Trails of Love

by Melissa Foster

  She was sleeping like the dead.

  Just as that thought registered, Morgyn rolled onto her side and off the edge of the bench. Graham dove to break her fall, and she landed on top of him with a fierce hip to his groin. He choked out a groan.

  She lifted her head, blinking several times. “Am I dreaming? Or is it Saturday?”

  “Friday,” he eked out, pushing at her body. “Hip.”

  “Sorry!” She scampered off him as he sat up. “Did you say Friday?”

  She squealed and rose up to climb into his lap. His hands shot protectively over his groin, and she stopped in midair.

  “Oops,” she said, and she sat beside him.

  Drawn in by her sweet smile, he pressed his lips to her.

  “Missed you,” he said, and then he rubbed his nose over hers.

  Her breathless sigh brought his lips to hers again. He slipped his hand to the nape of her neck, savoring the taste of her and the sexy, needful sounds she made. There on the cold and dirty floor of the caboose, with the summer heat pressing in on them and his girl in his arms, his worries began to fade. She had that effect on him, calming his overactive mind and then making him unable to think at all. But when their lips parted and he gazed into her eyes, he remembered why he’d had Knox handle the rest of the meetings and jumped on a plane from New York. He remembered the heartache he’d felt at the thought of doing anything that might cause Morgyn discomfort or unhappiness.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “We’re moving way too fast. You don’t need to make all those decisions right now. We can skip Belize. I can help you pay your rent until you decide what’s best for your business. I can do anything you need, sunshine, but I won’t be the cause of your headaches.”

  She blinked several times, like she was either confused or still stuck in a lusty haze. “What are you talking about?”

  “Last night you said you were having second thoughts about closing your business.”

  “About what to do with it, not if I wanted to go with you to Belize. And if you think I’d let you pay my rent, you’re out of your mind. It’s a thoughtful offer, especially since you don’t like to mix business and pleasure, but no way, cracker.” She shook her head and said, “I’ve always paid my own way, and I’ve always done what I think is right. Going with you to Belize is one trillion percent the right thing to do.”

  “It is?” Thank fucking God.

  “Yes! Don’t you think so? What I was having trouble with was the rest of my life. I love Jilly, and I’m so grateful for everything she’s done—and is doing—for me. I want to sell my stuff in her stores, and I want to work with some of her buyers, but I can’t accept all of their offers. And I don’t want to keep my shop in the same location. From the second I came back to Oak Falls I realized that I’m not the same person I was when I left. I can’t sit in this little town pretending there aren’t millions of people who need help out there. It would be a frivolous expense to pay more rent when I can use that money toward helping others or traveling to help them. I don’t need much, and together we have more than most people—two houses, two vehicles, two amazing families.”

  She looked at his lap and said, “Can I sit there now if I’m careful?”

  He lifted her onto his lap. “You’re sure, sunshine, about all of this?”

  “Surer than anything in my life. I had a dream right before you woke me up. My grandfather and I were standing on the tracks looking down them into the distance. He didn’t say anything in the dream, but I remembered how he used to tell me that one of the things he loved most about the railroad was that when he looked down the tracks it felt limitless. He was showing me the way in my dream, Graham. The universe has been guiding me toward this forever, only I never realized it.” Her eyes lit up and she said, “Life Reimagined! The name of my shop! It makes total sense, doesn’t it? My desire to repurpose things, to make used things special for the next person? It all stems from a bigger desire to help. I don’t know how it’ll all play out, but I know two things for sure: Helping others is what I was born to do, and doing it by your side is where I was meant to be. This is my life—our life—reimagined.”

  “God, I love you, sunshine, and I can’t wait to float around this world with you.”

  “Good,” she said, grinding her butt against him. “Then show me how much. We have to make sure I didn’t break the goods.”

  As their mouths came together and they tore at each other’s clothes, Graham’s wish from the fountain in Romance, Virginia, came true—I hope our adventures together never end.

