Her hand slid up from his chest, and a cold finger touched his lips, silencing him. “I don’t want to move back to town. The homestead is perfect, or wherever we need to go.” A soft smile touched her mouth. “I’d like to see more of the mountains. You need to use the gifts God gave you, and there’s nothing more I want than to be by your side.” She paused for breath as a twinkle found her eye. “That will be adventure enough, I think.”
With those words echoing through his mind, he slipped both hands up to her jaw, letting his fingers slide into the softness of her hair.
Just before his mouth touched hers, he gave voice to the response flooding his heart. “Did I tell you how much I love you?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
REUBEN STEPPED INTO Miriam’s kitchen the next morning, trying only slightly to suppress the smile that tugged at his mouth. Too much still whirled through his mind from the night before, but the part he was sure of was the fact that he was utterly happy.
The room was set-up much like the kitchen in Claire and Bryan’s home, with a dry sink and cook stove on the left and a large rectangular table in the center. Cathleen sat at the table with his mum, and they both looked up at him when he entered. Cathleen sent him one of those smiles that lit her face, and he probably answered it with some kind of silly grin.
He slipped into a chair beside her and leaned over the table. “And what do you ladies have planned for today?”
Cathleen gave him a sideways glance, then looked at his mum and spoke loud enough for her to hear. “We were getting ready to go for a walk this morning, since the sun’s out.”
Reuben couldn’t help slipping his hand up to the back of Cathleen’s chair and letting his thumb stroke her shoulder. “Mum, did Cathy tell you the good news?”
Cathleen sat up straight, almost knocking his hand off her chair as she turned a raised brow on him. His thumb shifted into circles over the tense muscles at the back of her neck.
She relaxed into him, and he took that as a sign that he could continue. Honestly, this news was too good to keep quiet for long, especially from Mum.
Mum was fiddling with a cloth on the table, not paying mind to either of them.
He leaned around Cathy to take one of his mother’s wrinkled hands in his. “Mum, guess what?”
She looked up then, her cloudy blue eyes studying him. “What is it, son?”
For once she knew it was him? He swallowed down the burn in his throat. “Cathleen finally agreed to marry me.” He nodded toward Cathy, so his mother would know who he meant, even if she didn’t remember the name.
Mum looked from him to Cathleen, then back to him. “That’s right good, son. I’m proud of ya.” The little squeeze of her fingers in his almost loosened the burn of tears that sprang to his eyes. She was proud of him? He couldn’t remember ever hearing those words. And now…in this moment…
One tear did slip through his defenses, and he wasn’t even ashamed when Cathleen saw it as she turned one of those smiles on him.
God, You are, indeed, good.
~ ~ ~
IT SEEMED SURREAL, that Cathleen finally stood in the church, across from Reuben Scott, pledging her life to him. How many times had she prayed for this? And now, the look Reuben sent her proved that God had answered beyond what she’d allowed herself to hope.
She offered her own smile as they turned to face Reverend Marcus, and Reuben’s fingers threaded through hers in a strong grip.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and you all.”
Cathleen did her best to soak in every word the reverend spoke as he began the ceremony and prayed to bless their union. But when he asked “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” that familiar prick burned the back of her eyes.
“Her family does.” Bryan’s strong voice carried through the church, and Cathleen turned to look at him. He sent her a wink before he sat down again next to Claire.
Reuben’s thumb stroked the top of her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, telegraphing his care. He’d asked if she wanted to delay the wedding until her mother and Alex were here. Somehow he’d known without her telling him that it would be hard without Dad.
But she’d said no. Of course she didn’t want to delay. They could celebrate again when Mum and Alex arrived. But even with all she was gaining, there was still the tiny pang of loss that held a place in her heart. Dad would have loved Reuben. Would have been proud of the fine man who stood beside her.
Reuben shifted, pulling her attention back to the minister. It was a good thing, too, because they’d come to the part of the ceremony she’d looked forward to the most.
“Reuben Joseph Scott, do you take Cathleen Suzanne Donaghue to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”
For as long as you both shall live. May it be a hundred years more.
“I do.” Reuben’s deep voice spoke a caress over her as his gaze found hers.
