“Annie wait! Don’t leave, please!”
She could barely hear his voice. The ringing in her ears made it sound as if she were in a tunnel. Her head began to spin as she opened the car door to climb behind the wheel. She fumbled with her keys. She looked up to see Heath dashing outside. He’d grabbed a shirt and was buttoning it as he made his way to her car.
“Annie! Don’t go. Let me explain.”
Explain? Her mind screamed. She couldn’t draw a breath, couldn’t think. She had to get out of there. Annie tried once more to put the key in the ignition. It slid in. She turned the key, put the car in gear, and pushed hard on the accelerator, fishing tailing and barely missing Heath as he ran around to cut her off.
She gunned the engine and blew past him as tears streaked down her face. She didn’t look back and didn’t stop even as she could still hear his shouts behind her. What a fool she’d been, believing he loved her.
Annie drove a few miles then pulled over. She couldn’t see for the tears that blurred everything in sight. She turned off the engine and lights then sat back in the seat until her head and eyes had cleared. Every part of her ached as if she’d been slammed by a moving train. Minutes passed. She started the car and made her way home, continuing to berate herself for believing in someone incapable of love or the commitment that went with it.
Annie pulled into the garage and walked inside, throwing her purse on the counter before grabbing a glass of water. She chugged it down and took several deep breaths. That’s when she heard it. The sound of a truck stopping in her drive.
She dashed to the window to see Heath getting out and heading straight for her door. He didn’t knock, just grabbed the spare key, and walked inside.
Annie stood not ten feet away, her red face and puffy eyes all the confirmation he needed that he’d made a huge mistake opening the door to Diana that night.
It had been close to seven o’clock. Heath had showered, pulled on a pair of jeans, and settled into a comfortable chair in the family room. He’d been ready to call Annie, find out what was going on, and get her to commit to seeing him tomorrow, maybe tonight if he could talk her into it. Pounding on the front door had stopped him.
He’d opened the door to find Diana in one of her sleek, suggestive outfits standing outside with a bottle of wine in one hand and take-out in the other.
“What are you doing here?” he’d asked, none too gently.
“Why? Aren’t you glad to see me?”
“No, not at all. What do you want?” He’d held the door firm, not letting her pass.
“Why, I drove all this way just to see you. You’re alone, I’m alone. I thought we might be able to find something to fill our time.”
“No, Diana, it’s over—we’re over.” Frustration gripped him. “There’s someone else and she’s important to me. They’ll be no more you and I, understand?” He’d been furious at Diana. She just wouldn’t let go even though she’d shown no signs of being upset when he’d called it off months before. The last few weeks he’d had to field numerous calls from her. Now this.
She’d stood in silence for a moment, digesting his words, then raised her head, her trademark smile plastered on her face. “Oh, all right. But at least let me come in and use your bathroom before forcing me back out on the road.”
He still didn’t want to let her in, something told him not to, yet the gentleman in him won over the certainty that it was a mistake.
Diana had no more come out of the bathroom and begun to gather her things when someone else knocked at his door. He’d pulled it open to see Annie. God, could this get any worse?
Now he stood in Annie’s house. The two of them staring at each other.
Heath broke the silence. “You are going to let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain. I’m pretty sure I understand what was going on.”
“No, you don’t understand. That’s why you’re going to let me tell you.”
“No.”
He walked towards her and gripped her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Annie, I love you. No one else. You’re going to let me explain what was going on at my place, then we’re going to talk it through. After that, you’re going to tell me why in the hell you haven’t called it off with the doctor.”
She couldn’t remember ever seeing Heath this angry. Maybe something else had been going on. Annie calmed enough to realize he was right. She didn’t know what had happened, only drawn conclusions from the very graphic image Diana presented. She owed him the chance to explain.
“All right. You can explain. After that you’ll have to leave.”
He would settle for that—for now.
She walked to the kitchen and started some tea. “Coffee, anything?”
“Coffee would be great. Thanks.” Heath took a seat on the other side of the counter. “Where’s Eric?” He’d expected to see the young man in his normal spot on the sofa.
“Doug and a couple of friends from school drove over for a few days. They got rooms at a hotel. Told Eric he needed some time away from home and hauled him off. Kind of quiet without him.”
Annie handed Heath his coffee, grabbed her cup, and sat on a nearby stool.
“Okay. Explain.”
It didn’t take more than fifteen minutes for him to describe the break-up, Diana’s repeated attempts to reconnect, her uninvited appearance at his home that night, and how he’d had to wait for Diana to drive away before he could follow Annie. He paused to push both hands through his thick, dark hair then stood and walked to the large, plate-glass window. It was a dark night with the sliver of a moon peeking through the tall pines in Annie’s backyard. He turned from the window and shoved both hands in the pockets of his jeans, his expression bleak.
Annie felt horrible about judging him before getting the facts. Yet, it had seemed so clear when she’d looked behind him to see Diana with a smirk on her face. Now it all made sense.
“I guess I may have overreacted.”
“You guess?”
“All right, I did overreact, but I think you might have done the same in my position.”
