Blessed Vows

by Jillian Hart

  “He lives in Florida. He’s away from home most of the year, just like Ben. And wait.” She held up her hand, tucking away her pain because she didn’t want Amy to know what this was costing her. “Before you go on about how Cadence is moving to Florida and how I could do the same, consider this. Jake and I are hardly even dating.”

  “Only a man who’s serious brings you roses like that.”

  She blocked out Jake’s words of last night. How he wasn’t a man to waste his time. How he was serious about her, so serious he was looking into the future and seeing a marriage between them. “Florida is a long way away, and Jake and I haven’t known each other that long. Love takes time.”

  “No,” Cadence corrected gently. “Love takes heart.”

  “That’s right.” Amy’s hold tightened as she tugged Rachel down the aisle in Jake’s direction. “If this is something God means for you, then it will work out between Jake and you, and between Paige and you. It’s in the Lord’s hands, not yours.”

  “Right now, I’m in yours. You’re taking me to him.”

  “Guilty, but then you know that about me. I want what’s best for my big sister. This is your chance, Rachel. Don’t mess it up. Just believe.” She gave her a small shove.

  Rachel stumbled forward and there, around the corner where the window booths stopped and the table arrangements began, she saw him. Jake, who was coloring with a green crayon on the children’s menu, right along with his niece. The sight of the strapping man next to the fragile little girl simply caught her heart all over again with love so pure she ached from its power.

  “I’m going to work your shift today,” Amy whispered. “And Heath and I will babysit tonight. Love, no matter what, is always a great blessing. Don’t waste a minute of his time here.”

  Jake spotted her, put down his crayon and stood. He held out his hand for her to come join him. Everything faded, except for the love she felt for him. She floated forward to place her palm on his. They would have this day together. She couldn’t wait to show him her world.

  Rachel ignored the bite of frigid wind blowing hard against her face and driving the snow directly in her mouth as she tried to nudge Nugget out of the bitter wind. “Are you having fun yet?”

  Jake was nothing more than a silhouette in the thick snowfall behind her, the image of western masculinity with his head bowed to the wind, his Stetson shielding his face from the precipitation, his broad shoulders set as he rode the equally impressive gelding he’d borrowed from Paige’s son. “I don’t call this fun.”

  “You’re a city boy, that’s why. Now, this is what I call living.” She pulled her horse to a halt at the crest of the rise. The valley below spread out before them, misted by the thick veil of snow, and it was breathtaking and ethereal all at once. The gray light, the twilightlike shadows, the impressive rolling land so silent made the cold ride worth it. “This probably isn’t exciting enough for you.”

  “You know the mountains behind us?”

  “The Rockies?” The great mountains speared up and disappeared in the snow clouds, caught in a most severe part of the storm. “It wouldn’t be safe to go up there right now.”

  “Well, give me an ice axe, crampons and a climbing buddy, and find me a glacier to climb. Then I’ll be having fun.” He halted Bandit and knocked the snow off his hat.

  He could have been a hero in an old Western movie, and Rachel couldn’t help a little sigh of appreciation. This man was hers. Somehow this would work out however the Lord saw fit, she would simply have to let go and let God handle it. Easy to say, not so easy to do. But up here, in the crisp, clean mountain air, she felt closer to the Lord and hoped understanding would come to her a little more easily, too.

  “You can’t get much ice-climbing at home in Florida.”

  “No, but there’s sailing, jet skiing, waterskiing, diving, parasailing and hang gliding. That keeps me busy when I’m not training or on TDY.”

  “TDY. That means you’re overseas, right?”

  “Something like that. Temporary duty or tour of duty. Usually it means I’m in a chopper with mud on my face and a gun in my hand.” He leaned close. “Have I told you how glad I am to be with you? I am, you know. I think this is the happiest I’ve ever been.”

