But if he were certain, she would call Régine back. She would make arrangements, and then she would pack.
She would get out of here before she fell to pieces.
And she would hope that Sancerre needed her a lot—so much that she could drown herself in work.
And forget a golden man who had broken her heart, just as she'd known he could.
* * *
BOONE LOOKED AT his empty plate in surprise. He hadn't tasted a single bite of a meal he was sure had been excellent.
A long, silent meal.
Maddie looked up as if to say something, then paused to take a sip of her juice.
Tell me you don't want to leave, that New York isn't important.
But she didn't. "Are you sure you can work something out with the Caswells?"
A lead weight settled in his chest. From some place deep inside him, he drew on long-buried reserves. "It was your family that killed a Caswell, Maddie, not mine." He hated the stricken look on her face, but he had to convince her. "They'll deal with me."
Maddie chewed on that full lower lip that drove him crazy. For an instant, he could remember her taste, remember the velvet feel of that lip between his own.
Boone clenched his fist around his napkin.
"If you're sure..." she said, "I guess I'd better call Régine back." Rising, Maddie picked up both their plates. Her eyes were worried. "I probably should leave today. You'll be all right until Vondell gets back?"
No. I'll never be all right if you're not here.
"Maddie, I've told you—"
A faint smile crossed her lips. "I know—you can take care of yourself."
But I need you, anyway. I can't take care of the hole inside my heart.
He didn't say that, though. He rose and took their glasses from the table. Standing by her at the sink, he remembered a night when he'd thought he'd die of longing to taste her, to touch her.
Now he'd done both. And the pain raged like a wounded beast inside him.
"Well..." he said. "I'd better get back to the barn and check on the colt."
As he turned, he caught one quick glimpse of Maddie's face. There were tears in her eyes.
With an aching heart, Boone clenched his fists and walked toward the door.
I have nothing to offer her. Nothing like what she could have. But with every step, his heart cried out louder, howling to be heard.
"What will you name him?"
Boone couldn't imagine what she was asking. He turned. "Name who?"
Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
Don't do this to me, Maddie. I'm trying to let you go. I'm trying to do the right thing for you.
"The colt." Maddie sniffed hard and drew her shoulders up straight.
Valiant. Strong. A heart as big as the sky. She was everything he'd ever wanted, everything he'd ever need.
The words came out before he could stop them. "Don't go, Maddie." His heart thundered so loudly he could barely hear her reply.
"What?" Her eyes widened.
"I said, don't go. Please. Stay with me." He hurried on, unable to stop himself now. "I know I don't have anything to offer compared to New York. You could have the world at your feet there. The sky is the limit for you. But if you stay and marry me, I'll do everything in my power to see that you never regret it. I'll work hard and save money so I can take you to those places you like. I know Morning Star isn't much, but—"
"Yes."
"—I promise I'll—" He stopped cold. "What? What did you say?"
Then there she was again, the Maddie he loved. That smile that made the world bright bloomed beneath her tears. Those eyes sparkled again.
Nothing could be very wrong when Maddie was smiling.
"I said yes. I want to stay. We don't have to get married, but—"
He was across the floor in an instant, hauling her into his arms. "Yes, we do," he demanded. "I want to know you're mine, for good."
But honor required that he be sure she understood. He pulled back slightly. "I didn't make Helen happy. Maybe you should think about this. Don't be impulsive."
"I'm always impulsive, Boone," she teased. Then she sobered. "Would you change me?"
"I don't want to change anything about you. I just want to love you."
Maddie searched his gaze. "You were going to send me away because you thought it was what I wanted, weren't you?"
"You should still want it. I can't give you New York."
"Making decisions for me, Boone?"
He had the grace to blush.
"I don't want New York. I want you."
"I'll never love another woman but you, Maddie. Gallagher men—"
"Love only once," she chimed in. "That's good. I'm pretty handy with a knife."
He smiled, but his eyes were still serious. "I could come with you to New York. You could still have that dream."
