"Sarah, your next interview is here. He is, um, very special." This last she said barely above a whisper.

"Send him in, Julie." Sarah Hammond said smiling at her dark-haired assistant. She set her work aside as the door opened. Sarah stood up with a smile on her pretty face. Her smile froze when the young man came through the door------in a wheelchair.

Carefully, Sarah composed herself and greeted the young man warmly. She accepted his application and sat down at her desk. She motioned him to come closer as she scanned the resume' attached to the application.

"Mr. Brandon, you have a very impressive resume\'. I believe we can use your teaching abilities here. I would like to ask you a couple of questions about your disability if that's not a problem." Sarah stood and went around to the front of her desk. She sat in the chair that was there.

"All right." He said rather shortly.

"Will you be able to maneuver around the horses easily?" Sarah gazed into his smoke-gray eyes. She was startled by the bitterness she saw in them. It stunned her into silence for a moment. "Um, it says in your resume' that you have had experience teaching children. They are our main clients here. The parents will need to be dealt with also by you if we give you the job."

"Miss Hammond, if my disability bothers you please say so. I can always get another job." He turned to roll away. Sarah stopped him with a gentle hand on his broad shoulder. She jerked at the emotions that seemed to flow through her at the simple contact with him. Slowly, she let her hand drop to her side.

"Please, Mr. Brandon, I meant no offense. I need to know how to deal with you around my animals. They will have to become accustomed to the wheelchair. It will take a little time. I want to hire you. I think you would be great in this job. Can you handle the job or not?"

Blake turned back. Sarah saw that he had a serious expression on his face."Yes, ma'am, I can handle this job. I love horses and I'm good with kids. I also seem to have a knack for handling difficult parents. Now, if you would like to hire me, I can start first thing in the morning." Sarah was aghast at the very way he spoke. He was very rude and she knew she really shouldn't hire him, but something very compelling about Blake Brandon wouldn't allow her to let him go without hiring him. She would let him start work in the morning and keep a very close eye on him.

"All right, Mr. Brandon, you can start tomorrow morning." Sarah stood to her feet and held out her hand to him. She smiled as he reluctantly shook her hand. By the way, most people just call me 'Sarah'.\

"Call me Blake. I'll see you in the morning." This was offered grudgingly. Sarah held the door open for him. He stopped and looked up at her. He unexpectedly flashed her an arrogant, but gorgeous smile. Sarah smiled back and watched as he wheeled away. She then closed the door and sagged down into her desk chair. She closed her eyes and began to daydream about the handsome, but enigmatic, Blake Brandon. His disability never even crossed her mind.

For several days, Sarah watched Blake with an eagle eye. She tried very hard to be unobtrusive. She didn't want to offend him in any way. She was surprised at how well he handled his chair around the horses and children. She had many compliments about him from many of the parents. They were all impressed with his teaching abilities.

Blake still hadn't changed his sullen attitude towards her though and it made her very sad. She felt that if he could be civil with her they would become great friends. In fact, she thought that she could even fall in love with him, if only he would allow it.

One afternoon, there was a lull in the stream of riding students. Sarah walked to the stable to grab a coke from the machine in the lounge. She walked into the room and found Blake there.

"Hi, Blake! How are things going?" Sarah asked with a smile. She always tried to be very friendly and open with him.

"Why don't you tell me, Miss Boss lady? I've seen you watching me like a hawk. Is there a problem?" Blake demanded turning bitter, gray eyes to his boss.

"I've been watching you because you are so wonderful with the kids and the parents. The parents think the sun rises and sets on you! I do too for that matter!" Sarah yelled back at him. She turned and stalked out of the lounge slamming the door behind her. She walked to her mare's stall and let her out into her paddock. She grabbed a rake and attacked the stall with a vengeance.

Several minutes later, Sarah saw Blake rolling up out of the corner of her eye. She continued to rake waiting for him to speak first.

I've only been in this chair for a year and it still burns me that I won't be able to walk or ride again. I was thrown by a horse and got stepped on several times. I will never forget it, but I still love horses. They are my life. I could never live without them." Blake paused. He turned and looked at Sarah then quickly turned away. "I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you back there. My family wasn't very supportive and, I guess, I've gotten bitter over it. I don't want to use that for an excuse. I've been a lone wolf for the last year and have forgotten how to act around beautiful, young women, especially one that I really like." Blake stopped speaking.

Sarah was astounded by his words. She carefully leaned the rake against the wall and walked hesitantly over to Blake. She knelt down next him and took his large hand in her small one."Blake, I've liked you from the first day that I saw you. You are a very special person. You care about people even when you try not to." Sarah took a deep breath and continued to speak. "In fact, Mr. Brandon, I believe that I am falling in love with you." These last words were spoken softly.

Blake sat motionless for a long moment. Slowly, he tugged on Sarah's hand and pulled her up closer to him. His strong arm encircled her slender waist. His other hand cupped her face and drew her closer to him so that he could kiss her. His mouth was warm and loving on hers.

Sarah slid her arms around his shoulders and she could feel the pull of muscles as he pulled her on to his lap. The kiss deepened and grew more passionate. Sarah gently and reluctantly broke the kiss. She breathed a sigh as she looked into his smoke gray eyes. Sarah suddenly knew that she wanted this man to be in her life for always, wheelchair and all.

That evening, Sarah and Blake went out on the town. They had a wonderful meal at a nice restaurant and went for a drive in the country.

Sitting in the car in front of Sarah's ranchhouse, Blake and Sarah talked. After a while, they began to kiss. Sarah invited Blake to spend the night. Blake stared at Sarah for a moment, then he smiled and agreed.

Sarah awoke early. She stretched and smiled at the memory of the wonderful night. She sat up in bed and didn't see Blake. She threw back the covers and tied on her robe. She padded out to the living room. The patio door was open, so she went out on to the deck.

Good morning, Blake." Sarah said in her soft voice. She bent down to kiss him and was jerked off her feet. With a laugh, she landed on Blake's lap.

"Good mornin', sweetheart." Blake whispered before covering her willing lips with his. After the kiss, Sarah stayed on Blake's lap and they snuggled together. "Marry me, Sarah."

"Blake?" Sarah sat up. She had not expected that question.\

"Will you marry me, Sarah?"

"Blake, are you serious?"

"Sarah, honey, I couldn't be more serious about anything in my whole life." Blake answered with firm conviction in his deep voice.

"Yes, Blake." She answered unhesitatingly.

"Sarah?"

"I'll marry you. 'Til death do us part." Sarah whispered her lips moving against his dark hair and her arms tightening about his neck."I love you, Blake."\

"I love you, Sarah."

"There's one condition that I ask of you, Blake." Sarah stood to her feet and went to stand by the railing of the deck.

"What is it, honey?" Blake asked a trace of concern in his voice.\

"We wait six months and we can't sleep together again until our wedding night." Sarah turned to the handsome man sitting before her.

Blake thought long and hard. He searched Sarah's face and saw love there. Love and adoration for him alone. Sarah went and knelt at his knees. She stared up at him and smiled lovingly. Blake cupped her cheek with his hand. Sarah turned and pressed her lips to his palm. He leaned forward and brushed her lips with his.

"I agree with your conditions." Blake murmured enjoying the feel of her lips against his.

The next six months was a wonderful time for Sarah and Blake. They got to know one another and fell more deeply in love. They had a church wedding that was beautiful and memorable.

Blake and Sarah were ecstatically happy. Blake's cry for love had been answered when he found Sarah and made her his wife.

THE END