Lucy Garth's frown deepened as she steered her old pickup onto the grass at the side of the dirt road, as it slowed to a stop, the engine making every odd noise possible before dying and emitting a choking cloud of blue smoke from the tail pipe.
Gritting her teeth, telling herself it wouldn't do any good to lose her temper, she turned the key again. The engine growled, but refused to turn over. Pounding the steering wheel in anger, she tried repeatedly, only to have the dash lights dim and fade when the battery finally surrendered and gave up the ghost.
Exhausted and highly pissed, she glared at the dash. "Stupid ol' truck! I'd trade you in tomorrow if I could!"
Off and on, for the past several months, Lucy had considered trading in the old pick-up for a newer more dependable model. She had a thriving practice, but medicinal supplies and equipment were expensive and now, with Mattie to care for, she didn't want to take on any added expense which weren't absolutely necessary.
Glancing at her watch since the dash clock had faded with the battery's juice; she saw it was even later than she had thought. Lucy had planned on being home long before now, but Book's quarter horse mare had taken her own sweet time foaling.
Thankfully, at least she didn't have to worry about Mattie. Casey was babysitting and knowing the fickle situations with Lucy's job, the young woman had assured Lucy it would be no problem spending the night at her house if necessary.
Jumping from the truck, Lucy slammed the door, following that action with a frustrated kick at the dusty quarter panel. Realizing that wasn't helping, she spent a moment listening for any approaching vehicles, not really expecting to hear anything. The country lane was dark and empty; the only sounds disturbing the night were the crickets and her own angry breathing.
She knew in preparation for a hard day of work, any occupants of the surrounding ranches were sound asleep at two in the morning. In fact, anyone with an ounce of sense was asleep at two in the morning….
Fumbling in her pocket, she withdrew her cell phone. Cursing the vehicle with epitaphs which would have made a sailor blush, she gave the truck another hard kick as she flipped open the small communication device and, after a moment's hesitation, punched a button on the speed dial.
As the call was picked up on the other end, Lucy gave a grateful sigh and said a small prayer of thanks for those friends who picked up in the wee small hours of the morning.
*******
"…. And so I had to call you to come pick me up! I'm really sorry to have to drag you out at this time of night!" Lucy explained, her eyes flashing as she apologized for the third time.
"No apologizes necessary, Miss Lucy. I would have been most upset if you hadn't called."
As silly as it sounded, waiting for her ride to show up, the vet had actually apologized to her truck. It had served her well for a lot of years, but now, talking about the break down, her anger at the disabled vehicle rose to the fore again.
"I am so sick and tired of that truck! It's been nothing but trouble the last three months! Seems every time I replace something on it, something else goes bad…. I know it's worn out. It's got 225,000 miles on it, but you'd think it could last a little bit longer…"
Nica hid her smile, seeing Ezra do the same. Only Lucy Garth would think something should last, well, forever…
Earlier, standing in the darkened road, mentally running down her list of friends, Lucy had chosen to call Ezra for help, not only because she felt closest to the nocturnal southerner, but also knowing his sleep habits had hoped she wouldn't be waking him. That hope had faded with the sleep filled voice on the other end of the line. If she had known Nica was in town, she might have given second thoughts to her choice.
"Why don't you ask Mister Tanner to lend you his truck? With this nice weather, when in town, he is riding his Harley and the Ford is just sitting. I'm sure he would happily lend it to you," Ezra pointed out. "I also know it would put his mind at ease, knowing you had more… dependable transportation."
Lucy frowned and shook her head. "Damnit, Ez! It seems like every time something happens, I'm running to Vin to bail me out! I'm embarrassed to ask any more favors of him, especially since he's been so good this last week and so tired…"
Larabee's team had been undergoing intensive training, but the tracker had made it a point to stop by her house several times, if only to spend a few minutes with her.
She ducked her head, her voice small, "Besides, I need to stand on my own," she half whispered.
Nica exchanged puzzled looks with Ezra.
