Chapter Eighteen – Knox
They ran until their lungs were ready to burst and his heart beat so loud it filled his ears. Two bears, kindred spirits, both trying to outrun their losses. When at last they turned for home, they were tired, but they had beaten the specter of death. For now.
“I’ll pick you up at ten on Saturday,” Knox told Dustin as they parted ways in front of his house. “Don’t be late.”
“I won’t.” Dustin waved as he went inside and Knox turned away, heading home. The meeting with Will had gone well, and he’d asked them to both come along on Saturday morning to get a good feel for the place. Or, as Dustin had remarked afterward, so that Will could assess them. The guy was a shrewd man.
Knox reached home, opening the front door to find Jamie in the kitchen talking quietly with Hannah. He was immediately on edge. Jamie rarely came over for a social visit at this time of night, since dinnertime was the busiest time of day in his house. Kids to feed, and to bathe, and to read to, the list was endless.
If Jamie was here, there was something wrong.
“Hi there.” Knox entered the kitchen. Hannah looked tearful, and Jamie looked concerned. “What’s happened?”
“I received a letter addressed to you.” Jamie reached into his pocket and pulled out an official letter, handing it over quickly.
“A letter.” Knox took it and looked at the front of it, before flipping it over as if he might get a clue about its contents.
“Jamie’s been waiting for you to come home. In case it’s…something he can help you with.” Hannah pressed her lips together, not knowing what to say.
“One way to find out.” He tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter, his face hot as he read it. He passed it to Jamie, before going to pour some coffee, although he really wanted something stronger.
Hannah waited for Jamie to read it. “Is it bad news?”
“They want to give Knox a medal, for bravery.” Jamie passed Hannah the letter and then turned to Knox. “You deserve it.”
“Do I?” Knox ran his hand through his bristly hair.
“You do.” Jamie stood up and went to face him. “What’s more, you need it. And the wives and families of the men who died need it. It will give them closure.”
“Give them closure?” Knox asked.
“Yes, they’ll be there, they’ll be able to shake your hand and thank you for what you did.”
“I don’t want it,” Knox insisted.
“But you are going to accept it.” Jamie was resolute.
Knox turned away, his fists clenched as he stared at the wall. “I feel like such a fraud. Whatever I did, I didn’t do it for a medal, I did it for my friends.”
“Just as they would have done the same for you. We all know that. We all respect that.” Jamie’s words caught in his throat, and he coughed, clearing the emotion so he could continue. “Take the medal, let everyone who lost a loved one that day be proud. Proud of what you fought for.”
Knox nodded, but kept his face turned away. “I know you’re right, Jamie. I just need time to think on it.”
“Take your time. Take the medal.” Jamie crossed the kitchen and grasped Knox by the shoulder. “Then move on, Knox. You have a wonderful chance here in Bear Creek to start again. You have Hannah, the chance for a family. Do it for yourself and do it for them.”
Jamie left the kitchen, with Hannah behind him. Knox listened as they said goodbye and Hannah thanked Jamie for what he’d done. She hesitated in the hallway, and he could hear her struggling to control her tears. He didn’t wait for her to come back to him. He needed to feel her in his arms, to let her warmth seep into his bones and her scent to fill his nostrils. She was life; she was hope.
“Knox.” Hannah opened her arms and he folded her into his embrace.
They held each other, rocking slowly back and forth as time passed them by. As they stood in her small house, he let his thoughts spin around in his head, slowly sorting through them and putting them in order. He didn’t like the idea of receiving a medal, but he knew Jamie was right.
“Are you OK?” Hannah asked when he pulled away from her.
“I am. Jamie’s right. And maybe it’s not only the families that need this. I do too.” He stood looking at the amazing woman in front of him. “Will you come with me?”
“Of course. We’re a team, right?” She smiled, but her dimples didn’t show.
“We are. And after, we make a new life.” He placed his hand on her belly. “A real new life.”
