Three weeks after Devon left, Tally found a bright postcard in her mail, with a cheerful picture of an old-fashioned beach scene. Turning it over, Devon’s bold scrawl jumped out at her.
“Came home. Went well. Have started dating, as you suggested.” It was signed only, “Devon.”
Tally stared at it for a long time. So much for protestations of wanting to stay and make some sort of future with her. Already dating again. She closed her eyes against the sharp thrust of pain the image brought. Devon smiling at some woman, holding her hand. Maybe even dancing.
They’d never had a date. Never gone dancing, out to dinner alone, or even for a walk together. Now he was wining and dining other women. Women who probably would never love him as much as she did.
“Darn him,” she said to Major as he trotted beside her up the driveway. “He didn’t have to tell me. He’s gone for good, why write at all?”
She tore the card in half and stuffed in into the pocket of her jeans. No sense saving it. It wasn’t something she could share with the others—how would she explain his cryptic message?
She’d been proven right—theirs was not a lasting relationship. She’d been wise to refuse him, to send him away. So why didn’t she feel better, now that she knew her choice had been the right one?
The next evening Tally dined with Jimmie May and Philip. During dinner, she mentioned the card.
“What did he say? Where is he?” Jimmie May asked.
Philip stopped carving the roast as he awaited Tally’s reply.
Quoting the card, Tally muttered sulkily, “Don’t know why he sent it.”
“I’m sure it was to give you the comfort that he is fine,” Philip said placidly, giving his wife a wink.
“I assumed he’d be fine,” Tally said tartly.
“And I know you’re happy he’s started to see other women. You didn’t want him on the rebound chérie. Now you know he’s not pining away for you.” Jimmie May’s practical assessment only angered Tally.
“Oh, yes, I’m ecstatic with joy.”
Jimmie May laughed softly.
“Shows he had no lasting feelings for me, doesn’t it?” Tally murmured, fiddling with her water glass.
“Or he recognized defeat when he saw it.”
That night in bed, Tally questioned her stance.
“I did the right thing,” she repeated as a litany.
A week later a second card arrived. This one had a scene from Rehobeth Beach, Maryland. It was a typical East Coast beach with a wide, clean, sandy shore and gentle surf. Viewing it, Tally was suddenly, unexpectedly homesick for Georgia, for the southern beaches she’d known as a young girl.
Almost fearfully she turned the card over.
“Will be published again,” said the boldly written words. “Having fun. Beaches are great. Say hi to the gang. Devon.”
Tally’s heart soared with the news his second book had been accepted. She knew it must mean a lot to him. She wished him well. So many other lines of work were closed to him because of his past.
She reread the message. Was he still seeing other women? She looked down at the big German shepherd sitting patiently at her feet.
“It’s from Devon. He says hi to everyone, and that includes you, old boy.”
She patted his head, a smile lighting her face, her heart strangely lighter. At least he hadn’t forgotten her totally.
She shared the card at dinner. The others were excited to hear from Devon and the news about his book. They demanded all the information Tally possessed about it.
Ariel wanted more.
“Did you get his address, Tally? We could all write and then he’d write back. I’ve never had mail before.”
Tally hesitated. But Devon had started it with the postcards.
“There’s no return address on the card, but I’ll see what I can find out.”
“He’ll want to know how the cattle are doing,” Brad said. “And that I’m still keeping up with the accounts.”
“Maybe Alberta can bake him some cookies and mail them. Remember how those cookies seemed to disappear when Devon was around?” Kat said.
“Yeah, at least there’re more for us with him gone,” Jed said.
Suddenly Tally was glad Devon wrote. How she wished she could share some of the things around the ranch she thought he’d like to hear. The new book she and Jimmie May were working on; the way the ducks were using the pond; Henrietta’s feat of an egg a day for over a week. How well Brad kept up the accounts. And the fact Kat might be dating herself soon.
When the card made the rounds, Rusty handed it back to her.
She smiled wistfully as her fingers lightly traced the bold writing. This was from Devon. He’d picked it out and written.