“Perhaps.” Heath’s heated gaze locked on her. “Now, the doctor. I want to know why you’re still seeing him.” He’d stepped within two feet of her.
She jumped from the stool and walked around the counter into the kitchen. “The doctor. Well, he’s a good man, dependable, kind.” She looked up at Heath. “You know, all the things a woman wants.”
Heath followed her at a slow pace, not letting her get more than a few feet away. “Everything a woman wants?”
She took a deep breath. “Of course, not every man can offer all a woman wants.” Annie moved to the sink, then around the center island to the counter on the other side.
“Are you sleeping with him?”
“No, of course not.”
Relief washed over him. “Do you feel the same way with him as you do with me when we kiss?” He continued following her around the kitchen, crowding her space.
“Well, not really. It doesn’t matter anyway.” The room felt hot. She’d have to check to see if Eric had changed the setting.
“Why’s that?”
“I called it off with him tonight. That’s why I drove out to see you, to let you know.” Annie moved into the family room, trying to create some distance.
“So, it’s just you and me now, Annie. No doctor and no one else, right?”
“No, no one else.” She’d backed up against a wall. Heath now stood not a foot away. “I don’t understand what you want from me,” she whispered.
He took another step forward, placing his hands against the wall on either side of her. “Oh, I think you do.” He dipped his head and captured her mouth in a searing kiss, increasing the pressure when he heard her soft moan.
Heath wrapped his arms around her, tangling his hands in her hair, and shifting his mouth one way then another before delving inside to taste her. A hand trailed down her back to her hip, resting a mo
ment before moving upward, caressing her through the thin blouse. He flipped open the buttons then pushed her top aside before reaching behind her to unhook her bra. He let both fall to the floor as his mouth returned to her neck and sought the soft spot under her ear.
Annie could barely breathe, the sensations at his touch creating a heat that grew with each caress. She pulled his head down and held him to her, wanting to wrap herself around him, mold their bodies together and become a part of him.
“Annie, I want you tonight, now.”
“Yes.”
He didn’t wait but lifted her into his arms, not breaking contact with her mouth, and carried her down the hall to her bedroom.
******
They’d made love for what seemed like hours, touching and holding each other after each was totally spent. Heath had never felt this way—complete—as if Annie was a part of his being that couldn’t be separated without causing irreparable damage.
Heath pulled her tight against his chest not wanting to sever the contact. He nuzzled his face in her hair and trailed kisses down her neck to her shoulders.
“I want a second chance with you, a second summer, and every summer after that,” he whispered.
Her eyes slowly opened as his words washed over her. “What are you asking?” she breathed out.
“I’m offering you all I have, Annie. Marry me.”
Annie turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You’re certain? You won’t change your mind?”
“Never. I’m yours.”
~~~~~
Chapter Fifteen
Two months later…
The wedding came together easily. Annie and Heath wanted the same thing—close family and friends at a beautiful site on the ranch that overlooked the valley and the magnificent mountains beyond.
Everyone was to meet in a few hours using horses, wagon, or walking. No cars allowed. The MacLarens supplied the transportation for those who wanted to ride or guests to use their own. Tents had been erected, just in case the weather turned nasty. After the ceremony, everyone would ride back to the ranch for a light supper that Caroline had arranged. It was, for Annie and Heath, the perfect wedding.
“I can’t believe Annie bought into Caroline’s argument,” Heath complained as Jace helped him with the last of the provisions needed on their ride. He hadn’t seen or slept with Annie in six days, almost a week, and it showed. After not sleeping apart for almost two months the separation was a true irritant.
“Look at the bright side,” Jace chided. “Think how great it will be tonight after a week of drought.” He chuckled and started toward the house.
Heath watched Jace walk away, hating the separation. They were adults, for crying out loud, on their second marriages. They’d been sleeping together for weeks. Why in hell would Annie agree with Caroline that a few days apart would give them a fresh start? Annie was his fresh start. He didn’t need any separation to figure that out.
Jace trudged out carrying one last satchel filled with items Caroline had said they’d need at the ceremony. He placed it in the wagon. One of their men would drive it out to the site once Eric arrived.
“Look there,” Jace nodded toward the long driveway.
“Must be Eric and his friends.” Heath waved then waited for the truck to park in front of the house.
Doug jumped out, offering his hand to Heath and Jace.
“How you doing, Doug? I see you brought your other miscreant friends with you,” Heath chuckled as he walked up to the truck and opened the door to help Eric out. The cast had come off his arm a couple of weeks before but he still had to wrestle with the cast on his leg. Three to five more weeks Barry Newcastle had told him.
Heath had helped Annie take Eric to the doctor’s office for one of his exams. He and Barry had spoken briefly, the doctor offering his congratulations on the upcoming wedding but warning Heath that if it didn’t work out, Barry would be waiting. At least the doctor was honest.
“You going to be all right riding in the wagon?” Heath asked Eric. “If not, we can get a car out there.”
“Are you kidding, and risk the wrath of my mother? No, she said no cars and I’m not going to be the one who goes against her.”
“Smart choice.” Heath and Jace helped him up on the wagon seat while Doug and their other friends climbed into the open spaces behind.
