Page 285 of Conveniently Wed
“Yes, let’s.” She faced him and reached for his hands, smiling at his surprise.
He bowed his head. “Lord, I first want to thank you for keeping Stella safe this afternoon. I don’t like to think how bad things might have been.”
He choked, and she squeezed his hands. It was nice to know he cared so much.
“Now we have two people who need a home. Help Clara to be willing to accept help. Amen.”
“Amen.” She smiled up at him. “It was a good day.”
He bent his head and brushed his lips to hers.
She stood mesmerized, shamelessly lifting her face to him. She swallowed hard and looked down. “What was that for?”
“A number of things. Gratitude that you are safe.” His voice deepened. “And because you trust me.” She knew he wasn’t done and waited. “And for accepting me even though I am a little urchin boy.”
She pressed her palms to his cheeks and waited for him to meet her gaze. “What you were as a child does not reflect badly on who you are as a man. In fact…” She smiled with theassurance she felt. “I believe it has made you a strong, steady, trustworthy man.” She drew him closer and kissed him quickly. Then, before he could respond, she ducked into her bedroom
She pressed her fingers to her lips. Something sweet and precious had happened this day. She wasn’t sure she was ready to give it a name just yet.
She listened as he closed the door behind him.
Tonight, he would sleep in the barn.
It seemed so far away. Way too far.
15
Stella watched Bruce drive away in the wagon, Clara and Louie at his side. The pair would be well taken care of at the Kinsleys. Her heart developed a deep ache. It wasn’t regret that the pair was leaving. But she missed Bruce already, even though he wasn’t yet out of sight.
Determined to make good use of the hour or so he would be gone, she hurried to the raspberry patch to search for enough ripe raspberries for dessert. She managed to fill a small bowl and took them to the house, pausing to stare down the road even though it was too soon.
Aunt Mary sat outside and chuckled. “The heart misses its beloved. ‘I sought him whom my soul loveth.’ Solomon’s Song.”
Awed by the truth of her words, Stella sat beside Aunt Mary. “Is true love possible in only a few days? Or is it just a lonely heart yearning for more?”
“Dear child, love has no rules except those in the Bible. To be patient, trusting, to think of the other, and endure hardships together.”
Stella wondered where those words were in the Bible, but they rang with truth.
Aunt Mary continued. “My father and mother said they loved each other at first sight, and that love never faltered.”
“Why have you never married?”
Aunt Mary looked into the distance and spoke softly. “I loved once. Deeply. My beloved died when we were too young to even declare our love publicly.”
“I’m sorry. Have there not been any others?”
“None that compared to that first love. I decided I didn’t want a poor second choice.”
“I loved Frank. He gave me two precious children.” Stella looked at the pair chasing Tippy.
“I’m not suggesting that you didn’t or that any other love wouldn’t be a pale shadow of what you had.”
Stella smiled. If anything, her love for Frank was a pale comparison to what she felt for Bruce. A feeling that pressed at her throat, crowded her heart, and surged against her ribs.
“I want you to know one thing. The day you two got married, I felt in my spirit that it was right. Not because it would benefit us all in a practical sense but because I saw that you each had something the other needed. That is why I have prayed for your love to grow and become evident to you both.”
Stella considered her words. Could Aunt Mary be right? Were they what each other needed? She leaned back. Because of Bruce she had learned to trust, though she supposed she might have relapses. She hoped she had taught him to leave behind the urchin boy.