The following weekend the entire ranch turned out to move Kat into her new apartment. Her time was up and she was free. Yvonne had been delighted to have her stay on. Together Kat and Tally found an inexpensive apartment in a nice complex—sublet at a reduced rate through a member of Fresh Start.
By the next weekend, Kat had been back to the ranch twice for supper, and had gone on that coffee date with Jimmy Monroe, the deputy who kept asking her out. She confided in Tally that Jimmy wanted to take her to the show on Friday night and she’d accepted.
The following Monday, Jimmie May called.
“Je suis fini! I’ll bring the manuscript with me and we’ll match the words to the drawings and see what we still need.”
“Good, come any time. I’ve blocked out all the pictures we discussed, painted a few of them. I’m still working on the clouds on the swing set scene. Come over. Plan on lunch. Alberta won’t be here. She and Gus took off for a couple of days. But I can make a great sandwich.”
“I’ll be there around eleven.”
Jimmie May arrived promptly. Tally had scarcely greeted her before a bright pink delivery van, with Patty’s Petals painted in large purple letters, turned into her driveway.
Both women stared at the van with surprise.
“Expecting flowers?” Jimmie May asked.
“No. He’s probably asking directions. I’ll go see.”
Tally met the man as he climbed down from his truck.
“Miss Tally Newcome?” he asked, referring to his clipboard.
“Yes,” she said in surprise.
“Have a delivery for you. Please sign here,” he said, indicating a line on his board.
She signed, feeling a hint of excitement. Who would send her flowers? She wasn’t sick and it wasn’t her birthday.
The man went to the rear of the truck, returning with a large pot of African violets in full bloom. The rich purple flowers spilled over the edge of the clay pot, the yellow stamens bright against the deep royal color.
“Thank you,” Tally murmured as she took the plant. Holding it out, she showed Jimmie May.
“They’re for you? From whom?” Jimmie May asked, following her into the kitchen.
Putting the pot in the center of her table, a smile of pure pleasure lighting her face, Tally reached for the card tucked discreetly to one side.
“Aren’t they lovely?” she asked as she opened the envelope.
“Oui, bien sûr. But who are they from?” Jimmie May asked impatiently.
Tally gently drew the torn piece of paper from its small envelope. There was one word printed. Will.
“Who’s Will?” Jimmie May asked reading over her shoulder.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I know any Wills,” Tally replied, searching her mind for anyone she’d met recently called Will.
Shaking her head, she looked at the envelope. Her name, nothing else. She looked back to the card. “Will?”
“So maybe you have a secret admirer who’s soon to be not so secret,” Jimmie May suggested.
“Weird. I can’t think of who it could be. But aren’t the flowers beautiful? I do love violets. Maybe I can call the florist and find out who sent them.”
She looked up the number and quickly dialed. Explaining her puzzlement regarding the sender to the woman on the phone, she was disappointed to learn that the woman had not taken the order. Her partner had and she was not working that day. The shopkeeper promised to inquire upon the woman’s return.
Tally turned to Jimmie May when she hung up.
“She didn’t know. Someone else took the order and won’t be in until tomorrow.”
“No matter. It’s exciting, don’t you think? A secret admirer.”
“I don’t know,” Tally said softly touching the violet petals. “It’s a little odd. I wish I knew who to thank.”
Jimmie May waved her hand in the air.
“Enjoy. Come on, let’s get on with the book.”
Over the next couple of days. Tally found her thoughts turning again and again to who Will might be. She reviewed everyone she knew—even wondering what some of the deputies who delivered her guests might be named. The woman at the florist had called, but had no information for Tally. The sender had paid cash.
Two days later when Tally went to get the mail, she found a large box of candy stuffed in the mailbox with the rest of the mail. It was filled with dark chocolate, caramels and covered nuts. She loved candy and wondered who would have sent them to her. The ragged note on the box only said “Tally.”
It didn’t make sense. Who would send her candy?
Of course—it was Jimmie May. Was this her way to keep her mind occupied? Trying to create a mystery that would take up Tally’s time trying to solve?
