by Jillian Neal
“Wow.” He stared at the letters again. He was certain that even with the specialized font he couldn’t make out more complicated words, but being able to read her vow written out black on white meant the world to him, even if he did have a long way to go.
“Now, I’ll read you this.” She picked up the newspaper from the counter. “Principal Allan Richmond and head football coach Chance Chaney have both resigned from Wellsley High School under suspicious circumstances, and Superintendent Alec Powers has been denied his bid for re-election. Not sure what these men are hiding from, but The Wilmington Journal intends to find out.”
“Is it bad that I hope they don’t find out too much?” Brock wondered.
“No, not at all, but this is good. They had to stop what they were doing. Plus, I think Kevin will make an excellent Head Football Coach for the Wellsley Wildcats.”
“Agreed.” He guided Hope against his chest and wrapped both arms around her, finally. “Thank you for being completely amazing.”
“Thank you for being you, and for letting me know and love the real you. And thank you for loving me and for teaching me to really live.”
Seventeen
“You swear we’re not going to crash, right?” She’d tried all morning to be brave, but Hope was coming apart in the security line of the Wilmington airport.
“We’re not going to crash, darlin’, deep breaths. What does that sign thing say? Why does it have to be flashing red print on a black background? That’s impossible.”
Hope gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s the list of flights coming and going. It says our flight to Lincoln should be on time.”
“See, we’re gonna be fine.” Brock’s nerves were wearing thin, and Hope had never even been as far as South Carolina. Now, he was putting her on an airplane and flying her a thousand miles away, then driving her another hour and a half to Uncle Ev’s ranch, which was effectively in the middle of nowhere. He wasn’t certain she was going to be able to take all of the new things they were experiencing in this one day. He was trying not to show his anxious excitement. He was going back home. He just couldn’t tell her that’s how he felt. Abundant thankfulness that she was willing to go back with him overwhelmed him. He needed to enjoy it while he was there, and then bring her back home and make a life with her in Gypsy Beach. A life with her was all he’d ever wanted and far more than he’d ever deserve. Now, somehow, it seemed like he might just get it. The truth had indeed set him free. He shouldn’t ask for anything more.
Taking her hand in his own, trying to steady her and the luggage he technically wasn’t supposed to be carrying, he guided her forward in the line.
“And you’re sure your family will like me?”
With a prayer that he could somehow breathe in patience from the stale airport air, Brock leaned and brushed a kiss on top of her head. “They’ll like you okay, but not nearly as much as I do.”
“Funny.” She rolled her eyes.
“Sugar, you mean the world to me. They’ll love you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Only I’m completely awkward around new people, and this is his family. I need them to like me. Hope’s nerves gained voracity with every step they made towards getting on that plane. The plane itself was nerve-wracking enough, but there was something else bubbling contentiously in her stomach. Yeah, she’d felt the Gypsy wind back at the beach, but compared to what she was feeling now, that was a gentle breeze and this was a category 4 hurricane. What did that mean?
“Why don’t you sit by the window, sweetie? I’ve flown before. I promise it’s pretty cool.” Brock hoped she’d settle in now that they were on the plane. Rigidly seating herself, she methodically studied what she could see of the tarmac.
“It just seems kind of impossible, you know? I mean, this plane weighs like 700,000 pounds, and it’s going to fly. How is that possible?”
Yeah, she was losing it. “I honestly have no idea, darlin’. You’re the genius in this relationship, but I’m gonna go ahead and tell you you’re overthinking again. Relax. I’m right here. We will be fine. I can’t wait to show you the ranch. I swear, it’s the most beautiful place on earth.”
That, at least, brought on a genuine grin. “I’m sorry I’m so nervous. I’m excited, too.” She brushed a kiss along his jaw line.
Brock grimaced for the fifth time in as many minutes. “What’s wrong?” Her brow furrowed, but as the next passenger walked by him and bumped into his shoulder she figured it out. Standing quickly, she demanded that he switch seats with her.
