He’d been so afraid she would one day leave him that he’d made it happen. He’d driven her away so he wouldn’t be surprised later. He’d forced the fulfillment of his own expectations. No, Rachel wasn’t like his mother. She never had been. She never would be. And Gavin had known it too. All I’ve wanted was to make you happy, Gavin Blake. Won’t you ever realize how much I love you? Yes. Yes, he realized it. He realized it now—when it was too late. Gavin sank down onto a chair and lowered his forehead onto the palms of his hands, his elbows resting on the table. The weeks and months with Rachel all came back to his mind. The joy and laughter, the tears and sorrow. He saw it all. And he saw so clearly her steadfastness, her love for a man who didn’t trust it, didn’t deserve it. He had the world in his hands and had thrown it away. All that remained was the emptiness.
“What a fool I’ve been,” he said aloud.
“I loved her too.”
“It’s not too late to tell her.” His breath caught. He raised his head, afraid to look, afraid his mind was playing tricks on him.
“It’s not too late, Gavin, unless you let it be.” He rose from the chair and slowly turned. And there she was, standing by the open door, her brilliant blue eyes watching him, her pale cheeks streaked with tears. Waiting. Waiting for him to say what was in his heart.
They came with ease, those words he’d never spoken.
“I love you, Rachel Blake. Stay with me. I love you.” She had done it at last, this slip of a girl, this woman, his wife. As he crossed the expanse of room that separated them and gathered her into his arms, the protective wall around Gavin’s heart finally crumbled in defeat, falling beneath the power of her love.
Epilogue Gavin’s son arrived on Christmas Day, 1884. As a blizzard raged outside the sturdy log walls, Nicholas Tucker Blake slipped from the protection of his mother’s womb into the safety of his father’s arms. Moments later, his lusty cries filled the Lucky Strike ranch house.
“It’s a boy,” Gavin proclaimed loudly, knowing the girls were waiting, along with Stubs and Jess, on the other side of the bedroom door. Then, more softly, “Hello, Nick.” With care, he tied string around the umbilical cord, then cut the cord with a sharp knife. He bathed the protesting child with warm water before wrapping him in a soft blanket. Finally, he lifted his gaze toward his wife.
“We have a son, Rachel.” She smiled.
“I know.” The long labor had left her beautiful face marked with fatigue, yet there was an inner glow emanating from Rachel such as he’d never seen before. She held out her arms.
“Let me see him.” Gavin carried the bathed and swaddled infant to the side of the bed. Carefully, he placed him into his mother’s arms, then he leaned low and kissed her brow. The sudden depth of emotion that welled within him made speech impossible. He wished he could thank her for all that she’d given him. Not just a son but a full heart, a heart made complete with love. He hoped she understood. Rachel stared for a
long time at the baby, smoothing the dark, fuzzy hair on his head, counting his fingers and toes, kissing the tip of his tiny nose. The pain of giving birth was already forgotten. There was no room for anything but joy.
“He looks like you,” she whispered.
“Do you think so?” Gavin’s voice was husky with emotion.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just like all our other sons will look.” She glanced up. As their eyes met, she imagined the future stretching out before them. There would be more children to fill the Blake house. From their mother, they would learn their numbers and letters and a thirst for knowledge. From their father, they would learn a love for the land and a respect for nature. From both of their parents, they would learn a joy for living, loving, and giving.
Gavin knelt beside the bed.
“I love you, Rachel Blake.” She marveled at what power those words contained. She sighed happily, contentment spreading through her like warm honey.
“I love you, Gavin. Now and always.” He leaned forward and kissed her. Perhaps, she thought as Gavin’s lips lingered over hers, the difference she’d been destined to make in this world could be found right here in this room. Perhaps changing the heart of just one man was the greatest destiny of all.