A Cowboy’s Honor (14 page)

D
allas lay perfectly still, waiting for the blackness to overtake his mind again.

When nothing happened he opened his eyes, saw a familiar sun-streaked head lying by his hand.

Gracie.

He knew her.

He knew the way she’d awaken, pulling out of sleep in slow motion. He knew the way her mouth would curve, how her blue eyes would wrinkle at the edges when she smiled. He knew her voice would resemble rough velvet when she spoke the first words of the day. He knew a thousand other details that had lain hidden for so long.

Thank You, God.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” he murmured, touching her cheek with the tips of his fingers, so she wouldn’t startle.

She uncurled from her slumber like a cat, blinked her incredible lashes, smiled and sent his heart monitor into overdrive.

“You’re awake,” she whispered.

“So are you.”

A nurse came in, adjusted the machine and grinned. “Take it easy, okay?”

Dallas smiled back, then remembered.

“Misty?” He jerked upright, winced at the stabbing pain. A quick glance didn’t locate her blond curls nearby. “Is she hurt?”

“Misty’s fine, Dallas. She’s with your parents at a hotel.”

“Mom and Dad arrived? You met them?” Her nod released a stress he hadn’t known he felt. “Great. You’ll love them.”

“Misty said you remembered everything.”

“Not everything, but most of it. I got mugged, Gracie, jumped and beaten when I was scouting some land.”

“Why would you be scouting land? For work?”

He shook his head, unable to tear his gaze from her beloved face. “I’m not a complete loser, Gracie. I didn’t walk away without a plan for our future. I just wanted to keep it all a secret until I could surprise you. Dumb idea.”

“Yes, it was,” she agreed tartly. “So what’s the surprise?”

“It’s probably gone by now, not that we need it. But I found this piece of land. I was eating in the airport in Vancouver and I heard these two men talking about a huge piece of estate property that was being subdivided in the hills outside L.A. I decided to check it out. It was kind of in a forest.”

“This can wait, Dallas.”

“No, I want to tell you. There was this kid, and his dog got away, so I had to rescue it. Regret,” he said, suddenly remembering. “The dog’s name was Regret. That’s why I kept seeing the word.”

Gracie lifted an eyebrow. “You’re going to tell me the dog mugged you?”

“No, silly.” He pulled her close, kissed her as he’d longed to, the way he kissed her when they’d been apart too long and he hadn’t seen her for a while. “I love you. Do you know that? I was going to tell you before I went on that ride, but I thought I’d wait, let you see that your fears were groundless, that God was in control.”

The enormity of what had happened hit home like a sledgehammer. The worry he’d put Gracie through—it was unimaginable.

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have taken Misty.”

“Are you kidding me?” Gracie pushed him back so that his head rested on the pillow. “I’m sorry you got hurt, Dallas. But that ride, looking after you—Misty has a confidence she would never have gained otherwise.” Tears washed the blue to silver, but they were not sad tears.

He caught one on his finger, marveling at the change a day made, to all of them.

“You kept your promise, Dallas. And God kept His. Misty came shining through.”

He couldn’t find any fear in her eyes.

“I love you, Gracie Henderson,” he breathed. “I’ve missed you, wife.”

“I missed you, too, husband.” She kissed him, then drew away, her face bright pink. “People are staring at us.”

“Who cares?” But he contented himself with holding her hand. “I want to go home and be with my family. When can I get out of here?”

“When the doctors say and not a moment sooner. We’re not taking any chances, Dallas.”

“Chances on what? I’m fine. I know what I want. And it’s all on the Bar None.”

“You might be going somewhere else.”

Gracie had turned a very interesting shade of red and she wouldn’t look at him.

“I might? Where?”

“Elizabeth told me she thinks we should take some time off. Together.”

“I always said Elizabeth is a very smart woman.” Dallas kissed Gracie’s lips, then winked at the old man in the next bed. “I’ve been away for a while,” he said.

“How long?”

“Six years.”

“Man, are you going to be busy. You owe her some serious makeup time.”

“Fine by me.” Dallas saw Misty and his parents waiting outside the door.

“I’m going to tell the office to move you out of here,” the nurse said with a smile. “This place is for sick people.”

So they took turns with him. First his mom and dad. He caught up with them, learned they had completed a tour of missions in Bali and had decided to visit Australia before they returned to Dallas.

“We thought about keeping the house, but when you didn’t come back, we decided it was better to get on with life.”

“You were right, Dad. I wouldn’t have wanted you to stay. You always talked about going to see the mission you supported for so long,” Dallas mused. “I’m glad you finally went.”

“It was fun. But we won’t be going back,” his mother informed him. “Not now that we’ve got a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter to spoil. But I’m quite upset with you. How could you not invite us to the wedding?”

“I would have, if you two hadn’t been off gallivanting halfway ’round the world.”

“I assure you, son,” his father grumbled, “we’re not leaving Texas for the foreseeable future. Who knows what you might do next.”

“Is it ever going to be my turn to talk to my daddy?” Misty asked from the doorway.

