He looked at the foreman and clenched his jaw. “I’m very put out with you and Pearl. Both of you will have to do a lot of sweet-talking to make amends.” He pulled his horse around.
“Where are you goin’?”
“To try and fix the mess, you and your wife started.”
“Don’t forget to tell Addie how much you love her.”
Dallas couldn’t stop the grin from tugging on his mouth as he looked back at his friend. “I plan on it.”
ADELAINE WIPED AWAY another tear as she finished packing everything that she had brought for her and Charity. Mother would be disappointed in Adelaine. She’d had her chance at loving a wonderful man and having the perfect marriage, and she had messed it up terribly. Now she needed to figure out what she and Charity were going to do. Maybe Pearl could take them into town, and she’d find someplace to work and someplace for her and Charity to sleep. But one thing was for certain, they weren’t going to be Dallas’s problem any longer.
Sighing, she sat on the edge of her bed, glancing around the room. She’d miss this place. She’d miss the laughter from the children, and the many conversations she had with Mrs. Simone and the other servants. She’d miss the beautiful sunsets, and sitting on the porch as she gazed across the ranch, knowing nature’s beauty came from God’s hand.
But she couldn’t think about how much she’d miss Dallas. That would only make her more despondent. Hopefully, in a few years, Charity would forget that she had Tobias and Susan as a brother and sister. Of course, the little girl might as well call Adelaine mother. After all, she would be the one raising her now.
She pushed away from the bed and took slow steps toward the door. Telling Tobias and Susan goodbye wasn’t something she was prepared to do, but it must be done. Adelaine’s friends on the ranch would hopefully understand when she didn’t personally say her goodbyes to them. It was just too difficult.
Stopping at the door, she rested her hand on the knob. You must do this! Another tear slid down her cheek. Why couldn’t she make her legs work? It was nearly impossible to make herself walk out of the room and go toward the nursery.
From out in the hallway, she heard fast and strong footsteps coming toward her room. Her heartbeat hammered in panic. This was it! Dallas was coming to kick her out. He’d have their marriage annulled because she’d lied to him.
Her body trembled, and she stepped away from the door, watching the doorknob closely. The door was opened quickly, but the man moving toward her wasn’t the angry man she’d last seen. Instead... he looked remarkably similar to the man she had been kissing last night.
“Dallas?” Her voice caught.
He stopped in front of her and glanced toward the bed where her trunk sat. “Are you going somewhere?” He met her gaze with an arched eyebrow.
She swallowed hard. “Yes. I know you don’t want me here, so Charity and I—”
He gathered her in his arms and kissed her, stopping her words. Shock froze her limbs for a few seconds, but when her mind finally came alert to what was going on, she melted against him as tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks. She clung to him, not wanting him to let go of her. She kissed him with the desperation of a sorrowful woman who only wanted his love.
After a few minutes, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against her. His heavy breaths were in a race with hers.
“No, Addie,” he whispered huskily. “I don’t want you going anywhere. Ever.”
“Oh, Dallas,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I had wanted to tell you the truth since our wedding, but I was so afraid you’d not want a wife who was guardian over her sister.”
“Shhh,” he said, brushing his lips against hers. “You don’t need to apologize.” He withdrew slightly and looked into her eyes. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset. I should have listened to you and understood, just as you did to me when I confessed my guilt.”
“But I lied—”
“Because Pearl told you to.”
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Can you please forgive me for acting so irrational? It’s just...” He paused, taking deep breaths. “I’m not used to being in love, and so when I heard the truth, I didn’t know how to act.”
She blinked, trying to dry her tears as her mind reasoned what he’d just said. “You... love me?”
His expression relaxed, and he smiled. “Fiercely.” He chuckled. “I’ve never had those feelings before. Once I realized that I was pushing away the one thing I’ve wanted for so long, I knew I had to come back and make things right. Addie, I love you, and I want a real marriage. I want a real family. I want to be Charity’s father, even if you’re not her real mother.”
The lump of emotion was so thick in her throat that she couldn’t speak. All she could do was nod vigorously. Dallas bent his head and kissed her again. This time, the kiss held so many more feelings, because now she could honestly say she was in love with him.
“I love you,” she muttered in between kisses, not caring where this passionate kiss was heading. After all... she was his bride.
EPILOGUE
It took Adelaine exactly two months, four days, and eight hours before she was able to have the wedding of her dreams. She’d gotten the man of her dreams with an already-made family, and it was now time to celebrate their love. Everything was nearly perfect in her life.
Dallas had gone on the cattle-drive, and thankfully, he had no problems with his leg. Because of that, they had put everything on hold until the right time for the wedding. Today.
Her wonderful husband had insisted the wedding party – the bride and groom and the children – get all new clothes. Adelaine assured him that she could make new clothes for them, but Dallas wouldn’t have it. He’d told her that he wanted his new bride to have the fairy-tale wedding she’d always dreamed of having.
