A Love For Keeps (Truly Yours Digital Editions) (23 page)

Nate sighed, whether from frustration or relief he didn’t know, but at least he could tell Meagan that he had tried. “I understand. I—”

“I’ll tell her you came by, Nate. She’ll be all right. We’re going to see to it that she is.”

Nate couldn’t help but wonder whom Jacob was trying to convince … Nate or himself.

“I like Miss Snow.” Jacob changed the subject, taking Nate by surprise. “Natalie told us about you asking her to marry you. We’ll be invited to the wedding?”

“Oh yes, you will. Meagan wanted me to assure Abigail, and you and Georgette, that she wants you all to be as much a part of Natalie’s life as you always have been. She knows how deeply you love Natalie.”

“That does my heart good to hear, Nate. Let her know she’ll be part of ours, too. I think Rose would have liked her.”

Nate left the Connors’ home feeling blessed, indeed. Blessed that Natalie was all right, blessed that Jacob and Georgette would continue to be part of his life, and blessed to be in love with a woman who wanted it no other way.

Meagan’s wedding day dawned bright and sunny. She’d finished her dress only two days before, but it was just as she’d imagined it. She’d made it as different from Abigail’s as she possibly could. It was of white satin and lace, but it was much simpler than Abigail’s, and she loved it.

Now as she waited to walk down the aisle toward her husband-to-be, Meagan felt completely blessed. Nate was the most wonderful man in the world. When she’d expressed a worry about her mother and sisters, he’d taken her in his arms.

“Meagan, my love, don’t you know that I would never let them suffer because of our marriage? My home is large enough for you all. However, what I thought I might do is pay off your loan and give the title to your home back to your mother free and clear. She and the girls could continue to live in the home they love if that is what they wish.”

“But I don’t want her to have to work—I mean I love the shop and … I don’t—”

“Meagan. Your mother will never have to work outside the home again. And you have a talent. If you want to continue with the business you’ve worked so hard to get started, that is fine with me. I would hope that you wouldn’t feel you must work night and day, though. I’d like to spend time with you. Perhaps you could continue to teach Sarah to sew, if she’s interested, and she could help out. Then she would have a career until she finds some nice young man whom we approve of.”

He did care about her family, and he’d been thinking about their future just as she had. Having answered all her worries, Meagan had reached up and pulled his dear face down to hers so that she could look him in the eye. “You are the dearest man in the world. Oh! How I love you.”

Nate had taken advantage of their close proximity and claimed her lips in a kiss that more than convinced her he felt the same toward her. She had no complaints at all.

Now, as the wedding march began, she slowly followed Natalie down the aisle to Nate, who was standing at the front of the church. Her eyes on him, she barely noticed who was there to witness the happiest day of her life. She did see her family on one side of the aisle and Mr. and Mrs. Conners on the other side. She felt additionally blessed to see Rose’s parents there to witness their vows. Those were the only people she was concerned with today—their loved ones witnessing her and Nate’s vow to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives.

As the minister pronounced them man and wife, Meagan raised her face to Nate.

“I love you, my wife,” he whispered just before his lips met hers. Meagan thanked the Lord above for all of her blessings and most especially that He had given her a love for keeps.

To my Lord and Savior, for showing me the way. To Dan, who has encouraged me from the beginning; Nicole, who reads even when she doesn’t always feel like it; and Mariah and Paige, who give me a wealth of ideas.

I love you all—with all my heart.

A note from the Author:

I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

JANET LEE BARTON
and her husband, Dan, have recently moved to Oklahoma and feel blessed to have at least one daughter and her family living nearby. Janet loves being able to share her faith and love of the Lord through her writing. She’s very happy that the kind of romances the Lord has called her to write can be read by and shared with women of all ages.