Chapter Twenty-four
Sheridan stared out the window at the mountains... they were everywhere and she loved it. They had just passed
through northern Idaho and moved into Montana. She glanced over at Luis, who was still driving and smiled. He looked
happy... at least as happy as Sheridan felt.
The radio was on, not loud, but enough to keep the silence in the jeep at bay. Not that it was an uncomfortable
silence... because it wasn't. Luis caught her watching him and reached over to take her hand. "You ok?"
he asked with a smile.
"Better than ok. I have never been so happy Luis. I've never been so sure that I was doing the right thing."
She was telling the truth. Returning to Harmony with Luis had been her only true option... at least the only one
that wouldn't have left her miserable.
Luis glanced at her again. "So, you really don't mind leaving? It didn't seem like you had that bad a life
there in Port Orchard." It was bugging him that she'd been so quick to agree to return to Harmony. "It
looked like a good setup there."
Sheridan sighed. "Yes, Luis... it was a good setup. I had a good job, a beautiful house and I was starting
to cultivate some friends. Angela Baker's life was far from horrible. But it wasn't MY life. I hated trying to
be someone I wasn't. And trying to be friends with people when you are living a lie just doesn't work."
She stared out the window as she continued. "I missed my life Luis... I know a lot of it was pretty horrible,
but there are good things about being Sheridan Crane. There's Ethan and Gwen... and now I missed their wedding..."
"No you didn't... the wedding was postponed." Luis told her. "Postponed? Why?" "I don't
know..." Luis shrugged. He didn't really know much about Ethan, but Theresa did. He had a feeling his sister
knew a lot more than she let on, but she wasn't talking.
"Oh... well, anyway, there's them, and Pilar. I missed Pilar so much... she really is like a mother to me
Luis. The only one I've had anyway. I barely remember my real mother. And I was starting to make friends in Harmony...
" She trailed off... looking over at him again. "But Luis... even when Angela Baker smiled... when she
looked happy and normal... she wasn't. Because inside her was this huge hole where her heart was supposed to be.
And I couldn't fill that hole, because I left my heart in Harmony with you Luis. You are my heart... " She
looked away again, a bit embarrassed at telling him that.
Luis smiled, his own heart feeling like it would burst. "Sheridan, you are my heart too. I never would've
stopped looking for you... you know that don't you? I wouldn't have quit...even if you had run from me the other
day." Sheridan nodded. "I know Luis. I am so very sorry I put you through that... the wondering and searching..."
she glanced sadly down at her hands. "Sheridan..." Luis took her hand again. "Sheridan, don't...
don't keep torturing yourself over this. I don't blame you... I mean, I wish we'd been able to talk about it, but
I really do understand."
She looked over at him... drinking in the sight of his handsome profile... and wondered what she'd done to deserve
a man as wonderful as Luis. It seemed like it was too good to be true and she had a fleeting thought that it was
a colossal joke. Just when she was the most secure and happy her life had a way of turning sour on her. She wondered
if she was allowing herself to dream of a life with Luis, only to have the rug pulled out from under her.
Luis could almost feel her negative thoughts and when he saw a pull off up ahead her eased the jeep off the highway
and turned off the engine. There were some picnic table set to one side of the pull off and he got out of the jeep,
opening her door and waiting for her to get out. He took her hand firmly in his and towed her to an empty table.
"What's wrong Angel?" Sheridan looked down, picking at the wood of the table with her index finger.
"Nothing Luis." She looked back up and gave him a thousand watt smile.
"Bull." Luis replied bluntly. "I want to know what you're thinking about." Sheridan sighed.
"Alright Luis, but you aren't going to like it. I was thinking that this was too good to be true. In my experience,
I don't get to be happy. As soon as I am, something always happens to make me even more miserable than I was before."
She bit her lip and willed herself not to cry, but she could feel the tears gathering in her eyes and wondered
how long she'd be able to hold them back. Luis made it even harder... he was looking at her like she was the most
valuable, precious thing in the world. That made her even sadder... knowing that he loved her so much, because
he would be hurt too when it all fell apart.
"Sheridan... I want you to listen to me... alright?" She nodded a little. "I love you Sheridan
Crane. I love you and I plan on spending the rest of my life with you. I know it won't be easy... the least of
which we'll have to deal with is our family problems... but we will deal with them. I know you're thinking about
the past again... but it's different this time Angel. We will fight the obstacles together... and together we can
overcome them all." He reached over and stroked her cheek. "You aren't alone anymore Angel..." Sheridan
didn't say anything... she simply moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around him and letting him hold her tightly.
Finally she whispered, "I love you Luis."
"I love you too Angel... more than you could ever guess..." She looked up at him and smiled. "I
think I have a pretty good idea... as much as I love you."
Sheridan hated when she got this way... it seemed like she was always falling apart and Luis had to put the pieces
back together. She'd crash and burn , and he would save her... it was a pattern she wanted to break, but her doubts
and scars wouldn't seem to let her. She just hoped someday she could return the favor to Luis if he ever needed
it.
"Should we get moving?" Luis asked softly. "We need to get through the mountains before we can
stop for the night." Sheridan looked up at him and nodded and Luis could still see the worry in her eyes.
He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, with all the love and promise he could put into it. "We're going
to be ok Sheridan." he said firmly and he saw the fear in her eyes dissipate a little.
When Sheridan looked into his eyes she could almost believe it. "I know Luis." she whispered. She kissed
him and they held each other tightly as their tongues mated together. Sheridan moaned and then Luis pulled back.
"Angel... we can't start this... I don't think I'll be able to stop. Let's get moving... we'll find a place
to stay the night..."
Sheridan sighed, knowing he was right, but wanting his touch right then. "Alright." They went back
to the jeep and continued through the mountains. Sheridan still had a few doubts about the outcome of their relationship,
but she shoved them firmly to the back of her mind and tried to focus on now. She was in her jeep, on a beautiful
day, driving through the mountains of Montana with the man of her dreams. Life couldn't get any better than that
and she knew it. What worried her was actually returning to Harmony. God only knew what would be awaiting them
there. |
