“Are you certain?”
Her words brought a flash of confusion, as quickly as his thoughts were spinning.
He replayed his declaration through his mind. She was asking if he was sure he loved her and wanted to marry her? He raised her other hand and kissed the fingers as he caught her gaze and held it. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. I’ll wait as long as you need. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
Her chin trembled, and the sight pressed hard on his chest. Lord, please don’t let her cry. I’m not trying to push too hard. Should I have kept this all to myself?
She squeezed his hands, and with a shaky breath, she nodded. “I love you, too. I never thought I could, but you’re not like any person I’ve ever known—white or Indian.”
Her words slipped inside him like a breath of clean, crisp air, clearing away all his worries. “Really?” His chest felt like it might inflate right out of his body.
A tear leaked from one of her eyes even as a radiant smile took over her face. She nodded. “Really.”
He couldn’t stand it a second longer. He released her hands and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her as tight as he dared. Yet it didn’t come close to expressing the pure joy sluicing through him. “Moriah.” Her name felt like heaven on his lips.
She held him tightly, too, and for a long moment they stood like that. He breathed in her sweet scent, resting his cheek on her silky hair.
Then she pulled back enough to look up into his face. “Don’t leave us this winter. Now that I have you, it’s not so urgent to find my people.”
He studied her face for signs of longing. She’d been so hurt when they’d found that empty valley, as though she’d been abandoned. Was it really only the safety of the group she’d longed for? He couldn’t let her give this up if she really wanted it. “Shall I go when the weather warms then?”
She reached up to press a hand to his chest. “One day I’d like to see them again. I miss my mother and grandfather. Even my half-brothers and sisters. But we’ll find them when the time comes. For now, we have a life to make here.”
Could it be possible she really felt that way? He wanted to squeeze his eyes shut and break out in a psalm of praise. Thank you, Father. Your grace overflows so much more than I deserve.
He moved his hands up and cupped her face in both his palms, then lowered his mouth to brush a kiss on her lips. He kept it to a single caress, then raised his head to look in her eyes again. “Moriah Clark, you’re so much more than I ever dreamed of. I love you.”
She reached a hand behind his neck and pulled his mouth back down to hers. And this time, he let his kiss say all that was in his heart.
Epilogue
SAMUEL STARED OUT THE bedchamber window at the fresh-hewn logs of the two cabins positioned along the edge of the valley. It was hard to believe only a couple weeks ago, one of those structures had been nothing more than a thought.
And now it was his own cabin. The home he would share with Moriah and Cherry, and all the babies God blessed them with in the future.
When they’d told Seth and the rest of the family their news, his impulsive twin brother had insisted they set right to work on the cabin for Samuel and Moriah.
Rachel had even offered to postpone their own ceremony until the second home could be built, to allow for a double wedding. And he couldn’t deny that sharing this special day with his twin felt right.
Moriah seemed to like the notion, so they’d agreed, and the resulting two weeks were a blur of long hours felling trees, notching logs, mounting door frames, and a long list of other tasks. Neither cabin held furniture yet, except the mattress ticks the women had sewn and a few other small things donated from family members, but at least the homes were dry and warm with fires laid in each hearth.
Now, the wedding day had arrived.
Was he doing the right thing rushing into this marriage with Moriah? He was certain beyond a shadow of doubt she was the woman God planned for him, but did she need more time before the wedding?
He wanted no regrets as they entered this new phase of their lives.
She said she was ready. Had given no sign of hesitation. But he didn’t want her to feel rushed. Is this right, Lord? Show me a sign, or give me peace, if this is Your will.
Was he willing to postpone things if the Lord didn’t provide either of those requests? Help me do the right thing.
“Having second thoughts?” Seth’s voice turned him from the window.
His brother was looking dapper for the occasion, with hair neatly trimmed and a fresh shave.
Samuel shook his head. “Not about marrying her. But I wonder if I’m rushing her too much. I don’t want her to have regrets.”
Seth’s brow wrinkled as he slowly nodded. “I know what you mean. Think you should go talk to her?”
“Wouldn’t be easy with Emma standing guard.” Their sister-in-law had gathered Rachel and Moriah into her house early that morning and given strict instructions neither of the men was to attempt contact before the ceremony. Something about seeing the bride before the wedding being against tradition.
He could figure out a way past her if he really did need to speak with Moriah, and maybe he should.
A soft step sounded outside the bedchamber door, then a knock. “You boys decent?”
Noelle. Seth reached back and opened the door for their sister.
Her face shone in a bright smile, with just a hint of the sass that was Noelle. “I came to make sure you boys are fixed up properly, and I also have messages from your ladies.”
She stepped into the room and handed Seth a note, then moved forward to Samuel. She stopped just before him, and her face grew earnest as she locked gazes with him. “She wanted me to tell you she’s ready. She could never be more ready than she is now.”
