Duane’s Determination (Broken Wheel Ranch #9)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

“Ug,” Laurie said early the next morning when the doorbell pealed before the crack of dawn. She turned to Duane and saw his bare back as he left the bedroom on a run. Lorissa soon joined her and flopped on the bed.

“What?” Laurie asked her daughter.

“Duane told me to come in here and stay with you. I don’t know what his story is, but he had such a determined look on his face, I didn’t dare to defy him.” She looked at her mother with a grin. “He’s good for you.”

“Thank you,” Laurie said, and flopped the blankets back. Since she had a shower after an intense bout of lovemaking last night, she dressed quickly and was putting her brace on when Duane came back.

“It’s all good.” He grinned as he put his gun back in its holster, and helped her with the brace. He grabbed the blankets and pulled them off the bed, and laughed when Lorissa ended up on the floor.

“What?”

“Time to wake up, you have to travel today.”

“Yeah, I know,” she sighed as she stood, and tossed the blankets on the bed, then looked at her mother. “Can I shower in your bathroom? I figure those jets can wake me up.”

“Sure, we’ll be downstairs.” Laurie headed to the door and paused when Duane cleared his throat.

“What?”

“Lorissa, I know I’m not your father, and I don’t intend to be, but could I ask you to do me a favor?”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Make sure you’re dressed when you come down. There are a few guys down there.”

“Who?” Mother and daughter asked at the same time.

“Scott, Ryan, and Denver. It’s my understanding that Cole is over at Lois’ house.”

“Why are they here?” Laurie asked, and turned to her daughter to explain that they were men who worked at Broken, and that Scott was Duane’s brother. She didn’t get into all the details, but she would later. That’s when Lorissa reminded her that she knew the men already.

“Erin sent them to help Lorissa and Lois drive to Colorado. They flew in late last night and got a hotel room for a few hours before they came here. If I know them, by the time you get downstairs the coffee will be made and there will be a big breakfast on the table.”

“Yes!” Lorissa pumped her fist in the air and ran out of the room.

“I thought she was going to use your shower,” Duane said as he followed Laurie out of the room. He had to move to the side when she ran back in with a stack of clothes. “Got it,” he laughed as he ended up carrying Laurie down the stairs and into the kitchen. Greetings were made and Laurie laughed along with the men as they took over her kitchen.

“What’s the plan?” Duane asked, and paused when Lorissa walked into the room. The men shook her hand and nodded to her, and that’s when Laurie remembered that her daughter had spent a week with them when she went out to interview with Erin.

“Two of us will ride with Lois. We’re not saying she can’t handle the trip, but we’ll be there if she gets tired. We’ll switch off, and someone will ride with Lorissa. Not only to help her drive, but to also keep her company.”

“Thank you, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth,” Lorissa said. “I was worried how Nana would make the trip without us stopping all the time.”

They talked as they ate, and Duane told them what had happened the night before at the reception. To say the men were shocked would have been an understatement. After their questions were answered, they cleaned up and asked where her stuff was. When she said it was parked at her grandmother’s home, they all left. Duane drove Laurie over and made sure that they had everything before they pulled out.

Two hours later, Laurie stood in the driveway to her childhood home and watched as two trucks each pulling a trailer left.

“You’ll see them again.”

“I know,” she sighed heavily and shook her head. She pointed as a car pulled into the driveway, and she walked the property with the real estate agent. Since Laurie was staying for another month, she would make sure her mother’s house sold and she would be packing up her own home and having an estate sale a week before she left. Whatever didn’t sell, she would donate.

Later that night, she lay beside Duane and studied his face as he slept.

“What?” he asked with his eyes still closed. “I can feel you looking at me.”

“I am. I have something to say, and I don’t know how to say it.”

Duane’s eyes popped open and he whipped his head to her. “Will I like what you have to say?”

“Yes, at least I hope you will.”

“Then just say it.”

Laurie drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I love you.”

“Thank god,” Duane laughed as he reached for her and wrapped his arms around her. He took her lips in his, then broke it off and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”

They celebrated their love for one other for the next several hours, and when they lay back in exhaustion, they glanced at one another with gigantic grins.

“I can’t wait for our life to start together in Colorado. I know you have your job, and I have no clue what I will do, but I don’t need to work again ever. I think I’m going to like the open spaces, and maybe I can get rid of this cane and brace.”

“That would be wonderful, and once you make it out there, we can discuss where you will live.”

“I know, for now, until you have to go back, I’m going to enjoy every second I can with you.”

“I have a week I can stay, then I have to get back. But I’ll be back to help you drive.”

“Thank you.” They snuggled into one another and fell into a deep, happy, contented sleep. Both dreaming what their life together would be like once they were with each other in Colorado.