Rand nodded. “But Jessica was in on it, too. And God hasn’t cut her off.”
“What! She didn’t even know Ben.”
“The whole thing was her idea.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Not that Ben wouldn’t have come up with something himself. But the kidnapping was her idea.”
“Why would she do such a thing?”
“To get you away from me,” he said simply. “She could sense I still had feelings for you.” He shook his head. “I had no idea she was capable of such an act of vengeance.”
Her heart surged at his admission in spite of her shock. He did still love her! “That’s why she left Fort Laramie in such a hurry,” she stammered. She saw his questioning look. “She left the day after you did. She’s going to Boston with her mother.”
“I see.” He took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you at the Sioux encampment, but I felt it was only right that I break things off with Jessica first. I’ve been a fool, Sarah. I never stopped loving you. I’ve never loved anyone but you.”
She laid a hand on his cheek. “There’s fault on both sides,” Sarah said softly. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’ve always loved you.”
He caught her hand and brought her palm to his lips. “Will you marry me?”
“When?” Her stomach was playing mumblety-peg as he kissed her palm lingeringly.
“Today wouldn’t be too soon.” He put an arm around her and pulled her onto his lap. “I love you so much, Green Eyes. Even when I told myself I hated you, I knew better deep down.” He traced a finger along the curve of her smooth cheek, then bent his head.
As his lips found hers, tears slipped out of Sarah’s eyes. She put her arms around his neck as the kiss became more urgent. When he pulled away, she slid her fingers through the rough thatch of his hair.
“Let’s not wait too long to marry,” he whispered. “I want you all to myself.”
“Me, too,” she said, blushing. “But what about Joel?”
“He’ll live with us, of course. But I think my brother will keep him for a week or so while we settle into married life.”
§
A crisp spring day three days later, Sarah and Rand stood before the post chaplain, Reverend Jameson. Every soldier in the fort had crammed into the tiny church to see their girl decked out in her finery.
In the front pew their families smiled as they watched them say their vows. Joel had been ecstatic when he’d realized he’d get to live with Rand.
After Rand and Sarah repeated their promises, the men behind them put up a rousing cheer as Rand, in his best uniform, kissed Sarah and turned to face the crowd. The officers formed a canopy of swords that he led his bride through and out into the spring sunshine.
Sarah wore her mama’s green dress, a perfect match for the emerald eyes she raised to Rand as they clasped hands and stepped out to meet their new life. Her heart had truly led her home.
If you love historical romance with adventure and mystery, the Under Texas Stars Series by Colleen Coble is one you won’t want to miss!
Blue Moon Promise
A love like Lucy and Nate’s only comes along once in a blue moon . . .
Lucy Marsh has lost everything but her determination to provide for her brother and sister. When she realizes her father’s death was no accident, she decides to accept a proxy marriage in order to get her siblings out of harm’s way. But trouble follows her to Wichita Falls, Texas, and nothing there is as she expected. Not the man she came to marry nor the family ties she’d hoped to find. Can it be true that real security is in letting go of her own strength and trusting in the One who is far stronger than she?
Nate Stanton always knew he’d marry someday, but he planned to find his own wife. The woman his father deposits on his doorstep is not the kind of wife he had in mind. She knows nothing about ranching, and she brings two siblings with her in the bargain. He moves her into a tiny cabin and expects her to run back to Chicago, but Lucy is made of sterner stuff than he imagined. And when danger moves in, he realizes he’d give anything to protect her and the children he has grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.
“Colleen weaves intrigue and God’s love into a story full of carefully crafted characters. If you’re looking for an awesome writer, I highly recommend her!”—Tracie Peterson, best-selling author of Dawn’s Prelude, Song of Alaska Series
Watch for Tidewater Inn—coming in July 2012!
Welcome to Hope Beach
Where the sea breeze is fresh, sun sparkles on sand . . . and trouble appears with the force of a hurricane.
I love to hear from my readers! Drop me an email at [email protected] and visit my website at www.colleencoble.com for more information about my many novels.
Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.
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