17

 

“In God I trust.” Rori whispered at her reflection in the mirror. She swiped the brush against her cheeks until a rosy blush appeared. “I will not be afraid.” She dabbed some lipstick on and puckered her lips. When was the last time she’d worn makeup? “What can man do to me?” She finished the verse she’d memorized over the last couple of days. Thank You, God, for those sweet words of encouragement. I needed them. She shoved the makeup bag back in the drawer and, taking a deep breath, opened the bathroom door.

Four heads turned in her direction, all with anxious faces.

“I’m OK,” she reassured. And she was. A sigh welled up from her chest. She’d be a whole lot better if Graham was here, but she’d burned that bridge. He hadn’t shown up at the ranch all week, and she couldn’t blame him. Not after he’d read the note she’d left him.

But, she had to do this for herself. To face and slay the dragon of fear. The demon that paralyzed her, the one that kept her from living a normal life and prevented her from a lasting relationship with a man who had proven he could be counted on.

Burk appeared next to her. “Everything’s set up outside. Are you ready?” His dark brow hiked, and tiny furrows buried into his forehead.

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m all set. Let’s go.” Her fingers gripped the doorknob, but she hesitated. Emotion crawled down her throat. She turned around to face her mom and stepfather, Burk, and Savvy. “Thanks you, guys, for coming. I love you.”

They took turns hugging her, bolstering her with their encouraging words. Finally, she pressed her shoulders back, sucked in a deep breath, and opened the door.

Lights flashed. Voices mumbled, speaking into microphones. Television cameras pointed in her direction.

She froze. Gulped. I trust You, God. Render them powerless to hurt me with their words anymore.

Lessa and Ryan stepped to one side, Savvy and Burk appeared at her other side, their warm hands pressed around her back. She could do this. God was with her, protecting and uplifting her with her family and friends.

She stepped forward to the microphone that Burk had placed at the top of the steps.

With weak and unsteady legs, she glanced out at the crowd.

With the exception of Nan Greenway’s smirk, the rest of the reporters appeared friendly and interested.

Rori cleared her throat.

 

****

 

Graham mashed his foot harder against the truck’s gas pedal, an urgency to get to Rori eating a hole in his heart. “Why did we wait all week to come see her, boy?” Graham muttered, glancing back at Goliath.

The mournful glaze in Goliath’s eyes condemned him even more.

Because he’d let his stubborn pride get in the way, when he should have been loving and supportive, that’s why. He could kick himself, but then, Jumbo would probably take care of any necessary humbling measures. He slowed, ready to flip the blinker to turn into the sanctuary’s parking lot, but was forced to stop in the road.

Cars were parked haphazardly, tightly squeezed together, lining the drive from the barn to the road.

Graham rubbed a hand across his face, a sinking feeling sliding into his gut. What was going on? He zipped off the road and slammed it in park, barely allowing the truck to settle before he took off jogging for the house, Goliath padding beside him.

Whatever was going on, he should have been here for Rori.

He sprinted around the barn and stopped dead in his tracks. “Whoa, boy!” he commanded, and Goliath obeyed, sitting on the grass, panting with his tongue hanging down.

Rori stood on the front porch, surrounded by Burk and Savvy, and two others, and a mass of people— media?—huddled at the foot of the steps.

His heart plummeted to his toes. What happened? Why hadn’t she called him? He could have interceded, taken the pressure off of her. He would have handled this for her. Gladly.

“So, although Forever Family Animal Sanctuary is filled to capacity currently, last week we were awarded grant funding and anticipate additional grant monies to be awarded soon. That means we can accept more endangered animals to protect and love, more animals that can call Forever Family Animal Sanctuary their permanent home.” Rori spoke into a microphone, her arm encompassing the pastures. Her gaze landed on him, and her jaw dropped. She locked her lips, swallowed, and continued. “You can see we already have many animals to take care of, and volunteers are always appreciated.” She said it like she was talking directly to him.

He didn’t let go of her gaze, drawn like a honeybee to a beautiful, fragrant flower.

And she was. An inner beauty glowed, not only from her face, but also in the confident way she stood, surrounded by her loved ones.

