“It sure is,” Brielle whispered back.
The asphalt of the driveway was cracked and crumbling. Tall weeds and sticker bushes had taken over the yard and pasture. The white paint of the house was peeling away, exposing the withered gray wood underneath. If she hadn’t known any better, she’d have assumed the house was abandoned.
Amy spun around to face Brielle. Her voice still a whisper. “I can’t do this. I’m scared.”
“I’ll knock for you,” Brielle spoke softly.
Amy paused for a few seconds before she finally nodded.
Brielle quietly made her way up the porch steps, with Amy right behind her. Behind the screen door the front door was slightly ajar. She raised her fist to knock as she peered inside.
Richard was sitting in a rocker with his head down, crying into his hands. A pistol sat in his lap. It gave Brielle a chill seeing the gun out for no good reason, and her heart broke for the lonely man.
She lowered her hand and announced their presence. “Mr. Collins?” She stepped back to give him privacy as he gathered himself. “It’s Brielle and Amy. We just wanted to talk to you.”
After a moment of silence the sound of heavy boots approached the door.
Amy stared at Brielle with wide eyes. She began to wring her hands nervously.
Brielle placed a comforting hand on Amy’s back.
Richard opened the door. His eyes were dry, but he couldn’t hide the pink in them. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting company.” His tone was somber. He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door. “What can I do for you ladies?”
“Mr. Collins?” Amy’s voice shook with nerves. She looked at Brielle.
Brielle gave her an encouraging nod.
Amy looked at Richard again. “I’m pregnant!” she blurted. “And Billy’s the father, but I’m not ever gonna let him be!”
Richard stared down at her blankly. And after a long moment of silence, he grinned proudly. “So I’m gonna be a grandpa?”
Amy looked away and smiled through pursed lips. Her cheeks turned rosy. “Yeah. I mean … if you wanna be.”
“What do you mean?” Richard asked.
Amy looked him in the eyes again and suddenly unleashed her worries. “I mean, if you’re willing to accept this baby into your life. I can’t do it on my own.” She began to pace the porch. “I’m scared, Mr. Collins. I don’t know how I’m gonna work at the diner and raise a baby. I have no one to help me care for it once it’s here. It’s just me. I won’t be able to afford rent, or bills, and a babysitter, and all the things a baby needs. And I can’t just let someone else tend to my baby when it’s first born. The baby’s gonna need me.”
Richard let out a relieved sigh. He quickly interjected before she had a chance to carry on. “Amy. Sit down.” He motioned for her to sit on the wooden bench at the end of the porch.
Amy did as she was told.
Richard sat next to her.
Brielle remained quiet and sat on the top step, hoping he’d be willing to help.
He continued, “I’m sure all this worrying isn’t good for the baby. And you do have someone. You have me. I know you and Billy weren’t together for very long. And I’m sure you don’t love him. But I’ve known you since you were little. I knew your mom before she passed too. And as far as I’m concerned, the mother of my grandchild is my family too. Now I know it’s not much at the moment, but I think you should move in here. There’s plenty of room. You can take one of the upstairs bedrooms. I don’t go up there anymore. You’ll have your own bathroom. And you can set up a nursery up there too.”
Smiling, Amy started to cry. “Really? Oh my, Mr. Collins. That would be so great! You don’t know how much I appreciate it! The trailer I’m renting is so small.”
He smiled. “It’s the least I could do, Amy. And don’t worry about rent. There’s no such thing here. Or bills. I’ll take care of them. You can pay your share by doing the household chores. And I’m no good at cooking. If you prepare the meals, I’ll give you grocery money each week.”
“That’s more than generous, Mr. Collins.” Amy smiled wholeheartedly. “But I still have my job at the diner. I can still work ’til the baby’s born. And then I can get that maternity leave and compensation that I heard about.” A frown replaced her smile. “I’m not too sure what I’m gonna do after that. I’ll have to work out babysitting and such.”
