Memories Never Fade
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An emotion that was new to the Ranger filled him. This was his
last week of being a single man. Next Saturday, Cordell Walker's life was going
to change for the best when he married Alex Cahill. In seven short days, the
ranch that had only been a home for him and Uncle Ray would be the home of
Alex, too. With so little time left he wanted to start rearranging things at
the ranch for Alex arrival. She had insisted that Walker not change the
interior of the house because she too love the western look that the house
possessed. The only major changes would occur in the room set aside as the
office.
Over the years, Walker hadn't used the office because he hated
paperwork and would just dump it off on Trivette. Instead the room had been
used as a storage place. Being the neat and organized man as he was, everything
was already in boxes. One by one Walker carried boxes full of books, gadgets,
and trophies to the attic. After several trips up and down the stairs, Walker
came back only to find a chest. He knew right away what the chest contained and
couldn't help, but move his hand over it removing a cover of dust. Touching the
old-fashioned chest sent a chill through his spine. So many memories in one
small place. Carefully Walker picked up the chest and moved it to the living
room, placing the chest on the table in front of the couch. Taking a deep
breathe, Walker placed his hands on the lid preparing to open the time capsule.
However, he couldn't bring himself to doing it so instead he went back to the
office to rearrange the cabinets.
Alex had her own cabinets filled with
files so he had decided to divide the room giving each a separate office space.
With Alex moving to the ranch soon, Walker had to make some improvements on the
office room. He added two phone lines. On was for the phone and the other for
her computer. Walker never thought he would see the day when a computer was in
his home, but it was a small price to pay. Alex was worth it no matter how much
trouble a computer could cause him. After several hours the room was ready for
Alex to move in. Walker made his way back to the living room to call her, but
the chest caught his eyes. He had an unexplainable urge to open up the chest so
calmly he closed his eyes as he removed the lid.
Alex was headed toward the ranch early
for their evening walk. These walks had grown to be something that both her and
Walker could expect at the end of a tough week. It was their way of relaxing
and reflecting on their surroundings. Boy would Walker be surprised when she
showed up early since he was always giving her a hard time about not getting
there until the last minute.
Photos now covered the table. Each of
a beautiful woman. The chest was the storage box for all of Walker's memories
he had of Ellen. Bringing his hand back out of the chest, he revealed a photo
of him and Ellen on a day that haunted his memory. The happy couple was wrapped
in each other's arm. The picture was taken at their favorite bar by CD. CD
wasn't one to take pictures, but on this day he just happened to have a camera
and Walker had a look in his eyes that no one had ever seen. He and Ellen met
at this bar for lunch just like every other day. As usual the couple moved to
their own personal table to talk about their day. However, on this particular
day, Walker wasn't much for words, but instead insisted on just smiling.
"Cord, what is up with you today? You are unusually
happy."
"Is there something wrong with that," Walker asked as
he continued to smile.
"Nothing's wrong with it, just not you."
"Well you caught me. Ellen could you come to the ranch
around six tonight? I need to talk to you about something really
important."
"What's wrong?" Ellen asked with concern.
"Nothing is wrong I just need to
talk to you. So I'll see you then?"
Walker had prepared all afternoon for
the conservation with Ellen that night. He was going to pop the big question.
Over time, Ellen had stolen his heart, but Walker never saw it coming. Walking
along the lakeside, shaking in his boots, and even sweating, Walker looked at
Ellen and asked her share her life with him. Relief filled him when he heard
her say 'yes' and that is when it occurred. Ellen was shot in the back by a
criminal Walker was after. That bullet ended Ellen's life and left Walker alone
without anyone to love. Remembering the day felt so real. Walker could almost
hear the gunshot ringing through the air. Just then Walker snapped of his
trance and realized he heard the screen door slamming. Automatically jumping
up, he rushed towards the door only to see a crying Alex run down the stairs.
"Alex! Alex, wait!" Walker shouted with determination
to stop her from leaving. Luckily he was able to make it to her car and
prohibited her from leaving.
"Walker get out of my way!" The aggressive request had
not accomplished anything. The couple just stood in silence although the
unspoken in Alex could be seen. "How could you?" she asked looking up
at Walker with eyes filled of tears.
Walker was completely lost with the latest events. What had he
done? "How could I do what? What happened?" Walker asked in a voice
that was filled with concern.
