Tillie's Theatre (The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides Book 20)
Page 11
The heat of desire was spreading through her, and a moan escaped her lips as William pressed his tongue into her mouth, searching for deeper connection. Tillie had never wanted anyone so fiercely, and all the moments of watching William started playing in her head. His soaked shirt clinging to his body, his strong arms holding her, her hands pressed against his back right now. All the sensations from past and present collided together and exploded into more heat.
We need to get married today. The thought sucked Tillie out of her consuming passion, and she pulled away from William’s lips and placed her hands on his chest.
“I think we should get married.”
“We are getting married,” William said.
“No. I mean today.”
“What? Are you serious?”
Tillie paused for a moment to make him believe she was thinking about it, but she already knew the answer. “Absolutely.”
The fireworks show that night, though much smaller than the displays she was used to watching in New York City, echoed the cannon-like heartbeats she’d been feeling all evening and therefore became more beautiful. As sparks flew through the sky, she couldn’t help but feel that they illustrated perfectly what she saw and felt when William smiled at her, or brushed his hand against her cheek, or kissed her.
“What are you thinking about?” William was sitting next to her, both of their faces toward the sky.
“Just you. Us.” Tillie smiled. “What are you thinking about?”
William moved his hand over to cover hers. “How captivated I am by you. How beautiful your eyes look while holding all these lights.”
Tillie’s heart tripped on his words, and she glanced his direction to reassure herself that he was real. Her breath caught when their eyes met. She swallowed. How is this kind of moment even possible?
“You made me the happiest man in the world today, Tillie. And I can’t help but feel like all of this is for us.” William gestured at the sparkling sky with his hand. “You deserve all this and more.”
Tillie leaned her forehead against his. “I’m not sure I even deserve you.”
William put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up, moving back slightly to see her better. “Don’t you ever think that. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make sure that you never think that again,” he said. Then he kissed her long and hard while fireworks continued to light up the sky.
Epilogue
My dearest friends,
I’m sending the three of you identical copies of the same letter, and I hope you don’t mind. My brain is so scattered lately that I can’t trust myself to remember all the important details if I try to write to you individually. First of all, the baby is here! On May twenty-second, we welcomed a beautiful baby girl we named Lilian, but we always call her Lily.
I just can’t wait for you to have babies! I never knew a love like this until I held Lily in my arms for the first time, and I wish it for every woman on earth. As you know, I was worried about what would happen to my school after our baby arrived, but I’m happy to report that William and I have come to the decision together that I will still teach school starting again in September. The timing of Lily’s arrival couldn’t have been more perfect because school had convened for the summer the day before she came. Now I have three months of her all to myself, and then when school commences again, Mrs. Jones—our housekeeper—will take over childcare duties while I’m at school during the day.
Mrs. Jones says this is an answer to her prayers as she was never able to have children of her own, and has always longed to be a mother. After her child-bearing years were over, she knew that she would never get to raise her own children, but hoped to be a mother figure in another capacity. She is thrilled to be able to care for Lily while I’m away, and I trust her to do an excellent job.
I’m sure once September comes, it will be hard to leave Lily, but I know that the children here still need me, and I love teaching them. Besides, I can’t miss out on witnessing the growing love of two of my students—Mary Ellen and Joshua. You should see the way they look at each other. It reminds me of falling in love with William, and I get giddy every time I catch the tender glances they share.
I hope you’re all doing well. I can’t wait to receive updates from each one of you. Thank you for staying in touch. Even though I’ve made friends here in Marshfield, they’ll never compare to you three—the only sisters I’ve ever known.
All my love,
Tillie
Tillie had hardly set down her pen when Lily started to cry. She’d just put her in the bassinet for a nap when she began to write her correspondence to Rebecca, Sally, and Uma, and already she was awake.
“Oh, it’s all right. It’s all right. Hush now.” Tillie held the baby close and patted her back softly as she swayed back and forth. Within a few moments, Lily’s eyes began to grow heavy, and she was asleep again in no time.
“You just like to be held, don’t you?” Tillie smiled down at her daughter. It still didn’t feel real that she was actually a mother now.
William poked his head through the door. “Is everything all right? I heard crying."
“All is well. Lily just wanted to tell me that she didn’t appreciate me setting her down to sleep in her bassinet. She loves to be held.”
“Don’t we all?” William opened the door the rest of the way and walked over to peek at their sleeping baby’s face. “She sure is beautiful. Just like her mother.”
Tillie was surprised when tears began to prick her eyes. She hadn’t expected the loneliness and longing that she’d buried deep to rise to the surface so rapidly after having a family of her own. The raw, tender feelings of a nine-year-old girl who felt forsaken in the world had been covered for years by something tougher than rawhide, and it took having Lily to help Tillie see how much she’d sincerely hoped that someday, those voids would be filled. With William’s arms wrapped snuggly around her, and Lily’s weight in her arms, Tillie knew that she’d truly been blessed with what her soul had always yearned for—a place to call home.
About the Author
Keira is the mother of two girls, and is happily married to her very own Prince Charming. They enjoy small-town life in rural Idaho, but have adventurous spirits and love to travel whenever they can. When Keira isn't writing, she's reading, playing volleyball, or enjoying time with family.
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About The Ring Reader
You may have noticed that I linked to a book called The Ring Reader in chapter three of this book. The Ring Reader tells the story of Faye Janson, the shop keeper who bought the ring of Tillie’s grandmother, and how she got her ability to see the untold love stories behind old wedding rings.
The Ring Reader is the first book in a new series. Each subsequent book will be the story behind a different ring that has come into Faye’s possession. The next book, The Bashful Bluestocking, is a regency era story that will tell the tale of Tillie’s maternal grandparents, Lord Grant Samuels, and Miss Caroline Weston. Make sure you sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss the release! There is a sneak peek of the cover on the next page!
Also by Keira K. Barton
The Ring Reader
The Ring Reader - Book One
At the Altar Stories
Forever in Florida
Irresistible in Idaho
Nuptials in Nevada
Collaborations
Tillie’s Theatre (The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides)
Next in the Alphabet Mail-Order Brides Series
You can find Uma and Jack’s story here.
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