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Ethan stood by the door of the hospital room while Blair and her father, William Collins, helped Justin pack to leave. He felt like an interloper in this family scene—an unexpected and probably unwanted intruder. Blair’s father had already made it clear he wasn’t too enamored with Ethan. Right now, while the older man spoke with his son and daughter, he kept shooting Ethan suspicious glances. Ethan felt like the big, bad wolf who’d been caught with Little Red Riding Hood.
He probably shouldn’t have come to the hospital. Justin had more than enough people to drive him home. But when Blair had asked him to come along, he hadn’t had the heart to turn her down. Right now, there wasn’t much he’d deny Blair.
Except the one thing she wanted . . .
William scoffed at something his son said, and Ethan glanced at the older man. You didn’t need a thermometer to tell the man was cold. He held himself apart from his children. Big difference from the way Ethan’s dad was. His dad was a hugger. William Collins looked so stiff he’d probably break if one of his kids hugged him.
Watching him, Ethan could understand why having a community that cared about her was important to Blair. Her father must have made Blair feel isolated growing up. He kept criticizing both of his children.
It was hard to watch.
When William looked at him again, Ethan would bet his boots the man wanted to ask him about his relationship with Blair. Not that it mattered. His relationship with Blair, such as it had been, was over. They’d said their goodbyes before her dad had even arrived.
Now all they had to do was make it through the next few hours. Then after the performance and a short appearance at the cast party, he could head out of town. It didn’t matter how far he made it tonight, just as long as he made it out of Falling Star.
Almost against his will, Ethan looked at Blair. He knew she was struggling to put on a happy face for her family, but he could see the sadness in her eyes, hear it in her voice.
“So, Blair, did you tell Dad how Ethan saved that little girl?” Justin grinned at Ethan. “Dad, I bet it’s been a long time since you’ve met a real live hero.”
Muttering under his breath, Ethan shot his friend a pointed look. What was Justin doing? He knew Ethan hated this story, mostly because he hadn’t been a hero. He’d just done what anyone would have.
Still, after giving Ethan an apologetic look, Blair explained what had happened. Probably out of consideration for him, she didn’t embellish the details or drag out the story. She gave her father only the barest facts.
When she finished, Justin added, “But saving that little girl isn’t the only thing that makes Ethan brave. He rescued Blair’s play. They were desperate for someone to play Prince Charming, and Ethan stepped up. He saved Blair.”
“Not really,” Ethan said. “It wasn’t that melodramatic.”
Through narrowed eyes, he studied Justin. What had prompted that outburst? The guy was acting weird. Justin had never done anything like this before. Yet here he was, shoving Ethan’s credentials down his father’s throat. Was he trying to make a not-so-subtle point?
Suddenly comprehension hit Ethan—Justin knew. Somehow, he’d figured out that his best friend had fallen for his sister. As far as Ethan could tell, Justin was trying in his own way to sell his dad on Ethan. If Justin knew he loved Blair, it must show like a neon sign in the dead of night. Probably all of Falling Star knew he loved her.
After a few seconds, Blair’s father nodded at Ethan, then walked over and shook his hand. “Good job saving that child, Ethan.”
Ethan glanced at Blair, who looked as confused as he felt. She apparently hadn’t figured out what her brother was up to yet.
“Dad, that’s the kind of man Ethan is,” Justin continued. “He’ll do what needs to be done. He’s never a coward who just runs away.”
Okay, now this was getting out of hand. Ethan knew Justin thought he should stay and not leave Blair. But friend or not, what Justin was doing was wrong.
Blair also must have figured out what was going on, because suddenly, she practically lunged out of the plastic chair she sat in.
“Let’s go,” she announced, smoothing her hands down the sides of her skirt and flashing a tight smile at her father. “Justin, let’s get you home so you can rest. Besides, Ethan and I need to grab something to eat before we go to the auditorium.”
“Works for me,” her father said with a shrug.
They all waited for the wheelchair to push Justin to the car. Once it arrived, Ethan told the nurse he would be happy to push his friend. The harried man agreed and left the chair. Ethan helped Justin get settled and then started following Blair and her father.
He waited until William and Blair were out of earshot, then he said, “There are a lot of things preventing me from having a future with Blair,” Ethan said firmly. “It’s not as simple as simply being brave and staying here.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Justin said. “You just haven’t figured that out yet. You need to decide what you want in life. Ask yourself some questions. What would be the perfect relationship? What would be the perfect career? Most importantly, what would be the perfect life? Think long and hard about these questions, buddy. Once you know the answers, you’ll be all set.”
