by Debra Holt
The painting that had taken her to Santa Fe, which had hung over Jace’s fireplace… now, sat in her den in New York City. The colors were just as vibrant as her memory recalled them. The sunset on the mesas and the land… she knew it all by heart. She had seen the real landscape with her own eyes.
“My, that is really quite beautiful, isn’t it?” Alice stood beside her, admiring the painting.
“Think, Alice.” Angie turned quickly to the woman beside her. “Did the man say anything else?”
“Well… yes, he did. Only it doesn’t make much sense. I asked him if there was a card or message. He said to say, ‘this is a bride price.’ That couldn’t be right, could it? It doesn’t make much sense. Did I upset you?” Alice’s eyes grew concerned when she saw the tears trailing down Angie’s cheeks.
“He said… ‘the bride price’… you’re sure?”
“Yes, that’s what he said. Then I asked him if he wanted to wait for you and he said he had to get back home. He smiled and left.”
“How long ago? Think… how long ago did he leave?”
“It must be about two or three hours.”
Angie ran over to the window and looked down at the street below. The rain made it hard to see anything. Where would he be right at that moment? He had to get back home. Her mind recalled the words. Jace had brought the painting. He had called it a bride price and then went home. All this way to hand-deliver a painting. Angie turned back to the table, but it wasn’t just a painting. It was the reason she had gone to New Mexico to begin with. It had drawn her to the place and the man. He knew what it meant to her. He also knew she had read up on many of the traditions of his ancestors. She remembered the day he had told her about the bride price custom.
It was during their drive to Taos. He explained that way back in the day, when a young brave found the maiden he wanted to share his path in life, he would arrive at her father’s teepee with two or three horses in tow. They constituted the “bride price”… the token he would exchange for his bride. Angie liked that, but she had made some remark about the fact that it would take more than a few horses for her own bride price if she had lived back in those days. Jace had smiled at her reply but made no comment.
Jason Blackhawke had traveled halfway across the continent to bring her the painting that meant so much to her. He knew she would know what he meant by bride price. Then he went home… to wait. It was up to her to take the next step. She could accept it or not. The day was no longer dark and dismal.
A huge smile broke through the tears that streaked her face. He had come after her. And he had offered a bride price. Jace wanted her in spite of her past. He would be waiting for her. That was all that mattered.
Chapter Nineteen
Once Angie made up her mind, there was no stopping her. She would not even allow the weather to try. After a call to the airport, she found that flights were on standby until there was a clearing. That meant that Jace’s flight should have departed but was delayed. Her next call was to a friend who had a private jet. He kept it at the airport in New Jersey and there was no rain there. Another call had a car waiting to transport her there within the next half hour. She packed only the bare necessities in a small flight bag. Whatever she needed, she knew a shop in Santa Fe that could probably help her!
Her luck held and traffic moved along. The plane was fueled and the pilot stood ready as she stepped from the car. They were airborne in minutes. Angie was soon headed into the sunset. She saw the golden rays on the horizon ahead of them as she looked from her window. Home. Her eyes blurred with moisture. She was headed home. Her eyes looked over at the painting safely strapped in the seat across from her. They were both headed where they belonged. Yet she wouldn’t truly be able to believe it until she felt Jace’s arms around her… until she could look into those amazing eyes and see the confirmation for herself.
A hired car waited on the landing strip. The plane touched down and Angie was down the steps as soon as they had been secured. She stopped for a moment while her bag and painting were loaded into the car. Angie looked above her. The stars were there and the moon, too. What a grand homecoming!
Angie fished in her bag and found the key ring. In her haste to depart from Santa Fe, she had forgotten to leave behind the gate and house keys. She had meant to send them back by courier, but had gotten too busy and forgotten. Or maybe her subconscious had a hand in it? Either way, she was glad she would not need to climb any fence or attempt to break in.
The smile had not left her face since she had taken off from the air field just a few hours before. If her calculations were correct, she would beat Jace back by at least two hours if his commercial flight had been delayed by the weather… more than enough time to prepare what she would say.
Her eyes welcomed the familiar sights of the town as the car glided through its now quiet and darkened streets. She had left in summer. Now, the trees had lost leaves and the smell of burning pinon wood from fireplaces filled the air. She couldn’t wait to see all the seasons of this place she would soon call home. Best of all, Angie would see them beside the man she loved… she hoped. Stop it. She had not allowed for any doubt or hesitancy to seep into her thoughts since laying eyes on the painting. Jace would not have come if he did not want her. He had accepted her past and he still wanted her. Her heart and her mind agreed on that. She needed to deliver her reply.
The lights of the car disappeared down the drive as she stood on the bridge that led to the door of the house. She placed the key in the lock and the gate opened under the pressure from her hand. Angie stepped through and let it swing shut behind her. As she crossed the threshold of the living room, she flicked on the lights of the room. Setting her bag and the painting down next to the door, her eyes were drawn and caught by the new painting hanging above the fireplace. Her steps carried her forward to stand in the same spot she had stood when she had first arrived in the house months ago. Her eyes could not believe what she was seeing.
