"Your grandmother told me this is how to capture a woman's heart."
"Dancing? Really? She told me baked goods capture a man's heart."
The two laughed at the fond memories. More thoughts about the people who had raised her entered her mind. People who worked hard, never begrudging daily chores, and lived a life of comfort, provided through love. Theirs was a love of a lifetime; a built in support system. Did love like theirs exist in today's world?
Suddenly that ominous chill zapped her and she shivered.
"What?" Garrett said alarmed by her reaction.
"Someone's watching me." It was the same sensation she had experienced at the ranch after the phone calls. Why here? Why now?
Garrett led her off the dance floor and asked her to please stay with Jen and Rachel. "Sweetie, are you all right? Garrett shot out of here like a rabbit being chased by a fox."
"It's nothing. I think. After the other night," she said, her gaze darting around while anxiously awaiting Garrett's return. Though Jen and Mrs. Carrington asked for details, Caitlin shook her head. No one else needed to be involved, lest something awful happen. When she glanced at Mrs. Carrington, the infamous twinkle in the older woman's eyes left Caitlin curious. "What?"
"Garrett has fallen in love with you."
Caitlin stared in disbelief. Here she was worried about an unknown person trying to thwart her plans, and Mrs. Carrington was talking love. A chuckle arose from her throat and then laughter took over. Too many tears had been shed over the last month and she was tired. Tired of not knowing what to expect, tired of not knowing how Garrett truly felt about her, tired in general.
"Dear, you are too young to know the ways of the world, but I know when a man's in love. Garrett Winston loves you. Be patient. Let him say it first."
Caitlin bit her lower lip, trying to hide her enthusiasm. She touched the gold bracelet he had given her on her sixteenth birthday. The day she realized she loved Garrett. During the past month she realized that puppy love had transcended in to a full, mature love. Would he let go of the past to move forward with her?
As she waited for his return, a weed choked out her last ray of hope. Even though Jen and Rachel talked and reminisced, Caitlin could not shake the feeling that her world was about to topple. "Listen for the wind," she reminded herself. "Tell me what to do, Granddaddy." In the next minute she raced towards her car.