The meal was a celebration of the wedding but also of having those villainous men finally locked up.
Justin didn’t let the celebrating go on for too long, however. He rose from the table, and with Angie’s hand firmly in his, he said, “My new wife and I want to spend some time alone together this evening, so good night. This has been a time a man remembers the blessing of family. I love all of you.”
They all said good-night, though Angie barely heard them. She was too busy keeping up with her fast-moving husband.
When they reached his room, Angie blinked to see her few things had been moved in there. Rosita must have done it before they sat down to eat. She’d gone in and out of the kitchen a couple of times.
Justin closed the door and locked it, then pulled her into his arms. She expected him to kiss her, but instead he held her so tight it nearly hurt. But she gripped him just the same and didn’t want to let go.
Finally his grip eased until he gently rocked her. “Angie, having you here, alive and well, is a blessing. I can’t even put into words how worried I was when those men took you.”
Smiling against his chest, she said, “I was every bit as worried as you.”
“I imagine you were.” Justin managed a rough laugh. “Have I told you yet how much I love you?”
“Not in so many words, but I was very hopeful that you did and you’d say it soon.”
He raised his head enough to look her in the eyes. “I knew I cared about you. I knew I was desperate to protect you. I knew everything was better when you were near me, but I didn’t call it ‘love.’ Cole had to punch me, and then he said I was in love with you.”
The light in Angie’s eyes dimmed a bit. “Someone had to beat you to make you realize you loved me?”
“Yep, I’m glad that chore didn’t end up being yours.”
“As am I, Justin.” She kissed him, resigned to the fact that in some important ways, she was married to a half-wit. “And I love you, too.”
His eyes went wide. “You do?”
With a sigh she said, “So you don’t recognize love when you feel it, nor when you see it—am I understanding this correctly?”
Justin shrugged. “The first recognition might be slow coming, but I see it now and feel it with everything in me. Marrying you has made me the happiest man alive. The time for a man to marry, it seemed for me, was a long time gone. I’d decided there was no woman for me and I’d spend my life ranching. And then a sweet, fragile miracle fell into my arms and nothing’s been the same since.”
Those weren’t the words of a half-wit. They were more like fine poetry. When he drew her close for another kiss, she said against his lips, “My chance for love was also a long time gone, and now here you are, filling up my whole life with love and family.”
His kiss deepened then. The time for talking was past. Something much sweeter was on their minds.
About the Author
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies about cowboys. She’s the author of THE KINCAID BRIDES, TROUBLE IN TEXAS, and WILD AT HEART series, as well as several other acclaimed series. Mary has been nominated for a Christy Award, was a finalist for a RITA Award, and is a two-time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. They have four grown daughters—Joslyn, married to Matt; Wendy; Shelly, married to Aaron; and Katy, married to Max—and four precious grandchildren. Learn more about Mary and her books at:
maryconnealy.com
facebook.com/maryconnealy
seekerville.blogspot.com
petticoatsandpistols.com
Books by Mary Connealy
From Bethany House Publishers
THE KINCAID BRIDES
Out of Control
In Too Deep
Over the Edge
TROUBLE IN TEXAS
Swept Away
Fired Up
Stuck Together
WILD AT HEART
Tried and True
Now and Forever
Fire and Ice
THE CIMARRON LEGACY
No Way Up
Long Time Gone
The Boden Birthright: A Cimarron Legacy Novella
A Match Made in Texas: A Novella Collection
Runaway Bride: A Kincaid Brides and Trouble in Texas Novella (With This Ring? Collection)
Sign Up Now!
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
Twitter: @Bethany House
Long Time Gone Page 25