Magic in Our Hearts (17 page)

“I need to talk to Brett. We need to make arrangements for our commitment ceremony in the next couple of weeks. Roselin is certain she isn’t going to live much longer and she wants to be there.”

“You go talk to Brett. Helen and I will help with anything you need. We’ll have a beautiful party.”

“Thanks, Fran, I appreciate that very much.”

“Go! Brett’s trying to convince Helen to make hamburgers for dinner.”

“The heathen!” Taylor grinned and headed down the stairs intent on stopping Brett from a total downfall from healthy eating. Besides, Taylor loved hamburgers. She entered the kitchen in time to see Helen agree to barbequing. 

“Quit harassing Helen, she has her orders. You’re to eat healthy meals. It’s part of your therapy.”

“But they’re barbecued hamburgers with mushrooms.” Brett reached out and gathered Taylor to her, sliding her arm around her waist. “Please?”

“Well, I do love a good hamburger.” Taylor grinned at Helen. “Excellent!”

“Do you have a little bit of time? I need to talk to you about a couple of things.”

The two women walked hand in hand into the living room and sat down on the couch. Brett turned to face Taylor and then leaned into her and whispered in her ear. “Do you think anyone would notice if we disappeared for an hour or two?”

Taylor’s grin was so sexy. It was all Brett could do to not to drag her back into bed. “I think someone might notice. Brett, I need to talk to you about our commitment ceremony.”

Brett’s smile disappeared as she looked at Taylor. Oh God, she’s changed her mind and doesn’t want to get married. Brett trembled, and her heart lodged in her throat. Panic made her shake as she looked at Taylor.

“Honey, don’t look so scared, I want to plan the ceremony in a couple of weeks.”

“A couple of weeks?” Brett went from fear to shock.

“Honey, your mother asked me to talk to you about moving it up. She wants to make sure she’s still feeling well enough to participate.” Taylor picked up Brett’s hand and kissed her fingers one by one before saying what she knew was going to hurt her. “Brett, your mom is failing very rapidly.” Brett’s eyes filled with tears that spilled down her cheeks. She hated to think about her mother dying. She wasn’t sure she could handle that along with everything else.

“I’m sorry, honey.” Taylor wrapped her arms around Brett’s neck and held her tightly.

“Are you okay with planning our ceremony so soon?” Brett’s voice was uncertain.

“Brett, look at me, please. I love you. I will love you for the rest of our lives. I would marry you today. So my answer is yes. What I don’t know about is everything else. My business is in Los Angeles, and I have to talk to Jeb about how I can live with you and still be his partner.”

“Are you worried about money, because I can support you? I made a lot of money skiing, and my father left me an inheritance that I haven’t really touched.” 

“Sweetheart, I’m not worried about money, but I can’t just walk away from the business.”

“We can live in Los Angeles.”

“No, we can’t. You’re going to coach the U.S. Ski Team here in Boulder.” Taylor responded with a shake of her head. There was no way she would let Brett give up her dreams of coaching.

“I don’t have the job yet.”

“You will. Honey, Jeb is coming to town Wednesday night and staying through Thursday. He wants to talk about the business. I also want Jeb and Rex to come to the ceremony. If we’re planning something for a couple of weeks from now, I can let him know exactly when.”

“So when shall it be?”

“What do you say to a week from this coming Saturday? Helen and Fran will handle the food and prepare the house. I can find something for your mother and me to wear this week and arrange to have someone come fix your mother’s hair.

That leaves you to find something for yourself to wear and get someone to perform the ceremony. And if you give me a list of friends and family to invite, I’ll call everyone. That just leaves music and our vows.” Brett slowly relaxed as she listened to Taylor’s calm recital of the list of tasks.

She wasn’t backing out. “Do you want to write our own vows?”

“I would like to, if you agree.”

“I really want that to be something we do together.”

“I’d like that very much. So what do you think about everything else?”

“I think it sounds perfect, and I’m really glad you didn’t cancel on me.” Brett may have had a smile on her face, but she was deadly serious.

“Brett, look at me, please. We’re in this together for the rest of our lives. I didn’t take this ring from you lightly. The minute I said yes, I made a promise to you. Trust in that, please.” Taylor’s blue eyes gazed back at Brett.

