Love Beyond Words

by Dani René

  Mags grabs my hands and holds them in hers. “Don’t be nervous. Heath loves you.”

  “I’ll fucking punch him if he doesn’t do right by you,” Boone grumbles in his loving way and we both giggle at him. As much as he comes across as a brash old man, I know he cares deeply for both Heath and me.

  “Oh, be quiet and let the girl have her happy day. Sweet Jesus, you’d think you had never been in love.” I watch this feisty lady tell her husband off and I can only hope that Heath and I are like that when we’re their age. “Go wait with the groom, us ladies will be there in a moment.” Once we’re alone, she stares at me for a long moment before she imparts some wisdom to me. “Leah, remember what I told you, the strength and love you hold in your heart is enough for you both. Even when times are difficult, and trust me, there will be those, don’t ever give up on him. I’ve seen true love and what you two have is beyond that. As if you’re made for each other. I’m so proud of you both. Now, I want you to take this.” She holds up a gold necklace with a small pendant of the sun. It’s got a star shaped diamond in the middle. “You’re his sunshine and he’s your northern star.” She winks when I gasp at her words.

  “How did you know?”

  “An old lady like me knows a lot of things. But in this particular instance he told me. I asked him what would be the most precious gift I could give as a second mom.” She smiles and I try to blink back the tears that prick my eyes, but they fall anyway. “Now, now, no crying. Let’s get you out there.”

  As we head down to the river my stomach comes alive with a flurry of hummingbirds. I see him at the altar and when his gaze falls on mine, I see every emotion flit over his expression. Love, desire, warmth, and a deep hunger that’s more than sexual.

  The music starts and I recognize the song, “Rules of Beautiful” by Jacob Whitesides and I know this was Heath’s doing which only has me blinking back more tears. “No crying, you’ll ruin your mascara,” Mags whispers beside me and a giggle bubbles up and falls from my lips. I reach my husband and he holds out a hand to me. When I slip my hand from Maggie’s to his, she offers him a smile. “Look after our girl.”

  “Without a doubt.” We both face the minister and he starts the simple ceremony. Neither of us is religious so I asked for a celebration of our love instead of anything traditional.

  “Heath Barnes and Leah Keller, you’ve come together today to join as one. To promise your lives to each other, through the light and dark, through smiles and tears. You’ve also requested to read your own vows. Heath, you’re first.” The older gentleman nods and we face each other and for the first time since I’ve known this man, who was ripped apart too many times to count, he’s smiling in such a way that it looks as if a light has been turned on inside him.

  “My sweet Leah, I still feel as if I’m dreaming. I, Heath Barnes, promise to stand beside you from this day forth. My heart is yours, I give it willingly, and with it, I offer you my soul. You’ve seen me as a man, you’ve accepted me as a husband, and you’ve promised me your life. I will forever be there to wipe your tears, to hold you up, to give you everything you need to be the woman I know you are. I’ve seen you Leah, from the first word to the last, and I’ve fallen irrevocably in love with you. Not only will I cherish you, but I will respect and honor you as my wife, my life long partner, until my final breath and even then, when I’m on my deathbed I will love you in our life after. My soul mate, my wife, my lover, and my sunshine. From now until forever I will love you beyond words.”

  My make-up is forgotten and I’m sure I look like a raccoon because tears stream down my face. Heath reaches up and swipes my tears, but he doesn’t stop looking at me with the adoration of a man completely besotted. He slips the single platinum band on my finger beside my engagement ring and I hear the sniffles coming from Maggie.

  “Who knew the boy could be so romantic?” Boone rumbles and we all chuckle.

  Mags swats her husband and I can’t stop giggling at the two of them. I hope and pray that’s how Heath and I will be when we’re their age. “Go on, Leah.” The woman who’s taken me in as if I were her daughter urges me on and I turn back to my husband.

