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“Thank you, Mayor,” Joshua said, feeling overjoyed at the notion that Jasper was thawing toward him.
“What’s with the mayor nonsense? Call me Jasper.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “After all, it sounds like you might be getting hitched to my precious grandbaby.”
Honor cried out and covered her face.
“Don’t embarrass her!” Hazel scolded, rolling her eyes toward the heavens. “You’re about as subtle as a sledgehammer.”
Boone stepped forward. He looked Joshua up and down. “It seems I may have been wrong about you. Back in the day, you were a real troublemaker.”
Joshua looked Boone straight in the eye. “You’re right. I caused a lot of mayhem in this town.”
“I appreciate a man who can admit his mistakes and change for the better. What you did for Theo was selfless. I probably would have done the same thing myself,” Boone acknowledged.
Relief flooded him. He couldn’t believe how this night was turning out. Boone—who had once been his harshest critic—was offering him an olive branch. And he would happily accept it. It brought him one step closer to being with Honor for the long haul.
“Thanks, Boone. Your goodwill means the world to me.”
Boone reached out and shook Joshua’s hand. Honor stood beside them, awash in tears. Ruby stood next to her wiping at her eyes. Everyone seemed to be giving in to sentimentality.
Hazel blinked away tears. She cleared her throat. “Let’s all head over to the Moose for a celebratory round of espressos and hot chocolates. I’m liable to turn into a pile of mush if I stick around here any longer.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” Cameron said, placing his arm around Hazel’s waist.
Ruby held up her cell phone. “Let me call Liam. He and Aidan can meet us over there since it’s not a school night.”
“I’ll take Violet home so the two of you can celebrate,” Theo said. “By the way, I’m really happy for you.” He winked at Honor. “I told you he was a good man.”
“Thanks, Theo. For everything,” Honor gushed. Her eyes were shining brightly and she couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “I’m not sure any of this would have happened without you.”
“I don’t deserve any credit. Just be happy,” Theo said.
Honor leaned up and pressed a kiss on Theo’s cheek.
As soon as Theo and Violet walked off toward Bud’s truck, Honor turned toward Joshua. She had a sheepish expression on her face. “Sorry about Jasper. He shoots from the hip whenever he opens his mouth.”
“He’s growing on me by leaps and bounds,” Joshua said in a teasing tone.
“Jasper does have that effect on people,” Honor said with a giggle.
Joshua reached out and pulled Honor toward him. His hands were on either side of her waist. He was looking deeply into her eyes. All he could see in their depths was love and contentment. It was amazing how quickly things could turn around. With love, hope and faith anything was possible.
He traced her lips with his fingertip. “I want to put down roots right here in Love. With you, Honor. And Violet. I think that’s what Bud wanted. He was a pretty romantic guy. One who believed in true love conquering all.”
“I have the feeling he’s looking down on us and grinning like crazy. I’m proud of you, Joshua. Selling the ranch would have given you and Theo a big payday.”
“As long as I have your love, I’ll be rich in all the ways that matter most.”
She reached up and placed her arms around his neck. They were gazing into each other’s eyes. “I can’t wait to see what the f
uture holds for us.”
“Nothing but blue skies, from this point forward,” Joshua said, his words ringing out as a promise for the future.
* * *
Honor galloped on Lola across the wide expanse of Ransom land as the wind whipped across her face and hair. March had come in like a lion with a big snowstorm that had wreaked havoc on the small town of Love. After days of being snowbound, the townsfolk were all coming out of hibernation. Honor and Joshua were celebrating their freedom by riding across the Diamond R property.
Joshua was right behind her on Blaze. Honor pulled on Lola’s reins and brought the horse to a stop near a stream. She dismounted Lola and led her over toward the partially thawed water. Soon, Joshua joined her. He patted Blaze, murmuring words of praise as he led her to drink.
