Chapter Fourteen
"Everything okay, Josie?"
Josie turned from looking out over the rolling land to see Russell Walker standing behind her. "Just fine, sir. Thank you."
He walked over and put an arm around her shoulder, and after a moment she leaned her head against him. He'd quickly found a place in her heart and made her feel a member of his family. There was something about him that made her feel safe and protected. She had a feeling that her father was going to like Russell.
"Naomie said to tell you she'd see you in the morning. She has a mare about to foal and has to be there."
"She's really into the breeding program. She said she met another breeder and large animal vet in the area, Morgan Alexander and they really hit it off. In fact, she thinks Morgan may have mare that would be perfect for the program."
“Yes, Morgan’s an exceptional breeder. We just paid a king’s ransom for bull semen from one of her bulls.”
“You pay for that? Don’t the cows just do it like the birds and bees?”
“Not with that bull. He’s a monster and mean as a snake. She says he’ll literally kill a cow.”
“Wow, that’s harsh. And she breeds horses as well?”
“She does. Like I said a smart and capable woman. As is her husband Cord. He developed the tracking system we’re using for SynthBee and I just sighed a contract with his company for the technology to be used on our animals. It’s far more advanced that anything we’ve seen to date.”
“I think I’d like to meet those people one day.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“I feel pretty blessed you know. To be part of this. To have made friends like Naomie. She’s really something.”
"She is indeed," he said and changed the topic. "Do you mind if I ask a personal question?"
"No, of course not." She and Dillon had been very honest with their families and revealed that they'd had feelings for one another before she was shot, so the bond between them was not something formed from shared trauma.
"Do you remember anything from the time you were in the coma?"
"Some. I think. A few times I thought Dillon was there, holding my hand and talking to me. And I heard Lula and my dad. And I heard you, too. You and Naomie. It kind of felt like a dream. I wanted to tell you all not to worry, but I was just too tired to wake up and talk."
"Is that it?"
"There is one other thing. I haven't told anyone but Dillon." She looked up at him. "Something happened to me after I was shot. I remember being held in strong arms and having hands on me. On my back and my chest. Then there was light. So much light that it washed out everything and it erased all the pain and just before it took me, I remember knowing."
"Knowing what?"
"The people with me. Wiley and Lincoln and Mathias. They gave me their lifeforce. Lincoln pulled the energy from nature, and it went into all of them and into me, and they saved me. At great risk to themselves, they saved me.
"I still feel them, sir. I think maybe I always will. Like echoes or ghosts, it's hard to explain."
"They're remarkable men."
"They are. I've met a lot of remarkable men since I've been here. Like you and Riggs and Dillon. You know Riggs protected Dillon, right? He'd have taken that bullet. He loves Dillon, and they both love you, sir. You're such a giant to them, the one they measure themselves against."
"I don't know that I deserve it and they more than measure up. I want to thank you, Josie. You risked everything for my son."
"He's worth it, sir."
"Are you always going to be so formal?"
"Yes, sir. I'm the same with my dad. It's just the way he brought me up. But don't think it's because I don't care, or like you. I do. You make me feel like family, and I love you for that and for being a man who'd raise a family like you have. They're pretty remarkable people."
"You're pretty remarkable yourself, and I'm glad you're part of our family."
"Even though we didn't have that big wedding?"
"Yeah, even though."
"Thank you. And there is one other thing."
"What's that?"
"There's an angel in Cotton Creek."
"An angel?"
"Yes. Joe. A lot of people have met him. He came to visit me in the hospital. He rode in with Dillon and told me that Dillon was running out of faith, so I needed to wake up and restore it. He kissed me on the forehead and the next thing I knew, Dillon was there and kissed me awake, just like a fairy tale."
"Are you sure you didn't dream that?"
"No sir, it's real."
"If you say so, then I believe it."
"Hey, that's my girl, get one of your own," Dillon's voice had Russell chuckling, then leaning down to kiss the top of Josie's head.
"Rest well, Josie girl."
"You, too, sir."
Russell patted Dillon on the shoulder on his way inside. Dillon went to Josie and took her in his arms. She snuggled up against him and sighed. "It's so beautiful here. I'm surprised any of you ever wanted to leave."
"I liked football more than cattle and horses."
She nodded. "I know. Still, it's beautiful. And really nice of your father to let us stay here while I'm building my strength back up. Oh, and did you hear? My dad's coming for Christmas. Your father called and invited him."
"I'm glad. I know you're eager to spend more time with him."
"And for you and he to get to know one another. He's going to be so impressed by you."
"You think?"
"I know."
"If you say so. Hey, you never did tell me what you want for Christmas?"
Josie pulled back to look at him. "How could I want for anything more than what I have? My dad's coming to spend the holidays. Your family has made me feel like one of them, I've made friends here I love, and we're together. That's everything I ever wanted and more."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, there is one thing. Lula said there's a big Christmas thing in town, the day before Christmas Eve. Apparently, almost everyone in town shows up, and there's food and music, and she said it's supposed to be very festive. I'd love to go."
"Then we will."
"I mean all of us, the whole family. You think we could talk them into it?"
"Baby, I think they'd all do just about anything for you. You've got them all wrapped around your finger. Even Delaney and she's the hardest nut to crack of all."
"Are you kidding? She's terrific. I feel like I finally have a sister. And I already asked her, and she said yes, so...?"
"Consider it a family date."
"Then that's what I want. But what about you? I haven't had a chance to go shopping."
"Haven't you figured it out yet? You're what I want."
Josie hugged him. "Have I told you today I love you?"
"I think I could stand hearing it a few million more times."
"I love you, Dillon. Forever and always."
"Look a shooting star." He pointed. "Make a wish, and maybe it'll come true."
"It already has." She had the one thing she'd wanted her entire life. A man to love, who made her feel she was the sun in his sky, a family and a place where she felt welcome and surrounded by friends. She smiled to herself. Life might have challenges in store for her and Dillon as well as their family and friends, but she had faith they could meet and overcome whatever came their way.
She hadn't come to Cotton Creek expecting to find any of that, but as it turned out, Cotton Creek was a place where love was always possible, miracles happened, and angels are real.
It didn't get any better than that.