Page 57

“Yes, it is. He’s really good looking, and he’s…intriguing. I wonder if—”

“No match makin’!”

“But, Blake—”

“No! Stay out of it. Doug’s a resourceful man. If he wants a woman in his life he’ll make it happen. But, Heather,” he said, lowering his voice, “I have to ask--why did you decide to confront Joe? I know I should probably wait to talk about this, but dammit, I can’t. What the hell possessed you?”

“I know I shouldn’t have and I’m sorry.”

He didn’t speak, but raised his glass and downed a swallow.

“So…why did you?” he finally asked again.

“I’m not sure. It was a spur of the moment thing. The tray had to be delivered, and I thought it would be my only chance to ask him why he’d been stalking me. I mean, everyone knew where I was so I felt safe. I never imagined I’d run into Courtney. She was so mad you turned her into the police. That’s why all this happened. I still find it hard to wrap my brain around that.”

“No, it happened because she’s psycho.”

“And I made a mistake,” Heather said softly. “Confronting Joe was a really stupid thing to do. I’m sorry, truly I am. I won’t do anything like it again.”

“No, you won’t. And Heather, there’s something else. If that staircase outside your place gets that slippery durin’ a cold spell, I don’t want you livin’ there.”

“Honestly, Blake, last winter I didn’t think I’d survive. I actually slipped a few times and just managed to catch myself with the handrail. But it’s really scary carrying up groceries. Sometimes I have to make more than one trip. I talked to the owners a couple of times, and they said they’d put down some grid mats, but they didn’t.”

“Do you have much stuff in your place?”

“No, it came furnished. Just my television and—”

“Spend the winter with me.”

“Really?”

“Actually, no…I take that back. I don’t need a trial run,” he suddenly exclaimed. “Heather, when I saw you on that rock with Joe and Courtney, I swear my heart stopped. Then when you jumped off I damn near had a total meltdown. Bottom line…it made me realize just how much you mean to me. Dammit, I love you and I want you here.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, darlin’, really.”

Blake…I love you too…so much. Yes, I’d love to be here. I’d love it more than anything.”

“Fair warnin’, once we’re both over this and our lives are back to normal we’re gonna have a serious talk. You canneverput yourself at risk like that again.”

EPILOGUE

Two Weeks Later

The day after the horrific ordeal at the lake Heather visited her parents. Though she gave them a detailed account of the events leading up to the terrifying moment, she didn’t say anything about her pending change of address. Now, a couple of weeks later, sitting in the kitchen enjoying coffee and cake, she nervously told them she had moved to Three Oaks Ranch to be with Blake.

“I’m glad you left that place above the garage,” her father said with a frown. “I’ve never been happy about those stairs, though apparently they became a blessing in disguise.” Then taking a breath, he added, “Even so, this cowboy had better produce a ring pretty quick or I’ll have to pay him a visit.”

“Dad!”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” her mother interjected. “Your father won’t be visiting unless he’s with me, and he’ll be warm and friendly. Won’t you, Tom?”

“No promises,” he grunted, then looking at his wife he broke into a grin. “Yeah, that’s right. But he’d better!”

Though Heather laughed, and told herself couples lived together all the time, she suddenly felt oddly uncomfortable.

* * *