"Has something happened between you and Vin?" the petite construction worker asked. She had been out of town on a job and wasn't aware of any problems. Judging by Ezra's expression, she knew he was wondering the same thing.
"No, nothing's happened." She toyed with her empty Pepsi can. "It's just…. Oh hell, I don't know. Sometimes, I just don't know where…" She shook her head, unwilling to voice her own thoughts and doubts. The truth was Lucy really wasn't really sure what to call her and Vin's relationship.
Friends.. She absolutely had no doubt it was that.
But she was puzzled and frustrated. She fully understood Vin preferred actions over words, yet he had opened up to her about his past, had talked to her about things he probably had never told another person. Lucy truly wanted to believe the Texan returned her love, and was certain on more than one occasion, she'd seen that love shining in his azure eyes. But while Vin had intimated such feelings, he had never voiced the sentiment.
"Mister Tanner loves you, Lucy," Ezra voiced quietly. "You know that, don't you?"
Lucy nodded, her drooping ponytail bobbing up and down. "I know…. " It was true. She knew in her heart Vin loved her. He had shown her that love in more ways than words could ever say. "But…."
"Vin's never discussed it with you, has he?"
Nica understood exactly how Lucy felt. Like Tanner, in many ways probably more so, Ezra was equally close mouthed when it came to his feelings. Nica had no doubt the southerner loved her. Hell, he'd stood up to his mother for her, but the con man had never yet said the words she longed to hear. The very same words Lucy wanted to hear from Vin Tanner.
Lucy hesitated, hating airing this to one of Vin's best friends, but she was so frustrated at times. "I-I-I don't want to push him. I don't want to force him into saying something he might not mean…" she uttered lamely. "But sometimes, I just don't know where it is I fit in his life…. Or even if I do."
"That, my dear, is absolutely the most insane remark I have ever heard!" Ezra used the rear view mirror to glare at the young woman in the back seat. "Of course you fit in that man's life. No couple is more suited for each other! After all you've been through, and the way the fates keep pushing you together, and your past together, well… I have no doubt you two are destined to be together…forever."
Lucy looked up at him, her expression miserable as she toyed with the locket about her neck. "I'd like to believe that, Ez, but…" She shook her head. "Sometimes I think I'm nothing, but trouble to him."
Nica listening to the exchange between her two friends twisted around to face the woman and waded in. She had quickly come to care about the people Ezra considered his family and had never been one for keeping her opinions to herself or avoiding confrontation.
"Vin would kick your ass if he ever heard you say that! He loves you!"
Lucy's expression became even more wretched. "Does he?" she questioned in a small voice. "Then why doesn't he tell me?"
But neither of her companions had an answer that didn't sound trite or like a cliché.
*******
Lucy took a deep breath as the Lexus pulled to a stop and Standish turned off the engine. It was just over a week since she'd made that early morning call which had the southerner driving to her rescue.
Lucy accepted Ezra's hand as she stepped out of the Lexus. Smoothing her dress, she smiled at Nica who waited on the narrow concrete path that passed for a sidewalk. The construction worker was dressed to the nines and looked very comfortable in her classy formal dress, but Lucy felt self-conscious in her own classic black velvet dress.
The dress had hung in the back of her closet for months, but then Lucy had always been more comfortable in jeans and flannel shirts. She'd only worn it once before when Ezra had taken her to that expensive restaurant while pretending to be her husband.
Earlier that week when Chris had called inviting, practically begging, her to join them for the evening, the team leader had stressed it was to be an extra special night. The monthly magazine Mary had started after the death of her husband had reached one million subscribers and Chris had planned a formal dinner in celebration.
She had almost declined. As much as she loved the men Vin worked with, and their ladies, Vin was out of town and without Tanner there, she knew she would feel like a fifth wheel… or someone's old maiden aunt. That person who was always invited out of kindness only, or because someone felt they had to simply for appearance's sake.
But after all, Mary was Lucy's friend, and after Chris spent fifteen minutes pleading with her to be there, Lucy had found herself reluctantly agreeing, not only for Mary's sake, but because it seemed to be so important to Chris himself.
