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“I promise I’m being honest. I tried to push you away because I know you deserve better than a schmuck like me.” He sighed. “Truth is, I can’t stay away from you. I’ve never felt this way for anyone else.”
“Oh, Owen.” She smiled widely. “I’m so glad. Because I never felt this way for anyone else either.”
“I do have a question, though.” Owen’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Do you remember when I was running toward you and Doug shouting about Granger being dirty?”
“Very well,” she admitted. “I was scared and worried sick that something bad was going to happen to you. And it did. That idiot shot you.”
“Yeah, but just before that, did you notice me tripping over a rock?” He held her gaze for a moment.
She frowned, thinking back. “I don’t remember seeing a rock on the ground. But I do remember you jutting to the left just as Granger fired at you. I remember thinking you must have sensed he was going to shoot.”
“I didn’t know he was going to shoot, but it felt as if someone shoved me out of the way.” Owen’s voice was low. “I know that sounds crazy because nobody was there. Nobody was close enough to push me out of the way.”
A chill snaked down her spine. “Maybe you were touched by the Holy Spirit.”
“I’m not sure what that means, but shortly before I came back to warn you about Granger, I tried praying for the first time.” His cheeks flushed as if he was embarrassed to admit it. “I’m sure I made a mess of the prayer, but then I was running toward you and felt as if someone pushed me to the side as Granger fired. I guess I wondered if God was watching over me. Not just me, but watching over all of us.” He shrugged. “Maybe I’m exaggerating what happened, and I really did trip over a rock, but the truth is, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I want to learn more. I want to discover God and Jesus. I long to experience your level of faith. Will you teach me?”
“Yes, Owen.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I would love that.”
“Me too.” He shifted Bear to the side and drew her closer. “Kiss me, Emily.”
She bent over and captured his mouth in hers. Just like their earlier kisses, she felt weak in the knees yet strong in heart.
Being with Owen was right. The other men she’d tried to date were nothing compared to Owen.
A knock at the door drew them apart. Flustered, Emily tucked her hair behind her ear as a nurse entered the room. The woman’s eyes widened when she saw Bear. “Oh my! You can’t have dogs in here.”
“If you make Bear leave, then you’d better write my discharge papers too,” Owen said.
Emily hid a smile. “I knew Bear would cheer Owen up. He won’t cause any trouble, I promise.”
“He’s cute, but he can’t stay,” the nurse repeated firmly. “The doctor will be making rounds soon. You can bring up the issue of your discharge with him.”
Emily scooped Bear off Owen’s chest, then lowered her head to whisper, “I’ll be back soon.”
She hurried out of the room, nearly bumping smack into Doug outside the door. She narrowed her gaze. “I hope you weren’t eavesdropping on our personal conversation.”
“Yep.” Doug didn’t look the least bit guilty over his actions. “I’ll take Bear. I know you’ll want to stay with Owen until the doctor swings by.”
“I do.” She kissed Bear’s head, then passed the puppy to her brother. “Thanks for not arresting him, Doug.”
“To be fair, I should arrest him for the men he’d shot and killed,” Doug admitted. “I know those actions were taken in self-defense, but that would need to be proven in a court of law. The truth is I have Granger’s disposable cell phone calls that correspond with those incidents. I’m determined to work things out with the local police.” He grimaced, and added, “The guy loves you, Em. He risked his life for you, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”
“He does love me.” She still had trouble believing it herself. “And I love him too. Thanks.” She kissed her brother on the cheek. “I’ll call when we know if Owen is being sprung from this place.”
“Okay.” Doug gave her a hug, then turned away. She heard him telling Bear he was going to be a great addition to the search and rescue team.
Emily hurried back into Owen’s room. The hope and love on Owen’s face reflected her own. They were a team.
And she silently thanked God for bringing them back together.
EPILOGUE
Three weeks later...
Owen stoodon the porch of the guest cabin watching as Bear frolicked in the grass as the warm summer breeze washed over them. Recovering from his gunshot wound on the Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue Ranch had been amazing.
But he was healed to the point where he needed to start doing something more, or he’d go crazy. He’d started doing some ranch chores—repairing fences that he’d noticed were sagging, chopping wood. Helping with the horses. Everything he used to do for Doc and Dee. Doug must have noticed because he’d told Owen he didn’t need to work to pay them back.