A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) (37 page)

Pain ripped through his heart, and Chance closed his eyes against the pain. So she'd decided to leave after all.

"Chance? You still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here." The words came out in a hoarse whisper.

"Can I help you with anything else?"

It was the right thing to do. "Actually, there is one more thing." He gave Mara the details of his plan, then hung up the phone.

Now Dakota would at last be free and able to start anew, even if it meant losing her forever.

* * *

Dakota finished her last bit of cleaning and called Daisy. Her unexpected friend trotted over obediently and stared up at her, unconditional love shining from her big brown eyes.

"Oh, Daisy, I love you so much." She scratched Daisy's ears, then attached the leash and led her outside to her kennel. "I need to run to town to meet with the realtor, but I'll be back soon."

She clipped the leash to the outside of the kennel fence and retraced her steps to grab her purse and keys. Why did her heart ache so? The answer came immediately. Over the past two weeks, Chance had been to visit everyday, but hadn't verbally said the words, "I forgive you for what you did."

Her eyes moistened, and she blinked back tears. If he couldn't forgive her, then there was no chance of any sort of meaningful relationship between them. Yes, he'd been kind and supportive, but that wasn't enough. Not anymore. Instead, she'd follow through on her plan to sell the place, give Chance what she owed him and then move on to another place. Hopefully her broken heart would heal with time.

She locked the front door behind her, still amazed at the final results of the farmhouse renovation. Never in a million years could she have anticipated this outcome, especially after seeing the house's condition when she'd arrived a few months ago. Like a lady with a new dress and new attitude, the old farmhouse had a spring to her step and a gleam in her eyes. She looked loved and in love. Okay, so maybe that wasn't the best use of words, especially in light of her aching heart.

Dakota climbed into her old truck and took off down the road, suddenly anxious to escape the memories that pursued her. Would she ever be able to rid her heart of Chance Johnson? Her only comfort was the fact that by selling the farm, Chance would at last have the resources to fund his dream of restoring Watson Drugstore. That one fact alone gave wings to her plan.

A few minutes later she pulled up in front of Mara Hedwig Realty on the square of Miller's Creek downtown area. Mara, although fairly new to Miller's Creek, had come highly recommended by several people at church. Dakota let her bodyweight carry her feet to the ground, slammed the pickup door, and hurried inside, eager to get this over with before she chickened out and changed her mind.

"You must be Dakota." The woman exited a doorway with a heavily-bejeweled hand extended.

Dakota smiled and shook her hand. "Yes, and you're Mara?"

"That's me." The woman's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, as though fearful of letting others too close.

A fear Dakota knew all too well. She sent up a quick prayer for the woman.

"So you want to put your property on the market?"

Her lips pressed together, Dakota inhaled a deep breath through her nose. Better get this over and done with. "Yes."

"Okay. Let's draw up the paperwork." Mara moved to a nearby table and motioned for Dakota to take a seat. "By the way, I had a call from a gentleman earlier today who might be interested. Said he'd heard through the grapevine that the place was for sale and wanted to know if he could see it later today."

The news sent a shock clear to her bones and deposited an unpleasant taste on her tongue. So soon? Part of her had hoped for at least a few weeks at the farmhouse she'd labored over in the hopes of making it her home for a lifetime. Obviously God had other plans. "Uh...sure. What time?"

"He asked for a four-thirty showing. I told him I already had an appointment at that time, but he was persistent. So you'll have to show the property. Would that be okay with you?"

"But I don't know how."

Mara waved a hand through the air. "You know the property much better than I do. Just let your love for the place shine through." The pretty realtor shoved a stack of papers across the table. "Oh, and one more thing before we get started on all this, he asked to meet you at the bridge."

The bridge? Definitely had to be someone local to know the bridge even existed. "Okay."

Fifteen minutes later, Dakota signed the last of the papers, said her 'good-bye' to Mara, and sped to the farm, one eye on the clock. This was definitely cutting it close. What if the potential buyer beat her to the farm? Would he leave if she weren't there?

Relief washed over her as she made the bend in the long driveway. No other cars, thank goodness. She gathered Daisy from her pen and headed toward the creek, the sun parting the clouds as she traipsed through the tall grass. How she would miss this old place so laden with fond memories.

Melancholy and nostalgia tore into the flesh of her heart as she arrived at the bridge. In spite of years of neglect, the old bridge had stood its ground, not yielding to the pressure of wind or weather, but constantly providing safe journey from one place to the other.

"You belong here."

Dakota's hand flew to her chest at the unexpected voice, and her head whipped around. "Oh, Chance, you startled me. I was expecting someone else."

"Sorry. Forgive me?"

The simple words latched hooks into her heart. "Always."

In quick strides, he moved closer until he stood inches away, the blue-gray eyes she loved so much searching hers. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course."

"But how can you forgive me for how I treated you? For blaming my mistakes on you?"

"It's a two-way street, Chance. How can you forgive me for not telling you about your beautiful baby girl? Forgiveness is something you do to free everyone involved."

He stepped even closer.

She sucked in a deep breath. It was now or never. Even if she left, she'd leave knowing she'd laid it all on the table and left nothing unsaid. "Basically, I forgive you because I love you." The words rolled off her tongue as though in a dream. "That's the only way any of us can forgive."

His eyes took on a smoky darkness, and she backed away and leaned her arms on the rails of the bridge, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Had she gone too far? And why? The words she'd spoken so hastily a minute before had never been part of the plan. Where had they come from?

Chance moved in beside her and mimicked her position.

Best to let him know the truth now. Maybe that would lessen the shock of her previous words. "Just so you know, I'm meeting with a potential buyer for the farm."

