AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But you weren’t the only one driving that night. You all took turns, except for Jenna. You were all part of
it.”
“Ultimately, it was still my fault. I participated in that stupid game. I was at the wheel and I ran my car off the road. Tate, I’ve had to accept responsibility for my actions. It’s the only way I could move forward. It was the only way I could forgive myself.”
He reached for her, cupping her face in his hands so he could look into her wounded eyes. More than anything he wanted to nurture her, to shelter her from having to face anything else in life all alone.
“You lost so much that night. I’m not sure you’ve ever acknowledged what it cost you. Your entire life turned on a dime that night.”
“None of us were unscathed,” Cassidy pointed out. “Jenna...she’s different now. Hardened. And Regina...she’s more of a loner, kind of closed off. And Holly. What hasn’t she been through with her recovery? There’s so much that will forever be out of her reach.”
Tate pulled her to him, his lips moving over hers in the purest of kisses. He wanted to show her all the things he’d been afraid to show her before tonight. He wanted to lay it all on the line for her, in the hopes that she saw a future with him. He wanted to give her everything. And above all, forgiveness. As the kiss ended, Cassidy clung to him, whispering words poignant enough to melt his heart.
“Please, forgive me, Tate. For not telling you, for keeping secrets. I don’t want to lose you.”
Her heart was all tied up in her words. He could see it now and the beauty of it almost brought him to his knees. It flowed over him like healing waters, giving him the courage to say what was in his heart.
“Cass, I know this has been a long time coming, but I forgive you. I don’t want the past to ever come between us again. A life without you—” He shuddered. “That’s not a life I want to live. Been there, done that. It was a much emptier life without you in it. I love you, Cassidy.”
His voice was filled with conviction and he wanted it to heal her, to lift her up to a place where she only saw their bright future. He placed his hands on either side of her face, his thumbs grazing her cheeks.
“I’ve been prideful. Unyielding. I was so stuck in the past that I couldn’t see the future. I’ve been all over the place with my emotions. I don’t know why you even put up with me,” he said with an agonized groan.
“Shhh.” Cassidy placed her finger over his mouth. “You’re the kindest, most tender man I’ve ever known. I gave you every reason to harden your heart to me. If I haven’t said it before, I’m very grateful to be given a second chance to love you. Because I do love you, Tate Lynch. I have fallen madly, deeply, forever in love with you.”
He rained kisses down on her face...her nose, cheeks, forehead...dozens of feather-light kisses. She felt like each kiss was removing a scar from her heart. He was healing her with his love. He was showing her that the past wasn’t nearly as important as their present.
“I know you have a life in Phoenix, but I’d like you to consider moving back home. I truly believe God led you home to me.” Tate’s eyes were full of hope.
“I want to come back home. I want to come back to you and my family. And Holly. West Falls is where my heart is...and I can run my gallery from anywhere.” Even in the pulsing heartbeat of her hometown. “Oh, and Tate, I can teach art to the kids in the congregation. Weekly classes held at Main Street Church. Can’t you just picture it?”
Tate grinned wide and it looked like his heart was filled to overflowing.
She laid her head on his chest, seeking the soft place to fall that only he could provide. He wrapped his large arms around her, surrounding her with a cocoon of love. In the past few months her life had come full circle. She’d found love again with the only man she’d truly ever loved. And by some miracle this love was stronger, wiser, more grounded. It had been built on a foundation of forgiveness. Her heart had stretched out bigger and wider than she’d ever dreamt possible. Because of him.
Love. Security. Home. A soft place to fall. It was all right here in West Falls with Tate.
Epilogue
Horseshoe Bend Ranch
Cassidy increased her speed to a gallop as she rode in on Fiddlesticks, reaching the stables a hairsbreadth behind Tate, who was riding a white Arabian horse his father had just acquired. She lovingly patted Fiddlesticks, reaching into her shirt pocket for a bag of sliced apples. For weeks now she’d been riding her a few times a week, so much so that she was starting to develop a real attachment to the gentle horse. Even Tate referred to the onyx Arabian as “her horse.”
One month ago she’d set up a small gallery on Main Street. She’d decided to run her Phoenix gallery from here in West Falls with the help of her assistant. Her mother’s continued good health was the biggest blessing of all. From this point forward she would have to be vigilant about checkups in the event of a recurrence. Although she wouldn’t be out of the woods until she was cancer-free for five years, the doctors were optimistic about her prognosis.
Tate had quickly dismounted and was now standing next to Fiddlesticks, ready to help Cassidy dismount. She freed her feet from the stirrups and swung her leg over Fiddlesticks’s rump. Tate held his hands up and caught her in his arms, gently depositing her back on solid ground. Malachi came out of nowhere and took the reins of the horses. With a sly grin in Tate’s direction, he led the horses into the stables.
“Malachi is really going to have to stop bending your ear so much, Tate. It’s getting to be a real problem,” Cassidy quipped. In the past four months she’d only heard Malachi utter a few words at the most. He continued to be an enigma.
“He’s the strong silent type,” Tate said with a grin. “And as trustworthy as they come.”
When she rounded the corner of the stables she stopped in her tracks, taken aback by the sight that greeted her. A picturesque table lit with lanterns had been set up for two. Roses were laid out on the table, along with scattered chocolates and crystal flutes. Joy filled her heart as she realized that Tate had arranged this romantic surprise for her. She whirled around to face Tate, who was sporting a devilish grin.
“When did you do this? Tate, it’s so romantic,” she gushed, her hand pressed against her heart.
“I had a little help from Malachi. He helped set this up while we were riding,” Tate admitted. “C’mon and sit down.”
Tate led Cassidy to the table, pulling out the seat for her. She looked around curiously, wondering if the food was nearby. She was actually starving after riding for so long. Tate continued to stand there gazing at her instead of joining her at the table. He opened his mouth a couple times, then closed it. He took off his cowboy hat and raked his hand through his chocolate-brown hair. Two seconds later he was fiddling with his collar and readjusting his cowboy hat.
