Beneath the Surface

chapter 62: Bella

Two years had passed since Sarah had last spoken to Lucas. She clung to his words, believing that if they were meant to be, their worlds would eventually cross again. Most of her free time was spent at Lucas' ranch, sitting by the tranquil lake, lost in thought and memories of what once was.

One afternoon, feeling drawn to the stable, Sarah walked in to find Bella, the spirited mare, inside. As she approached, Bella neighed happily, trotting over to nuzzle her shoulder, as if recognizing her right away.

"Hey, Bella," Sarah said softly, a smile breaking through her contemplative mood. "You're far greater than your master Lucas, you know? At least you remember me. But Lucas... I wonder if he ever thinks of me, even for a second."

Just as the words left her lips, a voice came from behind her, breaking the silence of the stable. "Who is this Lucas who forgets you?"

Sarah spun around, her heart racing at the sound of his voice. There he stood, Lucas, looking just as she remembered—his familiar smile, the warmth in his eyes that had always made her feel at home. Shock coursed through her, and for a moment, she was frozen, unable to move or speak.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Lucas stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. The warmth of his arms around her felt like a long-lost comfort, but the surprise left her unmoved, caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

"Lucas..." she finally managed to say, her voice trembling. "I thought... I didn't think I would see you again."

"I'm sorry for being gone for so long," he replied, his voice soft yet steady as he held her tightly. "I didn't forget you, Sarah. Not for a single moment."

Tears brimmed in Sarah's eyes as she leaned into him, overwhelmed by the familiarity of his presence. "I missed you. I've been waiting... I thought if we were meant to be, you'd find your way back."

Lucas pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "I needed to figure things out, to understand my own feelings. I should have reached out sooner, but I wanted to give you space. I didn't want to complicate your life again."

"Complicate?" Sarah echoed, shaking her head. "You're not a complication. Y I've been lost without you."

A silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words. The connection they once shared seemed to spark back to life, filling the air with possibilities.

"Let's not waste any more time," Lucas said, his voice firm but tender. "I want to be part of your life again, if you'll let me."

Sarah searched his eyes, feeling the weight of his words. 

"I know it's complicated, and I don't want to rush you. But I want to be there for you, to help you heal. You deserve happiness, Sarah. We both do."

She took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of hope beginning to flicker in her chest. "I don't know how to move forward. I've been afraid of what it means to love again."

Lucas smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll take it one step at a time. No pressure. Just... be with me, however you can."

As they stood together in the stable, surrounded by the familiar scents of hay and horses, Sarah felt a sense of clarity. This was the moment she had been waiting for, the moment to reclaim a part of herself she had lost.

"Okay," she whispered, her heart finally opening to the possibility of what lay ahead. "Let's see where this takes us."

With that, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders, and as they walked out of the stable together, the sun shone down on them, illuminating a path forward filled with hope and new beginnings.