Samuel sucked in a breath. Really? His eyes drifted closed as a wash of relief swept all the way through him. Thank you, Lord.
Noelle gripped his arm, pulling his eyes open and his focus back to her. “You’re going to be happy, little brother.” Her mouth pulled in a trembling smile, then she slipped into his arms and wrapped herself around him.
He held her tight, until—with a sniff—she pulled away and turned to Seth. “You, too.”
She stepped into Seth’s arms, and he returned the hug, pressing a kiss to her hair, then meeting Samuel’s gaze over the top of her head. He wore a grin that matched the joy in Samuel’s own chest.
Today would be the best day ever.
“THEY’RE HERE.”
Moriah turned from her daughter to see Emma, who’d just slipped into the bedchamber and closed the door behind her.
“Anything you ladies need?” She walked first to Rachel, who stood in front of the mirror, fussing with her hair again. Emma stopped behind the other woman and studied the mirror, then tucked a strand of Rachel’s honey blonde hair. “Lovely.” She squeezed Rachel’s arms and the two shared a smile in the mirror.
Then Emma turned toward the bed, where Moriah sat bouncing Cherry in her lap. Moriah tried to offer a confident smile, but she wasn’t sure she accomplished it.
Emma came to sit on the bed beside her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I couldn’t be happier you ladies are joining the family. I know your homes aren’t quite set-up the way you’ll want them, but we’ll remedy that over the next few weeks. Today is our day to celebrate.”
Moriah inhaled a breath. Yes. She was celebrating inside, yet she’d never had such a fuss made over her. She’d feel more like herself when she was with Samuel again.
Rachel turned from the mirror with a radiant smile. “I’m ready when you are, Moriah.”
She summoned a nod. “Me, too.”
Emma helped her stand, which was good because her legs were a little wobbly at first.
“Ready for me to take her?” Emma reached for the baby.
Moriah pressed a final kiss to her daughter’s head, then whispered in her tiny ear, “Here we go.”
Cherry went easily to this woman she’d come to know well in the past weeks, and Emma led the way to the door. When she pulled it open, the low hum of voices in the outer room stilled. She stepped through the doorway. “We’re ready.” Her smile sounded bright in the announcement, although Moriah couldn’t see her face.
A hand slipped around Moriah’s arm, and she turned to look at Rachel. She searched her sister-in-law’s eyes for hesitation or remorse, but saw nothing there except earnest joy.
“I’m so glad to be sharing today with you, Moriah. I think this makes us doubly sisters, right?” No censure, only acceptance in the words and in her smile.
A happy ache tightened in Moriah’s chest, and the sting of tears burned her eyes. She’d never felt so much a part, so loved, as these past few weeks. She nodded. “Sisters. Doubly.”
Rachel pulled her close for a sideways hug, then they both straightened and stepped forward through the door.
A room full of people awaited, but it didn’t take long for her gaze to find Samuel. His rich brown eyes were locked on her, and the love reflected there warmed her with every step she took across the room.
She reached Samuel’s side and slipped her hand into his, and as they turned to face Father Bergeron, the rightness of the moment settled over her once more. Thank you, Lord, for providing for me even when I didn’t know what I needed.
That desperate prayer she’d prayed all those weeks ago, as she was under siege and struggling to keep herself and the baby alive, had been answered in ways she’d never imagined.
Now with this man at her side, she was ready to step into whatever new blessings the Father had in store for them.
And she had a feeling the adventure had only just begun.
If you enjoyed Samuel and Moriah’s story, you won’t want to miss book 7 in the Heart of the Mountains series! This Healing Journey is the series finale, and in addition to a fantastic story and great new characters, we get to revisit beloved characters from both the Heart of the Mountains series and the Mountain Dreams series. Here’s a peek at the beginning!
Chapter One
On the brink of finally claiming this dream. Why do my fears rise to taunt me now?
~ Nathaniel
JUNE, 1880
Near Butte, Montana Territory
Meeting a stranger shouldn’t make him so nervous. Shouldn’t even give him a second’s worry. Nathaniel Peak rubbed a sweating palm down his trouser leg as he tried to settle into his horse’s stride. After all, he’d faced down hundreds of enemy rifles and charged into the midst of Indian war cries and brutal spears. By the grace of God he’d survived, and finally escaped the ruthless life in the cavalry he’d grown to hate so fiercely.
Now, a simple life as a civilian rancher shouldn’t set his nerves on edge. He was only meeting a neighbor. Maybe a family. These were the people living nearest his new homestead. The neighbors he could call on for help, and return the favor in kind.
Yet, since the rising sun had awakened him this morning, he’d had a gnawing in his gut. The feeling that came before battle, the sting of goose flesh and hair standing on end. But why?
It wasn’t as if these landowners were more important than others he’d met in his life. He was making too much of this introduction in his mind, but he couldn’t seem to squelch the anxiety.
