Caitlin smiled, remembering the nights she sat here waiting for her grandparents to finish making the rounds. Garrett always popped in to visit. Within minutes Barbara dragged him back to the party.
"Hey you," he said, standing in the doorway, his hair glistening with water. She wanted to join him, but found it impossible to move. "What is it about this room you love so much?"
"It's personal and rich with stories. Stories of the families who once lived here, and tales I have dreamed. The best part, they all have happy endings."
By now Garrett had joined her on the window seat, their legs touching. Caitlin looked down and saw him reach over with his hand. No thought was required. "Will you stay for supper?"
They nestled on the couch in front of the fire and listened to country music. He whispered the songs against her hair and she felt like the only woman in the world. His breathing was calm and steady, which only made her heart beat faster. This was life, the good life, the way it was supposed to be. Right now, Caitlin believed all was right in her world. She glanced up at him and smiled.
"What?" he said, smiling back.
"Nothing, except I am glad you're here."
"Me too." He got up and put another log on the fire. Instead of returning to the couch, he stared into the fire, as if looking at another time. "I had finished working around two and came inside for a sandwich," he said. "There on the dining room table was a long envelope with my name written in Barbara's elegant handwriting. I assumed it was party instructions. Instead I see the words, Garrett, you are a dear man, but our lives are going in different directions. We want and need different things. I wish you all the best, but in order to be true to myself, I must leave. Barbara. "I stood at the table until dark. Did I want her to come back? No, but part of me hoped she would. Deep down I knew we were wrong for each other, but it still hurts when something ends. Anger and fury filled me for weeks and months. I almost sold the ranch until Emmaline helped me see the bigger picture. She placed her hands on top of mine and said, 'Love is a gift given to us by God. Don't ever take it lightly or in vain. You are to cherish it, work at it, but above all, believe in it. And you do it together. Barbara wanted no part in that. Someday the right woman will come along who wants to believe in love with you. Don't be afraid of it, embrace it." Garrett's smile held a tint of wistfulness. "That was Emmaline's last sermon to me."