  Epilogue

  “IT FEELS STRANGE to be wearing so many clothes,” Morgyn said as she and Graham walked across the grass toward the Jerichos’ barn.

  It was Halloween night, and the barn was lit up with strings of black and orange lights and decorated with scarecrows, ghouls, witches, ghosts, and gauzy fake spiderwebs for their annual Halloween barn bash. Morgyn couldn’t wait to hug her parents and see her siblings. She and Graham had arrived home from Belize last night after ten wonderful, life-changing weeks, during which they’d worn as little as possible to combat the heat. They’d worked morning until night alongside the residents of the village, volunteers, and a host of professionals. Knox was as cocky as could be, although he was also warm and funny. He’d decided to stay in Belize for a while longer to try and figure out his personal life. Apparently the woman he hooked up after charity events was more important to him than he’d initially let on. The poor guy was all tangled up in knots over her. Sage and Kate Remington were staying as well, and they were just as wonderful as Graham had said, and Sadie was beyond adorable. Morgyn had gotten food poisoning at the beginning of their trip, and as Graham had long ago promised, he’d held her hair back while she puked. It hadn’t been pretty, but she’d do it all over again to help such a gracious and interesting community.

  “I promise to get you out of that costume the second we get home,” Graham said, and then he kissed her, alighting sparks beneath her skin.

  She was waiting for the electricity between them to wane the way couples often said it did, but their connection had become even stronger. Helping others had not only brought them closer together, but it had sparked bigger dreams of helping even more people. Knox, Sage, and Kate also wanted to do more to help others, and they’d spent a lot of time brainstorming ways to make that happen. It was a great feeling to be in love with a man who cared as much about others as she did, and knowing he was partners with people who were equally generous made the work they were doing that much sweeter.

  “Welcome back!” Beckett hollered as he cut through the crowd dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket, his hair slicked back in a fifties style. He embraced each of them, and then he eyed their costumes and laughed. “Graham, you look sharp as a groom, but I gotta admit, I never thought I’d see the day Morgyn Montgomery wore a wedding dress. Y’all look great.” He pointed to the entrance of the barn. “Your family’s all here, standing just inside the doors, except Brindle. I heard her plane was delayed.”

  “Thanks,” Graham said. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Beckett held up his beer, then headed across the yard, dodging excited children who were running around under the watchful eyes of their parents. It reminded her of the nights in Belize, when the community gathered around a fire telling stories. Some nights she and Graham played guitar and the residents danced, and other times they stargazed or talked. Morgyn had learned so much about their culture, and in doing so she’d gained an even bigger appreciation for the things she possessed and for the things she wanted in life. Graham was right. Seeing other cultures was inspiring in ways she never could have imagined.

  “You’ll catch up with him later?” Morgyn looked at him curiously.

  “We exchanged a few texts while we were gone. Business stuff. You were right. He’s a good guy. Come on, floaty. All you’ve talked about for the last week was seeing your family. Let’s go before you burst.”

  M
usic blared from the makeshift stage where everyone and anyone who wanted to join in was playing. There must have been fifteen people strumming guitars, banjos, playing drums, flutes, and saxophones. Sable was dressed as Catwoman. She spotted them and nudged Axsel, who was dressed as a pirate. They set their instruments on a table and jumped off the stage, heading in their direction.

  “There’s my sweet baby girl!” Her mother grabbed her father’s hand and rushed toward them. They looked adorable in their Sonny and Cher costumes. Her mother rocked the long black wig as awesomely as her father pulled off the fake mustache. “I got all the pictures you sent and shared them with everyone. I’m so proud of both of you. I can’t wait to hear all about the trip.”

  Her mother hugged her so tight, she could hardly breathe, and then she did the same to Graham.

  “Welcome home, sweetheart,” her father said. “You’re glowing. Helping others suits you.” He hugged her again. “We missed you both.”

  “We missed you guys, too,” Morgyn said as Reed, Grace, and her other siblings joined them, each one pushing for a hug from her as well as Graham.

