Page 287 of Conveniently Wed
They walked up the lane. She waited while he unhitched and turned the horse into the pasture.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Not like the last one I hope.” He shuddered.
She couldn’t tell if it was real or pretend.
“I hope you like this one.” She swallowed hard, a little nervous at how bold she’d been. “I moved the children into your room.”
His eyebrows went up. His face became a mask.
Inside, she smiled. Not out of humor at his expecting to be rejected, but out of love that she could offer him welcome.
“I put your things into my room.”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“In my room.” She knew by the wide grin on his face that he understood her meaning. And then he sobered.
“Why?”
“Come with me. I want to tell you something in just the right spot.”
Looking rather befuddled, he accompanied her across the yard. Aunt Mary was up and watching them with a pleased gleam in her eyes.
Stella called to her. “Will you watch the children?” To the children, she said, “Stay here and mind Aunt Mary.”
Side by side, hand in hand, she and Bruce continued on until they reached the trees along the river. She knew of a trail that led to the water, and she followed it.
At the bank, she stopped and faced him, the bouquet of flowers clutched in her hand. Others might think what she was about to do was silly, but she knew it was right for them.
“I want us to have a private wedding ceremony here.”
“For what reason?”
“I want us to declare our love to each other. I want us to decide to be man and wife.”
His eyes crinkled. “You love me?”
“With my whole heart and soul and every fiber of my being. Do you love me?”
“Beyond description. Beyond my wildest dreams and hopes.”
“Then let’s do it.” She took in a deep breath. “Bruce Reynolds, I take you as my husband to love and cherish from this day forth. You are a man worthy of my love.”
He clasped his hands around hers, the flowers cascading over their fingers. “Stella Reynolds, my wife and my joy, I promise to love you and cherish you and always be here for the rest of my life.” He smiled down at her. “I’m planning to make two rocking chairs for the front step so we can continue to enjoy our evenings together.”
She dropped the bouquet and wrapped her arms about his neck. He hugged her so tight she laughed and then lifted her face to him.
He bent and claimed her lips in a kiss full of hope and promise. A hope they could both build on. Promises she could trust.
NOT (THE END)
