by Janette Oke
“Elizabeth, I must confess that I kissed you because I wanted to—not merely to save you from fainting again. But I didn’t come here just to apologize.”
My eyes must have asked my question.
“I came here to ask you to forgive me, yes—but I also came to—to ask you not to go. I know it’s selfish, and I know that I have no right, but I must at least tell you before you go—before you decide—that—I love you, Elizabeth. I want you to stay. I want you to consider being my wife. I know that I have nothing to offer—that I—”
I don’t know what other nonsense Wynn might have gone on declaring had I not stopped him. I was still mulling over the words, “I love you, I want you to be my wife.” And with a glad little cry I threw myself into his arms.
“Oh, Wynn!” I sobbed, and my tears spilled freely on his red tunic until he lifted my face upward and began to kiss me.
When he stopped and looked at me, I was breathless and flushed with happiness.
“I still don’t know where I’ll be posted—”
“It doesn’t matter. Can’t you see? It really doesn’t matter.”
“I believe you. Somehow I believe you.” And he kissed me again.
The next question that he asked me made my eyes shine even more.
“How would you like a honeymoon in those Rockies—by a mountain stream?”
“Oh, Wynn, I’d love it. I’d just love it! Could we?”
Then a sharp train whistle reached my ears and even as I listened I could tell that it was getting farther away.
“Oh, dear,” I said and looked at Wynn in dismay.
“What is it?”
“I do believe that my train has just left without me.”
Wynn smiled his slow, deliberate smile. “Isn’t that a shame,” he said with exaggerated alarm.
Then I began to laugh—a soft, merry, tremendously happy laugh.
“Do you know,” I said, “that my poor old trunks have gone on east without me?”
He pulled me close and laughed with me, kissing the top of my head.
“I do hope that you have some belongings, Elizabeth.”
“Just my two suitcases.”
“We’ll wire ahead and have your trunks sent back—because I’m not letting you go after them. Trunks or no trunks, you’re staying here—where you belong.”
I had no objections.
JANETTE OKE (pronounced “Oak”) pioneered inspirational fiction and is still beloved by readers today. Her books have sold over 30 million copies.
Janette gets fan mail from all over the world. She received the 1992 President’s Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award, and has been honored with the Gold Medallion and the Christy Award. Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren. They make their home in Alberta, Canada.
Books by Janette Oke
* * *
Return to Harmony • Another Homecoming
Tomorrow’s Dream • Dana’s Valley**
ACTS OF FAITH*
The Centurion’s Wife • The Hidden Flame • The Damascus Way
CANADIAN WEST
When Calls the Heart • When Comes the Spring
When Breaks the Dawn • When Hope Springs New
Beyond the Gathering Storm
When Tomorrow Comes
LOVE COMES SOFTLY
Love Comes Softly • Love’s Enduring Promise
Love’s Long Journey • Love’s Abiding Joy
Love’s Unending Legacy • Love’s Unfolding Dream
Love Takes Wing • Love Finds a Home
A PRAIRIE LEGACY
The Tender Years • A Searching Heart
A Quiet Strength • Like Gold Refined
SEASONS OF THE HEART
Once Upon a Summer • The Winds of Autumn
Winter Is Not Forever • Spring’s Gentle Promise
SONG OF ACADIA*
The Meeting Place • The Sacred Shore • The Birthright
The Distant Beacon • The Beloved Land
WOMEN OF THE WEST
The Calling of Emily Evans • Julia’s Last Hope
Roses for Mama • A Woman Named Damaris
They Called Her Mrs. Doc • The Measure of a Heart
A Bride for Donnigan • Heart of the Wilderness
Too Long a Stranger • The Bluebird and the Sparrow
A Gown of Spanish Lace • Drums of Change
www.janetteoke.com
*with Davis Bunn
**with Laurel Oke Logan
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
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