Homespun Bride

spilled down her face. A sob ripped up from her chest. There was only one truth. One bright shining truth. “No. Never. I would only love you more.”
    “Well now, that’s how I feel about you, darlin’.” His hands cupped her face tenderly, sweetly. “You are my dream. Marry me. Please. Don’t make me live in the dark without you.”
    She felt the heart of the girl she used to be, the young woman who believed in love and fairy-tale wishes. Her future stood before her, the man who was rubbing away her tears with the pads of his thumbs and pressing chaste kisses where her tears had been.
    She felt whole, she felt healed, she felt renewed. She covered Thad’s hands with her own, her precious Thad. She could feel the smile changing her face and his love changing her life. “You want me to marry you pretty badly, it seems. Perhaps I could be persuaded.”
    “Maybe you’d best tell me what it’ll take to persuade you fully.”
    “A kiss.”
    “Darlin’, now that’s something I’d be happy to do.” When his lips touched hers, it was perfection. Her soul sighed. Her hopes lifted. Every dream within her was renewed.
    The front door burst open with a clatter. “Young man! I do not permit such behavior unless you are engaged! Now unless you’re—” Henrietta stopped. “Oh, you are! Noelle, I can tell by that smile on your face. My prayers are answered. You two come in. We’ve got celebrating to do.”
    The rain chose that moment to stop. Noelle didn’t need to ask Thad if the storm had broken. Warm, soft sunlight spilled over her like grace.

Epilogue
    August
    N oelle felt a tug at the hem of her skirt as she passed by the corral fence and laughed. She’d been laughing a lot lately; she couldn’t help it. She was blissfully happy. “Stormy, are you trying to eat my ruffle again?”
    “Yep,” Thad answered at her side, always by her side. “That pretty green dress you’re wearing obviously looks as tasty as grass to her.”
    Noelle laughed again, letting her fingertips ruffle the growing filly’s mane. Solitude nickered gently, patiently watching over her baby. Both had been a wedding gift from Robert.
    “Let go, sweet thing.” Thad’s low baritone rumbled with happiness and humor, too. “That’s right. We’ll come see you later, after our ride.”
    “Yes, we don’t want to be late. Henrietta likes supper at six o’clock sharp.”
    “We’d best get a move on if we want to ride the trail along the river.” His hand cupping her elbow was gentle, guiding her down the aisle to where Sunny and Sky, a mustang Thad had bought for her, stood saddled and patiently waiting.
    Sunshine kissed her warmly, and the fragrant breezes ruffled the sweet grasses at her feet. It was a beautiful day.
    A beautiful life.
    Sky nickered and sidled over to nudge Noelle’s free hand. Warm breath puffed across her face. Fine whiskers tickled her palm. The mare gently leaned against her, pure affection. Her own horse. Noelle feared she might burst from joy.
    Thad’s arms slipped around her waist, drawing her against his chest. His voice rumbled cozily. “You’re looking mighty happy, Mrs. McKaslin. Care to tell me why?”
    “Well, let’s see.” She let her fingertips trail up the placket of his muslin shirt. “I have a mustang that I love. A ranch I love. A house I love.”
    “What about me?” There was only pure tenderness in his tone. Only devotion in his words. “What about the husband who adores you?”
    She laid her hand on his chest over the beat of his heart. Deep, abiding love welled up from her soul. “My husband?”
    “What? You’re forgetting about me already?” He was chuckling. His kiss grazed her forehead. “What about your husband?”
    “There are no words to say how endlessly I love him.” She lifted her face to his. “No number big enough to measure all the ways I love him.”
    “What a coincidence.” His kiss brushed the very tip of her nose. “For that’s exactly the way I love you, Noelle. Without condition. Without end.”
    She knew. Her heart ached with happiness. The past was healed and now there was only the beauty of their lives together. After a shockingly short engagement, according to Henrietta, they had married in May. Three perfect months of marriage had passed, with each day better than the last.
    And now there was a new dream to come true. Thad’s hand slipped to her tummy, which was still flat, but that would change soon enough.
    His lips slanted over hers