Knowing her pickup was still in the shop, Ezra had announced that while Vin hoped to return on time, if he could not make it, then the southerner would be more than happy to escort her. Ezra had teasingly stated he would be the luckiest man there with a beautiful woman on each arm.
Yet as she had sat nervously in the rear seat of the Lexus, she couldn't help but notice Ezra and Nica kept exchanging secretive smiles as the southerner drove toward Larabee's.
As they had pulled up, she noted the hard nosed leader had gone to a great deal of work, giving the rambling old house a magical appearance by stringing tiny white lights about the porch posts and railings and Lucy wondered what the old place would look like at Christmas.
Still ill at ease, she accepted the arm Ezra offered and with Nica on his other side, the three of them moved up the walkway and onto the festively lit porch.
*******
Lucy couldn't help smiling as Josiah opened the front door, welcoming them with that distinctive voice of his which seemed to boom when he was happy, the deep tones washing over a person and pulling them along with him. She could well imagine the big man giving his congregation a hell fire and brimstone sermon that would scare the hell right out of the devil himself.
The three of them were the last to arrive... Well, not exactly the last... she mentally amended. Tanner evidently hadn't finished his assignment in time to return. With a sad sigh, Lucy moved to congratulate her old friend on her accomplishment, but she couldn't prevent herself from searching the room, her heart sinking when there was no sign of the sharpshooter. She had tried to convince herself she was the target of one of the Texan's infamous practical jokes and he would be waiting, a lop sided grin on his face, when she entered the house.
Chris had arranged for the dinner to be catered and waiters stood ready to serve as the guests moved into the huge dining room which was rarely used except on holidays. Laughing and talking they all gathered around the old wooden table with its center sections extended to make enough room for everyone.
Leaning close as Lucy moved by him, Larabee softly explained Tanner had called that afternoon. His flight had been canceled, but he still hoped to get back in time for the celebration. Evidently it wasn't going to be possible.
Lucy tried to smile as Ezra pulled out her chair and as she settled into it, sitting next to Nica, she was all too aware of the conspicuously empty chair on the other side of her. It seemed she wasn't the only one who had expected or hoped the Texan would still show.
With little appetite, Lucy picked at the delicious food, paying little attention to the conversation around her, barely noticing when the young publisher blushed as Chris or one of the others extolled the many merits of her work.
Wanting nothing more than to escape even if it meant sinking through the old wooden plank floor, Lucy castigated herself for accepting the invitation. She had no business being there.
She was indeed the proverbial fifth wheel, the tag along. Just as she had known she would, Lucy felt like the maiden aunt everyone felt sorry for and invited out of pity, and with each passing moment she was quickly regretting her stupidity in accepting Chris' invitation.
In the middle of a toast, Chris fell silent as a door slammed. All eyes turned to the door, everyone's attention drawn to the person who skidded to a stop in the dining room entrance way.
Seeing everyone gathered in their finest clothes, Vin flushed, glancing down at his own denim and flannel. "Sorry," he mumbled to everyone in general. "Didn't mean ta interrupt all them fine soundin' words of Chris'."
Ezra stifled a groan, watching as Lucy's gaze swept over the lean Texan, her momentary smile of delight quickly fading. Vin was scruffy, his cheeks noticeably unshaven in several days. His flannel shirt was as wrinkled as if he'd slept in it or just pulled it from his suitcase and his jeans were dusty with muddy spots evident at the knees.
Tanner caught and held her gaze, his expression puzzling her as he hesitated for a moment before crossing the floor to stop beside the empty chair.
"May I?" he questioned softly before tiredly sliding into the old chair and scooting it closer to the table.
The long haired man's cheeks reddened under the golden tinted scruff in visible embarrassment at being the object of everyone's scrutiny. "Don't let me stop the fun…" he murmured, reaching for his glass of water as he added, "Buck, ya wanna pass them rolls this way?"
"It's good to have you back, Mister Tanner." Ezra smiled hoping to put his friend at ease. "We're all glad you could join us after all."