  Reno wagged his tail beside Amber, who was dressed as a fairy with bright blue and silver wings and cowgirl boots. Morgyn hugged Amber, and then she loved up Reno. They all spoke at once. She was so happy to see them, she wanted to cry, and yet even though she’d missed them like crazy, she was excited about her and Graham’s future plans. After spending two weeks with her family and two weeks with his, they would leave for their next adventure—a ski trip with his cousin Ty and Ty’s wife, Aiyla, where they’d discuss creating tiny houses in one of Aiyla’s favorite villages overseas. They had several work-related trips scheduled with Knox, and they’d already penciled in the Junk in the Trunk event for next spring, hoping to find a few cool things for Morgyn’s business. She continued making new items from treasures she picked up on their travels and sold them on consignment. She was also selling her goods through Jillian’s shop and had accepted only two offers from the buyers she’d met at the fashion show, a pace she could keep up with and still enjoy her life.

  “You look sexy as hell, Pep,” Morgyn said as she embraced Pepper. She was carrying a stuffed monkey and wearing tan shorts and a shirt, hiking boots, and a safari hat.

  “Sexy? I’m supposed to look like I’m Jane Goodall,” Pepper said.

  Graham hugged her and said, “Best costume here besides Morgyn’s.”

  Sable and Axsel pushed their way into the group.

  “Belize looks good on you,” Axsel said, hugging Morgyn.

  Sable scoffed. “Belize? That’s Mr. All Nighter’s doing. Get in here, jetsetter.” She pulled Graham into a hug, and Morgyn warmed all over.

  Reed and Grace were dressed as a sexy cop and a prisoner, handcuffed together. Hugging was awkward, but they were kick-ass costumes.

  “How was your honeymoon?” Morgyn asked.

  “It was beyond perfect,” Grace said. “Reed is the best trip planner ever.”

  “I’d argue that point.” Morgyn slipped her arm around Graham.

  “What are we arguing about?” Brindle pushed through the crowd with a wide smile, bundled up in a peacoat.

  “You’re home!” Morgyn threw her arms around her. They’d talked twice a week while they were traveling, and little by little Brindle had started sounding like her peppy self again.

  There was another round of hugs and welcome homes. The sounds of her youth surrounded her—chaos and love. The best sounds ever.

  “How was your flight?” Pepper asked. “You must be exhausted.”

  Brindle groaned. “My flight was awful. Sorry I couldn’t dress for the party, but I came straight from the airport. You guys look great in your costumes.”

  Reed lifted their handcuffed wrists and said, “Forget the ball and chain. This works much better.” He pointed to Graham’s and Morgyn’s costumes and said, “Bride and groom? Guess you guys are next?”

  Everyone laughed.

  “You’d have to drag Morgyn kicking and screaming to the altar,” Sable said. “Didn’t you know that about her?”

  “No. Really?” Reed asked.

  “I bet Aunt Roxie could fix up a marriage potion for you, Morgyn,” Grace said.

  Pepper scoffed. “It doesn’t work that way.”

  Their mother put her arm around Pepper and said, “One day your protected heart will want to climb out of your chest for a man, and when that happens, you’ll realize anything is possible.”

  “This is probably the only time you’ll see that particular sister of mine in a wedding gown,” Axsel said. “So take pictures while you can.”

  “Well, actually…” Morgyn’s heart raced as her gaze collided with Graham’s. There wasn’t just love in his eyes. There was hope and trust and everything she could have ever dreamed of. She thrust her left hand out in front of her, showing everyone the gold band with the cardinal directions carved into a little round disk on her ring finger and said, “I wore it once before! We eloped!”

  Amber squealed and hugged her. “Oh, Morgyn!”

  “What?” Sable snapped. “No way!”

  “Holy cow. You’re really married?” Grace said as congratulations and sounds of disbelief came at them from all sides.

  “What the…?” Brindle looked from Graham to Morgyn. “Married?”

  Axsel embraced Graham and said, “Leave it to Morgyn to freak everyone out. Congrats, bro!”