She smiled at her friend’s wacky notion to keep her from brooding. But she didn’t need something like this to keep her occupied. She was doing fine. The violets were lovely, and Jimmie May knew she loved dark chocolate, but she didn’t need to spend her money on such things.
Tally called her.
“Jimmie May, I got the candy. Thank you. But you mustn’t spend your money on me. I’m fine. Really.”
“Whatever are you talking about, chérie?”
“The candy you sent me. I appreciate it very much.”
“I sent you no candy,” Jimmie May said, sounding sincere.
“First the violets, then the candy. Jimmie May, it has to be you.” Tally hesitated a moment and then said, “Doesn’t it?”
“No, Tally, it wasn’t I. So you got candy? Hmmm. This is getting interesting.”
“A large box of dark chocolate, with nuts.”
“And a card?”
“No card this time, just a torn scrap of paper with my name. I thought it had to be from you.”
“No. Maybe from your mysterious Will?”
“If so, why not sign it?” Tally wondered, frowning.
She didn’t know a Will, or William, or Bill for that matter. She had mentally reviewed every man she knew.
“Most intriguing. I’ll ask Philip what he thinks. Let me know if you get anything else. How romantic.”
Tally hung up, wondering if she viewed it as romantic or not. If she knew who was sending the flowers and candy and liked him, she might think it romantic. Right now it was frustrating.
Another picture postcard waited for Tally when she went to get her mail the next afternoon. This one showed the state capital building in Annapolis. Eagerly she turned it over.
It read, “Condo sold. No more San Francisco for me. Still dating, have reached a decision. Devon.”
Tally’s heart sank. She felt the world darken a little. He was probably planning to marry. She’d known it would come to this. She hoped he was happy. It was what she wanted for him. Only she hadn’t realized how lonely, how desolate she’d feel. She couldn’t believe she’d never see him again.
And she couldn’t believe he’d found someone so fast.
Tally looked up at the bright-blue sky, hoping to find an answer to the ache in her breast. It was no more than she expected. She was glad for him—she’d be glad for him, she thought fiercely. He was so precious to her and she wanted him to be happy, to have a rich and full life, especially after all the trouble he’d had the past few years. She blinked back tears.
On impulse, Tally went to the phone, dialing information in Salisbury. There were six Henderson families listed. The fourth one she called was Devon’s.
“I’m sorry, Devon’s not here right now. He’s gone to see his girl,” an older woman said when Tally asked to speak to him. “Is there a message?”
“No, no message.”
Tally hung up, feeling sick. The reality was worse than the speculation.
On Friday afternoon Tally was in the corral, washing Penelope. The pig squealed and snorted as she frolicked under the hose. The cool water felt pleasant in the hot sun, though the dusty ground turned into mud with their efforts. Tally laughed at Penelope’s antics, forgetting for a while the heartache that was so much a part of her these days.
The crunch of gravel and Major’s barking alerted Tally to the arrival of a familiar pink van.
“This is getting out of hand,” she said with a lightness in her heart that belied her words. She ran the water down her legs to get rid of most of the mud, climbed the fence and headed for the delivery truck.
“Hello, again,” the delivery man said, smiling and holding out his board.
Tally signed and smiled up at him. “What do you have for me today?”
“The best,” he said, withdrawing a long white box, tied with a wide gold ribbon.
Tally felt her heart skip a beat. It had to contain roses. She’d never been sent roses in her life, but she watched TV and recognized the box. With a wide smile, she thanked the man and went inside the house to the kitchen.
Opening the box, she drew in her breath. They were gorgeous. A dozen—no eighteen long-stem red roses, nestled in greenery. Their fragrance filled the room. She couldn’t stop smiling. She didn’t know who was doing this, but it was wonderful.
Tally stepped back a pace and studied the flowers. Their heavenly fragrance seemed to fill the room. Their rich color seemed to glow with a light of their own. Roses were too fancy for the kitchen, but she’d keep them here for now. Until the others had a chance to see them. Tonight, she’d take them up to her bedroom with her. Their fragrance would greet her upon wakening in the morning.