There were more puzzled looks exchanged as Buck complied and one of the caterers materialized with food for the new arrival and shortly, the room was filled with the sound of silver ware clinking on china, soft voices and quiet laughter.
As the others focused their attention elsewhere, Vin leaned closer to Lucy. "'M sorry…"
"For what?" she hissed, lowering her glass to stare at him.
"Fer bein' late. Fer showin' up like this…" His blue eyes flickered over her and warmed. "Ya look real nice tonight, Lucy."
"Thanks." She absently toyed with her food. "Chris said your flight had been canceled."
"Was able to get on the next flight. Wasn't direct, but got in a couple hours ago," Vin whispered with a shrug.
A couple of hours! He'd gotten in a couple of hours ago and arrived at a formal dinner for a good friend looking as if he'd just spent the day branding a herd of cattle!
"Where were you?" she quizzed, keeping her voice low. "Had some things that had ta be done," he responded evasively, generously slattering butter on his dinner roll.
"Things that couldn't wait?" she pressed quietly, well aware Nica and Ezra as well as Chris could hear every word.
"Mighta been able ta wait, but sure needed done. Things's real 'portant," Tanner said around his mouthful of roll. He stopped chewing and looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Why all the questions?"
She shook her head.
He laid aside his fork, turning to fully face her. "Somethin' wrong, Luce?"
She shook her head again, refusing to meet his concerned expression.
He sighed softly. "I'm sorry I upset ya. I should'd called, told ya I's gonna be gone. I ferget sometimes I ain't 'lone no more." He attempted a lop sided smile. "Old habits die hard."
Fighting her building anger, Lucy concentrated on nibbling at her meal, although it might as well have been sawdust for all she tasted. She wasn't angry that he'd left town without calling. With his work, it was a common occurrence and the solid truth was he didn't really owe her any explanation at all.
Her anger was an effect of the worry which had plagued her on her first glance at his exhausted appearance and the deep sense of disappointment he'd thought something else was more important than arriving on time and in half way decent apparel at a celebration given by his best friend for another good friend.
That fact caused an unexpected fear in her.
His casual attitude about the errands he'd had to run scared her more than she wanted to admit. Never having had a family until joining these men, she had never known Tanner to put anything ahead of them. Could something have happened to bring about a change in his relationship with the others?
The vet silently cursed her disabled vehicle again, wishing she'd hadn't let Ezra talk her out of driving the rental, so she could simply excuse herself and leave. She had her pager with her so it would have a simple matter to say she was being called away on a medical emergency.
But, damnit, now she was stuck. She either had to wait for Ezra and Nica or accept a ride from the tracker... a ride which would no doubt be spent in stony silence or a heated argument.
It was turning into a long painful wait as she tried to ignore the man beside her, but as always, Vin Tanner's presence was overwhelming to her. She attempted to focus on what Chris was saying….
"Luce, we gotta talk," Vin's words were firm and Ezra glanced around at the Texan and frowned at the younger man's lack of manners.
The gambler threw Tanner a warning glance. He knew his friend hadn't planned on the evening taking such a tension filled turn, but Ezra was certain if Vin would just remain his usual silent self, giving the vet time to think, Lucy would work through her anger by the time dinner was finished.
Letting out a disgusted huff of breath, Vin shoved back his chair and stood, bringing Chris' words to an abrupt halt.
The sharpshooter cleared his throat, raking his gaze over his gathered friends before smiling at Mary.
"Miz Travis, just wanted ta say congratulations. Know you've worked mighty hard and all, and ain't no one more deservin'. It's sure grand of Chris to have this shindig fer ya, but…" He reached out and pulled Lucy to her feet, "if y'all will excuse us, me and Lucy's gotta be leavin' "
As everyone stared at them in dumbfounded silence, Vin gently pushed Lucy towards the door. Too stunned herself to react, she made no protest.
Only when the door closed behind them and they were on the porch did she come to her senses. Abruptly stopping, she pulled away from his grasp on her arm. Spinning around, she glared at him. "What in the hell are you doing?" she hissed angrily.
