Page 9 of Wounded Hero

Cora

After three days in the cabin with Owen, I know I love him. It's not just what he does to me, the feelings, the passion, I have come to know and trust Owen. He might not be Batman or any of the super heroes, but I know in my heart he is the best, kindest, gentle, loving man. He is resourceful, intelligent, compassionate, everything a girl could want in a man. But even more than that, there is a connection between us that I know is real.

But does Owen recognize it? Does he feel it too? Can he trust me enough to make this thing work? These are the questions that have me a nervous wreck as I help set up for the fund raiser morning tea.

I didn't want to leave our little cabin, but I've been around enough to know that I had get away from Owen to think clearly, to come to terms on my own what I want. Owen agreed and it was arranged that he would come to town for the morning tea if he wanted us to stay together.

I shouldn't have made it so hard for him. It shouldn't have been an event he would dread attending. I should have just said we could meet in the park on a normal day.

"You have to know he can change, Cora." My friend Kali had said. "You can't be stuck up there with him forever. If he wants you he needs to be a part of a community."

It had made sense at the time, and Kali is a counselor, so she knows what she is talking about. But now I have back sweat and a dry mouth and all I want to do is run out of here. Run back up the mountain to my mountain man and reassure him that I'm not going to force him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

"Kali, I think I'm going to go."

"It would be a shame to leave now." Kali answers with a grin. "Now that the star of the show has finally turned up."

I look over to where she is looking to see Owen filling out the door frame. Beautiful, handsome Owen. A few of the townspeople have noticed him too and there are a few whispers going around. I race over to him but I am beaten by an elderly woman who has walked right up to Owen and hugged him. And then another. And then another. And Owen is hugging them back.

Did I do that? I wonder. Did I open him up to affection? He locks eyes with me and something in his look tells me I am somewhat responsible for this change in him. When he is finallyalone I walk up and to him with a grin. "The grumpy recluse becomes the most popular guy in town."

He smiles, pulls me into his arms and hugs me tight. "They are some of the mother's who looked after me after my parents died. I didn't think they would even remember."

"Well, you are unforgettable."

Happiness bubbles up in my chest as I walk hand in hand around the town hall, saying hello to people, listening to the friendly greetings. There are more than one comments about how they are so glad to see Owen at a town event.

Owen seems happy, a little reserved still. But with his hand in mine and later his arm holding me tightly to his side, he eventually relaxes more and more.

A little while later he pulls me aside and asks if we can leave. He seems suddenly anxious and I think how overwhelming today must have been for him. We drive quietly in his truck up the mountain. He is so quiet. Tense even that I worry that he is running away back to his cabin. But it is a different road he takes, pulling up eventually at a big, stone house.

"What is this place?" I ask as I get out of the truck.

"This was my parents house. Where I grew up."

It is a big house with a massive front porch that wraps around to one side. I imagine that with flowers in the garden and some fixing up that it would be a happy place.

Owen clears his throat, takes my hands and I look up into his handsome face.

"I have been thinking what I can offer you to make you stay. I have money, but you don't seem to want me to buy you anything.But I have this house. And if you would stay with me then we can fix it up together and I can give you a home and children if you want them. I would do anything to make you happy, Cora, as happy as you have made me."

I go to jump into his arms but he holds me off. He has more to say.

"I thought my life was over. I had given up on the idea of happiness. But since I met you, you have opened my heart and made me see that life is worth living for. There is suddenly so much more I want to do. With you by my side if you will have me."

Again I move to hug him but he holds up his hands and steps away.

"The thing is though, I've had so much tragedy in my life. And I don't want you to feel pity for me. If you don't feel the same way then you have to tell me now. It will hurt but I will take the happiness you have shown me and go on with my new found love of life. But, Cora, if you do feel the same...."

His emotions over take him and there is a catch in his voice.

I laugh and jump at him, throwing my arms around him and kissing him all over.

"I love you Owen. All my life I have been searching for you. Someone to love, who accepts me as I am and makes me feel safe and wanted and loved. I think I have loved you from the moment I saw you stop and scratch Dog's belly when I was up in that tree. I love the things you do to me, the way you make me feel, I love your wounds, your scar, your smile! Everything!"

He spins me around and I can't help but laugh. I am so glad we found each other. I know it won't always be smooth sailing.We are so different. But with this much love and happiness I just know we are going to get our happily ever after together.

Epilogue

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