Finding Goodbye
Page 30
I lifted a knowing eyebrow, and shook my head.
He just laughed.
“Okay, my turn,” Liam said, shifting slightly to pull a small box from his front pocket.
I took it, carefully lifting the lid to reveal a long, thin silver chain.
“Your old one broke, and I noticed you didn’t get a replacement, so...”
“It’s perfect,” I said, thanking him. I kissed him lightly on the cheek, and removed Gabriel’s ring from my index finger. I slipped the ring onto the chain, and Liam carefully clasped it securely around my neck. It felt nice to have it back in place, resting safely against my heart.
“I have one more surprise, but you’ll have to come out to the barn,” Liam said, rising to his feet. He stretched out his arms, helping me up. “May I borrow the birthday girl for a little while?” he asked around.
“Sure, just have her home by midnight,” Mom said jokingly.
“And no funny business,” Grandpa added.
“Of course not Mr. MacKenna,” Liam replied stoutly, and then whispered to me so that only I could hear, “All funny business will be reserved for later.”
I laughed, and followed him across the gravel. He led me to the back side of the barn and the open fields beyond. “Wait here,” he instructed, disappearing into the barn.
I did as I was told, feeling the long grass tickling my ankles. I gazed out across the vast rolling hills; wildflowers dotted the landscape in pastel colors, turning the view into a picturesque scene. It was like something from a movie. And then I heard it–the familiar sound of hooves shuffling across the ground. Liam led Maverick out into the evening sunlight, and his silver coat glistened with a golden sheen. He was big and beautiful, and sporting a saddle.
“You did it!” I shouted, practically skipping to his side. I ran my fingers across the new mahogany leather, and found my name etched into the side. “This is so perfect,” I breathed, thanking him, and then turned to Maverick. “Good boy!” I kissed his nose.
“I’ve been working with him in secret,” Liam admitted. “I wanted to surprise you for your birthday. I knew today was going to be hard for a number of reasons, and I wanted to give you something that no one else could.”
“Well, you succeeded.” I was grinning wildly, filled with joy and amazement. “This is definitely in the rankings for the ‘Best Birthday,’” I told him. “I just wish Gabriel could be here to see this. He would be over the moon.”
“And what about you Miss Bell, are you over the moon?” Liam wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tightly against his chest.
“I’d say that’s an understatement.” I kissed him, feeling the rest of the world melting away. How it should be.
“Time to try out your new set of wings,” he said. He linked his hands together, holding them out to give me a leg up. “Up she goes,” he said.
I smiled, pushing off as he lifted me up and over until I was securely in the saddle. Up here, the world looked different somehow. It was like I was seeing it with a brand new set of eyes, taking in the seemingly endless possibilities.
Liam had tacked up one of the other horses, and had him waiting just inside the barn. He climbed up in the saddle, and joined me as the sun began to disintegrate into the horizon line. He reached for my hand and squeezed. “Happy birthday, love.”
I clucked softly to get Maverick’s attention, tapping him gently as we started across the lush, sweeping hills. I took the reins in my hands, opening him up into a gallop as we sailed across the land.
With the wind in my hair and Liam at my side, we chased the setting sun into the west, and then we were flying…
THE END
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