A Loving Man
Page 17
“This should take care of the lack of privacy here. I want no interruptions,” he said grimly as Rose opened the camper door and he carried her inside. A moment later, he opened the door and with a flourish, placed a rug on the barn floor with dog food and water. “No,” he said firmly to Walt, who was hoping for an invitation inside.
Stefan turned and closed the camper door, locking it. The soft light seemed to embrace his bride as she stood still, staring at him. “I love you, Stefan. I didn’t think this would ever happen for me, and now it has.”
She looked stunned, a reflection of his own emotions, which mixed with his hunger for her now. “Don’t be afraid, Rose,” he said. “I love you. We’re going to have a wonderful life together, and I’ll never leave you.”
“I know. You love me, and I love you, and dreams come true. It’s all pretty amazing how the pieces fit together. Now how do I get out of this dress?” she asked softly.
“I believe I can help you with that, Mrs. Donatien,” Stefan offered and moved toward her.
Later, when she was soft and draped over him, her toes playing with his, Rose smoothed his chest and nestled close. “You can tell me now, the gift that you said I gave to you?—other than the obvious.”
Stefan was silent so long that Rose thought he might be resting from the event they had just shared. He stroked her hair and spoke softly. “You made me see that my father’s dreams and fears aren’t mine. That life waits outside business and work, that each breath is rich and full, when you want it to be…. You give me peace and happiness and the joy in living. You make me look forward to each day, and anchor my heart and my soul. You fill me with one look, soothe me with one touch, and you make me feel like I am a better person than I am. You give me courage and strength and wisdom.”
“Goodness. How do I do all that?”
“By being just you, Rose.”
Stefan looked into Rose’s eyes and knew that life with her would be full and rich, buttery and smooth, with a delicate, loving texture that would always be fresh, the spices perfect and exciting.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5735-5
A LOVING MAN
Copyright © 2001 by Lois Kleinsasser
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*The MacLeans
*The MacLeans
*The MacLeans
†The Blaylocks
†The Blaylocks
‡The Tallchiefs
‡The Tallchiefs
‡The Tallchiefs
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‡The Tallchiefs
‡The Tallchiefs
†The Blaylocks
†The Blaylocks
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§Freedom Valley
‡The Tallchiefs
§Freedom Valley
§Freedom Valley
‡The Tallchiefs