Page 73 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“I want you to stay as my wife.” His voice deepened. “I’m sorry, but I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Her heart soared. “Why are you sorry about that?”
“Because I must let you go.” His voice thickened so much that tears pressed to the back of her eyes.
“What if I say I don’t want to go?”
He blinked. Blinked again. Opened his mouth. Closed it without speaking. Cleared his throat. “What about your promise to your pa?”
“You remember yesterday when I was talking about pa taking me for walks and the things he’d say.”
“You seemed troubled by that.”
“I knew I was forgetting something, but I couldn’t bring it clear. Until now.” She sat up straight, folded her hands in her lap, and faced him, wanting him to understand what she was about to say, wanting to see his reaction. “All Pa asked of me was to boldly go where God leads me, even if it’s challenging or unfamiliar. He never once asked me to promise to go to Europe. He would not have asked that of me. But he would expect me to accept what lies before me and that is what I promised him.” She waited, her fingers tightening as he assessed her words.
“You mean…?”
She nodded. “I am not obligated to go to Europe. However, I am obligated to take care of my mother.”
Again, she waited as he sorted through her words, finding their meaning.
“Do you think she’d like living at the ranch?”
“She’d love it.”
He nodded slowly. “Are you saying you want to stay?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She laughed. “I’m afraid I’ve fallen in love with you.”
He whooped and then looked around as if afraid someone would notice them. “We’re too close to town.” He turned the wagon off the trail and into the shelter and privacy of trees where he jumped down and helped her to his side.
Her feet barely touch the ground before he cupped his hands to her cheeks and lifted her face to claim her lips in a gentle, sweet kiss that promised more. Much more.
They lingered there quite a spell.
“When did you know you loved me?” he asked as she stood sheltered in the protection of his embrace.
“I knew for sure when you were shot. I thought if you died, something in me would die as well.”
His arms tightened around her. “Instead, we can enjoy life together.” His voice deepened. “As man and wife.”
She looked into his face. “When did you realize you loved me?”
He grinned. “The minute we married.” Seeing her surprise, he added. “I didn’t know it at first but looking back, I know that’s when I put my heart in your hands.”
“And I shall hold it gently as long as I live.”
EPILOGUE
The day had arrived. Despite an earlier snowfall, the sun was warm and bright. A perfect day for a wedding, in fact.
Della donned her new frock. Her belongings had arrived from Toledo, but Andy had insisted she have a new one for the occasion.
“After all,” he pointed out. “You weren’t able to dress up for our wedding.”
