Chapter Fifteen

 

 

 

Spring and summer were distant memories, but the autumn air retained warmth in spite of the lateness of the season. Cody stood under the large metal sign his ancestor had installed so many generations ago. The linked Os welcomed visitors to a new and prosperous ranch, one that would sustain the O’Neals far into the future.

A place of hope and heart. A good place to raise a family.

In front of him, the house glowed with warmth. The lights inside were on, ready for the gathering twilight to descend completely. Flowers lined the porch and filled fresh window boxes, the roof was brand new and not a single board sagged anywhere on the property. Next to the house, a garage had been erected, and Eugene was in there with two young men, pointing out the various parts of the engine the trio was leaning over.

His grandfather was having the time of his life. No longer alone, no longer relegated to a lukewarm microwaveable dinner by himself in front of the television, Eugene’s progress had been remarkable. The live-in nurse, who had also taken on the duties of school nurse for the students, had been very pleased with how far her primary patient had come in such a short time. Walking on his own, his speech much improved, Eugene had taken to even the roughest of the boys, and they, in turn, had taken to his gruff but caring ways.

The bunkhouse, situated behind the garage on the foundations of the old structure that Cody had torn down, housed fifteen boys. He had high hopes for them. Four more teachers and their families lived in smaller houses behind the bunkhouse, making the Double O its own community. Cody imagined the lives they would change there, the strong, productive futures he and his staff would create.

Instrumental to his plans was the woman currently galloping her horse across the grassy plain. Silhouetted against the setting sun, hair flying, Olivia looked like a mysterious goddess coming to grace a man with her company. She had certainly brought blessings to Cody.

As she drew nearer and slowed her horse, Cody couldn’t help but sway under the force of his emotions. All out, all-consuming love—he was filled with anticipation at just the thought of her presence, her smile, their future together.

She stopped her horse under the metal sign and slid to the ground. Dropping the reins, Olivia threw herself into Cody’s arms. He kissed her deeply, taking her mouth with a forceful thrust of his tongue—tasting her, claiming her, preparing her for what was to come. He pulled back with a slight nip to her bottom lip.

“Welcome home.”

She smiled up at him but wrinkled her nose. “Sorry I’m late. A few guests got a little turned around and arrived long after check-in. Mom was busy fixing supper for everyone, so I had to get them settled.”

“And tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow I’ll show them the mulberry tree before the leaves all fall away.”

“Ah, the mulberry tree.” Cody tightened his arms around Olivia, pressing her close enough to feel his raging erection. Her eyes widened, making him laugh. “I have fond memories of that tree. I would suggest having our wedding there, but God only knows how the pigs would react.”

“Our wedding?” Olivia blinked. “You said you weren’t asking me to marry you yet.”

“I said that months ago. Now, however…”

“You’re asking me to marry you?” A slow smile spread across her face.

Cody glanced up at the sign overhead. Two circles to mark the Double O, his family’s legacy. “Olivia O’Neal has a certain ring to it, don’t you think?”