“I have an idea. I’ll make sure I’m home at night to take over caring for my grandbaby while you go to night school. You can’t really raise a child on tips from the diner,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“Night school?” She was flabbergasted. “I never imagined I would ever get the chance to go back to school and get a real job. I’ve always wanted to go to nursing school. It’s only eighteen months long at night. I could take care of me and the baby with nurse’s pay. Plus I care about people so much. It would be perfect for me.” She giggled and threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Mr. Collins! Thank you so much!”
Richard smiled and hugged her back. “No, thank you, Amy … Thank you.”
Amy stood and headed back toward Brielle. “Well, we best be on our way then. I guess I have some packing to do.”
Richard followed her to the steps.
Brielle stood and dusted her bottom.
Amy passed by her on the steps and headed toward the car.
“You call me when you’re ready and I’ll load all your stuff in my truck,” Richard called out to her.
She stopped and turned to him. “Okay. I’ll give my thirty days’ notice today. Thanks again, Mr. Collins.” She smiled.
Richard shook his head. “Call me Richard.”
Amy nodded and turned to Brielle. “Are you coming?”
“Give me a minute,” Brielle replied. She couldn’t get the image of Richard crying hopelessly, holding a gun in his lap, out of her mind.
Amy nodded and got into her car.
“Mr. Collins.” Brielle looked up at him.
He smiled.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly.
His smile faded for a brief moment before a glimmer of hope filled his eyes. “I am now.”
“I’m glad.” Brielle thought of his visit earlier that day. She felt like she needed to apologize for Jack’s behavior for some reason. After all, Richard wasn’t to blame for their anguish. He was suffering his own afflictions.
She spotted a knothole on the railing and began to nervously toy with it. “There’s one more thing … I just wanted to say that I’m sorry about my brother’s rude behavior earlier. And so is he. And I’m sure he’d be more than happy to help move Amy out of her trailer if you need it.”
He shook his head. “There’s no need to apologize. But I could probably use help with the move.”
“All right then. I’ll tell Jack.” She headed down the steps, but stopped at the bottom. Slowly, she turned to face him again. “And … if you ever need anything … we’re here for you too.”
Tears filled his eyes, but he held them back. “You don’t know how much that means to me.” He smiled warmly.
She nodded and smiled back at him. “I’ll see ya later, Mr. Collins.” She gave a quick wave and hurried to Amy’s car.
NINETEEN
Brielle opened her eyes and sat up from the couch. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep after Amy had dropped her off that afternoon, but a nap seemed to be turning into a daily ritual now — one she couldn’t control. She glanced out the window into the darkness and wondered why she hadn’t yet heard from Colt. Just then her cell phone chimed an incoming message. Eagerly, she snatched it from the coffee table and read it.
Hi baby. Hope you enjoyed your nap.
Come over as soon as you get this.
She beamed as her excitement grew. Finally, she would get to spend time alone with Colt. She rushed upstairs to brush her teeth and freshen up. Wanting to look extra beautiful for him tonight in anticipation of their lovemaking, she went to her bedroom closet and quickly donned h
er mother’s white eyelet summer dress — her favorite. It snugly accentuated her breasts, modestly hugged her full hips, and flowed softly to rest above her knees. After admiring herself in the mirror, she smiled her approval at her appearance, slid on her matching closed-toe flats, and hurried back downstairs and out the front door.
A rush of warm summer air blanketed her. Crickets buzzed while the yellow-green luminescence of lightning bugs faded in and out. Billions of dazzling stars lit the midnight sky. The night was perfect.
She went around the side of the house to her truck. The thud of hooves and creaking leather came from the brightly lit corral, where Jack was riding his horse.
“Bye, Jack!” she shouted and waved merrily.
“Good night, brat!” Jack chuckled lightly. “You look really nice tonight,” he added with genuine admiration.
“Thanks!”