Tally looked through the box, ruffling the tissue paper. Where was the card? If it wasn’t Jimmie May, who was extravagantly sending her flowers?
Beneath the green paper she found another scrap of paper. It had on it a single word and when Tally read it her heart began to pound. For a moment she felt almost dizzy. Crazy dreams filled her mind, images and memories and foolish longings.
It couldn’t be. It simply couldn’t be. There was some mistake. A torn scrap had gotten caught up when they had been making up the order.
Despite the total unlikelihood of the whole scenario, she went to the kitchen drawer and pulled out the two previous notes and arranged them in the order she’d received them. The ragged edges matched.
Will. Tally. Marry.
He stood outside the screen, watching her. His heart pounded as he waited for the moment she’d see him. He didn’t know if what he’d done would work. But something sure had to. He couldn’t keep going like he had these past few weeks.
She looked sexy as could be in those short shorts, her legs streaked with mud. He’d seen her from the road when he’d pulled over after following the delivery truck out. Her top was skimpy and he could see her breasts outlined where water had splashed against the fabric. She wasn’t wearing a bra and he could feel the once familiar tightening in his gut, the longing wash through him for her. She was so pretty.
He’d missed her so much.
He was staying now if he had to pitch a tent in a neighbor’s field.
Devon opened the screen door quietly and stepped inside, watching her read the pieces of paper, his own heart so constricted he didn’t know if he could carry this off. If she refused again, he didn’t know what he’d do.
“Will Tally marry Devon?” he said quietly.
She whirled around.
“Devon?”
He nodded.
“What are you doing here?”
“Making sure the last delivery arrived.”
She looked at the papers, the roses, the man.
“You sent all this?”
“Traditional, don’t you think?” he said.
“Traditional?”
“For courting. Flowers, candy.”
He hoped he wasn’t making a hash of this. Why didn’t she say something? Or at least look slightly glad to see him?
Suddenly, without notice, she flew across the room and launched herself against him. He caught her in a crushing embrace. She was here, where she belonged. With him.
Eagerly his mouth sought, found hers. She tasted like ambrosia, like heaven and earth and Christmas all rolled up in one fantastic package. He couldn’t get enough.
His lips demanded. Hers responded. Tally held nothing back as she returned caress for caress, pressure for pressure, demand for demand. When his tongue plunged into the warm welcome of her mouth, she opened for him, her tongue dancing with his, moving to taste him, feel him with all her body, her hands roaming over his shoulders, up the column of his neck, threading into the softness of his thick hair. Had she missed him as much as he missed her?
Tally couldn’t believe it. Devon here. She couldn’t explain it. She’d only just received his card saying he was through with San Francisco. She’d called his mother to find out he’d gone to see his girl. What was he doing in California?
As his kiss deepened, she knew she didn’t need to understand. She only wanted this moment to continue forever. For his kiss to never stop.
She pressed her small body against his as if she wanted to become a part of him. She could not get close enough. She had missed him so desperately. She only wanted to savor the solid feel of Devon as her arms tightened as if she’d never let him go.
“I’ve missed you.”
Devon moved to kiss her neck, her throat, across her cheeks to claim her mouth again and again. His arms were like bands of steel as he held her so tightly she could scarcely breathe. Still it wasn’t close enough.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, kissing his jaw. “I got your postcards,” she said, nibbling against his neck, and taking a deep breath to inhale his scent.
Her fingers threaded in his hair, relishing the thick waves, the heat radiating from him.
“Oh, Devon, I’ve missed you so much!”
She exclaimed, pulling back a little as sanity returned, “Devon, what are you doing here?”
“I had to come. Now I want you to tell me after this exuberant greeting that you don’t love me. That you really do want me to leave and never return.”
His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her, daring her to lie.
“I...”
Tally tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her move an inch. She could feel the strength in his muscles as he molded her body to his, her breasts pressed against him, the heat of his arousal hard against her belly.
