Page 426 of Conveniently Wed
“Stop joking.” She picked up her gloves from her lap and swatted him. “Honestly, I want to let my heart love, but I’m scared.”
He pulled her close. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I also want to be a mama.”
He pulled the reins tight and stopped the buggy. The smile lines around his eyes crinkled. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“That would make me the happiest man alive.”
She gazed into the warmth of his eyes and pressed against his broad shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach fluttered as he bent to place an ardent kiss on her lips. “I wish we had a little privacy.” His eyes danced, and his hand swept to the wide-open fields. “I’d like to start working on that prospect right here, right now.”
She giggled in contentment and relaxed against him. Was this what being in love felt like?
A flash of Charles’s smile flitted in her mind once again. His free spirit. His youthful vigor. Sadness followed, as it always did, along with a whole lot of confusion. She had to keep herself in reality and make her heart turn its allegiance to the living—the one so full of kindness, of generosity, of love.
“We’re here.”
Katie stirred as Josiah’s arm nudged her.
“Goodness me, did I fall asleep?” She straightened as their buggy rattled into the quaint town of Lacey Spring.
“You were up early fussing about your new clothes.”
She grinned and turned away, focusing on their orderly town in hopes of calming the racing speed of her heart. They slowed to a crawl as they passed the stagecoach depot and post office. This was worse than the carriage, where she could duck behind the curtain. Everyone stopped and gawked. Josiah waved with nary a thought. She fought the urge to shrink, holding her spine straight.
They plodded past the diner, where three old men sat on the porch and lifted their hats, to the hotel, where a few widows gathered outside in a circle, talking. The minute one of them spotted Josiah, they all turned and waved without a glance for Katie. If one of them did look her way, it was only a glare they sent.
Piano music drifted from the saloon, and a few cowboys whistled at her, but immediately stopped. She glanced up at the man on the seat beside her. A deadly scowl was pasted on Josiah’s face.
She nudged him. “It’s all right when the widows flash you bright smiles, but not so much when the men direct anything my way?” A smile rose in her chest.
“You get it,” he said. “I admit, that makes me jealous.”
Sheriff Holden sat smoking his pipe outside the jailhouse. “Good to see you, Josiah,” he yelled, “and your lovely bride. You caught one of the last beautiful days before winter hits.”
“We did indeed.”
“Make sure you come see me before you head back.”
“I’ll stop by later while Katherine and Clarissa are busy.” Josiah tipped his hat as they rolled past.
Doc Phillips’s house came into view. Katie looked up to the second floor, where he lived with his wife, and caught his wave through the window. She smiled as she raised her hand.
Josiah nodded. “Did you know they converted the bottom of the house to an office and set up a room for emergencies?”
“Ma mentioned it and said how happy she is I’ll have good help when the babies come.” The instant heat in her cheeks had nothing to do with the strong morning sun.
“Babies?” He squeezed her shoulders. “I do like the sound of that. And did I ever tell you how adorable you look when you blush?”
Katie scrambled for something to say. “Looks like this old town is coming to life. Nice to see the blacksmith, furniture maker, and wheelwright all hanging their signs once again.”
“Hmm. Looks like my wife is trying to change the subject, so I’ll be a gentleman and let her.”
She bit back a smile.
A small one-room schoolhouse, where the spinster schoolmarm, Miss Barnes, ruled with stern authority, sat on the outskirts of town. Her cottage on the same property, surrounded with flowers, looked ever so inviting. The children were on a break, as squeals and laughter filled the morning air. Katie waved at a ragamuffin girl who stood apart from the crowd. Her heart lurched at the sight. The pain of being ignored by the other schoolgirls came flooding back.