“I want you to be able to see,” he sighed.
“I want you to be able to use your arm.”
Begrudgingly, he agreed. “Planes aren’t really built for people larger than 12-year-old kids.”
When they backed away from the jetway, he was certain she was going to lose it. Her fingernails dug into his arm, making him have to hide his wince. “You know, I really prefer for you to leave those marks up around my shoulders, maybe on my back,” he teased. “And I like to think they’re from me bringing you extreme pleasure, not because you’re scared to death. Relax for me.”
Blood pooled readily in her cheeks. God, she was so sweet. How was it possible that he was the guy lucky enough to be able to call her his? How had his life turned out to be everything he could ever have imagined it to be?
He kept trying to forget everything else. He tried to continually focus on how blessed he was that Hope was his, that he was going to get the opportunity to make her his forever. It was easier thousands of feet up in the air to forget that he didn’t really want to go back to work once his weeks of physical therapy had been completed. He didn’t want to go back to that town that thought of him as their hero when it had all been built on lies. He’d hadn’t answered her question about whether or not he wanted to be a roofer. The answer was no, but he just couldn’t tell her that.
“Okay, so get my mind off of flying. Tell me your favorite parts about Nebraska.” Her request came out as a half command due to her nerves. Beaming at her, he readily agreed. Those were far more pleasant thoughts than what would be awaiting him in a week when they returned home.
“Ranch work is grueling. It’s a lot of hours, so we stayed there most of the time. I loved it, though. I loved getting up before the sunrise and gathering cattle. Uncle Ev’s ranch is surrounded by corn fields. There’s corn fields everywhere there, but they’re beautiful in their own way, I ‘spose. I prefer the wide open spaces with horses and cattle. Every year we’d go up to North Loup for Popcorn Days. There’s a big festival. When I was a kid I thought it was the greatest thing ever, but that was before I met and fell in love with you.” He winked at her, making her beam. “You get feet of snow every winter, but it’s the good kind, ya know? Not like in North Carolina where it turns grey and slushy almost as soon as it falls. It’s the kind where you can play in it, have snow ball fights, build forts with it, stuff like that.
“One time all of my cousins and I had a snow-war, boys against girls. So, being the idiots we were, Austin, Luke, Grant, and me were sure we were gonna win. We had Nat and Holly beat in numbers alone.” Brock chuckled and shook his head at the memory. “While we’re building an epic fort and loading it up with snowballs, the girls loaded the feed truck up with tiny pellets of snow. While we all go out to get more ammunition, Natalie drove the feed truck over our fort, and then when we came running, they dumped snow all over us from the feed truck.”
Hope began giggling hysterically. “Oh, I like them already.”
“Yeah, well, a feed truck’s not meant for snow. Uncle Ev was pissed, but it was a pretty good stunt ‘til they got stuck out cleaning and drying out the truck so the cattle feed wouldn’t stick in it.”
Brock entertained Hope with tales of his childhood for most of the flight. He dug her claws out of his arm once more when they landed and then guided her out into the Lincoln airport. “I can’t believe I’m back here.” He tried not to sound as overjoyed as he felt. That was going to be difficult.
He glanced around baggage claim, but his aunt and uncle were nowhere to be found.
“We landed a little early. I’m sure they’ll be here soon.” Hope seemed much more herself now that she’d survived her first flight. They poked around the gift shop for a while. With a decidedly sexy grin, she held up a pair of Huskers panties. When Brock growled in her ear, she marched to the counter and purchased them quickly.
Brock spun as soon as he heard his uncle’s deep bellowing voice. “Brock, son, I can’t believe it’s you.” He embraced him heartily until Brock cringed and pulled away.
“Everett, he’s hurt! Remember.” Aunt Jessie smacked him in the arm, making Brock and Hope laugh.
“I’m sorry, son. I’m just so glad you’re here. I can’t believe it. Sorry we’re late. Traffic was stubborn.”
