The Midwife's Legacy (Romancing America)
Page 26
Now all eyes turned to Kendra and Steven, and Kendra heard gasps all around. She looked back at Steven and realized she was crying. “Steven …”
He held a brilliant solitaire ring between his fingers. His voice was soft, intimate, and just for her to hear. “Kendra, I cherish you. And I love you. I need to know you’re safely back home in the middle of the night after those babies decide to show up. I need to know we’ll have time together when the babies leave you alone. I … I just need you.”
She couldn’t speak. She reached forward and grazed her palm over his cheek, loving the manly stubble on it. Loving him.
“So, I thought you might marry me,” he said. “Will you marry me?”
Kendra still felt she would be unable to answer, so she nodded several times before she finally swallowed her emotions and found her voice. “Yes!”
The moment Steven stood and they embraced, the crowd enveloped them. The already celebratory atmosphere took on an even stronger feel of family. Kendra couldn’t have loved the moment more.
She kissed Steven, shocked and thrilled to imagine him her husband. She pulled away and whispered to him. “Perfect. How did you know this was the perfect time and place to do this?”
He kissed her again. “Have you forgotten already? Ellie told you the day we met.” His smile drew her to him. “I’m a genius.”
She laughed and hugged him again, a prayer pouring from her heart: Thank You, Lord. You have truly blessed me. You protected me from lasting harm and led me to new love. And the clinic! How I wish Adele, Polly, and Christiana were here today. In many ways I feel they are. Thank You, Lord, for giving me their words, for reminding me that ours is a labor of love.
TRISH PERRY turned to writing after a time in the stock exchange and DC law firms, as well as raising two children. Using a degree in psychology, she writes award-winning contemporary fiction that delves into her characters’ minds and emotions. She serves on the board of directors of CCW and is a member of both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Visit her at www.trishperry.com.