Country Hearts

by Cindi Madsen

  “All of it. The thick headband made it so your hands didn’t really cover my ears anyway. So, you just drive over to Jemma’s, tell her you love her, and we can fix it. She can stay.”

  “Did she just mention Jemma?” Mrs. Hembolt appeared beside him. “I was shocked—shocked, I tell you—at her announcement. It’s so hard to find good teachers these days. I’ve taught going on forty years, and she’s a marvelous teacher, one this town doesn’t want to lose. Did you not hear the song the kids sang?” She burst into song, her voice high enough he was surprised the punch bowl didn’t shatter.

  He couldn’t follow all the words, but her voice and dance moves gleaned lots of attention, and soon people were either moving away or moving close. The gist was you should tell people you appreciate them and go out of your way to say you care.

  “If anyone has ideas,” Mrs. Hembolt said, waving the crowd closer, “we’re trying to think of ways to keep Miss Monroe here in town. Most of them involve Wyatt opening his mouth and telling her how he feels about her.”

  Perfect. Now the entire town was going to tell him he was a fool to let her go. As if he didn’t know. But would the townsfolk be there when she left on her own after the charm of small-town life wore off? Would they pick up the pieces? Help put Bailey Rae back together?

  “Y’all do what you want. Come on, Bailey Rae. Let’s go home.” Wyatt grabbed her hand, but his daughter set her feet and refused to move, same way she’d done the first time he’d made an attempt to leave.

  “Daddy, don’t take this the wrong way, but you aren’t the best at feelings. Or talking. But ‘specially talking about feelings.” Bailey Rae patted his hand. “Maybe you should listen to their ideas.”

  Frustration thrummed through his veins. He’d tried so hard to keep his daughter from getting too attached, from getting her hopes up. Now, everything was spiraling out of control, and while he loved this town, sometimes having everyone up in your business was exhausting and made him want to be the hermit who never came into town.

  His social-butterfly daughter would never stand for it, much the way she was digging in her heels now.

  Wyatt crouched down to be eye-to-eye with her. His annoyance faded as he peered into her perfect round face, so full of kindness and love and enough hope to make his breath catch. From her out-of-control blond curls to her big brown eyes to pink cheeks that popped out whenever she smiled, he loved every single inch of her. But the hint of sorrow on the face that brought him so much joy sent razor-sharp agony through his chest.

  “Baby girl, I like Jemma. I like her a lot, and I know you do too. But it’s not fair for us to ask her to give up her dreams for us.”

  Bailey Rae set her chin, her pink lips forming a tight line. “It’s not fair that she told you how she felt and you didn’t tell her.”

  “She makes a good point,” April said, and Camilla, Mrs. Hembolt, and the other people who’d gathered nodded.

  Bailey Rae glanced behind him and motioned someone else toward the melee. “Uncle Dempsey, can you help talk my dad into doing something about Jemma? He’s just going to let her leave without telling her how much he cares about her.”

  Dempsey wove through the crowd and joined Wyatt and Bailey Rae’s mini-huddle. “You should really do something, dude. I know you got burned, but what do you do when you get bucked off a horse?”

  “End up with bruises and bumps,” Wyatt said. “Limp for a day or two. Learn my lesson.”

  His best friend cocked his head in a light rebuke. “You learn and then you get back on and try again. Women like Jemma don’t come around every day—especially not here in our little town—and we all want you to be happy. Everyone can see that you’ve been happier lately. That you care about her.”

  “That’s exactly what I told him,” April said. “Well, close enough,” she added.

  Dempsey put his hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “I’m afraid you’ll regret it if you don’t at least go and talk to her.”

  Wyatt tuned everyone else out, because this was about his daughter. And okay, about him, too. He cleared his throat and returned his gaze to Bailey Rae. “For the record, I did talk to her. I told her I couldn’t give her what she wanted, which is true. Our home is here. We’re not ever going to live in the city, and jobs in administration are extra hard to come by ‘round these parts. Besides, life’s not—”

  “You can only say life’s not fair about stuff you can’t control.” Bailey Rae crossed her arms for emphasis. “You’re in charge of yourself.”

