TWELVE
M EGAN WOKE IN A cozy bed with a strange, but comforting smell, and in a place that was not the home she knew. In those first sleep-hazed moments, she took in the bedroom, brightly lit by the rising sun. The walls were bare, begging for some pictures or color or something. Next to her, on the bed stand, a single picture stood, the dust only partially wiped off. She picked it up and let her eyes focus on Tyler as a young teen, an older man’s arm around him, which must be his dad, and a woman who looked like his mother, and what must be his sister holding an infant with her husband looking adoringly at the baby who must be Krista.
Megan sighed, having a feeling that had been the last picture of the family together. So much loss. Her heart ached for both Tyler and Krista, and as it did, she remembered Tyler’s words of promise the night before and she hoped she could help ease some of that pain for them.
It wasn’t a proposal, that would have been plain silly—proposing the day of their first kiss. She shook her head as she sat up and stretched, but it had been a promise of sorts, a spoken expectation.
As she dressed back in the clothes she had worn the day before, the plans for the day hit her like a sledgehammer. How could some things in her life be working out so beautifully and others be an absolute nightmare?
A soft knock came on the door.
Megan hastily buttoned her pants, assuring herself that she was decent. “Come in.”
The door slid open slightly, and Krista’s head popped in. “You awake?”
“Yes, come in, sweetie.” Megan patted the bed with a smile. “Did you sleep well?”
Krista froze, her mouth dropping slightly open.
“You okay?” Megan asked.
“Yes. Sorry. It’s just…you reminded me of my mom for a moment. She would do that same thing, pat the bed and ask me if I had slept well.”
Megan reached for her. “My mom used to do it, too.”
“Do you miss her?”
“Every day,” she said, hugging the girl. Then she pulled back so she could look at her. “But you know what? I feel her with me, right here.” She laid a hand over her heart. “Her strength comes when I need it, her words of guidance settle over me at the perfect moments, and I know she is always with me.”
“I feel that, too,” Krista said, wiping her eyes. “Are you…I mean, you’re sleeping in Uncle Tyler’s bed…are you going to be here, too?”
Megan cleared her throat as her cheeks burned. “He slept on the couch last night.”
“Oh, but I mean…” Krista searched her eyes and dropped her gaze to her twisting hands. “I would like you to be here.”
“That means the world to me, sweetie.” She rose with a sigh. “These things…they take time. We can’t jump right into a lifetime commitment.”
“Why not? It’s obvious you two like each other.”
“It is, huh?” Megan asked, reaching out a hand to help her up.
“Well, yeah, anyone can see that.”
Megan laughed. “Well, I’m glad it’s obvious to everyone.” She wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the room. “Give us time, sweetie. It will all work out.”
“What will work out?” Tyler asked from the kitchen.
The scent of coffee and something sweet wrapped around them, enticing them to come forth into the deliciously scented room. He handed Megan a mug as she entered the kitchen and motioned to a glass of orange juice on the table to Krista.
“What is that delicious smell?” Megan drew in another long whiff.
“I asked first.” He stood there.
Megan blinked, having to go back into her memory in order to find the question he had asked. “Oh,” she said, feeling heat fill her cheeks. “This situation will all work out.”
“What part of it?” he asked with a teasing smile.
“All of it.” Megan slapped him playfully. “Now, what is that scent that is making me want to eat the air?”
“It smells like cinnamon rolls,” Krista said with a sigh.
“It is.” Tyler slipped his hand into an oven mitt. “And you’re just in time.”
“I thought you didn’t cook.” Megan sat next to Krista, watching him in amusement.
“Oh, I can put things in the oven, but I’ll let the doughboy do the making part.”
Krista laughed and Megan joined in, enjoying the simple moment, almost as if they were already a family…could it really be that simple?
That question continued to plague her even as they drove into town, feeling that it all happened so easily, too easily. Could you trust something that just came together perfectly and out of nowhere?
“What does this guy look like?” Krista asked as she scrutinized all the people they drove past.
“Like a normal guy,” Megan said. “Medium height. Medium build. No distinctive features. He wears glasses.”
