Chapter 21
Just as the first shaft of sunlight slanted through Annette’s window, she heard trucks pulling up to stop in the yard and the barn building began again. It was unbelievable. The way people had gathered together in this time of crisis to help out a fellow human being and neighbour was a testament to the goodness of mankind. Annette was used to the impersonality of a city and its inhabitants. Where you nodded to your neighbour without ever knowing their name. People minded their own business to the degree that life became narrow and self-centered. She loved her city. Yet this was something special.
She looked outside at the beehive of activity and realized it was going to be a hot day. Finally, she could bring out a summery outfit and take a little more time with her appearance. After all, Jeff thought she was beautiful.
Dressing in a Boho style, cold-shoulder top with wide ruffled trim, in a print of apricot and rust-coloured flowers, cut-off jean shorts, and a gold necklace with a heart-shaped locket given to her by her parents, she made her way downstairs to find Sophie pacing the floor. The older woman had her hands folded as if in supplication with her head bowed. When Annette entered the room Sophie ran to her, her face flooding with happiness.
“I have the most marvelous news,” she cried in French “The police just rang. They captured Rosa and Marcus on the highway between Calgary and Edmonton during the night and this morning the two of them broke down and confessed to everything.”
“Oh la la,” Annette’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“The wealthy landowner and oil magnate from northern Alberta, who was buying the heifers, was behind it all. It turns out he is Rosa’s father, and Marcus is her boyfriend, not a cousin. I believe she was after Jeff solely in order to gain control of his ranch too. She would have discarded him in the end. Apparently this man, Weaver, is accustomed to getting what he wants, and when he wants it. He took a fancy to my ranch and decided he would have it at any cost. He has been buying up huge tracts of land all over the province with no regard to people or property. When I wouldn’t sell, his daughter and her fiancé were pressed into doing his dirty work. He also offered a huge amount of money to the men who had been working for me. Which is why they left without notice. I suppose money talks.” She sighed. “Weaver thought to drive me from my home, but thanks to you, Gabrielle and my dear friends, he failed and will now pay with time in jail.”
“It’s the sort of bizarre story you only hear about on the news,” Annette mused. “Not something that happens so close to home.”
“Exactly,” Sophie continued. “Rosa admitted she harboured some wild notion that she could win Jeff over and secure ‘is ranch for their evil use too. It’s shocking what people will do for possessions or wealth.”
Impulsively, Annette hugged the older woman. “This is wonderful,” she said. “He will be brought to justice and his greedy monopoly will end.”
Sophie nodded gleefully.“But that’s not the best part,” she said mysteriously. “Jayke and I talked last night. He wants to be here with me and run the ranch. It was a case of miscommunication between us, but it’s all been solved. He always wanted to take over the ranch one day, but felt that perhaps it wasn’t what I wished to happen.”
“Oh Sophie,” Annette breathed. “This couldn’t be better.” She clapped her hands with delight. “He will settle down here with you and you won’t have to worry or struggle alone anymore.”
“Yes,” the woman laughed. “My heart overflows with happiness this morning.” She dropped into a chair at the table and patted the one next to her. “Come sit down and tell me what’s happening with you and Jeff. Well, only if you want to, of course,” she amended.
“I’m not really sure about the future,” Annette confessed. “As you know, Gabrielle and I are leaving in two days’ time. For now, I am just happy to have met him and…”
Sophie interrupted with a sly smile. “You love him, don’t you?”
Annette lifted a shoulder. “Can someone fall in love that fast?” she asked. “It seems impossible to me. I know I’ve never felt this way before, but...”
“You can,” Sophie said, shifting her gaze to somewhere beyond Annette. A faraway look glazed her eyes and a long moment passed before she spoke again. “It happened to me. Malcom and I met in France while he was on a school trip. We were both very young—but somehow we knew. Over the course of only two days, we fell in love. After he returned home, I came here to see if what we had was real. We were married not long afterwards, and our love lasted a lifetime. I stayed on this ranch and made a life with him that was filled with bliss.” She stopped and turned to Annette. “Could you live in Canada?”
“I don’t know,” Annette answered truthfully. “I haven’t been asked. I attended university with very different dreams in mind and have applied for work in Paris.”
Sophie nodded her head sagely. “Life has a way of changing our plans,” she said. “Sometimes it is for the better, and sometimes for the worse. We have little say in the matter when our hearts are involved.” She leaned forward and patted Annette’s hand. “You must do what is right for you and everything else will fall into place.”
“Thank you. You’re an inspiration to me, Sophie.”
Annette thought of the older woman’s words all day as she worked side by side with her sister, Sandra, and Sophie. They fed the crowds outside, and helped out wherever they could. Perhaps it didn’t bear thinking about, considering Jeff hadn’t asked her for anything permanent. Maybe, to him, their relationship was a summer romance and nothing more. Honestly, he didn’t seem like that sort of man, but she’d been wrong before.
As the time drew closer for their date, she became nervous. It felt like ages since she’d dressed as she loved to do. What would Jeff think of it? Perhaps he was used to women in jeans and would find her style frivolous or self-absorbed. Still, she knew she was not the same woman who had boarded the plane in Paris only a week ago.
