“Sarah—“
She stepped closer, confronting him. “Did you or did you not tell Joe you love me?”
He nodded, and opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” she demanded.
“Maybe if you’d be quiet, he would,” Pearl said.
Nate smiled at Pearl. “Thank you, Pearl.” He took Sarah’s hands in his. “I love you more than life itself. Will you marry me and let me live with you and our children here in Kincaid Springs?”
“Oh, Nate, I thought I’d never hear you say those words.” She sniffed at the happy tears pooling in her eyes and clogging her throat. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
A loud cheer echoed through the room as he gathered her into his embrace. She leaned near his ear to whisper only for him, “The sooner, the better, Papa.”
***
A riot of colorful flowers bloomed in Grandpa’s garden this fine June day. Not a cloud dared show itself in the bright blue sky, and a soft breeze cooled the rays of the sun. Rows of folding chairs lined the lawn facing a white awning. Reverend Potter from the Presbyterian church that Grandpa attended and Father Ignacio from the Catholic mission where Fiona attended mass waited there to perform an unusual joint wedding ceremony. Grandpa and Drake stepped under the awning and faced the crowd. The piano had been moved to the terrace for the occasion, and Belle struck up the wedding march while Lex beamed at her.
Cousins Cindy, Katie, Rosie, and Beth looked like angelic confections in their frilly pink dresses and matching hats. They strolled down the aisle tossing flower petals when they remembered, and waving at family and friends when they didn’t. The boys had begged their mothers not to make them participate in sissy stuff, and they sat with family members.
Dressed in an adult version of the girls’ dresses, Sarah walked behind them. Pleasure coiled through her with memories of her own wedding to Nate only two months ago in the Presbyterian church. Even more people attended that ceremony than were here today.
Her stomach fluttered with a new feeling. Only yesterday her babe quickened within her, and now she felt the movement again. Across the crowd her gaze met Nate’s and she smiled. As if he understood, he returned her smile, pride glowing in his wonderful wolf’s eyes. She hoped that from some corner in heaven her Mama looked down and saw their happiness.
Behind her Fiona strolled in time to the music. Wearing tailored blue linen, she had looked perfect when Sarah helped her dress earlier. Sarah stepped aside and took Fiona’s bouquet. Grandpa took Fiona’s hand and the ceremony uniting them in marriage began.
From her place under the awning, Sarah looked across the crowd. Beside Joe, Monk appeared somewhat bedazzled by his new family. To her surprise, Monk and Nate had partnered with Grandpa and bought the bank. She smiled, remembering Peter’s quick departure when he learned Monk was his new boss.
As the new partner in Kincaid, Kincaid, and Bartholomew, Nate worked daily with Gabe. And as a hero twice over, Nate commanded the respect of the townspeople. He’d added his name with hers to the adoption of their three children, who now officially shared the name Bartholomew.
Sarah’s hand rested on her daughter’s shoulder, and her gaze once again met Nate’s. Seated between their sons, he looked even more handsome now than the first time she’d seen him in St. Louis. She knew he returned her love, and shared her joy in their growing family. As Reverend Potter spoke of love eternal, Sarah pondered the love reflected in Nate’s eyes and gathered it into her heart.
***
Jo’s Applesauce Cake
Josephine Jorgensen was Sarah’s grandmother.
2 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup butter
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 ½ cups applesauce
¾ cups raisins (or chopped dates)
1 cup broken nuts (Sarah used Texas pecans)
Sift dry ingredients together and set aside. In large bowl mix butter, sugar, eggs and beat well until fluffy. Scrape bowl while mixing. Add applesauce, raisins, and nuts and mix well. Add dry ingredients and beat slowly until batter is mixed very well and there are no dry spots. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan and bake in a medium oven (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 45 minutes. Let cool in pan. When cool, serve or frost with Caramel Icing.
Rochelle’s Caramel Frosting
Sarah’s mother used this frosting for applesauce cakes after someone who had once worked in a Denver confectioner's taught her how to make caramel.
2 cups sugar
1 cup cream
¼ cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Put 1 cup of the sugar into a heavy skillet and let it caramelize slowly, stirring often, being careful not to let it scorch or burn. Set aside. Into saucepan put remaining sugar and cream and let come to a slow boil. Gradually add the caramelized sugar into this and cook to a soft ball stage. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Beat to desired consistency and spread on the cake.
****
About Author Caroline Clemmons
As long as I can remember, I've made up adventures. Okay, I admit the early creative stories featured me riding the range with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and saving the West. What a disappointment to learn that Roy was exclusively committed to Dale! Eventually, my best friend from across the street and I decided to become better detectives than Nancy Drew. We drove our parents and neighbors crazy sticking our pert little noses where they didn't belong. About that time I started writing down my adventures, but mostly I was a reader. Not until I read Nora Roberts' early novels did I decide to create my own romance manuscripts. My road to publishing was a lot slower than Nora's was. No surprise there! I still read Nora's books—as well as those of countless other authors—but now I write full time. Unless life interferes, that is.
My Hero and I live one a small acreage in the ranching and horse country of North Central Texas. Our two daughters are grown, and supportive of my writing. Living with Hero and me now are Webster, our sweet black Shih Tzu, and our two shorthaired cats: Sebastian, a large black and white tuxedo who thinks he's our watchcat; and Bailey Erin, a shy apricot tabby. When I'm not writing, I love spending time with family, reading, traveling with Hero, browsing antique malls, and digging into family history and genealogy. Writing about strong heroes and heroines who overcome amazing obstacles to forge a meaningful life together is my passion.
I love hearing from readers at mailto:[email protected]
Check my other links:
Website http://www.carolineclemmons.com
Blog http://www.carolineclemmons.blogspot.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/carolineclemmonsromances
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/carolinclemmons
Also at Goodreads, Amazon, and LinkedIn
Watch for my other books on Smashwords, Amazon, online stores, and The Wild Rose Press.
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