Always and Forever

by Wendy Lindstrom

  Tremont arched one white eyebrow as if mildly surprised. “Well, I’m glad to hear that. I should find it incredibly awkward to have my daughter married to a man who hates me.”

  “As would I,” Hal said, because there was no way to gracefully dance around the issue. “I can assure you, sir, that I do not hate you. In fact, I’ve gained great appreciation and respect for you. Thank you for enabling my father to carry on his business. I understand how difficult it must have been for you repossess the mill from a man who was becoming your friend.”

  “In all my years in banking, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do,” Tremont said, his shoulders lowering a couple of inches on a sigh. “But I have investors and board members and the decision wasn’t wholly mine to make. Keeping a business alive can often require hard decisions.”

  “I understand,” Hal said, and he truly did. He’d made a few of his own before leaving Fredonia. Tremont was a good man, and a very wealthy man, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have to conduct business in a manner that would keep his investors happy.

  “I’ll tell you another thing, Mr. Grayson. It’s nearly impossible to watch my girls marry and move away.” With that, Tremont reached up and clasped Nancy’s hand, his eyes still on Hal. “There’s nothing in my life I value more than my daughters. Imagine my surprise when I learned Nancy was married to the hotheaded Grayson boy who had vowed to make me pay for my unfair treatment of his father.” Tremont shook his head, his eyes filled with concern. “All I could imagine was you being harsh with Nancy because of your hatred for me. The shock and worry nearly killed me.”

  “I can assure you that it was a complete and utter shock to me as well. And I’ve done my best to be a good husband.” Hal swung his gaze to Nancy who was looking on with a sense of uneasy anticipation. “The real irony, sir, is that Nancy is everything I would have chosen in a wife and far more than I could have ever hoped for.”

  Nancy’s lips parted on a small gasp, her eyes filled with surprise and a mix of other emotions he couldn’t sift through in that instant.

  Hal hoped she could see the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke his first words to her. “We need to talk, Nancy.”

  Before she had an opportunity to respond, her father said, “Hold on, young man. I’m sympathetic to the situation you and Nancy are embroiled in, but I must caution you to tread carefully with her or I’ll become every bit the ruthless man you thought me to be.”

  Hal’s mouth quirked in appreciation. “I’d be disappointed if you were anything less than ruthless in that case.”

  “Then state your intentions.”

  Undeterred by Tremont’s demand, Hal said, “I intend to have a private conversation with my wife.”

  While Tremont sat with his mouth open, Hal closed the distance to Nancy in two strides and presented her with her mother’s ring.

  Her lips parted in surprise.

  “This belongs to you.”

  Outside, Nancy directed Hal down a worn carriage path toward the stables. They walked in silence until they were away from the house and halfway to the enormous gambrel roofed barn that housed the horses.

  “I’m surprised you came,” she said, glancing up at her husband and noticing his hair had grown. The breeze flipped one wavy lock of hair around his collar and made her fingers itch to touch it. “Daddy and I were planning to head to Fredonia the end of the week.”

  Hal looked at her, his black brows raised as if astounded. “You were coming back? With your father?”

  “Yes. I needed to see you, Hal. I owe you an apology face-to-face.”

  He sighed and glanced across the paddock behind the stable where four of her father’s six horses were being exercised by her cousin. “I don’t understand, Nancy. Why couldn’t you have told me before I... when the truth would have mattered less?”

  “Was there ever a point in our relationship when that was true? I thought you hated my father.”

  His eyes met hers.

  “Hal, if I had thought for one minute I could have told you the truth without hurting you, I’d have done so. It tortured me to deceive you.” She pressed her palm to her chest. “I cannot express how deeply I regret my bad decisions.”

  “Am I one of those bad decisions?” he asked, and she could see the pain in his eyes.

  “Oh, Hal...” Nancy threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I know you may never forgive me,” she said, “but I want you to know you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  He stood stiff and unyielding. “I need to know something,” he said, grasping her arms and gently setting her away from him.

  An icy rush streamed through Nancy’s veins. Was he pushing her away because he was still angry? Because he couldn’t forgive her? Because he didn’t want her or their marriage?

  “I need to know if there are any other secrets you’re keeping from me — or lies you’re telling me.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes and a small sob burst from her throat. She clapped a hand over her mouth and inhaled, fighting her tears and the pain of his insulting question. “No,” she whispered. He had a right to ask, but it hurt that he felt the need to do so. “The only thing I didn’t tell you was my real name. Everything else I’ve said, including I love you was the truth.”

  As if he couldn’t bear her pain, he cupped her face and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry, darling, but I need to know that you’ll never again deceive me.”

  “Of course I won’t. I know I hurt you and I regret that more than I can express. As I live and breathe I will never again betray your trust or our love.”

  “Thank you,” he whispered, as if greatly relieved. “Because everything we will ever have together will be built on trust.” He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I love you, Nancy Tremont Grayson and I want you back in my life.”