His parents shared a grin.

“She reminds me a lot of you,” his mother murmured. “And it’s not just the dimples. Come on in, Misty. It’s your turn. Grandpa and I have some things to do.” She hugged Dallas close, then drew away, her eyes watery. “We love you.”

“I love you, too. Can you call me later this afternoon, Mom? I need to ask you to do something.”

They left and Gracie came in, but she and Misty were only there for a few minutes before the doctor arrived.

“I’m going home for a shower and to check on things. I’ll be back later,” Gracie promised, squeezing his hand. “Do exactly what they say. I don’t want any relapses.”

He drew her down, kissed her with his heart and soul.

“Is that the kiss of a man who’s going to have a relapse?” he demanded.

“See what I mean, Doctor?” The nurse winked at him.

Gracie scurried away, but she didn’t look upset.

Dallas turned to the doctor. “Okay, Doc. Let’s talk about getting me out of here.”

In the end, it took four long days for Dallas’s release.

Four days of stolen kisses and whispers of love. Four days of secret plans and a lot of prayer. Four days of wonderful laughter and murmured promises.

And Dallas loved every moment.

H
e’s coming home. He’s coming home.

The refrain spun around and around in Gracie’s head.

She pulled into the hospital parking lot, and her heart hit overdrive when she saw Dallas lounging on the bench outside the main door.

“You were supposed to wait inside,” she scolded. “Don’t they wheel you out in a chair or something when you’re released?”

“Not to worry,” he said, right before he kissed her.

It was ridiculous the way her knees went weak every time he was near. No matter how many times he embraced her, each was new and wonderful.

“The van’s over there.”

“Can we walk in the garden first?”

Sensing Dallas had something he needed to say, she nodded, let him lead her to an uninhabited spot, and sat down on the bench there. To her amazement, he knelt in front of her.

“Gracie Henderson, will you marry me?”

She giggled. “I’m already married to you. Did you forget again?”

“No. Will you marry me, please? Again?”

The seriousness in his eyes, the yearning in his voice compelled her to answer. “Anytime, anyplace,” she whispered.

“How about today?”

He held out a small black box. Gracie flipped open the lid. She gasped at the beautiful diamond solitaire perched on a bed of black velvet, was too shocked to speak as he slid the ring onto her finger.

“It’s going to be a short engagement,” he warned.

She tore her eyes from the stone, frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

“The ceremony is scheduled for this afternoon.” He slid his hands to her face, pressed a delicate butterfly kiss to each eye. “Is it a deal, darling Gracie?”

“I can’t get married in this.” She gestured to her worn jeans and tired sweater.

“No, you certainly can’t.” Dallas’s mother surged toward them. “We have a lot of things to do. Kiss your bride and let us get to it.”

“Yes, Mother.” Dallas drew Gracie to her feet, wrapped his arms around her and held her against his heart. “Trust me, darling?”

“Always.”

Excitement built as she waved goodbye before following her mother-in-law to a waiting limo. “Where are we going?”

“Hair salon. Then to pick up your dress.”

“My dress.” Bemusement blurred everything. “What’s it like?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Misty. What about Misty? She should be a part of this.”

“Oh, she is. She and Elizabeth are tending to other details. As a good bridesmaid and a flower girl should.”

“Dallas arranged all this?”

“Well, he had a little help.” Mrs. Henderson preened.

They both laughed. Gracie leaned back against the smooth leather seat, prepared to relax and enjoy. She had her hair cut and styled, then a manicure and a pedicure, with Misty for company. After a short stop for some iced tea it was off to the bridal shop.

“Hold up your arms and close your eyes, dear. Hester, I don’t want her hair mussed.”

“Yes, Mrs. Henderson,” the bridal shop owner murmured.

With a whoosh a silken garment slid down Gracie’s arms. Behind her someone fastened a zipper.

“Okay. You can look.”

It was a ballerina dress. The bodice was fitted with the daintiest of straps and cinched in around her waist. Below that the tulle skirt billowed out, layer upon layer of the most delicate fabric Gracie had ever seen, tumbling down to her pink-tinted toenails.

“Slip these on, honey.”

Gracie slid her feet into white sandals that looked lethal but were so comfortable.

“Dallas chose your dress.”

Then she remembered. He’d talked about just such a dress the day she’d found him, when she’d told him about their first wedding.

“It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s you who is beautiful, dear. I’ve never seen a lovelier bride.”

“What about me? What do I wear?” Misty demanded.

“Hester?”

Misty’s dress was almost an exact match to Gracie’s, except the child’s was in the palest of pale yellows, repeated in the rosebuds tucked into her silver-gold curls. She had short white socks and white patent shoes that tapped when she walked.

“Am I pretty, Mommy?”

“You’re so lovely I can hardly believe you’re my daughter.”

“Well, I am. But I wish I didn’t have to wear these socks. I want Daddy to see my painted toenails. I never had painted toenails before, did I?”

“You can take your shoes off later, honey,” Mrs. Henderson told her. “But right now we’ve got to get going. Dallas was very specific about the time the ceremony would take place.”

