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Caleb shot the woman a wink. “When they’re on a first date with a woman who has him all tied up in knots.” He chuckled.
“Stop it.” Madison swatted his arm playfully.
“Got yourself a keeper young lady,” the woman said before moving off to join some of her friends.
“What? I feel like the luckiest man in the world when it comes to love. First Lauren, and now you. I think she’s smiling down from heaven and would be happy for all of us.”
“That’s funny because I was thinking the same thing. The part about being the luckiest girl in the world. And I agree, Lauren would approve. I’m in love for the first time in my life.”
“And I’m in love for the last time of mine.” Caleb dropped another kiss on her mouth before they finished the dance, and he led her off the dance floor. “I’ll be right back after I get us some punch. Save me another dance,” he added, walking away.
“Always,” Madison answered, even if only to herself.
The whole evening was turning out to be one big magical moment made up of smaller, but spectacular moments in time.Luckily, when the clock struck midnight, she wouldn’t have to disappear.
Caleb’s heart was overflowing with love, and it was all because of Madison. And as for Joelle, she had fallen in love with Madison almost from the start.Smart girl.
Madison and Joelle chased after the soccer ball while Caleb loaded up the picnic supplies. Horseback riding was quickly becoming a favorite for him again and he loved Joelle’s shared passion for all things horses. His daughter was so much like her mother, but now, when Caleb thought of Lauren, he felt a sense of peace. The joy of the memories they shared were to be embraced with love, not anger. Life was made to live…a lesson he was relearning every day being around Madison and Star.
He glanced up at the sky, noting that a few dark clouds had rolled in, and it was probably time to head back to the house. But he wanted them to have as much fun as they could, while they could. The day had started with a fifty percent chance of rain, but thanks to Madison, Caleb now thought of it as a fifty percent chance itwouldn’train. And because of it, they’d set out on this picnic and had hours of fun instead of being stuck inside for rain that might not even happen.
A few sprinkles landed on his arm. “We should probably head back, don’t you think?” he asked.
Madison stopped to look up at the sky. “I agree. Those are some heavy-duty rain clouds rolling in this way.”
“Aww, but I was having fun,” Joelle said.
“There’s always more fun at the house. We just need to find it,” Caleb said, strapping the bags onto Star’s saddle. He held out Sierra’s reins to Madison. The new mare got along perfectly with Star and made it so they could ride all the time. Together.
Joelle rode back to the house with him, and by the time they arrived, it was pouring. His soaked shirt clung to his upper body, but he didn’t care…not in the slightest. And clearly it didn’t bother his daughter either, as she stuck out her tongue, trying to catch the raindrops. Madison’s hair hung limply on her shoulders, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.
They tied the horses up in the barn. He would need to come back out in a few minutes to brush them down and feed them, but first, he would take care of the special ladies in his life.
Taking Joelle by the hand, he started running for the house. A huge puddle had filled with the torrential downpour and Caleb started to go around it, but then stopped. An image of when he was a boy came to mind. Puddle jumping was a favorite pastime of his. “Watch this, Joelle.” Caleb let go of her hand and ran right through the middle of the puddle, not caring that his boots and jeans were getting wet.
Exhilarating.
“Can I do it too, Daddy?” Joelle asked, her smiling face his first clue this had been an excellent decision.
Caleb nodded. “Of course. We’re already wet, so what’s the big deal?”
Madison watched them both, a disbelieving expression on her face.
“Come on, Madison. Water’s warm,” he said, holding out a hand.
“What have you done with Caleb Duncan?” she hollered loud enough to be heard over the downpour.
“He’s right here. With you.” Caleb tapped his heart.
Madison shook her head and smiled. Seconds later, she took the plunge and joined them as they danced in the rain. “This reminds me of when we met at the park.”
“A wonderful day in my life,” Caleb said, taking her hand.
“All that’s missing is the dog.”
“True. Guess we’ll have to see what we can do about changing that part.”
“Are we getting a dog?” Joelle asked, her eyes bright and shining, and more than making up for the lack of sunshine.