“I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.” Her smile grew wider, and the dimples he loved so much appeared.
“I do love you.” Knox kissed her lips.
“I love you.” She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest.
“Will you marry me, Hannah?” He chuckled. “I really should get down on one knee. And I don’t have a ring.”
“I don’t care about all that. The answer is yes. Although we may have to go and explain ourselves to my parents before we announce it.”
“Once I’ve received my medal, let’s get on a plane and go visit them, because I don’t think I can keep this to myself for long.”
“Deal,” she agreed. “They’ll love you, I know they will.”
Hannah was his family now, his past was behind him; he wasn’t the same lonely boy he’d been growing up. As he kissed Hannah, he made a silent promise, that no matter what the future held, their children would always be loved.
“I can’t wait to meet them, and thank them for raising such a wonderful daughter.” Knox lifted Hannah into his arms.
“Are you trying to get in my pants?” she whispered in his ear, her breath a gentle caress on his neck, sending shivers of pleasure through his body.
“Oh, yeah.” He strode toward the stairs.
“Good.” She placed her hands on his face and kissed him. “My hero.”
When he arrived in Bear Creek, he wasn’t a hero, he was a broken man, but love had put him back together again.
Epilogue
“How did Knox cope?” Hannah’s mom asked as they picked tomatoes from the large garden outside the sunny house in Italy.
“He did OK. While we were there at least.” Hannah looked across to where Knox and her dad were hammering nails into wood as they repaired a dilapidated barn. She was proud of Knox. He had graciously accepted his medal for bravery, even though he maintained he had only done his duty and that he was nothing special. Later, he had paid tribute to each and every man lost that day, whilst maintaining his composure. Hannah marveled at the inner strength of the man she loved.
“It’ll get easier,” her mom assured her. “I don’t know how they do it. Soldiers and their families.”
“Neither do I.” Hannah surveyed the leafy plants with their bright red fruits. “You have enough tomatoes to make gallons of tomato sauce. Or soup.”
Her mom smiled happily, her face radiant. The warm Mediterranean weather agreed with her. Hannah noticed the most obvious change as they worked their way along the rows of tomato plants. Her mom picked the ripe fruits with nimble fingers, the stiffness mostly gone from her joints.
“Moving here was the best thing we ever did.” Her mom looked lovingly at the plants she’d planted from seed and nurtured until they bore fruit. Just as she had nurtured her daughter.
“I can see. You and dad look so happy and relaxed.” Hannah raised her face to the sun, letting its warmth wash over her.
Her mom smiled fondly at her husband as he laughed along with Knox. “It’s given us a new lease of life.” She blushed as she caught Hannah staring at her. “What? The warm climate has made us feel a good ten years younger. Why not enjoy it while we can?”
“It’s more than the climate. You’ve spent your lives working, and raising me. Here it’s just the two of you.” Hannah moved closer to her mom. “I’ve seen the way you look at each other. You have found each other again.” She frowned. “I can’t explain it, but you look so in love.
”
“We are. And you are right, we have found each other again. We have a shared life, a shared goal.” Her mom nudged her gently and smiled. “I can recommend it.”
“I’m so happy for you both.” Hannah placed the basket filled with ripe tomatoes on the ground and hugged her mom. “I love you and miss you. But this visit has put my mind at rest.”
“I could say the same for me and your dad. This whirlwind romance of yours caught us by surprise. We were both worried you’d picked up some waif or stray to fill the hole left by us moving. We felt so guilty.”
“No need. Knox and I are meant to be together.” Hannah watched Knox as his muscles rippled in the warm sun. He wore shorts, his naked torso made golden by the sun. “He is quite a man.”
“Oh, I can see the physical attraction all right.” Hannah’s mom studied her daughter’s face. “But I can also see it’s more than that.”
“Much more. He’s a good man with a good heart. He’s going to ask me to marry him.” Hannah met her mom’s eyes, wanting to see her reaction before it was smothered over with politeness.
