Caitlin considered those words and wondered if she was the woman meant for Garrett. But there was a question she had to ask. "Why did you marry Barbara?"
"She was beautiful, intelligent, and full of wonderful dreams. After we married, she turned into a social butterfly. It didn't take long to realize our marriage would never last, but she wouldn't give up on what she thought would be coming her way. Those dreams she had floated away. She pushed me to get deeper into the horse world, but it left me bitter. Politics, horse abuse, you name it. It was not what I wanted or needed. When I challenged Barbara's notions about what it meant to be wealthy, she was done. The best decision I ever made was to train horses for kids' camps."
"I'm sorry things didn't work out for the two of you," Caitlin said, gulping.
"I'm not. That situation helped me move forward. It showed me what I wanted and did not want in my life." Garrett now joined her on the couch and put his arm around her. "My life has been great, especially now that you're here." She snuggled in deeper and let his rhythmic heartbeat lull her to sleep.
When the grandfather clock chimed midnight, Garrett moved and stretched his arms overhead. Caitlin looked at him, signs of peaceful sleep still lingering in her eyes. "Guess we both fell asleep."
"It was nice," she murmured, snuggling closer to him. "The best rest I've gotten since coming home." She stretched too but never moved from the couch.
"Well, if I am to survive an entire day in town and dancing with my girl tomorrow night, I best get some rest. May I suggest the same for you?" he said as he kissed the tip of her nose.
"I'm your girl?" she asked, looking deep into his soulful eyes.
"The one and only." His vibrant smile lit his eyes and face and left her totally and completely in love.
Caitlin headed home, songs filling her head about love and forever. She looked at her house, remembering all the wonderful moments shared and experienced in this place. It still lingered in each piece of wood, each nail, and each shutter. Her grandparents had built this place with love. "When they say there's no place like home, they weren't kidding." Now leaned against the porch railing, she tossed wishes, hopes, and dreams into the air, hoping some would be caught and granted. She wanted a relationship much like her grandparents had; a match made in heaven. The phone rang, disturbing her thoughts, and she darted inside expecting to hear Garrett's voice on the other line.