Chapter 27
A/N #1: Super quick shout out to those guest readers (like Jules) who leave nice reviews I'm unable to personally respond to. I truly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Alone once more, despite his best efforts, Wyatt's eyes got heavier and heavier, and he fell into a light doze. Without warning, the slim hand in his jerked, causing his eyes to snap open. Instantly dropping to his knees beside the bed, Wyatt's hopeful gaze scanned Lucy's face intently as her brow creased slightly and her lips moved–though she made no sound. He swallowed hard against the fierce emotion tightening his throat when her long eyelashes fluttered once or twice before those soft brown eyes slowly opened at last. Suddenly, all was right in Wyatt Logan's world. Thank you, Lord, for bringing her back to me.
"There you are, sweetheart," a relieved Wyatt declared huskily as he tenderly cupped her cool, pale cheek. "Welcome back." Lucy tentatively returned his smile, her eyes gradually widening in surprise when she realized exactly where the two of them were. Clearly, while she was glad to see Wyatt, him being here in the middle of the night confused (or possibly alarmed) her.
"Wyatt? What are you doing in my room? Is something wrong? Did someone need me for something? You really shouldn't be here while I'm in bed. It isn't seemly...what if your grandparents find out?" she whispered uncertainly, looking towards the door and modestly pulling the covers up to her neck, much to his amusement. Always the proper lady, his Lucy...and actually, since she'd brought it up, hell, yes, he needed her for many things (though Wyatt supposed that would be a conversation for another time).
Lucy looked so bewildered by his presence, he wondered if maybe she somehow didn't remember the accident, which in some ways, might be considered a mercy. Sitting on the side of the bed, Wyatt felt himself relax for the first time in over 12 hours. At least she recognized him. It was a good start, since you just never knew the outcome with a serious head injury like the one Lucy suffered.
"Shh, it's alright now," he assured her calmly, "nothing improper going here, Ma'am, I promise. Actually, due to the circumstances, Gran not only knows I'm in here, but she was checking on you herself not too long ago, so no need to fret. We've all been pretty worried because you've been unconscious ever since taking a hard blow to the head yesterday afternoon."
When Lucy's hand instinctively moved towards her head and gingerly touched the soft bandage covering the wound, he wasn't surprised by her pained hiss. "Easy now," he cautioned, as Wyatt had learned the hard way from being raised up on a horse ranch that getting kicked by one of the four-legged beauties was serious business indeed. On occasion, it could even be deadly. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but I am a little fatigued. and my head hurts," she said after a moment, her hand dropping limply onto the covers. "But what does that have to do with you being here alone in my room? How long have you been here? And what circumstances are you referring to?" Though she might've been tired and probably had a terrible headache, Wyatt was relieved to see her mind was still sharp as ever.
"I've been here since we got back from town. I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing you were alright." Blushing shyly at the confession, she watched him expectantly. Hoping to explain without upsetting her while she was in such a vulnerable state, he took a deep breath and gave Lucy a deliberately cheerful smile. "So, do you recall anything from yesterday morning about you and Gran going into town to visit the dressmaker's?" he asked. "Like when Gramps asked at breakfast if the two of you could stop by the bank and pick up some papers from Mr. Randolph? Can you try and remember for me?"
Fortunately, mentioning the banker's name seemed to do the trick. He could tell the second her memories of the afternoon came flooding back when the blank expression on Lucy's face immediately turned into shock and concern. Sitting straight up in bed, she clutched at Wyatt's hands and gasped, "Oh, no! Mr. Randolph! Is the poor man alright? Jesse James and his horrible gang nearly killed him, Wyatt. Did the sheriff catch any of them?" Damn. Even laid up with a serious head wound of her own, the teacher was only concerned about someone else. What a kind, generous heart this special woman had–but perhaps a bit too generous in this instance for his liking...