“I trust you. It’s just so amazing that we found each other again. I love you so much.”

“Good, now we need to talk about a ring for you.”

“I’d like to have a wide gold band. I also have the wedding band that goes with your ring in my desk.”

“Do you want to pick a ring out or do you trust me to choose?”

“I trust you.”

“Do you like diamonds?”

“I do, but I am not the solitaire type.”

“I think I can find something you’ll like.” 

“If you pick it out, I’ll love it.”

“So, we’re getting married a week from Saturday.” Taylor leaned her forehead against Brett’s as she spoke.

“Isn’t that amazing?” Brett responded, and then slid her lips against Taylor’s in a soft kiss. Silently they acknowledged the huge step they were taking and how very much it meant to both of them. It might not be a legal ceremony, but it was a commitment in front of family and friends and just as binding as any law could make it.

CHAPTER 17

Jeb stepped through the airport gate and his eyes located Taylor immediately despite the crowds of people moving through the bustling airport. She was grinning from ear to ear, her stunning face glowing with happiness. Jeb couldn’t have been more delighted. He wanted Taylor to find the one woman that could love her for the rest of her life. Brett had been that woman years earlier, but Taylor hadn’t trusted her. Jeb had. He’d seen the look on Brett’s face when she had shown up at the spa hoping to convince Taylor to see her. Jeb could remember that conversation as if it was yesterday.

“Jeb, could you talk to Taylor, please? I didn’t sleep with any one else. I love Taylor.” Brett had looked exhausted, her eyes red-rimmed and full of tears. She had shown up at Jeb’s office after Taylor had refused to speak to her for the third time.

“Brett, I’ve tried to talk to her. She simply won’t listen.” Jeb had argued over and over with Taylor to give Brett a chance to explain. Taylor had refused to see her, and Jeb had finally given up. No amount of talking would make Taylor change her mind.

Brett’s eyes spilled tears as she looked back at Jeb. “I really do love her, Jeb. I will love her for the rest of my life.”

Jeb had watched as Brett left his office, her face a mask of pain and heartbreak.

He couldn’t understand why Taylor wouldn’t agree even to see Brett. It had taken him over a year to get Taylor to admit that she was still in love with Brett and another year for her to tell him why she didn’t trust her. Taylor had lost her family at such a young age that she had a huge need to feel secure in her life.

Trust was also essential to Taylor’s security, and Brett had, in Taylor’s mind, fractured the trust. This had made Taylor harden her heart. She wouldn’t survive another loss. It would kill her. Jeb had understood Taylor’s deep-seated insecurities. What he didn’t understand is why she wouldn’t at least give Brett a chance to explain what happened. Now things were very different, and Jeb was thrilled for both women. It wasn’t easy to find the right life partner, and he knew Taylor and Brett were perfect for each other.

“Hey, partner.” Jeb reached out and hugged the tiny woman tightly. He didn’t miss the tears that tracked down Taylor’s face.

“I’ve missed you,” Taylor whispered, as she held Jeb tightly.

“I’ve missed you. Is Brett with you?”

“She’s out in the SUV waiting. Parking is a bitch around the airport. Besides, she wanted to give us some time to reconnect.”

“Let me see that rock glistening on your finger.” Taylor lifted her hand up so Jeb could see her ring.

“Wow, Brett must really like you or something,” Jeb teased, as he held Taylor’s hand in his.

“She loves me.” Taylor’s smile was blazing.

“I take it you love her back.”

“Totally.”

“Taylor, you never stopped loving her.” Jeb placed his hand on Taylor’s shoulder.

“I was wrong, Jeb. Brett never slept with another woman. I believe her completely. When she commits herself to something or someone, it’s a total commitment.” Taylor had no more doubts about Brett. She knew deep in her heart that Brett was completely true to her.

“I’m very glad that you’ve found each other again.” Taylor’s smirk didn’t go unnoticed by Jeb. “What?”

“I think you and Mrs. Camden conspired to do a little matchmaking.” Jeb’s eyes twinkled back at Taylor, but he didn’t respond as he wrapped an arm around her, his briefcase and overnight bag in his other hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I’m hungry. I hope you have plans to feed me.”

