Shad’s heart soared.
Jill’s gaze locked on Shad. “Don’t think I’ve let you off the hook yet.”
Shad realized he was smiling. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“We’d better get going now,” Dulsie stated.
Shad’s heart fell slightly. She still seemed a bit distant, but he of all people should understand her reaction. What mattered now was they were making that first step.
He helped with gathering up a few things for Dulsie to take, and Jill was cordial even if she still wasn’t chatty with him. When Shad grasped Dulsie by her good arm he felt her stiffen, but it was only for a second. He helped her with walking out to the car. Karl seemed to convince Jill to stay in the house.
When they reached the Buick Shad opened the passenger side door for Dulsie and helped her to slip into the seat. He took the seat belt and gently guided it under her injured arm to buckle it in place, and then stopped where he was and gazed into her eyes.
Dulsie gazed back at him, and Shad could detect a flicker in her eyes that had been evading him for too long.
“I love you,” he murmured.
Dulsie’s smile was slight but at least it was for him. “I love you too.”
Shad slowly leaned closer and very gently touched his upper lip, which wasn’t split, to her mouth. He was ready to draw back if Dulsie turned away, but to his relief her own lips pressed softly against his.
Shad stepped back to shut the car door. Next he strode around the front of the Buick, and hopped into the driver’s seat.
There was light in his life again. Dulsie was restored to Shad, back in her role not only as his best friend and wife, but now fulfilled as the mother of his child. In spite of his shortcomings, Shad was the lucky one that Dulsie had selected, and that made her the sacred vessel through whom God worked to bring out the best in him.
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Thank you for reading this book. If you enjoyed it, would you please take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer?
Thank you so much!
A. E. Branson
About the author:
A. E. Branson is a native Missourian and farm girl who married a wonderful man and they had two lovable children. Her next story will have a more science fiction slant and it is part one of a four-part series.
Please feel free to visit my blog page at http://truetoone.blogspot.com
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