  “True. Which is why I don’t see the point in telling her I care, only to watch her leave.”

  “Um, so you don’t regret it.” His daughter blinked her big eyes at him. “Don’t get mad, okay?”

  Bailey Rae loved to preface things with that, and it always made him nervous. It was such a trap. How could you promise not to get mad before you knew if you would be?

  “I’ll do my best,” he conceded.

  “Chase was always climbing the big tree at the park, but I was too scared. I didn’t want to tell him that, because I didn’t want him to think I was a scaredy cat, but finally I just told him. So he helped me up.” A big, toothy smile spread across her face. “I was still a little scared about how high it was, but then I sat on one of the branches, and it was so cool that it was worth being a little scared. And don’t worry, I was careful.”

  Sure. Careful until she came home with a broken ankle, and he hunted the Matthews kid down.

  Then again, how often had he climbed trees at her age? By third grade, he’d been riding horses and herding cows. As tempting as it was, you couldn’t live life in a bubble. It might be safer, but you’d miss out on too much.

  “Sometimes dreams change.” Bailey Rae raised her eyebrows, about to dump another sage wisdom bomb on him, he suspected. “It used to be my dream to be a unicorn, but I can’t be one, so I decided I’m going to be a ballerina. Maybe I’ll change my mind again.”

  Wyatt wasn’t sure that was quite the same thing, deciding on a different career when one was impossible, but he understood what she was saying.

  “Don’t ask her to give up her dreams,” Bailey Rae continued. “Just tell her you love her. Then she can choose what she wants.”

  Put that way, it seemed so simple. And of course his daughter had picked up on the fact that he loved Jemma before he’d fully realized it himself. He swallowed, processing everything she’d said and doing his best not to let hope get the best of him. As always, he wanted his daughter to be prepared.

  “She still might leave,” he said.

  “But she might not. You’re so much happier with her, Daddy. Isn’t it worth a shot to be happy?”

  Surprisingly, people had given them space while they talked, although he was sure they’d done plenty of eavesdropping.

  The sea of faces surrounding them silently urged him to try. They practically screamed they were on his team. He didn’t delude himself that it was all about him—most of them didn’t want to lose Jemma—but that was where they were united anyway.

  Wyatt slowly straightened and glanced toward the heart-covered refreshment table. “April, I think I’m going to need another cup of that love potion. Because I’m about to do something crazy.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Jemma looked around the cottage she’d grown so fond of, at the knickknacks and floral wallpaper and furnishings that were clearly done by someone from an older generation.

  The tiny house had felt lonely for all of a couple of days before the hominess had taken over, but part of that was her neighbors. The townsfolk. As odd as it seemed, she didn’t want to go back to an urban apartment with one bedroom, no matter if it had shiny stainless-steel appliances and a fireplace that snapped on with a simple flip of a switch.

  For a lot of her life, she’d felt a bit weak, but after learning to drive in the snow, light a fire, and put on a
play, she felt stronger. She knew she could dig in and do hard things, and she was more confident in her ability to be completely independent.

  Even if part of her heart still seemed to think it needed Wyatt and Bailey to beat right.

  “The heartbreak will fade with time, right, Señor Fluffypants?”

  Her bunny nibbled on the carrot she’d set down for him, making a mess she’d need to take the vacuum to. She should start thinking about boxing up her stuff and finding an apartment in the city.

  The city, where there wouldn’t be miles of green, the stars wouldn’t be so easy to see at night, and there’d be no spur-wearing blond kiddo talking with a thick accent and wrangling snakes for her.

  She shuddered at that last one.

  Okay, maybe she could do without snakes. If only she could focus on the bad, maybe the idea of leaving wouldn’t hurt so much.

  But then she thought of never getting to see Bailey’s bright, multicolored outfits. Never sitting on the couch next to her and Wyatt as they watched a movie and roasted s’mores over the fireplace.

