Page 51 of Falling

“Thanks, Gene. I reckon they’ll be fine. Come on, let’s leave them to get some rest,” Mateo says. “Dee said he’ll get your truck as soon as it’s thawed enough to pull it out. Stay warm.”

“Thank you.” I shake both men’s hands as they head for the door. I lock the door behind them and walk to Geneva, who’s warming up by the fire. “Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she says.

“I’m sorry we’ve wound up here,” I say. I could kick myself for ever leaving Santa Fe in this weather. I honestly thought we’d drive out of it shortly. The front desk even assured me we would. Never did I think it’d get worse.

“This has been a crazy trip, hasn’t it?”

“I won’t argue with you on that,” I say. “You might not want me to plan our trip next time.”

“I disagree. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Look at everything we’ve done. I hiked Yosemite, rode a horse through Zion, rafted the Grand Canyon.”

“Almost drowned,” I point out.

“Won money in Vegas,” she continues, ignoring me. “Bought a painting in Santa Fe. Finally had sex with my best friend.” She bats her eyes at me. I move closer to her.

“I like that last one the best.”

“Me too. I also don’t mind staying in this cabin in the middle of a snowstorm. At least for tonight.”

“You would have a month ago,” I point out.

“That was before my best friend showed me there was more to life. Believe it or not, I wasn’t very happy with my life before. Unfortunately, I took it out on everyone around me. It’s still a hard habit to break.”

“I know,” I say quietly. “You don’t have to change who you are though.”

I’ve known for a long time that Geneva wasn’t happy. How could she be with her father reminding her how worthless she was every day?

She was in a job that didn’t allow her to grow to her potential, and it got worse after her brother left. It’s why I convinced her that we needed to leave. I blamed it on helping Rand begin a new chapter in his life. But it was for her.

“Why wasn’t I happy?”

“Because you were never allowed to be. Rand and I can tell you that you deserve more until we’re blue in the face, but you needed to see for yourself.” I pull her into my arms. “You’ve just discovered something I’ve known for years. You truly can do anything you set your mind to.”

“You always say the perfect thing.” Her lips press against mine.

“That’s because I love you,” I murmur against her lips. She pulls back to study me. Her gaze stares into my soul. “If you think it’s too soon to say that, it’s not. I’ve loved you for a long time.”

“I don’t think it’s too soon. I think I’ve loved you for a long time too. It was just too terrifying to admit it even to myself,” she says. “I never believed love was something that lasts. Now, I want to believe it does. That there are people that live their entire lives in love with that one special person. That it never fades. I want to find out what that feels like.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll simply stay in love forever.”

“Just like that.”

“Just like that,” I say. She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes me to her.

“How about we check out what kind of a cook Gene’s missus is?”

I know when Geneva needs a break from her emotions. I’ve seen love that endures, but it’s all new for her. I need to proceed carefully. Someday she’ll finally be able to believe love can persevere.

“He did say she’s no slouch in the kitchen,” she says.

“Ringing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one.”

I take her hand as we walk into the small kitchen. It’s more like some appliances at one end of the room. There’s a bed in the corner and a sitting area by the fireplace. The only other real room I see is a small bathroom between the kitchen and bed.

There’s a large casserole dish sitting on the counter. It’s surrounded by a carrier with hot packs surrounding it. Opening the lid, we find a meat-slash-noodle concoction that smells heavenly. There are dishes in the only cabinet next to the refrigerator. Geneva piles several spoonfuls on two plates. We return to the seats by the fire to eat. She curls up on the couch next to me.

---