Page 33 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
Ally had difficulty still trying to fit the pieces.“I was given this ring when someone very dear to me died and she left it to me.With specific instructions that baffled me at first but now seem to be becoming clearer.”
“I think we need to talk about this in more detail.And I don’t want to do it in front of the others until we know the whole story.Agreed?”
She nodded.“I think that’s wise.”
“Then let’s smile and join the others,” Cade said.
The rest of the evening was a blur as her mind was on the photo and the ring and how they all fit together.She knew she smiled and laughed when appropriate, but she couldn’t say what else happened until they were at the front door bidding Tori and Cade thanks and good night.
“I heard your remarks about the horses you saw earlier in the pasture, Ally.”Cade spoke up as they stood on the front porch.“Would you like to see some of them up close and personal?We are moving some of them into the barns and such tomorrow.If you have the time, you could come out in the morning and visit.”
Ally was caught off guard for a moment, but then she found her voice.“I would love that.”
“Couldn’t I come, too?”Jillie piped up.“I love the horses.”
“You have something to do called school, remember?”Matt reminded her.“Can you find your way out here by yourself?I could bring you, but my morning is booked.”
She shook her head.“No worries.When I go to someplace new once, I can find my way there again.And there is a wonderful invention called the GPS.”They all laughed.
“It’s settled.I’ll expect you to join us about ten?”
“That will be wonderful.”Ally felt she could have won an award for the performance she went through as she sat in the dark of her front porch, bundled in a warm blanket and robe, thinking back over the evening.No one seemed wiser.Only she and Cade knew the events of the conversation and discovery.Tomorrow would come too slowly she feared.And she feared more what might transpire when she shared what she knew with Cade.
*
It had beena sleepless night.Ally dressed, including the usual chain with its ring, which she often had seen Annie rub between her fingers absently, her thoughts far away, Ally could tell in those moments.She knew that the woman was in a place that was far better than the present and she often envied her that.They never really spoke about the details, but Ally knew that the ring and a town called Destiny’s River was where Annie’s heart had remained.
The gate was open as it had been the evening before.She wondered as she had driven out what Cade might have told Tori about the ring, and Ally wondered if she should have shared the information with Matt.Would he be upset in some way that she had not confided in him?But she hadn’t thought it would even concern him.Except now, the bits and pieces were falling into place.
Cade was standing in the driveway talking to a man who held the reins of a beautiful horse.She wished she was just there to see the horses and not on the errand she was there for today.But she had vowed to honor Annie’s last wish, and she would do it no matter what.
“Good morning, Ally,” Cade greeted her as she stepped out of the car.“Ally Jones, this is James Stoddard, he’s my equine manager—a fancy name for horse whisperer extraordinaire.”
The older man had removed his hat and nodded his welcome.“Fancy name but just a cowboy all the same.”He grinned.
“James brought our pride and joy up to meet you,” he said taking the reins from the man and drawing the animal closer to Ally.“She loves to have someone stroke her nose, just so,” he said, demonstrating, “and she will be your bestie for life.”
Ally couldn’t believe she was getting to touch such a beautiful creature, and the horse was enjoying it, nudging her hand when it seemed like she might be removing it.Ally obliged with more rubs.
“I love her.What’s her name?”
James responded.“Her fancy name is Belle’s Enduring Dream.But to the rest of us, she’s just Belle.”
“What a beautiful Belle you are,” Ally whispered and received a gentle nudge of the nose.
“Belle’s going to join the rest of her stablemates, but you’ll see her again and meet the others.”Cade handed over the reins to James.
“Enjoy your time on the ranch, Miss Jones.Hurry back and see us.”
James and Belle headed down the road to the barn area and that left Cade and Ally.
“Thank you for that,” she said.“I know that was just the excuse in front of the others last night and I appreciate the fact I did get to meet such a magnificent creature.”
“Well, an excuse or not, Matt told me earlier that you expressed a love for animals and horses, and he wanted to bring you out to ride some weekend.So, we might as well get you used to the place and check out the riding stock we have.But first, let’s take a ride in my Jeep over here.I want to show you the springs.”
“Does Tori know why I came out today?”She ventured that question as they left the ranch house behind and headed toward a distant hill.
“My wife and I don’t keep things from each other.I filled her in this morning, and she knows we need to talk.And you need to know that nothing we talked about leaves the three of us.Not until and unless you decide.I’m sure you still have questions and so do I.”
