“Oh, it’s the least I could do, my dear. When I found out the truth behind what had happened at Miss Swire’s home, I had no choice but to make sure the sheriff knew the truth. It’s been a very taxing time around here lately, but I want to set things right for my son’s sake. He knows not that I sent for you today, but you are free to appraise him of the matter if you so wish. All that mattered to me today was that you were afforded the apology that I felt I owed you.”
Her words were simple, yet effective. Misty knew right away where they now stood, but it still not where she wanted to be. An apology was far off from acceptance, but she had to take what she was given, since it was much more than she had ever been offered from Mrs. Mills before. “I do accept your apology,” Misty said, smiling warmly.
“I’m sure that there might be many times in the future where I will owe you many more of these apologies, but let us not dwell on what’s to come,” Mrs. Mills said with a chuckle.
“I understand that,” Misty replied. She could feel her chest tightening as she considered her next words.
Olivia leaned forward once more. “I have to accept that in order to let my son be happy, I need to allow him to make his own decisions and his own mistakes.”
Misty at once could feel her cheeks warming rapidly. Was Mrs. Mills calling her a mistake?
The woman kept talking, oblivious to Misty’s concerns. “Mothers tend to be protective at times. I suppose it’s a flaw, but it’s what keeps the family going. One day, you shall be in a similar position to that of my own. Until then however, you and I might be at odds here and there, as my son and I are often.”
The words rang truer than any that Misty had heard recently. They made her think of Cody again, though. In itself, that wasn’t a bad thing, but coupled with the uncertainty that was looming over her, thoughts of that man could be devastating. “Thank you for inviting me today, Mrs. Mills,” Misty said sincerely.
Olivia nodded. “Miss Swire will be keeping her head hidden for the most part, but who knows what my son will do next? Even I struggle to predict his actions sometimes, but as I said, I shall allow him make his own decisions from now on,” Mrs. Mills said, sipping from her cup once more.
Misty smiled at her. She appreciated Mrs. Mills’ forthright speech. She suspected that she still had a long way to go before her acceptance turned into approval, but at least Cody now had the power to follow his heart. If only it would lead him back to her, everything might have been worth the distress after all.
Chapter 18
After everything that had happened, the last few days were eerily quiet.
Misty paused in her sewing to gaze out at the open fields that stretched into the distant mountains. Cattle were meandering together in the distance. She was amazed at how quickly she came to love the sight. She had assumed that homesickness would eventually take hold of her. Instead, it felt like she had been homesick all her life, and she was finally where she was meant to be.
She gazed at her work with a wistful smile. The worst was finally behind them. Olivia’s acceptance was a precious and hard-won gift, especially after such an open campaign to make sure it didn’t happen.
Misty tried to turn her attention back to he sewing. It was a simple seam stitch, a thing that should take a few minutes at best. However, she had been working on the same project for several hours. Her mind kept wandering to the moment she saw Cody at the train station.
Misty frowned in thought. Despite everything, she felt a little sorry for Rosamund. The woman tried to have Misty jailed for a false theft. Misty still could not quite wrap her mind around it. She could not imagine ever going that far to remove a romantic rival, especially when the man did not return her affections.
“What are you so deep in thought about?” Indiana asked.
Misty startled, and gave her friend a guilty smile. “I was just pondering the past few weeks. It has certainly been eventful.”
“No finer an understatement was ever spoken.” Indiana gave a light, dramatic sigh as she set down the tray of tea down. “We certainly have a knack for strange circumstances, do we not?”
“Oh no.” Misty shook her head and then they both laughed. “At least there were no earthquakes this time.”
“There might as well have been! What a mess Miss Swire caused,” Indiana fussed as she poured the lavender scented tea and offered Misty a dainty cup.
“It all worked out for the best,” Misty said as they sat back and gazed over at the fields. She could not imagine a better outcome, sitting with her good friend over tea.
