Chapter 33
A dam showed up at the Bridger Foundation office the next morning prepared to tackle the budget first and his personal project later. But his mom shooed him out, saying he needed to rearrange his priorities.
By ten he’d finished the card. He still wasn’t much of an artist, and his rendition of a moose wouldn’t win any prizes, but his handwriting on I love you the moose-t had improved.
At age eight, he’d left it at that, but this time he’d boldly gone to the heart of the matter, literally. He’d added Will you be my valentine? in red surrounded by hearts.
And now, because they were adults, instead of signing it Your friend Adam , he wrote Your horny friend Adam , which was certainly true and also referenced Beauty and the Beast. At the last minute he’d added a P.S. I’ve changed my mind about the diorama. I want it. And you.
Making the card had jump-started an entire reel of memories. Tracy’s bedroom had been painted blue, she’d named her stuffed moose Hermie and her mom had made delicious lemonade. While fetching that lemonade, he might have announced his intention to marry her daughter, but he wasn’t sure if he’d said it out loud.
He needed a stuffed moose for the bag, one with a cute sign attached. Did Hermie still exist? If not, he’d scour the shops in town for a stand-in. He had a theme going.
A quick text exchange with Carrie confirmed Hermie was still in residence. She gave him permission to use the key under the mat to kidnap the moose. Tracy’s bedroom was still blue. He checked the closet.
The diorama didn’t look bad at all. Dusty, like she’d said, but intact. It had to mean something that she’d kept it all this time.
He used a ribbon and a hole punch to attach a sign to the moose. Give the cowboy a chance. He adores you . Hermie rode shotgun on the drive into town to pick up a bag, tissue paper and a package of conversation candy hearts. He’d given her some of those twenty-two years ago, too.
“I’m counting on you, Herm. You were there for me twenty-two years ago. This is for all the marbles, bud.” He glanced at the moose. “Yeah, think about that for a while. There’s a cabin in the woods in it for you. And if we play our cards right, there might even be a kid or two in your future.”
He left Hermie in the truck to consider the possibilities while he shopped for the items he needed. Then he parked in front of the Dandy Donut, gave the moose one last pep talk, and put him in the bag with the card and the candy.
He hadn’t been in the donut shop since the Christmas holidays, and pushing open the door without plans to meet Tracy, Mila or both felt wrong. If…no, when Tracy realized they were meant for each other, they’d resume their coffee and donut meetings during the week.
And if all went really well, they’d spend every night in each other’s arms. His body tingled with impatience and anticipation. His mom had given him hope. Carrie had given him hope. But Carrie had also said her daughter was scared and he needed to be patient.
It wasn’t his long suit, which was why Luis was the resident horse whisperer and not him. His dad had been a curious combination of drive and forbearance. He’d been able to summon incredible patience with horses, especially wild ones. But humans, not so much.
Grace, the mid-fifties proprietor of the Dandy Donut, greeted him with a smile and glanced at the sparkly red bag with red and white tissue paper poking out the top. “For me? You shouldn’t have.”
“Uh, no, I?—”
“Just kidding, Adam, I mean, Mr. Mayor. I’m hoping it’s for Tracy.”
“Why is that?”
“I’ve missed seeing you two in here the past few weeks. Wondered if you’d had a spat.”
“I wouldn’t call it a spat.” He was aware that the shop had gone dead quiet as customers at the small tables scattered around the room paused to listen. What did he expect? This was Mustang Valley.
“Whatever it was, looks like you’re trying to make amends and maybe throw in a dozen donuts for good measure. Smart move, since we’re running a Valentine’s Week special. What can I getcha?”
“A dozen would be great. Let’s make it?—”
“Chocolate frosted with sprinkles. That’s her favorite. You could mix it up, but since you’re angling to get back in her good graces, no pun intended, I’d stick with the tried and true.”
“When you’re right, you’re right.”
“Coming up.” As Grace lined a box with parchment paper and filled it with twelve of Tracy’s beloved chocolate with sprinkles, everyone returned to their conversations. She set the box on top of the display case. “Want a couple of coffees to go? That would be a nice touch.”
“No, thanks. I’d like the donuts and this bag delivered to her office, please.” He set it next to the donuts.
“Delivered? You’re not taking ’em yourself?”
Once again the shop went silent.
“I’m not.”
“Then this rift must be worse than I thought if you’re afraid to show your face.”
“I’m not afraid to see her. But a delivery is… better.”
“Not as personal,” called someone from the corner. Sounded like Eli. He didn’t turn around.
“He’s right,” Grace said, “but your call.”
“Delivery, please. I’m happy to pay whatever you charge.”
“To be honest, we don’t actually do deliveries, but we can make it work. Tim’s on break but he’ll be back in about twenty minutes. I’ll have him take your stuff down to her.”
“Thanks. What do I owe you?”
She named a price for the donuts that was twenty percent less than usual because of the special. “And the delivery charge?”
“No charge. I’d like to see you two lovebirds get back together, so it’s on the house.”
He started to protest, or at least deny the lovebirds part, but arguing with Grace about either would be ungracious. Besides, they were on the same page. “Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it.”
“You’re makin’ a mistake, Adam!”
“Thanks for the advice, Eli.”
Tipping his hat to Grace, he left the shop, climbed in his truck and pointed it toward home. It was up to Hermie, now.
