Page 116 of Conveniently Wed
It made her eyes mist a little.
“Yes. Because I love you too.”
He kissed her until they were both breathless, then held her tightly, his joy evident in his sudden loud, effervescent whoop.
She laughed.
“I was thinking we could build a little cabin of our own. Right about here. You get a pretty picture of the valley…” He whirled her around to see what he was talking about, without letting go of her.
“Your sister can stay on if she wants…”
She took in the surrounding view. The barn and main house in the distance, the arching blue sky and wildflowers all around.
“…raise horses, and of course the cattle, a cut of the family herd…”
And her husband, making plans.
She’d arrived in Bear Creek afraid, running for her and Emma’s lives.
And God had given her this man, and this new life.
It was much to be thankful for.
EPILOGUE
“Keep ’em closed. No peeking.” Edgar cupped his hand over Fran’s eyes just in case.
She sighed. Then giggled.
“You know I saw the cabin yesterday,” she reminded him.
“But the roof wasn’t on yesterday,” he parried right back.
Riding his big black with her just in front of him gave him the perfect opportunity to hold her close—so he did, as he guided the horse up the hill to their newly finished home.
Home.
He hadn’t realized that the word could mean a person. He knew that now, no matter where he went, with Fran by his side, he’d be home.
After two weeks together, the emotion, the completeness, still brought that uncomfortable warmth to his chest. Only he was getting used to it now.
They crested the hill where he’d first shown her his dream spot for building a cabin of their own. Between his brothers working with him well into the night for several days, and a house-raising party the folks of Bear Creek had held the previous weekend, Fran would have a home of her own. Today.
Just in time for his parents’ homecoming later that afternoon.
He was looking forward to having Fran to himself. He thought Breanna would probably be happy to share her room with Emma for a bit, and Daniel planned to stay with the brothers in the bunkhouse.
Between the rush to finish their house and the heavy spring chores, he felt like he’d barely seen his wife since he’d come home from selling the cattle. But now that was all about to change. Even though the chores would continue—ranch life necessitated that—he would have time in the evenings with her.
His brothers had teased him mercilessly, but he’d also caught the tail end of a conversation that sounded like they were planning on letting him take it easy for several days, a sort-of “working honeymoon.”
The old Edgar might’ve insisted on taking on his share of the work, but with his new outlook on life and love, he would take their gift and be thankful.
He was unaccountably nervous about showing the finished place to Fran. As she’d said, she’d been up there every day, checking on the progress as the place was built.
But what if she didn’t like it?
She hadn’t said as much, but he imagined her parents’ home and the finishing school she’d attended in Memphis had been well-appointed, nice.