A wide smile broke out on her face, complete with the dimples Hannah had inherited. “I’m not surprised, and we’re happy. To know that you are settled, with a man you can depend on, makes us living so far away more bearable.”
“And you’ll come to the wedding?” Hannah asked.
“Of course. Your dad is already talking about cashing in some bonds to pay for the wedding.”
“No, you don’t have to. We can take care of it,” Hannah insisted.
Her mom took hold of Hannah’s hands. “You will accept the money. You are our only daughter and we’ve always set a little money aside for your wedding.”
“Thank you. I want it to be special, since I will only be getting married once.” The knowledge that she would be with Knox forever was comforting. Witnessing the love between her own parents, throughout her whole life, made Hannah crave the same love and companionship.
“And what plans do you have for your future?”
“You mean children?” Hannah asked pointedly.
Her mom shrugged and nodded. “A mother can’t resist wanting her daughter to provide a grandchild or two. Although I will miss so much of them growing up.”
“We can visit often. And you could come and stay in Bear Creek in the summer. You’d love it there. The people are so friendly.”
“That’s a yes for children then?” Her mom picked a few more tomatoes, then put her hand on the small of her back and stretched. “I think it’s time for dinner.”
“It is yes for children, and yes for dinner.” Hannah picked a couple more tomatoes. “I’ll give you a hand.”
“No, you and Knox deserve some time together. Why don’t you walk down to the beach while your dad helps me with dinner?”
“Are you sure?” Hannah asked.
“Yes. Go. Take that man of yours down to beach, walk in the ocean. He’s been watching you all day. You need some alone time, and so do we.” Her mom held out her hand for the basket Hannah carried.
“Thanks, Mom.” Hannah kissed her cheek and then went over to her dad and Knox. “Tools down.”
“Hey, Hannah, you’ve got a good man there. Knows how to knock a nail in straight.” Her dad came to stand next to his daughter.
“Glad he’s met with your approval.” Hannah hugged her dad.
“He does. I couldn’t let you go to just any man. But Knox will do just fine.” Her dad laughed.
“Wow, now that’s praise coming from my dad.” Hannah watched Knox as he hammered one last nail in and then climbed down to join them.
“Does that mean I have permission to ask your daughter to marry me?” Knox asked, winking at Hannah.
“You don’t need my permission. We raised this young lady to have a mind, and an opinion, of her own. But you have it all the same.” Her dad grasped hold of Knox’s hand and shook it firmly. “You look after her. She’s one of a kind.”
“Dad,” Hannah protested.
“I mean it. We raised you, but there’s a spark inside you that sent you far and above our expectations.” Her dad kissed her cheek, and hugged her. When he pulled away, he looked as if he might shed a tear, and walked quickly away muttering something about helping with dinner.
“Alone at last,” Knox said, taking Hannah’s hand.
“Shall we walk down to the beach?” Hannah asked.
“Yes.” They walked in silence for a hundred feet or more, both admiring the view of the beach below, with the gentle waves lapping at the shore. “It is beautiful here.”
“My parents are so happy.” Hannah leaned on Knox’s shoulder. “And I know we’ll be happy too.”
They soon reached the beach, and stood looking out at the horizon. “I can’t see where the sea ends and the sky starts.”
Knox plunged his hand into his pocket and drew out a box, then dropped down on one knee. “That’s how I feel about you, Hannah. I can’t tell where I end, and you begin. It’s like we’re joined together on some deeper level.”
“Aren’t you the romantic.” Hannah reached out and stroked his cheek, feeling the heat of his skin, the rough bristles along his jaw, and the full softness of his lips.
“It’s the truth.” He opened the small box to reveal a diamond solitaire. “One of a kind. Just like you.”
“Have you been taking lessons from my dad? I wondered what you two have been talking about all day.”
“No, these are all my own words.” Knox took out the ring and looked up at Hannah, his eyes filled with love. “Will you do me the greatest honor and consent to be my wife?”