His mom had pushed the budget discussion off until this afternoon. It would be a good distraction from the topic weighing on his mind.
By the time he parked his truck next to his cabin, he figured Tracy had the bag. She was like a little kid with surprises. She’d open it immediately, read the card, check out the sign, bust open the candy and eat at least one donut. But his phone was silent.
Working on the budget helped him get through the afternoon. He kept his phone nearby just in case. Still nothing from Tracy.
At five he walked back to his cabin as fat snowflakes started to fall. Of course. She didn’t like coming out here in the dark during the winter and for sure wouldn’t want to do it in a snowstorm.
He wouldn’t want her to, either. As for him, he’d drive through a blizzard if it meant holding her tonight. But she might not contact him until… no telling when she’d get in touch. Carrie had told him to be patient.
That didn’t keep him from scanning the area from his porch before he walked inside. No sign of Bluebell. With a deep sigh he walked into his cabin and shut the door. For the first time since he’d moved in, it didn’t feel cozy.
Lighting a fire, he made a sandwich and ate it standing by the window. Darkness was his enemy. And snow.
At six he texted her. I should have checked the forecast. Please don’t try to come out. Maybe you weren’t going to, but don’t even consider it.
No response. Dammit, was she already on the road? Or safe in her apartment? No, she wasn’t in her apartment. She wouldn’t sit snug in her living room and ignore his somewhat frantic text.
The roads would be slick by now. And he didn’t want to text again. If she was driving, he’d distract her.
This was hell. Why hadn’t he checked the weather? His cute little gift bag could have waited a day. Or two days. He could have chosen to have it delivered on Valentine’s Day itself.
If he’d done that, he could have suggested they meet at the Valentine’s bash at the Raccoon and eliminate any possibility of this nightmare scenario. But he hadn’t done any of those things. He’d plowed ahead. Typical.
By seven he was pacing, his stomach in a knot. Another fifteen minutes and he’d climb in his truck and go looking for her. She could’ve swerved off the road, landed in a ditch, flipped?—
The sound of an engine sent him racing to the door, flinging it open and dashing out to the porch.
He scrambled down the steps, his boots slipping where the steps were already icing up.
She opened her door. “What are you doing? Where’s your coat?”
“Never mind! Just come in!”
“But I brought?—”
“We’ll get stuff later.” Helping her out, he slammed the door and pulled her close. Then he began to shake. “You’re here.”
“I’m here.” She wrapped her arms around him. “And if you don’t get inside you’ll catch your death. Let’s go.”
“Okay.” Tucking her against him, he hustled her to the porch. They stumbled up the steps and by some miracle he kept them upright.
The door stood wide open. He nudged her through it, followed right behind and kicked it closed. Then he stood there staring at her, not quite believing she was here. “You came.”
“Of course I did.” Her tone was gentle, her gaze warm. “Hermie told me to.”
“But it’s dark. And snowing. I’m so sorry. I didn’t check the weather and so?—”
“I didn’t, either. I had to stay late with a client. When I picked up the diorama, my folks?—”
“You went to get it?”
“I had to. It was important.”
Her words fell like rain on parched earth. She had to. It was important. Hope bloomed in his chest.
“My folks told me to wait it out over there, but I had to come. I didn’t mean to be this late. I’m so sorry I worried you.” Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around him. “Wow, you’re soaked. And my coat’s wet and cold, so I’m not helping.” She tried to pull away.
“No, you don’t.” He held her tight. “First things first. Why’d you have to bring the diorama? Why’d you have to come?”
She gazed up at him, her cheeks pink, drops of water sparkling like diamonds on her knit hat, her flame-red hair and her eyelashes. “Because I love you moose-t of all.”
With a groan, he kissed her. The cold disappeared and his muscles relaxed. A deep sigh of contentment rumbled in his chest as he slowly raised his head and gazed into her blue eyes. “Right answer. Will you?—”
“Be your valentine? Yes.”
“And marry me?” Then he let out a low curse. “Wait. I’m rushing you. Again. Your mom said I?—"
“Yes.”
“You’ll marry me?”
“I will. And have babies with you. All the things, my beloved. All the things.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but he had no words for the rush of joy through his veins. The promise of an amazing future lit him up inside. He wouldn’t be surprised to find he was glowing.
She cupped his face in both hands. “If I didn’t believe you loved me before, I sure would now. I’ve never seen you so happy.”
“Because I’ve never been so happy. If I died right this minute, it would be okay. Well, no, it wouldn’t. We have so many things to do, so many plans to make. I love you so much. I need you so much. What if you’d never kissed me?"
She smiled. “All this time I’ve tried to channel Beauty and the Beast. Instead I channeled Sleeping Beauty. ”
He cracked up. “Yes, ma’am. Your wide-awake prince at your service.”
She wiggled against him. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too.” He claimed her delicious mouth. Eventually he’d help her off with her coat. She’d text her folks and he’d change to a dry shirt. He’d bring in the diorama, Hermie, and whatever else she’d brought.
She’d driven through a snowstorm to tell him she loved him, that she’d marry him and make babies with him. He couldn’t be blamed for wanting to savor a moment like that with the girl he’d loved since he was eight years old.
It’ll be a summer to remember in Mustang Valley when the Bridger Bunch returns in
WHEN A COWBOY TEMPTS FATE, book two of the Bridger Bunch series!
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