"You've been busy." Garret looked again, running his long slender fingers over the drawings. "Your ideas are incredible. You figured it out in one night."
"Yes." Caitlin took a drink of iced tea and then leaned against the table to be closer to her plans. "I miss my house, but without it my visions seemed clearer. It's not that the house blocked my vision, but now I'm not limited in what I can do. I know Granddaddy will approve."
"He does." Garrett took a deep breath, which showed the lingering pain over the loss of his friend and mentor. "Everyday I drove to the Double C to ask his opinion on a horse or life. Now when I get in the truck and head that way I realize he's not there. But something else awaited me-you."
Caitlin took Garrett's hands and her voice grew somber. "Will we ever not depend on Granddaddy?"
Garrett shrugged. "Someday, when the time is right, Marshall will join Emmaline and your folks, and we'll live our lives as we see fit." His words rang true, but they did not offer security.
"What's life like without granddaddy?"
"We have the memories and he and Emmaline will live forever in our hearts. Instead of turning to them, we'll turn to each other and our friends and neighbors. Life is a cycle. While we find new friends and faces, we never replace our loved ones. We add."
Caitlin loved Garrett more than she ever had. He was wonderful, philosophical, and down to earth. His words leapt into her heart, where she would forever hold them. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me," he said.
She was unable to speak. How she had longed to hear those special words from him, and now he spoke them. "I love you, Garrett Winston. Thank you for always being here for me."
Garrett looked away, but she saw pink on his cheeks. "It's time to get you to Rachel's." After one step, Caitlin grabbed his arm.
"Did I embarrass you?"
"No," he said, looking away. Her tender caress on his arm gave him the momentum to pull her into his arms. Without hesitation his lips met hers. Raising his mouth from hers, he looked into her eyes and then reclaimed her lips. Caitlin's body quivered at the tenderness and excitement he offered. "I'm glad you're home," he finally whispered.
"Me too," Caitlin said, breathless. Without a word, they went outside, their fingers laced together. "Can I come over tomorrow and ride Mystique?"