Page 75 of Dangerous Secrets
Her hold on him tightened as her mindreplayed the danger she’d faced in the mine.“You risked your lifeto come for me.I don’t know if I’d have gotten out of therewithout you.”
“I helped, but you savedyourself.That was raw courage, Laney, using a pickax to protectyourself.You’re the hero.”
“I did what I had to do,but I’ve never been so relieved in my life as I was when I heardyou say my name in that mine.You could’ve waited for backup, butyou went in without it.You’remyhero.”
He shook his head.“It wasself-serving.I couldn’t survive if something happened to you.”Hecaught her look.“I know it doesn’t sound logical given I was gonefor so long, but it’s true.You’re the most important thing in theworld to me.Nothing else,nothing,means more to me than you.
“I love you, Laney.”Hiseyes gleamed dark green as her heart tumbled in her chest.“You’rea part of me I can’t live without.That hasn’t changed since thefirst time I saw you.No matter what happened or where I went, Icarried you with me.”He hitched up a hip and reached into his backpocket.Wallet in hand, he pulled out a cropped photo and handed itto her.“I literally carried you with me.You remember when thiswas taken?”
She nodded.The image was from thesummer they’d been together, before his world, and hers, had fallenapart.They faced the camera, arms slung over each other’sshoulders.They looked young and carefree and confident in theirlove.
Walker’s grin may have lost some ofits cockiness, and her smile was now tempered with the weight ofexperience, but that love persisted.
Breaking free of the fears andconfines of the past made her feel suddenly weightless.
She put her hands on each side of hisface, her gaze on his.“I love you, Walker.I never stopped lovingyou.You’ve always had my heart.”
Pure elation crossed his face, thenhis mouth was on hers, strong and sure in a kiss that held thepromise of a life together.
***
Delaney locked the doors on the storeas the setting sun streaked the sky pink and lavender.Everyone hadalready headed home after many assurances she wouldn’t staylate.
Opening day, and they’d hit the groundrunning with the first cars arriving at nine, and the flow nottapering off until an hour ago.Many of the visitors were friendsand acquaintances from Sisters who’d heard the news of herkidnapping and rescue.They wanted to talk about it and to see forthemselves she was healing.
Others came to pick berries, andpicnickers had filled the tables in the meadow.Plenty of guestshad carried small paper bags loaded with piping-hot apple ciderdonuts with their dusting of cinnamon sugar, then returned to thebakery for pies and tarts to take home.
Blue Moon had played through theafternoon, the music carrying on the light breeze.She wanted herfarm to offer a wholesome experience, with a little nostalgia andlots of good food thrown in, and if comments from the day’svisitors were any indication, they’d hit the mark.
The day had started well.
She’d woken cradled in Walker’s arms,having spent the night at his cabin.
Who’d have thought Walker McGrath wasa cuddler?
He’d made his seriously amazingcoffee, and as he’d had blueberries in his fridge, she’d made thebatter for blueberry pancakes.
Bud had stared avidly at Walker as heworked the griddle, and Delaney learned the little dog would doabout anything for blueberry pancakes.They’d shared a wonderfulbreakfast with Bud, and an even more satisfying shower without thelittle dog.Walker had been careful of her still-healing injuriesbut had managed to help her start her day feeling clean and wellsatisfied.
“Hey.”
She turned to find him leaning againsta post.She couldn’t help the smile splitting her face.“Hey,yourself.”
“You doingokay?”
“I am.”He’d checked inwith her throughout the day, and midway through the afternoon hadinsisted she take a break and sit for half an hour.
“Walk with me?”Hestraightened, holding out a hand.His fingers closed over hers asthey set off down the road.“First day a good one?”
“First day was anexcellent one.The bakery and retail shops had more sales thanopening day last year, and people picked buckets of boysenberries.You were directing cars in the parking area.How do you think theoperation ran?”
“Mostly good.We need moresignage, though, so people know what areas aren’t open to thepublic.I had to chase more than a few out theorchards.”
“We can put up signs.”Hetugged on her hand to take the fork in the road that led to hiscabin.“How’d your phone call go?”she asked.
They’d talked more about his proposal,and since she’d given her endorsement, Walker had been busy gettingthe ball rolling on the hard cider venture.
“I think I found myplanning architect.He graduated from college this month and ishungry for work.He’ll oversee the planning, design, andconstruction of the hard cider operation.I also talked with agraphic designer who can work up a logo and label design for CiderMill Hard.We’ll see what she puts together and go fromthere.”