**
WHEN THEY GOT HOME and got Justin settled in a downstairs bedroom in the house, Ethan announced he needed to run some errands before the performance. As Blair watched him drive away, the sadness that had been growing inside her all day seemed to lodge in her heart.
Which was silly, really. She knew he’d be back to do the play. He probably just wanted to get some air. Things were tense between them, and having her father watch them like bugs in a jar only made their last day together even more difficult.
After her father was settled on the couch, Blair brought them both a glass of iced tea. She sat in the rocking chair facing him and braced herself for the impending conversation.
“So Ethan Wilson is your idea of a Prince Charming,” her father said with a bark of laughter.
Blair bristled but refrained from rising to his bait. She wasn’t going to fight with her father. “Ethan has done a terrific job in the play.”
Her father gave her a narrowed-eyed look. “I wasn’t talking about the play.” Before she could respond, he added, “You’ve been crying.”
“I haven’t been crying, I’m just—”
Her father waved away her comment. “Justin’s right. When I spoke to him on the phone a couple of days ago, he said you were in love with Ethan.”
Blair stilled. “Justin said that?”
Her father took a slow sip of his tea. “Yes. He also told me that Ethan loves you; he just doesn’t think he’s right for you.”
Blair knew all this. Hearing her father reinforce her beliefs only weakened Blair’s tentative hold on her emotions. “I know. He doesn’t want to live in Falling Star. More importantly, his parents both have several failed marriages, and he thinks he doesn’t have what it takes to make love last.”
Her no-nonsense father made a snorting noise. “Then maybe you should be the one to change what you want in life. If you really love this man, then why in the world are you letting him go? Blair Marie Collins, I raised you to go after what you want in life, not to sit around boohooing when things don’t go your way.”
She didn’t mean to be cruel, but before she could stop herself, Blair blurted out, “But you didn’t really raise me at all. Mom did. You were seldom home, and when you were, you paid very little attention to Justin and me.”
Stunned at her own outburst, Blair covered her mouth with her trembling hand. She could see her words startled her father, but she didn’t retract them.
Eventually, her father nodded. “You’re right. I didn’t raise you. Not really.”
“I would have been miserable without my friends,” she said.
“We were all miserable after your mother died.”
“But, Dad, I didn’t just lose Mom. Justin and I lost the only person who loved us.” Blair felt tears stream down her face, and she impatiently brushed them away. For too many years she avoided discussing her painful past with her father, but no more. They needed to talk this out.
Suddenly, her father looked every one of his sixty-eight years. “I loved you, and I still love both of you.”
Blair wanted to believe him. “You don’t show it.”
He sat quietly for a few seconds. Then he said, “Maybe I wasn’t brave enough to raise you. All I know is that after your mother died, I felt overwhelmed. I had no idea how to raise two kids.”
“There’s no right way, Dad,” Blair said. “All I needed, and all Justin needed, was love from you and the security of our family.”
“Then I’m sorry.” Silence fell on the room, the quiet tick of the grandfather’s clock almost aggravating. To Blair, the noise only signaled how quickly her remaining hours with Ethan were slipping away.
“I guess it doesn’t matter anymore,” Blair finally said.
“I don’t know.” William settled back on the couch. “I’m wondering if the past is why you’re so fired up about staying in this town rather than going with Ethan. Justin thinks you’re looking for the love and security you lost years ago. I think I agree with him.”
Blair resented being analyzed, especially by the man who had practically deserted her. But a kernel of truth lurked in his words. She did feel like she belonged in Falling Star, like she was part of the community. It gave her immense satisfaction.
“I couldn’t go with Ethan, even if I wanted to,” she said.
“Why not?”
That should be obvious. “Because I have a life here. I have my job. I have the play. I have my house. I can’t walk away from my responsibilities.”
Her father shook his head. “Those are just excuses. I’ve learned a lot in the years since your mother died. You don’t get second chances. Ever. If you’re sure Ethan is the right one for you, you need to make room in your life for him. Tell me this. Would you rather live in Falling Star without this man or live someplace else with him?”
The realization hit her that there was only one answer to that question. She’d moved to the small town so she could have a feeling of belonging. But being with Ethan gave her that same feeling.
Understanding hit her hard. She couldn’t believe how long she’d ignored the obvious. She was going to be miserable living here without him. She no longer wanted to find a different man, someone who wanted to live in Falling Star.
She wanted Ethan.
