The Rancher's Family Thanksgiving
Page 19
She shook her head, knowing that love required equal sacrifice and commitment from each partner. Otherwise it would never work. “Hear me out,” she said in a rusty-sounding voice.
His arms tightened around her. “I’m listening.”
Susie drew another even more tremulous breath. “You were right about me.” She swallowed. “I am scared. I’m always going to be scared. That doesn’t mean I have to let my anxiety rule our lives. I want to be with you. I want to keep taking risks, and putting my heart on the line. I want to have a family, and I want to have it with you, because I love you, too, with all my heart and soul.”
He grinned, ecstatic, and touched his lips to hers. “We are on the same page.”
Susie wrapped her arms around his neck and went up on tiptoe. She touched her lips to his. “And always will be.”
They shared another kiss, deeper, more lasting.
“So, does this mean you’ll marry me?” Tyler prodded at long last, the way he was holding her leaving no doubt about the depth of his commitment to her.
Her heart overflowing with love, Susie kissed him back, until she was sure he knew how much she adored him, too, until they both felt the promise of the future, and the complete joy of the present. “As soon as I can.”
They hugged each other fiercely. “Let’s go tell everyone our news,” Tyler said.
Hand in hand, Susie and Tyler walked back to the soundstage where everyone had gathered. All their family, everyone they loved, was present. The banquet area was a festive scene, bustling with activity. The tantalizing aroma of roast turkey and cornbread stuffing filled the air. Buffet tables brimmed with an array of lovingly prepared side dishes and desserts.
Looking like he had just won the lottery, Tyler stepped to the center of the room and quickly got everyone’s attention. “Guess who just agreed to make me the happiest man on earth?” he announced.
A cheer went up among the guests. Congratulations and a bounty of good wishes followed.
“This is going to be a Thanksgiving we’ll always remember,” Susie’s parents said happily, hugging them both.
At long last, Susie noted, Meg and Luke thought Susie had it all.
“We heartily concur!” Annie and Travis McCabe said together, both of them grinning.
“We really are blessed,” Susie told Tyler, her voice catching slightly and her eyes brimming with happy tears, as they made their way to their seats.
Tyler wrapped his arms around her and held her close, all the love he felt for her in his touch. “The gratitude we feel today is just the beginning, Suze,” he told her tenderly. “We have so much to look forward to.”
So much indeed.
Smiling, Susie and Tyler took their seats among family and friends. They linked hands and bowed their heads as grace was said.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-5495-4
THE RANCHER’S FAMILY THANKSGIVING
Copyright © 2007 by Cathy Gillen Thacker
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