“Of course. What is it?”
She put a few inches between them. Created a little breathing room. “Can you tell me what happened before? Why did you break up with me out of the blue? Was it something I did or said or—?”
“No, honey. It had nothing to do with you. The day before we broke up was the anniversary of the fire. Of my parents’ deaths. It had been haunting me all day.”
She felt a catch in her throat. “Oh, Gunner. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t even want to think about it. But I had a nightmare that night—my first in years. It was pretty bad. It shook me up.” The remnants of that dream still flickered in his eyes. “I got scared and I acted out of fear.”
She touched his face. “I get scared sometimes too. I’m afraid of getting left behind. I’m afraid of being vulnerable.”
“And here I am, this guy who runs from job to job, town to town. I made you think it was safe to care, then I left you in the dust.”
“But in the end, you choseme. Besides, some wise guy once told me love is always a risk.”
He cradled her face. “You are so worth that risk. I love you, sweetheart. So much. I’m not going anywhere.”
Had sweeter words ever been spoken? Had a man ever looked at a woman with such adoration? Such reverence? “Oh, Gunner. I love you too.”
The kiss that followed might have lasted minutes or hours.They might’ve been standing in a busy fairground or on a quiet street corner. Time and place were irrelevant when she was wrapped up in Gunner’s arms. In Gunner’s heart. And she intended to keep it that way.
Epilogue
Charlotte slid into Gunner’s arms, and they began swaying to the tune of “God Gave Me You.” White lights twinkled above the makeshift dance floor. The air was crisp with autumn, and the trees were clothed in fall’s splendor.
Charlotte laid her head against Gunner’s chest, and even with the music floating on the breeze, she could hear his heart keeping time with hers. Feel his strong arms around her. Smell the leather and spice scent that was uniquely his.
She was so blessed. She just wanted a minute to take it all in.
The last year had been busy and exciting. Following Trail Days, the Stables at Wildflower Falls had experienced a hearty growth spurt. They’d expanded their riding program and now offered lessons six days a week. She’d hired two additional hands to care for the horses so she could manage lessons and trail rides. Gunner had his hands full with the training program, which had also grown as his good reputation spread.
And as it turned out, Emerson had decided to stay in Riverbend Gap after all. When Charlotte mentioned the ideaof a chuck-wagon supper, it inspired Emerson’s inner chef. They now offered the supper on Fridays and Saturdays, and her sister was constantly tweaking the menu. The schedule allowed her to keep her job at the bakery where she’d recently been promoted to assistant manager.
On Sundays the sisters often found themselves at the Robinson house, where they engaged in the cornhole wars. Nobody complained when they were paired with Charlotte or Emerson, even though they were novices. After the games they sat down to delicious potluck suppers that were filled with bright chatter and lively banter. When the Robinsons welcomed you into their family, you and those you loved were warmly received.
There had been a lot of excitement in November. Laurel went into labor late at night and progressed so quickly that she ended up having the baby at the town clinic. Avery delivered her niece—Madelyn Mae Robinson—who was born at 3:15 a.m. After a short stay Laurel and Gavin brought the infant home to a very excited Emma.
And at the end of March they learned the lively clan would soon grow even larger—Avery and Wes were now expecting. A new member of the Robinson family would be born at the end of the year. There was much celebrating about the upcoming arrival of another baby—Avery and Wes’s first.
And how were things faring between Charlotte and Gunner? Well, on a perfect April day, wildflowers blooming in riotous color, Gunner dropped to his knee and proposed to Charlotte by the falls where they’d shared their first picnic. The memory of that day was one of her favorites. It was romantic and special and also kind of sweet that he was nervous.
She smiled now as she swayed to the swelling chorus,remembering the way his hands had trembled when he presented the engagement ring.
“Everybody’s staring at us,” he whispered into her ear.
“Well, it is kind of our moment.”
“But I want to kiss you.”
Laughter bubbled up inside as she leaned back far enough to meet his gaze. “You just kissed me not even an hour ago. The vows, the rings, the kiss. Sound familiar?”
“It was a great kiss.” He dropped his eyes to her lips, giving her that sleepy-eyed look she’d come to love. “But it made me want more.”
“There’ll be plenty of time formorelater, when you take me away.”
He set his forehead against hers, putting them so close their breaths mingled. “Tell me more aboutlater.”
“Well... after we make it through the dance and the cake and more dancing—”
