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“Me too,” Honor murmured, placing her hand over her belly in order to quiet down the nervous rumbles.
At 5:30 p.m. sharp, Jasper pounded a gavel and called the meeting to order.
“Good evening, friends. We’re here tonight to discuss the legal decision rendered regarding the Diamond R Ranch. I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the news. But for those of you who’ve been living under a rock, a so-called judge decided that Bud’s kin can do what they like with his beloved ranch.” Jasper ran a hand over his face. Honor couldn’t help but think he looked extremely weary. This issue had taken a toll on him, which was alarming.
“It’s an outrage as far as I’m concerned. Poor Bud is probably rolling around in his grave at this development. That man loved this town and he adored his ranch. It meant the world to him. Rumor has it that the ranch will be sold to an outfit of vipers who want to suck the life out of this town.” He let out a ragged breath. “All I know is that I’ve been in constant prayer about it. And I’m not done praying yet. Maybe Theo and Joshua will have a change of heart. I pray they do.”
As Jasper sat down, Boone leaned toward him and clapped him on the back. Honor watched as her brother whispered something in her grandfather’s ear that made him grin. It lightened Honor’s mood to see it. Jasper wasn’t as tough as he seemed to be from the outside looking in. He’d been through a lot in his life.
Pastor Jack stepped up to the microphone. “Jasper asked me to be here tonight so I could share some thoughts with you. Bud—bless his heart—didn’t leave the town his property. Perhaps there’s some meaning there,” Pastor Jack said.
“What kind of meaning could there be?” Jasper asked in a raised voice. “The last thing this town needs is a stinkin’ dude ranch.”
Pastor Jack smiled serenely. “Grace can be found in all types of situations, Jasper. We, as a town, just need to tap into it. This town has been through the best of times and the worst of times. Some of our ancestors searched for gold in the Yukon in the hopes of making it rich and providing for their families. Instead of finding riches, they met with tragedy. Somehow, their families endured. Not too long ago this town was rocked by a financial downturn. Friends became enemies, lovers became estranged. At our worst moment, this town banded together to save ourselves. We endured.”
The crowd began to clap thunderously.
Pastor Jack grinned. “If the worst happens and Bud’s ranch is transformed into the worst dude ranch in creation, this town won’t crumble. We’ll endure. As we’ve always done.”
Pastor Jack was right, Honor realized. It wasn’t the end of the world. Dealing with this situation with grace and conviction would go a long way in healing the wounds. She needed to play a role in soothing ruffled feathers rather than riling them up against the legal decision. Love had always endured. It would continue to do so. After all, a town was the sum total of its residents. And the townsfolk here in Love were the best people she had ever known.
As the meeting came to a close and everyone filed outside, Honor felt a feeling of calm wash over her. Snow was gently falling all around them. The air was crisp and biting. The wind was whipping her hair all about her face.
“Honor! Honor Prescott!”
Honor turned toward the sound of the voice calling out her name. She gasped. Was she seeing things?
Joshua was riding Blaze at a full gallop down Jarvis Street and he was heading straight toward her.
Chapter Fourteen
Joshua pulled gently on the reins as he spotted Honor standing next to Ruby outside town hall. There was no mistaking the heart-shaped face and the waves of chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders. She had a pretty pink hat perched on her head.
“Whoa, Blaze.” A ripple went through the crowd as they spotted him. People began to whisper Joshua’s name and point in his direction. He let out a sigh. Once again, he was the talk of the town. Everyone was gawking at him. Even Hazel was giving him a strange look.
He dismounted from Blaze, then turned toward Honor, who was gazing at him with a shocked expression on her face.
“Joshua! What are you doing here?” Honor asked.
A sudden case of nerves struck him. Did he have the strength to follow through with this? What if she just laughed in his face? What if he was wrong about her returning his tender feelings?
Go big or go home. He had come too far to turn back now. It was time to lay it all on the line.
All of a sudden, Jasper appeared at Honor’s side. “What’s with all the dramatics, Ransom?” Jasper barked. “Did you show up here to rub our noses in your victory? We get it. You won. You’re about to turn Bud’s legacy into a dude ranch. Congratulations.”
Joshua swung his gaze toward Honor. “I’m only here for one reason, Mayor Prescott. I need t
o say something to your granddaughter and it’s important. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to speak my piece without being interrupted.”
“Oh, brother,” Jasper muttered. “Here we go again.”
“Hopefully it won’t take long,” Joshua said with a plucky grin. He turned back around to face Honor. She had been watching and listening intently.
“I came back to Love in order to honor my grandfather. But along the way, something remarkable happened. I fell back in love with you, Honor. Matter of fact, I’m not sure I ever stopped loving you.”
Jasper stomped his foot in the snow. “Do we have to listen to this nonsense?”
“Pipe down, Jasper,” Boone said in a voice that meant business.
