Page 18 of River Legacy (Powder River #5)

H olden had only seen Lottie once, as he’d always called Charlotte Stafford, since she’d returned to the Powder River basin. He’d ridden over to the creek where they used to meet and found her after so many months of missing her and worrying that she would never come back.

Just the sight of her standing there by the water had filled his heart to overflowing. Yet he hadn’t been sure if her coming back had anything to do with him. He’d been worried with her gone so long. While he could never stop loving her, he wasn’t so sure she felt the same way.

He’d dismounted, and as he’d moved toward her, she’d looked in his direction. There had been so many times when he’d found her here. A few times she’d been so angry and unforgiving that she’d gone for her bullwhip. Other times she’d threatened to go for her rifle.

But this time, her gaze had met his and he’d seen the tears were because she’d missed him maybe as much as he’d missed her.

As he’d moved closer, she’d stepped to him and fell into his arms. He encircled her as he’d pulled her to him.

He’d felt the past slipping away, all the hurt and pain and animosity evaporating into the cool summer morning air.

They’d only held each other, not needing words.

Since then, though, he’d been trying to give Lottie time, but he was growing impatient not just to see her, but also to start their future together.

She hadn’t said they had a future, yet he felt that they’d both mellowed and actually might still stand a chance at happiness.

He’d known he wasn’t the only reason she’d come back. She needed to make amends to the people she’d wronged. He understood her need to do that. He had some of his own to take care of as well.

And while Lottie was always on his mind, this morning his thoughts were on his own grown children and mending fences.

He reminded himself that he hadn’t talked to his oldest son, Treyton, for months.

Their last conversation hadn’t gone well.

Treyton had called him an old man who knew nothing about running a ranch.

The words still stung, even though he knew that his son had been trying to hurt him.

His eldest thought he could run the McKenna Ranch better than his father could. That was debatable.

He feared that Treyton was a lot like Lottie’s oldest son, CJ. Both wanted power and money. He didn’t think either really wanted the daily responsibility of actually running a ranch.

It wasn’t just Treyton who had him thinking of all he’d done wrong raising his offspring.

He picked up the book lying on his desk.

It had come by special messenger this morning.

On the back cover, it said This tell-all rivals even Peyton Place for the sex and secrets that go on in the Powder River basin of Montana.

Holden cringed as he turned the book over.

Under the title Dirty Business was the author’s name, Bailey McKenna, his daughter.

Bailey had sent him a copy with a note inserted in the pages of the book.

It read You don’t have to read it. But I thought you’d like a copy before it comes out so you can prepare yourself.

All the names have been changed, but you’ll know who you are.

He’d never read anything more frightening except for the ransom note when his now-adopted daughter Holly Jo had been taken.

Prepare himself? He looked up to find his housekeeper, close friend and confidante standing in his office doorway.

“I thought you were going for a horseback ride?” Elaine asked.

“I am. Did you get one of these?” he asked.

“Mine came yesterday. I read the whole thing last night. Couldn’t stop myself. Your daughter is one hell of a writer.”

“Really?” He couldn’t help the doubtful face he made. Bailey had always been his black sheep. For years he had no idea who she was. He now understood part of the reason why she’d avoided him. Yet he still didn’t fully understand her.

“You should read it,” Elaine said. “She did change all the names, but you’ll recognize everyone.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He looked at the book in his hand. “Sounds like there will be a lot of lawsuits.”

Elaine shook her head. “People would have to admit that they are Amy X or Jud Z.” She laughed. “It’s a fun read. I heard she was working on another book.”

“I hate to think about what.”

“A novel about the daughter of a pig-headed rancher.”

“Very funny.” He hesitated. “Tell me you’re kidding.”

She laughed. “Read the book, Holden. Your daughter wrote it. It’s already a bestseller. You should be proud of her.”

“I am,” he said.

“Make sure you mention that to her,” Elaine advised. “ After you read the book.”

His cell phone rang, and he saw it was Charlotte. His heart did that little whoop-de-do it always did. “I have to take this,” he said to Elaine, who nodded and left. He picked up. “I’m so glad you called.”