  “Me, too.” It was as if every shielded part of her opened, the places she kept safely hidden away. More vulnerable than she’d ever been with anyone ever, she dared to kiss him. And what a kiss it was. The moment his lips slanted over hers, more love for him lifted through her. She never knew that true love was like this, maturing more with every moment, every touch, every loving act. And this is only the beginning, she thought. Please, Lord, I want to be with him so much.

  How she wanted to start each day with him. To come home to him after her work was done. To share the ordinary and average moments of grocery shopping and choosing a movie at the video store and paying bills and settling down to a quiet evening at his side. To have the right to kiss him like this, and more, for eternity.

  When their kiss ended, neither pulled away. Their breaths rose in a single cloud as he kissed her forehead and her cheeks and the tip of her nose. How was it possible to love so much? She felt as if she’d come alive for the very first time—all over again.

  “I’ve been afraid to ask when you have to go back.”

  “I have to report on Monday. They’re going to keep me close to home for a little while until I get Sally settled. And then I’m back in the Middle East.” He sidled his horse closer to hers and towered above her, blocking the wind and some of the cold. Leaning close to thumb the snowfall from her cheeks and eyelashes, he said, “There’s nothing I can do about that. Orders are orders. You know that, because of your brother.”

  “Yep. We haven’t seen him much at all since he graduated from PJ school.”

  “It takes more dedication to make a marriage work when a soldier is gone so much. My hat’s off to him and Cadence. They seem to have a strong enough bond to make it.”

  “Of course they do. It’s true love.”

  Jake’s chest clutched. It was just what he thought. This peaches-and-cream, pale-pink-rose-loving lady was a pure romantic at heart. In the harsh realities he often faced as a warrior, he valued that about her. That she was as sweet and as good as could be.

  Rachel’s touch to his arm drew his attention. She pointed, and whispered. “A moose.”

  Sure enough like a ghost in the mist, a figure emerged, antlers held high. The animal’s head was up and studying them with great suspicion. The musical tap, tap of snow was the only noise.

  “Bullwinkle?” he whispered.

  “No, I don’t think so. He’s not getting ready to come boss me into giving him some grain.” She laughed, a quiet chime that sent the moose leaping into the underbrush. In the next instant the animal was gone, but it didn’t feel as if they were alone.

  Never more had Jake felt the steady calm of the Lord’s presence, and he could feel the whisper in his heart. Ask her.

  He’d planned on proposing after dinner on bended knee, with more roses he’d had delivered in collusion with Amy who’d agreed to have someone at the house to let in the florist. But with the fog of snow seeming to cocoon them from the strife and busyness of the world and the regal silence of the mountains surrounding them, he could think of no better place.

  He dismounted and sank past his hiking boots into the snow. He ignored the sting of cold penetrating his jeans and wetting his socks.

  “What are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re going to go find a glacier to climb.”

  “No, I’m going to do something much riskier.”

  “What on earth could that be?” Below the cuff of her knit cap, her jeweled eyes were sparkling as if he amused her greatly.

  He held out his hand. “Come down and I’ll show you.”

  “Okay.” She easily swung down before him. “But you’ve gone completely pale. Are you all right?”

  “No. Don’t you know that a man always is pale when
he’s going down on one knee.” He watched her eyes widen as he sank into the freezing snow, but his discomfort didn’t matter. The surprise spreading across her lovely face did.

  “What are you doing? I—” Her eyes widened and then she smiled all the way as if to her soul. “Oh.”

  “I need to ask you something.”

  Rachel shivered, but not from the cold. Could he tell she was trembling? That she was excited and scared all at once? The sight of the big man kneeling before her made her eyes blur. She couldn’t believe it. And yet, when he took her hands in his, he was solid and real.

  “Almost from the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one. The woman I would want to honor and cherish for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

  Pure joy seeped into her soul, slow and steady, like a winter’s sun rising.

  “Marry you?” Her brain wasn’t working, but her heart was. She tumbled to her knees and wrapped her arms around him, her cheek pressing against his wide chest. Snow flecked her face and caught on her lashes and she was laughing and crying all at once.

