Chapter Twenty-Nine

Back at the ranch house, James added another log to the fire, shivering as the warmth hit his bare skin. Reese raised the quilt and welcomed him back into their cozy bed on the living room floor. Her skin was like hot silk under his hands, and her hair smelled of apples and wood smoke from the fire. As he spooned behind her, a moment of panic hit him. He didn’t want to let her go again.

How can I keep her here and not crush her dreams?

With an inner sigh, he knew he couldn’t. He’d have to say goodbye and bide his time until their next chance to get together.

She turned in his arms, and he sensed the same battle going on within her as she clung to him, looking into his eyes.

“I’ve missed you so much,” her sweet voice whispered.

The wild lust to take her melted away to be replaced by something so real it took his breath and slowed time. He’d always thought this ranch was the only home he needed. He was wrong. Reese was also his home. She fit like the missing piece he’d searched for most of his life.

Being next to her gave him peace, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving her. “When I miss you, which is every day, I think of you in some exotic location smiling as you do what you love. But I also count the days until I know I’ll see you again.”

…

Reese slid her leg over his hip, wanting to spend every evening just like this. “I’ve seen some beautiful locations, but I’m so glad to be home.” His expression morphed into one of her favorite smiles. The tender one that made her feel safe and gave her a glimpse of something she wanted a lot more of.

“Say it again,” he requested and brushed hair back from her face.

“What? I love you?”

“That, too, anytime. I meant the part about ‘home.’ Do you think of this as home?”

“Yes. I do.”

Pleasure crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Good. I hope you’ll come home every chance you get. And I’ll start coming to see you wherever it is you happen to be on the globe. I’ve been thinking about hiring another horse trainer and more employees so I can see you often. It’s hard being away from you for such long stretches.”

“Something is definitely hard,” she teased and wiggled against him.

He rolled her onto her back and nestled his hips between her thighs. “I have something else I want to say before I make love to you.” The tip of one finger caressed her lips. “Is it medically safe for you to get pregnant?”

A surge of adrenaline ramped up her pulse. “Yes. It’s safe.” Was he trying to say what she hoped?

“If there comes a time in your career that you’re ready to have a baby, would you be happy if it happened with me?”

Her butterflies were back to flutter in her belly with a million of their friends. “That would make me a very happy woman.”

“Sweetheart, you’ve made me see things in a better way and given me what I needed to put the broken pieces together. I would love to be the father of your children someday.”

Her heart paused, then thumped hard as blood surged, bringing a dream to life. “You said you’d hire more employees and come see me often, but I have a better idea. Well, more of a question.” She took a dramatic deep breath, which made him chuckle and then moan when she trailed her fingers down his back and gripped his hips.

“You can ask me anything, Goldilocks.”

“Can I come home to stay? With you? Forever?”

He pushed onto his hands and studied her face like he feared she’d take it back. “Stay? You’ll stay?”

“If that’s what you want, too.”

“Hell, yes!” He peppered her with kisses but then stopped and held her gaze. “What about your job? Your adventures?”

“I accomplished that dream. I got the job and traveled to faraway places. It was wonderful and fulfilling. I saw amazing things and met fascinating people, but without you, it was missing something. Now, I want to fulfill my full-time dream. A life of adventures with you.”

His dimples deepened. “You’re sure you won’t regret leaving National Geographic? You have to be absolutely positive.”

“I won’t. I’ve already made plans for what I’ll do next, and I’m super excited about it. I love you, and I love what we’re building, together.”

With their fingers laced and cheeks aching from smiling, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Anytime you feel the need to travel you just say the word, and I’ll buy the plane tickets. Let’s not wait another second to start building the rest of our lives.”

…

Over the next week, they spent hours and hours talking and dreaming together. They shared their thoughts, fears, desires, and secrets. They planned their life.

On Christmas Eve, before the rest of the family was due to join them at the ranch house, James pulled Reese to stand in front of the tree they’d decorated together. When he dropped to his knee, she clutched her hands to her chest.

“James, what are you doing?”

He pulled a small red box from behind his back and opened the lid. A beautiful vintage diamond ring sparkled in the multicolored lights of the tree. Pure delight lit her up brighter than any Christmas tree.

“My sweet Reese Turner, love of my life, I was your first kiss and I’d like to be your last. Will you marry me, stay with me forever…and have my babies?” His voice cracked on the last word, but love and happiness glowed on his face.

She stuck out her left hand, eager to wear his ring. “Yes, yes, and yes!”

The cool metal band slid onto her finger, and James kissed her knuckles. “This ring belonged to my mother, and I know she’d be very happy that you are wearing it.”

“James MacLachlan, thank you for making my dreams come true.”

“Sweetheart, you ain’t seen nothing yet. I’m just getting started.”

It was dark and cold outside late on that Christmas Eve, but Reese was warm and sated in bed, watching her fiancé sleep. After they’d made love, he’d read aloud from The One for Her.

This time she would not leave with the story unfinished.