“I will.” Hannah held out her hand and Knox slipped the ring onto her finger.
“Thank you.” Knox stood up, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “You have made me the happiest man alive.”
“And I am the happiest woman.” Hannah stood on tip-toes and kissed his lips, tasting the salty air on his skin. Her life had been blessed with happiness, and she hoped that would pass to Knox. That her love would surround him and keep him safe, and he would never know fear or loss again.
Maybe it was a dream, but right there, as her bear shifter hero held her in his arms, anything seemed possible.
“Mrs. Knox. It has a certain ring to it,” Hannah teased.
“You mean you didn’t check my passport to see what my real name was?” Knox asked.
“No, I figured you would tell me when you were ready.” Hannah stroked his cheek. “I told you before, I don’t care what your name is. I’m in love with this man.” She slipped her hand down to cover his heart.
“Kyle Knoxville.” He grinned at her shocked expression.
“So that’s why they call you Knox.” She shook her head and laughed. “You made it up, about the school of hard knocks!”
“Half the story. That is what Smithy said.” Knox looked out across the blue sea. “I think he might change his mind if he was here now.”
“Wherever you came from, I believe you’ve arrived at exactly where you are supposed to be,” Hannah told him.
“I believe it too, Hannah.” He kissed her lips. “I believe it too.”
***
Cowboy Bear Blues - Extended Version
(Cowboy Brother Bears - Book One)
What woman wouldn't want a smokin' hot cowboy in her life?
Lynn has moved to the Hawkins Ranch, left to her by her Uncle Freddy, who she had not visited for years. This leaves her with a wedge of guilt, that is difficult to shake off. She should have been here for him, and nursed him. Instead, that duty fell to his neighbors over at the Williams Homestead, despite, as she soon hears, of the feud between the families.
Has she made the feud worse, by turning down the substantial amount of money the Williams family offered her, if she would sell them the Hawkins Ranch?
She had her reasons for not selling, this move gives her a chance to escape a world she has grown to hate. Her parents own a chain of hotels,
and she could have a secure life, working for them. Yet the work leaves her unfulfilled, and so against their advice, she leaves her comfortable life for the wilds of Black Bear Ford.
Only what she finds isn’t so much wild—at least his human side isn’t. In fact, Adam Williams is everything she could want in a man, and then some.
The only problem is the feud between the families. You see, the Hawkins Ranch should belong to the Williams family, but it was lost, some years ago, in a wager. Worried Adam is only interested in her for the ranch, can she learn to trust him, while coping with a house that has no proper plumbing, and don’t mention the electric wiring.
Adam Williams has found his mate. And he intends to do whatever it takes to get her to agree to be his. Forever. If only life was that simple. His dad is obsessed with getting the Hawkins Ranch back under his control. To him, the Homestead is everything, because of a promise he made to his own father.
But Adam has a further blow for his father, he doesn’t want to be the sole heir to the Homestead, he wants to break with family tradition and share it with his three brothers. If he isn’t careful, he’ll be needing to ask Lynn to let him move in, or else he’ll be homeless, and penniless.
Can Adam get his girl, and break with family tradition, without breaking his father’s heart? Find out, in Cowboy Bear Blues.
Chapter One – Lynn
She wasn’t running away. It might feel like it, but she wasn’t. This was just a fresh start in a fresh town, and she deserved it. Even if her parents had tried to make her feel guilty. They were both grownups, so how could they say she was abandoning them?
“Damn it!” she shouted at the trees that lined the road, which curled lazily up the gentle, rolling hills guiding her to Black Bear Ford. Why did she always feel so guilty?
“You need to let it go, Lynn Hawkins, if you are ever going to make the most of this fresh start.”
As she finished her sentence, the sun broke through the clouds and shone down on her. It’s a sign, she thought, and smiled, a proper, true smile. “Here’s to a fresh start,” she yelled out of the window at the sun, and the trees, and to whatever else might be out there in this place she was determined to call home.
Hero Bear Page 12