“What has? You’ve told Hunter. So now tell me. I love you, Julie. I’m not going to give up on you. Never. You hear me?”
She burst into tears, and covered her face with her hands. Caleb immediately pulled her into his arms and cradled her as they sat on the bed together.
“It’s going to be okay,” Caleb said. “Whatever it is, you’ll work it out. You’ll work through it. He’ll forgive you because he loves you.”
She pulled back and looked up at her brother through tear-filled eyes.
“How can he forgive me when I still can’t forgive myself?”
She saw the confusion in his expression. She hadn’t told him. She had told Hunter. God knows what Caleb thought she had done.
“I didn’t have an abortion, Caleb.”
She saw him exhale slowly as if he were relieved.
“What happened?”
“I was going to give the baby for adoption.”
“Was?”
She began to cry again and didn’t trust her voice so she nodded.
“The baby died during childbirth.”
She told Caleb the rest of the story in as much detail as she could handle. Every so often, he pulled her into his arms but she pushed back. She was stronger when she was standing on her own.
But then Caleb said, “Look at me! This is not your fault. Whatever happened is not your fault. You didn’t do this. You were trying to make the best of the situation you were in and it didn’t work. I’m just so sorry that you had to go through all of that by yourself. It’s time for you to forgive yourself. Do you hear me?”
She nodded, but she wasn’t sure she believed him.
“Look, Julie. I can’t tell you what to do. It’s your life. I can’t keep you chained here. But I do know one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Hunter loves you. I didn’t need to see the two of you together the other night to know that. I saw long before you came home.”
“You did?”
He nodded.
“How? You didn’t even know we were together. He didn’t even know anything about any of this until recently.”
“Any man who could look me in the eye and take a punch without turning away just so he could get any information about you is a man in love.”
“Oh my God, Caleb. You punched him?”
“Well, yeah, I did. I was a little angry. He didn’t fight me back. He just looked at me and told me that he loved you. He didn’t know about the baby.”
She sat down on the bed. “Now he does.”
“So all the cards are on the table. Why are you leaving?”
She didn’t know why. She was scared. More terrified than she’d been in a long time. Somehow she thought that she’d be relieved after Hunter knew the truth. But it only scared her more.
“I know why you’re running, Julie.”
She chuckled with no humor. “Great. You want to clue me in?”
“You still love him. And it scares you to death. It’s okay. Love can be scary. But it can be wonderful too.”
She looked at him and squinted one eye. “What the hell happened to you in Afghanistan? Somehow, I think my brother was kidnapped by an alien. Weren’t you the one who years ago said that all that love and marriage was a ploy to get guys to spend money on girls?”
He chuckled. “What can I say? I was stupid back then.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Don’t get too used to me saying stuff like that,” Caleb added quickly. “I’m still older than you.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
He slung an arm around her shoulder. “His name was Hunter. Where did you bury him?”
No one had ever asked Julie that before. Not even Dr. Matthews. Maybe it was because she could never get through a session without crying.
“In Seattle.”
“Tell me about him.”
She looked at him with confusion. “I just told you that he…”
“I know what you told me. But tell me about them. Did he look like you or did he looked like Hunter?”
She drew in a deep breath and thought of the box she kept sealed with duct tape. “I have a picture.”
“You do? Did you show it to Hunter?”
She shook her head.
“Maybe you should.”
* * *
Julie pulled the little black dress out of the closet and put it on. She didn’t need the black dress. It was never about the dress. But she wanted Hunter to know she’d bought it for him.
Before she left the apartment, she ripped open the duct taped box and pulled out the shoebox she kept inside. She didn’t open it though.
She drove through town hoping she wasn’t caught in the festival traffic as people left and headed home. She drove towards Hunter’s apartment. She’d thought about taking turns on long and winding roads to stretch out the time it would take her to get there.
But not tonight. She wanted to see Hunter. She was going insane. She was sure of it. How could she want to see him and not see him at the same time? Dr. Matthews would have her locked up for sure.
She headed down the road that led to Hunter’s apartment in a daze. It had been over nine years since she’d opened that box. She wasn’t sure what it would be like to see her son again.
