Page 85 of Whispers of Sweetwater

Was this it? Where she told him things he didn’t want to hear?

His pulse thudded hard as he stood, every step towards her feeling like the first breath after almost drowning. Part of him feared what she might say, but another part, bigger, louder, fiercely optimistic, hoped like hell this was their moment to put it all right. So, taking a deep breath of the night air, while making sure to keep a respectful distance between them, he followed her into the hush of the towering golden wattle trees, his racing heart wide open.

Breathing in deep, she turned to face him. ‘I need to say something,’ she said softly.

His heart literally felt as if it skidded to a stop. ‘Anything.’

She took a shaky breath, her eyes searching his. ‘The dare, the bet. It hurt more than I wanted to admit. But it doesn’t matter now. It can’t. Because the truth is,’ she stalled, looked away, her breaths quickening, ‘in spite of everything,’ her gaze fell back to his, ‘I think I’m falling in love with you, Hayden Pierce.’

For a split second he swayed, breathless, as relief slammed into him so hard he nearly dropped to his knees in front of her. One day he might do just that, but for a very different reason. For now, he caught her gorgeous face in his hands, his thumbs brushing tears from her cheeks, tears he hadn’t even realised had fallen.

‘Bri,’ he whispered, his voice raw. ‘You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to hear you say that. Because I’m not falling in love with you …’ It was his turn to pause now, so he could catch his breath, find his voice.

‘You’re not?’ Her voice was so small he only just heard her words.

Then he caught the look of horror on her face, quickly realising she thought he was saying he didn’t care for her. ‘Bri, no, god, I didn’t mean that. I meant I already love you. I love you so damn much, it terrifies me.’

‘Oh.’ Brianna let out a shaky laugh, but it broke into a soft sob. She cupped his face between her palms, her thumbs brushing away his tears now. ‘I want forever with you, Hayden. I want the hard days, the quiet mornings, the good and the bad, because from the very first moment I saw you, even if I hadn’t known it then, I know it now, that for me, it’s always been you.’

He bent closer now, pressing his forehead to hers, his arms sliding around her waist, hands linking at her back, like a promise he’d never let go. ‘I’m yours, Brianna Steele. Every bit of me. And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that to you, if you’ll let me.’

‘I want that.’ Her voice wavered, thick with tears, but her eyes shone with something bright and fierce and beautiful. ‘So stay with me. Be my safe place. We’ll figure the rest out, together.’

And when she rose on her tippy-toes and kissed him for the very first time, slow and sure, but hungry too, like every unsaid word they’d buried had finally found its voice, it felt like every broken piece inside him melted back into place. Her mouth was soft and warm, tasting of hope, love and every dream he’d buried too deep. He felt the world tilt on its axis as he matched her kiss, hungry and reverent, desperate to show her without words just how much he was hers as every heartbeat linked his promise to hers.

I’m here.

I’m yours.

I’ll love you until my last breath.

And as her fingers tangled in his hair and she pressed in closer, he knew with every raw, trembling part of him that this was forever, right here, with her wrapped up in his arms.

CHAPTER 22

Eighteen months later

The afternoon sun poured warm light through the homestead windows at Sweetwater Acres, where Brianna stood in front of the full-length mirror, admiring her figure-hugging dress with its lace train and dotted diamantés. Nina fussed gently with the delicate antique lace at her shoulder, while Tilly tucked fresh sprigs of miniature roses into her hair. Sherlock lay curled at her feet, a calm anchor while her heart thundered eagerly in her chest. Her reflection showed a woman she almost didn’t recognise, with preened curls pinned up just so, her soft pink lips flushed with nerves and hope, smoky-shadowed eyes that were bright with the quiet strength she’d earned. And beyond her wildest imaginings, she was deliriously happy. The faint shimmer of her dress skimming her curves, the tiny buttons down her back, the way her hand drifted instinctively to rest over her belly, like a secret promise tucked close to her heart, it all made her feel as if she were in a dream. And she didn’t just see the bride, she saw the young woman who’d come to the Sweetwater township for a fresh start, the woman who’d fought to hold her life together when everything felt like it was falling apart, the vet who’d made a name for herself around the district, and the beautiful future she’d built with the one-in-a-million man waiting for her now, beneath the cluster of glorious gum trees they’d sought shade from on so many sunny days.

What a miraculous, wondrous, turn of events.

She closed her eyes and whispered a thank-you to the walls that held her, the land that steadied her, and the man who’d shown her nothing but love and kindness, strength and compassion, softness and vulnerability. She thought back to the day he’d asked her to be his wife. Fourteen months ago now, on a quiet evening when the paddocks were gold and the sun was dipping low, painting the sky in peach and honey. He’d led her out to the old fig tree near the back paddock, the same tree they’d carved their initials into and stood beneath on so many twinkling nights, admiring the star-studded sky. He’d dropped to one knee right there in the dirt, ring trembling between his fingers, voice shaking as he told her she was his home, his future, his everything. She could still hear her own laughter, choked through tears, the soft rustle of the breeze through the branches above them. She’d whispered yes before he’d even finished asking, pressing the word against his mouth, her tears mingling with his as she, too, had dropped to her knees to meet him there, heart to heart.

And that yes had changed everything.

It had stitched her life to his in a way that felt unbreakable, and it had carried her here, to this very moment, to this breathless, beautiful forever.

Tilly stepped back, eyes shining, and whispered, ‘You look so gorgeous, Bri. A sight to behold, if there was ever one!’

Beside her, Nina dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a tissue, her smile trembling but proud. ‘Tilly’s right. You take my breath away, sweetheart,’ she said softly. ‘And Hayden, he’s like a son to us now. You two, you’re everything good this world has to offer us.’

Brianna’s heart squeezed so tight she thought it might burst. She wanted to blurt it out right then, the tiny heartbeat she already carried under her own. She couldn’t wait to see the look on her parents’ faces, or everyone else’s for that matter, when Hayden told their gathered loved ones later that night, during his speech, that their family was already growing, that a new piece of their forever was already blooming inside her. The secret glowed warm beneath her palm – more real than any dream she’d ever dared to wish for.

Logan stepped in from the hallway, his tie a little crooked, and his footsteps stalled when he saw her. His eyes widened, soft and glassy with emotion, taking in every detail of his little girl, now a bride. For a heartbeat he didn’t speak, just looked between Brianna and Nina, who dabbed her eyes again while catching his gaze with a knowing, motherly smile.

‘Your dress, you, put all together, holy moly, you’re striking, kiddo,’ Logan managed, voice gruff. He stepped forwards and touched her cheek with strong fingers that trembled just a little. ‘Your mum and I, we’re so damn proud of you.’

Nina nodded through fresh tears, her hand slipping into Logan’s for a quiet squeeze. They shared a look only parents could, full of years and secrets and joy all at once.