Reunited with the Sheriff

by Belle Calhoune

  He held his hands up to ward her off. “Hey, you’re preaching to the choir. I already know how great you are.”

  “Thanks for saying that,” she said, a pleased smile lighting up her face. “I’m going back inside before I melt.”

  Everyone had their issues, he realized. Regina had spent her entire life living in her cousin’s shadow while Cassidy had felt the need to run away from everyone she loved. He hadn’t been able to forgive and truly forget despite a fervent desire to do so. When he made his way back inside the church he chose to stand in the back by himself. The way his nerves were jangling, he didn’t think he was fit company for the Blakes.

  The whirring sound of Holly’s wheelchair had him turning his head in the direction of the hallway. Holly and Cassidy were making their way toward them. Both of them looked relaxed and peaceful. At the sight of them, something inside his heart shifted. Fear took a backseat. They both looked so content.

  While Holly went to talk to Pastor Blake, who’d been patiently waiting in the front pew with Maylene, Cassidy strode directly toward him.

  “You can stop worrying, Tate. We’re both still in one piece.”

  “Things went well?” he asked. He asked the question as if he hadn’t just been nervously pacing the aisles.

  Cassidy smiled. “Very well. We talked it out. She’s amazing, do you know that?” she asked. “She said she forgave me a long time ago.”

  Somehow it didn’t surprise him. Holly had reached a state of grace that he could only aspire to. He kept quiet, waiting to hear more about their conversation.

  “We ended up laughing and carrying on about something that happened in third grade.” Cassidy shook her head as if she couldn’t believe how things had turned out. “It felt like we’d never been apart. I know there’s still a lot of hurt there, but I’m hoping she’ll let me help heal those wounds.”

  Tate couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t realized it until just now, but he’d missed the easy friendship that the two girls had shared. It had always been filled with so much joy and laughter. And, despite his reservations, he knew that Cassidy’s friendship would fill a huge, gaping void in his sister’s life. That’s all he’d ever wanted for Holly—to find peace in her everyday life. He envied her. Clearly, she’d found peace in forgiveness, something he still hadn’t been able to achieve for himself.

  “Tate, I’m sorry.” Cassidy had a contrite expression on her face. Her eyes were swirling with a host of emotions he couldn’t decipher.

  “For what?” he asked, genuinely at a loss as to why he was getting an apology from Cassidy.

  “For everything. When I looked at my day planner this morning I realized what today is. What it would’ve been.”

  He let out a sigh. Somehow he’d been hoping that no one would mention it, that he could lick his wounds in private. With Cassidy’s return, he should have realized that the past would be staring him right in the face.

  “Would’ve beens don’t really count.” Although his voice sounded casual, his insides were churning.

  “Don’t they?” she asked coolly.

  He shrugged. “We didn’t get married. It’s not like today is our anniversary or anything.”

  “So you’ve never thought about what our lives would’ve been like if we had walked down the aisle?”

  He fidgeted, pulling at the collar of his shirt. “Not really. I mean...of course I’ve thought about it. But I try not to dwell on it. No use dwelling on something that wasn’t meant to be.”

  “I’m not trying to rub your nose in it or bring up something that you’ve closed a door on,” Cassidy explained. “Being back home has just brought up a lot of...I guess you might call them unresolved issues. So when I saw today’s date it just made me think of things I hadn’t thought of in a long time.”

  “Everything is hitting you all at once. Your mom being sick, coming home, reconnecting with Holly.” He cast her a sly grin. “And of course dealing with an ornery sheriff is never easy.”

  “You’re not so bad,” Cassidy said in a quiet voice, her eyes roaming over his face.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m happy for you and Holly.” He shot a quick glance over at his sister, who was wildly waving her hands and beaming from ear to ear while talking to the Blakes. “It’s nice to see her so content.” He stroked his jaw for a moment, his eyes trained on the floor. “I have to admit, I didn’t even want the two of you in the same vicinity, never mind having a one-on-one. But I was wrong about that. Holly’s stronger than I give her credit for being. And the bond between you two...” The texture of his voice changed, becoming husky with emotion. “I guess it’s stronger than old wounds. So, thank you, Cassidy, for giving her peace. You did that.”

