"I'm sorry, sir, but dogs aren't allowed in the airport."
People were looking around her, passing her as they walked off the plane and into the arms of loved ones. Someone bumped her arm with a piece of luggage as they tried to get by and she stumbled forward.
Cody had made her feel beautiful in every way by just being himself. Tears sprang to her eyes. She didn't think she could bear seeing his eyes when she didn't live up to the beautiful picture he'd painted of her for himself.
The officer was standing in front of Cody, hands like baseball mitts propped on his hips.
Otis caught sight of her and, giving a little yelp of glee, began wagging his tail. He was seated to Cody's right. And he didn't have on the proper leash!
Damn it, that man was infuriating. Hadn't Cody listened to one word she'd taught him?
"If you don't leave, I'm going to have to impound the dog."
Fire seared through Lyssa and quickly turned to rage.
"This is a guide dog," Cody was saying. "They're supposed to be allowed in all public places."
"That's right, Officer," Lyssa said, coming up beside him. "Aside from the fact that this gentleman does not fully appreciate the training that has gone into making this dog the professional he is, he is indeed a working dog."
Cody stared at her and her pulse pounded in her head. He had a black pirate-like patch over one eye. The other was looking straight at her. The eye she could see was a mixture of blue and green. She could finally see it. And it was truly amazing.
She cleared her throat, trying to push her feelings of longing aside and get to the matter of importance. "Where's his leash?" she asked Cody harshly.
"I have it with me. I just... didn't need it."
"And who are you?" the officer asked Lyssa.
"I'm this dog's trainer." She turned to Cody. "This airport is like a maze. Why on earth would you ..."
He was smiling at her, big and bright and goofy and she knew in an instant it was because he could see her. He could really see her.
"It worked, Lys."
Tears clung to her eyelashes and blurred her vision. "I know," she whispered, her bottom lip trembling.
"Yeah," he said. He took a step forward but was stopped by the officer's hand.
"You still need to take this dog out of here."
Anger surged through her. "I just told you that Otis is a trained guide dog. He's allowed anywhere his handler is allowed. Mr. Gentry is his handler."
"He may own the dog, but he's not blind."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I'm not blind either. He's been the one leading the dog instead of the other way around. Now either you get a proper leash on him or he's going to be removed."
"I have an extra leash in my bag," Lyssa said.
"Thank you."
The officer stayed while Lyssa rummaged through her suitcase, found the leash, and handed it to Cody. When Cody was through putting it on, the officer walked away.
"Of all the nerve," Lyssa said, her insides burning.
"I know, some people just don't understand the law," Cody said. "I think a strong letter to—
"No, I mean you! How could you bring Otis in here like this without his proper leash on?
Are you trying to ruin my dog!"
"He's my dog. Well, technically my father's dog, but we've sort of come to an agreement on that. Besides, how else would I have known it was you? I couldn't very well go up to everyone coming through the gate and ask if I could sculpt them."
Lyssa started to laugh and just like that, all the anger she wanted to feel evaporated. "That would go over real swell with Officer Know-it-All."
His lips lifted in a sexy grin. "I don't think I'll ever forget the sound of that laugh, though.
But just in case, I called the school and talked to your boss. She said you were coming in today. I figured Otis would let me know it was you as soon as he saw you. And he did."
Reaching his hand up to her face, Cody brushed his knuckles across Lyssa's cheek.
"I can't believe I went this long without seeing this," he whispered, his finger stroking her lips.
"Don't do that," she said, stepping back. Her cheeks grew warm and her head became so dizzy she had to catch her breath.
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Oh, now that's a good reason."
Tilting her head to one side, she said, "We're in public."
"So what?"
"People are watching us."
He smiled devilishly. "I don't see anyone watching us. I only see you. And I like very, very much what I see."
The trembling of her lip betrayed any kind of control she thought she had. She wanted so much to wrap her arms around Cody and tell him just how much she'd missed him.
