by Joni Keever
For a moment, he simply stared at her, committing every detail to memory. “I am thrilled, Carly, and more grateful than I can say. You were amazing and risked everything to help me. I can never thank you enough. But I have to admit . . . I don’t welcome the day I have to let you go.”
Carly’s brow furrowed. “Let me go?”
“To Virginia. You helped me get my home back, and soon, I’ll help you return to yours.”
She looked away, across the wide-open pastures spread beneath the brilliant blue sky. “You know, Kade, Virginia doesn’t really seem like home to me anymore. It’s odd . . . since leaving there so many months ago, all I’ve dreamed of is returning to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.” She turned to gaze up into his warm chocolate eyes. “But now I’ve realized everything I want and need is right here. My heart is here, with you, in Texas.” A slow smile curled the corners of her mouth.
Kade searched Carly’s face for any sign of doubt but found none. This little ragamuffin had stumbled into his life, ensnared his heart, helped him regain his good name and ranch. And now she sat beside him, smiling broadly, meeting his beseeching gaze with confident reassurance.
Throwing his head back, Kade let out a loud whoop, startling both Carly and the black. “Then we’ll send for the preacher and be married immediately, and I’m thinking four kids, maybe five.”
“Married? What . . . wait . . . how many?” Kade’s enthusiasm was infectious, and she laughed out loud.
“Carly, you’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.” He turned and let his attention wander slowly over the picturesque ranch that lay before them, almost as if seeing it for the first time. “None of this means anything without you.” He gathered her close and kissed her deeply—a kiss that conveyed all his gratitude, all his love, all his hope for the future.
With a flick of the reins, the buggy lurched forward. The horse trotted down the winding road toward the white stone house. Kade gazed into emerald-green pools and smiled. “Let’s get you home, Little One. Let’s get you home.”
Jacket design by LLALS Cover Art