Chapter Nineteen
H ayden was quiet all through dinner. Everyone had had a scare, but there was something else going on. What it was, Laura wasn’t sure, but Hayden was avoiding looking at her. Something had changed between them. Yes, he’d come to her rescue, and yes, he’d held her hand, but he hadn’t said a word.
Her heart sank. He’d probably decided he was finished with the fling. She’d never had a fling before; she didn’t know how it was supposed to work. Maybe a week was the appropriate timeline. How would she know? And she’d brought a bag, thinking she’d be welcome.
They’d all just finished eating, and Luke and Jessie had left the kitchen. Sounds of barking and a little boy’s laughter came from the direction of the living room. Well, she couldn’t stay here. She’d phone Maria, and hopefully, she could pick her up before she burst into tears again.
Before she could push her chair back, though, Willow cleared her throat. “So, Laura, you were driving out here to…?”
Oh, dear. Of course, Willow would ask the question. No hiding from her. “I…um…I was on my way to see…to see Hayden. I thought we still had…” Taking a breath, she blurted out. “I wanted to see Hayden, but it’s clear it was a mistake.”
Frowning, Hayden met her eyes.
She got up. “You’ve obviously changed your mind about us. Excuse me. I’ll call Maria.”
Willow got up too. “You two”—she said, pointing to Hayden and Laura—“need to talk. Laura, just so you know, Hayden drove into town to fetch you earlier today, but he turned back when he saw another truck in front of your house. I’m taking Luke and Jessie home with me.”
“I’ll take Molly,” Cooper said with a smile.
With a last wave from Willow, they trooped out of the kitchen.
*
Isabella had left earlier. Minutes after Hayden’s family left, the house was quiet. He and Laura were still standing on opposites side of the table.
“You came into town to fetch me?” she finally asked.
“And saw Tanner entering your house.”
Her eyes narrowed. “So why didn’t you come in?”
“You had company.”
Crossing her arms, she shook her head. “Tanner made freestanding cabinets for my kitchen. He was going to bring them tomorrow, but this afternoon he had help to transport them. That was why he was at my house, something you would’ve known if you’ve knocked on the door. Actually, you should’ve known it without having to ask. Damn it, Hayden. We’ve been together, I’ve given you my body, showed you how I feel about you, but…okay, I get it. You’re finished with the fling. I just wish you would’ve told me.” Turning around, she walked out of the kitchen.
Showed you how I feel about you— the words had knocked his breath from his body and it took him a few seconds to recover. “Laura!” he roared as he followed her with long strides.
She had her phone in her hand.
“How you feel about me?” He walked right up to where she was standing. “Why don’t you tell me exactly how you feel about me?”
A tear slipped out of the corner of her one eye. Without bothering to wipe it away, she looked at him. “Why?”
Her eyes told him everything he wanted to know. Something that had been rolled up tightly inside him eased out slowly, and a warmth he’d forgotten about spread through his body, reaching even those parts that had been frozen for a long time. He didn’t deserve a second chance at happiness and he didn’t deserve love again, but here he was with Laura, and as impossible as he’d thought it to be, she was offering both.
Cupping her face, he wiped the tears away with his thumbs. “Because I’ve just realized today something my heart has known since the moment I saw you in Grey’s Saloon.”
She stilled, even stopped breathing. Those blue eyes were looking straight into his very soul.
The smile that probably split his face in two came from deep inside of him. “It’s complicated. I have things to sort out in my mind. I didn’t expect this, didn’t expect you, but I love you. And I want you to know, what I feel when I’m with you, I’ve never felt before.”
Because he was standing so close to her, he could see the precise moment his words sank in. She exhaled slowly. “You love me?”
“I do.”
“And?”
“And as soon as I know how you feel about me, we can talk about the ‘and.’”
“You must know. I’ve showed you every time we were together.”
“The words, Laura. I need to hear to the words.”
“Of course I love you, you idiot.” She sniffed. “Mind you, I didn’t want to. Another guy with baggage, I thought, but then I fell for you, anyway. Can we now please kiss and get naked? It’s been a long week.”
With a laugh, he picked her up. “Yes, ma’am. I don’t mind if we do.”
As he strode to his room with Laura in his arms, his heart finally settled. They had to talk. But first, he wanted to show her with his body how deep his feelings ran, how much she meant to him, and how extraordinary he thought she was.
*
Sunday morning, Laura opened her eyes slowly. She was alone. Luke’s laughter floated up the stairs, followed by Jessie’s barking. Faraway sounds from outside penetrated slowly.