"Why did you come here, Cody?"
He sighed. "Because much as I hate to say it, I'm giving Otis back to the school. You're right. I don't need him now and it wouldn't be fair to deny what he has to give to someone else.
And because . .. seeing you again is the only thing I've been thinking about since you so rudely left me that Dear John letter on your pillow. Which, by the way, was not a very nice thing to do."
"I wasn't rude. I told you I was leaving."
"And you damned well knew I wasn't going to wait for Dr. Curtis to take off those bandages so you went ahead and left before morning. Just like a coward."
"I am not a coward."
"Thing is, I can't figure out why. I've done nothing but miss you since that day." He swallowed. "I tried to stay away and give you time. I don't know what it is you think you needed or what you hoped I'd figure out, but I'm here to tell you I've been nothing but a bear without you. I think even Otis can't stand me some days."
Lyssa glanced down at Otis, who was obediently sitting next to Cody. On the wrong side.
"You're going to ruin my dog if you don't treat him right." She took the leash from Cody's hands and led him to the left side. "Let's get out of here."
As they started to walk, Cody took her suitcase with one hand and draped his other arm around her shoulder. For the first time in weeks, the connection they'd made at the ranch was joined again and Lyssa wondered how she'd survived these last few weeks without him.
"You have a very funny name," Cody said after a time.
"Excuse me?"
"McElhannon. What kind of name is that anyway?"
"Why does this matter?"
"Because names are important. You have to fit your name. I spend a lot of time thinking of the perfect names for my horses."
She stopped walking and glared at him. "So you're comparing me to your horse now?"
"No, I'd never do that. I just don't think McElhannon suits you."
She propped her hand on her hip. "Oh, really?"
"Now for example, take Gentry. That's a fine name. Easy on the tongue, easy to spell, easy to—
"I've lived with the name McElhannon all my life and it's suited me just fine, thank you very much. Why are we having this ridiculous conversation in the middle of the airport?"
"I think it's important. I think you should change your name, Lyssa."
She flung her hands in the air with frustration, nerves frayed, her mind jumping between confusion, elation at seeing Cody, and frustration. If Cody didn't kiss her, and quick, she thought she'd lose her mind completely. "And I think you're insane."
He took her by the hand this time and began walking again. Leading her through the crowded airport, ignoring her rant, he went on. "I think Alyssandra Orchid Gentry sounds a lot better than Alyssandra Orchid McElhannon. Yeah, it has a nice ring to it. Don't you think?"
"No, I do not think—" She yanked her hand out of his and stopped short as the words sunk in.
He looked at her, his exposed eye shining so brightly filled with emotion as he gazed at her. "Yeah, Lyssa Gentry. I think that sounds real nice. I could get real used to saying that name."
He dropped the luggage he'd been holding and drew her into his arms before she could utter another idiotic word of protest.
"Why, Cody? I'm nothing like the girls you've dated before."
"I know," he said, smiling. "You're difficult, argumentative, opinionated, stubborn."
"You don't have to keep a running list of my faults. You could at least give me the decency—"
He stifled her protests with a kiss and she seemed to melt in his arms.
"You gentle me, Lyssa," he said quietly when he pulled back to look at her. "I've been a raging engine, spitting out grease and fumes my whole life. But when I'm with you something inside me quiets down. I don't think I can live without that. I don't really want to live without that again."
She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it, clamping her teeth over her
trembling bottom lip.
He kissed her lightly on the lips, then drew back and stared into her eyes as if he couldn't get his fill. It was there. That same spark of light that she'd envied her sister for. Cody felt it for her. Lyssa knew that without a doubt.
"Tell me what you're so afraid of, Lys."
She looked away. It was like he was looking into her soul when he gazed at her that way.
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"Don't give me that." He came closer, just inches from her and whispered, "I told you you didn't have to lock those fears away from me. They don't matter."
"How can you be sure this is what you really want, Cody? I'm so afraid you're going to wake up one day and find out that none of this is real."