By five o’clock, Sophie and Gabrielle shooed her away from helping any further. She went quickly upstairs to shower and change. With a towel wrapped around her head, and a fuzzy red bathrobe tied at her waist, she fingered the lilac dress in the closet. Jeff thought her beautiful, she reminded herself. Surely he would like this. Yet, she was worried.
Carefully she applied a light shimmering shadow to her lids, a glossy lipstick, and mascara to enhance her almond-shaped eyes. She took extra time with her mane of glossy hair and then slipped into the dress.
It was as flattering as she’d remembered. Pale lilac tulle overlaid a mid-length, A-line skirt that cinched around her small waist. It was cut in a halter-neck style, leaving the delicate curve of her shoulders bare. The most dramatic effect was where the tulle came up under her throat and tied at the nape of her neck in a trailing bow with a sheer tulle back. It was so feminine and pretty. She slipped on the matching heels and twirled in front of the mirror. Perfect. A pair of dangly pearl earrings, a spritz of perfume, and she was ready. Would he like it?
Someone tapped on her door and then opened it a crack. “Jeff is downstairs,” Gabrielle whispered, sticking her head inside. “And he is one hot looking man tonight.” Her mouth fell open at the sight of Annette standing in her lilac dress and she whistled. “You are going to knock him dead,” she exclaimed. “I feel like I should stand at the top of the stairs and announce you.”
Annette giggled and swept past her. The deep timbre of Jeff’s voice floated up to her and her heart caught in her throat as she tapped down the old wooden stairs in her stilettoes. The voices stopped.
As she came into view, she saw Jeff waiting for her. He wore all black. From the button-up shirt, straining across his broad muscled chest and shoulders, to the matte black jacket, to the narrow fit of his black jeans, he was the most handsome man Annette had ever seen. His usual dusty, black hat had been changed for a new one and the silver belt buckle at his waist shone in the lamplight. He looked serious and a bit nervous.
However, it was his reaction to her that made her heart thrill. He yanked off his hat and tossed it to one side, ran a hand through his curly hair and stepped toward her.
“I’m almost afraid to touch you…” he said in a voice that cracked. “Tu es très, très belle,” he announced in a perfect French accent. He took her by the hand and twirled her around to admire every angle. “I don’t know how I deserve to be with such a wonderful woman as you.” His thumb drew a circle on her palm and his dark eyes gazed into her own.
“You spoke French,” she said, feeling pleased he’d made the effort.
“Your sister was kind enough to school me. Shall we go?”
He grabbed his hat and held out his arm. She took it, feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world. Although Jeff’s truck sat waiting, he paraded her past it. It was quiet outside. Everyone who had come to work had since gone home. They walked silently along the path past the piles of lumber, the skeleton of a barn that was taking shape with every passing hour, and the hopes and dreams of the new and improved Triple T Ranch.
They came to the corral where Pearl stood with her head lifted, ears perked, and eyes fixed on the distant mountains. He whistled and she trotted to them. Reaching into his pocket, Jeff brought out a carrot and gave the treat to the mare who crunched it happily.
“Do you always walk around with garden vegetables on hand?” she asked, a smile lurking at the corners of her mouth.
“Only for special occasions,” he said. “I just thought she should be here.” He took Annette by the hands and turned her to face him. “I want to thank you for coming to Canada, for what you’ve done for Sophie, for me—and for Jessica,” he said, looking deep into her eyes. She started to open her mouth to say that it had been her pleasure, but he touched the tip of his finger to her lips.
“Most of all I want to say that I love you. I think I fell in love with you the first time you tried to get into the saddle and took a leap of faith that flattened me into the dirt. You’re wonderful. You’re beautiful in the midst of a storm, battling a fire, or dressed like a princess…” He took a breath. Her heart felt as though it might leap right out of her chest. Could this be happening? It was like a fantasy.
“We’ve only known one another a week and maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, but I can’t help myself.” He lifted her hands and kissed them in turn. “You have a life in France, and a possible job that you trained hard for and would love. I’d never try to stop you from following your dreams, but…if you ever, I mean ever wanted to trade it in for a life in the wilds of Canada with a man who loves you from the depths of his heart, then I am here...” His voice broke and he cleared his throat. “I’m asking you to marry me.”
She looked into his face and realized she wanted to wake up beside him every day. She wanted to go for rides with him on her dear Pearl. She wanted to feel the pine-scented winds that blew down from the mountains on her face and stand beside him through good times and bad. She already loved Canada, but most of all she loved him.
“We’ve only known one another a week,” she started off by repeating his words. “Yet in that time my world has been turned upside-down.” She took his hands and placed them on her waist. “It’s so much better than I ever could have imagined. I believe it was destiny that brought us together. Love knows no bounds of time or space. I love you, Jeff…and yes, I would stay and build my life with you here happily.”
With a cry that was very nearly a sob, Jeff pulled her to him and found her mouth in a kiss that sealed their love for a lifetime.