Page 69 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“You didn’t give me any otherchoice!I couldn’t! …Can’t! …Won’t… go back to being just themaidto you. I will not help you build this life you want, simply to be put to the side when you find an option better thanme!!”
I grab her by the arms, making her look right at me.
“Damnit, woman, you are mylife! What do you want me to say? Do I love you ….YES! Are you the woman I plan to have my children with … meet my parents and grow old with?YES!!! There is no me or future without you. I don’t care if you were a maid, a whore, a mythical creature, or any other excuse you try to come up with. In my eyes, you’re what I have been waiting for my entire life. The missing part of myself I’ve always been searching for.”
I watch the anger drain right out of her face, only for hesitancy to replace it.
“You love me?”
“REALLY?! How do you not know that?! Why is it you only hear the words and not the actions behind them? YES, I love you! I think I did before you ever got on that damn train, as I couldn’t keep my eyes off you at Grant’s. When I think back, I was a little disappointed when Colby sent the names and yours wasn’t on the list. I could have handled things so much differently that day at the depot, but in the back of my mind, I wanted you, and here we are standing in the middle of a trail yelling at each other, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“You really want to build a life with me, just as who I am??”
“I want to build a life with the woman who has taught me how precious each moment is and that your background doesn’t matter when love is involved.”
“Won’t you be ashamed of me?”
“Never.”
“What will your parents think?”
“My mom will probably be on the next train because she won’t believe it … you until she sees it … us for herself.”
The small smile on her face has my entire body relaxing.
“So, what now?”
“Now, I make an honest woman out of you if you’ll have me?”
“What are you saying, Reggie?”
“Will you marry me? Never mind, I am not asking … you, young lady, are coming with me one way or another. I refuse to sleep without you, refuse to be seen without you … refuse to live without you! Not to mention, I will more than likely be beaten up by Henry if I return without you and stomped to death by Zeus who was inconsolable when you left town. So, you are going to marry me and set our world to rights?”
“Reggie, you act like I am in control of all this chaos.
“Jess, my love, you are the center of my whole world so then, in fact, you are in charge. Are you ready to go see your new home and tell me you love me?”
“I do love you, to the point it’s downright scary.”
Because I can’t stop myself, my lips crash down on hers. I pull her so close I feel like I’m trying to crawl inside her because I can’t get close enough. Jess stiffens up at first, and I fear I’ve pushed her too far, until her small hands grasp my shirt tightly and I feel her relax in my arms. The sound of a whinny reminds me where we are, and I reluctantly pull away. Thankfully, the livery horse hasn’t taken off on me, and when I finally look around for him, he is standing by the side of the trail eating. Gathering his reins, I pick up Jessica’s small bag, only then noticing the huge coat she has on.
“What are you doing wearing another man’s coat?”
She pulls the huge neckline closer. “Maybe some other man was trying to take care of me for a change.”
I can’t help but growl, “Who??”
“Oh, stop your fussing, Reggie. It was just that nice man back at the mercantile, you better get a hold of that jealous streak, mister.”
“Didn’t realize I had that problem until you came along.”
Grabbing her up, I spin Jess around, her laughter filling my heart as I set her on the horse. Following behind her, I place my foot in the stirrups, swing my leg over, settling into the saddle before pulling her back against my chest, where her legs are practically sitting on top of mine. When I know she is comfortable, I take off with only one place in mind.
We ride for several hours at a steady pace, and I take this time to tell her all about the cabin and the surrounding property. Jess is quieter than usual, even though she is responding when addressed directly, and I know it’s because life has been crazy and unpredictable. This entire relationship has affected me differently than it has her, as I’ve known for a while now that I wanted her to be mine for always. The dumb part on my end was not reassuring her, so she is trying to figure out her place in this new life, and there is only one thing I can do to convince her I plan on keeping her. Even though it’s late in the evening, I hope I can talk the preacher into cooperating. Jess looks up at me when I stop in front of the church.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting an insurance policy that may keep you from running off. Sit right there, I’ll be back.”