Happiness flooded through Blair. “I’d rather live with Ethan in a hut than live by myself in a palace,” she said simply.
Her father nodded. “Good. Then make a list of everything you need to do so you can go, and tell him you’ll meet him in a few weeks.”
Her father’s no-nonsense attitude reminded her how many years he’d spent in the Army. To him, life was simply a matter of getting the job done, and in a way, she had to admit he was right. Suddenly everything seemed so clear. Yes, she could do this. She would do this. “You’re right. I need to offer to be with him, even if it means moving around a lot.”
Her father chuckled. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? And as for the failed marriages in his family, you tell Ethan that you come from a long line of happy couples. I loved your mother deeply until the day she died. I still love her. So if he’s worried you two can’t make your love last, tell him he’s wrong. Then set a date. I want to walk my daughter down the aisle before I die.”
Blair smiled, her spirits soaring. “Yes, Dad. I promise.”
**
ETHAN DROVE AROUND aimlessly for an hour or so before he found himself at the interstate. Finally, tired and hungry, he pulled into a huge gas station parking lot and turned off the engine. Was Justin right? Was his leaving really hurting Blair rather than helping her? Sure, he knew she felt awful right now, but wouldn’t she be better off in the long run? Wouldn’t his leaving be like pulling a bandage off quickly? The pain was intense at first but faded fast.
And Blair’s pain would fade fast. He was certain of that. In a couple of weeks, she’d stop thinking about him. The rhythm of her life in Falling Star would resume, and she’d stop missing him.
But he wouldn’t stop missing her. He couldn’t. She was in his heart, in his blood. Time and distance wouldn’t change that . . . nothing would change that.
Sorry fool that he was, he’d end up missing Blair for the rest of his life.
Ethan glanced around and studied the area. Tourists bustled into the large convenience store, and eighteen-wheelers entered the parking lot for diesel fuel. Just a few miles out of Falling Star, a whole different world existed. No one knew him here; no one congratulated him on saving Melanie or teased him about the play or scolded him for driving a little too fast. Here, as in the rest of the world, he was invisible.
For the first time he could remember, he took no comfort in fading into the background. Being just a face in the crowd didn’t feel safe anymore . . . it only felt lonely.
Ethan scrubbed his face with weary hands. Images of Blair crowded his mind. Images of her smiling and laughing . . . and loving him. Always loving him. Pulling him into her world, into her heart. Easing the pain in his soul with her kisses and gentle touches.
Calm and clarity settled around him. Justin was right—it would take courage to stand and fight for the love he wanted. And there was always the chance he might fail. But even knowing the hazards, what sort of man was he if he didn’t at least try? He had to be brave enough to face the past and brave enough to move on to the future.
Maybe Blair deserved someone better. But another man could never love her the way he did. No other man would cherish her the way he would.
Visions of smiling babies filled his mind. He knew deep in his heart he wanted that future with Blair. He wanted the family. Sure, there were no promises that every day would be wonderful, but life came with no guarantees. He couldn’t always protect the important people in his life; he could only love them. He knew he had to treasure the time he had with Blair rather than throw away the best thing he’d ever had in his life.
A new thought occurred to him. He was going to buy a ranch. Near Falling Star. And set up his own business working with difficult horses. He’d postpone going to see Ed’s horse for a few more days. Then he’d head out, but only for a couple of weeks. Long enough to get the horse settled. After that he was coming back to Falling Star.
Coming back to Blair.
He smiled. Hopefully, the town would soon be home to both of them.
**
ETHAN SWUNG BY BLAIR’S house first, but he wasn’t surprised to find he was too late. Since there was no answer at the door, he knew Justin was probably asleep, and she’d headed over to the auditorium with her dad.
When he got to the auditorium, streams of ticket holders were waiting outside. Wanting to avoid other people, Ethan went through the side door and spotted Blair immediately. Like a welcome beam of moonlight on a dark night, she bustled around the actors and technicians, fixing problems, soothing nerves. Ethan’s spirit soared, and he headed across the stage.
Almost as if she sensed him, Blair looked up after he’d taken only a couple of steps. She stared at him for a few seconds. Then a slow smile formed on her sweet mouth. After a quick word to Olivia, Blair moved toward him.
“I was worried that you might have decided to leave early,” she said softly when they reached each other.
“I thought about it,” he admitted, drinking in the sight of her while he shored up his courage for the question he had to ask.
A little wariness lurked in her eyes. “So why did you come back?”
