LITMIR.BIZ

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her hands. They were shaking. She put a piece of pie on a plate and carried it over to where he was sitting.

      “Thanks.”

      “You’re welcome.”

      She stood watching him as he ate, her heart beating in her throat. Why was he here? And why hadn’t he come looking for her sooner? But she knew the answer to that. He had other things on his mind. Like the ranch. Like C.J.

      “I hear my mother came in to see you,” he said suddenly, looking up.

      “Yes, she did.”

      He had a slight smile. “She liked you.”

      Cari’s smile was bigger. “That’s nice. I liked her, too.” She hesitated, then added, “She said Jamie was doing well.”

      “Oh, yeah. She adores him.”

      “Of course.”

      They smiled at each other, agreement about Jamie’s wonderfulness warming the connection between them.

      “He’s going to be the most spoiled baby in Dallas.”

      “I’m sure of it.”

      “And the ranch? Has she been out there?”

      He pushed the pie plate away. “See, here’s the funny thing. I didn’t want her to go. I was scared to death to have her see what a dump it was. But she insisted, so we packed up and went out there. C.J. even came along.

      “And? Was she devastated?”

      He shook his head. “Not at all. In fact, as far as she’s concerned, it looks a lot like it looked when she lived there.”

      Cari’s jaw dropped. “No!”

      He grinned. “She was ecstatic. She went running around exploring every nook and cranny, remembering when she’d hidden under the front porch when trying to get out of chores or where she’d found an arrowhead near the well. She told C.J. stories about her mother she’d never known before, showed her where she and Betty Jean had snuck out to go to a dance in town when they weren’t supposed to, things like that.”

      Cari was astounded. The place was such a dump. “How did C.J. like that?”

      “She was very touched. She was crying half the time.”

      “C.J.?”

      He nodded. “In fact, she’s selling us the ranch.”

      A wave of emotion hit her hard and she was light-headed. “No kidding,” she said breathlessly. This was huge. But what did it mean?

      “She and Randy are going to use the money to fund an expansion of his catering business. They want to be the biggest caterer in Texas.” He shrugged, looking up at her. “I think they’ll get married.”

      Cari had to grip the edge of the counter to keep from falling over. “Wow. Well, more power to them.” She blinked rapidly, wondering why he was torturing her this way. “And you? Are you going back to Venice soon?”

      “Yes.” His gaze was black as coal. “We’re getting ready to go this weekend. Just for a few days, though. We’ll be back.”

      “Oh,” she said faintly.

      He rose from his seat. “Well, I’d better get going. I’ve got a lot of packing to do. Jamie’s got enough stuff to fill a plane on his own by now.”

      “I imagine.” Her heart sank. He was going. So that was it, then. It really was over.

      “Cari?”

      “Hmm?” She looked up, feeling bereft.

      He moved close to her. “Jamie loves you and misses you.”

      She shook her head, confused. “How do you know that?”

      His mouth twisted at the corners. “Because we all love you and miss you.”

      “Oh.” What? Maybe she wasn’t hearing words right any longer. She didn’t really get it. What was he saying?

      “Where’s my bill?” he asked.

      “Don’t worry about it.” She waved a hand in the air. “I’ll take care of it.”

      “Okay.” He smiled. “Then I’ll just leave you a tip.”

      He put a small box on the counter. She stared at it.

      “It’s not a snake,” he told her. “Go ahead. Open it.”

      She turned to look at him, terrified. “Max, what is it?”

      “Open it and find out.”

      Her heart was beating so hard she could hardly make out what he was saying. “I don’t think I should.”

      “Come on, Cari. I dare you. Do it.”

      Her fingers were trembling so hard she could hardly hold the box, but she managed to open it. Inside, set against black velvet, was the most beautiful diamond engagement ring she’d ever seen.

      “Max!”

      She turned to find him on one knee.

      “Cari Christensen, I love you with all my heart,” he announced to her and to everyone else in the place. “I need you in my life. Jamie needs you, too. He’s got a grandmother, but he needs a mom. So here’s the deal. Will you marry us?”

      “Oh, Max, get up off the floor.”

      “Not until you answer me.”

      “Of course I’ll marry you,” she said, pulling at his hand and laughing at the same time. “I can’t believe it took you so long to get over here and ask me.”

       EPILOGUE

      THEY started out planning a small, simple wedding, but naturally, that didn’t last. In no time at all, it grew into something monstrous. So it was a good thing they knew a good caterer.

      They decided to have the event out on the ranch. Cari wasn’t so sure at first, but once she saw the changes Max was already making, she was convinced. The driveway was lined with newly planted trees. The main farmhouse was still being renovated, but the lower floor was usable and a couple of the outer buildings, including the bunkhouse, were looking sturdy with new repairs to their structures and a couple of coats of new paint that left them gleaming. The sweeping area that made up the yard was green with new sod, creating a lawn where there hadn’t been one for decades. Tables were set up on it, and a radius of white chairs for the ceremony. White tablecloths and silver vases filled with tulips decorated each table. The scene was magical.

      People from all around the area began streaming in an hour early. The ceremony itself was short, but touching. Handkerchiefs were liberally in use all around. And then came the reception.

      Max and Cari stood in a seemingly never-ending receiving line, greeting old friends and meeting new ones. Jamie was with them when he was awake, and everyone oohed and aahed over him, which was just what he deserved. He’d grown ever closer to Cari, and she to him. As far as she was concerned, he was her baby, and that was all there was to it.

      Her dress was a simple, strapless gown embedded with seed pearls. Her hair was piled high and the diamond necklace adorned her neck.

      “You’re a gorgeous bride,” most people who passed told her. She knew it was traditional to say exactly that, but something in the eyes of the people saying it was beginning to convince her it might be true.

      The food was spectacular—at least, that’s what everyone told Cari, though she didn’t have time to try any for herself.

      “Does it occur to you,” she noted to C.J., who was responsible for most of it, “that you’ve found a new golden goose with your

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