Bittersweet (51 page)

“I used to see you up here,” he said.

Laney gasped. He’d seen her staring at his farm? He knew how infatuated she’d been?

“At first I’d spy you here and find something to do so I’d be out of sight. Later, I wouldn’t set foot outside my cabin without glancing up here to see if I’d catch the merest glimpse of you.”

“I haven’t come here in a long while.”

“But I brought you here for a reason. Actually, three.” Galen turned toward her, then abruptly dropped to one knee. “Elaine Louise, I can’t fight it any longer. I can’t wait another moment. I love you, and I’m asking you to marry me.”

People might say it’s too soon. He’s a widower. But I don’t care what
they say
. “I love you, too, Galen. I’d be happy to be your wife.”

He rose and slipped two fingers into his shirt pocket. “Christmas Day, I had such plans.” He withdrew a simple band of gold.

“Back then, I’d given my heart to you. I’d wanted to slip this band o’ gold on your finger and let the whole world know of my love.

God had different plans.”

Tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, lass. Don’t grieve for the time lost. We’ve a lifetime ahead of us to share.”

“They’re not tears of regret, Galen. I’m realizing how young we were. Probably too young to appreciate what we almost had.

It’s been hard, but I wouldn’t want it to be any different. For all we’ve been through, I’ll never take even one day with you for granted.”

“Hard as it was for me, I always thought ’twas far harder on you.”

She shook her head. “And I always thought you were hurting far more. I have a confession to make. Psalm thirty-seven says, ‘Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.’ I claimed that as a promise that God would make you love me. In the end, I learned a bittersweet lesson.

I had to give up my own dreams and hopes. I had to trust that His plan would turn out far beyond what I could ever want.” Her voice caught with emotion. “It has.”

“’Twas a lesson we both learned.” Galen slid the ring onto her finger and looked into her eyes. “The second reason we’re here is because I was hoping you’d say yes, and I wanted our first kiss to be here.”

Laney shivered in anticipation as Galen cupped her waist and drew her closer. His head dipped, and their lips met. After the kiss, Galen embraced her as if he’d never let her go.
And I don’t ever
want him to
.

“Laney, there’s still one more thing.”

She looked up at him. “What?”

Together, they tore down the fence—not the whole thing, but a small part of it. Galen took the tools he had tucked into the saddlebag and, using two of the boards, fashioned a cross that he set into the gap. The summer sun warmed the land and created a shadow of the cross.

Galen stepped back and drew her into his strong arms.

“There’s not a thing between us, and we’re at the foot of the cross.

Sunshine or shadow, Laney-mine, I’ll be the happiest man God ever made because He gave me you.”

EPILOGUE

Y
ards upon yards of delicate white silk whispered in the room as the last petticoat fell over the hoops. Laney’s heart quickened as Ruth approached the trio with the wedding gown in her arms. It, too, was silk. The iridescence of the fabric and the airy lace made the whole garment shimmer.

“Scoot over just a tiny bit, Laney.”

Laney let out a breathless laugh. “There’s not much room left. The hoops take up a lot of space.”

“I’ll see to the buttons.” Hilda wiggled closer as the gown fell into place.

As she started fastening the buttons, Ruth tilted the cheval glass. “Look at yourself, Noni! Oh, it’s just perfect!”

“It is.” Laney eyed the sight before her and blinked back tears of happiness.

“Ohhhh.” The breathless sound shivered out of Noni. She reverently touched the lace on the sleeve. “Laney, it’s so lovely.”

“And you look radiant in it.” Laney stepped back and looked at her friend.

“Are you sure you don’t mind if I use your wedding gown?”

Laney laughed. “Of course not. It’ll be your ‘something borrowed.”’

Not long after she and Galen had married, Laney had awakened in the middle of the night to feed little Annabelle. Contentment blanketed her as she thought of her marriage and the double wedding for Toledo and Hilda and Ishmael and Amanda that followed soon after. Everyone but Eddie had someone to love. In the quiet of the night, deep in her heart, Laney knew the Lord would work things out. And in the midst of Laney’s prayers, Noni Neubauer came to mind.

Childhood friends in Sacramento, Noni had reentered Laney’s life when Ethel had fallen sick and the Copper Kettle hired Noni to fill in. Laney soon invited her to Sunday dinner, while Galen invited Eddie.

