CHAPTER 32
Six weeks later…
Emma checked her phone while she paced in front of the plate glass window now etched with the logo Em+Power Creative. Her heart pounded. In the grand scheme of things today wasn’t that big of a deal. And yet… her heart pounded like it was her first kiss.
Sterling wrapped his arms around her from behind, planting little kisses on her neck. “Ready for your big day? The window looks great.”
“I’m nervous. It’s one thing to work from my living room upstairs, it’s another to commit to an office.”
“You’re ready for it. You’ve worked hard.” He turned her around, wrapping his hands around her shoulders. “You’re going to be a wild success, babe. Look at all the clients you already have and you haven’t technically opened yet. You’ll be hiring an assistant in no time.”
She pulled him in for a hug, and lifted her face for a kiss. “It’s corny to say this, but I need to thank you.”
“How so?”
“If all that bad business hadn’t happened, I never would have considered opening my own agency.”
His face clouded. “I hate that my being a jerk caused you pain. But I’m glad it worked out in the end. All of it.”
“Me, too.” She grinned up at him. Whatever the future brought them, they would face it together.
Emmaline pushed open the door next to hers. “Ready?” She smiled brightly. Lydia trailed right behind her, holding a box with a blue ribbon.
Her brothers, all of them – Blake, Brodie, Ben and even her half-brother Simon, pulled up in front of the building, and hopped out of Brodie’s truck one by one.
She checked her phone again. Three minutes to nine.
Dottie and Jamey bustled down the street holding trays of coffee. Millie rounded the corner carrying a bouquet of flowers.
Brodie checked his phone. “Where is everyone? We have two minutes.”
“Oh calm down. It’s not the end of the world if it’s nine-o-three,” Emma chided.
Luci skipped up holding two grocery bags. Before the aroma registered, Emma knew she’d brought tamales, and she salivated at the prospect of the upcoming feast.
Finally, two trucks emblazoned with the Resolution Ranch logo pulled to a stop across the street. Cash, Kate, and Jason made their way across the street while Travis helped a very pregnant Elaine.
Dottie looked around. “I think we’re all here, sweetie pie. You ready?”
Her sisters-in-law Maddie and Hope, pushing Henry in a stroller, hurried up. “I’m so sorry we’re late,” said Hope breathlessly. “We didn’t miss it, did we?”
“You’re right on time.” Emma looked around the little group assembled and her eyes prickled. Her family, her friends, the circle of people most important to her, had all made a point of showing up to support her. “I’d like to welcome you to the grand opening of Em+Power Creative. Please come in.”
A cheer rose up as she unlocked the door.
“Wait,” Sterling said. “Let me.” He swept her up into his arms.
“Sterling, what are you doing?” she squealed.
“What does it look like? I’m carrying you over the threshold.”
She smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “It’s a business, you goof.”
He looked down at her, eyes filled with amusement. “It’s still good luck.” He stepped through the door into her office and gently set her down, looking around. “Completely you.”
She warmed at his praise. In the end, Sterling and her brothers had convinced her to keep the condo in Kansas City and rent it out. She’d been able to use her savings to put a down payment on the live-work space next door to Emmaline’s Dress Shop. The second she’d walked in with the real-estate agent, she’d fallen in love with the high ceilings and big windows. Even though it was small, it had an airiness about it that would be perfect for inspiring creativity. She’d brought favorite pieces from her condo, including the enormous farm table to use as meeting and workspace.
“Breakfast is served,” Luci called from the table.
The bell on the door jingled, and in walked Sterling’s parents, Julie and John, carrying an enormous plant. “Are we too late?” Julie asked.
Emma wrapped the woman in a hug. “Not at all. Welcome. I’m thrilled you made it.” True to his word, Sterling had brought her to his parents’ house for breakfast the day after the Main Street opening and nighttime fundraiser, and the women had become fast friends. Emma hadn’t realized how much she’d missed a mother’s touch until Julie had enveloped her in a warm embrace the first time they’d met. Since then, Julie had insisted Emma come for weekly meals.
