Her Homecoming Cowboy (17 page)

“I understand.” Finally knowing it was true, Annie felt some of the heavy burden of responsibility he would always carry.

“I’ve struggled with the ability to feel joy. The guilt when I look at Leo has, at times, torn me down. I’m not worthy of the gift of that child, and yet he’s mine. Even though God knows I’m not worth one strand on that little boy’s head, He gave him to me anyway... It’s just like—”

“Grace and forgiveness,” Annie said, seeing the truth.

“Yes. I’m still not worthy of that, but God gave it to us. But Annie, I was laid out in that mud, stunned and unable to move from the jolt of electricity that had traveled through my body. While I was sprawled there realizing I was still alive, I thought only of you.”

Annie’s heart dared to hope.

“I love you, Annie. I just wouldn’t let myself feel it. Or admit it. How could I deserve Leo? And then you, too? I don’t know why I’m still here, but when I was lying there, I started praying that you loved me, too. Do you...?”

Annie stopped his question with a kiss—mud and all. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed and Annie couldn’t have cared less. She was in the arms of the man she loved. And the man who loved her.

“I guess that’s a yes?” Colt asked when she turned him loose.

She chuckled. “For a bull rider, you’re one smart cowboy.”

“I’m one blessed cowboy, undeserving as anyone and yet blessed beyond comprehension.”

A lump lodged in her throat. “I love you, Colt Holden. I really do.”

With a tender look in his eyes, he pulled her close and kissed her. “Then marry me like I asked earlier...except, know that it will be so that we can make a home full of love for all of us.”

Annie could only nod, her heart was so full. Colt smiled in understanding. He touched her cheek, his fingers warm as they trailed across her skin.

“I love you,” she said at last. “Always.”

His eyes darkened with emotion. “I like the sound of that.”

“I do, too.”

They smiled at each other.

“Then, future Mrs. Colt Holden, let’s get this boat turned toward home and tell our boy.”

Annie closed her eyes and let the sensation fill her with all the joy she could handle. “Lead the way, cowboy—I’m here for the full eight-second ride and beyond.”

Colt chuckled and pressed the gas pedal. The car bolted forward. “That’s my girl. I knew you were going to come to love my sport.” He grinned. “Just wait till I tell Leo.”

His girl.
She liked the sound of that very, very much....

Epilogue

C
olt straightened his hat and stared at his reflection in the mirror of Luke’s guest bedroom. Behind him the door slid open, letting in the laugher and chatter from the other side.

“You nervous, little brother?” Jess asked as he and Luke entered the room.

“I’ve never been more nervous. My adrenaline levels are sky-high.”

“It’s normal to feel scared right before you walk down the aisle.” Luke grinned, his tone teasing.

“I didn’t say I was scared. I’m rarin’ and ready to get this chute opened and start life with Annie and Leo.”

In the two weeks since he’d asked her to marry him, Colt’s life had changed in many ways. Sheriff Brady had called him the day after Annie had agreed to marry him. He’d ask if Colt had ever thought about speaking splayed open about the wreck with the drunk driver. They’d talked and Colt had realized that he could make a positive change in someone’s life if he shared how the wreck had affected him. Especially the impact of his lack of sleep and the responsibility a person bore when he not only got behind the wheel while intoxicated, but also when he got behind the wheel in a state of sleep deprivation. It was a positive step and one he felt God was leading him to take. If he could help save one life...there could be some good brought from the bad. The thought gave him hope and a feeling of satisfaction that he could help make a difference. And it would be at least some small way of redeeming his own bad judgment.

He was moving forward, and he was full of excitement and hope and the joy for what lay ahead for him, Annie and Leo. God’s goodness stunned him, and he would never forget that.

Colt turned back to the mirror and his brothers stepped up to stand beside him. Luke laid an arm across Colt’s and Jess’s shoulders, meeting their eyes in the mirror. “I’m proud to call you brothers. Proud to see the men you’ve become.”

Colt met Jess’s eyes, and they knew their older brother’s acceptance of responsibility too big for his young shoulders had led them in their faith, and into becoming the kind of men they wanted to be.

“You know we have a long way to go to live up to the standards you’ve set,” Jess said, a teasing light twinkling in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Colt added with a chuckle that felt good. “We know you’re just glad we’re about to fill this ranch with all kinds of kids, just like you wanted the day you talked us into throwin’ in with you on buying it.”

“Hey, in that case, let’s get this wedding going and then let’s get busy.”

Three sets of eyebrows cocked and matching grins followed.

The door opened behind them and Leo peeked inside. Behind him Norma Sue could be heard.

“Take your seats, everyone,” she ordered. “That means you, App. Turn on your hearing aid and sit down so we can get this show on the road.”

“Norma Sue, I ain’t never seen a more bossy woman in all my days—”

“App, I’m warning you.”

Leo’s eyes were wide as he closed the door. “I think Norma Sue’s gonna hog-tie Mr. Applegate. He said she was just mad ’cause you and my Aunt Annie was gettin’ hitched and her and her posse didn’t have nothin’ to do with it.”

When Colt, Luke and Jess all laughed, Leo looked perplexed. “Esther Mae said it didn’t matter if they did or didn’t as long as y’all were tyin’ the knot. She said they had made some plans, but God beat them to it when He struck you down with a lightn’ bolt to the heart.”

