She drove through town hoping she wasn’t caught in the festival traffic as people left and headed home. She drove towards Hunter’s apartment. She’d thought about taking turns on long and winding roads to stretch out the time it would take her to get there.
But not tonight. She wanted to see Hunter. She was going insane. She was sure of it. How could she want to see him and not see him at the same time? Dr. Matthews would have her locked up for sure.
She headed down the road that led to Hunter’s apartment in a daze. It had been over nine years since she’d opened that box. She wasn’t sure what it would be like to see her son again.
As she pulled into the parking lot, she noticed that Hunter’s truck wasn’t there. The lights were’nt on in his apartment either. Perhaps that urgent call had finally forced him to give it attention. She only hoped that it hadn’t been an emergency that she had taken his attention away from.
Julie parked the car, rolled down the window, and sat there. Caleb wasn’t home so she could wait there for Hunter to get back home. She had a feeling she’d lose her nerve if she left this parking lot. She had to see it through.
She waited in the parking lot for two hours, and had nearly fallen asleep in her car when she heard Hunter’s truck pull up next to her car. She bolted upright in the seat and rubbed her eyes.
“Julie. What’s wrong?”
She swallowed hard. “I had to see you.”
He looked at her for a long moment. “Had? Why?”
“I have something for you.”
Her voice cracked as she said the words. She climbed out of the car, biting on her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Then she reached into the car and grabbed her purse and the little shoebox. She handed the box to him.
“What is this?”
She took a deep breath. “Pictures of Hunter. Our baby.”
His shoulders sagged as the weight of her words fell heavy on his back.
“You have pictures?”
She nodded. “I haven’t looked at these in nine years. I’d like to look at them with you now.”
Tears filled his eyes. “Okay. Let’s go inside.”
She left the car window open. Caleb would be upset with her, but she didn’t care about the car. The treasure was in the box. It was all she had left.
Once they were inside, he handed her the box.
“I’ve just been out at Bert’s ranch. I had to put a special boot on one of his horses who got injured in practice. I’m a little dirty.”
“It’s okay.”
Hunter washed his hands in the sink as Julie brought the box to the kitchen table. She waited for him to dry his hands before opening the box.
As he came up beside her, he whispered in her ear. “Nice legs.”
She smiled even though she felt the weight of tears behind her eyes.
They stood in the kitchen and looked at each picture slowly. It was hard to see, and yet, it was joyous at the same time to be sharing it with Hunter. When all the pictures were spread out on the table, Hunter looked at them and picked up on particular picture and studied it.
“I’m going to paint this one.”
“Yeah? I would love that.”
“Me, too.”
“He’s buried in Seattle. Maybe one day we can go visit him there.”
“He’s not there, Julie.” Hunter pointed to her chest. “He’ll always be here.”
“I guess you’re right. He’s been with me all along.”
He put the picture down and took her in his arms.
“I know you’re hurting. I’m hurting too. I don’t think this kind of hurt ever goes away. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start all over again. I love you, Julie. I don’t want to lose you again.”
She wrapped her arms around him and looked into his eyes and saw all that love shining there just for her. How could she have doubted it?
“I love you, too, Hunter. I always have.” She kissed his lips and rested her cheek against his. “Will you do something for me?”
“Anything. Just ask.”
“Will you…go to a funeral with me?”
He snapped his head back and looked at her with alarm.
“The woman I rented a room from just died. The funeral is tomorrow. She was a nice lady. She was very special. I wasn’t sure I could handle going to her funeral. But I can if we go together.”
“I have a feeling we can face anything as long as we do it together.”
She smiled. “I sure hope so.”
He rested his head on her forehead. “How did I get this lucky to have a second chance with you again?” he whispered.
“Funny.”
“What?”
“I was thinking the same exact thing.”
Hunter went with her to Margaret’s funeral. She didn’t bother to pretend she wasn’t heartbroken by losing her friend. And a few weeks later they got in the truck and drove to Seattle so they could visit their baby’s grave. It was hard. But being with Hunter had made it easier.
On the drive home, she sat next to Hunter in the cab of his truck and leaned her head on his shoulder while he drove.
“Marry me,” she said.
The truck momentarily swerved as he took his eyes off the road to look at her face to see if she was joking.
She lifted her gaze to him. “You’re not going to answer me?”
“You want to get married?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Whenever you want. We can have the wedding at the chapel house where Caleb and Katie are getting married.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Someone has to clean your apartment. I don’t want to have to do my apartment and yours, too.”
He chuckled. “Is that the only reason?”
“I’m crazy about you. Is that a good enough reason?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“We find a preacher and get married right now. I don’t want to risk you running off on me again. I want you in my arms and