“So, he could be anyone…” Krista said.
“We’ll be okay.” Megan reached back to squeeze Krista’s hand.
“While you’re in filling out the restraining order, Krista and I are going to do some shopping.” Tyler pulled in front of the sheriff’s office, watching as Derrick came to the front door and waved. “You feel comfortable with that?”
“Do you?” She raised her eyebrows.
He shrugged. “I think it’s time I get back to normal.” He leaned forward, “You?”
“Yeah, I’m safe here, and I know you’ll keep Krista safe. Right?” She looked at Krista.
“Who would bother me with Mr. Commando next to me?” Krista laughed, climbing up front as Megan got out. “Be safe.”
“I’ll be here when you guys are done.” Megan blew them a kiss, closing the door once Krista was in place, but as she climbed the steps, Tyler’s deep voice made her turn back.
“Don’t leave Derrick’s side until I get back,” he said, his tone low and commanding.
“Yes, sir,” she said, but smiled to lessen the retort as she turned to Derrick. “Good morning.”
“Well, you seem awful chipper under the circumstances,” he said, but he smiled as he opened the door for her to walk in, waving to Tyler as he did.
“What was he like?” Megan asked as she followed him to his office.
“The perp?” Derrick closed the door behind them. “Calculated. Methodical. Noncommutative.”
Megan nodded. “Sounds about right. I don’t think he would hurt me.”
“Well, let’s not find out, huh?” Derrick set a stack of paperwork in front of her. “This shouldn’t take too long. We’ll start for a temporary restraining order and then take it to court for a permanent one.”
As used to paperwork as Megan was, the papers before her sent a wave of overwhelming fear through her. She shouldn’t stress about this, right? Yet even the idea of having a restraining order sent shivers down her spine.
She closed her eyes and did her best to detach as she filled out the paperwork. When she finally finished, she blinked her eyes to adjust to looking far away again and pushed the papers to Derrick, who had been busy on his computer.
“All done? See, not too bad. We’ll fax this over for the judge to sign, then you’ll be good to go until we set up a hearing.” Derrick looked up at her and smiled. “I know you’re only in town for the necessities, but Chasity is really missing her friend. She’s worried about you.”
“I miss her, too. I just don’t want to bring more stress to her, or have someone inadvertently follow me to her, you know?”
“I appreciate that, but maybe call her?” Derrick shifted in his seat. “She’s a day past due, and I think it has her stressed out…not to mention worrying about you.”
“I’ll call her. I promise.” Megan stood and stretched. “I’ve heard it’s quite normal to go past your due date with your first, so don’t stress.”
“I’m doing my best, but she’s my whole world…it’s frightening.”
Megan leaned over the desk and laid her hand on his. “I’m so glad she has you, Derrick.”
Derrick shifted his weight as a sheepish smile came to his lips. “I’m the lucky one.”
“You are both lucky.” She glanced through the office window, across the office to the big window, looking for Tyler’s truck.
“Tyler’s a good guy, Megan. He’s loyal to the bone and steadfast.” Derrick stood. “Just so you know, though, I have never seen him so focused on a woman. He doesn’t give up easy.”
“I’m counting on it,” she said, spotting Tyler as he pulled up. “Thanks for everything, Derrick.” She leaned in to give him a quick hug before walking out the door, eager to be back with the two people who had come to mean the most to her.
“Hey, how’d it go?” Tyler asked as she climbed in and Krista climbed into the back with Grace.
“Boring paperwork.” She rolled her eyes. “Once the judge signs, it’s valid until the hearing…whenever that is. What a mess.”
“We’ll get through it,” Tyler said, reaching a hand to her thigh as he put the truck into gear. “Until then, you both will stay where I can protect you, okay?”
A rush of indignation surged through Megan, but as she watched Tyler as they drove down the road and saw Krista giving Grace loves in the back, that feeling eased and she decided it wouldn’t be that bad being stuck with the two of them in that ranch house.
“Is there any more room in the ice chest? I have some food I’d like to take with us. Otherwise, it will spoil,” Megan said in answer.