“Absolutely, we’re taking you home. Helen has been slaving all afternoon to fix you a home-cooked meal. I thought it would be more relaxing to eat at Brett’s home.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Taylor hugged Jeb again and started for the exit to the airport. As usual, the Boulder airport hosted a bustling crowd of visitors to the skiing and recreational center. They pushed and threaded their way through the crush until they made it to the pick up area. Brett saw them as they came through the door, and she stepped out of her car and moved around to meet them.

“Hey Jeb, welcome to Boulder.”

“Brett, you look terrific. Give me a hug, girl.” And she did. Her arms had gained muscle as well as her legs and the rest of her body. She stood straight, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a bright red polo shirt. Her grin was huge and her eyes glowed with happiness. She looked healthy and well loved.

Brett felt the tears fill her eyes as Jeb hugged her tightly and Taylor looked on with a big smile on her face. Brett had always liked Jeb. “I’m glad you’re here. Taylor has missed you terribly.”

Jeb was surprised at the change in Brett. She looked almost as healthy as she had four years earlier. If he didn’t know better, he wouldn’t have known she was injured, except for her slowed gait. “Yeah, but she has you. I’d say that was just about perfect.”

Brett’s smile was blinding. “That just about sums it up. Here, let me take your suitcase.”

Jeb and Taylor climbed into the car and, after stowing Jeb’s suitcase in the back, Brett slid into the driver’s seat and began the short drive back to her home.

Jeb and Taylor chatted about work and Rex until Brett pulled into the driveway.

“Welcome to our home,” Brett announced, as she grabbed his suitcase and went up the stairs onto the wide front porch and the entrance to the large house.

Jeb followed Taylor into the entry of the natural wood home built at the foot of the mountains. He was impressed with the contemporary open living room and country kitchen. It wasn’t anything like Taylor’s modern condominium. The place had the look of a professionally decorated home but with the added personal touches that made it warm and inviting. The oversized chairs and soft brown leather sofa were inviting. The walls were natural stained cedar planks, on which were hung large photographs of the mountains and the surrounding hills.

Brett had recently put up a picture of herself skiing in a downhill race before her injury. Taylor was proud of Brett’s being able to think about herself as an ex-skier. It was a major step in Brett’s mental and physical recuperation. The open space included a large kitchen with granite counters and knotty pine cabi-nets. Copper pots and pans hung from an iron rack above the center island. A large open wooden stairwell led to the upper floor.

“Brett, I’ll take Jeb up to his room. Why don’t you check on your mother and see if she’s up to having dinner with us?”

Twenty minutes later Jeb and Taylor were sitting on the back deck admiring the sweeping view of the snow-covered mountains and sipping on a superb Mer-lot. Brett hadn’t returned from her mother’s room.

“This is a beautiful place. It feels very warm and welcoming.” Jeb commented as he took in the incredible view around him.

“Yes, it is. It feels like home. Boulder is a very comfortable place. It’s nothing like Los Angeles. It’s modern and everything but it just has a small town, out-doorsy feel to it that makes you feel welcome.”

“You like living here?”

“I do, but I could live anywhere with Brett.”

“I’m glad.”

“So business is really as good as you said on the telephone?” Taylor couldn’t keep the guilt out of her voice.

“Better, and stop worrying. Even though you’re sorely missed, we’re slogging along.” Jeb rubbed Taylor’s back affectionately.

“So, you said you had an idea about how to expand?”

“Yeah, what would you say to opening in another location instead of expanding in Los Angeles?”

“Where?”

“What would you think about here in Boulder?”

“You’re kidding!” Taylor was amazed at the suggestion.

“No, I’ve already done some background checking and a preliminary market survey. This place could use a high-end rehab and spa facility. You could oversee the construction, be here for the opening, and then manage the new facility. That way you could stay here, and we can expand at the same time. What do you think?” Jeb had done more than research it. He had a well-documented plan in his briefcase. It was good, very good.

“Are you sure this makes good business sense?”

“Absolutely, and we have the cash. We need to invest it somewhere, and this place makes perfect sense. I’ve crunched some numbers, and I think we could get it to turn a profit by the end of the first year.”

“Sooner, if you use me to endorse your new spa.” Brett spoke softly from behind them. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You didn’t.” Jeb smiled and motioned for Brett to join them.