Colorado Dawn (63 page)

“I do love these people, but if I leave, it won’t be because of you. It will be because they no longer trust me to be their leader.”

“They’d be foolish to let you go.”

“And I’d be foolish to let you go.” He gathered her close again. “And I promise, go or stay, I’ll have no regrets.”

Someone cleared his throat behind them, and they sprang apart. Jesse stood on the road above the creek bank. “I hate to break this up, but I figured you’d want to know the verdict.” He smiled, the creases beside his mouth deepening. “It was unanimous. Every single member voted for you to stay on, and everyone is in favor of your marrying Willow as soon as possible.”

Silas swooped Willow into his arms and swung her around. Joy burst over her as she clung to him. “Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Lord.”

When he set her down, Jesse stood beside them. “After you left, Mrs. Drabble broke right down and cried, asking everyone to forgive her, and she seems to be willing to accept Kenneth as her son-in-law. That director fellow, Nielson, caught me outside the church and said for you, Willow, not to worry about the rest of your contract. He’ll have your sister fill the lead role for the last week or two, and then they’ll move on to their next engagement.”

Willow nodded. It was for the best. She and Francine would both be better off apart.

“Oh,” Jesse snapped his fingers. “I near forgot. You are both invited to our place for an engagement party tonight. Matilda invited the whole church, including your father.”

“Your father?” Willow squeezed Silas’s hand. “He’s here?”

Silas shrugged. “I’m as surprised as you are. He strolled into the church this morning just before the sermon.”

“Seems Mrs. Drabble wired him,” Jesse said, “when she wired Reverend Sash about you courting Willow. He hopped on a train the same day.” He stepped back. “Well, I’ll let you get back to what you were doing.” He winked. “Don’t forget. Our place at six o’clock.”

Silas opened his arms, and Willow went into them like she was coming home. His kiss sent her head spinning. He eased back in increments, with small kisses and whispers. Cupping her face in his hands, he planted a kiss on her nose.

Her eyelids fluttered open, and she was grateful for his steadying hands.

His voice rumbled in his chest, sending a shiver across her skin. “I love you, Willow. You’re my God-given gift, the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life. And you were definitely worth the wait.”