“You’re a good man, O’Malley, my dad would approve of you.” She leaned on his shoulder and stared out at the mountain in silence.
“Or I could move to wherever you want to live.”
Hannah lifted her head, shock registering on her face. “You’ve got a new bar.”
“And my new mate is more important. I thought we’d covered that.” He cupped her chin in his hands and pressed his lips to her as the breeze swept tendrils of her hair across her cheek. He brushed them away as he pulled back and gazed on her beautiful tear-stained face. “I’d do whatever you needed for you to be happy.”
“Even if that makes you unhappy. I know how much moving to Cougar Ridge means to you. And you are not giving it up for me.” She was adamant and the fire blazed in her eyes. “I’ll figure it out.”
“I just need whatever you figure out to include me. The rest is just window dressing.” He grinned. “I mean it. You and me is all that matters.” He shook his head. “I meant you and me together. I’m not going to trample all over people, especially your father, to make that happen.”
“I know.” She sighed and slid off the boulder, her feet making imprints on the wet ground. “I’d like some time alone before we go back.”
“I’ll sit here and keep a watch over you.” He didn’t want to let her out of his sight but he recognized her need for solitude, there were many times in his life both while he was in the Army and after when he’d take himself off somewhere quiet just to think and clear his head.
“I’m safe here.” She turned around and looked at him. “Why don’t you call in our ride home?”
“You want to leave from here? We could always walk back to the village and check in with O’Brian and Elvie. It would give you more time to think.” The hairs stood up on O’Malley’s neck. He didn’t want her to walk out of his life. But he knew when they got back, she would want to go home alone. She’d need time with her father to explain things. He doubted she would also tell her father the life-changing news that she’d met the love of her life.
“You should get back to that bar of yours. I don’t want your favorite story to tell our grandchildren to be how I ruined your opening by dragging you off into the mountains.” A smile played across her lips. “This will work out.”
He nodded, still unsure it was possible for them all to be happy.
Hannah walked away from him and he sat on the boulder pondering how life liked to throw a wrench in the works at every opportunity. Why couldn’t he have simply found a mate and settled down and got married with no drama?
Because this was meant to be. This journey. It’s changed us all. His cougar was full of wise words as usual.
But has it changed us? I will be going back to the bar and Hannah will be going back to her father. We will both be back where we started.
Is that how you see it? His cougar shook his head. You are willing to give up everything for Hannah and I believe she will find a way to make things work out because you have given her a glimpse of a future filled with love. Filled with marriage and children and a family.
And in his own way, Karl has shown her that those are the most important things in life. O’Malley pondered on those thoughts until he sensed someone leaving the enclave. He lifted his head and inhaled deeply. Norton.
“Hello.” Karl approached O’Malley slowly. “Am I interrupting?”
“No.” O’Malley watched Karl approach. It was strange seeing this man who he never really liked again. Karl wasn’t the same. Sure, he’d lost his memories, but it was as if he’d had a personality change. He was softer spoken and patient. The opposite of the Karl Norton O’Malley had served with.
“This is my favorite place. I come here when I want to think.” Karl climbed nimbly onto the boulder and sat with his legs drawn up to his chin like a child. Certainly, there was a childlike quality to Karl’s expression, an innocence.
It’s as if he’s wiped away his whole life and started again. His cougar wrinkled his broad forehead.
“You like it here.” O’Malley was unsure of how to start a conversation with the man. But you had to start somewhere. So he started with the simple stuff.
“I do. It’s peaceful.” Karl put his hand to his temple. “I don’t think I knew peace before.”
“Do you think that’s why you’ve chosen to forget?”
Karl’s eyes narrowed. “Chosen? I hit my head.”
“And you’re okay with that? You’re okay with losing every part of what brought you here?” He held up his hand. “I’m not judging you or saying it’s right or wrong, I’m just trying to understand.”
“Wiroo said I was on a journey. That journey led me here. When I hit my head, it was because I wanted to leave my past behind and make a new future.” He smiled, his eyes filled with love. “I see it more simply. Before I was unhappy. Now I am happy.”
“There’s a lot to be said for a simple life filled with love and happiness.” O’Malley took a step back, he didn’t have the right to push Karl into trying to remember. It wasn’t his decision to make and he certainly didn’t want to guilt Karl into trying to remember.
Even if Karl remembering would help our mate? his cougar asked.
Even then. This is not our decision. If Hannah is good with it then we have to accept it. O’Malley side-eyed Karl.
Does this mean you believe him? his cougar asked bluntly.
Who said I didn’t believe him? O’Malley couldn’t help