“All right, you’re off.” Heath stood by to watch the wagon move north toward the wedding site. He estimated it would take them no more than thirty minutes by wagon. “When do the ladies get here?” he asked Jace who was just hanging up his cell phone after a call with his oldest, Blake.
“Didn’t Annie tell you that they’ll meet us out there?”
Heath stared at his brother, placed his hands on his hips then turned toward the house.
“Hey, it’s not my fault you didn’t get the memo,” Jace called after him and chuckled. He’d never seen Heath in such unfamiliar territory. Control had been stripped from him as well as his woman. Life just keeps getting better Jace grinned as he headed to the barn and the horses.
******
An hour later everyone was gathered on the vista overlooking the valley. There was a lake in the distance and much of the surrounding pastureland was green from the heavy spring rains. Heath looked around. Annie wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“She’ll be here.” Jace clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I know.” Heath tried to stay positive yet a niggling sensation warned him that perhaps she’d changed her mind and decided marrying someone who had a history such as his wasn’t worth the risk.
“She’s crazy about you,” Jace continued, looking around and wondering what was taking the women so long.
“Yeah, I know.” He’d never been insecure, hardly knew what the word meant, yet he felt apprehensive and anxious. This was either going to be the best or worst day of his life. All he could do was wait to see which.
“They’re coming!” Jace’s youngest son, Brett, called out from his perch on a nearby hill.
Heath closed his eyes and let out a deep breath—glad none of his business associates had been invited. He sure as hell didn’t want them to see him like this.
A few minutes later a beautiful black carriage rolled toward him, his son Trey driving with Cameron sitting alongside. He brought it to a perfect stop just feet away from where Heath stood.
Jace opened the carriage door, helping Brooke, Cassie, and finally Caroline, the matron of honor, descend. He motioned for Heath.
He took one hesitant step, glanced at Trey who nodded to him to get moving, then closed the distance to the carriage and looked inside.
A beautiful sight, a vision really, smiled back at him. He held out his hand. When she accepted it a wave of feelings passed through him like nothing he’d ever felt. He saw his future in that brief moment and an understanding that everything he’d ever dreamed of was now his.
Annie stepped down, holding tight to Heath’s hand. Music began to play and the couple turned toward their guests.
“Wow.” Blake turned to his younger brother, Brett. “She looks great.”
The music continued as Jace and Caroline walked, arm and arm, to where the minister stood, his back to a majestic combination of meadows, water, and mountains. They stopped and turned toward the bride and groom.
Heath smiled at Annie as he led her forward, trying to concentrate and not be distracted by the beautiful woman on his arm.
The minister watched them walk forward. He’d seen many brides yet Annie stood out in a class by herself. She wore a beautiful cream colored lace and silk gown that fell off her shoulders. Lace sleeves continued down her arms, ending in a vee at her wrist. The skirt fell in soft vees to just below the tops of the Victorian western lace-up boots she wore. Her ivory colored silk western hat was adorned with lace and pearls, with a veil that fell to her mid-back.
The music stopped. Annie and Heath dropped their hands to
take a small step apart, each smiled, then looked up at the minister.
“Dearly beloved…”
~~~~~
Epilogue
“I’m so glad you were able to make it out, Trey. I know Heath hoped you could get the time even if he never said it.” Annie followed her new stepson outside. He was flying back to NAS Lemoore.
“There wasn’t a problem getting away. I wouldn’t have missed it.” He leaned down to give Annie a kiss on the cheek before sliding in next to Heath for the drive to the small air field near Fire Mountain. Robert would fly him to California. He’d be back on base in a couple of hours.
“See you in a bit,” Heath said to Annie as he pulled away.
Annie watched them leave then turned to walk into the big ranch house that had become her home. She made tea and settled in a large, leather chair that had been in the family for two generations and reflected on the last few weeks.
She was now the mother of three and step-mother of two. She loved them all which meant now there were two more to worry about. Annie laughed at her train of thought. There were also two more she’d be allowed to watch build their lives as well as their own families. She set the cup down, wrapped her arms around a pillow, and nodded off.
Heath stood by the plane, giving the final instructions to Robert while Trey threw in his one bag. He was proud of his son, of what he’d achieved, yet each goodbye seemed more difficult. Something was weighing on Trey. He’d refused to confide in either his sister, Jace, or him. That was the hardest part. Knowing Trey carried a burden he was unable or unwilling to share.
“Thanks, Dad,” Trey wrapped his arms around his father and pulled tight. None of this attaboy type stuff for them.
“You be safe and let me know how things are going,” Heath replied and stepped back. “Annie and I will look forward to all the calls and letters.” Both grinned, knowing that Trey was bad at both.
“Text all right?”
“Sure, we’ll accept texts.”
Trey started up the steps then turned back. “Annie is a great woman. You’re lucky to have her.”
“Yeah, I know.” Heath stepped back as the door closed, locking Trey inside. It would be months before they saw each other again.
He walked to his car and stood until the plane taxied out then took off, waving, knowing Trey was waving back. Heath bent down to get into the car, put the key in the ignition, and smiled. Time to grab his bride and start getting ready for their two-week honeymoon in Paris.