The Drifter
Page 25
“Question?” Julia asked.
Because she was crying, the word sounded garbled. But Graham knew what it was. His heart had wished for this moment too many times not to recognize it, when it came.
“Yes, question. Are you ready?”
Julia sniffled, and nodded. The crowd behind them pressed nearer. Even the sounds of the bustling town surrounding them seemed to grow quieter.
“’Tis this,” Graham said, wrapping his fingers around hers more firmly. “Will you be mine, Miss Bennett, and make this day complete? Will you marry me, and make me an honest man?”
“Oh, yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I will!”
She lurched forward, cradling his face between her hands and pressing small, fervent kisses to his lips, his cheek, his whiskery jaw—anyplace she could reach.
“Yes, yes, yes!” Julia cried, and she gave a little jig. “Nothing could make me happier.”
Their first celebration couldn’t wait. Graham rose to his feet, and hauled Julia into his arms for a proper kiss. As the groom-hunting posse from Avalanche roared their approval, he held close the woman he loved, and did all he could to show her how happy she’d made him.
When their kiss ended, they turned to face the group. As they did, a renewed cheer rose to the skies—sunny skies, the first he’d truly shared with Julia. From here on, Graham vowed, the sun would shine on all their days.
He scooped up his hat and dragged it on his head, then held his hand out for Julia to take. “Our lonesome days are over,” he said. “From here, ’tis nothing but shared happy days and shared loving nights. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Gleefully, Julia seized his hand.
And with their fingers clasped, they swung their arms and strode toward their friends and family, walking together…together into a loving future.
Outrageous hats, bristly jaws, etiquette rules, gun belts, and all.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-6015-6
THE DRIFTER
Copyright © 2002 by Lisa Plumley
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