As she pulled into the parking lot, she noticed that Hunter’s truck wasn’t there. The lights were’nt on in his apartment either. Perhaps that urgent call had finally forced him to give it attention. She only hoped that it hadn’t been an emergency that she had taken his attention away from.
Julie parked the car, rolled down the window, and sat there. Caleb wasn’t home so she could wait there for Hunter to get back home. She had a feeling she’d lose her nerve if she left this parking lot. She had to see it through.
She waited in the parking lot for two hours, and had nearly fallen asleep in her car when she heard Hunter’s truck pull up next to her car. She bolted upright in the seat and rubbed her eyes.
“Julie. What’s wrong?”
She swallowed hard. “I had to see you.”
He looked at her for a long moment. “Had? Why?”
“I have something for you.”
Her voice cracked as she said the words. She climbed out of the car, biting on her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Then she reached into the car and grabbed her purse and the little shoebox. She handed the box to him.
“What is this?”
She took a deep breath. “Pictures of Hunter. Our baby.”
His shoulders sagged as the weight of her words fell heavy on his back.
“You have pictures?”
She nodded. “I haven’t looked at these in nine years. I’d like to look at them with you now.”
Tears filled his eyes. “Okay. Let’s go inside.”
She left the car window open. Caleb would be upset with her, but she didn’t care about the car. The treasure was in the box. It was all she had left.
Once they were inside, he handed her the box.
“I’ve just been out at Bert’s ranch. I had to put a special boot on one of his horses who got injured in practice. I’m a little dirty.”
“It’s okay.”
Hunter washed his hands in the sink as Julie brought the box to the kitchen table. She waited for him to dry his hands before opening the box.
As he came up beside her, he whispered in her ear. “Nice legs.”
She smiled even though she felt the weight of tears behind her eyes.
They stood in the kitchen and looked at each picture slowly. It was hard to see, and yet, it was joyous at the same time to be sharing it with Hunter. When all the pictures were spread out on the table, Hunter looked at them and picked up on particular picture and studied it.
“I’m going to paint this one.”
“Yeah? I would love that.”
“Me, too.”
“He’s buried in Seattle. Maybe one day we can go visit him there.”
“He’s not there, Ju
lie.” Hunter pointed to her chest. “He’ll always be here.”
“I guess you’re right. He’s been with me all along.”
He put the picture down and took her in his arms.
“I know you’re hurting. I’m hurting too. I don’t think this kind of hurt ever goes away. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start all over again. I love you, Julie. I don’t want to lose you again.”
She wrapped her arms around him and looked into his eyes and saw all that love shining there just for her. How could she have doubted it?
“I love you, too, Hunter. I always have.” She kissed his lips and rested her cheek against his. “Will you do something for me?”
“Anything. Just ask.”
“Will you…go to a funeral with me?”
He snapped his head back and looked at her with alarm.
“The woman I rented a room from just died. The funeral is tomorrow. She was a nice lady. She was very special. I wasn’t sure I could handle going to her funeral. But I can if we go together.”
“I have a feeling we can face anything as long as we do it together.”
She smiled. “I sure hope so.”
He rested his head on her forehead. “How did I get this lucky to have a second chance with you again?” he whispered.
“Funny.”
“What?”
“I was thinking the same exact thing.”
Hunter went with her to Margaret’s funeral. She didn’t bother to pretend she wasn’t heartbroken by losing her friend. And a few weeks later they got in the truck and drove to Seattle so they could visit their baby’s grave. It was hard. But being with Hunter had made it easier.
On the drive home, she sat next to Hunter in the cab of his truck and leaned her head on his shoulder while he drove.
“Marry me,” she said.
The truck momentarily swerved as he took his eyes off the road to look at her face to see if she was joking.
She lifted her gaze to him. “You’re not going to answer me?”
“You want to get married?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Whenever you want. We can have the wedding at the chapel house where Caleb and Katie are getting married.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Someone has to clean your apartment. I don’t want to have to do my apartment and yours, too.”
He chuckled. “Is that the only reason?”