  “Heath, I promise you’re not dreaming. I’m as real as they come. I step forward today to give you my promise to become Mrs. Barnes. When I was a teenager you took my gawky words, my nervous rambles and you turned them into a story. You made them my own fairytale. Now as I stand here on the edge of my happily ever after, I thank you for seeing me. The real me. The girl I was and the woman I was to become. I knew I loved you even before I laid my eyes on you. Even in my darkest times, you shone like a light for me. Like a star guiding me through life and without you, I don’t know if I’d be here. You’ve been my northern star, my guiding light, and my voice of reason. My heart is in your hands and my life is now joining with yours. My soul, however, will forever be whole as it entwines with yours. I will cherish you, respect you, and honor you as my husband, my lifelong partner and even after my last breath, my heart will always love you. My soul mate, my husband, my love, and my happily ever after.”

  Six Months Later

  When I found out that Martin Keller was my father, I held hatred in my heart for him and for Ronan, the man who even though we didn’t get along, I trusted as my brother. Knowing he hurt Callie is something I’ll never forgive him for.

  Stepping into the house, I find it’s quiet. Leah must be out with Mags. In the living room, I find an official envelope on the table with my name on it. The prison stamp has my body tensing in fear. I don’t want to go back to that place, and now that I have a family, I have so much more to lose. Ripping open the envelope, I pull out the letter addressed to Heath Barnes from Detective Joshua Logan.

  Mr. Barnes,

  In light of the conviction of Mr. M. Keller and your brother, Mr. R. Barnes, we are over-turning your conviction for the murder of Miss C. McLearie. In due course, you will be contacted by myself, or my colleague, to set up a meeting to talk about the legalities that will further arise from the wrongful incarceration.

  The state will provide you and your family with compensation, which we will confirm in the meeting. There will be documentation you are required to sign in order to receive the money, which will be calculated on the number of years served. This will be based on the federal government’s standard. Another factor we take into account is how your compensation will be classified.

  In due course, we will confirm a date and time for you to attend in person with your wife in order for us to finalize the payout to you. I hope this letter finds you in good health.

  Regards,

  Detective Joshua Logan

  My heart is beating wildly in my chest. This is it, I’ll be a free man. Not a criminal, not an ex-convict, but a man. A husband. A father.

  I head upstairs and pull off my shirt. The day has been a scorcher and I’m in desperate need of a shower. Opening the closet, I pull a box down from the top shelf and something falls from underneath. When I bend to pick it up, I realize it’s the letter I saved when I was released from prison. The one I was going to read on the bus. The last letter Twig sent me. Somehow, I never opened it and now curiosity gets the better of me.

  The moment I pull out the faded yellow paper, I find the scent still hits me like a fresh rain on a hot summer’s day. Her beautiful script calls to me and my eyes devour her words.

  Con,

  I think this is it. I’ve packed a suitcase and I’m going to leave. I’ve bought a bus ticket to nowhere in particular. I’m going to hop onto the first one I see and get off at the last stop. I don’t care where it is, I just need to get away. You’re right, I’m better than this. I’m responsible for my life and I deserve happiness. I choose it. I want life to grab me and swirl me around until I’m giddy.

  I wish I knew where you were. I want to find you. Meet you. Please, Con, meet me? Let’s see each other face to face. I want to hear your voice, see you smile. I want to know you. More than I do already. It’s been s
o long. You’re my life, Con. Even if this is the last time I get to talk to you, which I fear it is.

  I don’t want it to be. Con, I may have teased at this before, but I do love you. More than I’m allowed to love someone I’ve never met. I want you in my life. You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted or needed. Give me one day? Just twenty-four hours to prove we can work. That we were meant for each other.

  Love always,

  Your Twig xo

  “You finally read it.” A soft murmur from the door pulls me from the emotion swirling around in my head. Dragging my gaze away from the paper, I look at the woman I love.

  “You knew it was there?” She nods in answer to me. “You wanted me even then?” Another nod of her head and I’m smiling like it’s Christmas morning.

  “When I packed my bag that day and walked out of the apartment it was the easiest thing I did. You know why? Because I knew I was going to find you. I walked out of my old life, but somehow I knew I was walking into my new one, one with you.”

