"Yeah, it is, it's like breathin'," he murmured. "How would you feel about gettin' on that plane tonight?"
"I'd drive to the airport with just the clothes on my back right now if I could."
"Fair warnin'. When you get here I'm gonna hug you super tight, and I'm never, ever, lettin' you outta my sight again."
"Promise?"
"You bet your chaps!"
EPILOGUE
Connie Masters bought Domino, and it was a record purchase for Dream Horse Ranch. It turned out that Preston did have a bad tooth, and after a simple procedure he too was sold for more money than Andy had expected. Late one afternoon he'd cleaned himself up, put on his best shirt and jacket, climbed into his truck and had driven to the local cafe. As he'd pulled into the parking lot he'd felt an unfamiliar rush of nerves, and walking into the quaint dining room and seeing the beautiful red-headed Maureen O'Toole behind the counter, he had to sit down and catch his breath. Maureen had lost her husband several years before, and it was only his commitment to Dream Horse Ranch that had prevented him from approaching her.
Walking up to his table she'd smiled her warm smile and tilted her head to the side.
"Andy, don't you look good. Special occasion?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that," he'd managed, trying to find his normally unruffled self who had evidently decided to take the night off. "I'm here to ask if you'd like to come out to Dream Horse Ranch for dinner tomorrow night, or any night, or lunch, but I'm sure you're busy at lunch, probably dinner time too. Whatever suits you."
Feeling like a complete idiot he'd been surprised when she'd sat down opposite him, and was completely shocked when she'd reached out her hand and touched his arm.
"Andy, I'd be delighted. I can come any time. I have someone to cover for me here."
"Great, then, uh, you tell me when it suits you."
"Tomorrow night would be fine," she'd said softly, then with a twinkle in her eye she'd added, "It sure took you a while to get around to this. Let me guess, is it a long story?"
Suddenly finding his feet he'd smiled broadly and wrapped his fingers around her soft feminine hand.
"Yeah, Maureen, you could call it that."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Theresa Cavalleri had been easy to find. Working as a waitress in a low-cost diner on the outskirts of Houston, and living in a small studio apartment, she'd opened her door early one evening to find her long-lost little brother.
"Am I dreaming? Is it really you?" she'd sobbed, hugging him tightly. "I can't believe it. Sal, my little Sal."
Shortly after their reunion Heath paid for a ticket for her to visit the ranch and stay for a few days. She fell in love with the horses, and Heath found her to be a female version of her brother. Good-natured, slightly reserved, and when he'd let her help out around the barn, just as hard-working.
With Michael Kincaid representing him, Gary Campbell had been released on parole, but after the apprehension of Brice Connor, Gary's conviction had been overturned. Elsie had been spending time in Houston restoring her relationship with Harlan when Gary was released. They're reunion had been filled with joyful tears, and she'd returned to the ranch with Gary in tow.
With Elsie wanting to spend more time with the man she'd missed so much, Heath approached Theresa and asked if she'd be interested in stepping in to pick up the slack. Theresa had been thrilled by the offer, and had introduced her special brand of Italian cooking. The temporary arrangement had worked out so well, when Elsie and Gary wanted to return to Houston for a while, Elsie to spend more time with Harlan and Gary to sort out his lost business affairs, Heath hired Theresa to replace her. The ranch was to be Elsie's second home and her apartment would be remain untouched, so Theresa was offered one of the guest-rooms or the cabin. She gleefully chose the cabin.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
During the months of Harlan's recovery Mitzi had shown her true character. She'd been at his side every day bringing him gifts, books to read, and whatever else she could think of to cheer and support him. When he'd finally come home she'd prepared a special dinner, and Heath, Carly, Elsie and Gary were there to welcome him. Though thinner, his warm, jovial personality had returned, and over dessert he'd risen to his feet and asked for everyone's attention.
"We've all suffered at the hands of Brice Connor, but now he's the one behind bars and we're reunited and stronger than ever. As you all know, Gary is now an executive at Boyd Holdings. Who would have seen that coming? Throughout this ordeal my beautiful lady has been a constant source of comfort. Mitzi, how you put up with me all that time I wasn't myself I don't know. Heath, you know I loved your mother very much, and I still love her. I also know she wants my life to be complete, so, uh, Mitzi, will you do me the honor of becoming the second Mrs. Harlan Boyd?"
Watching her, Heath thought she was about to fall off her chair, and with tears freely flowing she'd hugged Harlan and nodded her fervent acceptance. A heat had moved through Heath's body, the same heat he'd experienced the night he'd been standing at the kitchen door and had the remarkable epiphany about his life and future. He realized it was time to make his relationship with Carly permanent, and lifting his hand he touched the key beneath his shirt. Earlier that day he'd had an inspired thought. It had coincided with Carly wanting to do some shopping so he'd joined her, then slipping away he'd purchased a special gift.
But had it been a coincidence?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The following day was warm and sunny. Mitzi and Harlan had left to have lunch at Harlan's favorite restaurant, and Carly asked Heath if they could spend some time at the pool. Heath had immediately agreed, thinking it would be the perfect time and place to give her with the present. They'd been playing in the water, and as they pulled themselves out and laid on the deck chairs, he was about to reach for the gift when a panicked chill moved through him. The chain around his neck was gone.
