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“I get that, I guess.”
They both had another cookie. Then Jake brushed his hands off and got to his feet. Hewalked to the edge of the water. When Ember came up beside him, he glanced at her.
“I know there are a lot of beautiful places in the world. I’ve seen a few of them. But none of them compare to this. I’m damn lucky to have grown up here and raise my family on this ranch. I thank God every day for it.”
Ember took his arm. “It’s a little piece of heaven for sure.”
Chapter thirty-five
"That's the second time you called me that."
Ember and Jake spent another hour at the swimming hole, then headed back toward the house. As they did on the way there, they took their time and enjoyed the quiet comradery they shared. When the house came into view, Jake was sorry to see it. He didn’t want his time with Ember to end. He wasn’t sure what was going on. He just knew he wanted to spend time with her. And it seemed she wanted to spend time with him, as well.
They rode up to the house and both dismounted. Ember handed her reins to Jake.
“Thank you for a lovely day. I really enjoyed it.”
Jake smiled. “I’m glad. Let’s do it again sometime.”
“I’d like that.” She looked at him for a moment, then turned away and walked toward the porch. She went up the steps, then turned and smiled at him. “Have a good night, Jake.”
He nodded. “You too.”
She put her hand on the doorknob and it wouldn’t turn. She looked back at him. “It’s stuck again.” He dropped the reins and went up the steps.
“Let me see if I can get it open for you.” He moved next to her, and she stayed right there. He glanced at her, then tried the knob. “Hmm. It’s stuck alright.” He looked at her again, then turned the knob hard. After a creak and a crack, it came off in his hand. He held it up, then grinned. “Whoops.”
He turned to her, and she was a foot away from him. Something flashed through his mind and came so close to the surface, but he couldn’t quite grasp the image. “I ah…” He tried to force the memory to the surface.
She looked at him, seeing his struggle. “John?”
He cocked his head. “That’s the second time you’ve called me that.”
She put a hand to her lips. “I’m sorry.”
He put a hand on her arm. “Why? Who’s John?” The nagging memory still wouldn’t break through the wall in his mind. But he knew it had something to do with Ember. She was so close, and he wanted to pull her in closer. But he kept his distance and let go of her arm. “Tell me who John is.”
She hesitated for a moment, then looked away. “Someone very special to me.”
He put a finger on her chin and lifted her face up. “He’s one lucky son of a bitch.” He smiled, then put the doorknob in her hand, and said quietly, “I’ll send someone over to fix this.”
“Okay.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and she was looking at him so intently. What was she trying to tell him?
He took a step back. “It won’t be long.”
“I’ll be here.”
He backed up another step. “I should go now.”
She nodded. But it didn’t seem like she wanted him to go.
He took a breath. “Right.” He turned and went down the steps. He took Button’s reins and mounted Chief, then turned both horses away from the house. He urged Chief into a walk leading Button. But he didn’t get far.
When his head suddenly felt like it was being overloaded with information, he stopped Chief. Everything started coming back to him. Slowly at first, then lightning fast. He closed his eyes and tried to let it happen. But it was overwhelming. Five months of information was flooding his brain. It suddenly stopped, and he took a couple of deep breaths before dismounting. He stood a moment, trying to get past the explosion of information in his head, then he turned back to Ember.
She moved to the edge of the porch, then came slowly down the steps. He let go of the two sets of reins and walked toward her.
“Say it again.”
