Page 308 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Gracie found Gertrude in the white room with the ceiling of endless space. Gertrude didn’t hear her approach at first because she was sitting on the sofa, intently studying her heavenly iPad. Gracie plopped down beside her. “We need to talk.”

Gertrude closed her device. “Sure. What is it?”

“I saw Sheldon at the carnival, and he told me that you know why Brooke is seeing us in invisibility mode.”

“What?” she sputtered. “You had no business talking to Sheldon about Brooke! This is unacceptable!” The vein on her forehead popped out as her face went rigid. “You know what Sheldon is!” she hissed. “I’ve warned you about him. How many times do I have to tell you that he doesn’t have your best interest at heart?”

Exasperation burned over Gracie as she charged forward. She’d come here to get answers, and she wasn’t about to let Gertrude sidetrack her! “Was he right? Do you know why Brooke can see us in invisibility mode?” The guilty look on Gertrude’s face said it all! “He was right. You do know!” Hurt pelted over her … and then came the bitter disappointment. She’d been betrayed by the one person she trusted implicitly. “Why aren’t you telling me?” The words came out strangled.

“I didn’t know at first.” She paused. “In all of my experience of being an angel, I’d never had anything like this happen before.” Her eyes pled for understanding. “And then when I realized … when I learned what was happening …” Her voice broke, and Gracie was startled to see tears forming in her eyes.

Gertrude was not the crying type. This must be bad.Really bad!“What did you realize?”

The anguished look on Gertrude’s face jolted Gracie to the core. “What?” she croaked.

“That Brooke is going to die.”

“Sooo …” Myrna said slyly, “I take it things are going well between you and Nash? Ever since y’all got back from the carnival last weekend, the two of you have been thick as thieves.”

Brooke reached for a waffle and drizzled syrup over it. Then she poured herself a small glass of orange juice and reached for a fork. “Things are going pretty well, I guess.” She kept her tone casual but couldn’t hide the delighted smile breaking over her lips. “Things are going better than I ever imagined,” she beamed.

“I’m so glad! I knew y’all were meant to be together.” She chuckled. “Nash came in this morning—practically floating on air. I don’t think the boy’s feet have touched the ground since you got to the ranch.”

Oh, how she loved hearing that! Things had been going so well with Nash! She felt like she was in a blissful dream that she never wanted to wake from.

“So what’s on the agenda today?”

“Well, I’m going to the stables to see Carlos.”

“Carlos tells me that you’re getting pretty darn good at riding.”

“He’s a great teacher. I’m learning a lot from him.” She gave Myrna a teasing grin. “How did a girl like you manage to snag such a great guy, anyway?”

Myrna didn’t bat an eye. “It was the cooking. Definitely the cooking.”

Brooke laughed. “Your cooking is extraordinary.” She took another bite of the waffle, letting the goodness melt in hermouth. “But it’s only one of your many talents. Carlos is very lucky to have you.”

“Thank you,” she said, appreciation shining in her eyes. “We’re very lucky to have each other.”

A feeling of warmth settled over Brooke. She and Nash were just beginning their relationship …again. She could only hope that it would one-day blossom into the rich, fulfilling relationship that Myrna and Carlos shared. Before coming to the ranch, she’d never believed such strong relationships were possible. While her parents loved each other, their relationship was a series of negotiations, where one was always trying to get the upper hand over the other. Furthermore, they were so consumed with the external aspects of their lives—her dad with his business and her mother with her social status—that their relationship was not a priority. Being here was allowing Brooke to take a step back from herself and do some hard analyzing. In many ways (sadly) she was a lot like her mother—petty and pampered. She was working on improving that, but she still had a long way to go. She’d admitted this to Myrna, who told her in no uncertain terms to stop dwelling on her imperfections and to pick herself up and do good today.Simple, yet profound advice!When her phone buzzed, she let out a groan.

Myrna lifted an eyebrow. “Your daddy?”

“Yep.” She’d confided in Myrna, telling her how angry she was at him for forcing her into the marriage contract.

“You know, you can’t avoid him forever.”

She sighed heavily. “I know.”

“And, from where I’m sitting, it looks like your daddy did you a huge favor. If he hadn’t forced you into coming here, then you and Nash wouldn’t be together right now. Your daddy loves you and wants what’s best.” She gave her a pointed look. “Do yourself a favor and patch things up with him. Life’s too short to let things fester. Ignoring his calls isn’t gonna solve a thing.”

Even though she didn’t want to hear it, she knew Myrna was right.

“Call him today,” Myrna urged.

“Okay,” Brooke muttered, knowing she wouldn’t.

She locked eyes with her. “You promise?”

---