"Walker, are still in love with her?"
"With who? You are the only love in my life and you know
that," he replied as he was finely able to comfort her with an embrace.
However, Alex was not pleased with the comment. She still had more on her mind
and moved out of his hug.
"If you don't love Ellen, why are you still fixating on her?
You just can't put her behind you can you?" Tears were now flowing rapidly
down Alex's face.
Alex's remark left Walker speechless. How dare she say something
like that? She had no clue what it was like to lose your love one because your
job was dangerous. However, Alex's rude comment made him realize what was
bothering her. He was looking at her pictures and there still was a part of him
that loved Ellen and that part would never quit. "Alex, we need to sit
down and calmly talk about this. Would you mind taking the horses out and
finding somewhere special to talk about this and on the ride there you can
collect yourself? Does that sound okay?" Walker was trying to stay calm
for he knew that blowing up at Alex wasn't the right thing to do.
For the first time Alex realized her
recent comments. Feeling guilty about the whole thing she could speak, but
instead simple nodded her head. As Walker left to get the horses ready she
stood kicking herself for her inconsiderate comments. How could she of said
that? Cause she was mad that's why. Walker was right they needed to talk and
calmly. The fact that Ellen was still a part of Walker's heart hurt, but it
hurt him just as much. "I guess its time for another talk about ghost,
jealousy, and love," she said to herself as Walker returned with Ranger
and Angel completely saddled and ready to go.
The horse ride to their special spot was unusually quiet, but it
gave both time to prepare their thoughts. As they entered into the clearing
that overlooked the Texas wilderness, Walker dismounted his horse and let Ranger
graze freely. Alex on the other hand was still sitting upon Angel looking at
the beautiful landscape. No matter how many times she had seen this place on
the ranch, it still took her breathe away. Alex was so overwhelmed by the view
that she had not seen Walker come to aid her in dismounting Alex. Reaching out
for his strong arms, she noticed the hurt in his eyes and couldn't help, but
regret what she had said earlier. Once Alex was off, Walker lead Angel to a
spot so she could graze with Ranger before returning to Alex. Taking Alex's
hand, he lead her to a sitting rock at the edge of the clearing.
"Alex, I've had some hard times in my life and just as
things would be looking up another bad thing would happen. That's how my whole
life as been including my relationship with Ellen. She brought happiness to me
that I never thought I could experience. The time we spent together and our
relationship has a special place in my heart just as my parents, Uncle Ray, and
Lucas do. No matter how much I love you, I'll always have an urge to look back
at those special people that have touched my life along my journey. Pictures
are all I have left of those precious times."
Walker paused and looked out over the cliff. Silence fell as Alex
soaked in his words. "I'm sorry, Walker. When I saw you looking through
the photos I jumped to conclusions and thought you were still in love with
here. I hope I haven't messed things up."
"Alex, I am still in love with Ellen. I always will, but
it's a different kind of love. The way I love you is different too. Each person
in my life has their special place in my heart, but my heart only belongs to
you. Alex, you make me the happiest man on Earth just by saying 'Hello',
walking into the office, or just smiling. Hon, there is no way you could mess
things up because in seven days my life will be complete for the first time
when I say 'I do', but I'll be honest. The last photo I looked at tonight was
one taken on the day I proposed to Ellen. Seeing the photo make me wonder what
it would be like with her in my life as my wife today."
Walker glanced over at Alex and noticed she had tears silently
falling down her face. Taking her hand, Walker turned her face and looked deep
into her eyes for they where the windows to her soul. "Alex, I realized that
if Ellen was still here with me today that I would be missing out on the best
part of my life, YOU. I can't say I won't think about her from time to
time, but you have my guarantee that my love for you will be true."
"Walker, how did I ever get lucky enough to have you in my
life? I'm sorry about what I said earlier...it was totally inconsiderate."
"I knew you didn't mean it...now come on it's getting late,
time to head back to the ranch," Walker said as he stood up and carefully
pulled Alex up after him.
"Walker, do you mind if tonight we skip our walk and look at
the photos together?"
"I would like that very much,
Alex," he said surprised that she wanted to do such. The couple then
mounted their horse and headed back to the ranch holding hands as they rode out
of the sunset.
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