"No, no, no," he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and darting his eyes across the ground. "Where the hell is it?"
"Where's what?" Carly asked anxiously. "Heath? What have you lost?"
"My chain and key."
"Nooooo," she muttered, staring up at him wide-eyed. "Heath, stop for a second."
"I can't, I have to find it," he said urgently, and running to the side of the pool he peered into the water. "Thank God. There it is!"
He dove in the water, and reappearing with it clutched in his fist he climbed out and walked back to join her, but as he was about to place it around his neck he discovered the chain had broken.
"That is so weird," he mumbled. "I wonder how that happened."
"Heath," Carly said softly, handing him a black box wrapped with a gold bow. "You need to open this. It's why I wanted to go shopping. It's something I had made for you and I just needed to pick it up."
"Really? Thank you. Huh. I have something for you as well."
"You do? That's a coincidence."
"I'm beginning to think there's no such thing," he said, opening the package, but as he lifted out the black velvet box and raised the lid his heart skipped. It was a silver key hanging from a silver heart on a long chain. Above it was a card, and written in Carly's handwriting it read:
I have only one heart, it has only one key, and they both belong to you.
"That's engraved on the back as well," she said quietly, "and it's not silver, it's white gold. I thought regular gold would be too garish, and I, uh, I thought perhaps you could wear it next to the one your mother gave you."
Staring at it, a hot lump sprang to life in his throat, then he looked back at the broken chain on the table.
"Carly, this is…"
"I have no words, but we don't need them."
Almost overwhelmed with the heavy emotion sweeping through his soul he placed it around his neck, then contemplating the gift his mother had given him so long ago, he broke into a smile.
"I know exactly what to do. Have both photographs of the ranch mounted in one frame, an
d that chain and key above them."
"Heath—that's absolutely perfect."
"It's where it belongs now. It's my history, and this," he said, holding the heart and key she'd just given him, "this is my present and future. You couldn't have given me anything more precious."
"I'm so glad you love it. To be honest, considering what's just happened, I'm beginning to wonder if it was even my idea."
They both laughed, and taking her hand he brought her to her feet and wrapped her up in his arms.
"We're pure magic," he purred. "Everything that's happened brought us together."
"Especially the branch going through my windshield."
"I suspect that just accelerated the timin', and now, my beautiful girl, you have to open your gift."
Breaking from their hug he reached for the box he'd hidden under a towel.
"This is for you because our love is timeless," he said as he handed it to her. "Carly, I wanna be with you forever."
Swallowing back her happy tears she opened the box. A gold Rolex watch with a white face and diamonds stared back at her.
"Heath, it's absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe you bought me a Rolex. I'll be afraid to wear it."
"I wanna take you to a private jeweler so you can pick out a ring," he said softly, lifting it out and placing it around her wrist, "or you can design your own if you want. He's here in Houston, and hopin' you'd agree I've made an appointment with him for tomorrow afternoon. Carly Kincaid, will you marry me?"
"I'll, uh, need some time," she said, dropping her eyes, then lifting them she grinned up at him. "Okay, I've had enough time. Yes."
"You just gave me a frickin' heart attack. I'm gonna spank you so dang hard."
"Really? YAY. It worked!!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A local photographer crafted a uniquely hinged case for the two photographs and the precious chain and key, leaving room to accommodate more mementos as life on the ranch evolved. The chain was above the pictures just as Heath had envisioned, and had been stretched out in a straight line with the key in the center. With Carly and Heath looking on, the talented artist had mounted it in Heath's office.
The wedding ceremony took place at the ranch, but Harlan insisted on a big party two days later at his home. They agreed, but left early to catch a flight to New Zealand for their honeymoon. It was a fabulous and fascinating two weeks. They stayed at a quaint bed and breakfast on a sheep farm, rode horses over rolling green hills, and hiked through tropical forests, but the time in the picturesque land flew by too fast.
It was late in the evening when they rolled up to the gates of Dream Horse Ranch. Both tired from the long flight Heath had called ahead and asked Andy to hold off on any welcome home celebrations until the following day. When they walked in they were grateful to find it quiet and empty.
"Please let's leave the unpacking until the morning?" Carly said wearily as they entered the bedroom. "I can't deal with it. I just want to take a shower and crawl into bed."
"Sounds good to me," Heath replied, placing their suitcases by the closet. "I'll get the rest of the bags then as well. I just wanna stop in the office real quick."
As he walked away Carly began to peel off her clothes, but it was only a minute later he was urgently calling her. Moving swiftly from the room and down the hall she raced in to join him.
"Heath? What's the matter?"
"Look."
He was pointing at the newly mounted photographs. Gazing up at the case she caught her breath. The key had come off its bracket and the chain was no longer in a straight line, but an arc.
"Oh, my gosh," Carly exclaimed. "Heath, do you see what that is?"
"I sure do. It's a smile," he beamed, putting his arm around her, "and it's about the biggest smile I've think I've ever seen."
THE END
A Word From Maggie
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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COWBOY_His ranch. His rules. His secrets. Page 17