Page 34 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
“I know it must have been a shock to see the ring that belonged to your grandfather in the possession of a stranger.I never expected to see it in a photo of someone other than Annie.”
They had climbed along a narrow road to the summit of a hill and stopped.Ally followed Cade to where a few trees stood grouped around a rock-edged pool of water that disappeared into a stream that emptied over the side of the hill.
“What a beautiful spot,” she murmured, her gaze taking in the vast view from the hilltop.The valley lay stretched below them and in the far distance she saw a church steeple that she thought might be the one in Destiny’s River.“I can just imagine this place when the trees are full and green, and the grass is growing out from the winter.I would come here often if this was mine.”
“Well, this is the spot where I believe that my grandfather would meet your Annie and the spot where he proposed to her and gave her the ring.”
Cade’s words surprised Ally.And the fact she was standing where Annie had stood in her happiest moments so long ago, made moisture threaten her eyes.
“How do you know that?”
“My grandfather brought me up here toward the end of his days and shared a good deal with me.Until that time, I had no idea that my grandmother had not been the love of his life.Granted she had died when I was still a teenager, and I believed them to be as happy as I thought most married people were…but that had not been the case.He told me how he met this beautiful girl with the eyes of a doe and hair that was long and raven’s-wing black.And how he had fallen in love at first sight.But her family was poor…and while she loved him in return, she knew that his family would expect better.And they did.My great-grandfather was vehemently set on my grandfather marrying the daughter of another big rancher and adding even more land to the Lockwood brand.
“It sounds archaic to say such things, but those patriarchal practices existed then and still do today in some instances.According to my grandfather, a note was left at their tree…which I will show you in a moment…she had left town and begged him not to follow.She had returned the ring.But he hired a detective a couple years later and he found where she had gone and then money changed hands, and the ring was delivered by special courier to Annie—and that was that.My grandfather did what was expected and married the rancher’s daughter.He had a son who had me and my sister and here we are.”
“How very sad.To think how things might have been for them had it not been for greed coming first.And I don’t mean to offend you.But I know that Annie never once stopped loving your grandfather.She never spoke of him to me except to say that the love of her life was here in Destiny’s River and someday her heart would return there also.”
“That’s why you came here?”
“When Annie died, I was handed a letter from her via her attorney, Mr.Jacobs.She had never asked anything of me in all the years we lived together after she took me in off the streets.And when she died, she explained the missing parts of the story so I would understand what she was finally asking of me.She wanted to be brought back here.And she described the springs and that I would find a tree…a peach tree.And that is the spot she wanted her ashes spread.And then she would truly be at peace…at home.”
“You brought her back here for that reason.”
“This is the note that she left me.I think she says it better than I can.”
Cade took the folded piece of paper from the envelope that had clearly been read and reread a few times.He surveyed its contents.
My darling little Ally girl,
If you are reading this, please do not cry.I know you will do so because you have a heart that is tender, and you are the one person I have shared my own memories and heart with these many years since I was blessed to have found you, and we became our own family.I ask one favor.Mr.Jacobs will explain how I have set forth the means of you taking on this request… Do not worry about the details.Although I know you will never change in that regard.But you and Teddy, who is now your family, will be okay.I leave knowing that in my heart.
My request is that you take me on a journey home.Take me back to where my heart was already buried years ago.There is a hill overlooking a valley… Wait until you see its beauty.And that is where the springs begin that flow downward through the valley to a beautiful river on which banks stand Destiny’s River.I believe you will find it to be a place of beauty, good people, and peace.Peace is what I wish for you always.And to know a great love that will last a lifetime and beyond.Do not settle for less, my dear.And once you find your way to the spring, there is a tree, which I pray is still standing.If it is springtime, you will find it full of beautiful, fragrant blossoms.I do hope it still stands.And there, no ceremony, no fancy words…just love and peace and let the Texas breeze carry me over the place I never left in all my years.Then walk away and find your own grand adventure.
My heart will be with you always, and I am never far away.
Annie
Cade finished and slowly folded the letter and replaced it inside the envelope.He handed it back to Ally.“That explains so much.And I really don’t know what to say.I wish things could have been different for them.But then so much would have been different for each of us.”
“It was meant to be.”Ally nodded.“Annie always said that.Everything happens for a reason, and we don’t realize it at the time.But her and your grandfather’s story has withstood time and now has come full circle.”
“What had you planned?How were you going to do all this she asked?”
“I had no idea when I came.I knew there were springs.I was going to find a way to visit them—I know now they are open on certain days.And somehow, I would hope to find the tree and do what she wanted.But I hadn’t planned the accident and all that has happened since that time.I was going to get my car running and be ready to leave and then I would do as she asked.Then that would free me to find that adventure she wished for me.I had to trust in her words.”
“This area of the springs—this special area—is not open to the public.That is a deal that Tori and I made when she wanted to use the thermal springs for patients from the hospitals.The tree is here…not in bloom until spring…but let me show you where my grandfather told me he proposed.”
They walked to the far side of the spring and a lone tree stood tall with many branches then bare due to the season.He walked to the side out of view and pointed upward.She joined him and then her breath caught in her throat.A heart had been carved just beneath the first branch.The initials inside it were:J.C.L.loves A.D.P.4 ever.
“I wish she could have seen this herself,” Ally said.
“I think she has.”Cade nodded.“I think they both see it now…together.”Silence surrounded them as the breeze blew over the hillside and down through the valley.Peace.There was peace.
Ally looked at Cade.He nodded.“You tell me when you want to do this, and I’ll make it happen.I ask that you and whoever you need to be here attend along with Tori and my son.I think it would be fitting…that is if you would think Annie wouldn’t mind that?”
Ally nodded.“I think she would agree.Love does prevail, and it does continue.She taught me that.”She withdrew the necklace from around her neck.“There is one more thing.I think this belongs back with your family.”She held out her palm and the ring lay in it.“It belongs to you and your future generations.”
“No…it belongs right where it is,” Cade said.