If Maddie doubted that he loved her, here was ample proof. "You mean that, don't you?"
"Yes."
Maddie sighed and laid her head against his chest. "You really do love me."
"What about you, Maddie?" She'd never heard him sound uncertain before.
She lifted her head and placed one hand on his heart. "I would never ask you to leave. I don't want to leave, either. I've never belonged anywhere before. I love you, and I love this place. Here—" She pressed against his heart. "This is where home is now."
Boone's eyes held all the love in the world as he lowered his lips to hers.
"Welcome home, Maddie."
Epilogue
MADDIE RUSHED TOWARD Sam's old office, which she now shared with Boone. Vondell had found her in the garden, telling her that Dev had returned and wanted to meet with them both before tomorrow's wedding festivities. Maddie chewed her lip, hoping for good news about Mitch or the missing sister. It would be the best wedding present possible.
Though they had intended only a small, private ceremony with a justice of the peace, once word got out, Morning Star had been intent upon something completely different. It was amazing what could be done in two weeks.
It was Vondell's doing, Maddie was certain. But she couldn't really complain. The romantic inside her wanted the world to see her joy, wanted to marry Boone in a sentimental, old-fashioned ceremony straight out of Maddie's girlhood dreams.
There would be no one there to be her family, but she'd found replacements. Jim had asked to be allowed to give her away, and Velda and Vondell had been clucking over her for days. For a moment, Maddie wondered if she wanted to ask Boone to postpone the wedding, depending on Dev's news.
Not really. Anyway, Boone was intent upon marrying her as soon as possible, and Boone Gallagher was not an easy man to stall.
But oh, he was an easy man to love.
"Penny for your thoughts," said the voice that made Maddie's heart thump. Boone grabbed her by the waist, waylaying her before she reached the office. He pulled her into the stairwell and proceeded to remind her forcefully of what lay in store tomorrow night.
The man could kiss. Oh, the man could kiss.
Soon Maddie didn't care who was waiting—or why.
Boone ended the kiss with a sigh of regret. "I can't wait to make you mine again. Are you sure we have to wait another day?" His eyes held smoldering promise.
"I don't know," she sighed. "I'm having trouble remembering why I think it's important to wait."
Boone exhaled sorrowfully. "So I have to be noble, is that what you're telling me?"
Maddie struggled to grin as desire ran like honey through her body. "You're so good at it."
"And you, heartless woman, are going to drive me crazy before I get my hands on you again."
"Boone? Maddie? Devlin is waiting, and I've still got to get Maddie in that dress one more time," Vondell called from the kitchen.
Boone frowned. Maddie smiled. Both of them sighed.
He straightened and tucked her hair behind one ear. "I messed up your hair."
"I don't care."
&nbs
p; "I'm not going to live long enough to make love to you," he muttered. "I'm going to die before tomorrow night."
Maddie tucked her hand in his elbow and ushered him toward the office, grinning. "Don't whine, Boone. It's not heroic."
"Never wanted to be a damn hero, anyway," he grumbled.
Maddie stopped and turned. "Too late. You're already mine."
Boone shook his head and smiled, opening the door. "After you, heartless wench."
"Why, thank you, sir," Maddie simpered.
Devlin glanced up at the sound of their laughter, but not before Boone saw his frown.
"What is it?" Boone asked. "Is Mitch—"
"No—nothing's wrong. I just wish I could give you the wedding present I wanted and tell you I've found them both."
"What have you found?" Maddie spoke up.
Dev looked at Boone first. "I'm close to finding Mitch. I've tracked down his whereabouts four months ago. He was in New Mexico."
Boone's brow furrowed. "You really think you're close?"
"Oh, yeah, no question. It won't be much longer."
Boone nodded. Maddie could feel the tension in his frame ease.
She spoke up. "What about Dalton and Jenny's daughter?"
Dev's look turned unsettled.
Maddie gripped Boone's hand. "You said nothing was wrong."
