Page 66 of Willing to Wed the Rancher
He grasped Dieter’s shoulder. “If anything happens to me, take Bianca back to Breckenridge and find Clarabelle.”
Dieter’s face was pale, but he nodded bravely.
Franz shifted toward Bianca. “Stay inside the coach with Dieter and listen to him.”
With wide eyes, she nodded.
Then, without another moment of hesitation, Franz swung open the door and stepped out. He kept his gun hidden behind his back, not wanting to draw any gunfire right away. As he steadied himself, he took in the horse and rider behind the stagecoach.
The morning sun slanted into Franz’s eyes, making it difficult to see the man, but from first appearances the fellow didn’t look threatening, didn’t have his guns out. With the brim of his hat pulled low, his face was shadowed. Even so, he looked familiar.
“When you rode out of town,” the man said, “you left something behind.”
Not only did he look familiar, but his voice sounded familiar too.
Franz squinted through the sunshine to get a better look, then his heartbeat took off at a racing gallop. It was Maverick, Clarabelle’s brother. Maybe he had a message from Clarabelle.
“Wanted to get it to you before you got too far,” Maverick said.
Franz was desperate for anything from Clarabelle. If she gave him even the smallest sign that she wanted to be with him, he’d move heaven and earth to be with her again at some point.Maybe they could write letters and, when she was ready, he could find a way to bring her to Germany if she was willing to move. If not, maybe by then he could return with the children to Breckenridge.
Franz holstered his gun. “I am obliged and will take anything you have for me.”
As Maverick motioned behind him and another horse and rider turned the bend, Franz lost his voice along with every coherent thought except one.
Clarabelle was here.
She was atop her mare in all her beauty and was peering at him shyly, as if she wasn’t sure how he’d react to seeing her.
He could only stare, the longing inside swelling so swiftly and keenly his hands trembled. Why was she here? Had she come to be with him?
A large canvas bag was strapped behind her saddle. Was it what he hoped? A bag filled with her belongings because she wanted to go with him?
He opened his mouth to ask, but then was too afraid that she’d offer some other explanation.
Maverick was wearing a wide grin, as if he was enjoying the surprise immensely. “You left Clarabelle behind.”
“Did I?” Franz directed his question to Clarabelle.
She was clutching her reins tightly. “I hope I’m not too late to join you.”
Oh, thank Gott in heaven above. She was coming. His relief was so great that he had to grab on to the carriage to keep from buckling.
When his answer wasn’t immediately forthcoming, her brow furrowed. “I love you, Franz. And I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it. But the truth is, I need to be with you more than anything else.”
He closed his eyes for an instant. Was he dreaming? As he opened his eyes to the sight of her still on her horse, watching him and waiting for his response, he knew of only one way to show her how he felt.
He released the carriage and began to cross to her, his steps firm and determined. When he reached her, he lifted up a hand.
She placed hers in his.
As he closed his fingers around hers, the familiar charge of energy crackled in the air. His body, his life blood, his entire being was as magnetically drawn to her now as he’d been when he first met her. Although he wanted to scientifically dissect what was happening to him, he knew the ways of love could never truly be explained. All he did know was that he needed her, that they belonged together, and that his life wouldn’t be complete without her.
A small smile began to curve up her lips, as if she could feel their undeniable connection too.
He tugged at her, and in the next instant she was sliding eagerly down. He didn’t let her feet touch the ground before he pulled her into his arms and against his body. Her arms wound around his neck and locked there tightly, as if she was afraid to let go of him.
She needn’t worry. Because he wasn’t planning to release her again. Now that he had her, he wouldn’t be able to take his hands off her.
