Tears rolled from her eyes and once again she couldn’t stop them.
He crawled to her side and took her hand. “Have you ever looked at the inside of your wedding band?”
“No. Why?” She smiled at him through happy tears.
“Forever is inscribed inside, as is mine.”
She removed her ring to see and there it was in very tiny letters. Her heart wobbled. “I’ve never taken it off and I never thought to look. Did you have it inscribed?”
“No. Roscoe said, ‘Boy, my girl needs a ring,’ so I went to a jewelry store. They just happened to have these rings. The jeweler said that sometimes a couple likes a message inside so I bought them. It was easy and quick, but deep down in my heart I must have known we’d make this marriage work. Now I’m glad I bought them ’cause the message fits. And…and I’m a one marriage type of guy.”
A shadow marred his handsome face and she knew what he was thinking. She kissed his cheek. “You’re nothing like your father.”
He lifted her hand. “Jessie Murdock Hardin, will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” She flew into his arms and knocked him backward, rings and all. Cadde reached for the engagement ring and managed to slip them onto her finger.
“I love you,” he murmured, holding her face. “No force, no manipulation, just an everlasting love.”
“I love you, too—forever,” she replied, meeting his lips.
Jessie thought she would never feel joy or happiness again, but she did and could. That was a miracle in itself.
They were going to make it.
With this much love, how could they not?
EPILOGUE
One year later
CADDE GLANCED AT HIS WATCH. Jessie had a doctor’s appointment this morning and she should have called by now. Pushing the worry away, he went back to his laptop and the numbers. They had drilled the second Louisiana well and it came in as big as the first one. Shilah was in the black—big-time. He was proud of that, but the company was never more important than Jessie.
Leaning back, he placed his hands behind his head. A lot had happened in the past year. They’d gotten remarried in the little country church in High Cotton, Texas, with family and friends around them. Jessie had worn white and she’d never looked more beautiful. As he’d stared into her eyes that day he knew he had to keep her safe and the only way to do that was to move away from the horrible memories of the Murdock house.
Later, they talked about it and decided to build a house in High Cotton like Chance. They’d be surrounded by family, friends and neighbors in a community that had to be as safe as it could get. It had worked out fine and Jessie wasn’t paranoid or fearful. Sometimes she was a little too independent for his peace of mind.
He glanced at his watch again. Jessie was meeting Myra for lunch and it was already eleven-thirty. Why hadn’t she called?
Again, he put his fears aside and went back to the numbers. His fingers paused over the keyboard as he remembered the busy year. They had to do something for Rosa and Felix. They’d given many years of their lives to Jessie so Cadde gave them a choice. He would buy them a house anywhere in Houston or build one next to them in High Cotton. He and Jessie had decided they wanted their home to themselves. Rosa and Felix had opted for the home in High Cotton. Jessie was like a daughter to them.
The plan worked well. Rosa and Felix now had a life and so did Jessie.
It seemed the Hardin boys were returning to the place of their birth, except Kid. He owned the property between Chance and Cadde where their parents’ house sat, crumbling. It was an eyesore and soon they’d have to do something about that.
Cadde was happier than he’d ever been. They’d managed to survive the tragedy and they talked about the baby from time to time without the numbing pain. Happiness and time had worked miracles. Now, if Jessie would just call.
The door opened. Jessie slipped in and was in his lap before he knew it. She cupped his face. “Feel my hands. They’re like ice. It’s so cold.”
Every worry in him relaxed and he kissed her deeply, his arms holding her tight. “Where’s your coat?” he asked against her lips.
“I left it in Barbara’s office. I don’t need it in here. I have two strong arms to warm me.”
He stroked her dark hair. She’d cut it a little shorter but it still tumbled down her back, the way he liked. “Aren’t you supposed to meet Myra for lunch?”
She kissed his nose. “I canceled.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
There was that voice. That I’m-gonna-knock-you-for-a-loop voice. “Something’s wrong. What is it?” He looked at her and then at the door. “Didn’t you forget something?”