Tyler’s shoulders relaxed as he smiled. “Yeah, we could fit a few more things in there.”
“This is where you live?” Krista asked. “Right on the lake?”
“Yep, it’s a cute house, huh?” Megan smiled at the little house that had welcomed her to Hope Lake. “I actually put in an offer to buy it.”
Tyler snapped his attention to her, a frown of concern etched on his brow. “I thought you said you didn’t need the lake right out your door.”
“Well, I put in the offer before I met you. Besides, she hasn’t responded yet.” Megan shrugged. “Everything happens for a reason.”
“It does?” Krista said as she followed Megan out of the truck. “Then what’s the reason my parents died?”
Megan opened her mouth, shut it, and swallowed. “I…I don’t know, sweetie.”
“Sometimes the reasons are not ones we understand,” Tyler said as they made it to him. “Stay here while I clear the house.”
“Clear the house?” Krista asked in a whisper.
“He means check it, to make sure it’s clear…safe,” Megan answered. “He needs to feel needed. It’s okay.”
Krista nodded, but stepped a little closer to her. “What was Uncle Tyler talking about when you said that you didn’t need the lake right out your door?”
“Well, uh, part of the long list of things we haven’t figured out yet.” Megan’s heart raced at the thought of their conversation.
Krista opened her mouth to ask something else, but Megan relaxed as Tyler rounded the corner.
“All clear.” He motioned them in the house. “How long do you think it will take you?”
“Well, if you and Krista could get the food in the fridge. I’ll throw some clothes in a duffle, and we could be out of here in less than ten minutes, I would guess.”
“Wow, I’m impressed,” Tyler said. “Very low maintenance.”
Megan laughed at the thought of her being low maintenance. Her dad would laugh at the thought as well. She would have to introduce her dad to Tyler. The idea had her biting her lip. How would her dad react to her situation? She had never introduced him to a guy before…but it would have to be done, and soon, the way Tyler was talking.
Her heart raced, and her tummy felt full of butterflies thinking about Tyler and his expectations. She had always thought she would find the guy she wanted, but it would be a slow build, casually dating at first, then more serious, and finally a grandiose proposal and long engagement.
She covered her mouth to keep the giggle from the hearing of others in her house as she thought of Tyler skipping all of it and jumping straight into the future. He definitely wasn’t the Casanova type, but somehow that made him, and what she felt for him, even more authentic.
She plopped onto her bed with a sigh, thinking of Tyler always by her side, of Krista always near them…well, at least until she went off to college. She sat straight up, thinking that they had less than three years before that happened. No wonder Tyler moved so fast.
The urgency pushed her to start pulling clothes from her closet and dresser, trying to think about what she would need for…well, who knows how long. It could be a day or two or a week or until after the hearing, but even then the guy might not follow the restraining order.
Her heart hammered and instinctively she looked out the slider to the lake to find peace, except her eyes didn’t meet the lake. They met the bland face of Drew Beechman standing at the edge of her property line.
She didn’t scream. She didn’t run. She froze.
In fact, her entire body felt as if it were made from thick mud. The only thing that moved was her beating heart. She tried to open her mouth, tried to call for Tyler, but nothing worked. Even her breath had frozen.
The man smiled, a snake-ish smile that made her feel ensnared. He didn’t move, just smiled, until finally he raised a hand in greeting. Flashes of their appointments raced through her mind, the unnerving feelings she had dismissed, the constant need to assure him she would see him the following week.
It all came rushing back, leaving her gasping for breath and finally able to move. “Tyler,” she whispered at first, slowly, clumsily backing away. “Tyler!” she cried out louder, stumbling into the doorjamb.
Tyler’s feet pounded behind her a second before he grabbed her, bringing her behind him as he scanned the room. His entire body went rigid as his gaze went out the slider door. “That’s him.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, her hands now wrapping around him. “He’s just standing there, staring. Should I call Derrick?”
