Page 83 of Harrison Hyde and the Runaway Bride

After happy reunions and a huge family dinner, Maria and Harry sat on the front porch of the Texas Brand. It was late, full on darkand the bugs were singing up a storm. Everyone had gone to bed happy and relieved. She and Harry had taken a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and two glasses onto the porch with them.

She said, “I’m fixin’ to talk to the real estate people tomorrow. See if they’ll let me rent my place on Bluebonnet Lane while the mortgage processes through.”

“I can help you move,” he said. “Looks like I’ll be here for at least a few days while all the legalities shake out.”

“I’m glad.” She didn’t tell him her heart was breaking at the notion of it only being a few more days before he left her. She was determined to make the best of the time they had.

“Me, too,” he said. “It’ll be nice to see the place without all the drama.”

“Well, it’s usually pretty quiet. And hot. And dry.”

“And beautiful in its own rugged way,” he said.

She didn’t want him to acknowledge her hometown’s beauty. She wanted him to make it his own. His phone beeped, he glanced at it then his eyes lit. “Willow found the solar tile right where Carrie said it would be.” He rose to his feet, scooped her up off hers, and spun her in a circle.

“Oh, Harry, that’s wonderful!”

He set her on her feet. Then he opened the wine and poured. “Ethan’s been sending stuff to my phone the whole time I’ve been down here,” he said. “An article saying hot, dry climates are best for old men with respiratory issues. Another article about Texas Polytechnic being one of the world’s top research facilities in the field of renewable energy. Stuff about the local nurse shortage. A link to apply for openings at the local clinic, and the hospital in El Paso, I presume for my sister. And MLS listings for houses.”

“Also for your sister?”

“Yeah.” He handed her a glass. “It’s probably not cold yet, but still.”

“I’m sorry Bubba’s so—Ethan’sso pushy. He doesn’t get it.”

“He totally gets it. He’s hitting every reason I said I couldn’t stay.”

“Those aren’t the reasons, Harrison. We both know that.”

Surprise crossed his face when she used his full name. “We do?” he asked.

She nodded, holding his blue eyes with hers. “Your mom’s the reason.”

“My mom?”

“All your memories of her were in Ithaca. Your childhood was there. She’s buried there.”

He nodded and seemed to be taking in what she said.

“There’s gon’ be a big family barbecue Saturday. Gotta use up the rest of the food we bought for the weddin’ reception. We can probably even eat the cake,” she said, with a wiggle of her eyebrows. “But in the meantime, I think long showers, and comfort food, lots of sleep, and no pressure about anything. We can stay over at Bluebonnet Lane, just the two of us. Watch TV on the sofa and have a few of the most borin’, ordinary days ever.”

“Boring days sound good,” he said, sliding his arms around her from behind and nuzzling her neck. “But let’s not shoot for boring nights.”

“Well, obviously.”

She turned in his arms and lifted her head.

He pushed a hand through her hair, and said, “Don’t give up on me, okay?”

And then he kissed her, and she wondered what in the all-fired heck that was supposed to mean.

“So?” Hyram said, two days later. He and Lily were sipping sweet tea with Harrison on Maria’s front porch on Bluebonnet Lane. The real estate agent had been happy to let her move in early.

The field across the way was a sea of bluebonnets, and the breeze was warm and gentle. Harrison was standing. Dad had taken the left rocking chair and Lily the right. The chairs had been Maria’s first purchase for her new home. He’d helped her pick them out.

“This is nice, Harrison,” Lily said. “I just love it here.”

“Doc says the dry heat’s the reason my cough is so much better,” Hyram said.

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