AMY’S CAR pulled into the parking lot, and before Cole and I could start down the porch steps, Crystal was out the door and running up the walk. “Pop,” she yelled and threw her arms around me. She kissed me and hugged me all the tighter.
“Oh, baby,” I said, “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too, Poppa.” She pulled back and then launched herself at Cole. “Hey, Uncle Cole.”
“Uncle?” he said.
“Well, you sure aren’t my stepmom!”
We all laughed.
“Nope,” I agreed, looking at my man—my man!—from top to bottom. “Cole is no stepmom.”
Oh, the look Cole gave me!
“Hello, stranger” sounded Amy’s familiar voice.
I nearly ran down the steps and into her arms. “Oh, Amy, how have you been?”
“I’ve been good,” she said, stepping back. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”
A man joined us, tall, lean, balding, but handsome.
“This is Brice. He’s the one who bought your house.”
I smiled and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Brice.”
“Likewise,” he replied. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Uh-oh.”
“All of it good, so don’t worry.” He looked to my left. “And you must be Cole.”
“I am,” Cole answered and took his hand. “I was surprised to hear Amy was bringing another new guest to Black Bear.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it. I used to love riding horses as a teenager. I can’t wait.”
“We figure we’ll put you up at the cabin down by the creek,” Cole said. “It’s really nice.”
“Wonderful,” I added.
Amy cleared her throat. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” she said and held out her hand. An engagement ring sparkled brightly in the sunlight.
“Oh my God,” I shouted and pulled her into my arms. “When did this happen?”
Amy blushed. “It’s been happening. He came to look at your house, bought it, and then decided he wanted me too. I was afraid to say anything, you know? Owen being gone only a year and a half.”
“Oh, Amy,” I said and kissed her. “You shouldn’t have worried.”
“I popped the question last week,” Brice said.
“We figured we’d wait another year,” Amy said. “Then, if it’s all right, we’d get married right here.”
That got a loud whoop from Cole and set me to laughing.
People did get married at Black Bear Guest Ranch, all right.
“Going to replace some old memories with new ones?” I asked her.
“Not replace,” Amy said. “Add to.”
Darla and Vincent came out onto the porch.
“Good morning, everyone,” Darla said. “To all of you who are leaving today, we hope you had a wonderful time and we hope you’ll be back. We loved having you, and the staff says you’re about the best darned group we’ve ever had.”
“She always says that,” Amy whispered in Brice’s ear.
“For all our new guests, I’m Darla Clark, and this is my husband, Vincent. Welcome to Black Bear!”
I reached out and took Cole’s hand. When he smiled at me, looked at me with those eyes dancing, I knew there could be no more welcome place on Earth.
I knew something else as well.
I believe we all come together in life for a reason.
And sometimes, this time, that reason was love.