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“Howdy, you must be Bethany. I’m Cody. ”
“Hi, Cody,” she managed, feeling her face blush red and amazed she’d been able to speak.
“Noah and Ellie are busy with something in the house and they asked me to show you around. They shouldn’t be long, but you can’t park there.”
“I don’t understand. I’m not blocking anything.”
“We’re expectin’ a delivery. You need to go over there,” he said briskly, pointing to the arena. “I’ll meet you inside the barn. You’ll see the entrance.”
As he marched away, she climbed back behind the wheel and let out a sigh. He was a hunk, but he’d barely given her a second look.
* * *
In the front room peeking through the curtains with Noah at her side, Ellie broke into a wide smile.
“I knew it, they like each other,” she exclaimed. “I told you, and I was right!”
“I’m not so sure,” Noah muttered, shaking his head as he stepped away. “I know Cody, and he didn’t look too happy. He’s probably already guessed that was a set up.” But as he spoke, he heard a large truck roll slowly into the courtyard. “It doesn’t matter, he needs to take care of that delivery, and I’m off to help Bethany.”
“But—”
“Ellie, they’ve met. Now just let nature take its course.”
As he left the room, Ellie stayed at the window and watched him stride across to the barn. There was nothing wrong with giving nature a helping hand. She’d just have to do it quietly.
* * *
Two Months Later
Bethany had rescued her mother and they lived in a comfortable townhome not far from Noah’s Barn. Ellie’s subtle attempts to bring Cody and Bethany together hadn’t borne fruit. But Ellie wasn’t about to give up.
It was early evening, and she had finished what she considered her masterpiece. Stetson was flying over the lake, his coat more golden than red, and his flaxen mane and wings almost white under the moon’s silver light. She couldn’t wait to present it to Noah. He’d been out most of the afternoon, and hearing him walk in the front door, she hurried out to meet him.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” she exclaimed happily, grabbing his arm and leading him into the guest room. “I have something for you. Stand right there.”
“You’re lettin’ me see this mysterious paintin?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed, then nervously lifted away the cloth.
* * *
Noah stared in amazement. His prized, precious stallion had become Pegasus, glowing gold as he flew under a full moon, and his reflection in the rippled lake seemed to give him life and movement.
“I…I…I’m speechless,” he managed, fighting unfamiliar heat in the back of his throat.
As she stepped up to stand beside him, he wrapped his arms around her.
“Ellie, I love it more than I can say…like I love you,” he murmured, “and this is crazy, but I just collected something for you,” he continued, lifting a small black box from his pocket. “I had it made. You won’t believe it.”
He opened the lid to reveal an intricately crafted ring bearing a winged horse with diamond eyes.
“Noah…we had the same vision.”
“This might sound corny, but that’s how you make me feel. Like I can fly, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you—“
“Of course I’ll marry you,” she stammered, cutting him off with tears springing from her eyes.
Lifting the ring from the small box, he slipped it on her finger, then hugged her tightly.
“Let’s have the wedding here,” she suggested, “with you on Stetson and me on Candy.”
“I love it,” he said with a wide grin as he pulled back.
“Bethany can be my bridesmaid and Cody your—“
“Don’t even go there, or do I need to spank that match-matchin’ out of you.”
Tilting her head to the side, she quipped, “Well, you could always try…”
THE END