He gently turned her back towards the steps. "We need ta talk, Lucy. C'mon."
"You're right about that, but I don't think now is---" She opened her mouth to protest, but knew he was right. Seeing movement at the curtains, she jerked her chin towards the nearby window. "Though for the life of me I don't know why, we seemed to have garnered an audience."
"Shit!" Vin swore softly. Spinning, he started down the steps, heading for the barn. "Let's go…"
"No! I'm not exactly dressed to be..." She trailed off, stunned again as the Texan moved back, and without a word, picked her up and with strong steps, headed for the barn with her in his arms.
*******
"Might I point out that eavesdropping is quite uncouth?" Ezra stated as, their curiosity getting the best of them, everyone hurried to the windows to see the fireworks they knew were certain to explode the moment the door closed behind Lucy and Vin.
"What the hell!"
The gambler grabbed the big man's arm as Josiah moved for the door, seeing Lucy take a step backwards before Tanner scooped her up into his arms and started across the yard. "Leave them be, Josiah. Mister Tanner doesn't need our interference." The southerner ordered, adding with a grin, "He seems to have things well in hand... Don't you agree?"
*******
Speechless, with surprise and embarrassment, Lucy finally found her voice when he lowered her high heel clad feet to the hay strewn floor. Fuming, she tugged down the hem of her short velvet dress, "That wasn't necessary, Vin Tanner!"
"Were so. We need to talk, Lucy. You and me."
"Did you come here tonight with the intention of making an ass out of both of us or was it a totally spontaneous decision?" she demanded to know, her eyes flashing with fire.
Hearing the back door slam and the exchange of excited words, Tanner swore under his breath. While he couldn't make out what was being said, he was certain he heard a southern drawl in the mix and was equally certain the gambler was most likely facing off with their boss on his behalf.
"Damn! Where does a body find privacy around this place?" he muttered, adding, "Let's take the mule and get away from here."
"Mule?" she repeated, aware Chris had gotten another pack animal to replace the one killed by Frank Blair. Then, blurted, "I can't ride dressed like this…"
He lightly gripped her shoulders and turned her so she could see the red Kawasaki four wheel vehicle sitting to the side. Climbing aboard, Vin fired up the engine, ignoring the stabled horses nickers of irritation and waited impatiently for her to decide to join him.
Afraid she was going to tell him exactly where he could drive the off road vehicle, he was about to make the decision for her when giving him another angry glare, Lucy settled on the wide seat beside him. Stifling a satisfied smile Vin gunned the engine, and drove out of the barn.
*******
Not wanting to yell over the rumble of the engine which broke the otherwise quiet night, neither rider spoke as the Mule made its way across the moon dappled meadow.
Under other circumstances, Lucy might have found the ride romantic, but still fuming at the Texan, she sat stiffly gripping the back of the seat with one hand, the other holding down the hem of her dress as the wind and each rough spot caused the outfit to climb higher up her thighs.
"Where are we going?" she finally demanded to know, releasing the seat long enough to push the wind blown hair from her eyes.
Vin jerked his chin back in the direction of the farmhouse. "'Way from all them," he growled.
As the Morton pole barn, which usually sheltered Chris' supply of winter hay, loomed into view, Vin slowed the vehicle and let it roll to a stop.
Turning off the engine, he turned sideways on the seat to face her. Raking long fingers through his hair, he swallowed hard and taking a deep breath as if to screw up his courage, blurted out, "'M sorry."
Lucy's eyebrows arched sharply, but she didn't speak.
"I's late getting' here," he glanced down at his grubby clothes and made a face, "and I wanted ta clean up. Don't 'spect ya to understand, but I got delayed and lost track of time. Was afraid if I took the time ta go by the apartment and change clothes, I'da missed the whole thing. I know words ain't much, but I am sorry, Lucy."
