Slade’s fingers about hers tightened. “I know what it’s like not to feel like you have any control over a situation.”
“Then you understand?”
He nodded. “When I had that wreck, my life changed instantly. I learned firsthand how little control we really have over our lives.”
“That’s why faith in God is so important.”
“I believe that now, but at the time I was angry and lashed out at myself, at God, at the Fates.”
“My faith was the only thing that kept me going. I ran from my family. I wouldn’t let them support me. I hid out here and licked my wounds, pretending everything was normal. It wasn’t.” Tory grasped Slade’s other hand, too. “I wouldn’t let a man touch me. I didn’t like even getting near a man, and certainly being alone with one panicked me.”
“You’re alone with me. I’m touching you.”
“That’s just it. You don’t threaten me. I let down my guard enough to really get to know you and what kind of man you are. I knew you would never hurt me. That’s why I could agree to marry you and provide Mindy with a home.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you realized that. I’d never hurt you.”
Tory moved closer, their knees touching on the swing. “I wanted more and thought I was ready for it. Then we had to go to Dallas and all my memories of what happened slapped me in the face. Now I realize that if it hadn’t been Dallas, something else would have triggered the buried feelings. I had to deal with them, not run from them.”
“Have you stopped running?”
She leaned toward him. “Yes, definitely. I love you, Slade Donaldson, and I want us to be husband and wife in every sense.”
His lips met hers in a gentle kiss. “I love you, Tory Donaldson.”
“Let’s go say good-night to Mindy before she wonders what happened to us.”
Slade grasped Tory’s hand as they walked into the house. The comfort of his touch melted any doubts she might still have. When they entered Mindy’s bedroom, she was in her bed with the pillows propped up behind her back and a book in her lap.
“Dad-dy start-ed Black—Beau-ty.”
“I loved that book when I was a little girl.”
Tory sat at the end of the bed while Slade scooted a chair close to Mindy. He began to read, his deep, baritone voice floating to Tory and enveloping her in its rich tones that she wanted to hear every day of the rest of her life.
When he finished the chapter, he snapped the book closed and put it on the nightstand. “Good night, sweetheart.”
Mindy snuggled down into the covers while Tory arranged them around her and Belle. “I’m so glad to be home. After school tomorrow, you and I will go for a ride.”
“Yes! Dad-dy, too?”
Tory slanted a look back at Slade. “Daddy, too. That is, if he can come home early from work.”
“You two have a date,” he said, lounging against the doorjamb.
Tory brushed a kiss across Mindy’s forehead, then switched off the lamp on the nightstand. The light from the hallway illuminated her way toward Slade silhouetted in the doorway, relaxed as though he had not a care in the world.
In the hallway by her bedroom Slade drew her into his arms, his mouth claiming hers. When he pulled back, he whispered, “I love you, Tory,” then gave her a quick kiss on the lips before releasing her and heading toward his bedroom.
Dazed, Tory watched him walk away. “But what about—”
He swung around, his hand on his doorknob. “As I told you before, you’re in control. You’re calling the shots. The next step is up to you.”
The quiet click of his door as he closed it resounded in the hall. The silence of the house cloaked her in a feeling of safety. She glanced at her door then at his. Chewing on her bottom lip, she thought about her ride to the ranch, about her conversations earlier with Susan and Slade and knew what she wanted to do more than anything. She walked to his door and pushed it open.
He turned toward her, a smile of welcome on his face. She shut the door and flew into his embrace.
Epilogue
Mindy rushed into the spacious new kitchen decorated in palm trees and bamboo with red and green accents. She came to a halt beside Tory at the counter. “Laurie’s here. She’s the last one. Come on. I can’t open my presents without you, Mom.”
“Whoa. Slow down. I’m just about through with putting the punch together.” Tory dumped the frozen lemonade into the large pitcher and stirred the liquid with a wooden spoon.
“Mom! We all want to ride.”
Tory grinned and laid the spoon in the sink. “I know, but first the presents then the food. Is your dad ready with the video camera?”
Mindy cocked her head. “What do you think? Does he go anywhere without it?”
“Not lately,” Tory said with a laugh. “You go back to your guests and I’ll be right there.”
“Promise?”
“Have I ever let you down?”
Mindy shook her head and hurried back into the den.
Tory swung around and scooped up Sean from the high chair. Banana bits were all over his mouth and the front of his shirt and even in his dark hair. “You are one messy eater, young man.” She took a washcloth and wiped him clean. “We’d better get into the den. Your big sister is impatient. Maybe you can ride today, too. Of course, it will have to be with your daddy.”
Sean grinned up at her and made babbling sounds as though he were telling her that would be fine by him.
The second