Her wedding gown was an ice-blue, satin, off-the-shoulder sensation with flounces. It resembled the gown he’d given her for her birthday, except so much more extravagant. Mrs. Simone helped Adelaine fix her hair again. This time, the woman swept it up in a loose chignon with tendrils near her ears. Adelaine wore blue hanging earbobs and a heart-shaped necklace with a cobalt gem in the middle. Elbow-length white gloves added to her ensemble. Both Susan and Charity wore matching gowns of lavender, and Tobias’ string-tie matched his father’s. Both men wore black suits with double-breasted vests and black trousers.
Many people had gathered for the outdoor wedding event of the summer at the Blue Creek Ranch. She’d met so many of Dallas’s friends, she’d never remember their names. Amongst the people in the crowd, she saw Denton Reed. He was with a beautiful woman with wavy long blonde hair. She hoped Denton had finally found a woman to settle down with, but she didn’t dare ask. She could only pray that Denton obtained his happy ending story.
Finally, it was time for her and Dallas to renew their vows in front of the same minister that married them the first time.
As she stood beside Dallas, holding hands and gazing into his dreamy hazel eyes, she couldn’t believe she had married such a handsome man. She was the luckiest woman on earth that he had fallen in love with her.
Although she didn’t really hear what the minister was saying, she still knew when to say I will. The whole time, Dallas’s fingers were caressing hers through her gloves. His smile was so loving that her heart doubled in size. She was enjoying being his wife, and she hoped to find ways every day that would make him happy.
“Dallas?” the minister said. “Do you have the ring?”
Her heart skipped a beat. Ring? Dallas had gotten her a ring?
His smile stretched wider as Tobias stepped closer and gave his father the ring. Dallas slowly removed her glove, and all she could do was stare into his gorgeous face as tears swam in her eyes. This wonderful man surprised her all the time. She really needed to find ways to return the kindness and love.
As Dallas slid on her ring, she watched the way the diamond glittered
in the afternoon sun. How many years had she imagined such a moment, but never in her wildest dreams did she know how blessed she’d feel.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” The minister grinned. “Dallas, you may kiss your bride. Again.”
Dallas’s smoldering expression caught her off-guard, but as he gathered her in his arms, she wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. It wouldn’t be proper to kiss him the way she enjoyed kissing him in private, but the wedding kiss was still very exciting and passionate. Behind them, the crowd cheered loudly and applauded.
Laughing, they broke apart and turned to face their guests. Their children ran up and gave them each a hug. When she hugged Charity, the little girl gave her a daisy. Adelaine’s heart warmed. The two-year-old was finally in the habit of calling her Mother and calling Dallas, Father.
The new bride and groom greeted their guests – again – and chatted with friends and family. Although she was pleased to have been given a wonderful wedding, what she wanted more than anything was to be alone with her husband.
Once the party waned down, Dallas took her by the hand and led her back into the house. Her heart pounded with excitement. Finally! Some alone time... and she really loved him during those moments.
When they reached the stairs, he lifted her in his arms. Squealing with delight, she threw her arms around his neck and held on as he carried her up to their bedroom, not even letting her down until they reached the room, and the door was closed behind them. Then, and only then did he lower her to the bed.
The passion in his gaze made her anxious for what would come next. But before that happened, she had one last thing to tell him.
“Well, Mrs. Remington,” he said huskily, lying on his side next to her on the mattress. “I have to admit, that was my favorite wedding ceremony.”
She laughed and caressed his cheek. “Yes. It was much better than the first one we had.”
“It was so much better than when I married my first wife. In fact, I’m not ever going to bring that part of my life up again. I didn’t have a life until you entered it, and my children never had a real mother until they met you.”
“I share your feelings, my darling husband. I’d never known true happiness until you told me you loved me.”
He leaned in and kissed her, and although this was the time to turn the kiss more passionate, she still wanted to tell him something important. When she broke the kiss, he looked at her with confusion in his eyes.
“I just realized,” she said, “that I haven’t given you a wedding gift.”
He shook his head. “Being my wife is gift enough.”
“Well...” She brushed her lips against his softly. “What if I told you that I’m pregnant?”
Gasping, he pulled back. His eyes were wide with surprise, and his grin was wider – if that was possible.
“You’re pregnant?”
She nodded. “I figure I’m about two months along.”
Laughing joyfully, he gathered her in his arms and rolled her until he was looming over her. “I didn’t think I could be happier, but I am. This has made my life complete.”
“Mine, as well. However, I’m wondering if we should add one more family member to our lives.”
His eyebrow arched, but the twinkle in his eyes let her know he was feeling playful. “And what is that, my darling bride?”
“Well... the children want a puppy.”
He laughed heartily before kissing her once again. However, this time, she wasn’t about to stop their passionate moment. They deserved this... especially with the extra family additions that would soon be coming.
THE END
READERS – in my story, you met Mrs. Simone’s daughter, Jessica. Read her story here – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085D9PBRK
Also, you met Denton Reed. This is where you’ll find his story – https://www.amazon.com/Dentons-Bride-Runaway-Mail-Order-Book-ebook/dp/B08CQ4TJ6X
Other published stories by Marie Higgins
https://www.authormariehiggins.com/books
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Author’s Bio
Marie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels that melt your heart and have you falling in love over and over again. Since 2010, she’s published over 80 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat romances. She’s broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease” because of all her twists and unexpected endings.
Website – https://www.authormariehiggins.com
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