“I can’t marry you,” she said forlornly, her happiness fading as the reality of the situation crashed around her.
“That’s not what I would have thought after those kisses. Do you kiss all your casual friends that way?”
“Of course not. Let me go, I can’t breathe,” she said.
When he complied, Tally frowned. She already felt as if a part of her had been wrenched away. But one of them had to maintain a modicum of sense.
Devon roamed around the kitchen, studying the herbs on the windowsill, peeking in the cookie jar and snatching one of the fresh cookies Alberta had recently made. He leaned against the counter and let his gaze run over Tally from her curly hair, to those mud-splattered legs.
“Still wearing indecent shorts, I see,” he teased.
Tally raked her hands through her hair.
“Oh, Devon, I look a mess. I was washing Penelope,” she said, looking down at her muddy legs in horror.
“Sweetheart, you don’t look a mess, you look great.”
He reached for her again, but Tally fled across the room.
“Tell me what you’re doing here,” she said again, holding on to the back of a chair as if for support—or a barrier.
“Where is everyone?” he asked instead.
“What?”
“The others, where are they?”
“Alberta’s resting. She’ll be along soon to start dinner. The men are out working, Ariel is in town. Kat’s been released. She has an apartment in Jackson.”
“So it’s just you and me right now.”
Warily Tally looked at him and said, “Yes.” Why did his words cause her heart to skip, to race?
“Pond working all right?”
“Perfectly.”
His gaze slowly roamed down her body, pausing as he watched her nipples peak and push against the damp splotches on her top; moved to the swell of her hips, the tan legs showing beneath the short shorts. He met her eyes, want and hunger evident.
Tally felt as if he’d caressed every inch of her. Her heart pounded; it was hard to breathe, she couldn’t get enough air. For a moment she let responsibility and rules fly from her head.
“Why don’t you fix some lemonade? We’ll sit on the swing and talk,” Devon suggested.
“You fix it. I’ll go freshen up,” she replied, her eyes blue against the light tan of her face.
“Just don’t change the shorts,” he ordered.
Tally dashed up the stairs. Quickly showering, she changed into fresh clothes. She could hardly believe he was here. Yet she’d seen him, felt him, tasted him. Her heart swelled in delight and joy. She’d thought she’d never see him again and now he was here.
Brushing her hair she didn’t recognize herself in the mirror. Her eyes were bright, luminous with happiness. Pink color rode high in her cheeks. She had a silly grin on her face.
Her heart began tripping rapidly as she started down the stairs.
Will Tally marry Devon? echoed in her brain.
Some of her excitement faded as she remember nothing had really changed. All the reasons for refusing before were still there. For a brief moment, she’d let her logic be swayed by the joy at seeing him, but she knew they were in the same situation.
Yet, how could she bear for him to leave again?
And what about all those dates he’d been bragging about?
She gave a deep sigh, fighting tears that suddenly threatened. She squared her shoulders and pushed open the screen door. She’d see what he wanted, enjoy his visit, then bid him farewell.
At least she hoped she could do it a second time.
Devon sat on the swing as he’d done so many times before, petting Major. The big dog had his head on Devon’s knee, soaking up the attention. Devon looked up smiling at Tally as she joined him on the porch and moved to slowly sit beside him on the swing, leaving at least three feet between them.
Devon said nothing, but his lips tightened at her action.
“Lemonade?” he asked, reaching for the pitcher.
“Thanks.”
She took the glass he offered, glad for something to do. The strong current of awareness that ran up her arm at his touch alarmed her. Her hand shook slightly as she raised the glass to her lips. Stalling for time, she sought words to begin the conversation.
“I shouldn’t have let you shower,” Devon began, his voice grim.
Tally looked up, startled. She hadn’t expected that
“I put on shorts,” she said.
“But washed away the glad-to-see-you attitude.”
“Of course I’m glad to see you, Devon,” she replied primly. “How are things going for you? You seemed to be back in the swing of things.”
Devon slammed his glass down on the tray and snatched her glass from her, slamming it down as well.
