Travis bit his lip, hesitating. Hoping. “What do you need to tell me?”
Hannah took one small step forward. “I need to tell you that I don’t know Neil Alden. And I don’t trust him.” She took another step. “But I know the man you are now, Travis.” And another. “I trust you. And I love you.” She stopped again, her blue eyes wide and hopeful as she studied his face. “I want to ask you to come home with me. To share your life with me. I have faith in you, and in us.” Her hands picked at the hem of her T-shirt. “And I hope I’m not too late.”
Travis smiled, eased his bag off his shoulder, and lowered it to the ground. “No. You’re not too late.”
A wide grin spread across her face as he opened his arms and she sprinted up the remaining stretch of mountain that separated them and hurled herself into his arms.
Laughing, he swept her up against his chest and trailed kisses over her cheeks, her forehead and nose, then covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply and holding her close.
She made a soft sound of pleasure and he released her, cupping her cheek with his hand as his laughter trailed away.
“But Margaret,” he said, the ache inside him returning. “She—”
“Wants to see you,” Hannah finished for him. She stepped back and took his hand in hers, tugging him toward the truck.
He locked his knees, halting their steps. “I don’t want to hurt her anymore.”
She reached up and her fingers brushed his hair off his forehead, then trailed gently over his furrowed brow. “Margaret knows that,” she whispered. “We all do.” She tugged him forward again. “Come with me?”
Hannah drove back to the ranch slowly, her hand squeezing Travis’s as it rested on her knee. She glanced at him often, her gaze gentle and loving, but the closer they drew to the ranch, the more tense he became.
The gravel driveway emerged as they ascended an incline and Hannah turned left and proceeded at a slow pace toward the lodge. They passed the wooden sign proclaiming PARADISE PEAK RANCH, its wood freshly sanded and stained, and all signs of the fire damage erased.
Guests strolled about the grounds, a few walking with spouses or children as they admired the view, and others knelt on the ground, planting young, healthy seedlings in the gardens surrounding the cabins. In the distance, the horses grazed in the open field, their long tails swishing rhythmically.
Hannah stopped the truck, and Travis looked at the lodge. Margaret and Red walked down the front steps and across the dirt parking lot toward the truck.
“Margaret was hoping you hadn’t traveled too far yet.” Hannah smiled encouragingly. “Go ahead.”
Travis hesitated, then opened the door and exited the truck. He rounded the vehicle slowly, stopping as Margaret and Red reached him.
Red met his eyes, his voice trembling slightly as he said, “You’re late for breakfast, and I’m starving.” His mustache twitched and he smiled. “Don’t keep us waiting again.”
Smiling, Travis shook his head. “Not a chance.”
His shoulders tightened as Margaret stepped forward. She studied his face, her gaze moving slowly over his features; then a small smile curved her lips as she opened her arms.
Legs shaking, Travis moved into her embrace, his heart squeezing painfully at the knowledge of how much this must cost her. Of how much she had to sacrifice to invite him in. His body sagged against hers and tears spilled onto his cheeks at the gentle reverence in her touch.
Margaret kissed his temple and her wet cheek brushed his as she whispered, “Welcome home.”
EPILOGUE
“Are you ready?” Travis smoothed a hand over his bow tie, eased closer to the partially opened bedroom door, and glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s five after one.”
Inside the room, something clattered across a solid surface, then thudded to the floor.
He straightened, his hand gripp
ing the doorknob. “You okay in there? If you need more time, I can—”
“No, I’m all right.” There was a soft rustle of fabric from inside the room, and the door creaked open.
Travis stepped back, carefully sidestepping the slight swish of a long, ivory, chiffon gown and the shiny toes of high-heeled shoes. His gaze skimmed over the delicate material embroidered with beads and sequins and traveled up to the pretty but nervous eyes of the woman staring back at him.
Margaret raised her eyebrows, an anxious expression appearing on her face. “How do I look?”
Travis smiled, taking in her soft, gray curls and fitted wedding gown. “Absolutely beautiful.” He held out his arm, his elbow bent. “May I?”