by JoAnn Durgin
“Excuse me,” Marc said softly, “but who are you?” Turning his head, he coughed.
Natalie’s eyes widened with terror. When the corners of Marc’s mouth lifted in a slight grin, she punched him lightly on the arm. “Don’t you even tease about such a thing. That’s a horrible thing to say!” Nonetheless, she pressed him even closer, not bothering to wipe away her tears.
“Not that I want to complain, especially with my nose pressed against your twin gazelles, but I need to move. I’ve lost all feeling. Everywhere. That’s not such a good thing.”
Marc’s entire body shuddered again. Her heart rate increased as she tightened her hold.
“I’m really cold, Natalie.”
She’d been so grateful he was okay she’d not paid attention to the fact his bare chest was exposed to the elements. “I know you love my chest, but don’t get any ideas,” he said as she pulled the remains of his shirts together as best she could and zipped his down jacket all the way up to his neck. “Not until later, anyway.”
“I can’t promise that.” Natalie kissed him again. Her lips warmed his, and Marc began to respond. That was a good thing. He struggled to a sitting position. “Come on. Let’s get you up and into the car.” Lifting his arm around her shoulders, Natalie helped him reach a standing position. Marc leaned against her as they hobbled their way through the thickening snow. When he tried to protest, saying he was too much weight on her, she tightened her hold.
As they approached the SUV, Sam hurried around to open the passenger door. “Natalie, you drive. Lexa will get Dandelion, and I’ll get Majesty.” Sam took over and assisted Marc inside the car. Once she was certain he was settled, Natalie tossed a glance over her shoulder. By God’s abiding grace, the horses stood nearby, looking content with the relative peace and quiet after all the earlier commotion.
Elwood was another story. She couldn’t help but shake her head as she spied their nutty dog. He jumped around Majesty, yapping away. Thankfully, the stallion paid no attention to the tiny annoyance. Scooping Elwood in his arms, Sam strode back over to the SUV and deposited the small dog into the backseat. Finally exhausted, Elwood collapsed on the seat, his head resting on his crossed paws.
“This little guy’s had quite a night,” Sam said.
“Haven’t we all, buddy,” Marc said, not opening his eyes. He shifted his position and blew out a deep sigh of exhaustion tempered with relief. “Take me home, please.”
Sam pulled Natalie aside and lowered his voice. “We need to take him to the hospital to make sure he’s okay. I’m sure Marc’s fine or we wouldn’t be standing here talking about it, but as a precaution, I want him checked out by a doctor and given a clean bill of health.”
She nodded. “Of course. That’s best.”
“Come back to the ranch, and I’ll drive us all to the hospital once I’ve secured the horses. It won’t take long, and I don’t think the few extra minutes are going to hurt.”
Natalie swallowed hard. “I’ll see you back at the ranch and we’ll go from there.” Sam headed toward Lexa, and as she watched, her eyes filled. Then the truth slammed her in the face—she could have lost her husband. That reality closed in and squeezed her chest so hard she thought she’d hyperventilate. “Sam!” Gasping for breath, tears streamed down her cheeks, and thick sobs came from somewhere deep inside, rolling out of her in waves. Although she needed to be strong for Marc—for both of them—it was like the floodgates opened, and she couldn’t stop.
Lexa started toward her, but Sam held up one hand. “I’ve got her, Lexa.” Through her tears, Natalie caught Lexa’s gentle, compassionate smile. Without hesitation, Sam pulled her into the comforting warmth of his embrace and leaned his head against hers.
Wrapping her arms tight around her dear friend, Natalie gathered this precious man close. She raised up on her toes—not an easy feat in her heavy boots—and kissed his cheek. It was hard to know what to say. Somehow, she figured he already knew. “Thank you, Sam,” she managed to whisper, “with all my heart.”
“Natalie, he’s okay. You’re both going to be fine. I love him too, you know.” His voice sounded hoarse, and he pulled her closer. “Love you both.” He kissed the top of her head and held her for a couple more minutes, waiting until her body stopped shuddering and the flow of tears subsided.