Brodie raised his coffee cup. “To the best little sister we brothers could have. You’ve always marched to your own drummer, and we couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Sterling laced his fingers through hers and raised his cup too. “To new beginnings.” His eyes grew soft. “In business and in life.” Pressing a kiss to her temple, he murmured low so only she could hear. “I love you, Em.”
* * *
December
Tires crunched over the gravel as the car slowed and Sterling cut the engine. The view was just as he remembered – tall evergreens scattered among the gravestones, overlooking the bay. At least it wasn’t raining today, although the gray covered them like a blanket. Gray water reflecting silvery clouds.
One year.
One year since they’d buried Johnny. There were still days when the grief sliced through him with a swiftness and intensity that stole his breath. Still days when a random comment from a stranger, or the late afternoon light streaming through the trees triggered a memory that tightened his throat.
Emma covered his hand with hers. “It’s a beautiful spot,” she said quietly. “So peaceful.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I feel like if you’re gonna have a view for eternity, this one doesn’t suck.”
She huffed out a quiet laugh. “You should take a picture and frame it. That way, when you miss Johnny, you can look at it and share the view.”
He turned in his seat. “This is why I love you.”
She winked at him and flashed him a smile. “I am brilliant, aren’t I?” She turned serious, squeezing his hand. “Do you need some time alone? I can wait here in the car. Or go for a walk.”
A weight pressed on his chest. So heavy, it closed his throat. He swallowed and took a belly breath. But even that didn’t push the feeling away. Twisting his hand so that he could hold Emma’s, he brought her knuckles to his lips and pressed a kiss on her soft skin, catching a whiff of her scented lotion. “Come with me?”
“Are you sure?” Concern laced her voice.
“I’m sure.” He needed her there with him. And not just for support. “Let’s go.” He stepped out of the car, grabbing a bag from the back seat and double checking his pocket for the small box as he rounded the front to open Emma’s door. She took his hand, and he led her partway down the hill to a gray granite headstone. Johnson Patrick McCaslin.
The weight on his chest returned. It was one thing to intellectualize death. To know that someone was gone, to not be able to call or text. To miss the sound of their voice. Their laugh. But the cold stark reality of the headstone was another thing entirely. His knees nearly buckled from the force of it.
Emma’s arm slipped around his waist. As if she could sense the intensity of the ache that consumed his body. “I’m so sorry, Sterling.”
He could hear the tears in her voice, and he clung to her, letting the sound of the wind in the trees wash over him. Carry away some of his grief. They could have stood there an hour for all he knew, but at some point, the ache eased, and he felt like he could breathe again. Taking a shuddering breath, he lifted his head. “Johnny, meet Emma. Emma,” he gestured to the headstone. “Meet Johnny. Best friend, brother-in-arms, trouble causer, rabble rouser.” His voice grew tight. “One of the best damn people I’ve ever known.”
Emma pressed a hand to her face, shoulders shaking with quiet tears. “Hi Johnny,” she said thickly. “Sterling’s told me so much about you. And you have a beautiful family.”
When he’d called Macey to let her know he was bringing Emma out and why, she’d insisted they stay with her and Sophie. He clutched the box, heart jumping out of his chest. “I wanted to bring you here not just to meet Johnny. A year ago, I said love is weak. You taught me to be fearless. Emma, your spirit, your fire… has pushed me through my darkest moments. Even when I was a cadet. You’ve always made me a better person. I love you. And I meant what I said last spring. I want to be your man. Your only. The one who is there for you, pushing you, holding you up. Loving all of you.” He pulled his hand from his pocket and dropped to a knee. Emma’s eyes jumped wide and she gasped. “Please say you’ll be my wife. My forever.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Of course, YES.” Her voice rose higher with each word and laughter bubbled out of her, even as tears streamed from her eyes. He opened the box and her mouth dropped open. “My God, that’s gorgeous.”
“Will you wear it?” She nodded vigorously, smiling from ear to ear. “I want you to know, I talked to your brothers–”
“They knew about this?” She squealed.
