The Stranger I Married

Chapter 40: He Loves Me

By the time they reached the ranch house, the sun had climbed above the horizon, spreading a warm golden light across the pastures and turning the dew on the grass to tiny points of silver.

They left the horses at the stables and walked toward the house together.

The ride back had been quieter than the journey out, but it had not been an uncomfortable silence. Eve had found herself smiling more than once without knowing why, and every time she glanced at Alex, she caught him looking at her with that same quiet expression that seemed to say more than either of them needed to put into words.

He loves me.

The thought kept surfacing, unbidden and welcome, each time filling her chest with a warmth that seemed to radiate outward until she felt as though she were glowing.

He had said the words. He had meant them.

She could still feel the weight of his body on hers, the heat of his skin, the way his voice had broken when he whispered her name. She could still hear the words, still feel them settling into her heart like something that had always belonged there.

I love you, Eve.

She had said them back. She had meant them with every fibre of her being.

And now, walking beside him with their fingers intertwined, she felt as though she were floating.

Edward was sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee when he saw them coming.

He watched them for a moment, his eyes moving from their joined hands to their faces. Something about the way they walked was different. There was an ease between them that hadn't been there before. Eve was smiling, her cheeks still carrying the faint flush of the morning, while Alex looked more relaxed than Edward had seen him in days.

Edward's mouth curved into a knowing smile.

"Well," he murmured.

Eve looked up when they reached the porch.

"Good morning, Grandpa."

She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

Edward laughed softly, his eyes twinkling as he looked between her and Alex.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

Eve smiled, then glanced at Alex. She released his hand only reluctantly.

"I think I'm going to freshen up before breakfast."

She gave Edward a warm smile and turned toward the house.

She had taken only a few steps when Edward spoke.

"Alex, stay a minute."

Alex stopped and looked at his grandfather as Eve disappeared through the front door.

Alex glanced toward Eve. She looked back over her shoulder, and for a brief moment their eyes met. There was something tender in her expression, something that made his chest tighten all over again.

Edward waited until the door closed behind her before looking at his grandson.

"You love her."

Alex's gaze remained on the doorway for another moment before he turned back. A smile touched his face.

"Yes."

Edward nodded slowly. He had known, of course. He had seen it in the way Alex looked at her, the way his hand found hers without thinking, the way his entire body seemed to orient toward her whenever she was in the room.

He had looked at someone like that once. A long time ago.

"She is a remarkable woman."

"She is."

"And you're a very lucky man."

Alex looked toward the door again. "I know."

Edward lifted his coffee and took a slow sip. "I suppose you do."

Alex smiled. There was no need to say anything more.

Eve hurried up the stairs, a smile she couldn't quite suppress still on her face. Her heart was full, so full she thought it might burst. Every step felt lighter than the last, as though the happiness inside her was lifting her off her feet.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she nearly collided with Catherine, who was just coming out of her room, dressed for breakfast.

Catherine took one look at Eve's face and stopped.

Her eyes widened. Her hand came up to her chest. The expression on her face shifted from surprise to dawning understanding to pure, unadulterated joy.

"Eve?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "What happened?"

Eve's smile widened.

Before Catherine could ask another question, Eve crossed the remaining distance and pulled her into a hug.

Catherine laughed in surprise, her arms coming up to hold her. "What on earth—"

"He loves me."

Catherine went still.

Eve pulled back, her hands still resting on Catherine's arms, her eyes shining. "Alex loves me."

For a heartbeat, Catherine simply stared at her. Then her entire face lit up.

"And you?"

Eve laughed, the happiness in her voice impossible to hide. "I love him too."

Catherine let out a delighted laugh and pulled her into another fierce embrace. "Oh, Eve! Oh, sweetheart!"

Eve laughed against her shoulder, holding her tightly.

He loves her. My son loves her. I knew it. I knew it the moment I saw them together. I knew it when he called me and told me he had married someone he barely knew. He was different. He was alive again. And now he's told her. He's told her he loves her, and she loves him too.

Catherine pulled back just enough to look at her, her hands cupping Eve's face. "I saw it. The moment you arrived last night. The way he looked at you. The way you looked at him. I knew. I just knew."

Eve felt tears prick her eyes. "I love him, Mum. I love him, and I'm so happy."

Catherine's smile widened as she reached up and wiped a tear from Eve's cheek. "I know you are. I can see it. You're glowing, sweetheart."

Eve laughed softly, covering Catherine's hands with her own. "I don't think I've ever felt this happy."

She hugged her once more before pulling back with an excited expression.

"Tell me everything. When? Where? How did it happen?"

Eve laughed. "At the old stockyards. We were watching the sunrise, and he just... said it. He told me he loved me."

Catherine's eyes widened. "And you?"

"I told him I loved him too."

Catherine clasped her hands together. "Oh, that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you. For both of you."

Eve smiled. "I'm happy too, Mum. So happy."

Catherine pulled her into another quick hug. "I need to tell Michael. He's going to be thrilled."

Eve laughed softly. "You do that. I need to freshen up before breakfast. I'll see you downstairs."

Catherine gave her an affectionate smile. "Of course, sweetheart. Go. Take your time. I'll be downstairs with the others."

Eve smiled back before turning toward her room.

Alone in the bedroom, Eve stood before the mirror.

She looked at her reflection—the flushed cheeks, the bright eyes, the smile that she couldn't seem to wipe off her face.

She looked happy.

Really, truly happy.

She touched the ring on her finger—the diamond and rubies that Alex had given her—and felt the warmth of it against her skin.

I love him.

The words echoed in her mind, filling her with a quiet certainty that she had never felt before. She loved him. She loved him, and nothing else mattered.

She thought about the future. About her family. About Robert and Julian and the problems that still awaited them.

But for now, in this moment, she let herself be happy.

She let herself feel the joy that was flooding through her.

She let herself believe that everything was going to be okay.

She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and went downstairs to breakfast.