"Marry me. It can't get any more real than that, Lys." He wrapped his strong arms around her waist, picked her up, and spun her around. "Say yes, Lys."
"You're such a fool!" she squealed, suddenly not caring how many people were watching.
Still holding her tight, he threw his head back and laughed. "I've been hearing that a lot lately."
Lyssa laughed as a tear spilled down her cheek. She couldn't remember a time when her heart felt so full she thought it would burst.
"How about we go see about changing that mouthful of a name of yours?"
"You are crazy."
"Crazy in love with you, Lys. Say it. I want to hear you say it."
She hooked her arms around his neck and looked at him as he looked right back at her.
Really looked at her with love. "I love you, too, Cody Gentry. Even if you are a crazy fool. And I think Gentry is a beautiful name that I would be proud to share with you."
"You are so very beautiful, Lyssa," he said, brushing the pad of his thumb against her cheek. "But then, I've never needed my eyes to see that."
THE END
Dear Reader:
Thank you so much for reading THE MORE I SEE, book 3 in my Texas Hearts series. I am currently in the process of writing a few book for my Texas Hearts series called LEAVING
LIBERTY, which features Jackson Gentry, the last of the Gentry boys. Brock Gentry has his own story as well called GYPSY HEARTS, published in hardcover by Avalon Books. You can find that at booksellers online.
Please check my website at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com for updates on new Texas Hearts books and other upcoming book news.
If you missed any of the Texas Hearts books, please see the excerpts listed below and check your online bookseller for books by Lisa Mondello and LA Mondello.
Thank you again,
Lisa Mondello
# # #
Her Heart for the Asking – Book 1
Mandy Morgan swore she’d never step foot in Texas again after Beau Gentry left her for life on the rodeo circuit eight years before. But now her uncle’s heart is failing and she has to convince him that surgery will save his life. She never dreamed the first thing she’d see when she stepped off the plane would be her biggest nightmare...the one man she’d never stopped loving.
Beau Gentry had the fever for two things: the rodeo and Mandy Morgan. But for Beau, loving Mandy was complicated by his father’s vendetta against her uncle. This led him to make the hardest decision of his life and he can still see the bitterness and hurt on Mandy’s face. All these years it has killed him to think Mandy had forgotten him and moved as far away as possible from him. But now they’re back in Texas, and he’s going to do all he can to win back her love.
# # #
His Heart for the Trusting – Book 2
Ever since Mitch Broader set foot in Texas, he dreamed of owning his own ranch. Now that he’s bought a share in the Double T Ranch, he’s one step closer to the dream. Then his past greets him in the form of a baby basket, complete with infant and birth certificate naming him as the father. He can’t change diapers and work toward his dream at the same time.
When Sara Lightfoot, “Miss Hollywood” in Mitch’s eyes, rescues him with her particular knack for handling his precocious son, he hires her on the spot as a temporary nanny. No matter how much Sara’s dark eyes and warm heart make this bachelor think of settling down and making their arrangement permanent, she’s made it perfectly clear she has other plans that don’t include him or his dreams.
Sara Lightfoot never thought she’d return to her home on the reservation. Now she plans to reclaim the life she left by going back to the reservation as a Native American storyteller, teaching the Apache children stories of their culture. She didn’t expect Mitch Broader’s sexy smile or job offer as a live-in nanny to derail those plans. After all she’s been through to come home, can she open up her heart once again to love?
# # #
THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE'S BABY
Sometimes fate needs a little help…
Jonah Wallace knows what it’s like to grow up without love. Despite having more money than the Queen of England, his childhood was cold and stale as he grew up in boarding schools. He’s dedicated his life to helping homeless and displaced children find the love and support they need by creating the Haven House Foundation, work that resulted in him being Knighted by the Queen.
Now that he’s living in America, his work is going along just fine…until his grandfather gives fate a little nudge by insisting he take a wife before he can inherit.