by Linda Conrad
“A school? With other kids?” It sounded like a dream come true for Sara.
“Yes. And wait until you hear about one of their programs. They pair the children who seem ready up with assistance dogs. The staff use canine therapy to promote socialization skills.”
“Sara might love that. What a great idea.”
Nathan moved in closer. “It’s a great idea as long as you and I and Melody are all there to back Sara up and get her used to her new circumstances. I wouldn’t want her to feel abandoned.”
“No. That’s not a good feeling.” She knew because she’d felt that way for most of her life. “So the plan is for all of us to go? What about Kathryn?”
“I asked her to come with us to help get Sara settled.” Nathan took a breath. “I thought you and I and Melody could use the extra hands—since two of us will be on our honeymoon.”
“Our what?”
He took her in his arms and held her close. “It’s all part of the plan,” he whispered. “Marry me, Susannah. None of this will work without you. I won’t work without you. We… I need you to make life worthwhile.”
Her tears started up again. But this time she knew they were happy tears, and she could almost stand them running down her cheeks. Smiling at Nathan, she found she’d lost her voice.
“Is that a yes?”
She nodded and pulled him down for another kiss. This time she put every unsaid word behind it.
She’d been so alone for so long, and now it amazed her that she would have a whole family. More than that, Nathan had somehow made her feel like she deserved them.
Wasn’t that astounding? The useless little girl she once was had broken out of her sad cocoon and turned into a butterfly. Having to leave the ranch wouldn’t be an end to everything she’d grown to love, after all.
Her new life was turning into something beyond special. She was leaving the ranch much wiser than when she came and going away with the knowledge that she and her baby were loved.
She might be losing the ranch she’d come to love, but she was taking friendship and love along with her. She now had a sweet baby girl to give her life meaning and a man she loved more than life itself.
Wasn’t life crazy? Running away from her old life had turned into the most magnificent new beginning she could ever have imagined.
Epilogue
Everything was set for their departure from the ranch before dawn. But no one seemed eager to leave.
The bags were in the SUV. Sara had been prepared and genuinely seemed to be looking forward to the trip. Just a second ago, Nathan had left Melody in the kitchen with his father and Maria as they took advantage of their final moments of playing with the baby. Even Mac had stopped in to say goodbye.
Derek planned on driving them to the airport in Cheyenne within the hour. But Nathan had a funny suspicion the person Derek would be most unhappy to see leave the ranch was Kathryn. Interesting, but it was a puzzle for another time.
Right now he needed to check on Susannah. Melody’s things were already packed up and stowed. And Susannah couldn’t have much packing to do. She barely owned any clothes—a situation he planned to remedy when they arrived in Boston.
So what was taking her so long?
Easing open the bedroom door, he stuck his head inside to see if she was dressed yet. She stood in front of the dresser, looking at herself intently in the mirror.
“What’s up? You ready?”
She didn’t turn, but said, “Almost all set.”
When she still didn’t move, he strode over to stand behind her. Checking out what she was looking at in the mirror, he saw the images of two people who were very much in love. It made him grin just to think of how happy he was that he would be standing beside this woman for life.
“What’re you doing?”
“Trying to decide whether to comb my hair over my forehead or leave it back.”
It was so unlike her to primp that he had to ask, “Why? What difference does it make?”
“I don’t want people to be uncomfortable looking at me.”
“Why would they be?”
She tsked at him. “You know. The ugly scar, silly.”
He pulled her back against his chest, letting the warmth of their love surround them. “What scar? All I see is the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Laughing, she pushed her hair off her forehead but then scowled at her image.
“Listen, if it really bothers you, we can consult with a plastic surgeon in Boston. I’m sure it shouldn’t be any problem to fix it.”
She turned away from the mirror and stepped up on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. “I love you, Nathan. If it doesn’t bother you, I think I’ll keep it this way.”
His chest swelled with pride in her. “Okay, but why the change of heart?”
“It occurred to me that if I wanted to go back to Cold Plains now, I could. Those Devotees wouldn’t want me anymore—now that I’m not perfect.”
He swung her off her feet and twirled her around the room, brimming over with happiness. “Oh, but to me you are perfect, darlin’. Let’s get on with our new life.”
She was his wonderful love. And no matter where they lived, their lives together were bound to be absolutely perfect.
*
ISBN: 9781459220928
Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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