  Since her brain clearly hated her, snippets of their time together flickered through her head. The way he’d called her city girl. Riding his horse, his arms around her. At the basketball game and their half-court shots.

  Her cheeks burned as she remembered hugging him when he’d dropped her off at her car that night, only to realize he was trying to open her door like the gentleman he was.

  That should also make her want to leave, to renew her vow that she wouldn’t fall for another guy who only liked her as a friend. But she couldn’t imagine ever caring about another guy the way she did Wyatt.

  He’d made her head spin and her heart flutter, and around him, she felt like a fun, better version of herself.

  “And here I am again,” she told her bunny. “My thoughts keep going ‘round and ‘round and I already made up my mind, so every part of me needs to accept it.”

  The string that tied her to the cowboy next door wound around her heart, tighter and tighter until it felt as if it would slice the vital organ in half.

  “Including you, heart,” she whispered, pressing a hand over the spot in her chest that ached, although it didn’t do much to appease it.

  She picked up her phone, deciding she should call Randa and cry it out, but then the metallic knock came at her door, nice and low.

  Dang it, she’d even miss the escape-artist horse who showed up and only truly loved her for her ability to provide him with carrots. Of course, that was why Señor Fluffypants loved her too.

  Maybe that’s where I go wrong. I should offer my next suitor carrots.

  Hi, I’m Jemma Monroe. Have some carrots. In time, you’ll love me, you’ll see.

  She snort-laughed of the image of digging carrots out of her pocket on her date. Only, thinking about how Wyatt wouldn’t be the guy at the other end of those orange vegetables sent another wave of sadness crashing over her.

  Yep, she definitely needed to get out of this town, the sooner the better.

  Just got to put it all behind me, she mentally declared as she opened the fridge door.

  She grabbed two carrots in case it was Casper’s last visit and walked back across her living room. Señor Fluffypants was already waiting by the door, eager for his carrot, despite the fact that he hadn’t finished the one she’d given him a few minutes ago.

  The door swung open with a creak, and cold air rushed in, making her regret not grabbing her coat. The long white-and-black horse nose poked into the room, and she extended the carrot.

  Then nearly dropped it when she noticed there was a cowboy astride Casper.

  Casper’s teeth gripped the end of the carrot, and he tugged it out of her hand before she could drop it.

  Jemma blinked up at Wyatt, thinking maybe she was hallucinating. Or dreaming. She wasn’t sure which was better.

  “Evenin’, miss.” Wyatt tipped his hat and then dismounted, his hazel eyes boring into her. “I heard you had a thickheaded neighbor who’s been bottling up his feelings, trying to keep himself from falling for you.”

  She licked her lips and opened her mouth, but instead of words, a squeaky, unintelligible noise came out.

  His booted steps echoed across the wooden porch as he came closer. His familiar sweet-hay mixed with citrus and musk scent hit her, leaving her fairly certain this wasn’t, in fact, a dream.

  Everything was too visceral. Too impactful.

  “The problem is,” Wyatt continued, “try as he might, he went and fell for you anyway.”

  Finally, her mouth began to work. “And he sends you to tell me? Seems a bit cowardly on his part.”

  One corner of his mouth twisted up. “I heard he was just gonna send his horse at first. He was afraid you might slam the door on him.”

  She wrapped her hand around the edge of the cottage door. “I haven’t ruled it out yet.”

  Wyatt reached out and cupped her cheek, his hand warm despite the chilly air. Now she’d never have the willpower to close the door, not that she would’ve before. “Truth is, I was scared. While I was trying to protect Bailey Rae, she wasn’t the only one I was trying to protect.”

  Her heart beat double time, throwing itself against the wall of her chest as if it wanted to be closer to the guy standing across from her. Her skin buzzed, and her thoughts turned into a delicious, happy mess.

  “I’d never ask you to give up your dreams. If you want that administrator job, I’d still like to try to make us work. Long distance will be hard, but if it means I get to be with you…” He brushed his callused thumb across her cheekbone. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Jemma.”

