by Jill Kemerer
The expression in her eyes softened.
He continued. “You told me you didn’t want Phoebe around a deadbeat—and you were right. I was a deadbeat when I showed up here. I hadn’t had a job in over a year, and my position before then was a glorified token job given to me by my dad. I might as well have been a drifting cowboy looking for work—I had no purpose, no reason to live, really.”
She shifted in her seat.
“So when I came here and saw Sam’s eyes in the cutest baby I’d ever seen, something in me sprang to life. And the fact you weren’t taking any nonsense anchored me. You even mistook me for a cowboy. As a teen, the only thing I aspired to be was a cowboy—I admired the tough, hardworking men I’d watched on my friend’s ranch. And I thought, yeah, I don’t have to travel anymore. I could be a cowboy for a while.”
He rubbed his hand across his mouth. It was time to tell her the scary stuff. God, give me courage.
“Stu took a chance on me. Working with him makes me feel alive—and he’s been patient with me, teaching me things my father didn’t. And you—you took a chance on me. You let me spend time with you and Phoebe. Showed me how to take care of her. Introduced me to your friends. Made me feel like I could belong here.”
Tears glistened in her eyes, and he wasn’t sure if it was a good sign or a bad one.
“I knew I had to tell you the truth, but I was so afraid you’d reject me. This is the first place that’s felt like home for me. I have a purpose here. Because of you.” He reached for the file and opened it. He took out the first set of documents and handed them to her. She refused them, so he set them on the end table near her. “I always intended on providing for Sam’s child. I’ve set up a trust fund for Phoebe. That’s the paperwork for it.”
Gabby stared unseeing up at the corner of the ceiling. A tear dropped on her cheek.
“I can see you’re upset. I don’t blame you. If I could do it over, I would have told you the truth the day after I arrived. It was unforgivable. You’re right—I know how much you value honesty. And it may be late, but I’m being as real as I can possibly be right now. You gave me hope. You helped me find myself. And I love you. I love you so much. I will never stop loving you.”
He pulled out the other sheaf of papers in his file.
“That’s why I want you to have this.” He handed her the papers. “You’ve given and given and given your entire life. Maybe it’s time someone gave you something for a change.”
Her lips were drawn together, and she still didn’t speak. But she took the papers from him. She scanned the top sheet, her face paling.
He braced himself. Would she accept his gift?
“You can’t be serious.” Her voice held a spark of anger.
“I’m serious.”
“You bought me Mountain View Inn?” She didn’t sound happy.
“I did.”
“It’s bad enough you lied to me, but now you think you can buy my affection?” She threw the packet at him. The staple kept the papers from scattering. “I don’t want your money. I don’t want your inn.”
* * *
Didn’t he understand her at all? Gabby’s heart couldn’t take any more of this. Every word he’d said had pierced her in the most vulnerable places. His sincerity and the picture he’d painted of his life before Rendezvous had made her want to wrap him in her arms and never let him go. His money hadn’t made him entitled. It had made him lonely, isolated and purposeless.
And then he had to go and buy her the inn.
“You can never buy my love.” She sprang to her feet and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t know how they do it down in Texas or in the circles you run in, but around here you don’t give someone an expensive gift and think she’ll fall into your arms.”
“That’s not what this is about.” He stood, too, running his fingers through his hair.
“You know, I was ready to forgive you. And my heart hurts for you, for your life before you arrived. But I don’t think I can forgive this.” She waved her hand toward the packet of papers, which had landed on the couch.
“I’m not trying to buy your love. It never crossed my mind. I had my lawyer contact the listing agent last week. You deserve to own the inn. You don’t need to worry about Nolan or anyone else coming in and making your life miserable. I don’t want you to fear losing your job. You’ve been running the place for years. You have a vision for it. The only thing you don’t have is the money to buy it. And it’s the only thing I had to give you.”
“It’s not the only thing you can give me, Dylan.” She lifted her chin. “It isn’t even the best thing. You don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?” His eyes pleaded with her.
“Your money is the least attractive thing about you.” She stared at him. Why did he have to say such nice things? Why did he have to be so generous? She couldn’t hate him, no matter how much she wanted to. A sense of peace filled her body from her head to her toes.
She was ready to take a chance on him.
“You’re humble. Undemanding. Generous. Kind. The thing I admire most about you is your lack of ego. You’re living in a tiny cabin without air-conditioning, working as a ranch hand, being considerate of my schedule, helping with the baby. You’ve shown me what real love—a partner—looks like.”
His shoulders drew back, and his mouth dropped open.
“I don’t like that you lied to me—”
“It was unforgivable.” His chin dropped to his chest.
“No, Dylan, it wasn’t.” She took a step closer to him. “Nothing is unforgivable. And nothing should be. I forgive you.”