Stretching her arms above her head, she smiled. After the past two nights she’d spent in Hayden’s arms, she was aware of muscles she hadn’t used before. What the man could do with his hands and mouth was just…wow. She’d fallen for an enthusiastic and ingenious lover. The thought of leaving him and Luke later today filled her with dread.
Luke had accepted her presence in the house without questions. She and Hayden should talk—with each other and, of course, with Luke. When they were alone together, however, talking was the last thing she thought about.
Hayden had things to work out in his mind, he’d said. How long that would take and what happened after this weekend, she didn’t know. But in this moment, she was so happy.
When she’d moved to Marietta, the last thing she’d expected had been that she’d meet her person—that one guy whom she was meant to be with. She loved him as she hadn’t known it was possible to love. Being with him, making love with him, filled her body, her soul, her whole being.
Marriage wasn’t on the table. Hayden had been very clear about that from the start, but he loved her. That was all that mattered, anyway.
From outside came the sound of another truck, and she jumped up quickly. They were having lunch with Arlene. She’d better get dressed.
*
Hayden waited for Laura to finish breakfast. He’d deliberately not gone up to the room again. His mother was expecting them for lunch. When he was with her, he had to touch her and when he touched, he wanted her—all of her. Shaking his head, he grinned. He had it bad. Really bad.
They had to talk. And he knew where he wanted to have the talk. Willow had already left to go into town and had taken Luke and the dogs with her.
“All done?” he asked as he got up from the table.
“Yes, I’ll quickly rinse this…”
“Just leave it. Before we go into town, will you come with me? By the way, the mechanic we usually use will tow it away and fix it for you. He’s with the car and says it would probably be ready by the end of the week.”
Frowning, she put her hands on her hips. “You didn’t have to do that. I was going to phone tomorrow—”
He moved closer before she could finish her sentence. “Please let me do this for you? If I’d brought you home as I planned to do, your car wouldn’t have been in a ditch.”
Stiffly, she nodded. “Thank you. But I’m quite capable of fixing my own problems, okay?”
Catching her hands, he pulled her closer. “I know. It’s one of the reasons I’ve fallen in love with you.”
She was still frowning, though, and opened her mouth to say something again, but being this close to her, surrounded by her flowery scent, all he could think about was kissing her. His lips caught hers, and like every single time, he was lost.
Kissing Laura was fast becoming addictive. He loved the way her lips immediately softened and parted under his, how she melted against him, and how the curves of her body seemed to have been made to fit against his.
Slipping his hands under her top, he lifted his head. “Everything else will have to wait…” He pulled her top over her head.
Fortunately, the table had been cleared. It would have to do.
*
Half an hour later, they drove away from the homestead. Hayden had her hand tightly in his. Laura put her other hand on her tummy, where the butterflies hadn’t quite settled yet. Her body was still singing, her blood still rushing through her veins. She loved this man something fierce.
She studied his face, his broad shoulders, his muscled legs, and, within minutes, she was so hot, she struggled to breathe. Inhaling deeply, she looked out of the window. She’d just straightened her clothes after being ravished on the kitchen table and here she was, ready to jump on him again.
Grinning, he squeezed her hand. “Am I forgiven?”
“This time,” she said, lifting her chin. “I’ve been on my own for a while now and can handle my own problems.”
“But now you have me to help you.”
“But for how long?” slipped out before she could stop herself. “A fling means it’s temporary and I can’t—”
He stopped the truck so suddenly, if it hadn’t been for the seat belt and Hayden’s arm that had shot out to protect her, she would’ve fallen forward.
His eyes mere slits, Hayden glared at her. “I love you, damn it. We’re way past a freaking fling.”
“So what are we then, Hayden? This time, I need to hear the words.”
He opened and closed his mouth a few times before he inhaled deeply. “That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
Her throat too clogged up to talk, Laura nodded.
Without another word, Hayden started his truck and drove further. Those stupid butterflies were going crazy. She didn’t want to be excited, but the light in his eyes was making it difficult. Was it possible that they could…? Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her breathing. She’d have to wait.
A few minutes later, they stopped under a huge tree. Right next to it, neatly fenced in with a white gate, was a graveyard. Hayden helped her down from the truck.
Lacing his fingers with hers, he opened the gate. “The family graveyard. These two here,” he said as they walked past the first graves. “These are where our great-grandfather and great-grandmother lie. He tamed the land with her by his side. These two,” he continued as they walked past the next two graves, “Are Grandpa’s and my nana’s. Dad lies here.” He swallowed. “I still miss him every day. And this”—he pointed toward the next one—“this is Walker’s grave, and here…” he said as walked to the last grave. “Lies Madeline.”
