I told my friends and family that it was temporary. I even told myself that. But it didn't feel that way in my heart. I was on my way to the ranch now, and I was so drawn to it that it felt like I had been missing a piece of myself—like my soul wouldn't be able to rest until I was there with Henry and PJ on the ranch.
PJ had stayed in Montana when I left four months ago. Knowing that I had busy times in California and that I would soon return, we decided it was best for me to leave him there when we finished filming at the ranch. He loved his life with Henry, and the feeling was mutual. They had been keeping up with PJ's training.
I hadn't seen either of my boys in months. I knew they were doing well, but I was aching in my bones to be next to them. I called Henry when I was getting close to the ranch. His phone rang twice, and I smiled when I heard him say, "Hello," on the other end.
"Hey, I’m almost there," I said. "Eight minutes."
"Finally," he said.
"Don't let me forget, I need to get online and order a Bible right when I get there."
"Did you forget yours in California?" he asked.
"No, I didn't forget it. I left it for my sister at the last minute."
"Donna's Bible?"
"Yes."
"You can't hold onto that thing."
"No, I was happy to give it to her. She saw me reading it the night before I left, and she said that if anyone ever gave her a special Bible that meant something, she'd probably feel compelled to read it also. So, anyway, I thought about it on my way out the door, and I just felt led to leave it for her. I'm glad I made that choice. I just need to get myself another one."
"Yeah, we can do that later tonight or whenever, but, hey, Amelia?"
"Yes?" I sounded concerned because of the way he switched gears.
"I already knew that."
"What?"
"Ty might actually be here when you get here."
"What?"
"Do you remember saying you wished you could marry me the instant you see me?"
"Oh, my gosh, Henry, am I going to get to? Are we doing that?"
I reached up and yanked on my rearview mirror. I aimed it at myself, checking my appearance. Henry was a matter-of-fact guy, and he didn't say things unless they meant something. I felt all wound up at the fact that he would mention it.
"Do you remember saying that to me?"
"Yes, I probably said it ten times. I wish I could marry you the second I see you. It would be amazing, I would want it, and it would take the guesswork out of—"
"Well, after you said it a few times, I started taking you seriously," he said.
"Good. Are we? Can we? Now? When I get there? Is this real? Are you serious? Henry, tell me what you're saying."
He laughed. "I was going to wait until you got here and surprise you, but you mentioned Ty, and I wanted to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"That people are here. Ty and others. You'll seriously have the option to marry me the second you see me. I mean, I was going to talk to you in private first, but yeah, if that's what you want, it's going to be available. It's no pressure, but there are… people here. Just in case you say yes. I almost told you about it ten times. It was so hard to wait. I just couldn't hold it anymore when you mentioned your sister. She had already told me about the Bible. We ordered you a new one."
"Oh my goodness, Henry, who's there? Is there like a pastor or judge or something?"
"Yeah, and others. Your family, they've been here all afternoon."
