Two hours later the living room was filled with the chatter and laughter of women. Savannah handed out copies of her apple-pie recipe and refilled coffee cups from her mother’s silver pot. She was joking with Millie Greenville from the flower shop when the room went strangely quiet. Everyone had turned to look behind Savannah. Certain Richard was up to one of his tricks, she turned around, too, ready to chastise him.

She froze.

Laredo stood in the doorway, his Stetson in his hand. He looked about as uncomfortable as a man could get—as though it was all he could do not to turn tail and run.

“Hello, Savannah,” he said.

She couldn’t have responded had her life depended on it. He looked travel-weary. His jacket was dusty and his face pale beneath his tan, but Savannah had never seen anyone more beautiful.

He seemed to be thinking the same thing about her because for that long, unbroken moment he didn’t take his eyes off her.

“I can see I’ve come at a bad time,” he said, glancing away from Savannah long enough to scan the room. All the women were openly curious about him; Savannah had never heard anything louder than this silence.

“You couldn’t have come at a better time,” Caroline insisted, leaping to her feet. “It looks to me like you’d appreciate a slice of Savannah’s apple pie. Sit down and make yourself at home while I dish it up for you. Savannah’ll see to your coffee.”

A space magically appeared between two women sitting on the sofa. Savannah remained frozen, unable to breathe or think. This was unfair. Just when she’d forged a new path for herself, accepted his absence, he was back.

Unable to hide his discomfort, Laredo settled down between Nell Bishop and Ellie Frasier, looking as out of place as a junkyard dog sitting between toy poodles.

Caroline served him a huge slice of apple pie. “Perhaps you’d like to tell Savannah why you’re here?” the postmistress asked pointedly.

The room fell silent again, awaiting Laredo’s response. Every eye was on him. Including Savannah’s. His gaze darted about the room, and he swallowed noticeably. “I’ve come to ask Savannah to be my wife.”

The silver coffeepot in Savannah’s hands suddenly weighed a hundred pounds, and she set it down on the silver platter with a clank. The buzz of voices surrounded her. Her heart raced and everything felt unreal.

At that precise moment Grady burst into the room. “Is that Laredo’s truck parked in the yard with the horse trail—?” He came to an abrupt halt when he realized he’d walked into the middle of the church group.

“I believe it is,” Caroline answered, gesturing toward Laredo.

The wrangler sprang to his feet, looking at Grady with unmistakable relief.

“What are you doing here?” Grady demanded.

Savannah wanted to stop him, to explain that Laredo had already been through one inquisition and that was enough, but she wasn’t given the chance.

“I’ve come to ask your sister to marry me.” Laredo answered as he had earlier, only this time there was a hint of challenge in his voice, as though he expected Grady to argue with him.

Again a murmur arose.

Edwina Moorhouse’s old bones creaked as she stood and motioned at Laredo. “All right, young man, tell me what makes you think Savannah should marry you.”

Color surged into Laredo’s neck and crept upward. “I love her,” he answered simply.

“So does everyone else in this room,” Lily put in, following her sister’s lead and standing up.

“And we’re not about to let some stranger steal her away.” This from Millie Greenville.

“That...that was one of the reasons I left,” Laredo explained haltingly. “I didn’t want to take Savannah from her home and family.”

“How has that changed?”

Laredo motioned with his head toward Grady. “I decided to take her brother up on his offer.”

“What offer?” Savannah asked, turning to regard her brother.

Grady had started to ease his way toward the kitchen. “Ah, perhaps we should talk about all this later. In private,” he added pointedly.

“It’s time for us to go,” Caroline suggested. The ladies began to gather their purses, but Edwina called a stop to it.

“Now just a minute. I’m seventy-five and too old to go without my sleep. I can tell I’m not going to rest until I hear Savannah’s answer. Do you love this man?” she asked, pointing at Laredo.

Savannah nodded.

“You’re willing to marry him?”

Again she nodded, more forcefully this time.

“It’s been a while since Wade performed a wedding ceremony,” Nell Bishop piped up. Her mother-in-law agreed, trying to remember whose wedding that was.

“I always did love a summer wedding,” Lily Moorhouse said, glancing from Laredo to Savannah.

“A wedding’s just what this town needs,” Louise Powell declared, as though that should be the last word on the subject.

But it wasn’t. The group of delighted women became engaged in the conversation, exchanging ideas, offering suggestions. The level of noise and excitement rose perceptibly and wedding plans flew in all directions. Millie suggested white and pink roses for the bridal bouquet, but white calla lilies for the arrangement on the altar. Louise had strong opinions on the meal that should be served. Edwina recommended some musical selection.

Through all this Laredo’s eyes remained locked with Savannah’s, and it seemed to them that only the two of them were present. She felt his love; it warmed her, even from halfway across the room. His expression told her how miserable he’d been without her, how lonely. She knew that, like her, he’d struggled with the pain. He’d also struggled with pride. But in the end his love, their love, was stronger. Laredo Smith needed her as badly as she needed him.

“I do think we should leave now, don’t you, ladies?” Caroline tried again, gathering up empty plates and cups.

A chorus of agreement followed this time, and everyone stood.

“Well, that’s that,” said Edwina. “Come on, Lily, if we hurry home we’ll be in time for a game of cribbage before Jeopardy comes on.”

The room emptied more quickly than Savannah would have thought possible. She happily forgave Caroline for abandoning the stack of dishes. In less than a minute the crowd was out the door, and the sound of cars starting replaced the chatter of twenty women.

“You cut your hair,” Laredo said now that they were alone. He stood half a room away from her, his hat in his hands.

Savannah raised her fingers to touch it.

“It looks wonderful.” His voice dipped. “You look wonderful. You’re more beautiful now than ever. I didn’t think that was possible.”

“You look wonderful, too.” She smiled. “What happened?” she asked suddenly, the words rushing from her lips. “Why’d you go?”

“For all the wrong reasons. My pride, mainly, and my fear.”

“Fear?”

“My mother told me I was a fool to have listened to...my doubts. I sold my land in Oklahoma,” he said, “and brought Renegade with me. If you’re agreeable, I’ll accept Grady’s offer to become a partner in the ranch. Renegade will be my stake, and in time the Yellow Rose will have the finest quarter horses in the country. I promise you that. I don’t have a lot to offer you, not nearly as much as you deserve, but I love you, Savannah.” He took a step closer. “I didn’t realize how much until I reached Oklahoma. My land was there, my dream, and it meant nothing if you couldn’t share it with me.”

“I thought my life was over when you left,” she whispered. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I couldn’t—but I swear I won’t leave you again. Mom’s right—I’m too much like her. I’ll only love once in my life, and if I let you go, there won’t be a second chance. I couldn’t ask you to wait, but I realize now that I couldn’t wait, either. I love you too much.”

“I love you, too, so much... Why are you standing way over there when I’m right here?”