by Linda Warren
“I love you,” he whispered, looking deep into her eyes. “I’m sorry it has taken me so long to realize that and to accept it. I had to deal with my dysfunctional life before I could tell you, before I could fully share a life with you.”
She stroked his face. “I was going to give you an earful for accepting my resignation.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t realize I had a devious plan.”
“You don’t have a devious bone in your body.”
“I don’t think I can be Harold Dalton’s grandson and Richard Preston’s son and not have a touch of it.”
“You handle it with heart, though.”
“So you’re not upset with me for surprising you?”
“Mmm.” She glanced down at her beautiful ring. “Since it came with an I love you and a ring, I forgive you.”
“I thought Marisa might have mentioned what was happening.”
“Marisa is a very smart lady and she doesn’t want to be caught in the middle of our relationship.”
“She’s very wise and discreet.”
Cari couldn’t take her eyes off the ring. For days she’d been so depressed, but now their future shone as bright as the diamond.
She could feel Reed watching her. “It’s a platinum round cut and it belonged to my grandmother. If you don’t like it, we—”
“Your grandmother’s?” she asked in an incredulous tone.
“Yes. My grandfather had impeccable taste, but if it’s not to your liking—”
“Are you kidding?” She held her hand to her heart, knowing he’d put a lot of thought into the decision to give her the ring. “It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen and you’re not getting it off my finger—ever.”
He gently kissed her lips and she smiled into his warm eyes. “I’m glad you like it. It was just sitting in the vault and I thought it was perfect for you.”
“It is. It fits perfectly.” She stretched out her fingers.
“I noticed.”
“Two engagements in one year,” she teased. “That’s a record even for razzle-dazzle Reed Preston.”
He just grinned and she threw her arms around his neck. “I will treasure this ring forever. I will treasure you.”
He kissed her cheek, her ear. “I had to go through hell to realize heaven was at my fingertips. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
They kissed deeply and after a moment came up for air. “If and when we decide to have children, I sincerely hope we do a better job than my parents.”
“You can count on it.” She kissed his nose. “We will be hands-on parents and our Christmases will be wonderful. I promise.”
“They will be as long as you’re in them.” He rose to his feet and reached for her hand, pulling her to his side. “Why don’t we go upstairs to the apartment and practice creating the new heir.”
She feigned surprise. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Just wanted to make sure,” she replied impishly and wrapped an arm around his waist.
They strolled from the room. At the door Cari stopped. “My shoes.”
“Leave them. You should rest your feet and you won’t need them for the next twenty-four hours.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that.”
They kissed again and held on to each other. Cari knew that nothing would ever be as perfect as this moment. Razzle-dazzle Reed Preston was never going to lose his shine. She’d found her prince.
And he loved her.
Epilogue
One year later…
Reed steered the tractor like a pro through the cotton fields toward the Michaelses’ farmhouse. Willie Nelson played on the radio and Reed tapped his foot.
“You really like driving this thing.” Sam stood beside him just in case Reed had any problem with the clutch and gears. But Reed had it mastered.
“It’s relaxing, even with the bumps.”
Sam removed his Cowboys baseball cap and scratched his head. “A lot of people don’t understand that.”
Reed pulled up to the house and turned off the big motor. “You have a believer in me.” He opened the door of the air-conditioned cab and climbed out. Sam followed and they strolled to the house.
In the kitchen Cari and her mother were finishing the dishes. Reed took a moment to stare at his wife. Her dark hair was longer, swaying around her shoulders; her eyes brighter and her figure fuller. In early December their first child would be born. Motherhood suited his wife. She actually glowed and he never grew tired of looking at her.
They’d been married almost a year and it had been the happiest of his life. They had a simple wedding with family in a country church in Hillsboro, much to his mother’s chagrin. Vanessa brightened when they let her host a big engagement party at the Preston estate. That way both families were content.