“For starters, I have to finish this play.” Now that he was close to her, he could see a faint redness around the rim of her eyes. He felt terrible that he’d made her cry.
“Oh. Yes. The play.” She sighed and glanced away from him.
“Yeah. The play. I made you a promise.”
“I could have found someone to replace you. Well, maybe. Okay, probably not.” She looked directly at him, her hazel eyes sparkling. “But I’m glad you came back, even if it is only to finish the play.” She drew in a deep breath, then said, “Ethan, I think we should talk. About us.”
“Yeah. Me, too.” He took a step closer and laid a hand on her arm.
Blair gazed at him with such love in her eyes that he felt his heart beat faster. “I’ve done a lot of thinking.” She gave a short laugh. “That, and my dad told me what to do.”
Confused, Ethan tipped his head. “You’ve lost me.”
“I thought I had. Lost you, I mean. But I realize now that if you want to live someplace else, that’s fine with me. It may take me a little while to get everything settled here, but then I’d like to come to wherever you are. That is, if you want me to.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I want to keep you in my life, Ethan. I can’t stand to lose you.”
As she spoke, happiness filled up the emptiness deep inside Ethan. She was willing to give up everything that mattered to her to be with him. He felt humbled by her love, and knew he’d spend the rest of his life making her dreams come true.
“Oh, Blair.” He dipped his head and found her lips, kissing her deeply. When he finally lifted his head, he found himself grinning. “I don’t want you to leave the life you have here.”
Before he could continue, a sheen of tears appeared in her eyes. “Sorry. I guess I thought we might be able to work things out if I went with you.”
She looked so miserable that Ethan couldn’t stand it.
“You don’t understand. The reason you don’t have to move is that I’m staying here.”
Blair blinked again. “Excuse me? What about your job?”
He chuckled and draped his arms around her waist. He knew the other cast members were watching them, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care if all of Falling Star knew what was happening—the whole world was welcome to know he loved Blair Collins.
“You know, your brother is a pretty smart guy. With all his comments about bravery this afternoon, he finally got it through my thick skull that I have to face some old fears if I want to have a future with you. And I do want that future. I love you too much to leave. So I spoke to the man at the new job. I’m going to stand by my promise and help him, but only for a couple of weeks. Then I’m coming back to Falling Star and looking for a ranch to buy.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s what I want,” he said simply. “What about you?”
Her smile lit up the room. “I’ve never been happier.”
Ethan gave her a quick kiss, then said, “Well, then, I guess there’s something to that falling star business.”
“Did you wish for happiness when you saw the falling star?” she asked.
Ethan shook his head. “Not my happiness. I wished for you to be happy.”
For a moment, Blair just looked at him. Then she said, “You really are Prince Charming.”
He leaned his forehead against hers, breathing in her soft perfume. “Now if I can only find a place to stay while I’m looking for that ranch. You know, Falling Star doesn’t have a hotel.”
Blair laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No, ma’am. I’m very serious.”
She stood in front of him, crying and smiling at the same time. “You’re really willing to live in Falling Star?”
He pulled her close in a tight hug. “Yes. I am. But I have to warn you, I’m an old-fashioned guy. I’m afraid I have to insist we get married.”
This time, Blair laughed and twined her arms around his neck. “I love you. I love you,” she said.
“That’s good. Because I love you, too,” he told her.
“Really?”
Ethan grinned, loving Blair, loving the life he knew he would have with her. “Oh, yeah. Really. I realize we haven’t known each other long, so if you want to take our time planning the wedding, I’ll understand. And hey, we might want to start a family soon, too. Falling Star strikes me as a great place to raise kids. I figure I’ll probably be pretty good at coaching soccer. That is, if you want kids.”
This time, when Blair started crying, he knew her tears were those of happiness. He felt the same joy running through his veins.
“I love kids,” she said.
“Good, but you haven’t told me whether you’ll marry me or not,” he pointed out.
“Yes.” Blair said the single word firmly, then added, “Yes, yes, yes.”
Leaning up, she kissed him, and they were still kissing when Tara walked over.
“Yeow,” she said loudly, and Ethan reluctantly released Blair’s lips. “That’s one great kiss, but if Ethan doesn’t change into his costume soon, we aren’t going to have a Prince Charming in the play.”
Ethan smiled at Blair, love filling his heart. “I’ll go get dressed,” he told her. But before he walked away, he leaned down to Blair and whispered in her ear, “Just so you know, after tonight, I’m only playing Prince Charming for you.”
Blair laughed, happiness radiating from her. “It’s a deal.”