Quickly she jumped into her truck and drove to Colt’s farm. She couldn’t wait to see him after a long day of his absence. The anticipation was almost too much to bear. Pulling up next to his truck parked beside the house, she wasted no time climbing out and slamming the door behind her. Eagerly she ran up the porch steps and flung open the front door. But to her disappointment, the house was dark and empty.
Then she noticed a soft glow illuminating the hallway through the panes of the kitchen door. She hurried to it and opened it. To her surprise, starting at the base of the porch steps was a pathway of white solar candles — hundreds of them leading though the soft green grass of the backyard, their light softly illuminating the aged mighty oaks towering above before disappearing over a slight hill in the distance.
“Oh Colt,” she whispered in awe, placing her hand over her heart. “What have you done?”
She bit her lower lip, descended the steps, and followed the heavenly pathway. Her skirt billowed gently behind her. Over the hill, her journey continued on a short distance until finally she topped the last small hill. Looking down, she saw Colt standing beside a white quilt spread next to the gently flowing creek, surrounded by more softly glowing candles.
“There you are.” Colt grinned.
She smiled with wonder as her heart fluttered. Slowly she made her way down the hill to stand before him. She bit her lower lip and looked around.
“It’s beautiful, Colt,” she said softly. “It’s all so beautiful.”
He gently placed both hands on either sides of her face. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he lowered his lips toward hers. He lingered just shy of touching them.
She stared deeply into his eyes, anticipating what was to come. “I’ve missed you today,” she whispered.
“I know,” he whispered back. “As you can see … I’ve been thinking about you all day too.” He lowered his hands to her waist, drew her close, and kissed her passionately.
Brielle’s mind swirled pleasurably as their tongues danced tenderly.
Swiftly Colt unzipped the back of her dress and slid the short sleeves from her shoulders.
Brielle felt the soft fabric slip down her body to puddle about her feet. Breathlessly, with an aching anticipation tingling deep inside, she eased off each shoe while simultaneously unbuttoning Colt’s white shirt. After the last button, she pulled it free from his jeans and slid it off his broad shoulders. It fluttered down to rest next to her dress.
Wasting no time, Colt quickly worked his way out of his boots and jeans and boxer briefs.
Together they stood, admiring each other’s naked beauty, their skin illuminated by candlelight, their eyes reflecting their love.
Colt encircled his arms about her waist and drew her close. He lowered his lips to hers and hovered just beyond touch. “I love you, Brielle,” he whispered huskily.
Her heart melted as the heartfelt words warmed her lips. She gently rubbed the tip of her nose across his. “I love you too, Colt.”
With that, he guided her to the soft quilt and covered her bare body with his. Together, they loved like they had never loved before … kissing passionately … caressing sensually … And when they could stand it no longer, Colt thrust himself deep into Brielle’s womanhood, satiating their innermost desires, again and again, grunting, moaning, writhing, both bucking their hips together in ecstasy, until their minds, bodies, and souls were screaming for release … Finally, their inner cores exploded with pleasure, causing them both to clutch each other tightly as Colt emptied himself completely within the woman he loved, and Brielle shook with rhythmic waves … Breathlessly, love spent, they lay together, enjoying each other’s closeness, enjoying each other’s heart…
Colt rolled to his side and pulled Brielle to his chest. He gently stroked her silky hair as they stared at the night sky.
She smiled and snuggled closer to his chest. Billions of bright twinkling stars were raining their magnificence upon them. She’d seen this very sky at least a hundred times before, but it had never been as glorious as it had been tonight. It was as if she had just discovered this vast marvelous universe for the very first time.
“I feel so beautiful right now, Colt,” she whispered.
“I know exactly what you mean. I couldn’t be happier right now, Brielle,” he said huskily. “I’ve never been this happy. I love you, with all my heart and soul, and I wanna love you forever.”
Her heart filled with awe. She lifted her gaze to his golden eyes. “Then I’ll just have to let you love me forever,” she whispered as she leaned her lips toward his.