“I didn’t come three thousand miles to talk polite banalities,” he said, reaching for her, his hands hard on her shoulders. “Maybe we should start over.”
Before Tally could react, he captured her mouth with his, drew her to him, her soft breasts pressed against his strong chest, his hand creating shimmering waves of delight and desire. His mouth evoked remembered longings.
Tally never thought of resisting. She’d as soon resist living. She loved Devon Henderson. She wouldn’t willingly turn again from his embrace. This was where she belonged, where she had longed to be for so many long lonely nights.
When at last Devon drew back to gaze down at her bemused expression, she felt cold, bereft. She swayed toward him again and he caught her around the shoulders, drawing her up close beside him on the swing. His thigh was hard and warm against hers, despite the denim of his jeans. His hand was hard on her arm, holding her tightly as if worried she would try to escape.
“I came to talk. Are you in the mood to listen to what I have to say?” he asked gently, lacing his fingers through hers, resting their linked hands on his thigh.
Tally nodded.
“I want you to marry me,” he started.
Tally turned to see him clearly.
“We’ve been through this before.”
“No, hear me out. I’ve been gone for almost six weeks. During that time I don’t think there was a single moment that I didn’t think of you. Of us. I admit I handled things badly before, so I want to do it right this time.”
“But...”
“Shhh. Just hear me out.” He cleared his throat and gazed out toward the pond. “Sheila and I dated, went to dinner, the theaters, parties. I’ve never taken you to things like that. How are you to know you’re being courted if we don’t do that kind of thing?”
“Devon, I never expected to be courted.”
“I should have done more. I’m here now to make up for that. The flowers and candy are only a start.”
“I loved them. I didn’t have a clue you sent them. I thought it might be from Jimmie May to cheer me up.”
Should she tell him she’d never received such gifts before?
“Why did you need cheering up?” He pounced on her careless statement.
“I...uh...”
He smiled at her obvious embarrassment. At the implication of her statement.
“As I said. the flowers and candy are a start. Now we can continue. Dinner, dancing. Maybe a weekend in San Francisco, just the two of us. We can drive up to Reno to see a show.”
“Devon, I don’t need things like that,” she interjected softly.
“Tally, I want to give you the world. I want to have you remember our courtship as one of the happiest times of your life. Because I want it to lead to a happy marriage.”
She shook her head, but he didn’t stop.
“I’ve spent the last month doing everything you asked of me. To prove to you that we should marry.”
“But...”
“Hush,” he said, kissing her lightly. “I took your advice and went to see Mr. Roberts. It wasn’t easy even getting to see him. But he finally agreed. I told him exactly what had happened and why. I apologized.” Devon was silent for a long moment.
Tally knew it could not have been easy. “And?”
“I felt better. He said he could understand it, though not condone it. I’m glad I went, Tally. I still wished I’d never done it, but it helped to talk to him about it.”
“Then you went home to Maryland. Did you tell your folks?”
“Yes, and that was darned hard. It shook them. But what surprised me was how much it hurt them that I hadn’t told them at the time. We had a lot of long talks. I know them better now and they know me better. So you were right again. A person’s family loves him no matter what darn-fool thing he does. I hadn’t told them about the books, either. They were proud of that.”
Tally smiled somewhat smugly, but said nothing.
Oh, Bobby, another one who benefited.
“I stayed in Salisbury. Seems to me I visited everyone I’ve ever known. Saw all my cousins, aunts, uncles, my grandfather. I didn’t tell them all about being in prison, but did tell them about my books. It was nice to go home for a visit.”
“I’m glad.”
“I’ve also tied up all loose ends financially. Sold my condo. Got a contract for this second book. And came up with another idea for a new book. I have money in the bank, can go wherever I want, do what I want.” He paused.
She remained still. Waiting.
“The acceptance of the book didn’t mean as much to me until I could share it with you. Everyone in Maryland was excited, but you’re the one I wanted to tell. I knew you’d be thrilled for me. I needed to share it with you to make it real for me.”
Tally smiled wryly.