She could barely hold back the tears again as the minister spoke her vows and she made her own promise. Yet, these were happy tears, and the joy overwhelming her chest wouldn’t be contained.
Once again, Reuben’s thumb stroked a gentle path over the back of her hand. A smile played at the corners of his eyes.
When the pastor finally gave him leave, Reuben lowered his mouth to hers for a gentle touch, so sweet, yet full of the promise to come.
And then the crowd of friends descended on them.
It was almost two hours later before the wedding breakfast was over and the two of them were able to sneak off toward Claire and Bryan’s house. It was a good thing they’d opted for a Saturday morning wedding with only a few friends instead of a ceremony after Sunday services when the entire congregation would have been there. Of course, with her brothers being the only doctors in town, a few friends really was most of the congregation.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait a night before we head back up to the cabin? We could stay in a real hotel if you’d like.”
Cathleen glanced at him as they walked, the thought of the upcoming night stealing a bit of her courage. “I’m sure. We’ve been in Butte almost two weeks now. It’s time to go home.”
Home. Finally, the place she really belonged.
“How’s your arm holding up with all this activity?”
She tried not to wince as the question brought to mind the pain she’d successfully pushed out of her awareness. “Just fine. I’m not even sure it was a break, just a sprain probably.”
Reuben’s deep chuckle resonated beside her. “Bryan’s still not happy you cut off the splint so soon.”
“I didn’t need it.” At least she didn’t need it encumbering all her movements.
“You’ll put your sling back on now that the ceremony’s over?”
She gave Reuben a sideways glance, intending it to be something like a glare. But she couldn’t do anything except smile today. “Yes, husband.”
~ ~ ~
REUBEN HAD NEVER seen such a welcoming sight as the little homestead cabin when it came into view between the trees. They were home.
He reined the horses to a stop in front of the porch, then set the break and settled the reins. Cathleen stretched in the seat beside him.
He eased his mother up from where she slept on his other shoulder. She’d seemed especially disoriented during the excitement after the wedding and had slept most of the trip up the mountain. It would be good to have her back in familiar surroundings. Maybe she could even regain the progress she’d made before.
“We’re home, Mum.” He spoke the words gently as his mother looked around them. Her stiff gray hair stood up in tufts where she’d rested against him, adding to her confused look.
What had he been thinking to allow their wedding night with his mother in tow? He leaned clo
se to Cathleen. “I’m sorry to spend our first night like this.”
She searched his gaze, a line furrowing across her forehead. “I’m not. There’s no place I’d rather be than here, and it’s her home, too.” A mischievous sparkle lit her eyes, and it looked like she was about to say something more, but instead her lips pressed together.
He raised his brows. “And?” She wasn’t getting off that easily.
A pretty pink crept into her cheeks. “And…she’ll have her room. We’ll have ours.”
That brought on a belly laugh he couldn’t hold back. “I’m going to enjoy being married to you, Mrs. Scott.”
~ ~ ~
CATHLEEN KEPT BUSY over the next few hours until dusk overtook them. While Reuben unloaded the sleigh, she put together a quick supper of fried ham and potatoes. Mrs. Scott—Mum, she was starting to think of her—already seemed to be relaxing in her familiar surroundings.
Over their simple meal, the older woman started to nod off several times. At the second occurrence, Cathleen slid Rueben a glance. “I suppose she’s worn out.”
She stood and moved around to help her new mother-in-law toward the bed chamber. “Let me get her settled, and I’ll be back to clean up.”
After donning a nightdress, Mrs. Scott sank into the bedsheets with a relieved look and patted Cathleen’s hand. “Thank you, dearie. I’m glad you’re here.”
Cathleen pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I am, too.”
When she stepped back into the kitchen, Reuben stood over the bucket of wash water, sleeves rolled to his elbows. What a sight he made there, with his broad shoulders and towering presence, cleaning dirty dishes. A man strong in every sense of the word, yet gentle and thoughtful beyond what she would have imagined.
She stepped forward, keeping her tread light as she slipped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He straightened, then turned to face her, pulling her to his chest.
Thank you, Lord.
Her heart repeated the words over and over as she sank into the warmth of her husband, this man she’d come to trust and love more than she ever could have imagined.
