Heart of Texas Volume 2: Caroline's Child

Caught by surprise, Grady was slow to react. A second later he clasped her in his arms, so deeply involved in the kiss that he didn’t care who saw them. Even Richard.

Neither one of them was able to breathe properly when the kiss ended. Their balance seemed to be affected, too. Grady gripped her elbows and she held on to his waist.

Their eyes met and she smiled the softest, sweetest, sexiest smile he’d ever seen.

“What was that for?” he asked, his voice thick with passion.

“For saving Maggie.”

“Oh.” He cleared his throat. “I once saved a wounded falcon.”

She kissed his cheek.

“It was hurt real bad.”

Her lips inched closer to his.

“Richard broke his arm when he was eight and I carried him home. Will you reward me with a kiss for that, as well?”

“Grady!” she protested with a laugh. “Enough.”

He loved the sound of her laughter. Because he wanted to hold her one last time, he scooped her into his arms and swung her around. Throwing back her head, she continued to laugh with such sheer joy it infected his very soul. They hugged for a long time afterward, content simply to be in each other’s arms.

This was heaven, Grady told himself. Heaven in its purest form.

* * *

GLEN WAS AT FRASIER FEED early Tuesday evening just as he’d promised. Ellie’d had a long grueling day; not only was the store exceptionally busy, their wedding was less than a month away and there was an endless list of things that needed to be done.

“I’m glad you’re on time,” she said, smiling at him, loving him. She marveled again at how they’d both been so incredibly blind to their feelings. Obtuse was the word for the pair of them.

“Hey, when was I ever late?” Glen teased.

Ellie rolled her eyes and hung the Closed sign in the shop window. She started toward the office where she kept her purse, but hadn’t gone far when Glen caught her hand and stopped her.

“Not so soon. Aren’t you going to let me know how pleased you are to see me?”

“I see you every day,” she reminded him.

“We aren’t even married and already you’re treating me like an old hat.” He wore a woebegone look.

Laughing, Ellie locked her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss he wouldn’t soon forget. Neither would she.

“Oh, baby,” he whispered, his eyes closed. “How much longer until the wedding?”

“Less than a month.” Her head buzzed with everything they still needed to do, to decide and plan. “Sometimes I wish we could just run away and get married.”

“That idea appeals to me more and more,” he murmured.

Ellie was tempted herself, but reason soon took over. “Your mother and mine would never forgive us.”

“In that case, let’s live in sin and give them something to really be upset about.”

Despite herself, Ellie giggled. “You always make me laugh.”

“I’m glad to know you find me a source of entertainment.”

“Always,” she joked, kissing him again, lightly this time.

He released her with a reluctance that warmed her heart. Ellie retrieved her purse from the office and tucked in her to-do list.

“When are we scheduled to meet with the Realtor?” Glen asked.

“Not until seven.” Where they would live had been a major decision. If she moved out to the ranch with Glen and Cal, she’d be commuting to Promise each day. If Glen moved into town, then he’d be the one commuting. In the end they’d decided to buy a house in town. Glen would continue working with his brother for a number of years, but hoped someday to start his own spread. When the time came, they’d buy a ranch closer to town, but that was years in the future.

Glen checked his watch. “Do we have time for a quick bite to eat?”

“If you want.”

He growled. “I’m starving.”

“All right, cowboy, let’s stop at the Chili Pepper for a quick sandwich.”

Only a few months ago Ellie’s life had been empty enough to swallow her whole. Her father had died, and then her mother had unexpectedly sold the family home and moved to Chicago. For the first time in her life Ellie had been utterly alone. That was when she realized how much she’d come to rely on her best friend—and eventually know how much she loved him.

They walked to the restaurant and managed to get a booth. Both were familiar enough with the menu not to need one. Ellie ordered the barbecue sandwich and a side of potato salad, and Glen chose a slab of the baby back ribs. He also asked for a pitcher of ice-cold beer.

“Dovie took me to lunch this afternoon,” Ellie said when the beer arrived.

“Anything going on with her these days?”

“She wanted to know how the wedding plans were coming along, and…” Ellie hesitated.

“And?” he prodded, pouring them each a beer.

“Have you met Dr. Dickinson yet?”

“Doc Cummings’s replacement? Not officially. Why?”

“Dovie asked if I’d, you know, take her under my wing.”

“The doctor?” Glen set his mug down on the table.

“Apparently she’s not adjusting to life in Promise.”

Glen relaxed against the red vinyl upholstery. “How do you mean?”

“She doesn’t fit in, and Dovie seems to think what she really needs is a friend, someone to introduce her to people, show her the ropes.”