Cooper had a point. A gracious apology wasn’t Meredith’s style, but neither was baking pies. Yet in she walked accompanied by the smell of fresh pecan pie. Being single and in the military meant Ryland didn’t have many expenses and could likely afford to send money home. Who was Haleigh to interfere? Her baby brother wasn’t a baby anymore.
Determined to let her misgivings go, Haleigh enjoyed the rest of the meal, watching her mother guilt Cooper into one more piece of pie, and then marveling in wonder as the man she loved drew relaxed laughter from a woman who rarely smiled.
As they drove home, Haleigh held two large containers of leftovers on her lap and clung to Cooper’s hand. “You pulled off a miracle tonight,” she said. “I hope you realize that.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he answered, as she knew he would.
Instead of arguing the point, she laid her head on his shoulder and smiled. “I love you, Cooper. More than I can ever say.”
Putting his arm around her shoulders, Cooper pulled her in close. “Then you’ll just have to show me,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Every day for the rest of our lives.”
Turning to see his happy grin, she said, “I like the sound of that.”
“Good.” He squeezed her tight. “Because I plan to do the same.”
How had she ever gotten so lucky?
With a full heart and contented sigh, Haleigh cuddled against Cooper’s side while giving thanks that the one and only man for her, the one who had been right there all those years, had loved her enough to wait.