“We need to get moving,” she said, pulling out of his embrace. She assured Sam she was composed enough to drive, and he walked her back to the SUV.
“I heard what you said, old man,” Marc called as Natalie climbed behind the wheel. “I kinda love you, too, you know.”
“Yeah, I knew I should have kept my voice down, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate me whispering sweet nothings in your wife’s ear. Get some rest, buddy. I’ll see you soon.” With a small salute, Sam headed toward where Lexa waited with the horses.
Wiping away her tears, Natalie nodded at Lexa and gave her another tremulous smile. Standing nearby, holding the reins of both Majesty and Dandelion, her mentor shed more than a few tears of her own. With a whispered prayer, Natalie climbed into the car beside Marc and took his hand in hers. As she drove them to the ranch, she told Marc that Sam insisted he go to the hospital. “Listen to him. He’s a very wise man.” He didn’t say anything, and she prayed his masculine pride wouldn’t prevent him from following Sam’s instructions. He seemed exhausted and too tired to protest, even if he wanted. If so, she’d have to put her foot down.
~~**~~
True to his word, it didn’t take long for Sam to secure the horses in the stables. Lexa quickly deposited Elwood in the main house and hopped in the back beside her as Sam adjusted the driver’s seat and slid behind the wheel.
Walking into the emergency room a short time later, the young doctor on duty—the same as the night of Natalie’s visit—moved from behind the nurse’s station to greet them. “You two sure are keeping us busy these days.” Her smile conveyed a combination of bemusement and concern.
“It’s Marc this time.” Natalie listened as the doctor instructed the nurses to take him into the ER. At least he was more coherent and able to walk unassisted.
“Natalie.” Marc gestured for her to come alongside him as he walked back into the examining room. “Come with me.”
“Of course.” She put her hand in his.
“Don’t they have any male ER doctors?” he mumbled under his breath.
“I don’t think that should be a concern. She’s more than capable.”
With a disgruntled scowl, Marc climbed onto the table. The doctor examined him, ran a few tests and took a chest X-ray before reassuring them both he was fine.
“You were right to come here. Your friend’s quick thinking might have saved your life, Mr. Thompson,” the doctor said. “It also helped that you had on so many layers of protective clothing. You have some great friends, a loving wife, and I suspect a guardian angel. And,” she added with a smile, “Ms. Grant told us to add hero to your list of fine qualities. Please give her my best.” Telling Marc he could climb down from the table, she darted a fleeting glance at Natalie’s belly. “I want you to promise me this is the last time I’ll see you here in my ER. Please go home to Massachusetts and concentrate on having that gorgeous baby.”
Thanking the doctor, Marc grabbed Natalie’s hand again as they walked back to the waiting room. He seemed better, just tired, as he leaned against her. It was gratifying how her big, strong husband needed her, and willingly accepted her help. The frown lines etched on his forehead indicated something still bothered him as they waited for Sam to pull the SUV around to the front entrance. When she squeezed his hand, he squeezed back. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
In a surprise move, Marc pulled her to the side of the building, and brushed his lips over hers in a soft whisper of a kiss. “I love you so much.” His voice choked. With his cheek pressed to hers, his damp eyelashes fluttered against her skin.
“I love you, too.” He looked at her through eyes moist with emotion. With the fing
ers of one hand, she tipped his chin and rubbed her thumb against his growth of beard. It felt rough, but familiar. Wonderful. He leaned his face into the curve of her hand. “Tell me why you were so uncomfortable in there. She’s a very nice doctor, and she’s helped us out twice now, you know.”
He shrugged. “It’s nothing. You’ll think I’m crazy.” Seeing the car pulling into the loading area, he led her by the hand, headed toward the SUV.
“Something’s bothering you. Please tell me.” She resisted the pull of his hand. He paused, turning back. She glimpsed the indecision in his face. Sam could wait. This couldn’t. With one hand, she brushed aside a loose section of hair that had fallen across his forehead.
