in his arms, so lovely she knocked the air from his lungs, so beautiful his spirit ached with adoration. Spending time with her and opening his heart to her had been the greatest reward of his life. He was no lone wolf, never had been. He could admit it. He was a pack man, a family man, and he was proud of it. He thanked God daily for the blessing of Eloise in his life.

“It was a top-secret mission.” In the bold summer
sunshine he saw another piece of his future. A little toddler clinging to her knee and a new baby in her arms. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries spent with her, years rolling by, each one better than the last. A sense of rightness filled him up until his vision blurred and all he could see was her, Eloise, the reason for his life.

“Ooh, sounds mysterious. Top secret.” She dazzled, from the inside out. “Don’t tell me you made a stop at your favorite pizza place and didn’t bring home any leftovers for me?”

“No pizza, no leftovers. It wasn’t that kind of mission.” Behind him he heard Bandit snort his opinion, as if he disapproved of the place and time, but Sean could not wait. Love overwhelmed him and his decision was made. Pixie nodded at him, as if she were saying to go for it. So, he did.

He tugged the ring out of his pocket. The gold band gleamed warmly in the light. The square-cut diamond framed by emeralds winked like a promise made to be kept. His entire spirit stilled with the importance of the moment.

“I was going to do this tonight at sunset in a field of wildflowers,” he confessed. “I hope you don’t mind we are in a parking lot, but where I am standing is where I first was bedazzled by you.”

“That’s an engagement ring.” She stared wide-eyed, surprise on her dear face. “That was your secret errand?”

“Yes. The diamond is forever, the emeralds are because they match your eyes, which are now my favorite color. You are my favorite gal.” He took in a shaky breath. Worry crinkled his forehead. Love warmed his voice, so much love. “Do you know what I see when I look at you? A porch.”

“A porch?” Fine, not what she was expecting but the adoration on his face made her pulse skip three beats. Anticipation left her breathless. “Why a porch?”

“Because on that porch I see a gray-haired couple sitting side by side on a porch swing, holding hands.”

“Are they watching the evening unfold?”

“Yes. They do that every warm summer evening, just as they’ve done every year of their married life. They are happy together.” He towered over her, stalwart and incredible and true. “You can tell how much the man adores his wife every time he looks at her.”

“That couple is us?” she asked, her eyes growing watery.

“Yes.” His eyes deepened with emotion as he cradled her hand in his. Such a gentle touch. “That is what I see when I look at you. I want to marry you. I want to raise a family with you. I want us to be that silver-haired couple happy with a life well spent adoring one another through thick and thin. With every day that passes, I promise to cherish you more. Please marry me, Eloise. I love you so much.”

“Not more than I love you.” How could she say no to that? It was every dream she’d lost, everything she’d ever wanted with the one man she treasured above all. The sun chose that moment to brighten, as if heaven were trying to spotlight the moment. She realized this is where God had been leading her all along, that He had given her more than the accident had taken away.

“Y-yes.” Happiness made the word stutter like a sob in her throat. Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked hard. Joy was too small of a word to describe her feelings. “I want to marry you more than anything and spend all my days loving you. It’s a fairy-tale ending.”

“This isn’t an ending. It’s a beginning.”

“The best beginning.”

He slid the ring on her hand and his gaze locked with hers. She felt the impact all the way to her soul. She twined her hand with his, overwhelmed with emotion. Their hearts, now in synchrony, beat as one and always would. Their bond was unbreakable and everlasting.

“Hey, Eloise! Hey, Sean.” Chloe clumped up on her skates, carrying two ice-cream cones. “I was right! You guys
were
dating. Now you’re engaged. I
so
called it. Hey, a guy was just in for lunch. He’s from the next town over and he asked me if the inn was still taking in horses. Are you?”

“Absolutely.”

“I have an address. I’ll get it.” Chloe thumped off, her skates clumping on the blacktop.

Eloise saw the spark of happiness in Sean’s eyes as the sunlight caught the diamond on her left hand. Life was good, so very good. “Can you believe it? More horses to rescue.”

“Looks like our mission continues, gorgeous.” He knelt to boost her into the saddle. “Let’s go.”