  I push off the bed and stalk toward her, pulling my sunshine into my arms and inhaling the sweet scent of her. Twig.

  One Year Later

  “Honey, there’s a package here for you.” I join my wife at the door as she signs for a registered letter addressed to me. Since all the paperwork with the government has been sorted out, I know it can’t have anything to do with that.

  Glancing into the honey pools of my wife, I take the envelope from her and head into the kitchen. With a knife, I slice it open and pull out the small envelope inside. My name is scrawled in a familiar script on the front and my heart leaps into my throat at the sight of it.

  She’s okay.

  Once I have the letter in hand, I make my way to the armchair and flop onto it. Leah sits on the armrest and reads over my shoulder.

  Heath,

  I wanted to send you this on your wedding day, but I wasn’t able to sit down and get the words out. It’s taken months to get up the courage to write you and tell you how much I love you. To let you know how proud I am of the man you’ve become. I hope one day I’ll get to see your face again. Maybe hold my grandbabies and meet your beautiful Leah.

  My home is lovely. I sit on the porch and watch the sun setting across the lake and I remember you as a boy. Sometimes, I think I live in my memories too much because it gets lonely and all I want is to hold you.

  Son, I hope your heart is full. I hope your life is beautiful and I pray that you’ve gotten all that you deserve. I want every day that passes you by to be good, to leave you smiling.

  One day when you become a father, you’ll understand. Tell Leah that even though I haven’t met her, I love her, because I know you would have chosen well. I loved Callie. She was a wonderful woman. And I know, as much as you hurt when you lost her, that Leah will piece you back together.

  I hold you in my heart, sweet boy. You’ll always be my baby. My son.

  Take care of yourself and your family.

  Love always,

  Mom x

  We sit in silence and Leah’s hand on my shoulder tells me she’s here for me if I want to talk. If I need her. I turn and glance at my girl, her beauty shines down as she regards me with love and I know my mother is right. I have chosen well. “I’m okay,” I promise her and she nods.

  “Good. Let’s get some work done.” Pushing up, I slide the letter back into the envelope and put it in the drawer where we’ve kept all our letters. Since Leah is writing a book about us, she’s including some snippets of our conversations over the years.

  A truck rumbling up the driveway drags me from my thoughts and I head outside to find them parked. Boone went out to finalize the papers for the new horses we need. Business has picked up and since we’ve been advertising, the bookings for lessons have tripled. “Barnes, come and help with these mares.” I head over to the horse trailer and find a man about my age pulling open the doors.

  “Hey there, I’m Deacon.” He holds out a hand and I grip it in a firm handshake.

  “Heath Barnes.” As we get the three mares and a foal out of their trailers, I lead them over to the stables. I’ve readied each of their spaces. It’s warm inside and there’s fresh hay for them to nibble on.

  “Hey, boys.” Leah approaches us with much needed lemonade and I introduce her to Deacon. He offers a nod and grabs a glass.

  “Thank you, little lady.” Once she leaves us, he turns to me with an apologetic smile. “Gorgeous filly you got there, Barnes.” He winks and I feel myself bristle. The caveman in me wants to lay claim, but I know he’s just trying to be nice.

  “She is. That’s why I married her.”

  Boone glances between us and huffs. “God, it’s like a fucking pissing contest between you two. Deacon, your wife might need you home. Thanks for the help.” With that the man heads out leaving me glaring at his back.

  “Sorry about that, I’m just overprotective of Leah.” He shrugs before turning to me.

  “All good son, it’s all good. I want you and Leah to meet me and Mags for dinner tonight. We have something we want to talk to you both about.”

  “Sure thing.” We’ve been living at the ranch, at the insistence of both of Mags and Boone, for two years now and I’ve mentioned that I’d like Leah and I to find our own place. Maybe he’s got a few options for us.

  “Did he say what it was about?” I shake my head at my wife.