“I’m crazy about you. Is that a good enough reason?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“We find a preacher and get married right now. I don’t want to risk you running off on me again. I want you in my arms and in my bed for the rest of our lives.”
She laughed, throwing her head back and filling the cabin with laughter.
“If you can find one tonight, let’s do it.”
Somewhere around Ellensburg, Hunter put on his directional that sent them heading south.
“Where are we going?”
“Vegas. I’m not giving you the chance to change your mind.”
Sweet Montana Secrets: Epilogue
Katie and Julie stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom upstairs in the chapel house. Julie had never seen Katie looking more radiant and happy. Caleb had been a nervous wreck. Not because he was getting married but because he and Katie hadn’t eloped like Hunter and Julie had.
“I want to have a toast,” Katie said, pulling the bottle of champagne they’d had on ice for the bridesmaids to drink while getting ready for the wedding. She poured a little champagne in each glass and handed one to each of her bridesmaids and Julie.
“Okay, but I can only have a sip,” Julie said, pulling at the waist of her dress.
Katie noticed and frowned. “That’s the third time you’ve done that this morning. Did the seamstress make your dress too tight?”
Julie smiled. “She didn’t give me room enough.”
“Room enough? Oh my God! You’re pregnant?”
Julie nodded as tears filled her eyes.
Katie hugged her tight. “No wonder you didn’t want to have a drink. I’m so happy for you and Hunter. Does Caleb know?”
“Not yet. I told Mom and she is sworn to secrecy until after the wedding.”
“Everything is going to be okay this time, Julie. I’m so happy for you.”
She was too. She had a man she loved who loved her and reminded her of it every moment of every day since the day they’d taken their vows. Now she had their child growing inside her. This was the next step in a beautiful life that had yet to be written.
Look for SWEET MONTANA BRIDE, book 6 in the Sweet Montana series HERE.
Ebooks by Lisa Mondello
DAKOTA HEARTS SERIES
Her Dakota Man book 1
Badland Bride book 2
Dakota Heat book 3
Wild Dakota Heart book 4
His Dakota Bride book 5
Dakota Wedding book 6
His Dakota Heart book 7
Dakota Cowboy book 8
One Dakota Night book 9
Dakota Homecoming book 10
Dakota Blues, book 11
Dakota Fire book 12
Dakota SEAL book 13
Dakota Hearts Complete Set 1-10
HEROES OF PROVIDENCE SERIES
Material Witness, Book 1
(**Named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2012)
Safe Haven, Book 2
Reckless Hours, Book 3
Desperate Hours, Book 4
Final Hours, Book 5
Cold Harbor, Book 6
TEXAS HEARTS SERIES
Texas Hearts Box Set 1-3
Her Heart for the Asking, Book 1
His Heart for the Trusting, Book 2
The More I See, Book 3
Gypsy Hearts, Book 4
Leaving Liberty, Book 5
His Texas Heart, Book 6
The Wedding Dress, Book 7
Lone Star Lady, Book 8
Under a Texas Star, book 9
Lone Star Hero, book 10
FATE WITH A HELPING HAND SERIES
Tempting Fate Box Set 1-3
The Gift, Prequel
All I Want for Christmas is You, Book 1
The Marriage Contract, Book 2
The Knight and Maggie’s Baby, Book 3
My Lucky Charm, Book 4
SUMMER HOUSE SERIES
Moment in Time, Book 1
Moment of Impact, Book 2
Moment of Truth, Book 3
Moment of Trust, Book 4
CONTEMPORARY WESTERN ROMANCE
Nothing But Trouble
RODEO KNIGHTS SERIES
Her Knight, Her Protector, Book 1 by Lisa Mondello
SWEET MONTANA SERIES
Sweet Montana Sky (also part of the Rodeo Knights collection)
Sweet Home Montana
Sweet Montana Rescue
Sweet Montana Outlaw
Sweet Montana Bride
Sweet Montana Secrets
Sweet Montana Bride
Sweet Montana Rebel
Sweet Montana Mischief
Sweet Montana Baby
For up to date information on new releases, visit me at www.lisamondello.com or write me at [email protected].
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