“Yes.” He shoved his truck keys in her hand, never taking his eyes off Beechman still oddly standing at the edge of her deck just watching them. “Take Krista and Grace and lock yourselves in the truck. Call Derrick and don’t get out until I say to.” He grasped her hand, keeping his eyes on the man staring at them. “Promise?”
“Yes,” she said. “What are you going to do? Don’t confront him. What if he has a gun?”
Tyler’s hand rested on the bulge under his shirt. “I doubt he’s better with it than I am. Go.”
“Please be safe!” Megan begged as she grabbed Krista, who held tightly to Grace’s leash, her lips trembling. “Come on, sweetie. It’s going to be okay.”
“Uncle Tyler?”
Tyler reached back for her hand. “I know what I’m doing, Krissy. You go with Megan and do what she says. I’ll be with you as soon as Derrick and his deputies arrive.” He gave Krista’s hand a last squeeze before letting go and nodding at Megan. “Take her now. Don’t get out!”
Megan grabbed Krista’s arm, and they hurried toward the truck, but as she glanced one more time before they left the house, she memorized Tyler and the way he looked at her, holding the image close to her heart in a prayer for his safety.
She hadn’t thought about needing to worry about his safety, but now she realized it would rip her entire soul out if something happened to him.
The familiar surge of adrenaline took over Tyler as every sense came on high alert, his muscles flexing in anticipation. He didn’t have to like it to know he was good at it.
A few scenarios ran through his mind, but he decided with the full frontal approach. The guy already knew he was there and knew that Tyler had seen him. So, keeping his eyes locked on the man, the moment he heard the distant slam of his truck’s door, he strode out the slider and onto the deck.
The deck stairs wrapped around the opposite side of the house, and there was no way he would take his eyes off the man long enough to go that way. Instead, he laid one hand on the railing and vaulted into the sand below, only ten feet from the guy who unnervingly hadn’t even flinched. A sharp stab of pain filtered through his leg, but numbly and forgotten a second later.
“I’m not on the property.” The man smiled blandly.
“She has a restraining order against you, and you are breaking it.”
The man raised a slight eyebrow. “That’s news to me. I have not received such orders. Is it the normal fifty yards or did she go big to one hundred?”
“You think this is a game?” Tyler took a step closer to the man, his hand on his gun, ready to pull it out the moment he needed to.
“Oh, no. I just want her to come back to work. That’s not too much to ask, is it?” The man spread his hands out.
“She no longer works there. Move on. Find another shrink.”
“She’s more than a shrink.” He cocked his head. “But you know that.”
Tyler’s body shook with fury.
“It’s nice to see her so…in love. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes lit up.” The man let his gaze stray to the house.
Tyler reacted before he could stop himself. He whipped out the gun, leveling it at the man who stood only a few feet away now. “You stop right there.”
“Or what?” The man smiled. “You’re going to shoot me? Why, then you’ll go to prison, and Dr. Eldridge and that pretty little girl will be left alone.”
“At least I would know they were safe from the likes of you,” he growled.
“Oh, they are safe. I wouldn’t harm them. I just want her to come back. She’ll see my reasoning.”
“No, she won’t. In fact, she’ll never hear it. You are going to leave her alone. After the sheriff gets here and you’re finally released, you’re going to leave Hope County and never return.”
“Oh, and why would I do that?”
“Because if you don’t, I am going to make your life…very uncomfortable.” He pushed the gun a little farther and growled.
“If you lay a finger on me, it’s you who will go to the sheriff’s station.” The man shrugged like he had no care in the world.
“Maybe, but like you, they won’t hold me forever, and then how will you be able to sleep at night never knowing when I’ll pay a visit?”
The man’s eyes widened, finally showing a taste of fear.
“You would put yourself in the position of going to prison for her?” he said.
“I’m not afraid of being locked up. I’m not afraid of death. They have trained me to give my life up in the protection of our country. What do you think I would do to protect the woman I love?”
The man took a step back, visibly shaking. “Now, let’s talk reasonably.”
“There is no reason. You will leave her alone.”
The echo of far off sirens sounded, gaining volume as they closed in on them.