This painting was different from the first. This one’s colors were blues and blacks and silvers. A huge moon had been painted in a night sky. The land below it was bathed in its silvery light. A lone figure sat beneath it, alone on the top of a rocky cliff. The figure was a female, wrapped in a very familiar quilt. The long dark hair reflected the moon’s glow and the strands had been caught by a breeze and frozen in time by the paint brush.
The artist had caught perfectly the upturned face with its eyes closed in reverent silence. It was her. The moment she had sat beneath the moon and whispered a silent plea… Jace had seen. Yet he had never commented on it. Her eyes fell to the words on the small nameplate attached to the bottom.
Apache Moon … For Angie, my wish come true… with all my love, JBW.
Angie did not realize she was not alone until a voice reached to where she stood. Somehow he had managed to beat her back to Santa Fe after all. She turned to face him, blinking away the sudden moisture from her eyes.
“You returned the painting.” Jace’s eyes moved from hers to the painting that sat next to the front door. “Is it not an acceptable price?”
Angie felt his eyes upon her, watching each movement, each breath she took. He looked so good and so dear standing there in his proud, quiet way.
His silver gaze narrowed when he saw the shimmer of unshed tears. Jace stepped closer but still did not come to stand next to her.
She slowly shook her head in the negative. A shadow of uncertainty crossed the features she loved so much. She couldn’t let him suffer for long.
“I want that painting, too.” Her eyes went briefly to the painting over the fireplace before returning to his face. The uncertainty was gone. She felt the silver heat shimmer over her from his gaze.
“I think that could be arranged. You drive a hard bargain for a lady from the big city.”
“I plan to collect all the artist’s paintings. I think he may have potential.”
Jace moved closer. If he reached out his arms, he could touc
h her. But he didn’t.
“Given the auspices under which our marriage took place, I think there’s something else you are owed.”
Angie realized he held something in his hand. It was a small velvet box. Her heart leapt in her chest. She watched in speechless awe as Jace went down on one knee in front of her. With a click, the lid was raised on the box. A perfect square cut emerald with smaller diamonds circling the band shot its green fire into the room as the light hit it. It took her breath away. Next to it, a smaller band of diamonds winked at her.
“Angelina Lord Blackhawke, you captured my heart with one look from your bewitching green eyes the moment I first saw you. I need you in my life. Your beauty, your spirit, your heart are all part of the woman I love. I want and need you all the days of my life. This is just a house without you in it. Home is where you are. One path for the rest of eternity… that’s what I want with you. Will you walk it with me?”
Tears blurred her vision and she wiped them away with a hand. Jace’s proposal wiped away so much more. The past was no more. The present was here and the future lay before them. Their journey would be together and it would be whatever they chose to make it. “Yes… I will walk with you, Jason Blackhawke. I love you with my whole heart and soul. But…”
His smile froze at the word “but”.
“But I would like to have my other wedding ring back… please?”
The smile he gave her brought summer back to the room. Jace stood and withdrew the other ring from the leather strip that held it beneath his shirt. The look in his eyes was more eloquent than any vow that could be spoken. He slid the ring on her finger and it glistened on her hand. It was back where it would stay for the rest of their lives.
Jace’s arms gathered her up against him and she melted into his kiss. In his arms was the world. Angie was home.
Epilogue
The air was crisp and there was a hint of snow. The holidays had come to the plaza in Santa Fe. Hundreds of luminarias shimmered along the walkways and roads. Wreaths of fresh fir and pine decorated doorways and lighted Christmas trees sparkled from windows. People moved up the walkway toward the entrance to the Chapel of Loretto. There was a wedding this evening and a festive air filled the guests with smiles and good cheer.
Kaitlyn Russell Morgan, dressed in claret satin, moved quickly down the hallway, knocking lightly on the door of the bride’s chamber. After a pause, she entered. Then she stopped. A vision stood before her. This was Angie’s wedding day. Her best friend was getting married… correction, remarried… to Jason Blackhawke. Happiness sparkled from her eyes… along with the fact that she was three months due with her first child; Kaitlyn had much to smile about.
“Jace will die when he sees you walk down that aisle.” Kaitlyn grinned as she moved to adjust the back of the gown. The candlelight satin and lace of the gown had been designed by Angie herself. In a word, it was breathtaking. Her hair had been caught to the back of her head and a small bit of veil was attached there by a diamond barrette.
“I don’t want him to die… just totally blown away will do.” Angie beamed at her friend in the mirror as Kaitlyn stood behind her. “I don’t know why I let you and Jace talk me into this wedding. We’re already married. This is such a fuss.”
“Your bridegroom wanted to give you everything you missed the first time. He said you deserved all the moonlight and flowers. I think it’s very romantic of him. Clay needs to spend more time with him.”
“I think your Clay is just as romantic. I haven’t heard any complaints from you.”
“And you won’t. He is an absolutely perfect husband. And in a few months, he’ll be a perfect father, again.” Kaitlyn’s eyes met Angie’s in the mirror.
