Chapter Twenty-Two

With a heavy heart, Sandi let herself through the museum gate and paused to take in her surroundings.

The weathered stone. A front porch needing fresh paint. Over grown bushes demanding a trim. A pot of weary geraniums by the door. Had she seen it through eyes of love, so hadn’t noticed those things? It was all she could do not to pull out her notebook and add new items to her checklist.

But what would be the point?

A week of nonstop campaigning had netted dozens of promises for financial support, but none that approached what the bank representative insisted would be required.

As she started up the stone steps, the front door opened and Bryce’s imposing form filled the open space. With barely concealed excitement in his eyes, he stepped onto the porch—but she didn’t see a For Sale sign clutched in his big hand, so at least he was showing a little sensitivity.

He motioned to the cozy area on the far end of the porch. “Want to have a seat? No point in confining ourselves inside on a nice day like this.”

She followed his lead and seated herself on a padded wicker chair, leaving the hard-backed bench to him. Then she turned to him, forcing a tight smile. This was going to be harder than she thought it would be. “I guess you know why I invited you to meet me here.”

His expression sobered. “Guessing.”

“We can’t swing it. Not the down payment. Not the monthly mortgage. Not the remodel.”

“Your anonymous donor didn’t come through?”

She shook her head.

“That donor turned out to be LeAnne.” And not even presenting her with a veterans memorial as big as the state of Texas would have ever won her mother-in-law’s approval. How had she been so blind?

He gave a low whistle. “Whoa. Didn’t expect that. But she can’t help out?”

Her memory flashed to LeAnne’s proposed “deal” involving him. She wouldn’t go into that. “No.”

“I’m sorry.”

But pity wasn’t what she wanted from him. He looked so handsome sitting there across from her. Big, rough and tough on the outside—with a marshmallow center. What had gone so wrong between them, so quickly?

She gave a little shrug, as if it didn’t matter. As if nothing mattered. “You’re free now to post your sign. Find a buyer.”

Was it wrong to wish he couldn’t find one?

Bryce leaned forward, forearms resting on his knees and hands clasped. “I already found one as a back-up plan.”

Her stomach tightened as hope toppled.

His eyes searched hers, gauging her reaction, but his words squeezed out any foolish dregs of expectation that might remain in the bottom of her heart. Hope that he might negotiate. Bring down the price. But he’d known all along she didn’t stand a chance of pulling it off. He’d humored her. That was all.

“When do we have to be out?”

“Grandma could transfer the property August 1. The potential buyer would like to get started on a remodel before month’s end.”

She hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. Where would they store everything? Relocate? She reached into her purse and pulled out her notebook. She had a lot to get done in the remaining days of July. “What’s he plan to do with it? And please don’t tell me Canyon Springs is getting yet another real estate office.”

He chuckled. “No, he’s a more civic-minded gentleman.”

“Oh. Government offices?”

“Actually, a museum.”

She frowned.

“Historical,” he added, watching her closely.

“I…I don’t understand. Who is this guy?”

“A descendant of the family who built this house. Lives in California. Made it big during the real estate boom, but got out before the crash. Now he wants to give back to the community his great-grandparents helped found, where his grandparents grew up.”

She leaned forward.

“Are you kidding me?” The pitch of her voice rose right along with the hope within her. “He wants to remodel this place? Keep the museum here?

“That’s right. At no cost to the society”

She put her hand to her mouth. Tears forming. “How on earth—?”

Bryce’s eyes twinkled.

“You.” She laughed, still not taking it all in. “You did this, didn’t you? Made it happen. But how? How did you find him?”

Rising to his feet, hands on his slim hips, he grinned down at her. “Let’s just say I’ve gained a new respect for digging through the musty belongings of dead people. And the ties that bind U.S. Army alumni.”

She stood, as well, her gaze never leaving his. “I think I want to hug you.”

“I think I’m going to let you.”

She laughed again and, stepping into his arms, pressed her cheek against his solid chest. Held him tight, just as he held her. She looked up. “Thank you, Bryce. I can’t put into words how I feel. I can’t believe you did this for me, even after changing your mind about us.”

His gaze sharpened. “I never changed my mind about us. You did.”

She pulled back slightly, shaking her head. “No, I didn’t.”

They stared at each other, eyes questioning.

Realization dawning.

Then he laughed—a laugh she loved—and tugged her into his arms again. “I asked you once before, Sandi, if we could be more than friends. What do you say now? Considering our track record, you may find it hard to believe, but I love you.”

She tightened her hold on him. “I love you, too.”

He glanced cautiously heavenward. “No lightning strikes. I think the Almighty approves. And Keith.”

Her breath caught. And Keith.

You can forget about having any more children. At least with me, anyway.

She squeezed her eyes tightly shut.

“What’s wrong? I’ll fix it whatever it is.”

“I don’t think you can.”

“Tell me.” His fingers tightened on her arms.

“I can’t go into this without you knowing the kind of woman I really am. What you’re getting yourself into.” She opened her eyes. “Did Keith tell you about his last conversation with me?”

His forehead creased, and he started to shake his head, then stopped. “About your ultimatum?”

“Right. So why are you talking of love? With me?

“Because I love you.” He chuckled, but his expression said he thought she’d lost her mind. “Am I missing something here?”

“It doesn’t matter to you that I sent my husband to his grave thinking I didn’t want to have any more children with him?”

His countenance stilled. “That was your ultimatum?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want any more kids? Ever?” He was withdrawing from her. She could sense it. Pulling away emotionally even though he still held her to him.

“No. Yes. I mean I told him if he didn’t resign from the army, come home, I didn’t want any more children. I couldn’t take it anymore, Bryce. Him being gone all the time, in constant danger. Me alone in Canyon Springs with Gina. It was foolish and childish, and I’ve regretted those words every day of my life.”

“He never told me what you said, Sandi.”

“But you just said you knew about my ultimatum.”

“He didn’t confide specifics.”

She swallowed. “Then it must have wounded him deeply.”

“I don’t think so.” He shook his head. “I saw Keith before he climbed on that copter for the last time. He didn’t tell me the nature of your call. But he was in high spirits, plotting and planning how he’d woo you and win you over to his point of view.”

She stared, not comprehending.

“In fact, his last words to me were ‘wise up, buddy. You need to get yourself right with God—and get yourself a woman like Sandi to boss you around. You’re missing out on the fun of persuading her to change her mind.’”

“He said that?”

“I thought he was nuts, but he could hardly wait to get back to you and Gina—and start that persuasion.” Bryce’s eyes grew tender as he cupped her face in his two hands. “But you’ve lived the past five years carrying that burden, haven’t you? Reliving your last words.”

She nodded.

“What were his last words to you, Sandi?”

“He said—” Tears pricked as her mind unwillingly went back to that day. Again heard the sharpness in her voice. The anger. The selfishness. The wounding, hateful words.

She took a shaky breath, trying to remember Keith’s response. His final words. “He said…he said, ‘I love you.’”

With a gasp, her gaze sought that of Bryce. Why had she never remembered that before?

“See? He loved you.” Bryce’s hands tightened on her, his gaze gently insistent. “I’ll never hope to replace Keith—but I love you, too.”

He loved her. Bryce loved her.

“I don’t deserve to be loved. By either of you.”

“Nobody deserves to be loved, Sandi. That’s what love is all about.” He chuckled, his warm brown eyes twinkling. “So what would you say if I invited you and that little checklist of yours to boss me around—let’s say, for a lifetime?”