  Jake was laughing, too. “Is that a yes? Or did I just make a huge fool of myself?”

  “It’s a yes. And you could never be a fool, not to me.” She met his kiss with one of her own. Held him tenderly as the snow fell like grace over them. Her eyes drifted shut and he tucked her against him, where she rested, despite the cold and the rising wind. Happiness warmed her as she held on tightly to this man who was her love, her heart and all of her future.

  She was getting married!

  I know you know what you’re doing, Lord, but this marriage stuff is hard on a man. Behind the wheel of his rented SUV, Jake checked his watch, trying to act as if everything was fine. Beside him, Rachel was on her cell with Amy, asking how Sally was doing without her uncle.

  “I’ve kept her so busy she’s hardly noticed he’s gone.” Jake could hear Amy’s cheerful answer in the quiet of the vehicle’s compartment, but after a few more words, Rachel ended the call.

  “You didn’t tell her your news?”

  “I wanted it to be our secret for a little while longer although I think she suspects.” She blushed prettily. She was even more lovely when she was happy, for it radiated from her like light from the sun. As she slipped her hand on top of his, where it rested on the console, it struck him again how incredibly lucky he was.

  His throat tightened. He’d been alone for so long, he’d never noticed how lonesome life was. In truth, maybe that’s why he loved his work so much. It kept him from noticing what was missing. But not anymore. For better or worse, he was marrying Rachel, the sweetest, loveliest woman ever. She steadied him, and he felt as if he were making the smartest move of his life.

  The traffic inched forward and he had enough room to turn into a plowed parking lot. Ice shone as he eased to a stop. “Looks like we’re here. Are you ready for this?”

  She didn’t answer. She was staring at the jewelry store’s elegant lit sign. “I—uh.” She flushed again. “I didn’t expect this.”

  “I wanted you to pick out the ring you want. Any one you want.” He turned off the engine and pulled the emergency brake. “Are you ready?”

  She sparkled with a quiet joy and made him feel ten feet tall. He wanted nothing more than to make her happy as much as he could. Any way he could. When he helped her from the vehicle, he’d never felt so important. The way she looked at him with such pure affection weakened the titanium shield he’d secured around his heart.

  “Hello Mr. Hathaway?” A pleasant woman in a business suit met them at the door. “I’m Carol. We spoke on the phone. And you must be Rachel. Congratulations on your engagement. Please, come with me. I have a room all ready for you, along with quite a selection of our loveliest diamonds.”

  Even hours later, after an incredible dinner at the area’s finest restaurant, he could not forget how great it felt to know he was giving Rachel her dream. He’d sat at her side and offered his opinion on the array of fine rings he’d asked the store to set out for her. His bride-to-be was far more elegant and classy than any of the exquisite stones. When he slipped the diamond she finally chose on her finger, he could not hold back the adoration for her beating in his heart.

  Chapter Thirteen

  What a beautiful night. It seemed to be a promise from above, Rachel thought, as the last snowflakes danced lazily against the windshield. The defroster was on high to drive away the gathering chill of the night that penetrated the passenger compartment. It looked like it was going to be an early and long Montana winter. But would she be here to see it?

  She gazed down at her left hand and the marquis-cut diamond set between two smaller stones gleamed in the glow from the dash lights. The ring, as beautiful as it was, felt foreign on her finger.

  She still couldn’t believe it. She was getting married to Jake. As he shifted into four-wheel drive for the last stretch of driveway, she realized this was where they’d first met. She tried to imagine what he’d thought of a woman racing down the road waving a broom and wearing her big fluffy slippers.

  Who would have thought that evening, when she’d been so exhausted and not expecting her one perfect man, that her life would change the very moment they met?

  Jake pulled into the carport, where drifted snow pulled at the tires and they skidded to a slow sideways stop. “How’s that ring feel?”

  “Perfect because it’s from you.”

