Love Will Find a Way (36 page)

After awhile, Robert kissed the side of her moist mouth. “What are you thinking?"

A gentle smile curved her lips. “That you're my hero."

A tear slipped from his eye and rolled down his cheek. “I'm not worthy of that honor, but thank you."

She rose on her elbow and looked at him. “Yes, you are. You found Boo when no one else could."

He argued, not too persuasively, “It was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time."

"No. It wasn't. You found him because you refused to give up.” She traced the outline of his mouth with one fingertip. “Just like you refused to give up on me.” Her fingers fell to the wealth of hair that grew on his chest, and tangled there. “You were so angry when you left today. I was afraid you'd never come back again."

Robert laughed the happy rumble of a satisfied man. “I would have been back. I love you too much to let you go.” He caught her hand and pressed it to his lips. “I think we'd be more comfortable in my bed. This couch is a little narrow."

Emily realized that she was completely bare. She looked around for her dress. “I should go home. I have to work tomorrow."

Robert picked her up and strode toward his bedroom. “For now, I need you, and now is what's important."

"But what about Boo?” Emily asked as she suppressed a giggle.

"We'll worry about Boo tomorrow.” He went into the bedroom and slammed the door with his foot.

Epilogue

Emily stood by the picture window that opened onto a broad expanse of front yard and stared out at a sparkling winter wonderland. Icicles hung like crystal chandeliers from the branches of the huge old oak trees. Soft flakes of snow fell from a leaden sky and piled in drifts along the fencerows. The weather might be cold and dismal outside, but inside all was warmth and happiness. On a contented sigh, Emily declared, “I really do love this house."

Early last September she had sold her home on Oakdale Drive and bought a rambling, ranch style bungalow in the country. Perched high on a hill, the house was surrounded by several tree-dotted acres. When she moved into her new residence, Robert moved with her. “It's beginning to seem like home.” Her eyes moved from the wintry scene outside to the decorated Christmas tree that stood in the far corner of the room. “That's partly because you had the foresight to save all my attic treasures, right down to all our old Christmas tree ornaments."

Robert lounged on the couch before a roaring fire. “They do add a homey touch.” Boo was curled up asleep at his feet. “But any place you and Boo live is home to me."

Emily looked out at the dark sky. “Snow on Christmas Eve is a good omen."

Robert chuckled. “Is this Christmas Eve?"

"You know it is."

A slow, sensuous smile spread across Robert's face. “Christmas for me was yesterday."

Tears of happiness stung Emily's eyes. Yesterday in the county judge's chambers, they had stood and quietly said the vows that made them legally man and wife again. “It was a beautiful ceremony."

Robert smiled. “Was it? I didn't hear a word the judge said. I was too scared."

"You, scared?” Emily turned to stare at him. “Of what?"

"I was afraid you'd change your mind before we could say those final ‘I do's.’”

It had been six months since Emily and swallowed her pride and gone to Robert. They had been, in many ways the most difficult six months of her life. They had also been the most wonderful and the most fulfilling. “I'm sorry I took so long to make up my mind, but I had to be sure."

"And now you are?” A soft and loving smile touched his lips.

"And now I'm sure,” Emily echoed as she came across the room and sat beside him.

Robert put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. “And both our sons approve of our remarriage. That makes things almost perfect."

Emily moved restlessly. “If only Stacy could forgive me."

"I wish she could share the boys’ feelings,” Robert said and then added, “she thinks you made a terrible mistake marrying me again."

Emily snuggled closer. “Did she tell you that?"

"She told Kevin.” Robert brushed his lips across Emily's cheek. “He told me."

Over the past few months, Robert had worked hard at setting things right between him and his sons. And his patience and forbearance had paid off. Larry came home almost every weekend now, partly because he knew Robert would be there. Kevin visited regularly. Occasionally, Stacy came with him, but not often.

Emily patted Robert's leg. “When she gets to know you, she will love you."

"At least now Stacy accepts that we are together.” Robert lifted Emily's fingers to his lips and kissed them. “And that it's forever."

At first Stacy had refused to visit Robert and Emily, or to come to George and Clara's house if Robert and Emily were there. “This will break Dad's heart,” she told Emily when she learned of her reconciliation with Robert. “Dad wants to marry you, but you know that."

As gently as possible, Emily explained, “I don't love Dennis, and he doesn't love me. Marriage under those circumstances would be a mistake."

Stacy argued, “Dad doesn't think so and quite frankly, neither do I, and what about Kim and Amy? They do love you."

Guilt over having disappointed Kim and Amy cut Emily to the quick. “I'd be hurting them more if I married their father when I don't love him."

"They can't see that,” Stacy answered.

"In time they will.” Emily fervently hoped that was true.

Stacy's reluctance to accept Emily's decision to remarry Robert was the one cloud on Emily's otherwise bright horizon. “Stacy will come around when she stops blaming me for Dennis and the twins moving to Houston."

Robert tilted Emily's chin to look into her eyes. “Surely you don't blame yourself for them moving away."

In a way she did. “Dennis went to a much larger church that pays him a handsome salary. He told me that going there was a wise career move.” Sadness like a shadow fell across her happiness. “But that's not the only reason he moved.” She sucked in a deep breath of air and let it out slowly. “I never wanted to hurt him, or those two little girls."

Robert rubbed his hand along her arm. “It was one of those situations where someone was bound to be hurt. You did the right thing.” Suddenly and with quiet fury, he pulled her to him. “I almost lost you.” He kissed her passionately. “And I don't think I could live without you."

She yielded to his passionate embrace, relaxing in his arms until slowly they slackened their strong hold. He sighed and murmured, as he nuzzled her neck, “We can't do this. We have to go out soon."

Emily smiled up at him. “We still have plenty of time."

He kissed her again. “How long before we have to leave?"

"We're due at your mother's at twelve.” Emily glanced at her watch. “It's ten-thirty now."

His breath was warm against her throat. “Do you think they'd mind if we were late?"

Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body closer. “I don't think they'd mind at all."

Outside the snow fell, sifting like powder from the heavens, filling ditches, smoothing rough spots, hiding errors, covering the gray ground with a mantle of redeeming white; inside, two hopelessly committed lovers, oblivious to the world around them, were lost in the magic of a passionate embrace. Love had found a way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Billie and Herb Houston have been writing as a team since 1990, using the pseudonym Barri Bryan. They write the kind of books they enjoy reading—stories about relationships, stories that explore feelings and probe emotions. The plots revolve around ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances and faced with difficult decisions.