Aunt Jessie embraced Brock tenderly. He drank in her love. “We’re late because he wouldn’t get his sorry butt out of Orscheln supply. And this must be Hope. Come here to me, sweetie.”
Hope beamed at Jessie and accepted her warm embrace. “We’re so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“Hope, darlin’, you call me Uncle Ev, just like Brock, and you let me know if he don’t treat you like a princess. I’ll back over him with the brand new sickle-bar mower I just got for the tractor.”
“Nice segue, Uncle Ev.” Brock laughed heartily. “She is my princess, and I’ll always treat her that way, but I hear you got a new sickle-bar mower for the tractor.”
Everyone laughed as they headed out to Ev and Jesse’s Suburban.
“You want me to rent a car, Uncle Ev? I don’t want you having to cart us around everywhere. I want to take Hope out to Lake Mac one day to see everything. I still owe her a camping trip.” He winked at Hope. “I owe her an entire lifetime of experiences.” He leaned and whispered that last part in her ear, so only she could hear him.
“Boy, we got enough trucks somewhere on that ranch. You find one you like, it’s yours. I haven’t gotten to see you in years. If you’re going out to Lake Mac, we’re going with you.”
“Everett Camden, he might like a little time alone with Hope.” Aunt Jessie rolled her eyes.
“Oh, no, it’s okay. He’s so excited to be here, and he’s missed you so much. You can come with us,” Hope leapt to reassure his uncle, making Brock love her all the more. Ev and Jessie shared a grin.
“Well, we’ll get you settled and then we’ll just let Brock tell us what we’re gonna do next. I’m so glad to have you back I may not let you leave.” Jessie winked at Brock. His heart rattled in his ribcage. He never wanted to go back, but he’d never ask Hope to move with him. That would be the ultimate of selfishness. He’d done enough of that to last both their lifetimes. As long as he had her, he’d be happy. That’s all that mattered. He repeated that phrase internally while they drove further and further out of Lincoln, past endless green pastures, hay bales, cows, and corn fields.
“That’s sweet corn they’ve got there. ‘Bout time for that to be picked. And over there, that’s field corn.” Brock pointed out the differences to Hope as they drove.
“And you can tell that from here while we’re driving by it at 60 miles per hour?” She sounded astonished. Everyone chuckled. She was adorable.
“Well, there’s not much else to do out here. Kids get proficient at spotting and identifying corn early on,” Ev teased her.
Brock studied her. She seemed just as taken with the Nebraskan landscape in late September as he was. It was one of the most beautiful times of year there, in his opinion. The weather hadn’t yet turned cold. A late summer usually meant a particularly cold, brutal winter, but for now, Brock was delighted with the warm air and sunshine.
“Oh, look, they have babies.” She swooned at the small calves wondering near their mama just behind a fence along the narrow road. “They’re so cute.”
Brock nodded his agreement. He drew a deep breath and tried not to let the memories consume him, but they were like a drug that eased a constant pain he hadn’t been consciously aware of until he’d set his booted feet back on his home land.
A broad, beaming grin he couldn’t hide spread the width of his face as they drove through Pleasant Grove. The tiny town hadn’t changed much. The Safeway had been renovated somewhat, it appeared. Hope grinned at the tiny library butted up to the Methodist church and across from the post office and the ice cream shop.
Brock frowned. Wilton’s drugstore had been purchased by CVS, it appeared. That was bound to happen, he supposed. He was pleased to see that Merle’s Feed and Tack was still the same, settled just off of Main Street, near the old railroad tracks across from the Superette. Saddleback’s, the only restaurant and bar in town, looked to be prepping for a big crowd that night.
“What’s going on at Saddleback’s tonight?” Brock wondered if Hope might like to do a little dancing if his shoulder would hold up.
“You remember Rupert Stockton’s boys, Mitch and Sawyer?” Aunt Jessie quizzed.