"Okay, so you're sorry." She jumped down from the wide seat and her high heels sank into the soft dirt. "Shit!" she bent to jerk them off her feet and stood in her stockings, the ground cool and damp against the soles of her feet. "I can understand you bein' late! Things come up. Hell, I know that as well as anybody! I can understand you not taking the time to change into a suit ya ain't comfortable wearing in the first place, but I can't understand ya embarrassin' the hell outta me…outta both of us just to tell me you're sorry?" She shook her head in disgust as the words came out harsher than she intended.
He slowly climbed from behind the wheel and moved to stand in front of her, reaching out to gently twirl a strand of her hair between his fingers. "I know we ain't had much time ta be together these last few months. Your work, and all them training sessions of the Judge's…Shoulda told him ta find someone else ta evaluate them fellas at the academy."
Chris had explained in his earlier call to her that Judge Travis had sent Tanner to Arizona, wanting Vin's opinion of the police officers being trained as sharpshooters for special response teams across the country.
He focused on her face, his eyes soft in the moonlight. "Ya know it ain't my fault, Lucy... Well, guess maybe it is cause I shoulda said no but... Hope ya know.... There's no where else I'd rather be…" he admitted, his raspy voice low.
Her eyes grew big. "Oh…"
Reaching out, he grabbed her hand. "C'mon, there's something I want ta show ya." Fingers wrapped around hers, not giving her a chance to pull away, he led her towards the pole barn.
The lone security light was shining, its halogen brightness forcing away the darkness and in its circle of light sat a truck. A new truck.
Lucy's steps faltered, but Vin urged her forward as a boyish smile of delight lit his handsome face.
"What—whose truck is that?" she questioned, her gaze taking in the brand new silver gray Ford F250. "Chris didn't say anything about buying a new truck... Think he'd sell me his old one?" she questioned hopefully.
"Ain't Chris'." Vin's smile grew wider. "It's yours."
He might as well have dropped a bomb between them, or declared he was an alien.
"W-what?!"
"It's yours, Lucy." He held out the keys, dangling them before her dazed eyes.
"Vin… you know I can't accept this! What the hell is wrong with you, spending money like that?" Backing away, she shook her head, refusing to take the offered keys.
His smile faded and his hurt gaze dropped as he scuffed the toe of his boot at the hay strewn floor. "I didn't spend no money…" He sighed, coming clean. "I won it.. "
"Won it?"
"In that raffle down at the burger place. They drew my name outta the drum, and gave it to me, but I woulda bought it for ya, Luce, if I'd thought ya'd let me," he was quick to assure her. "Hell, I don't need no other truck. I'm happy with Ol' Green! Had already planned on figurin' a way to talk ya inta takin' this one, then Ez told me yours was 'bout passed goin'. Josiah… well, he says things always happen for a reason... I figured you could use this one and that's the reason I was lucky enough ta win it. I want ya to have it, Lucy…" He motioned her closer and pointed proudly to the front of the truck.
The bug deflector across the front was emblazoned with "L. Garth—Critter Doc". "Sides," he smiled impishly, "don't ya know it'd be against the law fer me ta impersonate a doctor?"
Stunned, she slowly circled the vehicle, noticing the back was already rigged with vet boxes for her medical supplies, but it was the picture on the sides that caused her breath to catch in her throat.
Starting at the front panel and flowing down across the door was the silhouette of a horse's head, its mane blowing back across the rear quarter panels.
"O-o-ohh…" she whispered, her hand going to her mouth in disbelief. The details were amazing and it was obvious the artist had taken great pride in the unique depiction. "It's beautiful!"
Vin stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms about her and pulling her back against his chest.
"I guess that means ya like it." He hugged her closer. "It's one of the reasons I was late. I had to pick it up before the guy left on vacation. I wanted ya to have it tonight."
That, at least, she absently realized, explained why they hadn't heard him arrive.
"Vin," she found her voice, turning in his arms to look up at him. "As beautiful as it is... As much as I appreciate such a generous gift and would really love to accept it, I just can't. What would people say?"
"Anything they damn well want ta," he whispered in her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver through her. He dangled the keys in front of her again. "C'mon, take me for a ride…"
Shaking her head, she grabbed the keys from his fingers and dashed barefooted for the driver's side, Vin's happy laughter echoing in the barn as he scrambled after her.