  Without warning she threw herself into his arms, snuggling up against his chest and embracing him. The scent of her shampoo—strawberries and cream—rose to his nostrils.

  “Hearing that from you means the world to me,” she whispered as she nestled herself deeper into his chest. His arms rested helplessly at his sides. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, but he knew if he did he was only making trouble for himself. It was far too dangerous. Surrendering to the impulse would be like being pulled under by quicksand. When Cassidy finally let go of him and took a step away from him, he felt a nagging sense of loss. Her face was a bit blotchy from crying and she couldn’t quite look him in the eye. She muttered a few words of apology.

  Although he wanted to believe in her sincerity, the past crept along his spine like a spider, reminding him of all the pain she’d brought into their lives. Who’s to say she wouldn’t do it all over again?

  “If you hurt her again you’ll have to deal with me. Understand?” His words came out harsher than he intended.

  With a look of hurt in her eyes she slowly nodded her head, then turned around and made her way back down the aisle toward her family and Holly.

  He felt a little badly about embarrassing her. The way she’d slinked away like a wounded possum nagged at him. He wasn’t used to seeing her like that. Would it have killed him to hug her back? Yes, it might’ve, a little voice in his head whispered. Did he have to rub her nose in the fact that she’d hurt Holly so deeply? Yes! There was no point in sugarcoating things.

  What did he have to feel guilty about anyway? West Falls was just a temporary resting place for Cassidy. As soon as her mother was on the mend, she’d be returning to her life in Phoenix. It would probably be another eight years until he saw her again. Maybe she’d have a husband and some kids by then, he thought. The idea of Cassidy being married to someone else didn’t sit well with him, but he knew it was bound to happen. Her future wasn’t in the small town of West Falls. It was in the big, bustling city of Phoenix.

  But this time when she left, as she was bound to do, she wasn’t taking his shattered heart along with her.

  Chapter Six

  Two long weeks had gone by since Cassidy had reunited with Holly at Main Street Church. Two weeks during which her mother had undergone her surgery—a lumpectomy—and Cassidy had served as her primary caregiver. Prior to the surgery, an MRI had revealed that the chemotherapy had indeed shrunk the tumor, leading to a less invasive procedure. The Blakes had been ecstatic. In her postsurgical visit the doctor had announced that the entire tumor had been extracted and that all the remaining lymph nodes were clean. Cassidy couldn’t remember a time when she’d been more thankful for God’s blessings.

  At the moment all her mother had to do was rest, gain some weight back and follow up with her doctor at regular intervals. Although she’d been given the option of more chemotherapy treatments and radiation, her mother had declined. Cassidy was proud of her mother. She’d done her homework and come up with options that she was comfortable with during her recovery.

  There were so many prayers being offered up for her continued good health and spee
dy recovery. A week ago her mother had made the decision to share her health crisis with the congregation, who’d been showering her with cards, calls, meals, floral bouquets and well-wishes ever since.

  Cassidy didn’t quite know what to do with herself since her father had whisked her mother off to a romantic lunch date. Although she was still a bit sore at her incision site, her mother had felt well enough to venture out. Cassidy felt a pang of envy as she watched her parents walk hand in hand toward the car. Would she ever have enduring love? If she ever had a life challenge to overcome, would there be someone by her side to weather the storm?

  The one thing she knew for certain was that she couldn’t move forward without closing the door on the past. Although she thought she’d done that by leaving West Falls, coming home had made her realize that all she’d done was run away. That didn’t give you closure. It didn’t put a period at the end of the sentence.