Dev's green eyes went dark and troubled. "Nothing's wrong, Maddie, except..." He shook his head as if trying to clear his distraction. "I still can't believe this, but—" He drew in a deep breath and shot them a glance of disbelief. "I know her."
"You mean, know her, know her?"
"Yeah. Our paths crossed years ago when we were young." An odd look skipped over his features. "Her name is Lacey DeMille, and she's a society girl in Houston." In his tone, there was another story.
"So what's the problem? Is she a terrible person?" Maddie felt Boone's arm slide around her waist.
Dev's gaze was uneasy. "I don't think she knows she's adopted."
"Oh, my." Beside her, Maddie heard Boone's inhalation of surprise. "What do we do?"
Dev recovered. "Don't worry—I'll handle it carefully. I just want to check a little more to be sure I'm right before I approach her."
Maddie's heart thumped with eagerness. "How soon can we meet her?"
"Very soon. I'm headed back to Houston after the wedding." He squared a look at Boone. "Thanks for inviting me. I'm sorry that it's not all the wedding present I'd hoped to give."
Maddie threw her arms around Dev, giving him a quick hug. "It's a wonderful present, Dev."
Dev set her away from him carefully, shooting glances toward Boone. "Uh, Maddie..."
Maddie grinned at Boone. "Oh, Boone doesn't mind. He knows I'm crazy about him."
Boone pulled her into his side. "Boone does mind. Keep your hands off my woman, Marlowe." But his eyes sparkled, and he held out a hand. "Thank you. It may not be all you wanted to deliver, but it's very good news."
Dev shook his hand. "So you think you might even call me by my first name if I find your brother?"
"Since I know you don't have designs on Maddie, I'll do it now." Boone chuckled. "Thanks, Dev. We appreciate all you're doing."
Then Boone looked at Maddie, his eyes full of promise. "Now, if that's all..."
"Wait." Dev cleared his throat, his face growing sober. "There's something else."
Boone stiffened at his tone. "What's that?"
Dev reached into his briefcase and drew out an envelope. "I have something for you."
Boone recognized his name written in Sam's bold hand. "Why now?"
"I don't pretend to understand Sam's thinking. All I know is that he asked me to hold this until after Maddie had been here thirty days. Yesterday was the thirtieth day."
"I don't want it."
"Boone..." Maddie cautioned, placing one hand on his arm. "Maybe it will be something good."
He had his doubts, but as he looked into Maddie's eyes, he realized that it didn't matter anymore what Sam had done. His father had brought Maddie into his life, for whatever reason, and that had been the best thing the man had ever done. It might not be what Sam had intended, but Boone didn't want to imagine his life without meeting Maddie. Still, he didn't want any more of Sam's surprises to hurt her. If the letter inside was bad, he just wouldn't let her read it.
"It doesn't really matter," he said. "You're here. I have to thank him for that."
Maddie's smile reached into his heart like a warm, calming hand.
His life was so rich, so full of promise, now that Maddie was by his side. He couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell the world that she belonged to him.
But his fingers still trembled a little as he sliced open the envelope. A single sheet lay inside.
Son—
By now, anything may have happened between you and Dalton's daughter. At worst, I've done the right thing and given her a chance to keep her family home. If that's the case, you're probably mad as hell at me, and I can't blame you.
I've done a lot that was wrong by you, Boone. You didn't deserve it. I've never told you how proud I am of the boy who held this place together. Or the man who came back, even though it cost him a wife.
I didn't like Helen. I won't pretend I did. I wanted you to have a woman like your mother, a woman you could love with everything in you. Helen was never that kind of woman. She wanted you to be someone else. That was damn stupid of her. You're a fine man, just the way you are.
I'm going to hope that my best-case scenario happened, that you and Maddie Rose hit it off. No one can predict what will happen when a man and woman meet, but I like what I hear about her from Devlin's research. And she comes from good stock. Rose Wheeler had a hard life, but she took what was dealt and never let it turn her hard. And Dalton...well, bad as I did him, Dalton was my best friend and a good man. Not many would sacrifice what he did. Both of them knew how to love people, and from what I can tell, Maddie Rose does, too.