Hearing Betsy's wise admonition in his head about not letting fear rule Wyatt's emotions when it came to Lucy, he took her cold hands in his to ease her distress. Squeezing gently, he soothed, "Hey, Tom Randolph is gonna be fine, thanks to you." Wyatt bit back a grin at the guilty expression Lucy quickly tried to hide from him (which only served to confirm in his mind that she'd known exactly how he would react about any foolish plan to sacrifice herself...but went ahead and stubbornly did it anyway).
When Lucy continued to silently look down at their clasped hands–obviously expecting him to be angry with her—Wyatt decided any kind of lecture could wait for now. Not only was she worn out and still hurting from the head injury, seemed it just wasn't in Lucy Preston's nature to sit by and let someone be hurt if she could help it, even if he vehemently disapproved. As Gran reminded him, Wyatt would just have to learn to accept that about the woman he loved if they were to have a happy marriage.
Clearing his throat, he said mildly, "No surprise to me that Tom's life definitely was in danger from Jesse James and his boys, who do not have a reputation for leaving many witnesses alive to tell the tale. He told Gran the men were definitely fixing to kill him, but luckily for the banker, someone bravely offered herself as insurance in return for letting him live." Even as Lucy's head abruptly snapped up and she opened her mouth to try and defend herself, Wyatt put a finger on those appealing lips, ignoring the way her dark amber eyes suddenly flashed with a hint of temper. Oh, how he loved this woman's spirit.
"Let me finish, please," he scolded fondly, charmed by Lucy's adorable pout at being denied her say. "While Dave and I were trying to figure out what Jesse was planning to do, it was like a nightmare come true seeing the bastard himself dragging you out of the bank. Shaved a few years off my life, for sure. Once we brought you home, there was nothing for me to do but think while I was waiting for you to wake up, so I've been trying to work through things in my mind. As usual, Gran had some good advice for me, which helped. Took me a spell, but I came to understand the reason why you didn't hesitate for a second to risk your life for Tom's. It's because you're the bravest woman I have ever known, one who always thinks of other folks before herself. I am so damn proud of you, Lucy, for saving that man's life, even if it did mean endangering your own."
"Really? You're not angry with me?" she whispered hopefully, a soft blush warming her pretty face, and looking so alive and well, Wyatt just had to lean over and kiss her–propriety be damned. Lucy's lips were soft and unbearably sweet as she clutched the front of his shirt, and in that moment, all he wanted was to shuck his clothes and climb in the bed and hold her close until they both fell asleep. But that wouldn't be at all 'proper,' dammit, because she wasn't his wife...
Reluctantly dragging himself away from her tempting mouth, Wyatt shrugged. "Didn't say that. Truth is, I was very unhappy with your decision because you scared the living hell out of me, sweetheart. No man likes feeling that helpless when someone he cares about is in danger. However, since it's a real possibility you might be tempted again in the future to put yourself in harm's way to save someone, looks like you're gonna need someone to look out for you..." his voice trailed off as he struggled to put into words where his feelings for Lucy were leading him.
Thinking back on things later, he still wasn't quite clear on how it all came about. Might have been the lack of sleep...or maybe his deep fear of losing another woman he loved. More likely, a combination of both, but looking into her shining eyes, Wyatt Logan saw hope and possibilities for his future–and a miraculous second chance at love.
For a split second, he felt a bittersweet pang in his chest for Jessica and the brief happiness they'd shared before she and their son were taken from him. I will always love and miss you and Mattie, Jess, his heart promised somberly, even as all the excuses Wyatt had come up with before that seemed so logical about taking things slow with Lucy disappeared for good...and the (not quite) teasing words burst out of him.
"Reckon I'm probably the best man for a tough job like that," he drawled playfully, "so I guess I'm just gonna have to marry you, Lucy Preston." His impulsive words hung in the hushed quiet of the room as they stared at each other in shock. Dear Lord, what had he just done? While as a young man, yeah, Wyatt had been known to behave recklessly now and again, but he'd assumed those days were long gone. (He was a retired Texas Ranger who'd been married and fathered a child, for God's sake.)