“On your knees.” Tyler ordered, but he didn’t wait for the man to do it himself. He gripped the slender man’s shoulder and shoved him down into the sand. Then he pressed the gun into Beechman’s forehead and stepped back.
“Now, sir, there’s no need to kill me.” Beechman’s voice shook.
“Give me one reason,” Tyler growled.
“I..I’ll leave her alone, like you requested. I won’t contact her. No more letters. No more visits.”
“How can I believe you?” Tyler pushed.
“I give you my word, sir.”
“What good is your word?” Tyler blew out a breath. He had no intention of shooting the guy, but the man didn’t need to know that. “You will sign a confession to all the harassment you have shown to Dr. Eldridge. You will adhere to the restraining order.”
“Yes, of course, I will do as you say.”
“And if I ever see you again or hear of you contacting Dr. Eldridge in any way, I’m coming for you.” He leaned down close as he heard the sheriff arrive, car doors slamming, and footsteps pounding. “I know where you live. Is that clear?”
“Yes, crystal clear.” The man’s eyes looked past him to the officers running toward him, relief making him fall further into the sand.
“Good work, Ty,” Derrick said as he came up to them, slapping Tyler on the back. “Tony, cuff that man and read him his rights.”
Tyler secured his gun back in its holster. “He will sign a confession, admitting to harassing Megan, and we will not see him around here again, will we?” Tyler grabbed the guy’s shirt.
With his hands cuffed behind him and sand all over his clothes, Beechman looked less dignified and far less sure of himself. “No, sir. Dr. Eldridge will no longer be in my life. You have my promise.”
“Good,” Tyler said, letting him go with a shove. “Find another shrink. Maybe a man this time. You have some serious issues.”
Derrick nodded to his deputy, who pushed Beechman toward the street. Then he and Tyler followed him. “You think he’ll abide by that?”
Tyler shrugged, not trying to lower his voice. “If not, he’ll be a dead man, and he knows it.”
Beechman visibly stiffened, then his knees gave way, and he wobbled a few steps before catching himself, keeping his head straight forward even when passing Tyler’s truck, where Megan and Krista watched with wide eyes.
Once the man was in the car, Derrick leaned close. “You shouldn’t have said that to me. You can’t go around killing people who bother you or the ones you care for.”
Tyler shrugged. “Can’t is not a word I know, brother. Would there be repercussions? Yeah, but,” he met Megan’s eyes, “as I told that loser, they trained me to give my life up for our country. What would I do to protect the woman I love?”
Derrick smiled. “So, it’s official.”
Tyler brought his gaze back to his friend.
“You and Megan? Officially an item?”
Tyler smiled. “Let’s say that there are expectations.”
Derrick slapped his back. “Well, go on and meet those expectations, brother. I’ve got a bad guy to book.”
Tyler watched them pull away, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He wasn’t a fortune teller, but he knew how to read people, and he knew Beechman wouldn’t show his face again. The man had not known what he was getting himself into.
He turned back to the truck, nodding at Megan, who slipped out the door and into his arms within a heartbeat.
“You’re okay,” she breathed out, burying her head into his chest.
“Yes, and you are, too. Beechman won’t be bothering you anymore.”
“Really? They have enough to hold him this time?” Megan pulled back to read his eyes.
“They’ll hold him, though not for long, but he won’t be back.”
“How do you know?” Megan cocked her head.
“Let’s just say we came to an understanding,” he said, wrapping his arm around her and bringing Krista into the hug as well. “Guess we can unpack now.”
“Oh, yeah, yep, guess so,” Megan said.
“Be careful, doc, it almost sounds like it disappoints you not to be cooped up in my rundown ranch.”
“I’ve always been told I’m no good at poker.” She smiled, though the spark that used to fill them was missing.
“And me?” Krista said.
“You can go back to Camp. What was it, another three weeks and four days?” Tyler asked.
“Three days, now, but what about after?”
“We’ll figure it out.” He led them inside.
“Oh, okay,” Krista said, retreating into herself again.