Reed slipped his arms around Cari’s growing waist and kissed her neck. “How’s my lady?”
“Wonderful.” She turned in his arms and his heart melted at the glow in her eyes.
“How’s little Junior?” They knew the baby was a boy.
Cari looked down. “He’s trying to kick through my stomach. I think he’s going to take after his grandfather Preston.”
“Bite your tongue.” Reed couldn’t help but smile though. This child was going to be born with so much expected of him. The next heir. Reed resolved to raise his child quite ordinarily with many days spent here at the farm. “What he needs is ice cream.” He headed for the freezer and the homemade ice cream.
“I can’t believe you spent all morning churning that old ice-cream maker.” Ruth reached for bowls in the cabinet.
“Especially when we have an electric one.” Sam eased into a chair at the table.
“My husband loves being a kid.” Cari rubbed his back as he scooped peach ice cream into bowls.
Reed couldn’t resist a bite. “This is the best stuff. It’s worth the extra effort.”
Ruth got a phone call from someone at their church and Reed and Cari carried their bowls to the front porch and sat in the swing.
“Happy?” he asked her.
“Ecstatic.” She swallowed a mouthful. “I love watching your excitement over simple things.”
“I love just watching you.”
They smiled at each other and this was what Reed had wanted all his life—love. He’d finally found true happiness. In his heart he knew he’d never be alone again. He had Cari and she made his world complete.
The crash still affected their lives. He had severe headaches from time to time and Cari had occasional nightmares. They were flying again; their jobs required it. It hadn’t been easy and they always flew together. With the baby coming he knew there would be adjustments. They would handle them together and make the right choices.
They were making a nursery in the apartment above the corporate offices. Cari planned to continue working, but she wanted the baby close. He did, too. He was looking forward to fatherhood. Their lives had changed so much in a year.
He glanced at her beautiful face and noticed the tiny lines between her eyes. “Are you remembering?”
“A little.” She licked her spoon. “The plane crashed one year ago today.”
He kissed her cheek. “And we found each other. I’m wondering if that would have ever happened if not for the crash.”
“Yes,” she stated. “We were meant to be together.”
He gazed into her eyes. “I love you and—”
His phone buzzed, cutting him off. He groaned. He knew who it was. He placed his bowl on the floor and reached for his cell on his waist. “Hello, Mother.”
“Reed, darling, are you and Cari coming to dinner?”
“Not tonight. We’re at Cari’s parents’.”
“Oh. May I speak to Cari?”
Reed handed Cari the phone with a raised eyebrow. He heard Cari’s part of the conversation and knew what his mother was asking: had they decided on a name for the b
aby.
He gave Cari a thumbs-up sign to go ahead and tell his parents.
“Dalton Samuel Reed Preston,” she said clearly and placed the phone to his ear.
He listened to his mother’s excitement for about five minutes before he said he had to go. “We have a busy schedule next week, but we’ll try to make dinner one night,” he promised before clicking off.
Cari scooted closer and he tucked her into his side. “I take it she’s excited.”
“Very.” They had discussed endless names. One name had stuck in their minds. Boy or girl it had to be Dalton.
Cari rubbed her stomach. “Do you think there’s a chance our baby will grow up normal?”
He squeezed her gently. “With you for a mother he’ll be fine. I’ll be fine, too. I just have to remember that when my parents are bugging us.”
Two trucks drove up in a cloud of dust. Two boys on a four-wheeler emerged through the dust, followed by Judith’s girls on another wheeler.
“Sammy, Judith and the kids have arrived,” Cari murmured.
“They sensed we have ice cream,” Reed replied as Ruth and Sam walked out to join them.
Reed had never been part of a big family and he found he liked it. His arm tightened around Cari.
“I love you, Junior,” she whispered. “Forever.”
His heart always skipped a beat when she called him that. “Forever,” he whispered back.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2219-3
TEXAS HEIR
Copyright © 2008 by Linda Warren.
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