He nodded. “I’ll try to control my temper if you try not to provoke me. I think we can both live with that arrangement.”
Lexie shivered, remembering how easily he became provoked. After the first couple of years dating, being with him was like walking on needles. He would be angry at her over the tiniest things, like texting an old friend from college to congratulate him and his wife about their new baby. He was suspicious of her every move. Lexie never wanted to live like that again. She didn’t say that to Cole though. Instead she composed herself and managed a smile to keep him in a good mood. “I’ll just need to grab my purse and suitcase.”
He nodded and stepped back, allowing her to pass. “You have two minutes.”
Lexie walked out of the kitchen with Cole following close behind. She prayed for protection the whole way. They had to cross by the mud room to get to the hallway leading to the spare bedroom. She walked past first and then Cole.
A loud clang from metal filled the room and then a hollow thump. She screamed and turned around to see Cole laying on the floor unconscious and Toby standing above him with a large metal grain scoop.
Cami and Jonah came out of the room, eyes wide with shock, seeing the intruder on the ground. Thankfully they hadn’t come out a few seconds sooner.
“Are you all right?” Toby asked, dropping the scoop to one side, eyes wild and hands shaking from the ordeal.
Lexie nodded and rushed into his arms, crying tears of joy and relief. “I am now.”
After the police took Cole into custody, filled out their reports, Toby held onto Lexie as they drove off the property. “You were so brave,” he whispered into her ear.
“I didn’t feel very brave at first, but God gave me courage. How did you know Cole was here? If you would have walked in the front door, he may have shot you.” She paused and shivered. “I can’t imagine losing you, Toby.”
He smiled and kissed her. “It was divine intervention. The snow came in time for Cole to leave footprints. I never would have known otherwise. When I realized he was in the house, I snuck around to the cellar. There’s a small door for storage leading up to into the mud room. I crawled through.”
She grinned. “My brave knight coming through a secret passage to rescue me.”
“You did all the hard work. I was so worried when I saw Cole holding a gun, but you talked him down. You were incredibly calm for someone in a situation like that.”
“I knew God was with me and you had a plan and I had to play my part. We make quite a team, Tobias Campbell.”
“I couldn’t have said it better, Lexie Donoghue. So, what’s next on the game plan?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Hmm…it’s too early to tell, but I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
Epilogue
The Day After Christmas
Sweetwater Ranch Resort
Lander, Wyoming
Lexie stared out the window of the private jet as it circled the runway to land. The view of the ranch and the mountains all covered in snow took her breath away. “It’s so beautiful up here. I just can’t get over it.”
Toby let out a contented sigh in the comfy reclining leather seat next to her. “Yeah, it is. You really do have friends in high places, Lexie. I could get used to this.”
She chuckled and kissed him before turning back to the window. “It was nice of Holly’s rich fiancé, to send the jet for us.”
She watched as the trees and buildings below became bigger as the pilot prepared to land. It was the second time that month she’d had the privilege to fly in Calvin Davis’ private jet. Holly had invited her to come up the week before the wedding to help her with last minute preparations. After all, she was her maid of honor.
The two friends spent the first half of the week having fittings and choosing place settings, but the last half was spent in luxury with spa treatments, massages and mani-pedis. They had a wonderful time catching up on their girl talk and Lexie hoped there would be much more of it in the future since they only lived a short jet ride away now.
“Here we go. Brace yourself,” Toby said in a tense voice and reached for her hand as the jet landed and the pilot put on the brakes. Then his shoulders relaxed. “Wow, that was a lot smoother landing than I thought. I guess I’m used to those big seven-forty-sevens that almost give you whiplash when they jam on the brakes. Sorry I’m such a nervous Nelly.”
She chuckled at his funny reaction, knowing he wasn’t fond of flying and rested her head on his shoulder as the pilot pulled up to the hanger. “I don’t mind. I love experiencing all this with you, Tobias Campbell.”
The evening of Holly’s wedding turned out clear and beautiful with millions of twinkling stars in the sky and a thick layer of snow on the ground.
Lexie stood at the front of the little chapel in her periwinkle maid of honor gown watching her friend walk down, carrying a beautiful bouquet of periwinkle, forest green and cream flowers. She shed happy tears as Holly made vows to her Wyoming cowboy. Then they went to the reception hall and had one of the grandest parties she’d ever attended.
She danced with Toby while watching her best friend glowing with happiness. It was amazing how God worked. A few months ago, she and Holly had both been running from something, but now they had both found a home in Wyoming and wonderful Godly men to share their lives with.
When it was time for the bouquet toss, Lexie stood near the back, away from the other more eager young ladies who desperately wanted to catch it.
Holly counted down from five, warming up her arm with a few practice swings. Then she turned toward them and the group parted for the bride. She approached Lexie and handed her the bouquet. “You deserve all the happiness I’ve found and more.”
Lexie couldn’t hold back the tears as she hugged her best friend and thanked her.
When Holly stepped away, Lexie stood in shock. Toby was there and had dropped down on one knee, holding an open box with a princess-cut diamond ring inside.
She walked close enough so he could hold her left hand and covered her blushing face with the other. “Toby what are you doing? Isn’t this a little fast?”
“I know darlin’, but just hear me out.” He gave her one of his charming smiles that made her go weak in the knees. “Lexie, you raced into my life like a runaway cart full of mums.” She let out a choked laugh as he continued. “You’ve made my life a crazy adventure with flying alphabet soup and corn maze mud puddles. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll love, honor and protect you every day of my life, no matter what you decide, but I thought I’d ask you this question first. Will you marry me, Lexie Donoghue?”
After managing to stop laughing and crying, she wiped her face and gazed into the cerulean eyes of her handsome Wyoming cowboy. “A million times yes. I’ll marry you.”
Whispers in Wyoming Series
Love Letters and Home
Danni Roan
Heartstruck and Heavensent
Kari Trumbo
Dreams of Sweetwater River
Lisa Prysock
Counting Kadence
Danni Roan
Temptation and Tenderness
Kari Trumbo
Guardian of her Heart
Rachel Skatvold
Marry Me Katie
Lisa Prysock
A Forgetful Heart
Rachel Skatvold
Mercy’s Light
Danni Roan
No Place Like Home
Lisa Prysock
Melodies of the Heart
Rachel Skatvold
Falling Forward
Danni Roan
Sensitive and Secure
Kari Trumbo
Tender Hearts
Kit Morgan
The Bonnets of Rescue Ranch
Tina Dee
All That Glitters
Racing Destiny
Danni Roan
A Searching Heart
Rachel Skatvold
His Wish, Her Co
mmand
Jo Grafford
Legend of Lollipop
Lisa Prysock
To Win Her Heart
Tina Dee
His Heart, Her Love
Jo Grafford
Baby Be Mine
Danni Roan
Lessons from the Heart
Rachel Skatvold
Books by Rachel Skatvold
Whispers in Wyoming
Guardian of her Heart
A Forgetful Heart
Melodies of the Heart
A Searching Heart
Lessons from the Heart
Ladies of Ardena
Lady Airell’s Choice
Lady Reagan’s Quest
Lady Fiona’s Refuge
Coming December 2019!
Hart Ranch Series
Escaping Reality
Chasing Embers
Riley Family Legacy Novellas
Beauty Within
Beauty Restored
About the Author
Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Whispers in Wyoming Series
Books by Rachel Skatvold
About the Author