He met her eyes, and his gleamed with wonder.
“As for those ridiculous papers—” she pursed her lips, shook her head and brought her fist to her mouth “—I don’t even know what to say. So I guess it’s time for me to be honest with you.”
He inhaled and held it.
“I judged you from the minute I met you. Decided you were just like my daddy and my ex-boyfriend. Everything you did I saw through eyes colored by my past. And that wasn’t fair to you. You confessed very private, personal things to me, and I’m going to do the same. Carl, my ex-boyfriend, didn’t just use me for money. He also lied to me in the most terrible way. He was married, and I didn’t know it. But as time wore on, I noticed signs. I suspected he had a wife, and I was so smitten, I pretended I hadn’t.”
“Gabby—”
“No, let me finish.” She held her arm out. “Letting you into my life was hard not only because I didn’t trust you, but because I didn’t trust myself. You were patient with me. And I slowly began to think...”
He looked like he was going to speak. But she couldn’t let him, not yet, not when she still had the most important thing to say.
“Dylan—” her throat grew so tight she almost choked “—I love you. I’m scared. I’m terrified you’re going to break my heart.”
Wonder filled his eyes. In two steps he was directly in front of her, his arms wrapped around her back, and she sank into his embrace.
“Do you mean it? Do you really love me?” He leaned back to stare into her eyes.
She nodded, tears threatening to fall again.
“I’ll never break your heart. It’s the most precious gift I’ve ever been given. I’ll do anything to earn your trust.”
“It’s hard for me,” she admitted. “Do you think you have the patience to take it slow?”
“I have forever, Gabby.” His grin spread across his face. “I love you. Nothing could change that.”
When his lips pressed against hers, she knew taking a chance on him would be the best decision she ever made. A thrill rushed through her body. She’d found a man who valued her. She wanted those arms around her for the rest of her life.
He broke away and stroked her hair. “What do you want me to d
o about the inn? Shred the purchase agreement? I didn’t buy it to win your love. I hope you know that.”
For the first time it hit her. He truly had bought Mountain View Inn for her—not as a bribe, but as a gift.
“You really bought me the inn?” She couldn’t wrap her brain around it.
He nodded. “No strings attached.”
“There are always strings somewhere...” She narrowed her eyes.
“Not this time.” His hands slid down to her waist. “Go ahead and read the purchase agreement if you don’t believe me. It’s in your name. My name is nowhere on it—I was the money behind it, nothing more.”
He shifted toward the couch to get the papers, but she tugged him back to her. “I’ll take your word for it, cowboy. Why don’t you kiss me again?”
His lips curved into a wicked grin. “Anything you want. Just say you’ll be mine.”
“I’m yours.”
As he lowered his mouth to hers, a loud “ba-ba-ba” interrupted them. Phoebe had pulled herself up and was standing next to the couch, holding on to it and bouncing.
Dylan met Gabby’s eyes and laughed. “Someone’s happy.”
“That makes two of us.” She stepped back. “What happens now? Does everything change?”
“Nothing’s changing.” He shook his head. “Stu wants me to stay on as his right-hand man. I’m getting a raise.”
His face was so bright with joy, she couldn’t help but laugh. “A raise, huh?”
“Yeah, it feels good to earn an honest day’s wage.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
“I have a lot to learn—about ranching, raising a baby, Wyoming...” He tugged her close to him again.
“I’ll be happy to help fill you in.” She wound her arms around his neck.
“I need a lot of help.” He dropped a kiss on her lips.
“Well, I’m good with the baby and Wyoming thing. But ranching? You’re on your own.”
His grin spread from ear to ear. “Thanks, Gabby.”
“For what?”
“For giving me a place to belong. For giving me a purpose.”
“You have it all wrong.” She pressed her finger in the cleft of his chin. “You gave me a place to belong. In your arms. Thank you for buying me the inn. I...I can’t believe you did it. No one has ever been so extravagant.”
“Is it too much? I can sell it...”
“Don’t you dare, Dylan Kingsley.” She playfully slapped his chest. “I want it. Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you enough.”
“Why don’t you start with a kiss?”
“Done.”
Epilogue
“You can’t trust just any cowboy.” Gabby didn’t look up from her computer at the front counter of Mountain View Inn. The late October sun streamed through the windows, landing on the new hardwood floors that had been laid as part of the hotel renovation. “You’ve got to make sure they have character—values.”
“I’d give the one outside a shot if he had eyes for any girl other than you.” Stella scanned the printout of the housekeeping checklist. She’d gotten more dependable in the past four months. There was hope for her yet.
“I wouldn’t blame you.” Gabby smiled at her.
Dylan walked inside carrying a bouquet of two dozen red roses. He wore dark jeans, cowboy boots and a button-down shirt open at the collar. His Stetson completed the picture of quintessential cowboy. She inwardly swooned. The man filled her heart.
