I moved on to the next charm. “Daisies because they are your favorite.”
The next charm caused her to laugh. It was the University of Texas symbol. “Attending college with you was some of the best years of my life. I’ll never forget that time for as long as I live.”
She nodded her head and barely said, “Neither will I.”
I smiled when I showed her the next charm.
“A sock?” she said with a giggle.
I nodded and said, “For the sock hop. When we danced, it was the first time in my life that I truly felt happy. I knew the second I took you into my arms, I would never want to let you go. Plus, you love dancing so much.”
I watched as she wiped another tear from her eye. I moved along the bracelet and held the dog charm. She looked completely confused and tilted her head. The moonlight was catching her beautiful eyes just right, and I had to swallow hard because all I wanted to do was take her in my arms and kiss her.
“A dog?” she asked as she raised her eyebrow at me.
I laughed. “My favorite movie will always be Lady and the Tramp. Always.”
Emma threw her head back and laughed. “Only you could make me laugh and cry at the same time, Garrett Mathews.”
I winked at her. “One more.” I spun the bracelet around and held up the cow. When I looked back up into her eyes, they were filling with tears again.
“My dream was to take over my father’s cattle ranch and make it even better. You have no idea how much it means to me that you will be by my side, Emma. I’m looking forward to our future together.”
She began sobbing harder as she threw herself into my arms, and I held her. The gondolier smiled as he began singing. I wasn’t sure how long we just sat there, but with her in my arms, I had never felt so at peace before in my life.
When she finally pulled back, she began looking at all the charms. “I can only think of one other charm that will need to be added someday,” she whispered.
My heart dropped in my stomach at the idea of Emma carrying my child someday. I pulled her back in and gently brushed my hand up and down her back.
“Garrett, I love you so much,” Emma said as she looked into my eyes.
“I’ll love you forever, Emma.”
Her eyes burned with passion as she smiled. “Our love is a forever love,” she whispered.
I placed my finger under her chin and brought her lips up to mine. “Yes, it is.”
January 1965
I stood at the kitchen sink, looking out the window, while Garrett was talking to her. If he winked at her one more time, I was going to go out and kick him in the shin. The screen door opened, and David walked in. I turned around and attempted to give him a smile.
“Did y’all get all the cattle vaccinated?” I asked. I turned back around and stared at the brunette veterinarian, who wouldn’t stop placing her hand on Garrett’s arm.
“We did. Seems like the new doc might have a bit of a crush on Garrett,” David said with a laugh.
I spun around and glared at him. I made my way across the kitchen and out the door where I stood on the porch and watched the rest of their encounter play out.
Garrett was laughing and having a grand ole time talking to her. I looked her up and down. She wore her pants about three sizes too small and her shirt even smaller. Her breasts were practically falling out of her shirt.
Garrett finally reached his hand out and shook hers. She waved good-bye and got into her truck.
David walked out and stood next to me. “I think I’ll be taking off for home. Now, don’t be hard on the boy, Emma Rose. He loves you more than life itself.”
I slowly nodded my head. “Tell Mama I said hi and that I’ll be making an apple pie tomorrow. I plan on making a few extras.”
He shook his head and made his way to the barn but not before stopping and saying good-bye to Garrett. When Garrett turned around and smiled at me, I gave him a dirty look and headed back into the house. I quickly walked over to the stove and began stirring the beef stew. When I heard the screen door open, I took a deep breath and tried to calm my breathing. I had no idea why I was so jealous.
“Em, is everything okay?” Garrett asked.
I turned and said, “Oh, I don’t know, Garrett. Did you enjoy your time with the good doctor? It sure looked like you were.”
He let out a laugh, but when he saw I was being serous, his smile dropped.
“Emma, are you…jealous of her? What? Was I not supposed to talk to her? She’s possibly going to be the new vet and—”
I let out a laugh. “Oh, how all the ranchers will love those tight-ass pants and her breasts spilling out from her shirt. You couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from your face, Garrett.”
I saw the anger in his eyes, and I instantly regretted saying what I had. Garrett and I had never once had a fight, not in all the years we had been together, and I wasn’t sure what was coming over me right now.
“I don’t really like what you’re accusing me of, Emma. I was being polite to her. Did I notice her clothing? Yes, I did—along with every other guy helping today. I won’t lie to you about that. Did I stare at her or try to talk to her because of it? No. I’m surprised by your childish behavior, Em.”
I let out a gasp. “Childish? You’re an asshole, Garrett Mathews!” I screamed.
Garrett tilted his head. “You really want to do this over something so stupid, Em?”
I knew he was right, and that pissed me off even more. “Fuck off, Garrett.” I spun around and put my hand up to my mouth. Oh my God. What am I doing? Why am I picking a fight with him? I knew how much Garrett loved me and how he would do anything for me. I was just being a jealous little brat.
Garrett walked off to our bedroom, and I sat down on the chair and quickly wiped the tears away.
A few minutes later, he walked in, and when I glanced up and saw his suitcase, a sob escaped my throat. I slowly stood up.
“I’m going to go stay the evening with my parents. I’m not sure why or how this got started, but I think it’s best if I just leave before something is said that we’ll both regret,” he said before turning to leave.
I placed my hand on my stomach and instantly felt sick. I watched as he walked to the door, and I began crying harder. I tried to talk, but nothing would come out. When he opened the door, I finally was able to say something. “Garrett!” I called out.
He turned around, and when our eyes met, I slowly started to slide down to the floor.
I whispered, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Please…please don’t leave me.”