Chapter 60

Brook’s excitement grew as the bus finally pulled into Haylieville. She stared out the windows and drank in the sights of the small town. Wheezing to a stop, the bus rocked slightly before the driver locked the brakes and called out the name of the stop. Brook clutched the handle of her bag in a tight grip.

She moved down the narrow stairs and carried her valise into the cafe that served as Haylieville’s bus station. She had determined that one way or another she would find a ride to the path that led to Lance’s cabin, even if it meant prevailing upon Denise or Emily at The Outpost. Or a complete stranger, for that matter. She'd walk if she had to. She didn’t care. She had to see him, had to know. Did he love her as much as she did him?

Just inside the door, she stopped. At the counter, his backpack on the floor leaning against his leg, stood Lance. The sight of his familiar stance caused a soft pang in her chest. He was not looking at her; he had his eyes on the man who was handing him a ticket.

“Lance,” Brook called softly. Lance froze, hand reaching for the bus pass. Slowly, he turned his gaze to her and hope lit his features.

“Brooklyn?” In three long steps, he crossed the distance between them, took her face tenderly in his hands, and searched her eyes. She dropped her bag to the floor as a sob worked its way up from the pit of her stomach.

“Lance.” She choked around the unexpected tears. He pulled her to him, lifting her feet from the floor, and buried his face in her neck. She melted into his arms.

“Brooklyn,” he murmured, his melodic voice a balm washing over her. “You’re here!”

They embraced, clinging to each other as if they had been reunited after years instead of mere months. Heads turned to watch them, but they didn’t notice. They had eyes only for each other. The rest of the world had ceased to exist for this space of time.

“I was just buying a ticket to Denver,” Lance said, his mouth warm against her ear. “I was coming to bring you home.” His voice caught in his throat. Brook turned her head and their lips met. In that moment, all doubt fled, all questions were answered. The world, which had felt out of kilter and wrong, suddenly righted itself.

They were mostly silent on the drive up the mountain, each struck by the wonder of being together again. Brook sat close to Lance, resting her hand lovingly on his leg as he drove. He kept his arm over her shoulders, holding her snug to his side.

Finally, he pulled Old Reliable through the trees and into her hiding place. He walked around and helped Brook down from the truck, holding her to him for a long moment. She sought his lips with her own and they melded as if designed to fit together perfectly. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest, and Brook thought she might actually swoon.

They could hardly keep their hands from each other as they trekked back to the cabin. The summer sun filtered down through the trees, dappling their path with moving shadows. Brook took a cleansing breath of the mountain air, flinging her arms wide, as if to embrace the entire mountainside. Lance's eyes twinkled as he gazed down at her. He encircled her waist and they shared a deep kiss under the boughs as a breeze rustled through the aspen trees. Brook let fall the bag she was carrying and gave herself over to the moment. The force of their passion nearly drove them to their knees on the forest floor as they clung to each other.

“Brooklyn, Brooklyn,” Lance murmured into her neck, running his lips over her skin. A soft moan escaped her lips as she melted under his touch. A wild mix of feelings coursed through her; joy, excitement, relief, love, and physical yearning.

Reluctantly, they parted and continued on their way. When the cabin came into view, Brook’s eyes filled with tears. Slowly, she placed her bag on the ground at her feet.

“Home,” she whispered, overcome with emotion. She had never seen a sweeter sight.

Lance shrugged off his pack. He lifted her into his arms, and carried her inside. So different from the first time. This time, she was strong and healthy. This time, she was there of her own free will. He lowered her to her feet just inside the doorway and she looked around, drinking in the welcoming comfort of her sanctuary. How she had missed it! And how she had missed Lance, her lover. He stepped out to retrieve their parcels as she wandered through the cabin. Lance returned to find her walking around, touching this and that as if to assure herself she was really here. She noted her book of poems on the mantle and put her hand to her lips.

“Oh, Lance,” she said as she turned. Then he was beside her, clutching her to his chest. Clasping each other, they collapsed on the daybed. The urgency of their lovemaking filled the room with soft groans and tender sighs. After their release, they did not part. Lance stayed inside her until the warm press of their flesh drove them to passion’s heights once again.

When the second storm of fiery ardor had passed, they held each other and talked; all the obstacles to a future together were gone.

“I missed you, Brooklyn. I missed you so much I thought at times my heart would simply stop beating and I would curl up and die.” They were lying on their sides, facing each other. He reached out and traced the side of her face with his fingertips.

“I felt the same way, Lance. It was so hard! At night especially. The hours would pass and I would lie there in agony; longing for you. If I had given in to the torment of it, I would have been here much sooner.” Her eyes were misty.

“Would that have really been so bad?” he asked her.

“No, not bad at all. But, I had things to take care of,” she replied. “You haven’t even asked me about my marriage.”

“That’s because I might not want to hear what you say. And maybe I don’t even care, just as long as you’re here with me now. You didn’t talk about it on the way here, so I thought maybe you didn’t want to tell me. You know, I’m sorry for your husband, but I love you. I love you with everything that’s in me and I’ll take you no matter what. Married or single. For the night, or for a lifetime. I hope it’s forever, but I won’t turn anything down. Whatever you’re willing to give me, Brooklyn.” His voice moved her as it had from the beginning. She smiled at him.

“I’m free, Lance. We’re free to be together. I’ll tell you all the details later. But not now, I don’t want to spoil this moment. It is enough for now, isn’t it?” She caressed his face, her heart swelling with love and tenderness.

“It’s enough for me.” Their mouths met in a long kiss.

Eventually, they roused and dressed. Brook accompanied him outside where the usual chores awaited.

“Gilbert’s a mama!” Brook exclaimed as they approached the pen. Gilbert’s head shot up at the sound of Brook’s voice and she did a couple of turns near the gate. When Lance freed her from the enclosure, she rushed toward Brook and nuzzled her hands. As she reared up on her hind legs for a hug, Lance stepped in.

“Whoa!” He took the hug instead. “Calm down, gal. We don’t want to knock Brooklyn off her feet!”

“You already did that.” Brook smiled at him and reached over to pat Gilbert’s side. The kid wandered out of the pen and stood near her mother, looking up at Brook with curious eyes.

“Oh, how cute!” Brook leaned down to pet the small goat, but it sidled away from her. “I guess she’ll have to get used to me.”

“Well, Gilbert’s glad you’re back,” Lance announced. “She looked for you, you know. At first.”

“She did?”

“So did I, Brooklyn. Even though I knew it was impossible, that I wouldn’t see you. That you weren’t here.” He ducked his head.

Brook squeezed his hand before turning away. She separated from the group and meandered around the homestead as Lance tended to the chores. The feeling of being home intensified with every step.

“How beautiful it is here,” she said. I never want to leave again.

Later that evening, after darkness had fallen and after their meal was finished, Brook sat in her old chair and Lance sat in his. They caught up on all that had happened during their time apart. The radio cooperated, and soft music played in the background. Night sounds drifted in on a sweet clean breeze through the open windows.

In bed that night they both felt right again, as if they had just returned safely from a long, dark, and dangerous journey.