  “It’s your hand that looks so beautiful.” He leaned across the gearshift to kiss her, this woman who tied him up in so many confusing knots. When her lips met his, those knots pulled a little tighter. What he felt for her was a powerful thing. How was he going to keep it under control? When he pulled away, he didn’t miss the dreamy cast to her face. Moonlight filtered through the icy window to burnish her with a rare, platinum light. He felt too much.

  He welcomed the bite of the frigid temperatures that assaulted him the instant he stepped foot into the night. He helped Rachel from the vehicle with care. She might be a capable woman, but she was also going to be his wife. He remembered the way his dad had always held the doors for Mom. They had been happy together. His father’s words of advice back then meant little, but came back as great wisdom now. Treat her right, son. You aren’t here for yourself, but for her.

  Good advice. Because of Rachel, he’d be able to get back to work. Sally would have a kind woman to raise her. And in return, he was giving her what mattered most. A marriage. A family. His respect and his honor. That was a good marriage in his book. And he thanked the Lord for this fine woman. Maybe he wasn’t thankful for the knots in his guts, but he could survive the discomfort. For Rachel, he felt ready to do anything.

  “I need to talk to Paige first thing in the morning.” She leaned into him.

  He put his arm around her and drew her close, protecting her from the wind and making sure she didn’t slip on the ice. It was his job now to care for her, and it meant a lot to him. Filled him with a purpose he’d never known. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

  “No, thank you.” She snuggled against him a little closer. “This is something between Paige and me. All I can do is explain what’s happened and see what comes from it. Thank you, though. It’s nice to know that you’re here for me.”

  “Baby, that’s something I plan on being as much as I can. We’re a team now. I care about what matters to you.”

  “No wonder I love you so much.” On the top step, she went up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, the sweetest gesture.

  His chest filled with a welcome sense of wonder. It was going to be really nice to belong with her.

  She unlocked the front door and disappeared into the unlit foyer. He stomped the snow from his boots before following her, and he sensed something was wrong. Someone was in the house. He could smell a faint perfume, and there was that awareness that made his neck prickle. Someone was watching him in the dark—

  “Surprise!” The lights flashed on at the same moment he saw shadows
move in the darkened archway.

  Years of training had already kicked in and he was standing in front of Rachel, between her and the danger which was her family rushing toward her with arms outstretched.

  “Did he propose?” one of her cousins asked.

  “Let’s see the ring!” Amy demanded.

  As the women gathered close around Rachel to ooh and aah, Jake wished he could shrug off the charge of adrenaline pumping through him as easily as he slipped out of his coat. He caught Paige’s hard, measuring gaze and didn’t fault her for it. She’d been in charge of the family and watching over Rachel for a long while.

  He had the gist of what that would be like, because the thought of watching over Rachel battered at his defensive shields. He couldn’t deny she made him feel a mess of weak and vulnerable things that couldn’t be good for a man—things that were never wise for a soldier. He’d seen too much war, too many wounded, too much heartbreak, and the only way he could deal was to keep those shields up. It was all he knew to do.

  “Uncle Jake?” Sally wandered down the hallway, scrubbing her eyes. She was still dressed, but she’d obviously fallen asleep in one of the bedrooms. Maybe Amy had carried her back there. Unmistakable relief flashed across her pixie face and she flung her arms wide.

  He went down on both knees to draw this dear child against him where he hoped she felt secure as her arms wrapped right around his neck. “I didn’t mean to be gone so long, cutie pie. Rachel and I just went out to a nice dinner, but we’re back now.”

  Instead of comforting her, his words seemed to make everything worse. Her little body drew as tight as a tensed bowstring and her arms squeezed him until she cut off his air supply. So he rose, cradling her weight against him, murmuring low as he carried her back down the hall.

  A faint golden glow led him through the shadows where it became a night-light in the shape of a crescent moon and five-pointed star next to a canopy bed. Gauzy pink drifted from the frame overhead, matching the flowers on the bedspread. Rachel’s room, of course. A knit blanket was rumpled, as if tossed aside.