  “Oh, Hal…” Nancy rested her cheek on his chest, feeling his warmth and hearing his strong heartbeat. “I’ve missed lying my head on your chest and hearing your heartbeat. I’ve missed the feel of your arms and the sound of your laughter. I’ve missed you and Captain and our house every minute of every day.”

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.” He eased back to see her face. From his shirt pocket he withdrew a simple gold band. “Now that I’ve seen all of this…” He gestured to the sprawling estate with stables and guesthouse. “Part of me thinks it might be kinder to walk away and allow you to live an easier more comfortable life here than to take you back to the one of toil and struggle you’ll have with me. But I can’t walk away, Nancy. My life is empty without you in it. Our small house is only a home with you in it. I can’t offer any of this, but I can offer you a life filled with love and laughter and all the animals you wish to rescue. This simple band is all I can afford, Nancy, but I want to put my own wedding ring on your finger tomorrow and take our vows with our families present.”

  Speechless, Nancy looked at the simple band and the remarkable man standing before her professing his love — and she felt like the most fortunate woman in the world.

  “You bought a ring?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. “You came here planning to marry me and take me home?”

  “Yes, darling. Captain has called me every kind of fool and refused to speak to me until I bring you home. So if you’re willing, we can marry tomorrow and head back to Fredonia... to Captain and to our home... together. The choice is yours. Will you stay with your father? Or will you return to Fredonia with me?”

  Nancy shook her head and laughed as if he was pitifully ignorant. “If you even have to ask that question then you’ve been blind and deaf this past three months. That you could even question my love wounds me deeply.”

  He clasped her hands and she felt his reassuring squeeze. “I wasn’t questioning your love, Nancy. I was questioning your desire to return to a hardscrabble life with a hardheaded man.”

  She released a small laugh and gazed up at him. “You are most definitely hardheaded, H
al, but I admire that you’re your own man. I’m sure Daddy would like to help make our lives much easier, but I suspect you would never accept his aid or my dowry. Would you?”

  She saw Hal’s shoulders tense and she knew the answer before he spoke.

  “Nancy, I realize you may not want to live without the comforts your father can provide, and I don’t want my pride to keep you from those things, but… I can’t live on the coattails of another man.” Hal sighed and released her hands. “Better we have this conversation now however difficult. Are you asking me to accept assistance from your father? Do you want more than I can provide?”

  She linked her fingers in front of her skirt and cocked her head to study him. “I need days filled with laughter and nights filled with passion. I need to tend my house and garden with my own hands. I need to be able to put a meal on the table each day for my family. I need to know that my husband wants and loves me.” She shrugged one shoulder. “That’s my list of needs. What I want is your love.”

  Relief flooded his eyes and he exhaled hard. “Those are all things I can provide you, Nancy.”

  She smiled. “I know. I was just waiting for you to figure it out.”

  He cupped her elbows and drew her close. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked. “I need to be certain we understand each other.”

  “Yes, I like living simply without all the obligatory events and posturing that comes with my parents’ sort of life. I like filling our kitchen with the aroma of a meal I’ve made with my own hands. I like dancing in a barn rather than a ballroom. I love the challenge of making music on our out-of-tune pianoforte instead of sitting for music lessons and playing for a roomful of my parent’s friends. Simple, loving, joyful living is what I want, Hal. That’s more than enough for me.” With that she placed a kiss on his warm cheek. “Any other questions?”

  “What time would you like to marry tomorrow?”

  “Five o’clock, if that suits you.”

  A slow grin tilted his mouth. “Any time suits me.”

  “All right then. I have much to do before tomorrow, so unless you have more questions, you should go tell your family that they’ll be attending our wedding.”

  “No more questions, just an intense desire to kiss your sassy mouth,” he said, slipping his arms around her and dipping his head.

  Nancy laughed and pushed him away, leaving him standing with his lips pursed and his eyes wide. “You shall get your kiss tomorrow, Mr. Grayson, at our wedding ceremony. Now be off with you and let me tend to my business.”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  At five o’clock the next afternoon, Nancy stood in a small clearing in her mother’s garden where she and her family had enjoyed many casual lunches on a blanket spread beneath a large red maple tree. But today, in her pale pink gown adorned with white lace, it wasn’t a casual lunch she was sharing with her family. Instead, she stood beside Hal Grayson, ready to speak her vows with all of the love she felt in her heart for the man beside her. Unlike their first wedding, there were no nerves, no worries, and no apprehension. Her love for Hal was all consuming and she was never more certain of her decision than she was in that moment.

  The two of them were surrounded by their families seated on shiny, black wrought-iron benches that her father’s staff had collected from various nooks throughout the garden. The scent of roses wafted through the garden on a light breeze. Butterflies flitted among purple petunias and blooming sedum. Seeing the two plants growing and flowering side-by-side told Nancy that summer was fading and making way for fall.

  Nancy embraced her wedding day and spoke her vows with love and confidence. She saw that same certainty in Hal’s eyes, heard the love in his voice as he promised her forever. This handsome, amazing man loved her. He wanted to marry her again and build a wonderful life together. He offered all he had, his strength, his passion, his love — and it was everything she needed and treasured.