But apparently that meant nothing when it came to the woman he'd fallen in love with, Wyatt thought wryly...and now he'd gone and proposed to her. Thankfully, a welcome sense of peace washed over him just then and any remaining doubts melted away. This felt right, he realized gratefully, and in fact, despite the less-than-romantic circumstances at the moment, it somehow felt damn near perfect...
Though it felt as if they were weighed down by bricks, Lucy was eager to see Wyatt and managed with supreme effort to eventually open her eyes. Surprisingly, it appeared to be dark outside, and since she was wearing a nightgown, bed time also. She blinked in the soft rosy glow of the lamp casting wispy shadows about the room...and on the face of man kneeling beside the bed. The man Lucy loved with all her heart and fought her way back to from the murky darkness that threatened to consume her. The man who was peering intently into her face with a worried expression. And unless she'd dreamed it, the man who told Lucy he loved her...
"There you are, sweetheart, welcome back." Instinctively turning her cheek into the caress of his large, warm hand, the sheer pleasure sweeping over Lucy was unfortunately tempered all too quickly by the growing realization that glad as she was to see Wyatt, it was highly improper for him to be alone in her room this late at night-most especially when she was clad only in a nightgown. Had something happened to one of his grandparents? What other possible reason was there for his presence here?
"Wyatt? Is something wrong? What are you doing in my room? You shouldn't be here while I'm in bed. It isn't seemly...what if your grandparents find out," she murmured uncertainly, looking towards the door while modestly pulling the covers up to her neck. To her surprise, he not only didn't leave, but merely sat on the side of the bed, so close Lucy could feel the comforting warmth of his leg against hers, even through the bed covers.
"Shh, it's alright now," he replied calmly, "nothing improper going here, Ma'am, I promise. Actually, due to the circumstances, Gran not only knows I'm in here, but she was checking on you herself not too long ago, so no need to fuss. We've all been worried something fierce because you've been unconscious for hours now ever since taking a hard blow to the head yesterday afternoon." Unconscious? Not asleep?
Her hand instinctively drifted upwards to the side of her head and found a soft cloth bandage. Ouch, she winced, touching it gingerly. When (and how) had she been hurt that badly? Bewildered, Lucy wondered what could've happened to cause an injury serious enough to cause her to lose consciousness. Had she fallen and hit her head-maybe while riding Maisie? Or perhaps been in the barn and gotten too close to one of the horses? (She hated the mere thought of that, especially after getting more comfortable around the beautiful creatures these past weeks.) But though she strained to remember, her pounding head offered no ready explanation.
"Easy now," Wyatt cautioned in a low tone, sensing her distress. "How are you feeling?" Though it made her head ache even worse, Lucy thought about it for a second before trying to answer him at least somewhat coherently.
"I'm not exactly sure," she allowed, frowning slightly, "but I am a little fatigued, and my head hurts." And then before Lucy knew it, her curiosity got the better of her, and the questions began pouring out.
"But what does that have to do with you being here alone in my room? How long have you been here? And what circumstances are you referring to?" Lucy fell silent at last, a little dismayed by her sudden frantic outburst. My goodness, she was starting to sound hysterical.
"Well, sweetheart, I've been here since we got back from town because I wouldn't be able to sleep a wink without knowing you were alright." Her cheeks pinked faintly at the flattering confession (pleased, certainly), but not surprised in the least by his attentiveness. It hadn't taken long at all after she arrived at Sherwin Ranch to understand and very much admire the way Wyatt Logan looked after the people he cared about-and how blessed she was to be part of that group now.
Drawing strength from the concern shining in his deep blue eyes, Lucy struggled to focus on the gap in her memory. Though naturally comforted by his caring manner, her head was already throbbing and she felt rather sick to her stomach. "Do you remember anything from breakfast about you and Gran going into town to visit the dressmaker's?" Wyatt asked, smiling encouragingly. "Like when Gramps asked at breakfast if the two of you could stop by the bank and pick up some papers from Mr. Randolph? Can you try and think back?"