You need that, Boone. You need someone to make you laugh. I hear she laughs easily, that she's got color and spark to her. I don't want you to live out your life alone.
But either way, I don't expect you to forgive me. I missed a lot of years with you and your brother. I'll never forgive myself for that. I just couldn't get past losing Jenny, but she wouldn't be proud of what I did.
I should have sent for you sooner. Now the doc says there's no time. Just as well, I guess. I don't know how I'd face you. I just hope to God you can find Mitch and bring him home. And I'm going to hope, like some sentimental old fool, that Maddie Rose is there when you do. Dalton and Rose would be happy.
I don't know if it's much solace to know I paid for my mistakes. I lost two fine sons, and I'm sorry for it.
Dad
"Here," Boone handed it to Maddie. He didn’t trust himself to speak.
Dev rose. "I'm going to leave now, Boone. I don't think I'm needed."
Boone let him go. Asking why would do no good. It was the unanswerable question, why his father didn't realize sooner, before everything went too far. He'd just have to be grateful for what he'd been given. The letter was icing on the cake.
Boone had Maddie, and that was all that mattered.
He heard her sniff and looked over. Maddie rose and came to stand beside him.
Boone pulled her down on his lap and held on tight. For a long span, they didn't speak, just held one another.
"He loved you, Boone."
"I guess he did, in his own way."
"Are you angry that he figured it out too late?"
Boone loosened his hold enough to look at her. "I don't know. I can't be angry, because anything changed would mean I might never have met you. If for nothing else, I'll always be grateful to him for that."
"We'll find Mitch. We will," she promised.
He nodded. "And we'll meet Lacey soon."
"I'm so sad for Sam."
Such a tender heart. "He paid a high price." He looked deep into her eyes. "I understand bette
r now. If I lost you..." He wrapped her up tightly in his arms, his voice cracking. "I could be just like him."
Maddie sat up straight and framed his face with her hands. "No, you would never do that. You already showed me that. You were ready to let me go if that's what would make me happy. You're not like him, Boone. You would never make Sam's mistakes."
"You don't know that."
Maddie looked deep into his eyes. "Yes, I do." Then she grinned. "I take it back. You are like him in one way." Maddie's eyes twinkled. "Stubborn as sin."
The weight of the moment vanished with her teasing. "Anyone ever tell you that you got a mouth on you, Maddie Rose?"
"Why, yes, I believe someone has."
"I've got better uses for it." Boone bent down to show her what he meant.
* * *
"You are so beautiful. Rose would have loved to see you in her dress." Boone's blue eyes gleamed with tender appreciation.
Maddie nestled against him, loving the moment of quiet they'd stolen on the porch. The entire town of Morning Star, it seemed, was packed inside the big white house that was now her home, having a wedding reception that looked as though it might never end.
Boone read her mind. "Do you think they'll ever leave?" They'd decided to postpone a honeymoon until the lost siblings had been found.
She smiled. "Everyone pitched in to make it a dream wedding. They deserve to stay as long as they want."
"Then I'm stealing you away and we're heading for Dallas," he growled. "I've waited too long already to get you naked."
Maddie tried to laugh past the catch in her breath. "Dallas is a long way."
"Forget Dallas. Fifty miles to Brownwood seems like the moon." He tilted her chin up and sealed his mouth to hers in a hungry kiss.
Maddie's knees went weak. She had it all right here—everything she had ever longed for in the years of wandering.
See if Texas whispers in your heart like it always has in mine.
It does, Sam. In the back of beyond, Maddie had finally found where she belonged.
Then she thought no more, caught up in the magic of the man who had finally let go, finally opened up a wounded heart and let her inside to find a love that still staggered her with its abundance. Maddie answered his kiss with a hunger that matched his.
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