“Tilly’s having her baby. I’m here at the hospital. I didn’t think you’d want to miss the birth of your first grandchild. We’ve let Cooper know, but I thought—”

“I’ll be right there.” He disconnected. “Elaine!” he called as he rose from his desk and picked up his Stetson.

She came racing into the room, looking worried.

“It’s Tilly. She’s at the hospital having the baby. You want a ride? ”

“I’ll take my own car.”

“All right,” Holden said. “I’m going, then. Lottie’s there.”

Elaine nodded, smiling. “I’m so glad she made it. I’m sure Tilly is too.”

“Yes, I forget how close the two of you are,” Holden said.

“Also, how good you are at keeping her secrets.” He’d only found out recently that Elaine and Lottie had been friends for years.

All that time, Elaine had been trying to get Lottie to forgive him and urging him to do what he could to get them back together—all in secret.

Elaine pretended to hold a key and lock her lips, making him laugh. His first grandchild was being born and he was going to see Lottie. He felt suddenly older than his almost sixty years, yet excited to be alive right now.

“Go,” Elaine said. “I’ll let everyone else know.”

The drive into town was the longest of his life. By the time he reached the hospital, he had a granddaughter and Lottie was waiting for him on the bench outside the hospital. She smiled as he took a seat next to her.

“We’re grandparents,” she said and placed a hand on his knee and looked up at him. “Cooper’s in there with her now. I thought I’d give them a few moments.”

He met her gaze. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

She nodded. “Me too. Are you ready to see your granddaughter?”

“Yes, but not just yet. I’ve missed you. Now that you’re back, I don’t want to waste a moment. Tell me that after all these years, we’re going to be together.”

Tears filled her eyes. “It’s what I want more than anything.”

He broke out in a huge grin. “Marry me, Lottie.” A tear ran down her cheek. He caught it with his thumb pad before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small velvet box he’d held on to for years.

Looking into her beautiful green eyes, he flipped it open and took out an emerald ring—the stone the same color as her eyes.

“I’ve had this ring for years, Lottie. I never gave up hope.

” He slipped off the bench and got down on one knee, glad he could still do that and get back up. “Will you finally be my wife?”

I t had been so long coming that for a moment Charlotte only stared at the ring. She’d spent so much lost time being angry and hurt because Holden had married another woman when she knew he was in love with her and always had been.

She looked up, met his blue eyes and saw all the love still there.

Smiling, she held out her left hand. She refused to think about what could have been, what should have been.

She’d wasted far too much time when all she’d ever wanted was this man.

It was never too late, she told herself.

Not when you loved each other the way the two of them had for years.

“I would love to marry you, Holden McKenna,” she said.

He slipped the ring on her finger. Of course it fit perfectly.

She looked down at it, and then she cupped his wonderful face in her hands and kissed him.

She didn’t have to ask for forgiveness for making him wait all this time.

She saw it in his eyes. She’d caused them both so much pain, but that was behind them as he took her into his arms and held her tight.

“I think we should keep this to ourselves for now and let this be Tilly and Cooper’s day,” she said.

He nodded. “But after today, I want to tell the children. I’m hoping they’ll be happy for us. Happy or not, I’m happy.”

“Me too,” she said. “I suppose you’re hoping for a long engagement?”

His eyes widened in alarm before he realized she was joking. “Not a chance. We’ve already lost too much time, don’t you think?”

She did. “We could elope.”

He shook his head. “You the deserve the wedding you should have had years ago.”

“No looking back,” she chided. “That’s our new deal. Only looking to the future. You know I don’t need a big wedding.”

“But maybe the community does,” he said, and she nodded. “They’ve put up with our rivalry for years. The least we can do is throw them a party.”

Charlotte smiled, still bowled over by this. She and Holden were finally getting married. They’d spent years unable to keep their hands off each other—even when they should have. “Does this mean no more sneaking down to the creek to make love?”

“One of my favorite memories,” he said. “Except for the times you chased me off with that bullwhip of yours.”

“I’ve retired it.”

“Good to hear.”

“You heard that I got CJ out of jail and the charges have been dropped,” she said. “I hope it wasn’t a mistake, but I had to do what I thought was right. I changed. Maybe he can too.”

Holden didn’t look hopeful about that, but quickly said, “I’ve hoped the same thing with Treyton.” He shook his head. “Our sons are a lot alike.”