Chapter 26
26
H arper put her camera strap over her neck and grabbed her equipment bag. Smiling as she walked toward the arena, she whispered a prayer of thanks. “God, thank You for this season in my life. Photographing rodeos has been such an adventure and a joy. Thank You for whatever You have for me next.”
Her phone buzzed, and she paused to pull it out of her back pocket. The message from her mom read: Good luck tonight. We miss you already and can’t wait to see you soon.
Harper smiled as she typed out a quick response. I can’t wait either.
It had been a wonderful week visiting with her parents. She stayed up late watching old TV shows with her dad, and enjoyed talking with her mom while they sipped coffee on the front porch in the mornings. She had spent the days going through the belongings in her room and searching job listings and house listings. Every day she prayed that God would lead her where He wanted her to be. So far, she hadn’t found anything that seemed right, but she felt God’s peace in her heart and knew He had something waiting for her.
Waiting had never been her strong point, but she hoped she was making good use of the time.
The ground under her feet turned from the pavement of the parking lot to the dirt of the rodeo arena. She wrinkled her nose at the familiar smell of dirt, sweat, and animals. Harper gave a half smile. “I’ll miss this,” she said to no one in particular. She might not know what was next, but she knew this was her last rodeo.
After she moved inside and met the event coordinator, she began her usual routine of moving around and taking practice shots. A group of cowboys gathered in the corner of the ring, and she snapped a few photos. As she checked the images on the back of her camera, she heard footsteps behind her.
“Capture anything good?”
Harper froze at the sound of the familiar voice. Was it really him? Or was she imagining things because she wished it was him? Her heart thundered so that she felt it could be heard throughout the arena, and she slowly turned.
She gasped while her hand flew to her open mouth. There he was, looking every bit the part of a real rodeo cowboy. “Lawson,” she said just above a whisper.
“Hi,” he said. He looked unsure of his next move, and Harper wondered if he would close the distance between them. She took the first step toward him. That seemed to be the permission he was waiting on. Lawson rushed to her, and they practically crashed together as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he embraced her in his arms.
“Harper,” he said against her ear, making her feel as if she might melt into him right there. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Harper swallowed and pulled back, composing herself. Seeing him now didn’t mean anything had changed. She had known when she came to a rodeo in Texas there was a possibility he would be here to compete. She looked him up and down, gripping her camera to keep her hands busy. “How is everything? How’s your dad doing?”
Lawson smiled. “Somehow, I knew that would be your first question. I guess you’ll just have to ask him yourself in a little while.”
Harper’s eyes grew wide. “They’re coming?”
“They sure are. The whole family.”
“Really?” Harper smiled. “So you told them.”
Lawson nodded. “It was crazy for me to keep it a secret that long.”
“How did they take it?”
“They weren’t as surprised as I thought they would be, and you were right. They wanted to support me and do what they can to help.”
“I’m so glad.” Harper bit her lip, trying to keep the million questions in her mind from exploding out.
“Harper, a lot has changed since you left. I’ve had a lot of time to think and read…” he paused and looked her directly in the eyes. “And pray.”
Harper froze in shock, unable to form words.
Lawson stepped close and took both of her hands in his. “You were right about everything, but I just couldn’t see it for myself. God really had to get my attention. I see now that He has been there for me all along, and that He has good things planned for me. And it was never about me anyway. It was about Him. But He looked down and saw me, unimportant, nobody Lawson, and He sent His Son for me, so He could save me. If God loved me that much when I was nothing, I don’t want to miss another day of walking with Him.”
Harper squeezed his hands. “Lawson, that is the best news. I have been praying for you, every single day.”
“I felt your prayers. I’ve been praying for you too. Praying that God would bring us back together at the right time.”
Harper took one step closer and kept her eyes locked with his. “And now?”
He grinned. “Now I think it’s just the right time.”
“I think so too. I’ve been praying about what I’m supposed to do next. So far God has been showing me that He has a plan, but I didn’t know what it was yet.”
“I have the perfect plan. We need you at the ranch.”
“Really?” Harper practically shouted.
“Yes, really. We’re starting up some new projects that we need a photographer for. And if you’re up for it, you could help manage the projects.”
She smiled. “That sounds amazing.”
“It’s more than that though. The ranch needs you, but more importantly, I need you.”
Harper’s eyes filled with tears at his words.
“I want to be with you, Harper. I’ve decided that my life is at the ranch. I’m happy and content there knowing it’s what God has for me. But I don’t want things to stay the same. My role there is changing. I want to change and grow with it, but I don’t want to do that alone. I want you, Harper. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met, and your faith in God changed you. Because of that, you helped change me by pushing me in my own faith. Harper, I wanted to get to know you better the first time I saw you, but now it’s different because I know this one thing. I love you, Harper.”
“I love you too, Lawson.” Harper started to say something else, but Lawson shushed her as he covered her lips with his own.
Harper put her arms around his waist as he took her face in his hands, kissing her again and again. She wanted to cry and cheer at the same time, but instead she found herself lost in his embrace and clinging to him as if she would never let go.
A shrill whistle interrupted them, and Harper remembered where they were. She pulled back, but Lawson put his arms around her shoulders and held her there. They both glanced at the entryway and saw his six brothers clapping and cheering.
Harper felt her cheeks flush the brightest red before she buried her face in Lawson’s shoulder.
He laughed as he lifted her chin with his fingers and looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry, it won’t be the last time they see this because I plan to do it pretty often.” He kissed her again as Harper giggled.
When they parted, she said, “That sounds good to me. I’ll be happy to kiss you anytime, rodeo cowboy.”
Lawson smiled. “Never thought you would say that. Did you?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t, but now I think nothing sounds quite as wonderful as that.”