“Oh hon, everyone knew about this.” He slipped the ring over her finger. “One of the diamonds was in your mother’s engagement ring. The other was in my mom’s.” His chest grew tight again as he tripped over the words. “And the center stone is the one Johnny gave Macey.”
“Oh, Sterling.” She squeezed her eyes shut pressing her hand to her chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It was her idea. I never would have asked. But when I told her I wanted to bring you here to propose, she insisted. Said Johnny would love it.” He pulled in a breath. “See, Jason and I helped Johnny propose to Macey, helped him pick her ring. Macey said she wanted to keep it in the family.”
Emma pulled him up and burrowed into his arms. “I would be honored to wear it.”
He cleared his throat. “I have one more thing for you.”
Her eyes twinkled up at him. “An engagement present?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Sure. You can call it that.” He passed her the bag.
She flicked a glance at the headstone. “You in on this too, Johnny?”
Sterling let his head fall back in a laugh. “Nope. This one was all me.” He knew she’d like this one.
She slipped off the bow, and slid a finger under the tape, unwrapping it carefully. Her face registered surprise, then wonder. “When did you get this?”
“At the antique shop the same day you picked up the Never, never, never give up artwork.”
“But–”
“Just like the picture says–” His chest grew warm with the admission. “I have always known it was you.”
She cupped his face and pulled him in for a kiss. “I love you Sterling Walker, with all my heart.”
Her lips were like an absolution. A healing balm that filled the holes in his heart. A promise of beauty and spring and everlasting love. He deepened the kiss, losing himself in her.
When they broke apart, her smile parted the clouds, and the sun burst through in a golden beam. “I have always known it was you, too.”
THE BEGINNING OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER
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A HERO’S HOME – Jason Case & Millie Prescott (Coming 2018)
A HERO’S HOPE – Braden McCall & Luci Cruz (Coming 2018)
Former Navy SEAL Cash Aiken assumed he could leave behind the trauma of war and settle into life as a bodyguard. Why not? He was big, smart, and nothing ever got past his eagle eye. But a split second of inattention nearly cost the life of his asset, and cost him his job. When his old buddy Travis Kincaid invites him to come work at Resolution Ranch, an organization helping wounded vets, he clings to the lifeline and hopes it’s a chance to start over. But Cash is stunned to discover that the beautiful woman he nearly let die is hiding out at the ranch, masquerading as a stable hand.
Country Music’s Superdiva, Kaycee Starr, is done with the music biz. After a terrifying encounter with a crazed fan, she goes underground and answers a help-wanted ad in a place the paparazzi would never think to look. Prairie, Kansas. While she finds solace and healing among the horses, handsome ranch hand Cash Aiken lights her up in ways she only wrote about in songs. He’s the only person she’s met who seems to ‘get’ her.
Cash and Kaycee fall hard and fast for each other, but when their secrets are exposed, will they have the courage to trust each other? And more importantly, themselves?
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: THE COWBOYS OF THE FLINT HILLS SERIES
PRAIRIE FEVER – Gunnar Hansen & Suzannah Winslow (coming in 2018)
PRAIRIE BLISS – Jarrod O’Neill & Lexi Grace
PRAIRIE REDEMPTION – Cody Hansen & Carolina Grace
He’s the Devil she shouldn’t want
Colton Kincaid has a chip on his shoulder. Thrown out of the house when he was seventeen by his brother, Travis, he scrapped his way to the top of the rodeo circuit riding broncs, and never looked back. Until a chance encounter with hometown good girl Lydia Grace leaves him questioning everything and wanting a shot at redemption.
She’s the Angel he can never have
All Lydia Grace needs is one break. After having her concepts stolen by a famous shoe designer, she returns home to Prairie to start a boot company on her own. But when her break comes in the form of Colton Kincaid, Prairie’s homegrown bad boy and rodeo star, she wonders if she’s gotten more than she’s bargained for.
They say be careful what you wish for
To get her boot company off the ground, Lydia makes Colton an offer too good to refuse, but he ups the ante. Will the bargain she strikes bring her everything she’s dreamed of and more, or did she just make a deal with the devil?
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