Steadfast Heart
Page 28
Lenore couldn’t help but smile behind her veil. Their romance had been a whirlwind, but their future lives would be fixed on a solid foundation of faith and love in God and for each other.
“Dearly beloved,” the minister began, “we have gathered this day to witness the matrimony of Miss Lenore Fulcher and Mr. Kolbein Booth. Would the guests remain standing while we pray.”
Lenore bowed her head and felt Kolbein tighten his hold on her hand. Was he worried that she might slip away before he reopened his eyes? Perhaps he felt as amazed as she and just wanted to hold on to every moment, every feeling and thought, lest anything be missed.
The minister finished his wedding blessing and bid the attendees to sit before continuing with the wedding service. Lenore lost track of the words and thought only of how much she had come to love this man who would soon be her husband. She had never imagined love could come so quickly to a heart, but God had definitely caused it to grow between the two of them. She prayed it would always continue to grow.
They exchanged their vows, and when Kolbein placed a beautiful ring of diamonds and sapphires on her finger, Lenore couldn’t help but admire the piece. For a moment she wondered at the cost but just as quickly put aside her concern. She was marrying a man of means, and he was very generous. And, as her father had suggested, she was now quite well fixed herself. However, she had plans for a good portion of her money and knew that Kolbein wouldn’t object. No doubt he would easily yield to her request that they help fund Abrianna’s new exploits to see her street folk fed and clothed. Perhaps one day they would help shelter the poor, as well. She grinned, meeting her husband’s curious expression. There would be time enough to explain later.
Lifting her veil at the minister’s announcement that he could kiss his bride, Kolbein looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.
“I marvel to think you belong to me.” He drew her into his arms. “My beloved Lenore.”
After a kiss that didn’t last nearly long enough for Lenore, Kolbein stepped back and turned to greet their audience of well-wishers. Abrianna handed Lenore her bouquet of flowers and kissed her cheek.
“I think that went beautifully,” her friend murmured. “No one fainted or coughed during the recitation of your vows. And the rain held off.” They both looked skyward at the growing heaviness of the clouds.
Then before she knew it, Kolbein was whisking her away into the crowd of people. Lenore longed for a quiet moment alone with her husband, but it was not to be. At least not just yet. By the time they shared a wedding brunch and received hundreds of toasts for their future, Lenore was exhausted.
When Kolbein leaned over to whisper in her ear, Lenore straightened in her chair and smiled. Standing, Kolbein helped her to her feet, and cheers sang out from the wedding guests.
“My friends, Lenore and I must leave your company now and prepare for our departure. Our ship sails at four and we must make ready. Thank you for your many blessings and prayers.”
With that, he escorted Lenore rather hastily into the house, where the old ladies had prepared a room for them to change for their wedding trip. Lenore suddenly felt overcome by joy and burst into tears. She was married now. Married to the man of her dreams—dreams that she hadn’t even fully known until Kolbein had come into her life.
Surprising her, Kolbein took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Lenore felt breathless when he pulled away and gazed deeply into her damp eyes.
“I love you so completely, Lenore. I’ve never known such a thing, and I find that it consumes me. I thank God for bringing me to Seattle to find you.”
“But you weren’t looking for me,” Lenore said with a tilt of the head.
“Wasn’t I?” he asked and then kissed her again.
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over a hundred novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling HEIRS OF MONTANA and ALASKAN QUEST series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie’s website at www.traciepeterson.com.
Books by Tracie Peterson
* * *
www.traciepeterson.com
BRIDES OF SEATTLE
Steadfast Heart
LONE STAR BRIDES
A Sensible Arrangement
A Moment in Time • A Matter of Heart
LAND OF SHINING WATER
The Icecutter’s Daughter
The Quarryman’s Bride • The Miner’s Lady
LAND OF THE LONE STAR
Chasing the Sun • Touching the Sky
Taming the Wind
BRIDAL VEIL ISLAND*
To Have and To Hold • To Love and Cherish
To Honor and Trust
STRIKING A MATCH
Embers of Love • Hearts Aglow
Hope Rekindled
SONG OF ALASKA
Dawn’s Prelude • Morning’s Refrain
Twilight’s Serenade
ALASKAN QUEST
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights
Whispers of Winter • Alaskan Quest (3 in 1)
BRIDES OF GALLATIN COUNTY
A Promise to Believe In
A Love to Last Forever
A Dream to Call My Own
THE BROADMOOR LEGACY *
A Daughter’s Inheritance
An Unexpected Love • A Surrendered Heart
BELLS OF LOWELL*
Daughter of the Loom • A Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads
LIGHTS OF LOWELL*
A Tapestry of Hope • A Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart
DESERT ROSES
Shadows of the Canyon • Across the Years
Beneath a Harvest Sky
HEIRS OF MONTANA
Land of My Heart • The Coming Storm
To Dream Anew • The Hope Within
LADIES OF LIBERTY
A Lady of High Regard
A Lady of Hidden Intent
A Lady of Secret Devotion
RIBBONS OF STEEL**
Distant Dreams • A Hope Beyond
A Promise for Tomorrow
RIBBONS WEST**
Westward the Dream • Separate Roads
Ties That Bind
WESTWARD CHRONICLES
A Shelter of Hope • Hidden in a Whisper
A Veiled Reflection
YUKON QUEST
Treasures of the North • Ashes and Ice
Rivers of Gold
A Slender Thread
All Things Hidden***
House of Secrets
What She Left for Me
Where My Heart Belongs
* with Judith Miller ** with Judith Pella ***with Kimberley Woodhouse
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