Page 45 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

The climb was a little steep when done in high heels. But where there had been rocks before, there was a smooth cement walkway, complete with handrails and no steps. Benches sat under the tall trees, now bare of leaves. A small building of native stone housed the restrooms and the dressing areas for males and females. They were all ADA compliant. And they were warm in the fall months and had AC in the warm weather. Another work area had room for therapy equipment that the onsite therapist could put to use.

“Now for the pools,” he said and they stepped outside again. There were three pools that had been developed, which meant they had easy access for those who could walk into the pool and those who could not. There were emergency equipment boxes at each pool and phone service that went straight to the paramedics had been installed.

“It is still a work in progress. Patients will be referred to a therapist who will schedule time for them in one of these pools. Weekends will be closed to allow the springs to settle. Does it meet with your approval? Say the word and if we need to add something we will.”

“You managed to do all of this in less than three months.”

“When you have work crews already that is half the battle. But this is all because of you. You fought for it. You had to put up with me and my arrogance because some crazy woman dared to challenge me on my own land. But also, I remembered a few things that my grandfather taught me. And I know that this is something he would be very proud to know has happened here. There are still springs that are untouched. He would have been proud that the Lockwood name would be associated with something that can do good for so many others. And you were the catalyst. Thank you, Tori, for not backing down.”

“It is perfect, Cade. Thank you for doing this.”

“Well, now we have all the thanks out of the way, we need to clear some air. And this is a pretty good place to do it. Grandfather would approve of this, too.”

“I’m listening.”

“Good, let me finish and then you can talk. You best sit down.”

Tori moved to a nearby bench and did just that, her hands folded in her lap, trying to stay calm because she had no idea what was coming next.

“I’m stubborn. And remember you promised not to speak until I’m done. But I have reasons why I’m not very trustful of women—from past experiences. But then I met a woman who did not care how many buckles there were or what bank account I had. You just expected me to listen and do the right thing. You were scary. And I hadn’t a clue how to figure you out. So it took some time. I had to listen. I watched. And I had to admit that you might be the real deal.

“And then I realized that getting to know you wasn’t that easy. You had your own walls. You might not like what I say next. But here goes. You are amazing. But you don’t see that. Your family has you on a pedestal because you have been parent and sibling and so much more for so long. You put every person ahead of you. And you expect nothing in return. You aren’t used to others wanting to help you. So you pull away. You aren’t used to others getting too close. Because you don’t trust that they won’t leave or disappoint you. They might break your heart…because that is depending on others and giving them some control.

“I didn’t figure that out right away, so I made some mistakes. I should have told you right away about Selena, but I didn’t, and that was wrong. But I’ve realized that my grandfather was a wise man, yet he could also make mistakes, and it cost him his one true love in life. He taught me to walk in my own steps and not his. I had to remind myself of that. That’s when I decided that there would be no more games, no more misinformation, no more wasting time. I know what I want now and for the rest of my life. The question is, what do you want? Foryou…not anyone else in your family. Take a leap of faith, Tori. I’ll catch you. I promise you that I won’t be going anywhere. But you have to decide. The floor is yours.”

“I will own that a lot of what you say is true. I am not so much stubborn as determined. I did have to learn to fight to protect those I love from an early age. People lied. People disappointed along the way. So, I decided that I would trust me and me alone. I would do my best to give those I love—my family—all that they deserved. I worked for that. And I found Destiny’s River. It spoke to something inside me that had been missing. I made it home. And I ran for mayor for much the same reason. There were things I knew needed to change in order to help people who lived here, and I believed that I could do it. And the community needed the springs for those who were ill and hurting.

“When you say I had—have—walls to keep those who aren’t my family away, I have to own that too. For so long, I’ve had to be everything and if I failed, my family would be harmed. I have issues trusting someone else besides myself. So I got used to being the one to handle everything. That carried over not just in my family but also in my work and my relationships. I couldn’t trust you when you came along and tried to break down the wall. Instead, I became more defensive. What could you possibly want with someone like me? Our worlds are far apart. And I pushed you away because it would keep the pain away. Silly as it sounds, that’s the truth of it all. I’m not easy. I own that.”

“You are definitely not easy,” Cade admitted with a hint of a grin. “But that is part and parcel of how you have survived. I am amazed at the strength you have, day in and day out, to protect your family, to look out for them and love them. Then to take on issues in the town that others have and champion them with the same energy and tenacity. I think at some point, I realized how much I wanted to be included in that group. I was jealous in a weird sort of way. And I experienced this incredible desire to step in and help shoulder the burden. Maybe burden isn’t the right word. But everyone needs someone to share the load with. I wanted to be the one to do that for you. But you just wouldn’t have it. Seems the more I tried, the more determined you became.

“But then something my grandfather said more than once as I was growing up made sense to me at last. Anything truly worth having is worth fighting for with all you’ve got. I saw what happened when my grandfather finally gave up on his dream. I didn’t want to be that person. So I didn’t run away. I met you head-on.

“The truth is all I want between you and me. Good and bad. I want to share it all. I don’t want to change you from the incredible woman you are. I want you to feel you can lay your head on my shoulder when things get to be too much. Rest and let me share the load. Then when you are ready, you can take on the world again, and I will cheer you on. And you will do the same for me. I think we both can work on doing that. And speaking of truth, I will begin with this.

“I love you, Tori Parker. Plain and simple. You’re worth fighting for. Every day, good or bad, I’ll be there for you. That’s why I wasn’t about to give up. Life with you would be the greatest adventure of them all. And the most amazing. The question is what is it that you want foryourlife?”

*

Cade loves me.He said it. And he means it. My heart and my brain finally agree.

Tori stood. Truth. Cards on the table. “What I want is to have someone love me for who I am. I don’t want to be on a pedestal. I do want to know that there is another shoulder there in case I need it. That I won’t be perfect or right all the time, but I can fail and the world won’t end. I want to have someone care and be present. No lies, no misunderstandings…we can always talk.”

“Is that all?”

“Well, there is one more thing.”

Cade was listening intently.

“A horse. My own horse. And someone who likes to watch the sunrise and sunset and hold my hand through each and every one of them. The person who will be my home. And I will be his.”

Cade shook his head. Had she gone too far?

“I do believe that a horse of your own is very much doable. And beginning my day and ending it with you sounds like one heck of a deal.”

“What do you want?”

Her heart started somersaulting in her chest. He slowly sank to one knee.

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