  Cassidy lifted the lid of her ballerina jewelry box and pulled out the velvet box. It was still there just where she’d left it. She shouldn’t be surprised considering her parents hadn’t changed a single thing about her bedroom in all these years. As a teenager she’d loved the look. The walls were still painted a light cream tone, the romantic duvet with the blue roses still covered her bed and the frilly lace curtains still hung by the two bay windows. Part of her wouldn’t have blamed them if they’d transformed it into an exercise room or a sewing room. Eight years was a long time to keep the faith.

  With trembling fingers she flipped the lid open. She let out a sigh as the antique diamond ring sparkled and winked at her from its velvet throne. She reached in and pulled it out. Out of force of habit she slid the ring onto her finger and marveled at how beautiful it looked.

  It was the most stunning thing she had ever owned in her life. It was like no other engagement ring she’d ever seen. Problem was, it wasn’t her ring anymore and it hadn’t been since the day she’d ended her engagement to Tate. She had tried to return it to him before she’d left town, but he’d refused to accept it. Her parents had balked at the idea of returning it to Tate themselves. It was their belief that only she and Tate could resolve the matter. Regina had pretty much laughed in her face when she’d asked her to do it. In the end she had placed the ring in her jewelry box where it had been sitting all this time.

  It’s Tate’s ring. He should be able to give this ring to his future wife.

  The thought of another woman wearing her ring was painful. Although she wasn’t in love with Tate anymore, it hurt to know he would greet another woman at the altar and make her his wife. She didn’t know why it should cause her such pain, but it did. It made her ache inside. It made her question every choice she’d made over the years. Yet she knew that she still had to do the honorable thing, regardless of what it might cost her.

  * * *

  As Cassidy sped down the country road she let out a deep sigh as the Lynches’ spectacular ranch came into view. She slowed down as she reached the massive gates, her eyes honing in on the sign welcoming her to Horseshoe Bend Ranch. Lush green acres stretched out before her, as far as the eye could see. This was Texas ranch land in all its glory, she thought, full of beauty and majesty.

  Horseshoe Bend ranch had been in Maggie Benson Lynch’s family for generations. Maggie was the only child of a wealthy horse breeder who’d left the rolling hills of Kentucky in order to carve out a stake for himself in Texas. Frank Lynch had been the poor cowhand who’d fallen head over heels in love with Maggie, so much so that they’d run off and eloped against her family’s wishes. But Frank had proven himself, according to Tate, by transforming Horseshoe Bend Ranch into one of the most profitable horse breeding operations in the state. He’d earned the Bensons’ approval through hard work, grit and determination.

  Tate and Holly had inherited their parents’ love of horses. On their first official date Tate had taken Cassidy horseback riding on the property, giving her one of her first tastes of freedom. He’d been raised in a saddle, and he’d taught her how to ride. Galloping across the lush Texas countryside with Tate had allowed her to become one with the horse and nature. It had been a liberating experience, one she’d never forgotten.

  About a half mile from the entrance she reached a fork in the road. On her right was the main house, sitting back a ways from the road. It was a sprawling two-storey home with a wraparound porch and black shutters. The front door was painted a festive, inviting red. Brightly colored rocking chairs adorned the front porch. A hammock sat lazily between two trees in the side yard. She could see the ramp leading up to the front porch. For some reason it was jarring to see it. Handicap accessible.

  Two dogs barked at her car from a distance, making quite a commotion. She didn’t slow down, just continued left at the fork toward the stables. The endless acres of land never failed to move her. This perfect slice of heaven. Her eyes roamed over the vista and she marveled at its majestic beauty. She cast her gaze toward the storm clouds gathering in the sky. A squall was headed their way in the next few hours. It had been foolish to come all the way out here with a storm brewing, but she’d been determined to handle this unfinished business.

  Upon approaching the stables she parked her car on the side, next to three trucks. As soon as she turned the corner by the stables, she caught sight of Tate standing next to the corral.

