Page 37 of Faith for the Cowboy
Harper froze in shock, unable to form words.
Lawson stepped close and took both of her hands in his. “You were right about everything, but I just couldn’t see it for myself. God really had to get my attention. I see now that He has been there for me all along, and that He has good things planned for me. And it was never about me anyway. It was about Him. But He looked down and saw me, unimportant, nobody Lawson, and He sent His Son for me, so He could save me. If God loved me that much when I was nothing, I don’t want to miss another day of walking with Him.”
Harper squeezed his hands. “Lawson, that is the best news. I have been praying for you, every single day.”
“I felt your prayers. I’ve been praying for you too. Praying that God would bring us back together at the right time.”
Harper took one step closer and kept her eyes locked with his. “And now?”
He grinned. “Now I think it’s just the right time.”
“I think so too. I’ve been praying about what I’m supposed to do next. So far God has been showing me that He has a plan, but I didn’t know what it was yet.”
“I have the perfect plan. We need you at the ranch.”
“Really?” Harper practically shouted.
“Yes, really. We’re starting up some new projects that we need a photographer for. And if you’re up for it, you could help manage the projects.”
She smiled. “That sounds amazing.”
“It’s more than that though. The ranch needs you, but more importantly, I need you.”
Harper’s eyes filled with tears at his words.
“I want to be with you, Harper. I’ve decided that my life is at the ranch. I’m happy and content there knowing it’s what God has for me. But I don’t want things to stay the same. My role there is changing. I want to change and grow with it, but I don’t want to do that alone. I want you, Harper. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met, and your faith in God changed you. Because of that, you helped change me by pushing me in my own faith. Harper, I wanted to get to know you better the first time I saw you, but now it’s different because I know this one thing. I love you, Harper.”
“I love you too, Lawson.” Harper started to say something else, but Lawson shushed her as he covered her lips with his own.
Harper put her arms around his waist as he took her face in his hands, kissing her again and again. She wanted to cry and cheer at the same time, but instead she found herself lost in his embrace and clinging to him as if she would never let go.
A shrill whistle interrupted them, and Harper remembered where they were. She pulled back, but Lawson put his arms around her shoulders and held her there. They both glanced at the entryway and saw his six brothers clapping and cheering.
Harper felt her cheeks flush the brightest red before she buried her face in Lawson’s shoulder.
He laughed as he lifted her chin with his fingers and looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry, it won’t be the last time they see this because I plan to do it pretty often.” He kissed her again as Harper giggled.
When they parted, she said, “That sounds good to me. I’ll be happy to kiss you anytime, rodeo cowboy.”
Lawson smiled. “Never thought you would say that. Did you?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t, but now I think nothing sounds quite as wonderful as that.”
27
Lawson shut the truck door and hurried over to Harper’s side. He held tight to her hand as they walked toward Sierra’s training facility. “This will be the perfect spot,” he said, pointing to the side of what the family called “Sierra’s barn.”
“It looks great. I still can’t believe you’re starting a rodeo training program here.”
Lawson laughed. “Me either. After all those years of my parents being against any of us competing in rodeos, it’s pretty shocking. But now that they’ve seen me compete, they know it’s important for riders to be trained well. I know we can never predict what an animal will do, and there will always be rodeo accidents. But I hope we can teach them to be safe and learn how to ride properly.”
Harper smiled and squeezed his hand.
He turned and faced her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “I hope this isn’t painful for you.”
She shook her head. “I thought it might be, but it’s what Noah would have wanted. He loved what he did and spent his life living a dream. He would be thrilled to know I’m part of creating something like this.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. I know Katie has talked with you about coming to work at the ranch as a photographer. That’s perfect, but I think you can be more than that. We need to market the ranch as we grow and expand into new areas.”