“I don’t want any other woman touching me again,” he said. “Only you. Even if she is a doctor.” He gave her a sheepish grin and shrugged. “I guess it’s the same as you wanting a female doctor. It’s not weird, just a personal preference. Never mind, I’m tired and not making any sense.”
Natalie wasn’t sure how to respond, but he’d never looked more vulnerable or appealing. “I never thought of it like that before, but we didn’t have a choice tonight. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you’re okay. Promise you won’t scare me like that again.”
His lips brushed hers again, achingly tender. “It wasn’t intentional, I assure you. Come on,” he said, “let’s go. I definitely need some rest.” His voice was tinged with deep exhaustion, and he yawned as Sam assisted them into the back of the SUV.
Marc’s head rested against hers, his fingers laced with hers in her lap. Sam and Lexa were quiet as he drove them back to Milestone Ranch, but she saw them exchanging several loving glances. Closing her eyes, she thanked the Lord for them and their friendship, their love, and for all the TeamWork volunteers. Pressing her lips against Marc’s forehead, Natalie’s heart swelled as her husband’s regular breathing fell like the softest whisper on her cheek, rising and falling in the rhythm of his sleep.
As they neared the ranch, a renewed stirring in her belly brought a smile to her lips. Taking Marc’s hand and positioning it, she smiled as the baby moved again. She had great timing and instincts, their daughter. Without waking, Marc shifted and murmured, “So happy, Natalie.”
Settling back against the seat, she closed her eyes and released a contented sigh. “Me, too.”
Chapter 44
“Sam, I need to ask you a very important question,” Marc said.
“I’m already married, thanks.” Sam ushered him into the office. “Sit.”
“You’re not my type, anyway, and I’ll stand. Here’s the thing. I was wondering if you could round up a preacher for me. Have any idea where I might be able to find one—one who’s ordained?” Kevin mentioned once that Sam was ordained, at least in his home state.
“And why would you need one of those?” Judging by his wide grin, Sam knew full well his intent.
“I want to marry my wife again.”
Sam’s laugh was heartfelt. “Are you sure she wants to marry you again?”
“Believe it or not, my wife wants to make the same mistake. At least I think so.” Marc scratched his head.
“Asked her, have you?”
“Not exactly, no, but somehow, I don’t think she’ll be adverse to the idea.”
“Tell you what,” Sam said, “you ask Natalie, and—provided she says yes—Lexa and I will take care of all the details. Just let us know where and when to show up, and we’ll be there with the proverbial bells on.”
“Bells aren’t necessary, but we should do it right here at the ranch. I definitely want to do it before we head home to Boston.”
“Makes sense.” The smile lines deepened. “Not to mention you’re dying for the key to that cabin. I admire your intention to do this the right way for Natalie.”
“Would you expect anything else?” Marc hesitated, his grin fading. “I’ll do anything for her, and it’s important. She still doesn’t remember much about our wedding, so I want to give her another ceremony.” He met Sam’s piercing blue eyes. “I can’t think of anyone better to perform the honors for us. You’ve become sort of special, you know. For an old guy.” He ducked as Sam brought an arm around his neck and hugged him tight for a few seconds before releasing him.
“I’m honored.” A frown creased Sam’s brow. “I’ll have to find out whether being ordained in Texas means anything in Montana.”
“You know, it doesn’t even matter, more the thought that counts, Sam. It’s a formality, but I know Natalie will feel the same way. There’s no one we’d rather marry us the second time, especially since you and Lexa couldn’t be there before. It’s remedying a great injustice in that regard.”
Sam nodded in agreement. “Sounds about right.” That infectious grin surfaced again. “About that key. I get the feeling you believe it’s going to be your little love nest after the wedding ceremony, but how do you know it isn’t really for a little chapel in the wilderness?”
Turning back around, Marc stared at Sam. “Is it a chapel? I mean, knowing you, I wouldn’t doubt it. In any case, I’m pretty certain you pray either before or after you and Lexa . . .” One hand on the door, he paused to laugh. “No doubt you praise the Lord without ceasing Lexa had the good sense to marry you in spite of your obvious frailties.”