Thankfully for her growing frustration, the mention of the banker's name miraculously prodded her hazy memory. Her recall of the previous afternoon and everything that took place came flooding back in a jarring rush of vivid images. Immediately forgetting her nausea and aching head, she abruptly sat straight up in the bed and grasped at Wyatt's hands, "Oh, no! Mr. Randolph!" Lucy fretted, "Is the poor man alright? Jesse James and his horrible gang nearly killed him, Wyatt. Did the sheriff catch any of them?"
Carefully easing Lucy back against the plump pillows, Wyatt took her hands in his. Squeezing gently, he assured her, "Hey, Tom Randolph is gonna be fine, thanks to you." Lucy flushed guiltily at the mild-yet pointed-admonition she heard in his deep voice, and quickly dropped her gaze to their clasped hands. She should've known it wouldn't have taken long for Wyatt to find out about her impulsive decision to try and keep the banker safe by striking a bargain with none other than the infamous outlaw Jesse James.
Keeping her eyes downcast for fear of seeing the disappointment on Wyatt's face for her rash behavior, Lucy waited for the inevitable scolding she'd rightly earned for worrying the man she loved. There was no denying it had been a foolish, dangerous thing to do...though if she had to relive the frightening moment in the bank all over again, Lucy knew in her heart she'd make the same decision without hesitation. Which was something she had no intention of ever sharing with an overprotective Wyatt...
Clearing his throat, he continued, "No surprise that Tom's life definitely was in danger from Jesse James and his boys, who do not have a reputation for leaving many witnesses alive to tell the tale. He told Gran the men were fixing to kill him, but luckily for the banker, someone bravely offered herself as insurance in return for letting him live." Even as Lucy's head abruptly snapped up and she opened her mouth to try and explain, Wyatt put his finger on her lips, blithely ignoring the way her eyes narrowed at him.
"Let me finish, please," he reproved lightly. "While Dave and I were trying to figure out what Jesse was planning to do, it was like a nightmare come true seeing the bastard himself dragging you out of the bank. Shaved a few years off my life, for sure. Once we brought you home, there was nothing for me to do but think while I was waiting for you to wake up, so I've been trying to work through things in my mind. As usual, Gran had some good advice for me, which helped. Took me a spell, but I came to understand the reason why you didn't hesitate for a second to risk your life for Tom's. It's because you're the bravest woman I have ever known, one who always thinks of other folks before herself. I am so damn proud of you, Lucy, for saving that man's life, even if it did mean endangering your own."
He was proud of her? "Really? You're not angry with me?" she whispered hopefully. Instead of replying, Wyatt leaned in and kissed Lucy for what felt like the first time in forever. His lips were firm and warm, sending a tremor of desire through her weary body. Clutching the front of his worn flannel shirt, she inhaled his familiar masculine scent—and though it certainly wasn't proper or ladylike—wanted nothing more in the whole world than for Wyatt to shed his clothes and slip under the covers and hold her in his strong arms until she fell asleep. Unfortunately, while tempting, such a thing would truly cross the line of propriety...
Lifting his mouth from hers all too soon, Wyatt shrugged, broad shoulders relaxing. "Didn't say that. Truth is, I was very unhappy with your decision because you scared the living hell out of me, sweetheart. No man likes feeling that helpless when someone he cares about is in danger. However, since it's a real possibility you might be tempted again in the future to put yourself in harm's way to save someone, looks like you're gonna need someone to look out for you." Her spirits rose at the lack of real anger in Wyatt's deep voice. It even sounded like he'd forgiven Lucy for worrying him, thank goodness. And then the man proceeded to turn her world upside down...
"Reckon I'm probably the best man for a tough job like that," he observed thoughtfully, "so I guess I'm just gonna have to marry you, Lucy Preston." His blue eyes gleamed in the soft lamp light. What?