“I don’t know if we have to drive down to the Smithers’ ourselves or if they’ll ship all of your things—” Tyler’s words cut off as she launched herself into his arms. When he finally untangled himself from her, he added “I guess I’ll have to call up Jordan and see how fast he can put my house back together.”
“Did you hear that, Megan? Did you hear that? I’m going home!” She spun in a circle down the entryway, Grace jumping around her in excitement, leaving him and Megan alone.
“I’m happy for you.” She didn’t meet his eyes. “Thank you, again, for whatever you did to make Beechman decide not to bother me anymore.”
“I’d do anything for you,” he said, putting a finger under her chin to raise her eyes to meet his. “Don’t you know that by now?”
The unshed tears in her eyes made his gut clench.
“Do you like Mexican food?”
Megan blinked, confusion furrowing her brow in such a cute way, he bent over to kiss it. “I, uh, yes, I do. Why?”
“Because after we take Krista back to Camp, I’m taking you out.”
“You are?”
“Yeah. I thought the least I could do was take you on a few dates before enacting on my…expectations.” He raised his eyebrow. “Unless you just want to drive down to the judge's office right now?”
Megan took a step back, then another, until she hit the wall. He swallowed his laugh, assuming a look of innocence. Knowing what he wanted, and knowing Megan well enough, he knew he would get it, but…there was something to be said for the fun of the chase. He didn’t want to deny either of them that experience.
“Your choice: judge or a little romance?” He crossed his arms. “The way I see it, we have at least three weeks…more if absolutely necessary. We might as well enjoy it.”
He watched as Megan finally got herself together, a slow smile creeping across her full lips. “I guess I wouldn’t mind a little romance.”
“Good,” he said, motioning with his head. “Then let’s get this stuff into your fridge and begin the fun.”
One way to know that everything is meant to be is that things align in such a way that they are almost too perfect. The judge rushed the hearing through so in less than two weeks, he heard the case and granted the permanent restraining order. Though he said it was more of a legality since Beechman had taken a transfer and moved to the east coast, promising never to bother his ex-therapist again.
With that no longer hanging over their heads, both Tyler and Megan breathed easier.
Tyler poured coffee into his travel mug and whistled for Grace as he left the house. He waited on the porch as a truck and trailer pulled into his driveway.
“The house looks great,” Josie said as she hopped out of the driver’s side.
Tyler stepped off his porch and looked back at the finished product, painted and everything. “Jordan’s guys did a good job, and quick, too. The paint’s not quite dry, though, so be careful.”
“Just in time, huh?” Josie traveled back to the trailer. “You don’t know how hard it was to get this guy in here without Krista to help. You sure you’re ready for this?”
“No,” Tyler said with a smile, “but there’s nothing more I want.”
Josie nodded, then disappeared into the trailer, coming out leading Storm. “He never would have made a good camp horse, but the love between him and Krista, well, that’s not something that comes with every horse.”
“I agree,” he said, watching Grace sniff the massive creature curiously. “I saw it the moment I met him.”
Tyler reached up to give the gelding a pat on the neck. “Welcome home, buddy.” He took the lead rope, turning back to Josie before taking Storm to his new home.
“He might get lonely,” Josie said, watching the horse listlessly.
“He won’t be for long.” Tyler felt the grin spread across his lips, his big secret was coming to fruition.
“You won’t leave me without a therapist, will you?” Josie folded her arms against her chest.
“Hoping you could spare her for a few weeks at some point, but otherwise, where she works will be up to her, of course, and I think she’s quite taken with the kids at Camp.”
“Good,” Josie gave him a nod. “I expect you and Krista to visit from time to time as well.”
“You got it.” Tyler gave her a nod. “Thanks for bringing him. Pick up is at four, right?”
“Yep, and Krista’s social worker brought the rest of her things from her foster home. They’re in my office. See you then.” She waved and drove back out of his driveway.
“Well, buddy, we’ve got to get you ready for our girl.” Grace woofed, looking at him with adoration. “You’ll make a good ranch dog, girl. Just you wait.”