  From across the yard she studied him—his full lips, strong jaw, the cleft in his chin. The proud way he carried himself. A cowboy hat was perched on his head. His long powerful legs were encased in a pair of dark jeans. He wore a plain sleeveless white tank. Everything about him screamed out cowboy. Even though it had been his lifelong dream to be a sheriff, being a cowboy ran deep in Tate’s blood. His respect for the land, his love of horses, his rugged good looks and his strong work ethic. He was pure Texas, born and bred.

  A large, bucking horse was being led out into the corral by one of the ranch hands. Cassidy watched as Tate expertly lassoed the stallion and began manipulating the horse using the rope. He was breaking in a wild horse. She’d seen it done dozens of times at this very ranch. The horse in question seemed to be giving him a run for his money.

  She kept herself hidden, not wanting to provide even an ounce of distraction. Breaking in a horse was a dangerous business, even for someone who’d been doing it for most of his life. Everything could turn on a dime. The horse could kick him in the head, or Tate could get tangled up in the rope.

  The stallion quieted, which allowed Tate to approach him and pat him down. His next move was to slap a saddle on the stallion and mount him. He did it with lightning speed, a blur of motion as he attempted to ride the stallion. At first the horse bucked and resisted him, at one point almost tossing him off, but Tate managed to stay on and assume control.

  Tate galloped around the corral, his sturdy physique cutting an imposing figure as he sat astride the stallion. The horse was a beauty, she acknowledged. Dark as the night and full of grace and power. He had his own special language with horses. He seemed to understand them, as if by intuition, and in return they instinctively responded to him.

  It was nice being back at Horseshoe Bend Ranch. It soothed a certain part of her soul. But she hadn’t come out here for a social visit or to watch Tate break in a wild horse. She’d come for one reason only. To give Tate back the one thing that still tied them together.

  * * *

  The hot sun beat down on him as he dismounted from the stallion. He reached into his front pocket and pulled out some apple bits, offering them to the horse he’d nicknamed Rebel. Although Rebel had been nothing but trouble up to this point, he showed a rare promise that Tate hadn’t come across in a long time. His father called it mojo. He called it the X factor.

  What he wouldn’t give at the moment for a cool glass of lemonade. He wiped away beads of sweat from his forehead, gazing up at the clouds gathering on the horizon. It was muggier than usual for this
time of year. A storm was moving in, according to the National Weather Center and the local meteorologists. Although the hurricane that had ravaged parts of coastal Mexico had blown off course, Texas was still expected to get quite a wallop from a summer squall.

  When he turned Rebel around, Cassidy was standing there as if she’d appeared out of thin air.

  She was dressed casually in a pair of khaki shorts, a sleeveless top and a pair of cowboy boots. He knew a look of surprise was stamped all over his face. Without a word he handed the reins over to Malachi, one of the ranch hands who’d been watching him break Magic in. Malachi looked at him curiously as he made his way over to Cassidy.

  “Hey! What brings you out here?” he asked, meeting her halfway between the stables and the corral.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I figured you would tell me to stay away.” She shrugged, then dug into her leather purse and pulled out the blue velvet box. He immediately recognized it, right before she said the words that made his heart run cold.

  “I wanted to give you back your ring,” she said in a soft voice, her green eyes somber.

  She held out the box, her fingers trembling with the effort.

  His heart jerked painfully as he laid eyes on it. All the memories came flooding back to him, slicing through him with the force of a tsunami. His hands remained at his sides. He didn’t think he could reach out for the ring if he tried.

  “I don’t want it,” he said in a low voice. He could barely get the words out he was so twisted up inside. Seeing the blue velvet box was a blast from the past he hadn’t expected. The last time Cassidy had tried to give it back to him had been when she’d ended their engagement. His reaction had been to slam his fist through the barn wall. All he’d felt then had been anger. Now he just felt empty.

  “Here. Take it. This ring has been in your family for generations. It’s only fitting that you give it to your future wife.”

  Ring. Future wife. The words were rolling around his head like an out-of-control train. He couldn’t make sense of them.