by Ciana Stone
When he laughed, it was the most beautiful sound she’d heard in a very long time. “Yeah, actually I did.”
Olivia shook her head. “Well, who would’ve thought? And what about the dedication, you know the one Benjamin asked about in the interview?”
Max reached inside his coat, pulled out a copy of the book, and handed it to her. She opened it to the dedication page.
“For Livi. It was with you I came of age. It is with you I want to walk through time.”
Olivia made no effort to stem the tears or hide them from him. Her time of hiding was over. She looked up into his eyes. “Is that even possible, Max? There’s been so much time—so much hurt. There’s so much we don’t know about each other.
“And so much we do. Discovery can be good, Livi. Learning what life has added to us.”
“Some of it’s not very pretty, Max.”
“That’s just life. I love you, Livi. I always have.” He moved his hand up behind her head, pulling her close. “Do you love me?”
There it was. The question she’d run from for so long. Strangely, it no longer scared her. “I always have, Max.”
“Then don’t we owe it to ourselves to try?”
Something blossomed inside her, something filled with hope yet tinted with fear. “Maybe you’re right. I want you to be but I’m scared. I’m forty years old, Max and aside from the six months we had, I’ve never had a real relationship. Maybe I don’t know how.”
He smiled at her. “Then maybe it’s your turn, Livi. Maybe you never had your turn to come of age and you need someone to guide you. Let that be me. Come on, isn’t it time we write some happy chapters in our sappy love story?”
Olivia waited a beat, expecting fear to rise and stop her. But the fear was gone. Only hope remained. She smiled at him.
“Yes.”
Max guided her to him. His arms held her close as his lips claimed hers. Everything she’d ever felt for him came rushing back, strong and true. In that moment, she realized that she ready to face whatever came next, as long as he was by her side.
Chapter Nine
It was odd not seeing snow when she looked out of the window. Actually, a lot of things still felt odd. Olivia had been back in Texas for three weeks and she still felt like pinching herself when she woke each morning, just to make sure this was real.
Max entered the room and walked up behind her. “What’cha doing?”
“Looking. Thinking.”
He turned her to face him. “Should I be worried?”
She smiled up at him. “No. I’m not regretting my decision.”
“Are you sure? It’s got to be strange, not being always on the go. You didn’t have to quit your job, you know. I could have gone with you on your assignments. I can write anywhere.”
“It was time.”
“Are you sure?” She could read the concern and uncertainty in his eyes and understood. After so many years of feeling that she hadn’t loved him, it was hard to trust the truth.
“I am. I told you, I’m ready for a change.”
“Do you know what you want to do?”
“No, but I’ll figure it out. Oh, did you see that little Dragon than I ordered for Bernice? She’s going to go nuts.”
“You really took to that kid.”
“She’s the cutest thing. And hilarious.”
“Ever give any thought to having one of your own? Our own?”
Olivia was shocked by the question. “No. I mean, I’m forty, Max.”
“That’s not too old.”
“So you want to have kids?”
“If it’s with you, yeah. Oh, Hannah called and said everyone is meeting at the church at five-thirty and don’t forget to charge your camera batteries.”
Olivia chuckled. “All charged and ready. Well the cameras. And I guess I am. This is okay, right?” She spread her arms to indicate her outfit.
“You look beautiful.”
“Such a flatterer.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Okay, I guess we better get a move on. If you’ll help with the presents, I’ll get my cameras. Oh, and you’re still going to help me shoot, right? I packed two cameras and a variety of lenses.”
“Sure, if you want.”
“You know I do. You might be a big famous writer and all that, but you still have the eye and I really want these pictures to be special.”
“Then I’m your man.”
Olivia grabbed him around the waist. “Yes you are.”
The kiss he gave her was neither quick nor chaste. By the time he released her, she was almost too warm for the soft sage long sleeved dress she wore. “God you’re lethal.”
Max laughed. “I remember how amazing that made me feel the first time you said it.”
“And now?”
“Still amazing.” He gave her another kiss, softer and sweeter. “Okay, let’s do this thing.”
Ten minutes later they had the car packed and were headed for Cotton Creek.
*****
Hannah and Cody were in the dining room of their parents’ home, wrapping the last of the Christmas presents. KC was entertaining Bernice. Stella and Billy were delivering the last of the baked good baskets Stella had put together for people in town and Riggs was on his way back from Rockridge with a mysterious last minute gift.
“Oh shoot, we’re out of tape and ribbons.” Hannah announced.
“There’s bound to be some around here somewhere.” Cody said. “Did you try the closet in the guest room? That’s where Mama usually keeps the wrapping paper.”
“I checked before we started. Dang. Oh well, we can just scoot up to Sully’s. Hey, let’s take Bernice and let her see the lights again. You know how she loves seeing them.”
“But we told Mama we’ve have this done by six.”
“It’s not going to be a disaster if we have a present or two that need wrapping. Come on. Please?”
