Chapter Thirty-One
Meredith stood next to Wade as he knocked on the door of his mother’s new residence in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Wynona had graduated from the rehab facility after sixty days. Now she was staying in a halfway house with a dozen other women. Desert Breeze Aftercare was a small complex of quaint adobe structures situated around a bright courtyard.
Wade seemed nervous about the reunion with Wynona.
He’d donned a white linen shirt that he’d rolled up to the elbows, along with tan-colored trousers and lightweight tennis shoes.
Meredith was wearing a lavender dress and leather sandals she’d bought on their previous trip.
They’d visited the family farm in Plainview about a month ago.
Wade had played football with her brothers, gone fishing with her father, and picked a bouquet of wildflowers for her sister. They’d all adored him.
Things were more settled in Lost Lake. The truck Meredith bought had been repaired and restored as a gift from Wade.
They’d taken the bus to Last Chance to retrieve it and spent a romantic weekend exploring some of Wade’s favorite nature trails.
During the week, she spent her days doing ranch work and making beauty products.
Wade went to the sheriff’s station every morning and came home every night, hungry for her touch.
They hadn’t discussed future plans since the hostage crisis, but they expressed their love to each other in a thousand different ways. She’d never been happier.
Charlie Franklin was in jail, awaiting sentencing for attempted murder.
A few reporters had contacted Meredith about Tripp Gilley, but she’d refused to comment.
Deputy Slate had never posted his interview with her, probably because Wade had told him not to.
Gilley’s enormous estate had gone to his parents, and the press found another scandal to focus on.
A young starlet had claimed she was pregnant with Tripp’s baby.
Meredith ignored the news, unconcerned about Tripp’s fortune or possible offspring.
Her period had come like clockwork, with the usual pains.
Wade had insisted that she see a doctor, so she’d attended her first checkup in years.
The OB/GYN had declared her healthy and fertile and given her a new medication for cramps.
Wade tugged at the collar of his shirt. “I should have brought flowers.”
Meredith’s attention shifted to the door as it opened.
Wynona stood there in a summery blouse and a long skirt.
Her face looked fuller, with softer edges.
She gave Wade a hug that lasted several moments.
Then she pulled back to study him. He met her gaze steadily, aware that his resemblance to Cameron Pickett would always strike a chord in her.
Instead of flinching away from him, she sighed and patted his lean cheek. “You’re better looking than he was.”
“Am I?”
“Of course you are. You have my eyes.”
Wade arched a brow. “Your eyes are blue, Mom.”
“It’s not the color. It’s the gleam.”
He laughed, and Meredith smiled in agreement. They both had a warmth to them, a vibrant light from within. They were magnetic and irresistible.
Wynona hugged Meredith and ushered them inside. She had a pitcher of lemonade at the kitchen counter, which she poured into glass tumblers. The living arrangements appeared to be communal, but no other residents were milling about. Wade shoved his hands into his pockets and stared out the window.
Wynona brought Meredith a glass. “Do you mind giving us a moment? I’m supposed to be making amends. It’s one of the steps.”
“Of course,” Meredith said, and slipped outside. She sipped her lemonade in the shade, content with the situation. Wade had started the reconciliation process with his mother. Wynona was doing the rest.
It didn’t take long for Wynona to invite Meredith back inside. Wynona’s eyes were misty as she sat down at the kitchen table. Wade wore a deceptively bland expression. Meredith took the seat next to him.
“How’s my baby?” Wynona asked Meredith.
Wade made a choking sound.
“She means Chico,” Meredith said to Wade. “He’s fine. Patty’s taking care of the ranch while we’re gone.”
Wynona frowned at Wade. “Are you two trying to get pregnant?”
“No,” Meredith said. When Wade didn’t repeat her denial, she elbowed him.
“No,” he parroted. “We’re not trying to get pregnant.”
“Well, get on it,” Wynona said. “Her biological clock’s tickin’.”
“Actually, it’s not,” Meredith said.
Wynona made a scoffing sound. “Don’t wait too long. Wade’s already in his thirties.”
“I’m thirty,” Wade said. “Just thirty.”
“And you’re too young to be a grandmother,” Meredith added.
She ignored the flattery. “You’ll make beautiful children. Nowadays it’s old-fashioned to get married first, so don’t worry about that. Just go for it.”
Wade gave Meredith an assessing glance, as if he secretly agreed with his mother.
Meredith steered the subject back to the ranch.
Wisteria Farms was still going strong. Wade had taken over Wynona’s former role of handling online purchases and ordering supplies.
The soaps were selling as fast as Meredith could make them.
“It sounds like you’re managing everything fine,” Wynona said.
“We are,” Wade admitted.
“I’ve decided to stay in New Mexico,” she said.
“You’re not coming back to Texas?”
“Not yet. My therapist recommends at least six months away from Lost Lake, because of all the triggers.”
Wade nodded thoughtfully. “That’s probably wise.”
“How’s work?”
“Fine. It’s been quiet without you in town to cause trouble.”
Wynona smirked at the joke. “Go outside for a minute, will you? I want to talk to Meredith.”
“Sure,” Wade said, and left them alone.
As soon as he walked away, Wynona leaned toward Meredith. “How is he, really?”
“He’s good. Better than good.”
“Does he treat you right?”
“Yes.”
“So, when are you two going to get married?”
Meredith laughed, shaking her head. “We’ve only been together a few months. You’re jumping the gun.”
“He hasn’t mentioned it before?” Wynona asked.
“Just once, on the night he almost got shot. I didn’t take it seriously.”
“Maybe you should.”
