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After taking a few deep breaths, I felt another tear trickle across my nose toward the pillow.
All I wanted to do was curl into a ball and sob.
“What do you think?” Phoenix asked after he removed the blindfold.
“Oh, my God. It’s beautiful.”
“I thought you’d like it. This is my favorite place on the ranch.”
I turned in a full circle, amazed we were in the same location. Green pastures surrounded a trickling brook, the water tumbling over rocks creating a peaceful sound. A majestic oak tree prevailed over the beautiful location, the light breeze tickling the full branches. And there were wildflowers just off to the right in vibrant colors captured by the sun.
“So amazing.”
“Yes, you are,” he whispered as he gathered me into his arms. “This is where I’d like to get married.”
A shiver trickled down my spine. “Married?” He turned me around to face him, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“That is if you’ll have a broken-down cowboy as a husband.”
I touched his check, his stubble tickling my fingertips. There was so much love in his eyes, and I was floored, my heart bursting with joy. “Are you asking me?”
“My silly little bird. Wren Tillman. Will you marry me?”
Mmm… I snuggled under the warmth as the vision started to fade, happiness swelling deep within. I was tingling all over, butterflies in my stomach. Marriage. I’d be married to the most wonderful man in the world. From somewhere I heard a voice, deep and husky. Where had he gone to?
“Wren.”
“Where…”Sleep. Dream. I suddenly couldn’t find him. “Phoenix.”
“I’m right here. I’m right here, baby.”
Slowly, I opened my eyes, the bright red LED lights of the clock staring back at me. I’d been dreaming. Just a damn dream. As a sob started to form, I sensed a presence.
“Wren. Are you awake?”
No, I was just hearing things, in a horrible fog. I felt a pull, then a touch so warm that I was instantly on fire. As I rolled over, I blinked several times. This couldn’t be real. “Phoenix?”
“I’m right here, baby. I told you I’d be back.”
As he peered down at me, I took several deep breaths as I touched his face. He was covered in soot, a gash on his forehead, but he was alive. I jerked up, throwing my arms around him, allowing the tears to fall.
“You’re really alive? I thought something happened. I couldn’t feel you any longer.”
He pulled me onto his lap, squeezing me tightly against him. “I was always with you, just like I’ll always be. You’re the air I breathe, the electricity that fuels me. I love you, baby.”
He pulled away, cupping my chin. Then he captured my mouth, holding our lips in place. There was nothing like the feel of being in his arms. As he slipped his tongue inside, I couldn’t stop shaking, tears staining my cheeks. And I still prayed this wasn’t just some horrible dream.
The kiss was passionate, yet more emotional than any we’d shared together. Together. The word held an entirely different meaning. Life was precious. Time couldn’t be wasted on anger or hatred. The only things that were important were friends and family.
The way his dominated my tongue was comfortable, soothing the ache inside. I could do this for hours, needing nothing else but the strength of his arms holding me. When he finally broke the kiss, he pressed his forehead against mine.
“I’m so sorry, little bird. I didn’t have my phone. Things were chaotic. I got back to you as soon as I could,” he said with such sadness in his voice.
“What happened?” I clung to him, still shaking in disbelief.
“The engine of the other helicopter failed, his chopper going down. I wasn’t going to let him die.”
I pulled back, able to laugh. “You never will follow rules, will you?”
