Return to Tacoma Falls

Making a life

Dalton's POV

We got back and had to discuss a lot of things. Namely figuring out our next step.

"Dalton, are you sure about this," pa asked me.

I reached over and slid my hand into Harper's, "I've never been more sure about anything in my life. I love her," I said looking at her.

My folks looked at me. The thing about Harper was I saw my life with her. She stood up to James for me, while risking her and our unborn child's life. I couldn't let her down. Not now, not ever.

"Okay," he said to me.

I looked at Harper as she smiled. Harper was my home.

*********
It took some time but with pa and ma's help, we found out Harper had enough credits to graduate early. Pa also enlisted help to rebuild on Harper's family land. He figured it would give us a good start.

The harvest festival was also coming up to celebrate Tacoma Falls anniversary. I also had plans at that festival.

As we worked to rebuild, I had an unexpected visitor. Christy. What the hell did she want?

I climbed down and walked over to her.

"Hey Dalt," she greeted me.

"Christy," I said wiping my hands on a rag.

"You don't seem happy to see me," she said to me.

"No, not really. What do you want," I asked her.

She slinked over to me and reached up, wrapping her arms around me just as Harper came into to view.

"Dalton."

I turned to see Harper standing there looking hurt and I knew why. I pushed Christy off of me as I walked over to her.

"It's not what it looks like."

"Then what is it," she asked with furrow brows.

"Trouble because she can't have what you got," I explained.

"And what's that," she asked trying not to cry.

"My heart," I said to her as I watched tears rolled down her cheeks. I knew Christy did that on purpose. I'm not stupid. I just refuse to allow her to destroy my happiness like she did before.

I reached up and gently touched her face.

"You're the one I love. You're carrying my baby, you have my heart. You're my home," I said as she started to cry. I pulled her to me as she wrapped her arms around me.

Sure our courtship might have been short but I'm a firm believer when you love someone the way we love each other, time length doesn't matter. I knew Harper since we were kids. She's just the type of person you fall in love with quickly.

"I don't ever want to lose you," she mumbled against my chest.

"Darlin, you'll never lose me," I assured her. "Not now, not ever."

I kissed the top of her head as I held her. The thing about Christy is, she had me but tossed me away like trash because of her selfish nature. I was willing to give her everything but she chose wrong and I got hurt.

Then Harper came into my life at a time when I sorely needed someone. Someone who was more important than a rodeo circuit. Truth was as much as I like the rodeo and horses, that wasn't my dream. My dream was what my parents had, love.

Not just any love but the kind, that you long for. The one where when you leave and returned, it's still there. No amount of distance will keep you from it. When it comes down to it, it's home.

People think home is a house but it's not. A house is a structure of wood and nails. A home is that feeling you get when you walk in the door and seeing the people you love waiting for you. A house doesn't make a home, the people do and home is where the heart is. When you find your heart, you find your home.

Pa walked over to Christy who stood there seething.

"Now you wouldn't be getting any bright eye ideas, would you?"

She looked at him.

"You had your chance but you chose wrong."

"I made a mistake but I guess mistakes don't matter to your family," she snapped.

He turned to her. Never trifle with a country boy. Better yet never trifle with pa.

"A mistake? Is that what you think it was?"

She looked at him.

"See, that's where you're wrong. A mistake is one time, more than once it becomes a habit. The problem is you're like most girls that think you can play fast and loose with someone because of the way you look. But that's just the outer layer. It's what matters inside that counts because hunny, looks fade, but ugliness goes all the way to he bone," he said as he walked away.

The one thing about pa is, he don't mixed words. I didn't either. Ma said we were two peas in a pod when it came to our personality.

After reassuring Harper, I went back to working on the house. Between Sawyer, pa, Uncle Wes, along with the girls and the town, we worked our asses off rebuilding.

The one thing about Tacoma Falls, when someone needed help, you gave it. It's what we did, no matter what. I wanted to be in by Christmas because I had plans for Harper.

********
Harper's POV

Christy Mills burned me. Who the heck did she think she was? She basically tossed Dalton aside like he was nothing then thinks she can walk back in and take what belongs to me? Not in this lifetime.

After Dalton reassured me, I felt better. I knew he loved me. There was no doubt in that but Christy was the type to steal someone else's man if given the chance. How Dalton ever fell for her, I never knew.

Everyone worked hard on rebuilding. Dalton wanted to be done in time for Christmas. Why? Not a clue.

All I knew is the fall festival was coming up along with the fact I could graduate early. I had enough credits to do so. Plus, I didn't realize, carrying a little one could be so tiresome. Ember told me it was natural but I wasn't so sure. I just knew, things were changing.

That evening I sat on the porch swing sipping sweet tea when Dalton came out and joined me. He placed his hand on my stomach as I leaned my head onto him, laying it upon his shoulder.

That was the thing about Dalton. Most guys would hightail it out of there if you told them you were expecting. Not him. He was ecstatic. That's what made him different than the rest.

"I was talking to pa and I'm going to work with him with the horses," he said.

I lifted my head and looked at him, "Are you sure?"

"Harper, I need something stable and not as dangerous. The rodeo offers neither. Plus, I missed my family," he said to me.

"I just don't want you to give up your dream for me," I told him.

"That's the thing, you aren't."

I looked at him a bit confused.

"You gave me the best dream I ever wanted."

"What's that?"

"A family," he replied causing me to smile. He leaned down and captured my lips with his. It was a sweet and tender kiss. Just like Dalton. I could not love him more than I do right now.