“Fine.” Cody walked to the hallway and called out. “KC? You and Bernice come on. We’re gonna head over to Sully’s to get more wrapping paper before they close.”
KC and Bernice emerged from KC’s room and Cody’s eyes widened. “Wow.” KC was dressed in a long dress the color of wine with tiny white flowers wound through her hair. Bernice was wearing a matching dress and looked so adorable it made tears well in Cody’s eyes.
Hannah stepped up beside Cody. “Oh aren’t they beautiful?” She put her arm around Cody’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
“They sure are.”
“Well come on ladies, let’s go.” Hannah said as she dangled the car keys in her hand.
Everyone headed outside and got into Hannah’s car. Bernice was jabbering a hundred miles an hour about KC fixing her hair and putting perfume on her. Cody was so focused on Bernice’s tale that she paid no attention to the drive. When the car stopped, she looked at Hannah in confusion.
“What’re we doing here?”
“Come on. I have to show you something.”
“At the church? They’re not having the Christmas service until nine this year.”
“Just humor me, okay?”
“Fine.” Cody got out of the car and helped Bernice from her car seat. They entered the church. It was dark.
“Me no like this.” Bernice said, clutching Cody’s hand. “This too dark.”
“Just keep following me.” Hannah said and led everyone through the church to the rear door.
“Hannah what the hell—“ Cody stopped dead in her tracks when she stepped outside. There was Bryson, the whole Weathers clan, Kyle and Liz, Riley and Annie, Pressley, Lily and Wes and what looked like half the town.
Olivia and Max stood nearby, both holding cameras. Riggs stood beside Olivia.
“What the heck is this?” Cody asked of Riggs. He smiled and walked over to her. He took Bernice’s hand and extended his free hand to Cody.
“Lily said that Bernice’s adoption could be finalized before the end of the year.”
“Yes, I know.” Cody was still co
nfused.
“Well, there’s something we need to do before it’s final.”
“What?”
He looked over his shoulder and gestured toward the preacher. “Are you serious?” Cody asked when he turned his gaze back to her.
“You said you’d marry me, so marry me Cody Sweet. Right here and now, with all your family and friends as witness. Marry me so we can both be on those adoption papers. Let’s be a family. Me, you, Bernice and the baby you’re carrying. Please.”
Cody didn’t bother to wipe at the tears that sprang from her eyes. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“Enough to marry me?”
She grinned and took his hand. “Let’s do it.”
Olivia and Max had been snapping photos ever since Cody stepped out of the back door of the church. Now they hurried to get ahead of the wedding party. Cody, Riggs and Bernice walked the path to the gazebo and in what Olivia thought was one of the sweetest ceremonies she’d ever witnessed, became not just husband and wife, but a family. The minister had composed vows for Bernice as well, to take Cody and Riggs as her mother and father.
It was beautiful and simple and Olivia got caught up in snapping photos of the couple, their daughter and everyone who witnessed the event. Including Max. He paused as if sensing her eyes on him and lowered his camera.
Riggs scooped Bernice up in one arm, took Cody’s hand and they made their way back across the bridge. Max walked over to where Olivia stood watching. “That was pretty incredible.”
“It was.” She said, her eyes still on Cody and her new family.
“Ever thought about doing that?” Max asked.
Olivia looked at him, a bit confused. “Doing what?”
“Getting married. Having a family.”
“You don’t think I’m a bit old for that?”
Max set his camera on the rail of the gazebo, took hers and did the same before claiming her in his arms. “Haven’t you figured it out by now, Livi? You’ll never be old to me.”
That touched her deeply. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Enough to be my wife?”
Olivia had not expected that. “Your … Max are you…?”
“Yes, this is me, asking you to marry me.” Max says.
“Are you serious?"
“I love you Livi. I have since I was seventeen. I knew then that it didn’t matter where I lived or what I did as long as I have you. You’re home, Livi. Where my heart lives."
Those words were worth more than all the fame or wealth in the world to her. “I love you Max. More than anything.
“Then will you marry me?”
“Yes.” It was with joy she answered. After all these years, all the mistakes could be put to rest. It had been a long and sometimes painful journey, but at long last, she was home.
About the Author
You can find all of Ciana’s books on Amazon. Visit her author page:
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Books by Ciana Stone
Southern Comfort – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 1
Finding Justice – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 2
Baby I’m In. Honky Tonk Angels, Book 3
Ask me to Stay – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 4
Playing for Keeps – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5
Lookin’ for Trouble – Honky Tonk Angels Book 6
Hot in the Saddle
Untamed: A Three Book Box Set
The Whisperers: Simply Irresistible – A Three Book Box Set
Holdin’ On for a Hero: A three book set
Tales of Betrayal, passion, danger and love
Hunger: The V’Kar Series – A three book set
The Sins of Love – Renegades Book 1
Coming of Age
On My Knees – The Seven Book 1
Ruffle My Feathers – The Seven Book 2
With a Little Help from My Friends
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel