Deaf Love: The Cowboy's Gift: Finding Love, #10

Chapter 1

I can’t believe you’re really here. How? When? Luke McKenzie asked, holding Amanda close.

Amanda O’Conner laughed, so happy that he was glad to see her. "I left the Finals four days ago, drove to Panhandle, and asked around on how to find this place."

And no one asked who you were?

Oh, they asked, she chuckled.

What did you tell them? He looked at her warily.

I’ve created quite a reputation for you, as a matter of fact.

Amanda, he threatened, with humor in his voice. What did you tell them?

"I told them I was one of your Buckle Bunnies and that I’ve been stalking you." She watched his face closely for a reaction.

You didn’t, he accused, laughing.

I did. And I told them I would catch you, too.

Honey, I have to live in this town.

No, you don’t, you just have to live with me. She yanked his mouth down to hers, kissing him hard.

Mmm…I just might be able to handle that, he said, kissing her back. After a few moments he broke the kiss off and looked at her.

Actually, she stated, my friends accused me of stalking you, but I told them I was like a huntress who had found the perfect specimen and I had to have you.

I’m glad you came after me, because I think I like very much being caught by you.

Well, I’m sure glad of that, because I’d look pretty foolish otherwise.

He laughed at her response. How did you get in the house?

I met Charlie, she said slyly, playing in his hair below his cowboy hat. He was very easy to convince that I knew you. Very easy to persuade.

I’ll have to talk to him about letting strange women into my house.

"Don’t you dare get on to him. He was very nice to me."

I guess I can let his insubordination go this time, since he let an angel into my home.

Oh, Luke, how sweet. She touched her palm to his cheek. But I’m not an angel.

Heaven sent you to me. That’s the only way I’d have ever found you. He turned his mouth into her palm and kissed it tenderly. Let’s sit down on the couch and talk. You know, I thought you were my parents come to surprise me when I saw the light on, Luke said.

Do they do that often? she asked, looking into his eyes.

No, that’s what had me so confused. They’ve only done it once when they were on their way to Arizona to see my sister’s new baby, who is now two-years-old.

I see. She smiled up at him. I made some fresh coffee just before you arrived. Would you like some?

That’d be great. I’ll help you.

Take a seat on the couch, and I’ll be right there. She gave him a quick kiss before heading to the small kitchen.

So, were you surprised to see me? she asked coyly, handing him a cup of coffee before taking a seat next to him.

You’re damn right I was. I couldn’t get you off my mind, Amanda. All the way back here I was calling myself all kinds of a fool for pushing you away.

Good, because I couldn’t get you off my mind after that first kiss we shared in your camper in Dodge City. You had me from that first lopsided, sexy grin you gave me when I accused you of being dumb, rude, or deaf, she admitted with a chuckle.

Is that a fact? He kissed her cute, upturned nose.

That’s a fact. I’ve missed you, Luke. It was so hard not to stay where you were so I could see you every day.

I missed seeing you, too. I’ve already told you I was a fool for pushing you away.

Never a fool, cowboy. Maybe stubborn, but never a fool.

He sat his cup on the coffee table in front of the couch, removed hers from her grasp, and placed it next to his. He leaned over and covered her mouth with his in a hot, searing union of lips. Their tongues battled eliciting moans from deep inside. He held her tight in his embrace and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She fought to get closer to him and in the process knocked his black Stetson off his head to the floor. After several long moments, he pulled away from her and rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavy, trying to gain control of their bodies.

I want you so bad, he admitted.

I want you, too. I love you, Luke. Just the way you are. I meant it when I told you that before. Dad has no idea what I want or need.

I love you, baby. In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d find you here waiting for me.

There’s nowhere else I want to be but by your side.

He hugged her close and kissed her neck. He buried his face in her long black hair and inhaled her scent, committing it to memory. After a few moments he asked, When did you get here?

She pushed back from him to look him in the face. About four hours ago. I wanted to be here when you arrived.

If you left Las Vegas four days ago, where have you been staying? he frowned.

Actually, I only arrived in Panhandle the day before yesterday. I found a little bed and breakfast in town and I’ve been staying there.

How did you know when I’d get home?

I called Jake Patterson. I’ve known him for a while. He told me when you left Vegas. I guessed at the stops you’d make along the way, she admitted.

You’re pretty good.

I think so, she bragged.

He gave a deep, throaty laugh. Amanda, he said on a serious note, you said your dad thinks he knows what you need and want. What did he say?

"That I didn’t need you. That I’d grow tired of you, just like you tried to tell me I’d do. But he’s wrong, and so are you, she said defiantly, grabbing his cheeks so that he couldn’t look away from her. I don’t care that you’re deaf. I love you and that’s all that matters."

Whoa! Time out. He pulled away and formed a T with his hands. I’ve already admitted I was a fool for pushing you away. I really didn’t mean any of those things I said. I just wanted you to know what you could be getting yourself into. He looked at her seriously. I wanted you the first time I saw you. He kissed her sweetly.