*******
As the high beams illuminated the area, realizing they'd been driving for over an hour, Lucy let the truck roll to a stop. Without thinking, she shifted it into 'park' and turned off the ignition.
She sighed wistfully. There was no doubt about it. The truck drove and rode like a dream and it was loaded with all the extras she would have, if she could only afford them. The vehicle had seemed to float over the ruts and bumps of the meadow, barely jarring the cab's occupants.
She couldn't help but think how nice it would be to make her appointments in a vehicle she didn't have to worry about starting, or breaking down, leaving her stranded miles from civilization.
It was a beautiful vehicle, and a very magnanimous gesture on Vin's part, but she finally turned to face him, ready to give him all the reasons why she couldn't accept.
"I's hopin' we'd end up here," he uttered softly.
She frowned at him in exasperation. "W-what?"
He didn't answer as he released his seatbelt and climbed down from the passenger seat, moving away from the truck… and her.
"Vin!" Grabbing the keys, forgetting she was in her stocking feet, she jumped out of the truck and hurried after him. "Vin!"
The long haired young man had moved across the clearing and stood in the bright glare of the truck's headlights, his back to her, staring into the darkness.
Confusion and anger radiated through her once more as she approached him. What the hell did he think he was doing? Didn't he realize how dangerous traipsing around in the dark could be? All they needed was for him to end up snake bit or worse. Then again, she snorted to herself, he wasn't the one in his bare feet.
Maybe he thought by refusing to hear her, he could force her to accept his gift.
"I wanna talk to you! What's the idea of traipsing out here in the dark?" she demanded to know.
"Thinkin'…. Rememberin'…" he uttered quietly, motioning with his hand to the landscape beyond the light's glow.
Confused by his sudden turn, she glanced around. Realization dawned of exactly where they were – in the center of the clearing where the old mystical homestead had once stood.
Lucy's gaze flickered over the moon lit area in the distance. Out there, she and Vin had fought for their very lives, and she had defeated the demons and ghost of her past. Vin had nearly died, and Frank Blair had nearly had his revenge on her, but they had survived, drawn together even closer and intrigued by the perplexing sense of having known each other in the past.
And it was here, not ten feet from where they now stood, she and Ezra had found the antique gold locket. Unconsciously, she reached up to where it hung about her neck and touched it, somehow taking a strange sense of comfort from the knowledge of what had been etched inside the cover those many decades earlier.
She started when Vin, who had stepped closer to her, reached out to lay his hands on her shoulders. Still a bit put out with him, she frowned, but he just smiled that endearing lop sided grin at her and her heart flip flopped as it always did when he looked at her like that.
"I know we ain't seen each other much lately," he once again stated apologetically, "but Chris' promised things are gonna slow down once all this training' done and outta the way... unless we end up with an assignment." He drew his gaze away from her and chewed the corner of his lip for a moment before softly muttering, "This weren't how I wanted this to go, ya know."
She shook her head, "What – to go --how?"
He brought his gentle gaze back to her face and tenderly laid his fingers across her lips, silencing her. "Let me do the talkin', Lucy, 'fore I ferget what I wanted ta say ta ya....Well, not what I wanted ta say... Could never forget that... but how I wanted ta say it."
She sighed and quietly nodded, knowing that when the usually laconic man wanted to talk, it was best to take advantage of his gregariousness.
"There's some things needs workin' out in Texas – that mess with Eli Joe, but it shouldn't take long... least I hope not."
He'd told her about the man who seemed to own a large part of the county and most of the town of Tascosa. Angry because Vin had taken his son in on a bounty retrieval, the wealthy rancher had placed a large private bounty on the Texan's head as well as framing him for assault and battery since the district attorney wouldn't go along with attempted murder. "
"Once it's done, I'd like… That is… Awww, hell…." He raked a hand thru his long hair. "…this ain't how I wanted this ta go, Lucy," he repeated again. "I wanted flowers and music…" he motioned down at his jeans and flannel, "me cleaned up and lookin' presentable, ya know? Wanted ta at least wait until dinner was over.... Maybe take ya for a walk in the moonlight... It's supposed ta be extra special…Should wait...but ta be honest with ya, I ain't got the nerve ta do this all again…."
