Riel hated to ask but did. "Did he turn abusive?"
"It wasn't the usual abusive behavior you read about. Tug was as confused about his outbursts as I was."
"That had to be so tough to go through."
"It was, but I've made it through, and I'm ready to start over. Tug's brain was damaged and couldn't be fixed. It's one part of the body that can't be replaced."
Like my foot, Riel thought. It had been replaced and was usable, even if it gave him problems now and then. He was beginning to see where Jenna was taking this conversation.
"If I lost my foot, would you think less of me?"
"No." It wouldn't matter one whit to him.
"Do you think my brain is permanently damaged because of what I've been through?"
"No."
"I still have nightmares because someone took a video of Tug's crash and it was on the TV news for days. I also had to identify what was left of his body in the morgue."
Oh, God! She'd never told him this before. Why did Jenna have to go through that?
"Was anyone with you?" Riel whispered, knowing firsthand what a bloodied body looked like.
"Jim and Becky accompanied me to the morgue, but I insisted I’d go in by myself. I didn't want them reliving the nightmare for the rest of their lives too."
Jenna stood and walked over to Riel. "But I've survived, even though I know the nightmares will surface now and then. I just pray they'll lessen, or end with Tug looking down at me from heaven.
"I'm ready to move on to the next chapter of my life." Jenna picked up his right hand and squeezed it. "Would you like to explore the possibilities with me?"
Did he want to explore a path to a future with Jenna? She understood his past and physical limitations, but wasn't repulsed by them, nor did she pity him as others did.
She was the perfect woman for him, except for one problem. Would she want children in the future? That was still one obstacle his brain couldn't fathom being...a father to a child.
"I have to admit, I’m ready to take that step with you, Jenna, but there’s one issue I have to address first."
"Children?" Jenna touched Riel's cheek with a finger as her eyes reflected his worry.
"I'm sorry Jenna, but I can't have any, not after what I did."
"The child's death was a horrible accident, Riel."
"I know, but I don't want to be a father now. Ever."
Jenna smoothed the wrinkle in Riel's forehead with her fingers. "I understand, and since I hadn't been able to have children in fifteen years I've accepted I won't be someone's mother either."
Jenna hesitated a second before reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck and stand on her tiptoes to give him a soft kiss. Riel’s response was to pull her closer and deepen the kiss. It felt so right.
Several seconds went by before Riel pulled back an inch and kissed Jenna on her forehead.
"But we can baby our dogs, right?" Riel teased to lighten the mood.
Jenna laughed and gave him a big smacking kiss on the lips. "You are so in love with your puppy! I couldn't believe how many toys, chews, and treats you’ve bought for Lucy!"
"If I don't keep her entertained with toys, she goes after Grandpa's slippers and my good boots," Riel teased, loving the feel of Jenna’s arms around his neck.
"So, ready to give us a chance?" Jenna asked with a bright smile on her face.
Riel nodded. He felt better after this conversation. Both had come to terms with the worst of their problems, and hopefully would face the rest of them together.
"Yes, I'm ready."
Chapter 12
Riel and Jenna spent the next weeks working on their projects and renovating the house. They'd taken time off the ranch to go on Saturday night dates, spent Sunday afternoons with Jenna's family, and spent two evenings a week in counseling sessions with Pastor Bernie.
Reil finally felt acceptance for his past and ready to open his heart to forever with Jenna.
He studied the engagement ring in his hand. Last week Grandpa held out his grandmother's rings to him. "When you're ready to propose to Jenna, please use your grandmother's engagement ring and wedding band—if you want to. Your grandma knew Jenna, and I'm positive she'd give you her blessing to pass them on to Jenna."
Jenna opened the bunkhouse door a second after Riel knocked, reaching up to kiss him before letting him in the door.
"Hi. Good to see you." She wrapped her arm around his waist to pull him inside the door.
"You saw me a half hour ago at supper," Riel teased her as he tossed his hat on the coat rack by the door.
"But then your grandfather and dog were with us, and we couldn't do this," Jenna whispered as she kissed him again.
"I think they've both seen us kiss enough times to know how we feel about each other."
"True." Jenna sat on the sofa, trying to pull him down beside her, but he resisted.
"Riel? Something wrong?"
"No, everything's right," Riel declared as he got down on one knee in front of Jenna and took both of her hands. She squeezed her eyes shut for a long second, before opening them. Tears were threatening to drop, but she had a smile on her face, probably guessing what was coming next.
"Jenna, you have helped me through crises, doubts, and helped my soul heal as I learned to accept my past. Now I'm looking forward to my future, and I hope it is with you.”
Riel took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
“Jenna McDowell, I love you. Will you marry me? I'd be so blessed to be your husband."
The stunned look on her face was priceless. "Yes, because I love you too!"
"Okay, let's make it official." Riel dropped Jenna's hands to dig the ring out of his jean's pocket. "I’m so nervous; I forgot to have the ring out before I asked."
Jenna laughed. "Well at least now you know I'll not be marrying you just for a ring."
She gasped when he slid the engagement ring on her ring finger. "Isn’t this your grandmother's ring? I love it! She was such a special person in my life when I was growing up."
"Grandpa thought she'd be thrilled you wore her rings, so is this alright with you?"