Angie swung to face her. “Now aren’t you glad I made you take that detour a while back?” They both dissolved into laughter.
“You’ll always take credit for that, won’t you?”
“Naturally. If I hadn’t seen that painting in the gallery in New York that day, I never would have talked you into going to New Mexico via Texas. And then none of this would have happened… to either of us.” Angie grew quiet.
Kaitlyn gave her a slight shake. “But it did happen and here we stand… you as a bride and me as a mother-to-be.”
Angie slid a secretive smile on her face at that point, but she did not speak. Kaitlyn caught it though.
“Give… what aren’t you telling me?”
“You just might not be the only expectant mother in this room.”
Kaitlyn’s squeal could be heard down the hall in the groom’s room. Jace and Clay looked at each other.
“Is that good or bad? Should we check on them?” Jace asked.
“It’s a girl thing.” Clay shrugged in reply.
He came to stand next to Jace in front of the mirror. Jace was on his fourth attempt at his bow tie. He had already muttered some pretty colorful words.
“I’d offer to help with that”—Clay spoke up—“but my wife tied mine.”
Lucky for them, Jace’s sister, Marita, stuck her head in the door at that moment. She smothered a laugh when she saw Jace’s exasperated look.
“Here, let me help with that. We’d like to get on with the wedding … today.” In no time at all, a perfect bow tie completed the formal attire. Jace’s gaze left the mirror and landed on the box Marita had placed in the chair.
“Is that it?”
“Just as you instructed. Are you going to give it to her or do you want me to do it?”
“Angie’s taking this marriage stuff to the extreme. She was definite about us not seeing each other until the ceremony. That’s why I had to move into a room in the hotel two days ago. There was absolutely no way she wanted me to see her before the wedding. The things we men have to do to keep you ladies happy.”
Marita landed a playful slap on his shoulder. She moved over to the chair and picked up the box.
“You haven’t seen anything yet, dear brother. You still have a lot to learn.” She tossed him a wink as the door closed behind her.
Kaitlyn’s skirt rustled as she walked to open the door at the sound of the light tap. Marita came in with a grin on her face.
“I have to report that your groom looks mighty handsome… and a lot nervous.”
Angie grinned at the description. It was hard to picture her strong husband nervous about anything… except of course when he had proposed. Those precious memories always made her heart skip a few beats. After she had accepted the proposal and he slid the ring on her finger, there had been a pretty incredible kiss. Then he had swept her up in his arms and carried her upstairs… to the big bed. The rest of the memory could still bring a blaze to her cheeks.
“Clay has the ring, right?” Angie suddenly asked.
“I put it in his hand and then stood and watched him put it inside his pocket. He knows what will happen if he loses it,” Kaitlyn responded. “And I have the ring for you to give Jace right here.” She showed the silver band in the palm of her hand.
“And you need to remember to move your engagement ring to your right hand before you go down the aisle,” Marita chimed in.
Angie did just that, sliding the square cut emerald onto her other hand. She had asked Jace to let her have her wedding ring back when he had proposed. She had been surprised when he had placed the emerald onto her other hand. She couldn’t deny that she did love its green fire. Jace told her he had chosen it the moment he walked into the jewelers’… its fire had caught his eye immediately. Just like the green fire of her eyes had caught his attention the first day they met.
“You never told us where you’re going on your honeymoon,” Kaitlyn spoke up.
Angie gave a secret little smile. “That’s right. But it is a perfect place… just for us. With views to die for.”
“How long will you be away?”
“We have a little while. But we do need to get back and get the paintings ready for his showing at the gallery.” Jace’s painting had taken off. He clai
med it was because he had been “inspired”. Then he would send a sexy smile her way and she would feel butterflies take flight. “He plans to do his painting full-time by summer.”
“Before I forget, I came here with a purpose.” Marita spoke up. She brought the box forward. “This is a gift from your bridegroom.”
Angie happily undid the ribbons and lifted the top. She caught her breath. Inside the box was the bridal headpiece she had seen on display in Marita’s shop that day in Taos. She had offered to buy it but Marita has said it was already sold.
“I thought it was taken? Is this another one?”
“No… it’s the same one. Jace bought it for you that same day, swearing me to secrecy of course.”
Angie’s heart caught in her throat at the romantic gesture. He would never stop amazing her. Each and every day she continued to be awed by the depth of his love for her… and the hundreds of ways he showed it each day.
“Let’s put it on you.” Marita lifted it from the box.
A few minutes later, the beaded headpiece had been fitted around her head. It looked as though it had been designed with the gown in mind… or vice versa.
“Wait until my brother sees you. He may speak those vows in record time and skip the reception.”
A blush covered Angie’s cheeks. She was getting used to that. Her husband could make her blush just by looking at her. Not to mention when they made love. A sparkle lit Angie’s eyes at the thought. The past two months had been heaven on earth. Each day, her love for Jace grew more than the last and she had no idea the human capacity could be stretched so far. Darkness had been banished from her world for good by the simplest of touches from this man who held her heart.