Secrets of the Heart
Page 16
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A short while later, Cooper and Hannah had replayed the whole story. Jamie still stood with his hands on their shoulders, offering silent support.
“So you see, sir, your daughter saved my life. I’d be dead right now if she hadn’t come along and taken care of me.”
Hannah smiled openly at the man she loved. He stood in front of her father just as bold as you please. The pride she felt that Cooper had the gumption to stand up to her father’s inquisition was equaled only by her love for him.
“And do you love her as Jamie says?” Father asked, his hands fisted on his hips.
“Yes, sir, I love her with all my heart. I’ve been so distraught at the thought of losing her I was certain I would shrivel up and die. If you have no objections, Mr. Madison, I’d like to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Cooper’s gaze shot toward Jamie. “That is if my brother is willing to relinquish his claim to her.”
Jamie pursed his lips and ducked his head, then looked around at those crowded around him. “This is probably my own fault. I should have put a halt to this sham engagement years ago.”
His mother gasped and held her hand to her mouth, and Jamie sent her an affectionate smile. “I’m sorry to ruin your plans, Mum. I thought I could go along and would grow to love Hannah. I’ve always been fond of her, you know.”
The melancholy smile he gave Hannah made her stomach swirl. The last thing she wanted was to hurt him.
“But I don’t love her—not as Cooper obviously does. They deserve a chance at happiness—a chance to be together. I only hope that one day I’ll find a woman who cherishes me as much as Hannah does Coop.”
Hope coursed through Hannah’s veins, caressing her like warm milk on a cold night. Her dream might actually be realized. Her pleading eyes held her father’s, and she saw him weighing all that he had just heard. He turned around and looked at the shocked expression on his wife’s face. Then he turned and looked at the same bewilderment on Heather Reed’s face. “Well, does anybody have any objections to Cooper and Hannah getting married?”
Nobody uttered a sound. The dark clouds suddenly parted, and long fingers of bright sunshine illuminated the area, sending golden rays of sunlight blasting straight into Hannah’s heart.
“All right then, I guess we have a wedding to finish—or rather—start!”
“Take good care of her, little brother.” Jamie gently squeezed Hannah’s shoulder.
Hannah fell into Cooper’s arms with a squeal. “Trust Me,” the Lord had said. As Coop enveloped her in his strong arms, she marveled at the way God had worked everything out. She had been willing to give up her dream, but God had resurrected it in a way she never thought possible.
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Cooper held Hannah tightly in his embrace, ignoring the gawking crowd of grinning spectators. “So, Hannah Caroline Madison,” he whispered in her ear, “would you like to be my wife?”
“Oh yes, my love,” she whispered. Tears—happy tears, he suspected—ran down her soft cheeks. “I can hardly wait.”
Cooper leaned down and placed his lips on Hannah’s as all the pain and despondency he’d felt the past few days and weeks melted away.
“Hey,” Michael yelled, “the preacher hasn’t reached the kissing part yet!”
Cooper pulled back, temporarily interrupting their kiss. Hannah’s wide, enthusiastic grin echoed his. The laughter around them softened as they pulled apart and turned toward the front.
The minister scratched his chin, and he shook his head as if he were trying to recover from the shocking chain of events. He took a long look at the crowd and then opened his Bible. “I’ll begin reading from the second chapter of Genesis. ‘But for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.’ ”
Cooper looked down at Hannah’s astonished expression and knew it mirrored his. God had taken Adam—Cooper in this instance—amnesia, cracked ribs, and all, and used them to bring to him the woman who would become his wife today. He smiled at his angel and turned back to the minister, anxious to begin his married life.
About the Author
Vickie McDonough believes God is the ultimate designer of romance. She is a wife of thirty-six years, mother to four grown sons, and a doting grandma. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling. Visit Vickie’s website at www.vickiemcdonough.com.
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