A Lasting Impression

whatever was going to come. If God chose to call me home . . .” He’d never forget the moment when the reality of that possibility became real—rifle aimed, bullets zipping by, cannon fire exploding all around him. “Then I knew He’d take me home. We all carried letters with us, just in case. I still have mine.”
    “Do you still carry it with you?”
    The question warmed him, just like she did. She was one beautiful woman, inside and out. Though he tried not to focus on that. “No, I don’t still carry it. Why?” He eyed her with suspicion, hoping to lighten the conversation. “Do you know something I don’t?”
    She smiled, but only for a second. “You said yes, you were ready. But then you also said no. Why no ?”
    The woman didn’t give up easily. He liked that. But he was hesitant to answer in too much detail. He wasn’t ashamed of his reasons for wanting to stay around a little longer. They simply weren’t reasons he felt comfortable sharing with just anyone. Of course, Claire wasn’t just anyone. “Because there were things I hadn’t done yet with my life that I wanted to do. That I still want to do.”
    She perked up. “Like what?”
    He shook his head, remembering Cara Netta’s reaction when he’d shared his dream of raising thoroughbreds.
    “I won’t laugh, Sutton. I promise. And I won’t tell anyone, if you say not to.”
    And looking at her, he believed her. “I enjoy practicing law and find it rewarding, and honestly, I don’t ever see leaving that completely. But what I’d really like to do one day is . . . own my own thoroughbred farm.”
    Her eyes lit.
    “But not just own the farm,” he clarified. “I want to train the horses. Myself. For racing. I also want to mend the fences and help birth the foals in the spring. I want to be as involved in every detail as I can.”
    The look of delight on her face was like a gift. “That’s a wonderful dream, Sutton. And you’ll do it too.”
    How did she do it? Looking into her eyes, he really believed that one day, he would have his own farm. When he’d shared his dream with Cara Netta when they were traveling in Europe, she’d reacted with exuberance, and yet her very next question had been about the law firm, and when he might make partner, and wasn’t that a more attractive opportunity to him than owning horses. But he couldn’t completely fault her for that reaction. Not after he’d purposefully mentioned that Bartholomew Holbrook had confided that a future with him being made partner was a possibility.
    Yet Cara Netta had never mentioned the thoroughbred farm to him again. And looking back, he knew now that her reaction had contributed to his hesitation in moving forward in their relationship. At least at first. Now there was a whole other reason for his hesitation. She was about five-foot-six, with auburn hair and blue-green eyes, and had a way of looking at him—like she was now—that made him think he could do just about anything.
    Except tell her about Cara Netta. Which he had to do.
    The LeVerts would be arriving within days. But how could he tell her without making it look as if he’d been hiding the truth from her all this time? Which he hadn’t. It just hadn’t seemed important at first. And then the more they’d gotten to know each other, he simply hadn’t found the right opportunity.
    Which meant he had to make that opportunity. Right now.
    “Thank you, Claire, for that vote of confidence. And I’d ask you what your dream is, but I think I already know.” He glanced at an extra joujou sitting on her mantel. “To paint. And to enter the art auction come spring?”
    “Yes.” She smoothed a hand over the bedcovers. “If I can paint something that’s good enough.”
    “I’m sure you will. You’re very talented. And whatever you decide to paint, I know it will be wonderful.”
    She held his gaze, looking as if she wanted to say more, so he waited.
    When she didn’t, he figured that was his cue. “Something I’ve—”
    “It’s nice to—”
    They both laughed, having spoken at the same time.
    “I’m sorry.” He gestured. “You go first.”
    She dipped her head. “I was just going to say that it’s nice to know you have something you want to do in your life that you haven’t done yet. Even as accomplished as you are.” She looked down for a second, and when she looked up again, her eyes glistened. “And the way you talk about it, the way your face lights up, I can tell it means a