He simply wanted her to stop. Look at him. Tell him the truth.
“It’s me that’s the problem,” she finally whispered. “I’m a huge mess.”
“Maybe you two should go outside to talk,” Dawson whispered as he leaned toward Brandon. “Otherwise, I think Mrs. Rutherford is going to have a stroke.”
Brandon looked at the older woman in front of them. She did glance over her shoulder at Dawson. He flashed her a tight smile and then gave Brandon a pointed look.
Brandon stood, but Lenore did not. That caused another little scuffle until she realized what was happening and got to her feet too. Then she practically ran out of the chapel.
But Brandon took a moment to collect his leather jacket before he followed. He made it into the foyer just as Lenore burst out of the front door at a full run.
Confusion filled him. He wasn’t sure if she really wanted to talk to him or not. But he certainly couldn’t go back inside now. He followed her outside and found her at the bottom of the steps, just standing there, staring straight ahead.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he went down the steps. “Do I need to take you to the hospital or something?”
“No.” She faced him, and she pure unhappiness in her eyes. She swallowed and blinked rapidly in that adorable way she had.
Brandon stayed quiet. She’d shown up at church to talk to him, so he’d let her do the talking.
“I hate my life without you,” she said. The words came out almost like a punch and sent him back a step. “I hate the homestead without us working together on it. I hate that I got mad, and said mean things, and made awful assumptions, and pushed you away. I’m really sorry about all of it.”
She threw her hands up and then let them flap back to her sides. “The well is wonderful. I needed it. And not next month, or in the summer when I could finally afford it. But you were right, okay? I needed it last week. Heck, I probably needed it last month. Or last summer.
“And maybe I’m not the most trusting person, but I’ve always trusted you, Brandon. I know you’re not trying to take the homestead from me. Iknowit. But sometimes, I’m a little irrational. I promise I’m going work on that.
“But I can’t do it without you.” She reached up and swiped at her eyes. “I know we can’t go back to what we were before. But I believe that we can build something better, and I don’t want you to leave the homestead next week.”
Brandon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She had said so much in so few words, and his brain couldn’t latch on to everything fast enough.
Thankfully, his heart could.
“So please,” Lenore said. “Tell me I haven’t messed up too badly, and that you’ll give me another chance. Because I think we deserve one. You said I’m the one who always thinks long-term, and I think about all?—”
Brandon held up one hand. “Can you just stop?” He took the two steps to Lenore and wrapped her in his arms. “Lenny, do you seriously thinkIneed to giveyouanother chance?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Yes. I’m sorry. Please come home.”
Home.
Brandon gazed at her, truly marveling at the strength and goodness of this woman.
“But I don’t want you to come just to work. I want you to come as if it’syourhome.” She ran her hands up his chest and took his face in her hands. “Because it is. I was going to say…when I look into the future a year from now, I’m walking out of my bedroom wearing a new dress, and you’re there. We’re together. That’s what I want.”
She nodded one time, and all the happiness in the world filled Brandon.
“It’s what I want too, Lenny.” He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry I overstepped.”
“Maybe you did, and maybe you didn’t,” she said. “It doesn’t really matter. You were right. I wanted to do things a different way, but it wouldn’t have worked without the well.”
Brandon smoothed his hands over her hair, taking her ponytail in his fingers. “We’ll talk about everything,” he said. “I promise I won’t do things without asking you.”
Lenore nodded enthusiastically and offered him a small smile. “I’m in love with you,” she said. “And I want us to build our life together on the homestead.”
Brandon’s vision went white. “You’re in love with me?”
“Yes,” Lenny said, her voice breaking. “And I’m really scared that I’m the only one who feels this way. But my momma told me that I can be brave, strong, and smart. So I had to come. I had to tell you right away.”
“You’re not—” Brandon started, then stopped when Lenny blinked. “I mean, youare.You’re all of those things,” he said quickly. “You’re the bravest woman I know. And the strongest person ever. And smarter than everyone.”