“Yes, ma’am. We went to school together ‘til we moved.” Brock tried to keep the disappointment from his tone over the fact that he’d left his friends behind along with everything he’d ever known.
“They started a band that plays up at Saddleback’s on Saturday nights. They’re pretty good. The youngins go up there, eat and dance the night away,” Ev explained. Brock grinned. To his uncle, anyone under the age of 45 was qualified as a ‘youngin.’
“You oughta take Hope,” Jessie urged.
“Might have to do that.”
Nerves and excitement fought for dominance in Hope’s beautiful emerald eyes. “We can if you want.”
Brock couldn’t quite tell if she really wanted to go. He’d figure that out once he got her to the ranch and let her settle in. “We’ll see, sugar.” He wrapped his good arm over her and pulled her closer, much to his aunt and uncle’s delight.
His brow furrowed as they came to the old gas station and mechanic shop. “Did Marriet sell out to Texaco?”
“Yeah, boy, and don’t you know the town ‘bout came unglued. He made a pretty penny then left Mindy and the kids and ran off with his mistress to Denver.” Ev shook his head in disgust. “’Spose the gasoline still works just as good, but the shop ain’t the same. I don’t go in there if I don’t have to, and excuse my language Hope, but I hope Clay Marriet burns for the way he up and left her with that farm. Luke, Nat, and Austin go help her out whenever they can.”
Hope tucked herself tighter against Brock’s chest. “I don’t understand why men do that,” she fussed, clearly feeling the same level of betrayal Brock and his family felt.
“Me either, sugar, and I will never understand it. I would never do that,” he vowed under his breath. He could feel her grin against him. It warmed the recesses of his body. Having her in his arms under the Nebraskan sun was better than anything he could ever have imagined. Allowing himself a few moments to consider the ecstasy they could both experience here together, he sighed contentedly as his uncle turned off on a dirt road and slowed the Suburban. Twenty minutes later, Ev drove under the large metal sign that welcomed them home.
Hope grinned at the ‘Camden Family Ranch ~ Est. 1868’ sign as well. His family’s brand, a CF with an arrow off of the center bar of the F, swung proudly on either side of the sign. A sudden determination swelled in Brock. Someday he’d be able to read the sign instead of simply seeing it and knowing what it meant.
Ev pulled the Suburban up to the main house and insisted that Brock and Hope go on inside while he took their luggage on to The Cottage.
“What’s the cottage?” Hope whispered as Brock let the image of his uncle’s farmhouse, freshly painted but still the same, cleanse the memorized photograph he’d kept in his mind for far too long.
“There’s probably a dozen houses scattered throughout the ranch. Generations of Camdens have lived here, so houses were built to suit different people, I guess. The cottage is ‘bout a half mile that way. It’s a l
ittle house, but where the guests usually stay. I think you’ll like it, and I like that we have our own space. I love it when you get loud for me, sugar, and I intend to hear that soon.”
“Brock!” Hope gasped quietly as she elbowed him, but he noted the very pleased expression, and the eager light in her eyes.
He waggled his eyebrows and opened the kitchen door of his aunt and uncle’s home. He tried to pretend he was surprised as party horns and confetti showered down from all five of his cousins when they stepped into the large kitchen.
Laughing and feeling very loved, he accepted hugs from everyone. “Hope, these are my cousins. Austin, Luke, Natalie,” he scrubbed his hand in her auburn hair just to irritate her, “Grant, and baby Holly.”
“I’m not a baby anymore, you big lug. Come here and give me a hug. I was beginning to think we’d never see you again.”
Chuckling, Brock accepted another hug from Holly.
“Me too.” Grant was careful to slap Brock on his left shoulder instead of his right. “So, Hope, thank you for bringing his sorry butt back home.”
Laughing, Hope received hugs from everyone as well. “You’re welcome. Thank you all for having me. Do you all live here on the ranch, too?”