“I just hope you put some chapstick on those dry lips of yours since the stampede out on the ranch. Lord knows, you needed it.”
“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.”
Sam grinned. “Seriously, that little cabin is exactly what you’d expect. Tell you what. Consider that key a wedding gift from Lexa and me. Like I said, let us know the time and place, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
“I’ll do that. By the way, you owe me a couple of shirts.”
“Put it on my tab.”
“Sam?”
“Yes?” Sam’s eyes crinkled to match his grin, those smile lines deep.
“Thanks, friend.” It sounded so inadequate.
Sam saluted. “That’s what I’m here for, buddy.”
How do you thank a man for helping give your life back, and helping bring you closer to the Lord in the process? The man was a miracle worker. Marc whistled all the way back to the men’s cabin.
~~**~~
Standing in the doorway of his office, watching Marc walk away in the falling snow, Sam smiled. It was almost Thanksgiving, time to go home and be thankful for all that had been accomplished at the Milestone Ranch. All in all, this particular mission was a rousing success. The Tuckers had help for their ranch, one terrific young man made his move for the heart of Rebekah, his TeamWork crew spent quality time together again, and a hurting husband and wife found their way back to each other. And now, in a few short months, they’d welcome a child into God’s world. Life was sweet. Sitting back down in his chair, clasping his hands together on the desk, Sam bowed his head to pray.
He thanked the Lord all over again for his many blessings, and especially for bringing a new brother to him. A brother as surely as his own two younger brothers, Will and Carson. Like all his other TeamWork men, Marc was a brother of the heart, a brother in the faith.
~~**~~
It didn’t take Marc long to ask Natalie. He knew he should probably take more time and plan it out. The main thing at this point was that he had to ask her and do it soon. With her memories slowly starting to come back—and her love for him restored—they needed to be fully reunited. It was both a renewal and starting over all at once.
“Natalie, come walk with me.” Marc held out his hand, waiting. She was absolutely radiant, with an almost ethereal glow. It humbled him to think he had anything to do with making her so happy.
Slipping her hand in his, Natalie walked beside him out into the glistening wonderland. Their boots sank into the snow, making deep footprints. As big, soft flakes continued to fall, they both looked up at the vast expanse of the Montana twilight, the stars winking at them from the heavens.
“I d
idn’t realize you could see stars when there was snow,” Natalie said, her voice full of awe. “It’s so beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” She started to say something else, but he silenced her by bringing his lips down on hers in a long, deep kiss. Pulling her as close as possible, his arms completely encircled her.
“Marry me, Natalie.”
“We’re already married, silly,” she said. Removing her gloves, she whipped the knit cap from his head and ran her fingers through his hair. The entire time, she didn’t remove her lips from his—not once.
“Marry me again.” Reaching for her gloves, Marc helped her slip them back on again. He wanted her to have feeling in her hands, after all, and the wind was bitter. It didn’t bother him. He was heated enough to keep him warm a long time, but he needed to keep her as warm as possible. “I have something for you.” Reaching into the pocket of his jacket, he pulled out the small, red velvet box inscribed with the name of a famous Boston jeweler.
Natalie looked up at him in surprise. “I’ve never removed my wedding ring, you know.”
Never in his life would he get used to how unbelievably great it felt when she adored him with her eyes like she did now. “I’m so thankful for that, my love.” Opening her palm, Marc placed the box in it.
Fumbling a bit because of her gloves, Natalie opened the lid and gasped in delight when she spied the gorgeous gold locket inside. Reflected in the moonlight, a sparkling diamond in the center winked at her. “It’s beautiful.” She lifted it out of the box, dangling it from her hand.
“Right after we got back from our honeymoon, we went to dinner downtown and then window shopped. You saw it then.” Leaning his forehead against hers, he lowered his voice. “If my calculations are correct, we conceived our daughter that same night.”
“Those calculations are usually right.” The smile he loved surfaced. “So, this locket is sort of an anniversary gift? A very private anniversary?”