Meredith sipped the lemonade to soothe her dry throat.
Wynona leveled with her. “You’re madly in love with him, he’s madly in love with you, and you’re both so goddamned earnest I can’t stand it. You’re the Girl Scout to his Boy Scout. You’re made for each other.”
“He’s not a Boy Scout, Wynona.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
She traced the rim of her glass with one fingertip, reluctant to express her deepest fears.
Wade wasn’t a Boy Scout, but he was an excellent catch.
He was handsome, well-educated, charming, and ambitious.
She was, as Sheriff Hendricks had put it, a backwoods wildcat.
“You don’t think he’s out of my league?”
Wynona considered the question carefully. “No, I don’t think he’s out of your league. I think you’re a woman who doesn’t realize her own worth.”
Meredith felt tears prick behind her eyes. “You do?”
Wynona reached out to hold her hand. “I’ve spent thirty years blaming my son for something that wasn’t his fault and blaming myself, too. Don’t let that nasty business with Tripp Gilley affect the rest of your life. He was the poison, not you.”
“Who told you about that?”
She squeezed Meredith’s hand. “Wade did. You two deserve to be happy. Don’t wait too long to tie the knot.”
Meredith took a deep breath. “You just said getting married was old-fashioned.”
“It is,” Wynona said. “But consider Wade’s perspective. He grew up in a broken home. He wants to do things differently and by the book.”
Meredith looked away and drank more lemonade.
Wynona patted her hand and let the subject drop.
They went outside to join Wade, and he took them to a nice restaurant for lunch.
They celebrated Wynona’s sobriety with a quiet meal and a trip to the nearby caverns.
Meredith watched Wade carefully, considering Wynona’s words.
Did he want to put a ring on her finger?
Did he want to live happily ever after with her in Lost Lake?
It boggled her mind to imagine a fairy-tale ending.
On the other hand, maybe she deserved it.
She wasn’t classy or book-smart, but she was strong-minded and clever.
She’d learned to compensate for the skills she lacked.
She’d helped Wade solve an investigation.
She was honest, caring, and courageous. She believed in herself, and she believed in Wade.
They were made for each other.
After Wade dropped off Wynona, he drove to the accommodations he’d booked for the night.
Meredith was impressed by his choice of a secluded cabin overlooking the painted-desert landscape.
There was an infinity pool on the back patio, with a water feature that bubbled like a flowing brook.
The space appeared natural and rustic, but elegantly arranged, like an exclusive resort for two.
“Very fancy,” she said, kissing his lips.
“I thought so.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“I wanted to re-create our first date, but it’s too hot for a picnic.”
She murmured her agreement. “This is better.”
“Even without a gravesite?”
Smiling, she glanced outside. “The view makes up for it.”
While he poured them a refreshing drink, she walked out the sliding glass door, eager to try the swimming pool. It looked extremely inviting. In this private refuge, no swimsuit was necessary. She kicked off her sandals and dipped her toes in the cool water. He brought the drinks to the patio.
“Wait,” he said as she unbuttoned her dress.
This was unlike him. He never objected to the removal of clothes. Pulse racing, she let her hands fall to her sides.
His glittering gaze met hers, molten gold in the fading daylight. Sweat had dampened the suntanned hollow of his throat. She stared at that place on his body, struck by the stark beauty and quiet strength of him.
He got down on one knee and removed the box from his pocket. Her breath hitched in her chest, and her heart felt like it might burst into flames. Was this really happening? She glanced at the ring he proffered, an elegant rose-colored diamond.
“I love you,” he said, looking up at her. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Tears blurred her vision. She wanted to ask if he was serious, if he was certain. Then she realized she already knew. He’d planned this with the utmost care. So, she took a leap of faith. “Yes,” she said, giddy with excitement.
His hands were steady as he slid the golden band on her finger.
It was engraved with delicate petals. She hadn’t expected any of this, and she was touched by his thoughtfulness.
The romantic design brought a smile to her face.
It was perfect, lovely without being ostentatious. She was ready to be his forever.
“I love you,” she breathed.
He stood and wrapped his arms around her. “I thought you’d need more convincing.”
“Why?”
“You said no to my first proposal.”
She laughed, pressing her lips to his neck.
“I guess I nailed it this time.”
“You did,” Meredith said. “It was just right.”
“I asked your father for permission.”
She clung to him, stunned. “You’re kidding. He didn’t say a word to me.”
“Yes, he’s the opposite of my mother. Very tight-lipped.”
“Your mother is a treasure,” she murmured, and resumed the process of undressing. “Let’s celebrate our engagement by skinny-dipping.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “Good idea,” he said, and stripped off his clothes quickly. They met in the middle of the pool in a tangle of bare limbs. He covered her mouth with his for a bone-melting kiss.
“Are you sure you don’t want a classy wife?” she asked.
“Do classy wives go skinny-dipping?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Hmm. I’d rather frolic naked with a wood nymph.”
She laughed, and he kissed her again.
“I love you the way you are,” Wade said. “I love that you’re a ranch hand, an emergency volunteer, a homesteader, and a soap connoisseur. I love that you’re a caretaker and a dog wrangler. I love you in a barn, on a table, in the shower, or in a swimming pool. I love you anytime, anywhere.”
“Oh, Wade,” she breathed, threading her hands through his hair. “I love you, too.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
“I love you inside and out, Meri. I’ll make you happy.”
Her heart filled with joy, and tears of happiness coursed down her face as she clung to his shoulders. He lifted her off her feet and proceeded to love her inside and out, over and over again, as the sun dipped below the horizon.
The End