Night of Shadows (18 page)

They sat down together on the bed.

"I haven't even thanked you for
coming here, for all you went through for me," Joan said.

Melinda swallowed back tears of
affection. "Never mind that. Just tell me how you're doing."

It was a sisterly talk like the
ones they used to have. Joan cried — a lot. But between her tears, she
discussed her plans of returning to school. She liked New Mexico, and she
wanted to finish her college education at the state university in Albuquerque.

Joan would return to the ranch often,
as promised. She wanted the ranch to be a second home to Preston's child. But
it was healthier in the long run to live her own life and pursue her own
dreams. That's why she was leaving the next day. She needed to enroll in
classes for the upcoming semester. And Mac had assured her the funds were
available to finance her education.

That's when Melinda knew for sure
it was time for her to make her own plans to leave the McClure ranch. With her
sister gone, there was no reason for her to stay.

"I'll go with you, Joannie, and
help you settle in. Then I can catch a plane from Albuquerque and return to Atlanta."

After Joan left, Melinda stepped
out onto the veranda of the McClure ranchhouse for the last time.

She wistfully leaned on the railing
and examined the vista of the nearest mountain peak lit with the surrealistic
hue of an orange and red sunset. The scene awakened within her a dream she had
nurtured when she was younger — of becoming a painter of landscapes, maybe even
in the Western tradition of the famous Georgia O'Keefe.

Melinda indulged the dream for a few
minutes longer, envisioning all the possibilities. And then she allowed it to
die again like the last glowing embers of a campfire grown cold. She used to
believe in love, too. But far-fetched dreams like that were for others to
pursue.

For practical people like Melinda,
the rat race awaited.

Perhaps her old job in Atlanta had
been lost by now, but she had a good enough reputation to find other work. Somehow,
though, the thought left her feeling hollow.

The next morning, as she was
packing, she heard the loud rapping on her door. She knew who it was, even as
the door was flung open.

"Joan just told me!" Mac
exclaimed. "How could you even think of leaving without saying one word to
me?"

"Oh? So I'm supposed to get
your permission first?"

It was a strange dance of words,
similar to the games they had played with each other when they first met and
were stranded together in the cabin.

"I bet you can't wait to get
back to Perry whatchamacallit."

"Perry is just a friend."

"Oh."

"You haven't exactly made
yourself available lately, you know — out there with your horses all the time.
What was I supposed to think?"

"I know, Melinda. I'm sorry. I
guess — I guess I stayed away because I figured I didn't deserve any happiness,
after what happened to Preston. At least, not so soon. Does that sound crazy?"

"What do you think Preston
would say about now?"

Mac smiled a devilish smile. "He
would be calling me all kinds of a fool for not asking you to marry me days ago.
And for waiting so long to do this."

Mac stepped forward, grabbed Melinda
into his arms, and kissed her until she was literally breathless. But this was
all happening so fast she felt a sudden compulsion to resist. She pulled back
from him, overcome with doubt.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

What was she doing? What was she
thinking? Hadn't she warned Joan about whirlwind courtships? Besides, she and
Mac were both much too strong-willed. They were sure to clash at times.

But, oh, how they would love! 

Melinda reached out, decisively grabbed
the lapels of her cowboy's shirt, and yanked him back into her arms.

"Just one rule, mister."
She kissed him slowly and deeply on the lips, then stepped back to give him a
warning look. "I'm never playing cards with you again. Ever."

"I guess I can agree to that if
it means saving the marriage. So…uh…how about board games?"

"With you? Never."

Mac laughed warmly, and then slowly wrapped
her in his eternal embrace.

The End