Within five minutes of meeting each other, Noni and Eddie had gotten into an argument. Eddie went to the Copper Kettle the next day just to prove he was right. But when he got there, he forgot to give Noni his evidence because she wasn’t just cooking—she’d also baked. He ate two orders of lunch, then bought the entire strudel so he’d have some to eat at home.

Everyone in town delighted in watching their courtship. Hilda said Eddie’s appetite and Noni’s cooking were the only kind of music Eddie could make—and even then, there wasn’t much harmony. Noni scolded him for eating too fast but never for eating too much—and she always served him heaping plates. He bellowed at her for something she said, only to be seen tenderly kissing the tip of her burned finger moments later. They were like kerosene and a match—volatile as could be. Galen had secretly commented that since Eddie Lufe owned the most spirited stallion in the county, it stood to reason that he’d wind up with a wife twice as feisty.

Ruth came over and squeezed Laney’s hand. “You tease me about my schemes, but this was your doing.”

“No, no. The Lord brought Noni to mind. I’m sure it was His will.”

“Well, I’m thankful to you and to God.” Noni looked at her reflection again. “Eddie’s going to be so pleased.”

Hilda finished buttoning the gown. “That man would marry you if you wore a gunnysack. He’s so besotted, it’s a wonder he hasn’t gotten a stiff neck from craning it to look at you every second of the day.”

Ruth laughed. “If that’s not the pot calling the teakettle black! Toledo’s that way around you, Hilda.”

A quick knock sounded, and then Amanda slipped into the bedchamber. “Noni, it fits like a dream!” she exclaimed as she admired the gown.

“Only because Hilda cinched me in so tight. Laney’s waist …” Noni’s voice died out.

Laney laughed. “I don’t know that my waist will ever be that size again. Galen says he likes me fat and sassy.” She sank down onto a chair.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Noni’s smile wobbled.

“I’m not embarrassed in the least. I’m thankful the Lord is blessing Galen and me.”

Amanda cleared her throat. “Since we’re on the subject, Ishmael and I are also expecting. Laney, you haven’t said yet what you and Galen plan to use for a name. Ishmael and I would appreciate it if you’d use anything but Ivy. When we have a daughter, we’d like to grace her with his twin’s name.”

“Of course!”

Hilda sidled out from behind Noni. “Don’t you gals go looking at me. I’m too old to be a mama.” She tilted her head to the side. “Noni, don’t you dare tell Eddie the dress fits. If you do, he’s going to haul you off to the parson’s today. We’ll tell him you need a month.”

“He’ll never agree. He’ll say next week.”

“It better be next week.” Laney paused as the baby kicked. “I don’t want to miss the wedding.”

A baby’s wail sounded from downstairs.

“Isn’t that just like a man?” Hilda tried to sound gruff, but she couldn’t. She adored Kenton. “Ruth, that son of yours is already acting like a man—bellowing the minute he wants something. You’d better go get him. Laney, you go on down, too. Amanda and I will help Noni out of this.”

As Laney and Ruth started down the stairs, Laney whispered, “I have to tell you what Dale said yesterday. He watched Ma thump a melon to see if it was ripe, then turned to me and asked if that’s how Doc knew when to stay to deliver the baby.”

Ruth burst out laughing.

Josh was pacing back and forth at the foot of the stairs. “It’s not funny, Ruth. I can’t make him stop. He’s—”

“Hungry.” Ruth hastened down to her husband and son.

Galen knelt on the floor. “Laney-mine, sit down on that second step there.”

She suspected why he wanted her to, so she promptly complied.

He set Annabelle down on the floor and steadied her. “Go to Mama.”

Annabelle took a few halting steps, then fell. She promptly rolled over, got onto her hands and knees, and crawled to Laney’s lap.

“It’s a start.” Galen’s eyes twinkled as he came to sit beside her.

“Well?” Eddie couldn’t wait any longer. He cast a look upstairs. “Does the gown fit my Noni?”

“She needs a little time,” Laney said.

“Who’re you talkin’ ’bout?” Ishmael asked with a grin. “L’il Annabelle or Noni?”

“Both.”

Galen wrapped his arm around Laney, pulled her close, and looked deep into her eyes. “The most important things are always worth the wait.”

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