The moon was full. Lenora undressed and stood in her panties and white tank top, looking out the window at the clear sky filled with the silver rays from the moon. She watched as Clay emerged from the barn, and she wondered what he was doing out so late at night. He looked up at her window and waved to her before disappearing into the barn. A few moments later, he reappeared with Moon, his big, gentle mare. Clay led the horse right up to her window and motioned for her to open it. Pulling a cardigan around her shoulders, she did so.
“Come down, please,” Clay said. His eyes were so dark and sad and sweet.
She was reminded of the first time they went night riding last spring. The air carried the hint of growing things to come, and the stars shone with a softer brilliance than they had in the winter months. So much had changed over the course of a year, and yet, again, she found her heart beating with such excitement, she swore it would wake her sleeping aunt and uncle. As she slipped down the heavy staircase, avoiding the squeaky treads, she had to remind herself to breathe. When she stepped out on the porch, he had the mare positioned so she could use the steps to mount bareback. Once on, she felt Clay swing up behind her and his strong arms surrounded her. He smelled of oiled leather and mint. She could not help but sigh and relax into his grip; her nerve endings tingling with pleasure to be so close to him again.
The pines threw long shadows in the moonlight, and the night was so still, the only sounds were the mare’s hooves in the dark. The faintest hint of wood smoke from the ranch house teased Lenora’s nose, but otherwise they could have been thousands of miles from any other human beings. Moon’s ears swiveled, and she blew gently, she seemed as happy as Lenora to have Clay back.
Neither Lenora nor Clay spoke a word. Lenora was too caught up in the beauty of the night and the amazing feeling of being, once again, in the arms of the man she loved most in this world. They left the barns and dark houses and made their way into the moonlight. Halfway up the trail she felt his mouth against her ear, and he began to whisper.
“I’ve missed you so much these past months. I kept remembering the way you looked when you first showed up here with your horse and scared half to death. You were so determined to do everything yourself, but you started letting me in very slowly. And then you let me make love to you after that rain storm, and I knew you were the only woman in the world for me.”
He paused, and she could tell he was looking out over the expanse of valley below them. Her own heart was beating so fast she wondered if he could feel it even through all their clothes. She wanted to say something, but she was too afraid he did not mean what she thought he meant. She let him gather his thoughts and finish.
“Lenora, what I’m trying to say is,” he paused to brush his hand across her cheek. “Please give me another chance. You’re all I want. You’re so much more than I deserve.”
He stopped the mare and slid down but kept his hands around her waist. He held her gently. With the brightness of the moon, she could see his eyes clearly.
“And I love you so much that sometimes I can barely breathe when I think about not having you in my life.”
A surge of pure happiness, as rich and alive as the star-laced sky overhead, surged through Lenora’s heart. She pulled off her glove and brushed her fingers across Clay’s cheek.
“We are perfect together. I won’t hurt you, I promise. You’re safe with me. Lenora, I want you to be mine. Please?”
He glanced down and then back up, and his eyes were bright and glittery with the diamonds of unshed tears. She felt light headed. She slipped off the mare into his arms. To be with this man, to be his and he to be hers, she knew she wanted this with her whole being.
“Say something, Nora?” Clay sounded desperate. “Please? Tell me what’s in your heart? I swear I can’t tell sometimes.”
He wiped the tears from her cheeks, which she had not even noticed were falling. Smiling and then laughing, she realized only then that her lips were sealed.
“My heart is so full, Clay. It feels like all the stars in the sky are exploding inside me right now.” She took a deep breathe. He was smiling at her, his eyes soft in the pale light from the moon.
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
He bent his head and kissed her, and the very ground seemed to shift beneath her feet. Thankfully, with Clay’s arms to steady her, she no longer worried about falling.