For a long time, they just stood there, the cold slowly seeping through their clothes. A deep sadness filled Laura. Madeline had been so very young, it had to have been heartbreaking to leave her son and husband behind.
Finally, Hayden took her hand and they walked back to the truck.
The inside was nice and warm. Turning to her, Hayden pulled her into his arms. With a sigh, she leaned against him. For a while, he didn’t say anything, just holding her tightly until their breathing slowed down.
Finally, he cleared his throat. “I don’t know how this works. I don’t know whether showing you my dead wife’s grave is something one is supposed to do or not. I’m trusting my gut here. I loved her, we had a son together, and she will always be a part of me and Luke. I also wanted you to see Walker’s grave. I’ll probably always feel guilty about the night he died. I fell for you the moment I saw you, but I didn’t think…I couldn’t believe I deserved a second chance at love. It didn’t seem fair that I wanted to marry again, and Walker would never have the chance to do that and to raise a family.”
Marry again. Hayden was still talking, but after those two words, she didn’t hear another word. She turned to face him.
He stopped mid-sentence before he rubbed his face. “I shouldn’t have brought you here,” he sighed. “I just thought…”
“You said ‘marry again.’”
Frowning, he nodded. “Yes, I’m working up to that.”
Happiness exploded inside her. “Why don’t you just ask me?”
He looked puzzled. “Ask you what?”
“To marry you.”
“You mean…”
“Ask me.”
“I wanted to tell you about Walker and Madeline first, so that…”
“We’ll get to that. Ask me.”
The grin that lit up his face was a picture she would always carry in her heart. “I don’t have a ring—”
“I don’t need a ring right now.”
Slowly, his smile faded. He took her hands in his. “I don’t know how fair it is to ask you. I come with baggage, something you specifically mentioned you don’t want—a son, a ranch, an interfering mother, a sister who knows things, a brother who talks to animals, and I worry about Becket. He isn’t happy, and I’m not sure why. We have people who work for us, who are our responsibility. Right now, the ranch is doing well, but it could change at any minute. There’s Madeline and Walker and…I don’t even know whether you’re going to like living out here—”
She put her hands around his face. “Ask me.”
He stilled. Blue eyes watched her. Breathlessly, she waited.
“Laura,” he finally said, his eyes suspiciously bright. “You told Molly something that stuck with me.”
Surprised, she looked at him. “How do you know what I’ve told Molly? Don’t tell met you’re another Willow?”
“No.” He smiled. “You called me without realizing it. So I heard what you said. When you fall in love, it would be with someone who wants to be with you, always. Well, I’m that guy. I can’t believe that I’ve found you. I love you, and I want to be with you as long as we live. Will you marry me? And my baggage?”
Swallowing against the huge lump in her throat, she nodded. “Yes, Hayden. I will marry you. Any day, anywhere. But there is something I must tell you. I need to be honest with you…”
He stopped breathing.
“I fell in love with Luke long before I met you.”
For another heartbeat, he stared at her before he pulled her close. “No wonder I’m besotted with you,” he whispered brokenly in her ear.
Relaxing against him, she slipped her arms around him. “Tell me about Walker and Madeline.”
*
They were very late for Sunday lunch. Everyone was still sitting around Arlene’s table. When Luke saw them, he jumped up and ran toward them, Molly and Jessie on his heels. Thinking he was going to his father, Laura stepped aside, but the little boy’s focus was on her, and he threw his arms around her legs.
Crouching down, she hugged him. “Have you left any food for us?”
“Grandma had to stop Becket from eating all the chicken,” he whispered loudly.
As everyone laughed, they joined the others at the table. Luke pulled his chair close to Laura’s before he sat down. Laura looked for Molly, but she was already sitting on Cooper’s lap.
Willow was grinning from ear to ear, but for once, she didn’t say anything.
The food was lovely, but Laura hardly tasted a thing. She was still walking on clouds. Hayden loved her and he’d asked her to marry him. If she had her way, she’d be shouting it from the top of Copper Mountain, but they’d agreed to wait before they told everyone. There was a little boy they had to talk to first.
From what Hayden had told her, it was clear the family had still been grieving Walker’s untimely death when Madeline fell ill. She now better understood his reaction when she’d ended up in a ditch.
Her mom’s death had taught her about grief. It was a process. Some days you could go about your daily tasks without thinking about it and on other days, when you least expect it, it grabbed you at the throat. It would be the same for Hayden. She knew and accepted that.
