His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) (21 page)

“I drove halfway to the Triple M. I wasn’t going to let you leave without giving it my best shot. Then I just stopped. I couldn’t stop crying and I felt like I’d lost everything in my life. Then I saw an eagle flying and it gave me faith. I knew it wasn’t over. We’ve come too far to turn our backs on this.”

“And it’s never going to be over.” For days he’d felt like a part of him was missing. With her leaning against him, he was whole again. “I’m sorry I’ve been a stubborn ass.”

“And I’m sorry for every scheme and prank Missy and I ever involved you in. I swear marrying you had nothing to do with her daring me.” She looked up at him, her eyes pleading him to understand and believe.

He sat down on the steps, bringing Allie with him. “I realize that now. Being on the road that long, gave me a lot of time to think. And do you know what conclusion I came to?” he asked her, his voice lowering.

She shook her head, whispering “no”.

He brushed a strand of hair away that blew into her eyes. “I realized there has never been a ‘you and me’. It’s always been ‘us’ and if we didn’t want to get married, it wouldn’t have happened, regardless of what Missy or anyone else said.”

“It’s true, Jase.  It has always been us. ” she affirmed, resting her head on his shoulder. 

This was the peace he sought. The fatigue he’d felt faded away, replaced with a new energy full of excitement to start this new phase of their lives. “Wait here,” he instructed. He ran to the kitchen, removing the small box from the cabinet above the fridge that no one ever looked in before returned back to Allie.

Kneeling down in front of her, he opened the box, revealing an emerald cut diamond solitaire. “Allison Loretta Callahan, will you stay married to me, forever and always.”

“Yes.”

Standing up, he lifted her to her feet. He slipped the ring onto her finger. “With this ring, I vow to love you forever, to protect, honor and cherish you. To share my life with you, giving you my all from this day forward.”

Her eyes glistened. “With this ring…” She paused to draw an invisible circle around his finger where a ring would go. “I pledge my life to you, to love you with all that I am and all I will ever be.  Come what may, from this day on we will be one.” 

Their lips met in a kiss completing their private vows.  “I love you,” the said together, after breaking the kiss. After a few minutes of poignant silence, Jase walked to his truck, turning the key for the radio to come on and he pushed a cd into the player.

“I believe I owe you a first dance, Mrs. Callahan.”  The beginning of
I Cross My Heart
began to play.

“You remembered,” she exclaimed quietly.

“May I have this dance?” he asked, holding out his hand. 

Accepting it, they swayed to the music, lost in the moment. Another song played and they sank to the ground in an expression of love.  Only the surrounding pines were witness to the intimate display between husband and wife.  

“Why did you pack everything?” she asked after sitting up and pulling her clothes back on.

Their new home. He hadn’t told her about it yet.

“Feel like taking a quick drive?”

“Where to?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Now? Don’t you want to rest first? You just drove a thousand miles in twenty-four hours.”

“Now. I want to show you something. And I think I just proved I still have energy,” He couldn’t help adding.

She smiled skeptically, but agreed. “Should I change?”

“You’re fine just as you are. Close your eyes,” he requested. After dressing himself, he helped her into the truck.

“Are you serious? You’re making me close my eyes.”

“Yes, I want you to be surprised.”  The drive would be short; enough she’d know they were still on Whispering Winds land, but at least she wouldn’t know what direction. 

Driving for a few miles, he came to their new home. He jumped out and walked to the other side, helping her out, as her eyes remained closed. Leading her by one hand, they walked until they were at the porch of the old cabin: their new house.

He spun her around so the first thing she’d see was the front door, with a shingle above with their names carved out. “Open your eyes.”

“It’s your parent’s old place; the original homestead. Someone’s spruced it up since I’ve last been out here.” She looked at him, suddenly catching on, her eyes widening with enchantment.

“When we came back from our trip, I talked to dad. We came out to look at it and saw it wouldn’t take much to make it livable again. That’s part of why I’ve been gone so much. Every spare minute I could get away, I came to get this ready. I had a big romantic night planned next weekend to show it to you but the time is right now. I don’t want to wait another day when it’s taken us years to get here.”

Placing one hand on his heart, she spoke softly. “I don’t need flowers or grand gestures. I only need you.” A tear formed in the corner of her eye.

He kissed it away before it could fall. “Welcome home,” he whispered.

Dear Reader,

Thank you spending your time with Jase
and Allie.  My hope is that you enjoyed this story and fell in love with the characters, as I did.  When I started this book, it was going to be a stand-alone, but then, much like the Brothers of the Bayou series, the secondary took on stories of their own. 
Lanie
and Jeremy have a pretty bad past to work through, but is it too late for a second chance? Look for When the Glitter Fades in late spring/early summer 2014.  And don’t worry- Lexie will also be getting her own story; release time frame to be decided.

Love Always,

Renee

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Also Available from Renee Peterson

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