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Johanna had changed from her jeans into a simple white dress and matching white leather boots, her hair in a side ponytail, trailing a wavy blond cascade over her shoulder. She was pure Texas but with a designer elegance and poise, smiling and nodding at something the king was saying.
Stone realized he wasn’t needed here. Johanna had it totally under control. Not a single nerve showed through. She wasn’t even fidgeting with the diamond horseshoe that dangled on the silver chain around her neck. Something had happened to her this week. She didn’t need him for confidence or help, and God, she was magnificent.
She glanced at the door as if sensing he was there. Her eyes lost their sparkle but she kept her composure. “Come on in, Stone, and hear the good news from our honored guest.”
Stone forced a smile onto his face and stepped into the presidential suite. “Sir, we’re honored that you would come visit us at Hidden Gem.”
The deposed king had a reputation for being a bit of a hermit who lived in an island fortress off the coast of Florida. “I am so sorry to hear Mariah is having health concerns. It is a joy to have one of her dogs and my honor to make things easier for her by coming to her directly.”
“Thank you,” Stone answered, his head spinning from this day, blindsiding him nonstop. “It appears Ruby has found a great new companion.”
Johanna stroked Pearl, still perched in her lap. “He also shared more good news. General and Mrs. Renshaw have decided they want Pearl after all. The three dogs will get to see each other at family reunion s. Isn’t that wonderful?”
A roaring started in Stone’s head, growing louder by the second. Thoughts of his fight with Johanna, his grandmother’s illness, his mother’s arrival—his whole world was falling apart and there was nothing he could do about it. His eyes landed on Pearl and he knew. His grandmother needed to have this pup with her. Mariah, who’d given so much of herself to others, needed her favorite dog and needed someone to stand up, to make the decision to put her needs first. He would adopt Pearl so his grandmother could keep her near.
Even if it cost him the position as CEO of Diamonds in the Rough, he loved the little mutt and he wasn’t giving her up.
“I’m sorry, sir.” He strode into the room, boots thudding against the thick rug patterned with a yellow rose of Texas theme. He swiped Pearl from Johanna’s lap before she could stop him. He cradled Pearl in one arm. “She’s staying with me after all.”
Standing, Johanna gasped. “But your grandmother’s requirements...”
“I’ll talk to my grandmother. She needs Pearl now more than anyone. I’ll take care of Pearl during Mariah’s treatments—and afterward.” That last part stuck in his throat but he didn’t doubt his decision. After seeing Johanna through different eyes this week, he’d learned the meaning of real love. His arms wrapped tighter around the dog. He nodded to their guest. “Thank you again for helping us rehome Ruby. Let us know if there’s anything you need to make your stay more comfortable.”
And manners be damned, the whole company be damned, Stone left with his dog, a dog that carried the scent of bluebonnets from Johanna.
* * *
As she listened to Mariah make small talk with the deposed King, Johanna’s heart was in her throat.
At least Mariah and the twins had joined them so she didn’t have to carry the conversation on her own, but it was the most torturous hour of her life. Not because she was intimidated by royalty—the man was truly approachable and, truth be told, she felt more confident now. But wondering about Stone was tearing her apart.
She couldn’t believe Stone had left with Pearl, that he’d made such a beautiful and selfless sacrifice for his grandmother. He’d ignored his grandmother’s test because he knew Mariah needed the comfort. Anyone who knew Mariah would understand she didn’t make frivolous threats. Her test might have seemed strange, but she’d known what she was doing.
Johanna toyed with the diamond horseshoe pendant and realized Mariah never did anything by accident. She’d meant this test for Johanna, as well. The McNair matriarch had treated Johanna as a daughter every bit as much as she’d treated Stone as a son. This journey had brought Johanna the self-confidence to push Stone for the answers she needed, as well as bringing about an openness between them they should have had long ago.
She kept replaying the look on his face as he’d left with Pearl, remembering him telling her the story of how Pearl had come to his grandmother. As a vet tech, Johanna had observed countless people with their animals. She recognized true affection and a connection when she saw it. He didn’t often show his emotions, but she’d seen the sketches he’d made. Stone was the right one to care for Pearl so Mariah could keep her during her treatment, and he was the perfect one to take Pearl afterward. No question, Stone loved the scruffy little pooch.
She’d already realized there was much more to Stone than the cowboy Casanova, stony facade he showed the world. Yet she’d let him down, as well, today. He’d told her his secrets, owned up and offered to make amends as best he could, and she’d panicked. She’d walked out on a man who’d been abandoned by his mother and his father. A man who was willing to give up his life’s work and billions of dollars to put his grandmother’s happiness first. He loved his grandmother, and yes, he even loved the scruffy little pooch enough to risk everything.
That was the man for her and she didn’t intend to wait another minute to get him back.
She stood, resting a hand on Mariah’s shoulder. “Ma’am, would you like some refreshments sent in or do you need to rest?”
Mariah smiled at the king with a twinkle in her eyes. “We’re having a lovely visit. Refreshments would be nice.”
“Perfect. I’ll let the kitchen staff know.” Johanna grasped the excuse to leave with both hands.
“And Johanna?” Mariah’s voice stopped her at the door. “Be sure to take something to that rebellious grandson of mine.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Johanna smiled back at the woman who wasn’t just like family. She was family.
Racing through the lodge to the kitchen, she didn’t have to wonder where to look for Stone. She angled through the lanai party group in full swing, vacationers and guests from the wedding filled the place to capacity.
She stepped clear of them into the starlit night, music from the live band at the wedding reception still filling the air. Stone loved this land and she understood the feeling. The land all but hummed under her boots as she saddled up the first horse she came to—a sleek gray quarter horse named Opal. A simple click launched the beautiful beast into motion, sure-footed even in the night with only the moon and stars lighting the way in a dappled path.
The wind tore through Johanna’s wavy hair, rivulets of air rippling her dress along her skin. She’d never felt more alive and more afraid than right now. This was her chance for everything, if she could only find the right way to let Stone know how deeply she loved him.
Approaching Stone’s favorite piece of land, the part that belonged to him, she ducked low under a branch. The moon shone down on Stone lying on the yellow quilt, staring up at the sky with Pearl curled up asleep beside him.
Her heart filled with tender feelings for the man who’d been let down by so many, yet still had a full heart to offer her.
Johanna dismounted. “Stone?”
“Do you know why this particular part of the land is my favorite acre?” he asked without moving, the night breeze ruffling Pearl’s wiry fur.
She settled her horse alongside Stone’s and walked to the blanket. “Why is that?”
“The bluebonnets. They remind me of you. The peacefulness and the sweet scent carrying along the breeze of home.” His eyes slid to her. “That’s you.”
She sank down beside him, sitting cross-legged. “Stone, you take my breath away when you say things like that.”
How many times had she imagined a future with him back when she’d been a fanciful girl? He was everything she’d hoped for and so much more. More real. More complicated and compelling. She wouldn’t trade any part of him for the simple fantasies she’d once built around him.
“Good. You deserve the words and everything else. Whatever you want. Children. Home and hearth. Building a family. Don’t settle.” Even now, he fought to protect her.
He just didn’t realize that she knew what was best for her now.
“I’m not settling.” She wanted to reach for him but they had things to discuss first. Their reunion hadn’t been a smooth, joyous coming together. It had been stilted steps toward each other because they couldn’t stay away. But that was their path and she would keep on walking it. Toward her future with him. “I was hurt by what you told me today, but I shouldn’t have run away. You opened up to me, and I let you down.”
“You spoke the truth, though. I owe you more apologies than I can speak in a lifetime.”