He swung away from her, and moved several steps away, before taking a deep breath, he spun around to face her again. "Lucy, I'm askin'… that is, I'd like…. Awww, hell, Lucy, will ya marry me?"
Shocked, she wondered who had made that gasping sound. It couldn't be her since her mind and body both seemed to have gone numb. Of all the things the Texan could have uttered at that exact moment, that question had never crossed her mind.
Oh, perhaps late at night in her wildest dreams, it had surfaced, but to actually hear the words coming from Tanner's lips….
"I love ya, Lucy and I want ta look after ya, and Mattie, too. I want us three ta be a family, Lucy. I want ta lay down beside ya at night, wake up beside ya in the mornin' and I wanna love ya…fer the rest of my days…" He raked his hand thru his hair again, "I know it's sudden, but I never knew how much I could miss a person 'til I's gone. It's like a piece of me was missin'…. A piece of my heart and I know'd it was ya… Yer a part of me, and I want us ta do it right…. I think…" he gave her an anxious smile, "ya feel somethin' fer me, too, don't ya?"
Still stunned speechless, Lucy could only nod in total agreement.
"I make a good livin', Lucy. I mean my job ain't exactly nine ta five and it sure ain't the safest occupation a person could have. Times I'm gone at a moment's notice without knowin' when I'll be back."
He didn't add the 'or if'. Nor did he bother to mention the vet and her daughter were already listed as beneficiaries on his sizeable life insurance policy.
"Kinda set in my ways and there's times when the itch ta get off by myself is so strong, I just gotta head into the hills for a few days. Not ta mention puttin' up with me means dealin' with Chris and them five other yahoos. I know it's sudden like, and I know ya'll wanna think on it some. Take as long as ya like, talk it over with Mattie, and then…. when ya think of all the reasons why you shouldn't,...think of all the reasons why you should and say yes."
"Vin…Vin… I-I…"
"And 'fore 'em sorry bastards back at the house start makin' wise cracks 'bout me bein' so bad-mannered as ta give the love of my life an engagement truck, I wanna give ya this, too." He fumbled in his jeans pocket and withdrew something.
Taking her unresisting hand in his, he carefully set the little black jeweler's case in her palm and, watching her face, he flicked open the top.
If she had been totally stunned by his proposal, the item in the velvet case just literally staggered her as he slowly pulled it from its velvet case and held it up in the light from the truck.
It was a ring, a carved rose identical to the one which graced her locket and nestled amongst the heart of the golden petals, a diamond flashed like sunshine on morning dew.
"It's the other reason I's late. Ez drew the picture for me and gave me the name of a jeweler friend a his. I had it made up special coz I know what store ya set on that ol' locket a yourn and I wanted it ta at least match…" He teased, lightly tugging at the golden locket. "He called and convinced the guy ta wait at his store till I could get there and get it."
And that explained the smiles on the way to Larabee's. Ezra had known what the tracker was planning and of course he had no doubt told Nica.
Vin's thoughtfulness was nearly her undoing as tears of happiness gathered in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
"I know it ain't none to practical when yer pullin' a calf or wrestlin' with some stubborn horse…" he attempted to apologize, but it was her turn to silence him by placing her fingers against his lips.
"It's perfect, Vin Tanner," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
He reached up, enfolding her fingers in his. "And I want ya to know... Even if ya decide I ain't who ya want ta spend yer life with... The ring is yours... Just so ya'll always know I'll be there for ya, no matter what. Even if ya only want me as a friend... Had the guy etch somethin' inside ta remind ya a that, no matter where ya are....."
He carefully turned it to the glow of the headlights and her heart nearly burst with joy, her tears flowing freely as she read the words carved inside the golden band.
Lucy – Forever – Vin
THE END & The Beginning