After securing Storm in the barn he had worked on repairing last week, he put the final pieces of his plan together, finishing in time to make it to Camp by pick up. The line wasn’t too long as most of the campers came by bus, but he still waited until the end to jump out of his truck and greet both Krista and Megan.
“Ready, ladies?” he asked, his heart feeling as if it would burst from his chest.
Cody came out of the office, arms full of boxes and bags. “Want these in the back?” He nodded toward Tyler’s truck.
“Please. Any more?”
“Nah, this is it. She travels light.”
“I would have traveled with nothing as long as it meant I got to stay,” she said, her lips trembling. “This is really happening, right?”
“Yes, it really is,” Tyler drew her into a hug. “I’ve got all the documentation to prove it if you don’t believe me.”
“I trust you…I just feel like I’m dreaming.”
Megan bent over and kissed the top of her head. “I know the feeling.”
Tyler leaned over Krista to greet Megan with a kiss. “So, maybe we are all dreaming,” he said. “At least we’re doing it together. Now come on, I have a surprise for you.”
“We’re going to come back, right? I mean,” Krista looked toward the stables and back again, “I told Storm goodbye early this morning, but…I’m going to miss him.”
Megan met his eyes in a secret smile.
“We’ll figure it out,” Tyler said, leading them into the truck.
“I hate when you say that,” Krista pouted.
“And the attitude starts already,” Tyler said with a chuckle.
On the way home, he listened to the girls talk about all the children who had found forever homes that summer. His heart was too full and his muscles too tense with excitement to say much. He half-feared he would slip and ruin the surprise.
“It’s beautiful. That color really looks great!” Megan said as they pulled up to the house, the sunlight streaming from the mountain peaks onto the freshly painted walls.
“Well, you have great taste,” he said.
They piled out of the truck, unloading things and setting them on the porch. Tyler smiled when Krista froze as a knocking came from the barn along with a muffled snort.
“What was that?” Krista asked, her eyes widening and her head cocking to listen.
Another snort and kick to the wall echoed.
“Uncle Tyler?” Krista started walking toward the stables.
Storm neighed loud and long.
“I know that horse!” Krista cried, taking off into a run across the yard and disappearing into the stables.
“Think she’s happy?” he asked, bringing Megan into his arms.
“I know she is.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I am, too.”
“Can you handle more?” He pulled back from her, searching her eyes.
“More what? Happiness?”
“Us?” he asked. His hands shook as he lowered down to one knee. “This is nerve-wracking.”
Megan covered her mouth, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“I had something more romantic planned, but I just can’t wait. I’m sorry.” He reached for her hands. “I didn’t think I deserved this. I still don’t, but Krista’s here, you're here, and I don’t want that to change. It feels right. So, Megan Eldridge, would you continue bringing me more happiness than I’ll ever deserve?”
“Uncle Tyler!” Krista called out as she ran from the barn.” Wait…What?!” Krista closed the distance between them. “Oh…”
Tyler drew his eyes away from his niece and back to Megan. “As I was saying, will you marry me?”
Krista danced next to them. “Well?” she asked, staring at Megan.
“Of course, I mean, yes! Yes, I will marry you!” She pulled Tyler up, putting hands on both sides of his face, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
“Woo-hoo!!!” Krista cheered and Grace joined in with a few joyous barks.
He wrapped his arms around the two people in his life that he never wanted to lose, allowing reality to sink in. She had said yes. They were going to be a family.
“Well, now that’s out of the way…” Krista broke apart from the hug. “Why does it look like the barn’s set up for more than just Storm?”
Tyler stood back, tugging on his hat and looking from Krista to Megan. “Well, I’ve put a lot of thought to it, and…I’ve decided to start the ranch up again.”
“We’re going to train horses again?” Krista jumped and covered her mouth.
“Yeah, if that’s okay with all of you?”
“Whatever makes you continue to be this happy.” Megan shrugged. “I’ll learn as we go…but you don’t expect me to give up my work, right?”
“I would never ask you to give up your calling.” Tyler drew her into his arms. “Besides, Josie would kill me.”
Megan laughed, snuggling into him, and he was glad that he had allowed her to make him hope.