Epilogue
October, 1879
Six Months Later
CATHLEEN REINED IN Tashunka beside Reuben’s horse, and stared out at the view before them. A valley stretched out below, still unmarred by snow, unlike the peaks rising in every direction around it. The sheer majesty of the scene tightened her chest, and she drew in a chilly breath.
“It’s beautiful, Reuben.” She pulled her gaze from the picture before them long enough to glance his way.
He watched her, one corner of his mouth tipped, and a glimmer of pride touching his eyes. “You like it?”
More than she could put into words. But with Reuben she didn’t have to, he seemed to understand her without the need to speak every thought. She met his gaze and nodded.
He reached across the distance between their horses and took her hand. The buckskin gloves he’d made her, with their detailed beadwork around the wrists, were pliable enough she could feel the brush of his thumb across the back of her hand. Just one of the many ways he made her feel protected. Loved.
She tried to show some of her gratitude in a smile, then allowed her gaze to be drawn back to the majestic sight before them.
After long moments soaking in the beauty, she broke the silence. “I’m glad my mother offered to stay with your mum so we could take a real wedding trip.”
A soft chuckle drifted from him. “I still can’t believe you want to spend it in my old winter cabin.”
She gave him a look. “I want to see what your life was really like as Reuben Scott, trapper extraordinaire.”
That chuckle again. “Darlin’, it wasn’t nearly as exciting as life these days.”
A smile tickled her mouth. Yes, he’d long since set aside that impassive look that covered his thoughts. And every day it seemed there was more in him to love. His whit, his strength, his integrity, the depth of his wisdom. The intensity with which he loved those he cared about. His undivided trust in God’s faithfulness.
She met his gaze again. “Do you miss it?”
He raised his brows. “Miss what?”
Her chest tightened as she thought about what she was asking. “Do you miss your life as a trapper? Independent, without all the rest of us holding you back.”
His eyes shadowed for a second, then cleared. Did he regret marrying an outsider? She’d be willing to take up his old life with him, but they still had his mother to consider. And so many things would have to change.
His thumb stroked her hand again, and his eyes softened. “How could I miss that? What I thought was good before was just a shadow of our life now.” A glimmer intensified his blue eyes. “I love our life, Cathy. I never thought I’d find my perfect match. Never thought God loved me enough to give me this gift. To give me you.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, his gaze never wavering from hers.
She couldn’t have spoken if she wanted to, but the joy in her chest spilled out in a single tear that trickled down her cheek. God had blessed them indeed. She never would have imagined He’d use the call of these untamed mountains to finally bring her home.
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Dear Readers,
Reuben was so intriguing to me! He's not only the strong, silent type, but has a depth of feeling and an artistic side that’s mind-boggling! As I wrote his story, I discovered something unusual (and a little tragic) in his past—the event that started him on the path toward the man he became. I didn't have the opportunity to share that part of his history in the book itself, so I decided to write a separate short story to show the event. I call it, The Love of a Mountain Man.
It’s not a romance, but it is a story of true love. So, get your tissue ready…
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Check out other books by
Misty M. Beller
Mountain Dreams Series:
Book 1
Amazon.com/dp/B00MQB7F4U
Book 2
Amazon.com/dp/B00T8XN9Q2
Book 3
Amazon.com/dp/B00WH8RBPA
Book 4
Amazon.com/dp/B011GC7VH1A
Also look for:
Misty M. Beller’s
Texas Rancher Trilogy:
Book 1
Amazon.com/dp/B01064BQCU
Book 2
Amazon.com/dp/B010EN1YSO
Book 3
Amazon.com/dp/B0186HDTN8
About the Author
Misty M. Beller writes Christian historical romance and is the author of the bestselling Mountain Dreams Series and the Texas Rancher Trilogy.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Writing is a dream come true for Misty. Her family—both immediate and extended—is the foundation that holds her secure in that dream.
Connect with Misty at http://www.MistyMBeller.com
Dedication
To my sweet Laney Grace,
our special gift from God.
I love you more than you could ever imagine.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events, or locale
s is purely coincidental. The characters are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2016 Misty M. Beller
All rights reserved.
The Lady and the Mountain Call (Mountain Dreams Series Book 5) Page 21