He turned to her on the seat and slipped both arms around her, pressing his lips to hers. He clutched her to him and kissed her as he'd been longing to do since he'd found her kneeling over John. He had needed to know she was fine, and now, finally he was convinced. "I'm so glad he didn't hurt you," he mumbled against her lips.
She pressed closer to him, happy to finally be able to escape in his arms. She'd been frightened half the day, and she'd needed his arms around her more than she'd ever needed anything. How was it that his love had showed her exactly how much she was worth?
Epilogue
Elaine turned away from the basin where she'd just finished the breakfast dishes and walked over to sit across from her mother, who was going home the following day. The whole time she and her father had been there, Elaine had felt her disappointment, but she'd not let it bother her. She was a strong woman, and she did a good job keeping house for her husband.
"Are you ready to go back, Mother?" she asked softly, trying to make conversation that wouldn't make either of them angry.
Cassandra nodded. "I miss your sisters. I know your two younger sisters are in good hands with your older sisters, but it seems strange to have a holiday season without all of you around." She sighed, looking around the small house. "When I first came to Kansas, I was certain you'd made a big mistake. I was all ready to try to talk you into coming back home where you belong."
Elaine looked down at her hands. She'd done well with not getting overly upset over her mother's negativity during the visit, but she could feel it starting to build. "You were?"
"Yes, I was, but then I came out here and saw how little you had, but how you'd made it a home." She waved her hand around the room, pointing out the small touches Elaine had made over the years. "Everything is beautiful." She looked at her daughter with surprise. "And you cook like a dream. I've enjoyed every meal you've fixed for us. Where did you learn to cook that way?"
Elaine grinned. "I sneaked into the kitchen every time you left the house and begged Mrs. Jenkins to teach me to cook."
Cassandra shook her head at her middle daughter. "I should have known. I guess I have to admit that you moving out here was the right thing to do. I can see that your limp is even better. The sitting never did anything to strengthen your leg, but the way you do all the work here has really improved it. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm happy you defied me and moved to Kansas."
Elaine stared at her mother in shock. "Even though you know what happened with John?"
Cassandra sighed. "I could have done without that part of the story, but I'm happy that you were able to protect yourself. I've known for a long time that you were unhappy at home, and I just wasn't willing to let you go. Every time you walked away from me, I saw you as that little girl you were when you were ten, all curled up under that tree with your leg bleeding and bent so oddly." A tear trickled down her cheek. "I have to say that I'm proud of you, though, Elaine. You came out here and you've faced a lot of adversities. You have gone through things that would have had a lesser woman running home to her mother. Now, while you're still welcome to do that any time you want to, I think you've married a good man. This place is really where you belong."
Elaine felt the tears prick her eyes at her mother's words. She'd never thought to hear the older woman say that she was proud of her. She honestly hadn't thought she was capable of saying the words, at least to her. "Thank you, Mother. That means a lot to me." Her hand went to her stomach, and she rubbed it, thinking of the new life growing there. Her mother had been ecstatic at the news that she would soon be a grandmother again, but not nearly as ecstatic as she'd been when she'd found out.
"Have you been thinking about what you're going to name my granddaughter yet?"
Elaine grinned. "I'm not sure why you're so certain it's a girl. I'm having a boy. Don't you think it was time for Father to have some grandsons?" Elaine's older sisters had thus far produced five girls between them. Not one boy had yet been born to her family.
"It is time, but don't get your hopes up. For some reason the women in our family only seem to be able to produce girls. There are never any boys as you well know."
"This one will be a boy. I'm sure of it." Elaine had never wanted anything as much as she wanted the child she carried to be a boy. He would help his father on the ranch and carry on the Monroe name. No, she wouldn't have a girl. Not this time, anyway. Maybe next time she'd have a girl. She wanted a houseful of children.
"I'll let you think that." Cassandra smiled. "I'm so glad your father and I came out here to check on you. You've done very well for yourself. Now I can go home and stop worrying."
"Oh, Mother. I would never take the fun of worrying from you."
"Oh, very funny! You just wait until your daughter up and moves several states away to marry a man you've never met. See how you like it."
Elaine said nothing, knowing that she would be sure to raise strong confident daughters who could do just that. She'd make sure of it.
Looking for more books by Kirsten Osbourne?
Brides of Beckham Series
Mail Order Mayhem
Mail Order Mama
Mail Order Madness
Mail Order Mix Up
Mail Order Mistake
Mail Order Maternity
Mail Order Match Maker
Mail Order Motherhood
Mail Order Meddler
Anthology With Others (Including Mail Order Matron)
Western Kisses
Dallas Billionaires Series
Steven
Justin
Cody
Stand Alone Books
Dream Lover
Making Me Believe
All For Emma
Making Deals
Lies
Suitors of Seattle
Rose
Lily
Amaryllis
Daisy
Jasmine
Regencies
Loving Lily
Courting Constance
Writing as Morganna Mayfair
Thrice Blessed Trilogy
Conquered
Stenwick Siblings Trilogy
The Earl's Design of Love
Mail Order Misfit (Brides of Beckham) Page 12