“I’m looking for Gabrielle Stover.” His brown eyes twinkled.
“You’re looking at her.” She bit her lower lip in anticipation. What was he doing? This wasn’t the first time he’d brought her flowers, but something was different about him.
“Come with me.” He held out his hand, and she exchanged a curious glance with Stella, who shrugged, before rounding the counter and taking his hand.
He led her to the lobby and stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace complete with a crackling fire. He faced her then, standing inches from her.
“These are for you.” He handed her the flowers. She inhaled their lovely scent.
“Thank you.”
Then, keeping her hand in his, he lowered himself to one knee. Her heart began hammering so quickly, she thought it might explode. He was proposing!
“Gabrielle Stover, four months ago, I walked into this very inn, and my life changed forever. I found my niece. I found my calling. And I found myself. I couldn’t have found any of it without you. You’re the reason I wake up smiling. You’re the reason I fall asleep anticipating another day. You’re my everything. I want to spend forever with you. Will you marry me?”
He held a small, square box in his hand. He opened it, revealing an intricate diamond ring.
She blinked away the tears. “Yes, oh yes!”
He slid the ring on her finger, and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He rose, not breaking their kiss. Then he tightened his grip and deepened the kiss. And she was lost. Lost in the safety of his arms and heart.
A round of applause interrupted them, and they both turned. The lobby had filled with friends and guests. Eden ran to her and hugged her, her eyes misting up.
“What did I tell you? You found your dream man.” Eden beamed.
“You were right. It’s time we found yours.” She nudged her side.
“First things first. Let me get settled into my new apartment.” Eden grinned.
Mason and Brittany approached.
“Couldn’t be happier for you, Gabby.” Mason hugged her then turned to Dylan. “You’ve got one of the best here, don’t ever forget it.”
“Trust me, I know.” Dylan beamed, not taking his eyes off her.
Stu clapped Dylan on the shoulder. “I guess this means you’re moving off-site.”
“I’ll still be on the ranch at the crack of dawn. Don’t worry.”
“I won’t.” Stu winked, his toothpick bobbing as he turned to congratulate Gabby.
“We have plenty of time to figure it out.” She patted Dylan’s chest. Then it hit her—Phoebe would finally have a daddy. A real daddy. The waterworks threatened behind her eyes again, and she had to close them tight for a moment.
“Say, have you two seen Gretchen around?” Stu asked.
“Um, I don’t know.” Dylan peered through the crowd. “Is that her over there?”
Stu turned and made a beeline to the group of church ladies in the corner.
“Sugar, you’ve found your Herb.” Babs hugged Gabby and kissed both her cheeks. “I’m proud of you. You took a chance.”
“Because of you.” She squeezed Babs tightly. “I needed your tough love.”
“You’ve got a fine cowboy, Gabby. Something tells me you two have a lifetime of adventures waiting.”
“Babs?” She searched for the right words. “Thanks for being my mom away from mom.”
“You’re like a daughter to me.” It was Babs’s turn to get teary-eyed. “Oh, now look at me. I’ll be right back. My mascara is running.”
Stella came over. “Nicole wanted to come, but she’s got her hands full with the triplets.”
“You knew about this?” Gabby was surprised Stella had been so good about keeping the secret.
“Of course, I knew. Babs threatened to hack off my hair if I spilled a word.”
Gabby laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t expect Nicole to be here. Tell her I’ll stop by to see the babies this weekend sometime.”
After everyone congratulated them and dispersed, Gabby picked up the roses, inhaling their aroma again, and then admired her ring.
“I guess it’s official.” Dylan stared into her eyes.
“You’re stuck with me, cowboy.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Hoping for a Father by Lois Richer.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed reading this book. I had so much fun watching Dylan and Gabby fall in love as they embraced their identities in ways they struggled with when the story began. Dylan falsely tied his identity to his bank account, and he came to the conclusion he wasn’t worth much without his father’s money. He was blind to his many wonderful qualities, and I’m so glad he could find his true worth in Rendezvous.
Gabby knew she had trust issues with men—with good reason!—but as time wore on, she realized she needed to accept that lasting love did exist. With God’s grace, Gabby was able to accept Dylan’s love for what it was—real, special and worth risking her heart over.
May we all step out of our comfort zones as both of them did and embrace our invaluable worth as children of God. Nothing can separate us from His love for us!
I love connecting with readers. Feel free to email me at [email protected] or write me at P.O. Box 2802, Whitehouse, Ohio, 43571.
Blessings to you,
Jill Kemerer
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Hoping for a Father
by Lois Richer
Chapter One
Finished.
Exhausted, Drew Calhoun attached the computer file of the financial analysis report for his investors’ group and hit Send. With a swish, the email was gone.
Contract fulfilled.