Luke, I won’t tire of you. I promise I won’t. I want you to believe that, believe in me. My dad is wrong.

How…how’d he take you leaving? he asked, watching her closely with emotion filled eyes.

I don’t know. She looked into the deep brown pools of his eyes. Her fingers still toyed with his thick hair.

What do you mean?

I left without talking to him again. I put my letter of resignation on his desk and walked out. That’s all he’ll care about anyway. His firm is his life. After Mom left I was just an afterthought he had to deal with.

I’m sorry, honey. I’m sorry he treated you like that.

She got up from the couch and walked around the room releasing some of her pent up energy, before turning to face him. It is what it is, she shrugged as she spoke. Luke, I just want to start a new life with you. That is all I care about now—being your wife. She crossed her arms protectively in front of her as if they were a shield, protecting her from possible rejection.

Amanda, you said you quit your job to become a rancher’s wife, my wife.

Yes, I did say that, she answered, watching him closely.

The life of a rancher is hard. I’m not an easy man to live with. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to be the woman in my life. What are you hoping to gain by doing that?

Amanda pushed down the disappointment that he did not use the word wife before she spoke, Ultimately, I hope to gain a rich and happy life. I love you, Luke. I want to be with you always, through the good times and the bad. But I don’t want to push you into anything you don’t want. After all, you didn’t invite me here. So if you don’t want me, I’ll leave. I’ll hate every second we’re apart, but I won’t force myself into someone’s life again who really doesn’t want me. She tilted her chin defiantly.

"I told you I love you, too, and I’m very glad you’re here. I looked for you after the Finals. I was sure you’d gone out of my life and I’d never see you again."

I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I’ve never met anyone like you, she confessed.

Deaf? he asked sarcastically.

Don’t even start that, Luke McKenzie. You are so much more to me than a lost sense.

Oh, Amanda, I never thought I’d meet anyone like you. He paused to stare up into her face. He was overwhelmed by the look of love she was bestowing upon him. What now?

"I fell for you the night I watched you ride Tornado in Dodge City. Before I knew you were deaf. I want, no I need you to understand that I love you just as you are."

Those words mean everything to me. He watched her blue eyes brighten at his confession.

So, I guess the question you have to answer is, do you want to start a life with me? she clarified pensively.

He stood, uncrossed her arms from in front of her, and took her hands in his callused ones. "That’s exactly what I want."

I was hoping you’d feel that way, she said, relief filling her voice.

So, what did you have in mind? he asked her.

I’ll take you any way I can.

He placed her palms flat on his chest and held them there. What do you want to do to remedy the situation?

Whatever you want, she answered, "but I refuse to share you with anyone else. There will only be one Buckle Bunny in your life."

It sounds like we should get married, then.

Do you mean it? she asked, holding her breath. Because I would be willing to live with you.

He nodded his head and smiled. I meant every word. He took her face between his hands and kissed her sweetly and gently like she was a rare piece of porcelain.

When? she asked, recovering from his kiss.

Whenever you say, Luke said lovingly.

The sooner the better, she answered eagerly.

Not soon enough for me, he admitted, laughing joyously.

Me neither. She smiled brightly at him.

He wrapped her in his strong arms and kissed her like he’d never kissed her before.

I want to marry you here, she said, looking into his love-filled eyes.

In Texas? he asked, laughing.

Yes, but here, at the ranch. Can we do that?

Sure. Whatever you want, baby.

Good. I’m glad you’re okay with that.

"Why wouldn’t I be? I love it here. This is my land, and soon it will be our land."

I love the sound of that, she sighed dreamily, but I thought you might want to go to Montana. You seem close to your family.

I am, but I’m glad you want to have the ceremony here. That means a lot to me. Montana is where I grew up, but this ranch is my home.

So when can we do this? I don’t know anything about Texas marriage laws.

We’ll go into town and apply for a license tomorrow. I think there’s a waiting period, but I’m not sure how long it is. We’ll check on all that when we go to the courthouse.

Then what? she asked eagerly.

I know the preacher at the local cowboy church. Would that do for him to come out here?

That would be great. But I don’t know anyone here except you. Don’t you have to have witnesses?

Which bed and breakfast did you stay at?

"The Weeping Willow. Why?"

So you met the owner, Abigail Keller?

Yes, she’s a sweet lady, she said.

Abigail sees my foreman, Charlie. I’m sure they’d both be glad to stand up for us.

That would be wonderful! she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his waist, looking up at him. She met him for another kiss. Luke, do you think this is happening too quick? We’ve only known each other for two weeks, and I don’t know what people will think.

I don’t care what they think. I feel like I’ve known you my entire life. I know a couple that got married after knowing each other only three days. When it’s right, it’s right.

Who’s the couple you know?

My parents, he informed her.

Really? You said they’d been married forty-five years, she reminded him.

Yep. Forty-five short, great years to hear them tell it. Dad told me one time that it only takes four minutes to know if you love someone or not.

I think I’ll like your dad.