Page 81 of From this Day
He flicked the reins, and they drove onward to the house. He helped her down and opened the door for her.
As they stepped inside, sunlight drew blocks of light on the polished wooden floor. To one side, she glimpsed a red cloth in the center of a wooden table. She chuckled as she recognized the irregular shape of a tree.
“Let me show you around.” Nash led her from room to room, making suggestions for changes she might like.
The tour complete, they stood in the center of the kitchen. “Addie, you’ve hardly said a word. Are you disappointed?”
“Disappointed? Not at all.” She grabbed his arms and faced him. “It’s perfect. Better than perfect.” Laughter bubbled up. “Must we wait so long to get married?”
“We promised the preacher we’d wait. It’s only two more weeks.” He sighed as he pulled her to his chest. “It feels like forever.”
“I know.”
He lowered his head and claimed another kiss, holding her in his strong arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, his heartbeat sounding in her ear. “You’re a good man, Nash. I’m proud to think of being your wife.”
He didn’t kiss her, instead, his arms tightened around her. “Thank you.”
She’d done her best to make him understand he didn’t bear any stigma because of who his father was, and she would continue to do so.
“Do you want to see the rest of the place?” he asked.
“Of course.” Though she didn’t mind if they simply stayed there holding each other. But she accompanied him outside to see the garden, the horses, and the barn. They eventually made their way to the river.
“This will be our spot.” Pride rang in his voice at the surprise he’d prepared. Silver glistened in his eyes.
He’d made a bench. She laughed and hugged him and gladly joined him there. The water gurgled by. The sun peeked through the branches. And her love for him swelled in her chest.
Two weeks later…
Preacher Stone had been told about Nash’s father. He said Nash’s legal name would go on the documents, but as far as he was concerned, they could be known as Mr. and Mrs. Burns.
On a day bright with sunshine and hope, they were married before their small group of friends and family. Preacher Stone announced, “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Burns. May God bless your marriage with joy, understanding, forgiveness, and a passel of children.”
Addie and Nash laughed.
They welcomed the blessing.
Later, at the ranch, Nash swept her off her feet and carried her into the house. Before he lowered her to the floor, he said, “I promise I will do my best to fulfill the preacher’s words. I hope to bring you joy. I promise to always seek to understand and forgive. And”—he kissed her gently—“I look forward to the passel of children.” His next kiss was more insistent. “Addie, I am a happy man. I thank God for the stagecoach being delayed, so we got to know each other. You have filled my life with…” He grinned at her. “More than I thought possible.” He set her on her feet but kept his arms around her.
Just before she lifted her face for another kiss, she whispered, “Nash, I love you more than words can say.”
His kiss silenced the need for words.
Not the End (for you!)