"It's perfect. Thank you, Riel." Jenna pulled him up on the sofa, so she could properly thank him with a kiss.
"How long of an engagement do you want?" Riel asked her next.
"I don't need or want a big wedding, so the sooner, the better."
"I hate to joke, but been there, done that?"
"Yes, and I have better things to do than devouring bride's magazines.
"Let's talk to Pastor Bernie when he can perform the ceremony, but if we can do it while the church is decorated for Christmas, we don't have to worry about flowers," she excitedly noted.
"And it would be a nice background for pictures. Do you think you and your mom can arrange everything for a mid-December wedding?”
“Not a problem. I’ve been hoping for this proposal for a while, and I already have the wedding planned in my head.”
Riel pulled Jenna into his arms, feeling the peace, he'd been looking for when he pulled into his grandfather's ranch near Sweet Grove, Texas, months ago.
Who knew accidents happening around the world from each other, would set him and Jenna on a path to find each other.
Reil and Jenna were truly blessed to find each other.
The End
Want to follow Jenna and Riel as they prepare for their wedding day?
Read the sequel, Love’s Double Blessing, next!
Books by Linda Hubalek
Grooms with Honor Series in order (available and future titles)
Angus’ Trust (Angus and Daisy)
Fergus’ Honor (Fergus and Iris)
Gabe’s Pledge (Gabe and Iva Mae)
Mack’s Care (Mack and Pansy)
Cullen’s Love (Cullen and Rose)
Seth’s Promise (Seth and Lilly)
Tully’s Faith (Tully and Violet)
Grooms with Honor “Friends” Series in order:
> Montana Sky: Nolan’s Vow (Nolan and Holly)
Montana Sky: Elof’s Mission (Elof and Linnea)
Brides with Grit Series in order:
Rania Ropes a Rancher (Rania and Jacob) FREE
Millie Marries a Marshal (Millie and Adam)
Hilda Hogties a Horseman (Hilda and Noah)
Cora Captures a Cowboy (Cora and Dagmar)
Sarah Snares a Soldier (Sarah and Marcus)
Cate Corrals a Cattleman (Cate and Isaac)
Darcie Desires a Drover (Darcie and Reuben)
Tina Tracks a Trail Boss (Tina and Leif)
Lorna Loves a Lawyer (Lorna and Lyle)
Helen Heals a Hotelier (Helen and Ethan)
Also, read Lilly: Bride of Illinois, a spin-off book in the American Mail-Order Brides Series.
~*~*~*~
Historical Fiction Books by Linda K. Hubalek
Trail of Thread Series
Trail of Thread
Thimble of Soil
Stitch of Courage
Strong Women: The Complete Trail of Thread Series
Butter in the Well Series
Butter in the Well
Prairie Bloomin’
Egg Gravy
Looking Back
Planting Dreams Series
Planting Dreams
Cultivating Hope
Harvesting Faith
Kansas Dreams: The Complete Planting Dreams Series
Kansas Quilter Series
Tying the Knot
~*~*~*~
About the Author
Linda Hubalek grew up on the Kansas prairie, always wanting to be a farmer like her parents and ancestors. After earning a college degree in Agriculture, marriage took Linda away from Kansas as her husband worked in engineering jobs in several states.
Meanwhile, Linda wrote historical fiction books about pioneer women who homesteaded in Kansas between 1854 to the early 1900s, especially her Swedish immigrant ancestors.
Linda Hubalek and her husband eventually moved back home to Kansas, where they raised American buffalo (bison) for a dozen years.
Linda writes sweet historical western romances set in the 1800s and contemporary romance series in Melissa Storm’s First Street Church Romances Kindle World.
Please check out her website and sign up for her newsletter at www.LindaHubalek.com to receive a free short story, and to hear about the release of future books, contests and more. She loves to connect with her readers, so please contact Linda through one of these social media sites.
Author website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
Start with the series by Melissa Storm
Welcome to the tiny town of Sweet Grove, TX, where neighbors still care deeply about each other, and the little white chapel on First Street is the heart and soul of all who live here.
It’s a simple life–a good life–yet many here are suffering invisible pains. From alcoholism to divorce, hoarding, and even suicide, the struggles are real but so is the God who loves this town and all its residents. Through the darkest of times and the deepest of tragedies, each day provides a new chance to find faith, hope… and even love.
www.sweetgrovebooks.com/start
* * *
Find more books
Our tiny town has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to the introduction of a new Kindle World. Many top Christian and Sweet Romance authors have already contributed their own stories to First Street Church, and many more will be joining us soon!
Come see what’s available at www.sweetgrovebooks.com.
* * *
Contribute your story
Whose life will you change for the better? Will you bring new purpose to a troubled youth, redemption to a scorned elder, or perhaps salvation to the newest resident in town? Their fates and futures now rest in your capable hands.
www.sweetgrovebooks.com/authors
* * *
Join our community
Welcome to Sweet Grove, TX. We’re so glad you came for a visit! Please don’t be a stranger. Come join our wonderful community of Christian Romance readers on Facebook. Make sure to sign up for the Sweet Grove Sentinel to stay up-to-date with all the latest and greatest First Street Church news!
www.sweetgrovebooks.com/community
First Street Church: Love's Blessing (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Clear Creek Legacy Book 1) Page 7