Page 47 of Chance

She cried as she embraced Raine. “I’m sorry for yours, too.”

Chance opened his arms to Sarah, Raine’s wife, and they embraced. She was crying.

He found that he was shedding tears as well. This was a joyful reunion, but also very hard and emotional.

After a bit, Raine pulled back and so did Chance.

Then Raine and Chance embraced.

“I’m so sorry, man. I blame myself. I don’t even know—”

“Don’t.” Chance pulled back and gripped his shoulders tightly. “Don’t.” He could sense that Raine was blaming himself for the loss of the baby.

“He’s right,” Kelly said, lightly putting a hand on Raine’s shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself, everyone makes choices and Truman was the one who … attacked me.” Her voice broke and he was suddenly worried that maybe the Stone family shouldn’t have come because he didn’t want her to be hurting.

Sarah took Kelly into her arms, tears washing her face. “I’m so sorry.”

They held each other for a time and Chance found himself crying again.

Suddenly, it felt like both families were surrounding them, taking part in all of this.

Raine put his hand on Kelly’s shoulder. “Can you ever forgive me?”

Kelly sniffed and hugged Raine again. “Nothing to forgive.”

Chance felt overwhelmed by this woman’s goodness and he felt like he was falling in love with her all over again because of how Christ-like she was acting.

He wrapped his arms around both of them and then it was like both families moved toward the center, hugging each other.

Tears washed down Chance’s face and he knew that no matter what happened with the gold, the Stone family and friends would always be part of the Cross family now.

Chapter 37

After three quiet days together alone at Chance’s ranch, Kelly woke early—even earlier than Chance.

Quietly, she slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen, stretching and loving that she felt so good today. Most of the pain from her injuries was gone, but the thought of it still made her wince. She didn’t like to think about Truman or how he was dead.

She pulled out a pan and cooked up some eggs for herself and Chance. It amazed her how easy it had been to slip into a pattern of waking up, eating breakfast, doing ranch chores, and then having together time. They talked and talked and talked, holding nothing back. She felt like she was completely caught up on the last ten years of their lives. Plus, they did other things that married couples did, and that was a huge highlight. Even though she’d miscarried, Chance was gentle, and they’d found their own physical love language.

A kiss on her neck startled her. “Good morning,” Chance said in her ear, embracing her from behind.

She turned in his arms, forgetting the eggs and relishing more kisses.

Chance turned the heat off. “You would burn the place down.”

She laughed and kissed him some more. “Maybe we’ll eat after a quick trip back to the bedroom.”

Chance laughed and swooped her off her feet. “Don’t have to ask me twice.”

His phone buzzed, and he hesitated.

“Don’t look at it. Remember, this is our staycation honeymoon.”

“True.” It started to ring, and he said, “I’ll turn it off.”

Kelly deflated. She knew Chance; he would be distracted if someone was trying to get a hold of him. “Just check it.”

He picked it up, checking the text. “Oh, this might be of interest.”

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