He should have been up there with her. He fit in that category. But then, if he had, he would have tried to shield her, and she wouldn’t experience the freedom of unshackling the chains of terror that had confined her for so long.

His heart soared, proud of her for taking the first step to conquer her fears. And it was a giant one.

Did this mean she was giving them a chance? That she’d changed her mind about him? About them?

A smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and he felt better, lighter, than he had all week. He winked at her.

She smiled and finally dragged her gaze away. “I’ll accept a few questions now.”

Reporters fired questions at her, and she responded with grace, her enthusiasm for the animals contagious.

All around, men and women smiled as she talked about the llamas.

“One more question,” Rori announced, flicking a long strand of dark hair behind an ear.

Graham longed to touch it, to run his fingers through the silky mass.

“How did your father’s suicide affect your decision to run this sanctuary?” Nan Greenway asked, malice in her tone.

Rori’s chest heaved as she sucked in a breath, the smile slipping from her lips.

Her brother and a man on the other side huddled closer to her, their arms circling her back.

Graham pushed through the throng of reporters, skirting to the outside, bypassing the cameras, Goliath right on his heels. He should be up there, fielding their questions, protecting his girl—

Rori’s sweet voice broke through the anxious murmuring of the crowd.

Graham halted next to the bottom of the steps and glanced up at her.

She’d lifted her chin and pressed her lips in a thin line, her expression solemn. “Twenty years ago my father took his life. I’m not proud of that, but I won’t apologize for it, either. Taking his life was his choice. His decision doesn’t reflect me, or the value I place on life. It’s part of my past and a key factor in who I am today.” Her voice was steady and firm as she locked her gaze first on Nan, and then slid to spear him.

She didn’t need his protection. This spectacular performance was all her. Pride puffed his chest, and joy exploded inside him.

“But, my future, my today,” she thumped her chest, “is my life, and what I make of it and how I respond is my choice.” Her chest lifted, and then fell, as if all her energy had been sucked from her body by a vacuum. “Thank you for coming.”

It took him two strides to top the steps. He squeezed in beside her, gathering her into a quick hug, savoring the way she felt in his arms, inhaling the scent that was all Rori. Farm and family, roses and cinnamon. “Great job, sweetheart,” he whispered against her ear. How he’d missed her! Why had he thought giving her time and space was a good idea? Nothing came to him, definitely not with her hair tickling his cheek.

Thousands of cameras clicked and white lights flashed, breaking through the cloudy haze.

He released Rori only to cup her elbow. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.” He kept his body in front of Rori, shielding her, but angled back to Burk. “Can you take care of these people?”

Burk nodded, respect in his eyes. “Sure. If you take care of my sister.”

“You got it.” Glad to. For the rest of his life. But Rori probably wouldn’t be interested in that proposition just yet. Especially since he hadn’t kept his promise to protect her, to be here when she needed him. He ushered her inside the house, along with Savvy and another lady. Judging by her body build and dark hair, he’d guess this was Rori’s mom.

Goliath trotted inside, and Graham closed the door behind them, leaving Burk and another man— Rori’s stepdad? —outside to manage the crowd. Goliath sauntered over to the fireplace and plopped down on the hardwood. He lifted his snout in the air, and his leg went crazy, scratching his neck.

“Graham Decker.” Smiling, Graham extended a hand to Rori’s mom.

“I’m Lessa Worth. Rori’s mom.” She ignored his hand, wrapping him in a warm hug instead.

Over Lessa’s shoulder, he saw the tear slip down Rori’s smooth cheek. She swiped at it with her arm. He caught her gaze and held it.

Lessa backed away, and he reached for Rori.

She didn’t hesitate. Just stepped right into his arms and fit like she was made for him. A peace, a sense of rightness, nothing like he’d ever experienced, filled him from his toes to his head.

“You came.” Her face pressed snug against his cotton shirt, muffling her whisper.

“I should have been here sooner.” He settled his cheek on the top of her head, relishing the silkiness of her hair.

Her head wagged back and forth. “No. Your timing was perfect. Just when I needed you.”

Thank You, God.

He held her in his arms until her limbs relaxed. He really didn’t want to let go, so he didn’t.

“You did great, honey,” Lessa said, her voice sounding like it came from far away.