Colt picked his son up and hugged him. “She’d be right about that. And I agree one hundred percent. As long as I get you and your sweet aunt, I don’t care who matched me up.”

Leo grinned and threw his arms around Colt’s neck. “Me, too.”

A rap on the door had Luke pulling it open. “Yoo-hoo,” Esther Mae called, sticking her head around inside. “Are y’all ready? Norma Sue’s about to bust a gut to get you and Annie married.” Her eyes twinkled.

“Me, too. I’m bustin’ a gut, too,” Leo agreed. Wiggling out of Colt’s arms, he took his hand. “Come on, Daddy, let’s do this.”

“Lead the way, son.”

With Leo leading his daddy and his uncles, they filed out of the bedroom and into the large den to stand beside the preacher in front of the large window overlooking the ranch. Chance had been thrilled when he’d heard all the good news. It had spread faster than even Colt had suspected it would. This was a small wedding with a large reception to follow. Still, the room was filled with people who were the family Colt, Luke and Jess had never had.

A smiling Adela began playing the music and the door opened. First Montana, then Gabi walked up the aisle to stand across from their husbands. Colt’s heart was beating fast as Annie entered the room. She wore a simple white dress and stole his breath when her eyes met his and she smiled. Colt knew in that single moment in time that he’d come full circle. He’d been made by God to be Annie Ridgeway’s husband. And Leo’s daddy.

“Wow,” Leo gasped, tugging on Colt’s pant leg.

“The most beautiful girl in the world,” Colt said, squeezing Leo’s shoulder.
And she’s mine
. He didn’t deserve any of it, but God had given it to him anyway.

“Hey, cowboy,” Annie whispered as she stood before him. “Are you ready?”

“Oh, yeah. I thought you’d never get here.”

Leo cocked his head to the side, his eyes wide with dismay as he added in a loud whisper that filled the room. “And Norma Sue’s gut is about to bust wide open, so Mr. Applegate said we better get this show on the road or it ain’t gonna be pretty at all!”

“Well.” Esther Mae chuckled. “For once App and I agree. Let’s get this show on the road, because the last thing any of us need is for Norma Sue to bust—”

“Esther Mae,” Norma Sue snapped. “Would you please let the preacher marry these two!”

App grunted, the room chuckled and Leo beamed broadly at his daddy and his sweet Annie Aunt. “Yeah, let’s do this. I think guts are cool but this is gonna be a whole lot more fun!”

Colt and Annie’s eyes held. They were in total agreement—the fun was just getting started....

* * * * *

If you enjoyed Debra Clopton’s book, be sure to check out the other books this month from Love Inspired!

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt of
The Promise of Home
by Kathryn Springer!

Dear Reader,

I am so happy you chose to spend time with me and the Mule Hollow gang! I hope, as I always hope, that your visit was a relaxing one, and that you’ll come back again very soon.

In this, the last book of the Mule Hollow Homecoming series, Colt has lived through a tragedy that grieves his soul. There seems to be no hope for him through his own eyes because he can’t forgive himself. Grace is the most beautiful gift in the world, and I loved writing Colt’s journey back to healing and love. I hope you enjoyed meeting Annie and Leo.

I loved telling the Holden brothers’ stories and hope if you haven’t read Luke’s and Jess’s stories that you’ll pick up copies of
Her Rodeo Cowboy
and
Her Lone Star Cowboy
to find out the rest of the story.

I’m busy, busy creating new stories—please drop by my new website from time to time at debraclopton.com, where I’ll keep you updated on what’s coming next! I love hearing from readers, either via my website or at P.O. Box 1125, Madisonville, TX 77864.

Until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your heart.

Debra Clopton

Questions for Discussion

1. Annie Ridgeway is on a mission to reveal to her
   nephew’s father that he is a father. Why did Colt Holden not know he’d
   fathered a child?
   
2. When Annie meets Colt, she decides telling him right
   away might not be the best thing. Why does she decide to wait? What would
   you have done in her place?
   
3. Annie and her sister are very different women. Annie
   steered away from relationships, while Jennifer sought out casual
   connections with no strings attached. What part do you believe their
   backgrounds played in their behavior as adults?
   
4. When Colt’s brothers try to help him move on from
   his grief, Colt gets angry and storms off. Why do you think he was angry at
   his brothers? Were they acting only out of love and concern?
   
5. Struggling to recover after the car accident, Colt
   feels guilty for the family’s deaths because he feels he was too tired to be
   behind the wheel. Would you feel the same if you were in Colt’s place? Why
   or why not?
   
6. The place that Annie rents for herself and Leo
   happens to be connected to Colt’s back pasture. Is this a coincidence, or do
   you see God’s hand in it? Explain.
   
7. Leo, Colt and Annie start spending a lot of time
   together, and Annie starts to have feelings for Colt. Was this a surprise to
   you, or did you see this coming? Please explain.
   
8. Both Colt and Annie had less than perfect
   childhoods. Could this be a reason they understand each other so well? Why
   or why not?
   
9. Colt is proud as can be when Leo takes an interest
   in riding bulls and other rodeo activities, even as Annie is extremely
   worried about it. Have you ever had to deal with a child or family member
   wanting to do something dangerous? How did you react?
   
10. Colt decides to create a ministry to use his
    experience in the car accident to help others and save lives. Have you or
    anyone you’ve known ever taken a bad experience and turned it into something
    positive? Share with the group how this was done.
    

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