"Yes ma'am, grandma, ma'am." Caitlin giggled as she saluted the older woman. "I love that word, grandma."
"Me too, sweets, me too." Rachel sank against the back of the chair and exhaled. A smile lit her face that would outshine the Christmas lights on the tree in the center of town.
At the Second Chance, though, Caitlin wondered if the name rang true. Garrett's tender way with horses gave them another go round, but would his ways work with people? Did they have that rare love that would conquer anything?
She opened the car door and stepped right into his arms. "I am so glad you're home," he whispered. He pulled away and looked at her. "How long are you staying?"
"Not too late or Grandma will give us both grief."
"What?" he said choking on the word. "Oh no, Caitlin."
She bit her lip to stifle her laugh. "It's okay, Garrett," she said patting his hand in reassurance that she had not fallen off the deep end and gone insane. They sat on the brick patio, enjoying the cool day. She explained the journals and the best-kept secret ever.
"Wow. At Emmaline's funeral something was said about Marshall and Rachel being your last relatives. I questioned it, but was told to forget it. The comment had been a slip of the tongue." He looked at Caitlin whose eyes sparkled with joy. "You never suspected?"
"No." She clasped her hands between her knees. "I assumed my grandparents had died soon after my mom. I never asked because I didn't want anyone to remember sad times. It's strange to say this, but I'm glad I never knew about Rachel, because when I needed a sign saying all would be fine, my grandma arrived." The recollection of finding the journals and discovering the truth filled her heart with more joy. She knew the smile would keep widening and never cease. "This has helped me realize what I want." She bit her lower lip and glanced at him. "Do you have time to look over my ranch ideas?" she said, her eyes gleaming like emeralds in sunshine.
"I have all the time in the world for you." He rubbed her cheek with his finger and her body shivered with delight.
They went inside and she laid the drawings and notes on the table. She explained her ideas with the enthusiasm of a child and the intelligence of a woman. An hour later, she sank against the chair. "What do you think?"