The same time as the last one. Gracie smiled. He’d planned all of this to give them a new start, a new memory. A new beginning.

Their family, starting off whole and strong and together.

Her heart ached with love for this wonderful man.

“I have to make one stop,” she told Mrs. Henderson. “The jewelers. I want to buy a new wedding ring for Dallas. He told me the muggers stole his.”

“I thought you might feel that way. Will this do?” Mrs. Henderson set a wide band of platinum on her palm. “I told Dallas’s jeweler it should match yours.”

“Thank you,” Gracie said, hugging her. How could she ever have feared this woman would be an enemy?

“Don’t thank me. I haven’t had this much fun in years. The bouquets are in the car. Let’s go.”

Gracie could hardly endure the ride to the arboretum. She needed to see Dallas, needed to thread her hand in his, watch his eyes sparkle when he saw Misty. She needed to hear him say he loved her.

She needed to tell him the same thing.

“Here we are.”

Once they were out of the car, Elizabeth joined them.

“You look very beautiful, Gracie. Is it all right for me to be your bridesmaid?”

“Who else? You’re the one who brought us together again. I’m honored, Elizabeth.”

In the distance Pastor Mike stood waiting. Dallas stood with his back to her, talking to his father, who touched his arm. Her husband turned, and as their eyes met, Gracie felt the same burst of joy she’d experienced six years ago. He was wearing a white shirt, black pants, and of course, his boots. His white Stetson gleamed in the sunshine.

“I’m ready,” she whispered.

“All right then. Misty, remember what we practiced?”

“Twenty-five steps. Where’s my basket?”

“Right here.” Music floated across the grass on a gentle breeze. “Off you go now.”

Misty walked across the grass slowly, with great aplomb, dropping tiny yellow rose petals in front of her to create a path. Gracie noticed several bystanders turn to watch. No wonder. Her daughter was a special gift from God. One of many.

Misty reached her twenty-fifth step, moved to the left.

“Now you, Elizabeth. Here are your flowers.”

“Thank you.” Elizabeth followed Misty’s path.

“Gracie, these are from Dallas. With love.”

She stared at the sheaf of golden roses. The yellow rose of Texas. Dallas had sung that song to her often six years ago, strumming his guitar like a proud cowboy.

Her cowboy.

“Are you ready, dear?”

“Yes.”

And she was. Ready to embrace everything God had in store for her.

Gracie walked down the rose petal aisle with her eyes firmly fixed on Dallas. She put her hand in his, repeated the vows she’d made six years ago, and received his promise in return.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

And he did.

“Aren’t they ever going to stop, Granny? I want to show Daddy my toes.”

Gracie felt Dallas’s shoulders shake.

“That’s our daughter.”

The afternoon flew past. Mrs. Henderson had thought of everything. A photographer snapped a thousand pictures, a caterer served a wonderful buffet to friends and family, while a trio of guitarists serenaded anyone who cared to listen.

When she finally got a moment alone with Dallas, Gracie led him to the edge of the lake that bordered the arboretum. “I need to talk to you about something.”

He leaned against a tree, drew her close. “Is it important?”

“Yes. You once asked me where I saw myself in ten years.”

He said nothing, eyes glowing, as he waited.

“I see myself with you, Dallas. Loving you.”

“And where do you see all this happening, my darling Gracie?”

“That’s what we need to discuss. Yesterday Elizabeth offered me a permanent position at the Bar None. She’s going to ask you to stay, too, to organize a research project into the relationship between disabled children and the use of animals in their therapies. I said I had to talk to you before I could give her an answer.”

“I see.”

“Where do you want to live, Dallas? Place isn’t important to me. I’ll be happy anywhere, as long as you’re there. So you choose.”

“I can’t.” He kissed her nose. “This is a family. Everyone gets a vote. I suggest we ask Misty.”

“I want to stay at the ranch, Daddy,” Misty said. “Rory’s going to be my boyfriend and we’re going to go riding again.”

Gracie hadn’t even heard her daughter approach. But as she watched Dallas, saw his eyes crinkle with joy, she knew Misty’s choice was the right one.

“I’d like to stay, too, Miss. I can hardly wait to get started on my research, though I’m going to miss being Mommy’s helper.”

“You can still be her helper.” Misty flopped down on the ground, pulled off her shoes and socks and held up her feet for his inspection. “A lady put stuff on them just like Mommy’s.”

“Very nice.” He tickled her toes until she wiggled away, doubled over with giggles. “How can I be Mommy’s helper, honey?”

“You can help her find me a sister. We got a granny and a grandpa, a daddy and a mommy and me. But families can grow, can’t they, Daddy?”

“Yes, my darling. Families can grow and grow. Right, wife?” He tossed his Stetson in the air, then lifted Gracie into his arms and swung her around.

“Very right, husband,” she agreed, hanging on. “I guess you get to be a real cowboy, after all.”

“Being your cowboy will always be my highest honor.”

And he sealed his promise with a kiss.