When they’d all finished lunch, Arlene got up. “Becket, Cooper, and Willow, you are the cleaning crew today. Luke, why don’t you show Miss Anderson the books I’ve bought you? I think she has something she wants to tell you, too. Hayden, come with me, please?”
As they all got up, Hayden leaned over to her. “You want to talk to Luke alone, or do you want to wait for me?”
Before she could answer, Luke tugged at her hand. “I just want to know if I can now call you ‘Mom’?”
Everyone fell silent. Hayden crouched down in front of his son. “That means she’s going to be staying with us. Are you okay with that?”
Luke rolled his eyes. “I know that. You’re going to marry her.”
A collective gasp went up before Willow rushed closer and threw her arms around them. “I’m so happy for you guys!”
Grinning, Hayden shook his head. “Do I even have to ask how you all know?”
Cooper slapped him on the back. “You know we know. Congratulations, bro—I’m happy for you.” He pulled Laura into a hug. “He messes with you, you come to me, okay?”
Then Becket was there, a huge grin on his face. “Now I understand why my lines didn’t work on you.” Again, she was enveloped in a bear hug.
Tears clogging up her throat, she turned to Arlene. The older woman opened her arms. “The only thing that would make me happier than this moment”—the older woman sniffed, hugging Laura—“is to hear that my other three children have also found love.”
“Dream on, Mama,” Becket teased as he gathered the plates on the table. “Not falling into that trap.”
Grinning, Cooper kissed his mother’s cheek. “You know I prefer animals.”
“You can’t marry them!” Arlene cried.
Cooper was already walking toward the kitchen. “Exactly!”
Laughing, Willow followed her brothers. “One out of four ain’t bad, Mama,” she drawled.
“You wanted to talk to me?” Hayden asked his mother when they were alone.
“Will you excuse us, Laura?” Arlene asked.
“Of course. Luke—come on and show me the books your grandma gave you.”
Minutes later, she was lying on her tummy next to Luke, reading him a story. Molly and Jessie were stretched out next to them. The story was one of her favorites. By the time she closed the book, Luke was lying on his arms, his eyes closed, breathing deeply.
Her heart melted. She had indeed fallen in love with this little boy even before she’d met his dad. Combing his hair out of his face, she kissed his cheek.
“Mom,” he murmured softly with a deep sigh.
Tears gathered behind her eyes. She would probably make many mistakes, but she would make sure he’d always know how very much she loved him.
Trying not to disturb him, she sat up. A movement from the door caught her eye. Hayden was leaning against the frame, watching them. Her heart tripped. With a quick glance to make sure Luke was okay, she hurried over to him.
He took her hand. “He’ll be okay. Come with me?”
She followed him to the living room. Laughter and voices could be heard from the direction of the kitchen.
Hayden closed the door behind them before he turned to her. “I have something for you. If you don’t like it or if it doesn’t fit, I’ll drive into Bozeman tomorrow…I was going to do that anyway. I can get you another one in any case—”
Smiling, she grabbed his hands. “What are you talking about?”
“The ring,” he said, frowning, as if he’d been making perfect sense.
“What ring?”
Grinning sheepishly, he patted his pocket. “I forget everything when I’m with you.” He took out a small box, a bit frayed at the edges. “This was my grandma’s ring, Mom’s mom. You would’ve liked her. She had spunk—like you have.” Opening the box, he held it toward her.
Laura’s breath caught in her throat. On a bed of black velvet was a cluster ring in a delicate vintage setting. Smaller diamonds were grouped around a central big diamond, creating a dazzling and radiant effect.
Putting out her hand, she touched it. “It’s gorgeous. Will you put it on?”
“You like it?”
She couldn’t stop the tears if she tried. “I love it. I love that it’s part of your family.”
He wiped a tear away with his thumb. “And the tears?”
“Because I’m so happy.”
“So am I,” he said huskily, slipping the ring on her finger. It fit. Perfectly. “This makes you my fiancée and part of our family.”
Staring at her ring, she swallowed. “I haven’t realized how much I’ve missed being part of a family until I met you guys.”
The door flew open. “Can we now please pop the bubbly?” Willow laughed as Hayden’s family gathered around them.
Her family too. She teared up again.
Hayden pulled her close, his familiar scent filling her senses. A perfect moment.
“You’ll marry me any day, anywhere—that’s what you said, isn’t it?” Hayden asked.
“Yes, but…”
“Just checking.” He grinned before he kissed her.
Whatever did he mean? But he deepened the kiss and she leaned into him. Nothing else mattered.