AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dad cleared his throat. “Sure wish Elise had been able to see this. She’d have been so happy.”
It was his turn to blink back tears. “I’m sure she knows, Dad.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. Wiz handed him a tissue and dabbed her eyes. She’d come so far from when they’d met. “You said eventually. What does that mean?”
Tom shot him a warning look. “We’re not setting any dates. It’s up to Wiz and what makes her comfortable, and I’m not rushing her. Neither are you.”
“Of course not.” Dad smiled at Wiz. “But you’ve come a long way from the girl I met a few months ago. I don’t think it will be long.”
“I hope so.” Her joyful smile was winning over her tears. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He’d take every opportunity he could to hold her and hope that someday, she’d turn to him rather than away during the bad times.
Dad sat in his recliner with a sigh. “I guess I’ll be seeing less of you around here in the evenings.”
“Maybe. Wiz works long, late hours, so maybe not.” He squeezed her slightly. “That’s up to her, too.”
She pulled away, grimacing. “I do have a lot of work to do. I have to make up for the last week. Pete, you’re welcome to come up to my place anytime, even if I’m working. Use your codes.” She flashed a smile. “I know you haven’t forgotten them.”
Dad nodded. “Sure. You know, if you want to, you can call me Dad. Or keep calling me Pete. Either way is good. Or both.”
She’d turned to leave, but she stopped. She spun and stared at Dad. Then she ran across the room, throwing herself to her knees next to his chair, and lunged up to hug him. Tears brightened her eyes again when she stood. Tom handed both of them tissues and took one for himself.
Wiz dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. “You two have turned me into a leaky water bottle. I’ll see you for dinner?”
“Sure. Tell you what, come down here. We’ll get something special together to celebrate.” Dad rose from his recliner.
Tom held out his hand, and Wiz grasped it. “I’ll walk you out.”
Wiz held up her hand, the diamond twinkling. “Thank you so much. I’ll treasure this so much and both of you even more.” She swallowed hard, then whispered, “Thanks, Dad.” Then she dragged Tom out the door. Outside, she stopped and squeezed his hand. “I really do need to get some work done. But I’ll see you for dinner. Call me when you’re almost ready, okay?” Those big gray eyes twinkled brighter than the diamond.
“Sure, love.” She turned, but he didn’t let go of her hand. She twirled back, lifting both brows. “Hey, I just wanted to say,” he lifted her right hand and kissed it, “I love you. This is the best day of my life.”
She blinked, a smile growing across her pretty face. Then she jumped and wrapped her arms and legs around him, kissing him passionately. He returned the kiss, meeting her soft lips with his, and held her tight, hoping he conveyed his love.
Wiz pulled back. “I love you, too.” She kissed him softly, then jumped down and ran up the hill to her house.
Tom watched her feet fly, and his heart flew with her. Yep, the best day ever. And it was only getting better.
Chapter 18
Wiz smiled. She was doing that a lot lately, and it felt so good. Like she was emerging from a swamp, washed clean and reborn, a little battered and bruised but stronger than before. She did things she never thought she’d do ever again, and it was all because of the man who had literally landed at her feet. Well, not just Tom. The whole bunch of them. Tom, Dad—it still gave her a thrill to call Pete that—Ryan, Erin, and all the rest of them.
The horses had helped too. Dad had been right. Horses were soothing, and controlling such a large animal was empowering. She stroked the curry comb over Blackie’s back. He shivered and leaned into her, so she brushed harder. She’d teased Dad about his unimaginative naming convention, but she had to admit Brownie and Blackie were easy to remember.
“You know he’ll keep you doing that for hours. That one just loves to be groomed.” Tom peered over the back of her horse.
“I know. I find it comforting.”
Tom smiled. “Then continue. But Dad and I are headed in for lunch.”
Her stomach growled. “Okay, you win. I’m starving.”
Tom chuckled, untied Blackie from the post, and let him loose in the pasture, where he promptly dropped and rolled in the mud, undoing all her hard work. She laughed. They all did that, but it was still funny.
Tom held out his hand, and she put hers in it. And that gave her such a thrill. She’d believed she’d never touch a man again, or let one touch her, but with Tom, it was almost easy. Perhaps it was that such a big, confident man would give her the lead. He was definitely not a pushover, and very much a take-charge kind of guy, but at the least little sign she was uncomfortable, he backed off immediately. It was so amazing to find a man with the self-confidence to do that for her.
Tom opened the door to the kitchen for her, and she walked in with him behind her. Which was also amazing. She felt so safe with Tom at her back. They both hung their hats up in the entryway. Wiz smiled at hers. Such a wonderful gift; she’d never forget last Christmas.
Pete entered the kitchen from the downstairs bathroom, with Rusty on his heels, panting. “I’ll get lunch out while you two wash your hands.”