  “To be clear, since I’ve misunderstood before, you’re saying you want to be more than friends.”

  He nodded. “I’m saying…” He exhaled and locked eyes with her. “I’m in love with you, Jemma Monroe. You came into my life and changed it for the better. You make me happy. You make my daughter happy. We both adore you. And I’m completely—” he took one step closer, “—and totally—” his next step made the tips of his boots hit her stockinged feet, “—in love with you.”

  Tears filled her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time today, and her heart expanded to the bursting point. “I don’t want to go back to the city. I tried to tell myself I did, but after working in the school here, with such amazing administrators, I feel like I can make more of a difference in the classroom. And of course I love you and Bailey. I tried to stop myself from falling, and look where it got me.”

  “In the middle of nowhere, with a stubborn cowboy who almost let you go without a fight?”

  She didn’t know whether to shake her head or nod. She’d come here to shake up her life and have an adventure, and she’d done that and then some. “In the middle of where I belong, with a cowboy who literally rode into my cottage on a white horse.”

  “I did try to keep Casper outside.”

  She placed her hands on his sides. “I think you’re missing the point.”

  “Oh, no. I’m just waiting for permission to sweep you off your feet.”

  “Pretty sure you’ve done that already, but I’m all for it.”

  He leaned in, his lips a breath away from hers, and every inch of her soared and tingled, head to toe.

  “Wait,” she said, and he froze in place. She almost scolded her mouth for forcing out the word because she was so sick of waiting to kiss this man. But she needed to say one more thing, just so there wouldn’t be any question. “I love you too, Wyatt Langford.”

  His mouth crashed down on hers, a mixture of soft and scruff, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. He drew her closer, his hand sliding behind her neck as he angled her head, parted her lips with his, and deepened the kiss.

  They broke apart for a moment to grin at each other like the in-love fools they were. He kissed her again, so
ftly, deeply, urgently, tenderly. It was the most perfect kiss in all of history.

  Then he slipped his arm behind her knees and lifted her into his arms, making good on the promise to sweep her off her feet.

  Epilogue

  In one more week, school would be letting out for the summer. Wyatt couldn’t wait for his girls to be home more. Anna Lau had decided she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom full-time, so there was a permanent third-grade teacher position open. One he hoped Jemma would take.

  Over the past three months, they’d alternated their time between her rented cottage and the ranch, although most nights, he, Jemma, and Bailey Rae had dinner together here. Saturday nights were still reserved for movies and s’mores.

  He finished changing the oil in his tractor and checked his watch again, anxious for Bailey Rae to arrive. Jemma drove her home a lot of days, but today he’d asked Lori to pick his daughter up early.

  His sister’s silver van came down the road and, within a minute or so, she pulled up in front of his house.

  Wyatt greeted his sister and opened the door for Bailey Rae. “Ready to play Cupid one last time?”

  His daughter beamed at him. “You know it.”

  Wyatt waved to his nephew and poked his head in to say hi to his niece, who was happily burbling away in her car seat. Lori snagged a bouquet of pink-and-red roses off the passenger seat. Once he’d taken them from her, she extended a drink carrier from Havenly Brew. “Three Wymmas. Country chocolate and city cinnamon, all in one delicious, not-very springlike drink. April had them waiting and ready to go.”

  “I’ll have to call her and thank her again, especially if this works.”

  Lori grinned. “I’m sure it’s going to.”

  Part of him was sure, but part of him felt like the first time he’d put himself out there. Like maybe Jemma would look around at this life and decide she’d had enough of the country and wanted to return to the city.

  They’d taken a few weekend trips to Denver over the past few months. He’d met Jemma’s parents and Randa, who’d also come for a visit about a month ago so she could see Haven Lake for herself. The two of them had talked about restaurants, shops, and shows, and there hadn’t been as much longing in Jemma’s voice, but she’d talked about them fondly enough that it picked at his old scars.