“It is working out for the best,” Indiana stated as she gazed at Misty’s hand. “Though there are a few loose ends to wrap up. I do hope you are wearing a ring as proof before long. I do not want us to have to walk you down the aisle with canes.”
Misty had to laugh at the very idea. Indiana had quite a way with words nowadays. How different would matters have been had she been so outspoken back in the city? Misty could only hope that she would find such a strong voice one day.
* * *
Around early evening, Cody and Morgan finally returned from their trip. It had been an excellent day on the market, according to Indiana’s husband. He boasted that the heads of cattle and the grain they had prepared for the trip was practically sold before they even made it into town. Though when Indiana asked why they were so late getting home, neither had an answer for her. At least, none that they wanted to share.
Cody seemed unusually quiet as his partner told all about the market. He did not try to take a friendly jab at his friend’s expense. There were no witty interjections or clever exaggerations. Something seemed to be driving him to distraction. But for the life of her, Misty could not begin to guess what it might be. They had seemed in high enough spirits when they left.
Eventually, the chatter died down. By then the sun had already dipped under the horizon, leaving a few faint trails of deep pink and purple behind it. Misty gazed at the sleepy sky as they walked, unable to get enough of the scenery. However, she kept casting worried glances at Cody. He was unusually quiet, especially after such a triumphant business day. His partner was in high spirits. There were no signs of anything having gone amiss out there.
“I’m sure our dashing young men have worked up quite an appetite,” Indiana said lightly as she hooked her arm into Misty’s. “Shall we get them fed before they faint from hunger?”
Misty nodded, feeling silly for being the only one that seemed to think something was amiss. Yet despite that silliness, she could not help but feel like there was something different. It made her feel somewhat uneasy. Surprises generally had a tendency to be either very good or very bad.
“Actually, Miss Indiana,” Cody interjected. His smile was warm, but there was a hint of anxiety there as well. “I was hoping that I might be granted a few minutes alone with Miss Misty.”
Indiana disengaged her arm from Misty’s, giving her friend a wink.
It was not long before Cody and Misty were alone under the darkening sky.
“You seem to be settling in rather well over here,” Cody said pleasantly, smiling at her.
“I am growing to love it here,” she said softly. “I am glad that I have come here. It feels like home, one might say.”
“Good. Good. That is good.” The man nodded more to himself than to her. His brow was furrowed in deep thought as he raised his elbow in offering.
She gladly accepted, rested her hand on his arm as they walked side by side around the house. The first insects were starting to sing. Somewhere near the little pond, Misty could hear a frog croaking for all it was worth. There was a distant sound of cattle settling in for the night.
“Did something happen on the way back?” Misty asked as they made their slow trek, earning her a confused expression from the young gentleman. “You were gone so late. We had thought you two planned to stay away the night.”
“Ah no. I had something I needed to do that couldn’t wait. I thought I would only be a mom
ent, but my venture took longer than expected. Morgan has the patience of a saint.” Cody gazed around as if he were in search of something. Whatever it was he sought, he did not find, however. “I had thought to do this tomorrow. Yet the more I think about it, the less I can wait.”
Misty gazed at him curiously as he pulled her over to the middle of the yard, resting in the light from one of the windows. “Miss Misty, you are an amazing woman. You had everything thrown at you from an earthquake to a jail cell, and somehow you are as sweet as you ever were. I’ve never met a lady that could take what you’ve taken with such grace.”
Misty felt her face redden at the sudden praise. She never really saw herself as particularly sweet. She wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that.
“And that is why I won’t do this to you anymore. You deserve a lot finer.”
Misty felt a second of confusion, followed by a painful clenching dread. They had gone through so much since her arrival. Was Cody giving up now?
“Well…” Cody cleared his throat. “As a man who has fallen deeply in love with you, I desire to make it official.”
Misty blinked, trying to take in the information. His sudden proclamation had caught her completely off guard, even more so when he started to lower himself onto his knee.
“Misty, I do not wish to start our lives on a letter and a promise. I want to offer you this ring, and introduce you to everyone right and proper as my fiancé.”