“I was thrilled when I got your card telling me. And mad at you for not giving me any way to contact you. There was so much I wanted to say,” she said, hope beginning to build.
There had always been so much to say with Devon.
“Exactly my point. We belong together, we complete each other.”
“But...” she began.
“One hang-up you have,” he continued as if she had not spoken, “was my having been out of circulation for a while. I fixed that. I’ve been out with ten different women. One even twice. They were pretty, friendly, interesting, funny. A couple were downright sexy. But I never found one that could begin to replace you. I tried, Tally, really, if only to please you. But there was nothing between us. I want you.”
Tally said nothing, conscious of her emotions ranging from jealousy to joy as he talked.
He dropped a kiss on the corner of her mouth, holding up a finger to stop her when she would have spoken.
“I know you want to be an independent woman. I can accept that. Marriage doesn’t end that. You are who you are. Nothing I can do will ever change that. If you’d take me on, I guarantee it’d be an equal partnership. I like being on the ranch. I can help out even if I’ll never know as much as Gus or Rusty. But I can pull my weight. And do the accounts,” he slipped in slyly.
She groaned softly. “I hate that part.”
“I know. But you don’t hate the rest, do you, Tally? Don’t say no, not this time.”
“Devon, there’s more at stake than the accounts.”
How much more could she stand? She wanted to say yes, wanted to have him stay forever.
“I know, my record,” he said grimly.
“No, that doesn’t bother me.”
“Tally, don’t keep saying no! I love you so much.” He pulled her against him, his face buried in her soft curls. “I’ve missed you so much, wanted you so much. I’ll fix every objection you give me, make everything come right, court you all you want, only don’t keep saying no!”
Holding her breath she replayed the words in her mind.
“You love me?” she asked breathlessly.
Her heart pounded before it began to take flight. She wanted to believe. She remembered Jimmie May’s urging, her own desires. She remembered how lonely and empty her life had been these past weeks without Devon to share it.
“Yes, I love you. I love you more than I thought I could love anyone. I want to marry you, sleep with you, love you. Wake up together in the mornings and plan our days together, our future together. I want you to be the mother of our kids, to be my companion when I’m old. I’ll learn more about the ranch and maybe write a book or two over the years, but not without you there. What do you say, Tally?”
“I thought you were fond of me.” Saying the words still hurt.
“I blew that. I didn’t want to fall in love again. I made such a mess of things over Sheila. But what I feel for you is nothing like what I felt for her. I love you deeply, lastingly. It’s based on good things, not false expectations.”
“You never gave me any indication. I thought you didn’t trust me.”
“That was a man fighting against feelings he was afraid to trust. I was drawn to you the first day I saw you. Your efforts to make me comfortable and at ease were almost too good to be true. I love your sweet Southern drawl, the kindness you always show, the silly notions you get, like a pond for ducks to swim in. The patience you show the kids, the genuine delight you feel for the ranch. I think I fell all the way in love the day Henrietta’s egg fell on my face. Later you learned about so many parts of my life, never condemning, only encouraging. But I had been very badly burned in trying to love. I fought against trusting you, against loving you.”
“But now you’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Say yes, Tally.”
Tally began to smile. Her heart pounded in fearful anticipation, overflowing with happiness until she thought she’d burst.
“All life’s a gamble, sweetheart. We don’t know how much time we have, let’s not waste a minute of it apart. I want to spend all my tomorrows with you. I hope we’ll share sixty years or more together, my love, starting right now.”
She took the plunge.
“Yes, please, Devon. I’d be honored to marry you.”
His exulted yell surprised her, but before she could even blink at his reaction, he stood up and swung her into his arms, twirling her around and around on the porch. Major barked in the background, confused with the sudden activity.
The back door banged shut and hurried footsteps could be heard through the house.
“What’s going on?” Alberta asked, bursting out on the porch. Stopping at the sight before her, she grinned.
“Tally’s going to marry me,” Devon said, setting her down on her feet.
“Well, about time, I’d say,” Alberta replied, nodding.