Silence filtered over the line, and Marissa imagined Trace standing in the barn at the Broken J or looking out over the fields full of horses.
“So what are you doing tonight?” Trace finally asked.
“I gave a start of the year quiz today,” Marissa replied, “so I’ll be grading those then I think I’ll watch a movie.”
“You gave a quiz in the first week of school?” Trace asked surprised.
“Yes,” Marissa giggled. “It gives me an idea of what the students remember and gives me a road map to get started on new learning.” She could almost imagine Trace nodding on the other end of the line and suddenly missed the cowboy terribly.
“Like when I go over the same thing at the beginning of every training session with a young horse.”
“Something like that,” Marissa said. “It just makes it easier to know exactly where my students are.”
“How’s everything else?” Trace asked. “You feeling pretty good?”
“Yes, I’m feeling fine. I also got my paperwork for my maternity leave.”
“That’s good.” Trace's voice sounded worried.
“What’s wrong, cowboy?” Marissa asked hanging on the line as her heart kicked up a notch.
“I was wondering if you’d want me to come out when the time comes,” Trace finally admitted.
“You don’t have to do that. I have my mom here.”
“I know I don’t have to,” Trace’s voice was soft, breathy. “I’d like to though.”
Something in Marissa’s heart turned over at the thought. Trace wanted to be here for her, and it made her want to be there with him. To wrap her arms around him and feel the steady, warm presence of his hug.
“I’d love you to be here if you want to,” Marissa said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Thanks,” the smile in Trace’s voice carried along the phone line and warmed Marissa’s heart.
They spent a few more minutes talking over the phone before Marissa had to get supper and get back to work, but that night as she tumbled into bed, she found herself more content and secure than she could ever remember being.
Trace would be here when the time came, and she had to admit that she couldn’t wait to see the cowboy again. Deep down she was starting to suspect that she was falling in love with the crazy man who had convinced her that she could get through this difficult time in her life with a little help.
Chapter 17
Thanksgiving was just around the corner and Marissa was feeling tired. The school year had been grueling, but her students were doing well. As they approached the end of quarter grading, she was happy with the grades and with where her students would be when she took leave starting with the Christmas holidays.
Every night she hurried home to her tiny apartment expecting the call she seemed to live for. There was no doubt in her mind now that she loved Trace, even if the feelings were all mixed-up with fluctuation hormones, and appreciation for is help.
She had never felt so connected to anyone as she did with Trace. He was easy to talk to, caring, and funny. All-day she would think about his call and smile each time the phone rang.
“Hey you,” Trace’s voice came over the line as soon as she picked up the phone that night.
“Hey yourself,” Marissa said with a smile, surprised when only silence came across the line. “Trace, are you still there?” she asked sitting up in her favorite chair.
“Ya, I’m here,” Trace said his tone making Marissa’s heart leap into overdrive.
“Trace is something wrong,” Marissa asked her voice shaking slightly. Perhaps he was having second thoughts about this whole arrangement, and she realized that she didn’t think she could handle that.
“I was just wondering,” Trace said, his voice hesitant, “I was wondering if I could come for a visit.”
Marissa sagged into the chair as she sucked in a breath. “Really?” she asked her heart now skipping with joy. “I’d love for you to come to visit.”
“I’ve already asked Chase for a few days off over Thanksgiving if that would work for you,” the cowboy said. “I thought since you’re off too, we could hang out.”
“I’d like that Trace,” Marissa said tears springing to her eyes as she cursed her crazy hormones. “When can you come?”
“How about I fly out next Friday? You have the week off, so I’ll be there for the first weekend.”
“That sounds great,” Marissa said. “Do you want to join me for Thanksgiving at my parents’ house?” she asked a little worried. She had explained the situation to her parents, and her mother was livid while her father was relieved.
“You sure I’ll be welcome?”
“Yes, I’m sure you will be welcome,” Marissa said. “And if my folks give you a hard time, we’ll go out to dinner together.”
Trace chuckled. He couldn’t wait to see the smart, funny, and slightly snarky Marissa. The more he had gotten to know her, the more he realized that he was losing his heart. It had been a crazy impulse to offer her his name and support, but now he realized that he was in trouble.
Daisy had been right, he liked Marissa, perhaps even loved her in more than one way. He needed to see her, and he only prayed that his visit would be a time where he could share more of his greatest love.
He was just a simple cowboy, but he knew his heart. “I guess I’ll see you in a week,” he finally said his rich voice rolling over her with a warmth that trickled to her toes.
“I can’t wait,” Marissa said bidding the cowboy good night.
***
Trace clicked off the phone then headed for the house in the middle of the pasture to talk to Chase. He was hoping that Jackson and Red would still be there as well, having their monthly conference. He was in deep and needed the only thing that could help: prayer.
“Trace, what are you doing here?” Chase asked opening the door and welcoming the wrangler into