Lucy wasn't sure which of them seemed more surprised. The important words he spoke so casually hung in the stillness as they gazed intently into each other's eyes. Marry him? Was Wyatt proposing to her? "What...what did you say?" Lucy asked hesitantly, barely aware of his muscular arm beneath her trembling fingers as she searched his handsome face for reassurance. Without warning, Lucy heard her father's parting words from the dream in her head. Was Wyatt the man who loved and needed her? Was that the message Papa needed her to understand? She fervently hoped so.
"I think you heard me," Wyatt affirmed after a long moment, "though I 'spose you might not be positive since it could be considered a mite disrespectful of me to flat out tell you we should get married." His lips slowly curved into the dimpled smile that always did funny things to her stomach. "Don't know where my manners are–a fine lady such as yourself should be asked properly if she's willing to be my wife. So what do you say, Miss Preston? Do you think you could be happy married to a horse rancher and living in the middle of nowhere for the rest of your days, God willing?"
Heart swelling with joy as he waited patiently for her answer, Lucy smiled mentally at the barest hint of vulnerability she sensed beneath Wyatt's quietly confident manner. Oh, how she loved this good man. Even though every part of Lucy's very being wanted to shout her answer at the top of her lungs, it was the middle of the night and she assumed everyone else was asleep. Discretion and a little self control were necessary if the two of them didn't want to get the whole Sherwin house in an uproar. Just breathe, Lucy...
Exhaling shakily, she whispered, "Oh, yes...I would be honored to become your wife, Mr. Logan." Gazing into Wyatt's shining dark blue eyes, Lucy saw her future just as her Papa had foreseen, one filled with the love of a fine, decent man, and hopefully, children some day. You are a wise man, Henry Preston.
"I'm the one who's honored that you said yes, sweetheart," he murmured against Lucy's cheek. Holding her close, Wyatt chuckled when out of nowhere, she yawned widely. My heavens, how embarrassing.
"Here now, you need to try and get some rest, and I should probably go to bed myself for an hour or two. Been quite a long night for both of us," he reminded her, easing Lucy back once more and tucking the covers around her as carefully as one would a small child. It was a sweet gesture, and she had no doubt Wyatt had been a kind, loving father to the baby son who passed away at such a young age-much in the same way her beloved Papa had raised her.
"While I'm happy and relieved you finally woke up, a head injury is nothing to mess with, Lucy," Wyatt said firmly. "The two of us have all the time in the world to talk things over later on, once you're properly rested and starting to heal." Perhaps he was referring to things like a wedding and their future together? How she liked the sound of that...
Since nodding would not be a wise response with the way her head was aching so dreadfully, Lucy gave Wyatt a tiny smile of agreement. When he tenderly kissed her forehead and started to step away from the bed, she instinctively reached for him. "Wyatt? Wait. Could you...could you please stay with me until I fall asleep?" Lucy requested bashfully (hoping he wouldn't think it a sign of weakness). It seemed she'd used up her bravery for the time being.
"Of course I will," he answered warmly, dropping down in the chair and taking her hand securely in his. "You shut those pretty eyes now and try to sleep a little more. It will do you good. I'll be right here beside you...always, Lucy, I promise." Greatly comforted by not only his solid presence so near, but the solemn vow he made, Lucy obediently closed her eyes with a happy sigh. She was going to marry Wyatt Logan and spend the rest of her life with him...
Concentrating on the warmth and security of his calloused hand, she gradually felt herself begin to drift off when something extremely important popped into her brain. Something Lucy urgently needed Wyatt to know. Something that just couldn't wait until morning.
Turning her cheek towards him and blinking sleepily, Lucy squeezed his hand and whispered, "Wyatt? I almost forgot...I love you, too..."
A/N #2: Aww, I guess it's official-Wyatt and Lucy are engaged! :p My apologies for the shorter-than-usual update, but this seemed like a good place to stop for now, especially since I'm not 100% certain exactly how I want to finish this story. It really doesn't seem like it's been 2.5 years since I posted the first chapter back in August 2021, but time has a funny way of getting from us, doesn't it? My deepest appreciation to those readers who've hung in there with me on this journey. Your favorites, follows and kind reviews are wonderful encouragement. Thank you so much :))