by Jillian Hart
There he was in the paddock, holding a longe line. He whistled, brought the Arabian filly in and stroked her nose. Lady arched her neck and tossed her head, pleased with herself. She pushed her nose into Brennan's free hand, begging for more affection, as if she didn't get enough. Skye watched her husband chuckle. His honor and goodness shone through, brighter than the sun and higher than all the stars in the sky.
Sunshine brushed over him in shades of lemon and gold, highlighting his granite profile, his strong and dependable shoulders and his smile as gentle as a man's can be.
Bliss filled her up. The year spent in his company had been perfect in the most surprising ways. Just easy and as natural as breathing, full of laughter and his kindness to her. It had never been a mistake to trust him. She would never stop.
They'd married in November. Her parents had come to visit, so her father could give her away in the church and her mother could fuss over every wedding detail beforehand. Oh, what fun Ma had! Now she was eager to marry off Samantha, but, oh, well, that was Samantha's problem, right? Josh had turned out to be most promising beau.
Laughing with happiness, she would never regret the day Brennan had put this ring on her finger. She was thrilled to be his love and lover for the rest of her life.
"You look happy." Her sister swished through the archway and into the dining room, wooden spoon in hand.
"I am." She'd never thought that being happily married would ever happen, but it suited her so perfectly. "In fact, I'm deliriously blissful."
"So I see. And here I thought the only thing that could make a woman that happy was chocolate cake," Samantha quipped, as dear as could be. "The maid and I have been frosting the cake. Lunch is almost ready. Where is everybody?"
"Who knows? They've scattered to the wind."
"How can we have a party like that? Honestly, I had better go and start rounding up people. And I had better do it now."
Before she could ask if her sister needed any help, she was already gone, waltzing through the archway and out of sight down the hall. Skye sighed, full of bliss. It was amazing how much difference a good man could make in a woman's life. She went back to the window just to fill up with the sight of him.
She blinked in the spill of sunlight through the glass panes, and kept still. If she didn't move too fast, the morning sickness wouldn't flare up and take over. She drew in a slow, steady breath and reached for her cup of ginger tea.
One sip was all it took to calm her stomach. Where had Brennan gone?
It was his boot steps thumping on the wood floor behind her, knelling steady and strong, unerringly coming her way.
"Hello, gorgeous lady. Who are you looking for outside that window?" Brennan moseyed over, opening his arms. "Me?"
"Yes! You surprised me, but I'm glad you're here to hug. I may not let go." She laughed and let him fold her into his strong, muscular arms. There was no better place than to be cuddled against his chest, with the heat of his hard body pressed to hers. Perfection. She relaxed and let her eyes drift shut.
It was easy to see their future stretching out ahead of them like a dream ready and waiting to come true. They would welcome babies and raise them right here, beneath the Wyoming sun and in these green, wildflower meadows. She and Brennan would spend their days loving one another and growing old together, taking care of their children and their horses.
What a good life to look forward to. And so far, it was joyous in the making.
"Happy birthday, wonderful husband of mine," she said.
"I'm a happy man because of you, only because of you." He cupped her face with both hands, tenderly. "You are the best gift of all."
When he kissed her, she melted all the way down to her toes. Places within her went tender, especially her heart. She kissed him back with all the passion and love she was capable of, holding on tightly to this man, the love of her life, the man whose love had made her every dream come true.
Also by Jillian Hart
High Plains Bride
Apple Blossom Bride
His High Country Bride