He didn't say anything for a long minute. Nor did he look her direction. "So you've decided to leave?"

She nodded. "It's for the best." Wasn't it?

"If love forgives, then why doesn't it also stay and try to make a go of things?"

The blood rushed from her head, and she faced him. "What do you mean?"

A small smile touched the corners of his lips. His eyes took on a look she hadn't seen in such a long time. He pulled her into his arms, bringing his lips down to touch hers.

Just as quickly he pulled away, his arms still encircling her waist. "I mean that I love you, too, and all that implies."

Her mouth gaped open. Did she dare hope that he'd forgiven her? "You mean...?"

"I've forgiven you, and I don't want you to go. I came out here prepared to set you free, and I still will if that's what you want."

Set her free? What? "I'm not sure I understand."

A soft chuckle escaped, and he tilted his head toward the blue sky above. "I'm your buyer."

Her jaw dropped even further. "You'd do that for me?"

His face sobered, his eyes suddenly sad. "If that's what you want."

"But the drugstore..."

"Oh, Red, I want so much for you." He tenderly tucked an escaped curl behind her ear. "I want rainbows and laughter and a home. If buying the farm will give that to you, then yes, I'll do it."

A single tear slipped down one cheek, and she shook her head. "You buying the farm won't give me those things at all. It would only give me one more reason to run away to another lifetime of loneliness. But I can't stay if..."

He silenced her with a sudden and thorough kiss. "No more ifs, Dakota. I'm here to stay, no matter what."

A burdensome weight immediately lifted from her heart and shoulders. After all these years, she was free at last.

Together they walked, hand in hand, toward the newly made-over farmhouse, Daisy bounding ahead of them.

Chapter Thirty-Six

W
ith a final sweep of the rag, Chance cleared the last bit of dust from the drugstore counter and stepped back to view the results. He and Matt had worked late last night to finish cleaning up the last bit of construction debris for the store's grand opening in a couple of weeks. Now the place shone like the jewel he'd known it could be, and a sense of satisfaction trickled through him.

Matt pushed through the old wooden swinging doors that led from the back. "Wow. This looks great." He moved to stand beside Chance and bumped knuckles wi
th him. "We do good work, bro, even if I do say so myself."

Chance grinned at his best friend. "Agreed. Thanks for helping me get it finished. Don't know what I would've done without you, especially since I'm gonna be out of pocket all week."

His friend lightly punched Chance's upper arm. "Quit rubbing it in. Just 'cause you're gonna be in a tropical location with the woman of your dreams while we're enduring the unpredictable weather of springtime in Texas."

A laugh erupted from Chance'
s throat. It still felt like a "pinch-me" kind of moment. Somehow he and Dakota had made it through the worst, and in a few hours she'd become his wife forever and ever.

Matt eyed him. "You're so giddy it's not even funny. Now, based on the text my
beautiful wife just sent, I'd better get you out to the farm for the wedding before she takes me to court. You ready?"

Silly question. He'd been waiting for this day for so long. The woman he'd thought would never be his loved him with her entire being, even in spite of his scars. "
More than ready."

* * *

"You look absolutely stunning, Dakota." Gracie, already dressed in her pale blue bridesmaid dress and her hair piled into immaculate curls on top of her pretty head, smiled at her through the full-length mirror in front of them.

Dakota released a shaky breath, moved a hand to her tummy to still the butterflies,  and took in her appearance. Never had she dared dream that life would turn out like this for her. Now here she stood, in a dress that perfectly captured who she was, simple and understated, but somehow
still a fairytale princess in white about to marry Chance.

Prince Charming? Well, he could be, though he'd always have hi
s moments just like she would. But the past few months had proved that they had what it took to stick together in spite of their human tendency toward sin. Simply put, they'd both learned to forgive.

The door to her bedroom swung open and Dani, Trish, and Mama Beth entered. Dani, already back to her normal petite size after the birth of little Andrew Steven back in January, smiled broadly. "I just knew that was the dress for you when we spotted it in the bridal shop in Dallas. It's perfect."

Mama Beth bustled over to her and gave her a squeeze. "You look radiant, my dear." She planted a soft kiss on Dakota's cheek. "Chance Johnson is one blessed man."

Dakota shook her head. "I'm the one who's blessed."

"You both are," added Trish, her dark eyes sparkling. "By the way, we finished decorating the bridge. It looks amazing."

"I can't wait to see it." Dakota smiled. In truth, as much fun as this wedding had been to plan, there was only one thing she truly longed to see--Chance's face as she walked across the bridge to become his wife. She glanced at the clock. Time to get moving.

A few minutes later, she and the other ladies arrived at the bridge and made their way from Trish and Andy's SUV to the screen Trish had crafted from white lattice, ivy, and daisies. On both sides of the creek, as far as one could see, bluebonnets danced in the sunny spring day, last winter's flood their catalyst. Beyond that the pasture furrows boasted new sprigs of corn and sorghum, which would be used to feed their growing herd of livestock. Already their little barnyard boasted Coot's chickens, a few goats and rabbits, and a beautiful mare named Nelly. Hopefully during the summer they'd be able to add a couple of calves as well.

T
he comforting sound of Matt's guitar began, the signal for the wedding to begin.

Gracie straightened the train of Dakota's dress, then stood, excitement shining in her eyes. "I don't have to ask if you're ready. Your face is the definition of contentment."

One by one, the ladies left to walk down the carpeting between the rows of white folding chairs. Within a matter of minutes, Dakota stepped out in front of the lattice, her eyes firmly latched on the man she loved with every fiber of her being.