He obliged her with a long, loving kiss before he turned his gaze back to the stars. “Look at that star right there,” he urged gently.
Eager to see what had caught his eye, she turned her attention back to the night sky. In the middle of the sky, in the palm of Colt’s extended hand, was a black velvet box housing a sparkling half-carat diamond, surrounded by smaller diamonds on either side, each one growing smaller than the next, until they disappeared along the backside of the white-gold band. She gasped at the unexpected surprise.
“Marry me, Brielle,” he whispered huskily, nervously, holding the twinkling sign of his love above her as the candlelight reflected each cut of diamond brilliantly.
At that moment her heart filled with more love than she had ever thought possible. Tears filled her eyes. She’d wished hundreds of times over and over, under the same night sky, that her hero would swoop down from the heavens and whisk her away to the most magical place on earth. And now her wish had finally come true.
“Oh Colt,” she whispered shakily, placing a hand over her heart, “yes … yes, I’ll marry you.”
He exhaled a light sigh of relief before he pulled the ring from the box and set the empty container aside.
Brielle bit her lower lip and held up her trembling hand.
Gently, he grabbed her hand to steady it and slid the ring over her finger. It fit perfectly. Then he cupped her chin and led her sweet soft lips back to his, to seal their loving commitment with another deep, yet gentle kiss … But that was hardly enough for him. In one swift move he rolled on top of her, and together they shared their true feelings of love for one another once more…
Exhausted, happy, fulfilled, Brielle snuggled into Colt’s chest. She held her left hand up against the universe, admiring the stars of her own that she could now keep with her day and night, forever.
Colt chuckled slightly and pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head. “I take it you approve of the ring I picked out for you?”
“Oh, I approve very much.” She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “All I need is your love, and you go and give me the universe.”
“You deserve it, and so much more.” He let his hand slide over her abdomen. “Plus, you’re giving me a baby, and the universe is all I could think of to top that.”
She giggled softly and rested her chin on his chest to gaze into his eyes. “I love you so much, Colton Tayler … so much so that it aches when we’re apart.”
He grinned and tucked a loose wisp of hair behind her ear. “I
know, baby. I know.”
Sighing contently, she snuggled back into the crook of his arm. “So how long did it take you to place all of these candles anyway? It must’ve taken you all day.”
“Well, lucky for me, your brother has connections.” He smiled smugly.
Though she appreciated the effort, as generous as the gesture was, she couldn’t help but be slightly humiliated. “So, you mean the entire fire department and Jack knows what we’re up to here tonight?”
He chuckled and held her tighter in an attempt to ease her insecurities. He grabbed the hand donning her ring and held it up to the universe. “You see, you just have to look at the bigger picture here, and be happy that I didn’t have to place all of these candles by myself.”
She giggled. “I suppose you’re right. But how are we gonna gather them all back up?”
“We’ll worry about that later. But in the meantime—” He stood and helped her to her feet. “—let’s go home and get some sleep.” He gathered her shoes and slid them over her feet. Then he quickly donned his boots, followed by his hat.
Watching as Colt stood before her wearing nothing but his boots and his hat, she couldn’t help but giggle. Then she looked down the length of her own naked body. “We’re walking back as naked as jay birds?”
He grinned and gathered their clothing and the discarded ring box. “We sure are. I like you better with no clothes on.”
She winked. “Right back at ya, sweetheart.”
Together, hand in hand, they moseyed home.
TWENTY
Brielle’s eyes fluttered open at the crack of dawn, when the familiar calling of a rooster woke her. For a moment she expected her father to knock on her bedroom door to tell her that breakfast was ready.
Groggily, she yawned and stretched, staring out of the window at the dimly lit horizon. Realizing she was in Colt’s room, and that her father would never call her for breakfast again, her heart grew heavy. But as she recalled last night’s events, a smile quickly replaced her heartache. It wasn’t a dream. It was real. She was getting married to the man who held her heart.
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