Page 90 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“I told Benjamin that if he could see what I see, he wouldn’t be worried.”

The words gave Magnolia a start. She blinked. “You’re in our corner?” she squeaked.

A tender smile touched Lillian’s lips. “Yes, dear, I am. I know true love when I see it.” She laughed lightly. “Now, mind you, I’m not so daft as not to recognize that you might’ve initially gone into this for the money. However, that’s not the situation now. It’s not where you begin your journey, or even where you end up that matters. What counts the most is who you become along the way.” Lillian steeled her jaw, jiggling her loose skin. “For the record, I find the idea of you being forced to get married to receive your inheritance appalling.”

“Amen,” Lucas growled, shooting Magnolia a vindicated glance.

“I don’t know what Carol was thinking.” Lillian homed in on Magnolia. “Your grandmother was a complicated woman.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Magnolia snapped, bitterness rising in her throat.

Lillian tipped her head thoughtfully. “I have to believe that Carol felt that she was doing what was best to preserve her family. However, anytime a person tries to exert that much control over another …” She pushed her finger into the table. “Well, it never works out. One thing I do know is that love always finds a way.” She smiled. “The two of you are living proof of that.” She sighed. “Anyway, enough of that. I’m keeping you from eating. Your food is getting cold.”

Lucas released Magnolia’s hand as they started eating. The food was good, but it had gotten cold.

“About the ranch,” Lillian said as Lucas looked up from his food, giving her his full attention. “I spoke to Arthur Vinson, the seller, last night.” She finished off the last of her pancakes before wiping her mouth with the napkin and pushing her plate aside. “Arthur and his wife Vivian bought the ranch shortly after they were first married, fifty something years ago. They raised their four children there. Vivian died last year of cancer. The memories combined with the upkeep of the property have become too much for Arthur to handle. He wants to move to Colorado to live with one of his sons. The ranch has been on the market for six months. There was an offer on the table, but it fell through. Arthur is eager to sell. He mentioned that he might even consider financing it, especially if he could find a good person who appreciated and valued everything that he has built.” Lillian gave Lucas a pointed look. “Someone who could make a sizable contribution to the town of Remember.”

Lucas coughed, nearly choking on his food. “What type of contribution are you referring to?”

Lillian’s eyes zinged with a mild mischief. “The type of contribution you made when you jumped out of your truck and rushed to save me and Sam. This world needs more noble men like you.” Her eyes moved to Magnolia. “And women like you.” Aknowing smile spread over her lips. “While Lucas rushed out to protect me and Sam, you rushed out to protect him.”

It was true. That’s exactly what Magnolia had done. She was shocked that Lillian had ascertained her intentions so accurately.

“It would be an honor and a privilege to have the two of you in Remember,” Lillian finished. “I’ll give you Arthur’s number so you can talk directly with him.”

“Thank you,” Lucas said sincerely. “After the wedding, Magnolia and I can swing back by here and speak to him.” He looked at Magnolia to get her approval. The hope shining on his face tugged at her heartstrings. She wanted the best for Lucas. Nothing would please her more than for him to have a ranch to call his own, a place where he could work his own land and be his own man. It was crazy how quickly the pieces were shifting into place. Maybe that’s how it worked when you finally found the right one.

“That would be great,” Magnolia said heartily. Remember would be an ideal place for her and Lucas to start their lives. Magnolia would have to get the internet figured out. She needed it for work. They’d had no cell service on that gravel road. She could only assume that service wasn’t much better a few miles away at the actual ranch. However, she felt sure that she could work something out.Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

“It has certainly been a Christmas Eve to remember,” Lillian proclaimed. “I’ve made two new friends.” A smile graced her ruby lips. “Just remember, that I’m indebted to you both. If you need my help, all you need to do is ask.” Her voice quivered with fervency. “I mean that with all my heart.”

“Thank you,” Magnolia said with a deep appreciation. For all her eccentricity, Lillian Yates was a good person, a person whom Magnolia was glad to have in her and Lucas’s corner. And they certainly needed all the help they could get right now. Butterfliesswarmed in her stomach. It was time for them to leave. Time for them to face her grandfather and Eric Stanford. Fear lodged a cold cylinder in her throat. The sense of impending doom caught her lungs in a tight squeeze. She took in a breath, forcing herself to relax. She had to think positively. She had to look past the next two days and keep her eyes fixed firmly on the future. It would be brighter than she could have ever imagined now that Lucas was by her side.

Lucas seemed to be reading her thoughts. He placed his napkin down and scooted back his chair. “We need to get on the road.”

Magnolia flashed a large smile at Lillian. “I’m so glad we met.”

“So am I.”

“We’ll stop by on our way back,” Magnolia promised.

Lillian nodded. “I’ll be looking forward to it.” She eyed them both. “Remember what I said, love will find a way.”

Her voice rang with so much authority that it helped restore a sense of calm to Magnolia.Love will find a way. Magnolia was determined to do everything in her power to make sure of it!

Chapter Ten

They made good time, thanks to the roads being plowed. Sunlight was finally dispelling the thick lid of clouds. Lucas glanced at Magnolia. They were almost to her grandfather’s estate. She’d been talkative when they left Remember, but for the last little while, she’d grown silent. Her expression was pinched, and she kept fidgeting with her hands. He wished he could tell her that everything would be all right, but the truth was, he wasn’t sure. From the conversation that Magnolia had with her grandfather the night before and from what Lillian said, it was painfully clear that Benjamin Bentley saw Lucas as an opportunist. What cut the most was that the assertion was partly true. Lucas was excited about owning a ranch, and he did want to pay off his parents’ mortgage. Did that make him a terrible person?

He was starting to care deeply for Magnolia. Today was Christmas Eve, that wretched day that he most dreaded all year long. Today, however, he’d hardly thought of Renee and her betrayal. His thoughts had been too consumed with Magnolia and all that they were facing. A part of him wished that they would just forget about the inheritance. He cleared his throat toget her attention. She turned, giving him a questioning look. “It’s not too late,” he joked, “to turn and run.”

The tiniest of smiles touched her lips. “Don’t tempt me. I can’t say I haven’t thought about it,” she responded dryly.

“Arthur Vinson told Lillian that he’d finance the ranch. We can turn around right this minute and go back to Remember. We’ll start from scratch, build our lives together on our own terms.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Just like that? We walk away?”

He squared his jaw, tightening his hold on the steering wheel. “You say the word, and we’ll do it.” He would do just that if Magnolia agreed. The guilt of this whole situation was starting to eat at Lucas. Now that he was having deep feelings for Magnolia, everything had changed. He didn’t want her to ever think that he was with her because of the money. And yet, how could she not?

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