  “Did you say…?” Her mother’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled both Morgyn and Graham into her arms. “My baby girl is married! I love you both so much. Welcome to the family, Graham.”

  When her mother released them, her father’s eyes narrowed like he wasn’t sure he believed her. He lifted her left hand and looked down at the ring.

  “Graham made it in Belize,” Morgyn said, feeling more in love with her husband than ever. “He twisted the band, engraved it, and everything.”

  Her father’s eyes shifted to Graham.

  “I know it’s not diamonds, but it’s special to us,” Graham said.

  “Morgyn would hate diamonds,” her father said, and then he put an arm around each of them and said, “True love doesn’t need diamonds. Have you seen Marilynn’s ring?”

  Marilynn lifted her left hand, showing them the simple braided gold band on her left finger.

  Everyone hugged them again amid many “Married?” comments. Morgyn wasn’t surprised at their shock. She and Graham had been shocked at first, too.

  Brindle sidled up to Morgyn and said, “You’re married?”

  Morgyn nodded, still teary eyed. “I’m married.”

  “And you’re so happy.”

  Morgyn leaned closer and said, “Happier than I ever imagined.”

  “What changed?” Brindle asked.

  Morgyn glanced at Graham and said, “Everything.” Every moment they shared filled her with joy. She couldn’t imagine a life without him. “I’ve been his from the day we met, and I wanted the world to know it.” She looked thoughtfully at her sister and said, “Are you happy, Brin?”

  “Yes.” Her brows knitted, and she said, “I guess this summer was good for both us.”

  “Married,” Sable said. “I can’t freaking believe it. How on earth did you manage that, Miracle Man?”

  Graham looked at Morgyn the way he had the night he’d told her that one day he hoped to marry her. Not because we need the paper to make it real, but because one day I want to have a family of our own—creative and risk-assessing little boys and girls—and I worry it might be hard on the children to have to explain to their friends why their parents weren’t married.

  “I didn’t,” Graham said. “She got me to marry her.”

  All eyes turned to Morgyn, but she was too choked up with emotion to speak, recalling the moment she’d known she wanted to marry him. How could she ever forget? He’d been holding Sadie in one arm while talking with Javier, a tall, skinny boy who wanted to be an artist when he grew up, and she’d been hit with
an image of Graham as a father to their children. It hit so hard and so real, she felt it in her bones. Know it. Trust it. Accept it.

  “Were you drunk?” Sable asked.

  “Yes,” Morgyn said, earning a confused look from Graham. “Drunk on love.”

  As Graham pulled her into a kiss, Brindle shrugged off her coat. “All this hugging and mushy talk is making me hot.”

  Amber gasped. “That’s a great costume! Where did you find such a tiny baby bump?”

  Morgyn spun around and felt her eyes widen. Brindle wore leggings and a tunic, which clung to her normally flat, now slightly rounded belly. She quickly tried to school her expression.

  “Please tell me that’s too many French pastries,” Grace said.

  “Are you…?” Pepper reached over and touched Brindle’s belly.

  Brindle turned away. “Stop!”

  “Brindle,” Morgyn whispered, too shocked to say anything more. No wonder you were having a hard time in Paris.

  “Honey,” their mother said, wide-eyed. “Are you…?”

  Brindle’s eyes teared up as she nodded. Their mother opened her arms and pulled her into them, whispering something Morgyn couldn’t hear.

  “Holy crap, Brindle,” Axsel said.

  “Whose French ass do I need to kick?” Sable crossed her arms, staring at Brindle.

  Trace appeared beside Sable and draped an arm over her shoulder. “I’m in for some French ass kicking!” His smiling eyes met Brindle’s. “Mustang, you’re back!” He stepped forward, arms open. His gaze dropped to her belly, and he stopped cold.

  Brindle put her hand on her stomach and took a step backward, biting her lower lip. “I can’t do this right now,” she said shakily. “I’m exhausted. I’m going home. We can talk about this tomorrow.” She pushed past Morgyn and hurried away with Trace on her heels.

  “I’m going after her,” Morgyn said.