Must be because he’d drifted to a future, one that included Rori and her family, her friends, and those wacky animals she considered family. To a time when he could savor her hugs, her kisses, and share and delight in her growing confidence on a daily basis.

Rori pulled away, her hair mussed from his whiskers. She looked adorable as she pressed her hair back. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I knew you could do it,” Savvy added, bobbing her blonde head.

Rori took turns hugging her mom and Savvy. “Thank you.”

The door opened and Burk walked in with the other man.

After Graham introduced himself, the men pulled Rori into another round of hugs and congratulations.

“They’re all gone. Every last one of them. Great job, Rori,” Burk said.

“Yeah. Especially with that last reporter’s question.” Ryan added, wagging his head. “There was no need for her to attack. You handled it exceptionally well.”

Graham agreed. He wouldn’t have done as well, if he’d been the one up there answering the questions. He might have hopped off that makeshift stage and—

“Well, we’re outta here. Call us if you need anything, honey.” Lessa nodded at Ryan before giving Rori another hug.

“Yep. Me, too. Got a full day ahead still at the office. See ya, sis.”

“Wait for me.” Savvy trailed after the family.

The door closed behind them, a blend of shoes and boots clomping down the front steps.

Then, silence descended on the room, if he didn’t count Goliath’s soft snore.

“I was waiting for Savvy’s excuse, but she didn’t offer one,” Graham said, smiling. “I think they just wanted to leave us alone.”

Rori’s chin dipped, her shyness winning over spunky at the moment. “Probably.”

His thumb tugged her chin up. Staring into those beautiful green eyes, he lost himself in the specks of amber twinkling back at him.

A sigh lifted his chest, and a moan erupted from his throat as his lips sought hers. He kissed her, deep and long, a kiss that parted the skies, giving him a glimpse of what heaven on earth would be like. A kiss that made him long for more than what he had now, more than just the huge, empty shell he came home to half the week, more than just a career that was meaningless if he couldn’t share it with her. So much more than just a kiss. It was a powerful meeting of their hearts.

When he finally pulled back, her lids draped those stunning amber flints. He rested his forehead against hers, waiting for her to open her eyes, knowing she felt the connection as deeply as he did.

Finally, her lids fluttered open.

“I’m glad they did.”

“Did what?” Her lids shuttered again, and her breathing was ragged.

He smiled at her breathless tone. “Left us alone.”

“Oh.” She blinked and flashed a dimple. “What? No chaperones today?”

He held her hand and tugged her to the couch. “Come here.”

She sat, and he sank down next to her, leaving no space between their hips. He curled his arm around her shoulders, and she settled her hand and head against his heart.

That was better. His entire week righted itself. Went from downright lonely and pitiable, to warm and comfy just from being in her presence. He wished he didn’t have to leave tonight. He’d wasted a whole week without her.

“What was that big old sigh for?” Her words came out husky.

“I would pay an exorbitant amount of money to redo this week.”

Her head lifted from his chest. She flashed him a hazy, dreamy-eyed look, like she’d almost been drifting off to sleep. “Why?”

“Because I spent all week alone when I could have been here with you.”

“You honored my wishes.” Was that regret in her tone, too?

“Yeah.” He looked down to see into her face. “But did you mean it?”

“Which part?”

“That a relationship between us would be impossible. Because from where I’m sitting it’s a done deal.” He grinned, feeling suddenly playful, not wanting to waste another minute of regret.

“At the time.”

“What changed?”

“I did.”

He hiked his brows, waiting.

“I discovered that saying yes is so much sweeter than saying no.”

“You’ll have to explain that one.”

She tilted her head up to look at him.

He could drown in that gaze.

“I missed you. Plain and simple.”

He couldn’t resist another kiss. “I like plain and simple.”

She chuckled. “I bet you do.”

“I missed you, too. What do you want to do about it?”

A puzzled expression crossed her cute face.

“Come with me tonight,” he urged.

Her brows furrowed. Was she going to say no?

“Remember what you just said about saying yes.”

“Burk’s getting ready to go out of town, and Savvy has a shift tomorrow. The animals—”

Ah. How could he forget her family? “Sunday, then. It’s the last race of the season, and I’d like for you to be there.” He wanted her to be there for every race, not just the last, but he’d settle for this one.