That had to be the sweetest thing he’d ever said to her.
“What else do you worry about?”
His question drew her back to the reason she’d agreed to this walk. “I don’t know what to do outside of loving you. You don’t really need me on the ranch full-time. And I think I’d like to work.”
“Any idea what you want to do?”
They made their way down the sidewalk, past the row of houses and toward the old library that now stood as a historical monument. The tall brick building burned crimson, the double windows dark as midnight to protect the old books lining the shelves.
She could smell the ancient pages, the leather and oil that kept them usable. Her hands itched to turn pages and delve into history. “Something that lets me work with antiques. Houses. Books. Not real estate. I don’t want to sell things. I want to research.” His thumb ran back and forth across hers in soothing circles. “And I want to help on the ranch.”
“Sounds like a busy life.”
It felt right. Good. She checked her heart and all the prayers she’d prayed. They all led her here, to this moment and the acceptance of a new future. “As long as I have you, it will be an amazing life.”
“There you go saying things that make me want to kiss you.”
“What’s stopping you?”
His lips were on hers almost before she finished speaking. They were the same as she remembered. Better. She held onto him as the storm of emotion whirled.
Nothing in her life had been good and right in years. And now, she had everything.
Her relationship with God was stronger than ever.
She’d found her way back to Chase, and he loved her despite her mistakes.
They had the potential for a future if they were willing to take the next step.
“What we have,” he whispered as he ended the kiss, “is strong enough to overcome any obstacle.”
She believed him. “We do things right this time. It’s not just you and me. We keep God front and center in our lives.”
“Agreed.” No hesitation. No single second of surprise.
Unlike when they were kids, they understood the true importance of what they committed to each other.
He kissed her again in the shadow of the old library, and the rest of the world fell away.
Chapter Seventeen
Spending time with Michelle at dinner on Sunday and throughout the morning on Monday drove a single point home. He wanted to be in her life forever. They’d always been meant for each other, and he had a chance to show her how much he loved her.
She hadn’t gone riding since the day she found the old heart he’d carved in the pine tree, so after they finished their work for the day, he saddled up two horses and led them to the house.
Michelle stepped out onto the porch, two dessert plates in her hands. “What are you doing? I thought we were having dessert.” She lifted the plates up for emphasis.
“Want to take a ride with me first?” He held out the reins to a strawberry roan. “This is Bella.”
She looked the mare over, and a grin popped out. “Looks like she has a bit more spunk than my last horse.”
“You mentioned last night you’d remembered how to ride. She’ll still take good care of you, and she’s not one to spook.” He jiggled the reins. “And she’s an excellent sprinter.”
“You remember.” She turned and set the plates down inside the house.
Mom followed her out, laughter dancing across her face.
He’d stopped trying to keep distance between him and Michelle. She tore down all his barriers and worked her way right into his heart. Where she belonged. He’d never been more sure of that than last night when she made him promise that God belonged in their relationship.
