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They both laughed. God had broken the mold when He had created Mayor Jasper Prescott and everybody knew it.
“I will say he’s done something amazing with Operation Love. At the end of the day, people want to find love and a soft place to fall,” Honor said. “That’s happening here in town now thanks to my grandfather.”
A soft place to fall. That’s exactly what he’d wanted to give Honor all those years ago. And he knew she would have given it back in return. He wasn’t sure he would ever fully get over it. But he hoped life would bring him a loving partner and a mother for Violet. Everyone needed someone to lean on, to pray with, to grow old beside them. Perhaps one of these days God would hear his most fervent prayer.
“What about you?” he asked, blurting out the question he’d been dying to ask. “Are you signed up for the program?”
Honor looked at him, startled. “No, I’m not, but I appreciate what Jasper is doing for this town. Lately I’ve begun to realize that we all need that special someone in our lives. Who doesn’t want the fairy tale?” Her voice sounded soft and vulnerable. It made him want to sweep her into his arms and hold on to her for as long as she would allow.
“It sounds like you’re right where you need to be. There are lots of Alaskan bachelors in this town.” Joshua tried to stifle a sudden spurt of jealousy. He wanted Honor to be happy, but the thought of her settling down with another man bothered him. He couldn’t shake the feeling off or stop the images racing through his mind of Honor walking down the aisle and cradling a newborn in her arms.
Still, after all of this time, Joshua felt cheated out of the life he had envisioned leading with Honor.
Silence descended upon them as they neared the Diamond R. For a moment something hung in the air between them. Neither one mentioned the tension of the other night, but it hung between them like a live grenade. He didn’t know whether to broach the subject or simply leave it alone.
“Well, I should go see to the calves,” Honor said. “I’m glad Violet is feeling better. You must be relieved.”
“Thanks. I’m a happy man,” he said, his apology getting swallowed up by his pride. He stood by everything he’d said to her, but his timing and delivery was questionable. Joshua should never have barked at her when she’d showed up at the clinic simply to offer support. It had been less than gracious.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. The Bible verse from Ephesians ran through his mind, serving as an admonishment for the harsh way he had treated Honor. Despite the fact that she had filed the injunction, Joshua needed to forgive her. Hadn’t he wanted the townsfolk to offer him the same grace?
Joshua watched Honor dismount from Lola and head toward the barn. He felt a knot in his stomach as his gaze trailed after her. Why did it always seem as if Honor was leaving him? Pretty soon he would be leaving Love, never to return. The ramifications of it sat heavily on his chest. The thought of never seeing Honor again made him ache inside. Despite the anger he felt tow
ard her for filing the injunction, Joshua couldn’t forget what they’d meant to each other in the past.
Joshua led Blaze toward the stables and placed him in his stall. The horse was working his mouth, letting Joshua know he’d enjoyed their ride across the property. After cleaning his tack and picking out his hooves, he treated the horse to an apple. As Joshua headed toward the house, he felt as if he was coming home. Home. He had never quite felt that way about Seattle. He’d always believed it was because he hadn’t yet bought a house to live in, but he now realized it wasn’t true. Home was a feeling. It settled inside you like a warm, comfy blanket.
Seattle didn’t have this stunning vista. He couldn’t ride to his heart’s delight at a moment’s notice. He didn’t have history there. Seattle was a blank slate. He had always considered that a good thing, but now that he was back in his hometown, he was beginning to think it might not be.
Joshua could honestly picture himself settling down here with Violet. Living at the ranch would be a dream come true. The thought served as a jolt to the system. Where had it come from? He wasn’t sticking around Love any longer than was absolutely necessary. It was silly of him to imagine a life that could never be possible. He needed to be realistic and focus on moving forward with his life, not only for his sake, but for Violet’s as well.
* * *
While she checked on Bud’s calves at the ranch, Honor tried to keep her thoughts from straying toward Joshua. Seeing him enjoying a ride on Blaze had been a little surprising. It really shouldn’t have been, considering how much he had always loved horses, but she’d convinced herself that Joshua had changed over the years from the young man she’d known.
She had been wrong. The adult version of Joshua clearly still enjoyed riding. A warm feeling settled over her at the realization that he was still the same person she had loved so dearly. Seeing him seated on Blaze took her back to all of the adventures they had enjoyed on Bud’s property. The Diamond R Ranch had been their stomping grounds. Those carefree moments were permanently seared on Honor’s heartstrings.
“You like all this undivided attention, don’t you?” Honor asked as she gently patted one of the calves. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but the calf seemed to be smiling at her. There were five calves in all who had been born in the last few weeks. Two had been born early, but all five of them were in good condition.
“Can you blame him?” The rich tone of Joshua’s voice startled her. She swung her gaze up to meet his. He was standing a few feet away with his arms folded across his chest. He was leaning against a wooden beam. She had no idea how long he’d been standing there.
“I don’t mean to interrupt. I was sitting up at the main house and feeling curious about the calves. Violet is napping, so I figured I’d pop my head in. Winnie is keeping an eye on her.”
“It’s fine. They’re your calves, after all,” she said. “I’m pleased to report they’re all in fine condition.”
Joshua nodded. “That’s in large part due to you, Honor.”
Honor grinned. Bud had called her over to the ranch when each of the calves had been born. The memory was a sweet one. “Bud had me wrapped around his little finger. This ranch was his whole world. He cared about every aspect of it.”
For a moment they locked gazes. Her words hung in the air, serving as a reminder of the huge divide between them regarding the Diamond R.
Her cell phone began buzzing insistently, shattering the silence. She took her phone out and glanced at the caller ID. It was a call from the wildlife center. “Sorry. I have to take this call.”
“No problem,” he murmured. “Take your time.”
The voice of Priscilla Walters, one of her employees, rang in her ear as soon as she said hello.
“Honor! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
