Pain so deep and real forged through her body like volts of electricity. She turned her head toward the window so Brett couldn’t see the tears that threatened to burst from her eyes. Willing composure and serenity, she turned back after a few moments and searched his face, memorizing every line and feature so it would be branded into her memory.
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow,” she answered. “I’ve stayed longer than I should have. I have appointments to make up and a life to get back to.”
She thought she saw a glimmer of disappointment flicker in his blue eyes, but it had probably been a shadow. The sun was going down outside. It was getting late and she was tired. “Do you mind?” she asked, politely dismissing him. “It’s been a long day.”
“Of course.” Brett stood, stretching his long frame to its entire length. He plowed a hand through his hair and then walked to the door. “Don’t forget to say goodbye before you leave.”
“Sure.” After he’d closed the door behind him, she broke down and cried bitter tears.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The next morning, Taylor packed her few belongings into the rental car, including her old cowboy boots and new cowboy hat and her childhood rodeo trophies and awards. She’d woken early and made airline reservations for an afternoon flight to California. But before leaving the ranch, there was one thing she had to do.
The cemetery where Jamie was buried was located a few miles down the road. Generations of the Young family rested together on a grassy hill. The arms of a large oak tree swept over their graves forming a canopy to protect Taylor’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and distant cousins from the wind, rain and foul weather in general.
Today, the sun shone brightly out of the big, blue Montana sky. She carried a loose bouquet of flowers in her hands, walking slowly on her sore foot up the hill. Winded, she stopped at the foot of the twin marble monuments and caught her breath.
Jamie rested next to their daddy. Taylor laid half the flowers on his grave and half on hers. She cleared her throat.
“I came to say goodbye, Jamie. But this time, it’s not forever. I’ll be back. I promise.” A gentle breeze fluttered through the leaves of the oak. “Remember how we would swim at Fish Creek in the summers? And ride our ponies all over the ranch?” She smiled. “We had a good growing up together, didn’t we? I miss those innocent days of childhood, and I miss you.” She lowered her head. “I’m glad you found Adam. I believe he loved you very much. And I’m especially pleased you discovered joy through photography. All I ever hoped for was that you’d find true happiness and meaning in your life.” Taylor closed her eyes and felt the sun warm her skin. Her whole body relaxed and she felt a serenity and peace she’d waited six years to feel. “I forgive you, Jamie.”
Sizzling energy filled the air around her. She opened her eyes and saw her sister standing next to her gravestone. Their gazes fused and they smiled at one another. “This is the last time I’m going to see you, isn’t it?” Taylor said, smiling.
Jamie nodded.
Taylor blew her a kiss. “I love you, baby sister.”
Jamie returned the sentiment by holding up her thumb, forefinger and pinkie and making the universal sign for I love you. Then she made a fist and rubbed it over her heart. In sign language, it meant “Sorry.” Tears sprang to Taylor’s eyes and Jamie turned around and disappeared into the shade of the oak tree.
****
Back at the house, Taylor stood next to the car saying her goodbyes to her mother and Will. As she’d driven in from the cemetery, she hadn’t seen Brett’s pickup truck anywhere in sight. She glanced around again, but he was nowhere to be seen. Apparently, saying goodbye to her hadn’t meant anything after all. Or maybe he’d realized it would be better for them to make a clean break. Disheartened, she just wanted to go.
“Promise me the two of you will come to L.A. soon after you get home from the cruise,” she told Mama.
“You can count on it. I expect you to introduce me to some of those celebrity friends of yours.” They hugged as if they never wanted to let go.
“You’re welcome home anytime,” Will assured while squeezing her into his chest. “Next time you’re here, you and I will do some fishing at Fish Creek.”
“I’d like that. I sure have missed this place. More than I’d realized.” Even as she promised to come home more often, she questioned how she’d be able to stand facing Brett again, if he continued to work for her stepfather.
No matter, she thought, climbing into the car. She’d never again let anything stand in her way of the relationship she’d rebuilt with her mother—and that included hurt feelings caused by the rejection of a tall drink of water in a cowboy hat.
Another thing she’d learned by coming home was that she wasn’t afraid to be open to the possibility of finding love again. For that, she had Brett to thank, for he’d pierced the sturdy shield that had protected her heart all these years.
Mama and Will blew her kisses as she drove down the drive. Charlie, Tumbleweed and Glenn waved as she passed by the barn. As soon as she’d driven through the gate, she glimpsed a vehicle ahead. Blood surged through her veins when she saw Brett’s blue truck parked in the middle of the road blocking the path. She tapped the brakes, inching the car closer. He was leaning against the hood with his arms crossed over his chest and one boot hiked onto the front fender.
Bringing the car to a stop, Taylor tapped her knuckles against the steering wheel pondering what to do. His intense gaze latched with hers through the windshield, causing gooseflesh to rise on her arms. She kept the car idling and stepped outside and waited for him to make the next move.
When he began sauntering toward her, her emotions stirred within her like a tornado. His closeness unnerved her when he placed his hands on her arms. Like butter in his warm touch, Taylor melted when his fingers caressed her face and he pulled her into a passionate kiss. She softly moaned and a groan tore from his throat as they deepened the kiss.
When at last their lips parted, he drawled, “This is me fighting for what I want. I can’t let you go, Taylor. I won’t let you go.”
She smiled with her heart thundering inside. “What will we do? How would we make it work?”
“I’ll move to Los Angeles if that makes you happy.”
She felt her eyes widen in disbelief. “You’d do that for me?”
“I want you with me always. It doesn’t matter where I’m at as long as you’re beside me.”
Taylor felt tears of joy pricking her eyes. She sifted her fingers through his hair and stared into his brilliant blue eyes. “I’m tired of the fast life. I think it’s time for a change. I’ve missed these mountains and the four seasons.”
“What about your condo and your career?”
“I can sell the condo. And I’ll eventually find something here. I’ve got a nice little nest egg built up, and it’ll get me by until I decide what I want to do. It might even be enough to chip in on a little ranch, if I had a partner.”
He grinned. “I have a nest egg of my own. But I’ll tell you right now, I’m interested in being more than a business partner with you.”
“Mmmm.” She pretended to think that over. “I believe that could be arranged. Is it a deal then?”
“Deal.” They shook hands and then he crushed her to his chest and murmured in her ear, “I love you, Taylor.”
At that moment, she made a vow she intended to keep—never to leave him—or Big Sky again.
A word about the author...
Stacey Coverstone is a multi-published author of both contemporary and historical western romances. Married, with two grown daughters, she lives in Maryland with her husband, their horse Bill, dogs Bridget and Toby, and cats Caesar and Brutus.
When she’s not writing, Stacey enjoys traveling, photography, and scrapbooking.
You can visit her website at:
http://www.staceycoverstone.com
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