  “No, he just said we should meet them for dinner. Maybe they’ve found a property they think we should buy.” I pull on a pair of boots and stand up to find my sweet, sexy wife staring at me. “What?”

  “You just looking mighty fine, handsome.” I grip her hips and pull her against me. Leaning in, I plant a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. She always tastes like honey. My tongue darts out, licking the seam of her mouth and she opens, giving me access to her delectable mouth.

  Our tongues dance playfully and her hands trail down, cupping my ass as she presses her body against mine. My erection hardens and throbs to be inside her. “Let’s make a baby,” she whispers against my mouth, and I stop to regard her.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” I growl. I bunch her dress up to her hips and grip her ass. Lifting her off the ground, I stalk over to the bed and lay her down. Before she has time to think, I’ve pulled her panties down and I’m nudging her tight heat with the tip of my cock.

  “Please, Heath.” That’s all I need. My finger finds her wet and slick with arousal as I tease her clit with my index finger.

  “So wet for me.” I slide into her slowly, torturing us both in the process. Her hips rise up to meet mine and I push into her so deep that every inch of my cock is snug inside her body. “Jesus, you feel good around me, Sunshine.” Her gaze locks on mine and we’re both lost in the moment. Her lips part on a moan and her breathing quickens.

  “Heath, please, move faster. I need it faster.” I roll my hips, teasing her, but her nails dig into the skin on my back and I know what she wants. I pull out and drive back in, over and over again. Her thighs tighten on either side of my hips and she bites down on her lip to keep from screaming.

  Her orgasm is close and I want us lost in this pleasure together. “Come for me, Sunshine. I want to fill you up and give you a baby.” I rasp the last few words before she completely detonates around me sending me over the edge as we both find heaven sent release.

  My body locks and I do give her every single drop, deep inside her body. And I hope that we’ve created a new life from our love.

  Six Months Later

  “Leah, there’s someone downstairs for you.” My husband’s deep rumble echoes through the house. The small baby belly I’m sporting is frustrating me since nothing fits, I really need to do some shopping. I tug on a dress, which is loose and flows down to my knees. Slipping on a pair of sandals, I head down to the living area.

  I find it empty, but when I hear voices from the terrace, I head that way. As soon as I see him, I know. It’s as if all my life I’ve known a man, I’ve
just never seen his face. His eyes are the same shade of honey mine are. When he smiles, I recognize my own. “Leah, honey.” My gaze darts between the man in front of me and my mother. She looks incredible.

  Her face is rounder; her eyes are filled with a light so bright they sparkle. “Mom,” I whisper, then turn to him and the word tumbles effortlessly from my lips. “Dad.” He nods slowly but doesn’t make a move to come closer, and I’m thankful because my emotions are all over the place.

  Pregnancy has made me overly sensitive and I cry easily, but when he reaches for me, I fall into his arms, needing warmth, love, and affection. “Sweet, Leah.” He strokes my hair and presses a kiss to the top of my head with a familiarity that astounds me. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman.” He steps back and my tears have wet his shirt, but he doesn’t even notice. The smile he offers is everything I’ve ever imagined a father would offer. Something I never got from Martin, the man I grew up with. It’s filled with so much love and affection I feel breathless.

  “You’re not what I pictured.” I giggle and his chuckle is deep and rolls through his chest. He’s probably about six foot and slim. He’s got a full head of greying hair and the deepest honey-colored eyes that sparkle with mischief. Small wrinkles crease at the corner of his eyes and I can’t help but feel love for him.

  “You’re exactly like the pictures your mom sent. Just more beautiful in person.” A blush heats my cheeks and I turn to Mom.

  “I don’t know what to say.” I glance between my parents and they’re positively glowing. “What are you doing here though? I thought you’d be traveling.”

  “We wanted to come and see you and Heath, and give you both the good news before we jet off. We’re getting married. Nothing big, just an intimate ceremony to make it official.” I watch them together and realize my heart is full. My love for her has never wavered. Even when we didn’t get along, I knew in my heart that I’d one day be proud of her.