by Erin Wright
Oh God, he didn’t want to sell his farm. He loved it with all of his heart and soul. He’d given up so much for that farm — worked so hard through the spring and into the fall to make it a success. But…
He couldn’t live without Bonnie. Coming together, being torn back apart again, over and over…
Yeah, Skype was wonderful, and sure, they had it easier than people living on the other side of the planet from each other.
But he wanted to wake up in the morning to find her by his side.
He wanted to come home at night and have the lights on in the house. Have someone there to greet him, someone to care about him.
He wanted to lean over and kiss her whenever he damn well pleased.
He most especially wanted her. However, whenever, wherever he could. He was sure that if he had to say goodbye to Bonnie one more time, his heart was going to be torn to shreds.
And if that meant giving up his farm, so be it. Jennifer had been in real estate and banking for a long time. She’d know what to do, how much he could ask for, who to list it with.
This whole thing was her damn fault for introducing them, so she could surely help him figure out a way to make it happen.
With the snow melting and spring planting about to begin, it was a tough time to sell a farm — he’d plant what he always did and just hope that a buyer wanted to buy acres of wheat. But he didn’t know how long it would take to sell his farm, so he didn’t dare let it sit fallow and then not have a crop to harvest this fall, if the farm was still hanging on like a noose around his neck. His yearly payment on the bank loan came due every fall after harvest, and if he was still stuck with it at that point, if he didn’t have a harvest to pull from, he wouldn’t be able to make the payment.
No, he wouldn’t let himself think that. He had to get rid of it, mo matter how much that hurt, or what kind of hit he took on the price.
“Wow. I knew it was hard for you two to be apart, but I never considered you selling your farm.” Jennifer said the words softly and he knew that she knew just what he was suggesting here.
Knew what a huge sacrifice this was.
But Bonnie was worth it. Bonnie was worth anything.
“I don’t want to. I offered to pay off Bonnie’s student loans and then she could move to Long Valley, but she’s right — it’s more than just her student loans. She needs money for her car payment and insurance and cell phone and food,” his lips quirked slightly at that, “and so she insists on having, you know, a real job.
“So if I can’t get her here, I’ll move there. Surely C-A-L Ranch would love to hire someone like me, even if I’ve never worked a cash register in my life. I know more than those high school kids anyway.”
“I’ve been working on a plan, Luke, tell me what you think…”
Chapter Sixteen
~Bonnie~
Jennifer slid the key into the lock for the business and swung the door wide. “C’mon on in,” she said, gesturing with her hand to the office space in front of her, her stomach leading the way into the office. Jenn had somehow made swallowing a basketball look amazing. “It’s a little brisk in here, but I haven’t had the heat turned over into my name yet, so I can’t turn it on. You’ll just have to imagine it being warmer in here.”
Bonnie smiled at her, forcing happiness into it, walking into the office. It was the end of another all-t0o-short weekend in Long Valley, and honestly, Bonnie was having a hard time concentrating on what Jennifer was saying. She just couldn’t get her mind to look past the fact that she was about to say goodbye to Luke.
Again.
For the millionth time, she was going to drive away and cry as she went, which she was pretty sure was illegal, considering it was hard to see the road with tears in her eyes, but waiting for the tears to abate…
Well, she just didn’t have years to sit in a parking lot and wait for that to happen.
Speaking of, where was Luke? She tried to listen to Jennifer’s excited plans for her new accounting office in downtown Sawyer, but quite frankly, her heart just wasn’t in it. Luke had said he’d be right behind them, but it’d been at least 20 minutes.
She surreptitiously checked her watch.
Okay, 16 minutes.
But still!
She needed to get all of the time in with him that she could, before she had to hit the road again.
Jennifer showed Bonnie the nursery, a small room off to the side that was ready and waiting for the baby’s birth, decorated beautifully as always. Jenn was so talented when it came to interior decorating.
Where is Luke?
The sound of a bell jingling had Bonnie heading for the front area. She wasn’t sure if Jennifer had even been talking when she walked away and she was probably going to have to apologize for being rude later, but being apart from Luke for…checking…19 minutes was about 19 minutes too long in her estimation.
She came around the corner to find…
Luke with a box in his hands? Why was there a box in his hands? And what was…
The world slowed and then stopped as she saw the glint of light off the diamond.
On the ring.
In the box.
There were tears then, streaming down her face, and Bonnie didn’t know whether to throw herself into his arms and cry, “YEESSSS!!!” for the whole world to hear, or throw herself into his arms and just cry.
“Luke, I can’t…we can’t. Where will we live?” She kept dashing at the tears on her cheeks with the backs of her hands but the flow was never-ending.
She walked slowly towards him, her eyes flicking back and forth between his eyes and his box. It was a silver band and a gorgeous princess-cut diamond and…
How did he know that’s what I wanted?!
And
Oh God, why are you torturing me?
“I need an accounting partner, you know,” Jennifer said behind her. Bonnie whirled around and for the first time, noticed a second desk.
Two desks.
Jennifer held up a nameplate and through the blur of her tears, Bonnie saw Bonnie Patters0n-Nash engraved on it.
“Yes!” she cried, throwing herself at Luke.
“Yes to which question?” Luke asked, his arms wrapping around her, staring down at her, his dark chocolate eyes still a little worried, a little unsure.
“Yes to both!”
He picked her up then, pulling her against his chest, the panic in his eyes fading away, swinging her around and around.
“Yes, I will marry you, Luke Nash!” And he kissed her, and the moment was endless and yet it seemed to last only a moment. Or a lot of moments. Bonnie wasn’t sure. She wasn’t sure of much right then, except how much she loved this man in front of her.
“I love you, Luke,” she breathed against his lips.
Jennifer said something as she slipped past them and headed outside, but Bonnie didn’t hear her. Her world had narrowed to this gorgeous man in front of her.
“I love you, Bonnie Rae Patterson,” Luke breathed against her lips. “I can’t wait to start our life together.”
Which sounded just like heaven.
Gosh, I hope you enjoyed Blizzard of Love as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you haven’t had a chance to read Jennifer and Stetson’s story yet, be sure to check out Accounting for Love. Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, ‘cause hanging out with me is just plain fun. Promise.
About Erin Wright
Erin Wright has worked every job under the sun, including library director, barista, teacher, website designer, and ranch hand helping brand cattle, before settling into the career she’s always dreamed about: Author.
She still loves coffee, doesn’t love the smell of cow flesh burning, and is quite happily ensconced with her handsome hubby in a small, charming town in rural Idaho. Find her updates on ErinWright.net, where you can sign up for her newsletter, along with the requisite pictures of Jasmine, her kitty cat muse and snuggle buddy extraordinaire.
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