  They kept the ceremony brief, but it was touching and beautiful with both of their families gathered together to witness the two of them commit their lives and their hearts to one another. This time they had chosen each other and that joy was reflected in their eyes and their smiles—and the fact that they couldn't bear to be more than a step away from each other.

  As they visited with their family, the sun moved from behind the pine trees that lined the garden and cast a bright light over Nancy and Hal. In that moment of warmth, she felt the presence of John Radford watching over them and blessing their marriage. She looked up at her husband and wondered if he might have experienced the feeling as well, but all she could see in his eyes was joy — and love.

  They enjoyed an informal supper in the garden, giving their families an opportunity to get acquainted socially, and as in-laws. It warmed Nancy’s heart to see her father, a robust wealthy man with silver hair, laughing with Hal’s father Daniel Grayson, a dark-haired and strikingly handsome man. It was obvious they were enjoying their chat and that there was no discord between the men. Hal stood near his father talking with his two brothers, their resemblance strong. The Grayson men were tall, breathlessly handsome men with their dark hair and finely chiseled features. They brought an air of royalty to the garden never before present despite the caliber of people her parents had entertained here. The Grayson men possessed an inherent currency other men couldn't buy... integrity... dignity... strength and a fierce resolve to protect the caliber of their character at all costs. This is why Hal had such difficulty forgiving Nancy’s lie. He would rather forfeit his life than sacrifice his honor.

  Hours after their wedding ceremony, Nancy was most happy to slip away with her new husband. Hal had removed his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He carried his jacket over one arm and presented his other arm to Nancy. “Shall we head to the guesthouse?”

  “I thought you would never ask,” she said with a laugh.

  He arched an eyebrow. “I thought you were enjoying the visit with our families.”

  “I was... for the first hour.”

  Laughing, they strolled the cobble-stone path that took them through the groomed shrubs and bushes of the garden to the back gate. The shadows were lengthening and the sky was painted with light pinks and oranges of the setting sun. It would be a while yet before night fell, but the day’s end was an hour or less away.

  They stepped through the wrought-iron gates at the rear of the garden and walked into the field beyond. Ahead of them a well-worn path wove through the grassy field separating Nancy’s parent’s house from the guest cottage where Hal and Nancy would spend their wedding night.

  The path was wide enough for two lovers snuggled close to each other. Still, Nancy felt her dress sweeping through the tall grass and had to stop briefly to gather her skirt. When she hefted the yards of material high on her arm, Hal glanced at her legs and grinned.

  “Would you like me to carry you?” he asked.

  “No, I would not,” she said, laughing at his intentionally lascivious gawking. “I’m simply protecting my dress.” Although she would be taking the rest of her personal items home with her, which would greatly enhance her wardrobe, they wouldn’t be able to afford material for new dresses for some time, and therefore she needed to protect the clothing she had.

  Despite revealing an indecent amount of her legs, her stride was much easier, as if she was freely moving forward with her life, finally leaving behind the heavy secrets that had burdened her heart and wounded Hal’s. She knew that married life wouldn’t always be an easy walk on a level path. Their journey together was bound to be filled with all manner of events, some they would celebrate, some they would grieve, and some they would simply have to work through together. She squeezed Hal’s hand, silently promising to be his playmate and his strength for the rest of their days.

  “Does this walk after our wedding feel at all similar to you?” Hal asked.

  “It feels similar and different at the same time.”

  “Exactly.” He stopped and faced her. �
��When I spoke my vows the first time, Nancy, I meant every word. But today, knowing how deeply we love each other, our vows felt different, as if they meant more.”

  “I know. I think it’s because we’re different now. We’ve both grown so much since the day we met at the station. We know what we were promising each other.”

  Regret filled his eyes and he cupped her face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t kinder that day at the station, darling. I had no idea of the burden you were carrying. My eyes were so blinded by grief I couldn’t see the treasure standing right in front of me. But I see you now, sparkling and beautiful and absolutely enchanting... and I feel like the luckiest man alive.”

  He drew her into a kiss so tender and so filled with devotion it made Nancy’s eyes tear. How could such a strong man be so gentle?

  She leaned into his warmth and cupped her free hand over his cheek and square jaw. They let the kiss fall away like a flower petal on a summer breeze, but their gazes held.

  “I will always remember the first time you kissed me — on our wedding day,” she said. “That day I was running away from something. Today, I’m running towards something wonderful and completely amazing. You.”

  “We sure took a long and winding path to get where we are today. I have no doubt that we’ll face more challenges ahead, but I’m confident now that we’ll face them together.”

  “I’ll be at your side every step of the way — wherever our path takes us.” She lifted up on her toes and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. In the cocoon of his arms, she felt safe and protected – and liberated. She felt passion and desire. She’d enjoyed making love with Hal, but something special had developed and deepened through their wedding today. With no secrets coming between them, she was finally free to love him fully.

  “I could stay right here kissing you all night,” he said, his voice dreamy sounding. “But we should get to the cottage before dark, don’t you think?”