Misty’s vision blurred as she watched him pull out a beautiful golden ring, inlaid with a huge diamond that shone brightly, even in the pale light of the window. He gave a warm smile as he offered it to her. “Misty, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Misty felt stunned as the reality of it hit her. She had been fully prepared to be his wife, but somehow seeing him there, ring in hand, was so much more different than she ever expected it to be. She felt a girlish squeal escape her as she practically pounced forward to wrap her arms tight around his neck in a hug. The sudden motion caught him by surprise.
“Is that a yes?” he asked, grinning from ear to ear as he gazed up at her.
“Yes, oh yes!” she exclaimed as she felt him caress her cheek with the back of his hand.
He pulled himself up slowly, softly brushing his warm lips against hers.
Misty had never believed in fairy tales—but maybe that was because they were all written wrongly. The days of knights and castles and white horses were far gone and away. Her prince was a rancher in Wyoming, and he rode a palomino. And they loved each other, flaws and all. That was all the happily ever after she could ever want.
* * * The End * * *
Connect with Ruth
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Other books by Ruth Hartzler
Ruth Hartzler is also the author of the #1 Best-selling and Kindle All-Star Award winning series, The Amish Buggy Horse.
Faith (Book 1)
For years, Nettie looked after her aged mother Elma, a demanding woman who did not want any involvement with the community.
Now that her mother has died, Nettie is alone. She is regarded with suspicion by the local townspeople, and has had no visitors from her community for some years.
Nettie’s buggy horse has gone lame and has had to be retired, but Nettie cannot afford a new horse. Just as Nettie is despairing about not having any means of transport, a lost horse appears in her driveway, bringing with him far-reaching consequences.
Daniel Glick is drawn to the lonely figure of Nettie, but Nettie wants to be left alone.
However, when Jebediah Sprinkler tries to force Nettie to hand over her house, Daniel springs to the rescue.
As Nettie’s struggles mount, she has to decide whether to take the law into her own hands.
And what will Daniel do when he discovers the secret that Nettie is hiding from him?
Ruth Hartzler is also the author of:
Off the Grid (Amish Safe House Book 1)
(Book 1 of the 3 Book Amish Safe House series) (Christian Romantic Suspense)
Kate Briggs is a U.S. Marshal who works in WITSEC, the federal witness protection program. After an attempt on her life, her boss sends her to live in a small Amish community until the mole in the agency is found. Will Kate, who is used to the ways of the world, be convincing as a sweet Amish woman?
When a murder is committed in the community, how will Kate assist the handsome police officer heading up the case without revealing her true identity?
And will Kate be able to leave behind her Englisch ways as she finds herself off the grid in more ways than one?
About the Author
Ruth Hartzler
Ruth Hartzler’s father was from generations of Brethren. Ruth’s mother, a Southern Baptist, had years of struggle adapting to the cultural differences, and always cut her hair, which was a continual concern to Ruth’s father’s family. Ruth was raised strictly Brethren and from birth attended three meetings every Sunday, the Wednesday night meeting, and the yearly “Conference,” until she left the Brethren at the age of twenty one. Ruth still has close friends in the Brethren, as well as the Amish, both groups having Anabaptist (literally: re-baptizers: belief in adult baptism) roots. Ruth’s family had electricity, but not television, radio, or magazines, and they had plain cars. Make up, bright or fashionable clothes, and hair cutting were not permitted for women. Women had to wear hats in meetings (what others would call church meetings) but not elsewhere. The word “church” was never used and there were no bishops or ministers. All baptized men were able to speak (preach, or give out a hymn) spontaneously at meetings. Musical instruments were forbidden, with the exception of the traditional pump organ which was allowed only if played in the home for hymn music. Even so, singing of hymns in accompaniment was forbidden.
Ruth Hartzler is a widow with one adult child and two grandchildren. She lives alone with her Yorkshire Terrier and two cats. She is a retired middle school teacher and enjoys quilting, reading, and writing.
Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2) Page 9