To his left, the trees parted to reveal a majestic view of distant mountain peaks rising up as far as he could see. This was why he’d chosen to start his ranch here. Views like that stirred something deep inside him, making him come alive in a way he wanted to feel for the rest of his days.
To the right, a worn path turned off the main trail and he reined his mare that direction, toward the spire of smoke rising above the trees. Would these be a pair of grizzled mountain men who’d teamed up to make their work a bit easier for themselves? Or a young couple trying to make a go of life in these majestic mountains, where a man could work his own land and appreciate the fruits of his labors?
As the trees gave way to an open clearing, the cabin sitting in the middle proved to be the source of the rising chimney smoke. A dog barked, then bounded from the porch toward him. A big white wooly animal who showed a pair of snarling teeth as it neared.
“Hey, there.” He kept his horse moving forward steadily, careful to make sure his posture didn’t show any hint of threat toward the canine. Nor any fear.
A sound from the cabin porch brought his focus up to where a man stepped outside. He paused at the top of the stairs, a hat shadowing his face so it was hard to get a read on his age and demeanor. The dog loped back to the porch and took its position beside the man.
Nathaniel stopped his horse about fifteen strides away the structure. Near enough they could speak without yelling, but far enough he didn’t appear to be pushing his way in uninvited.
He raised a hand. “Howdy.”
The other man nodded, lifting a matching palm in greeting. “We don’t see many new faces around here.” His voice sounded friendly enough.
Nathaniel forced away a bit of his nerves as he tipped up the brim of his hat so the fellow could get a clear look at him. “I’m homesteading the land to the east of you.” He pointed in the direction of his property. “There’s an old trapper’s cabin I’ve been staying in. Maybe you’ve seen the place. Anyway, thought I’d come introduce myself. Nathaniel Peak.”
“Glad to meet you.” The man stepped down the stairs and moved toward him. “I’m Reuben Scott. Come in and stay a bit. My wife’ll have coffee on and biscuits made fresh this morning.”
Nathaniel eased out a breath as he dismounted. He turned to Scott and extended a hand to meet the outstretched grip. “I’d appreciate that.” This was almost better than he could have hoped. He could address business now without having to come back a second time.
He tied his horse at the hitching post to the right of the stairs, then fell into step beside Reuben Scott, glancing around the clearing at the barn, corrals, and a few other outbuildings. “Looks like a nice place you have here.”
Not luxurious, to be sure, but well-equipped for a quiet mountain ranch. It would take some doing to get his own cluster of ramshackle buildings up to this level of simple efficiency. All the structures here seemed well-maintained.
On the porch, Scott motioned to the dog to stay out, then pushed open the door and stepped inside first. “We’ve a visitor.” His words were directed to someone within, then he cleared the opening and waved for Nathaniel to enter.
As he stepped into the interior, he squinted to catch the surroundings while his eyes adjusted to the dimmer lighting. Sound to his right drew his focus.
A woman stood over a cookstove, a table to her back. She replaced the lid on a pot and turned to him with a smile. “Welcome.”
Reuben Scott moved near her, then pointed to Nathaniel. “This is our new neighbor to the east, Nathaniel Peak. He’s taken the old hunting cabin.”
She clasped her hands together as joy lit her pretty face. “Wonderful. I’m Cathleen Scott.” She motioned toward the table. “Sit and visit. I’ll pour coffee.”
Either these two were starved for human interaction, or they were genuinely pleasant people. Whichever the case, he stepped toward the table and sank into a ladder-back chair on the long side. Reuben took one at the head.
“Are you new to the area?” The man leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms in a comfortable pose.
“Mostly. I just finished four years in the 2nd US Calvary Regiment, B Troop. We rode through here a couple times, and I remembered it being one of the prettiest countries I’d ever seen. As soon as I could get away from the fighting, I made my way back.”
He watched Reuben’s face as he spoke, and didn’t miss the way his eyes seemed to close off, although his expression didn’t harden. Did this man feel the same way about the Indian wars? Or did he have another reason to dislike the cavalry?
Mrs. Scott placed mugs in front of each of them—ceramic, not the tin he was so accustomed t
o. He glanced at her face, but saw nothing there except kind civility.
Perhaps this was a good time to ease the conversation away from himself. Turning back to the man, he took a sip of the warm brew. The liquid eased down without a hint of bitterness. “Ah, that’s good. Shouldn’t even carry the same name as the sludge we drank in the regiment.”
Reuben’s jaw tightened at the word regiment. The man clearly disliked something about the cavalry—a sentiment Nathaniel shared with him. Maybe if he told of his reasons for leaving, they could find common ground with better footing.
He set the mug on the table and met the man’s gaze. “I signed on to the cavalry back in Virginia, the same as my father had done, and his father before him. It was my mother’s greatest wish that I follow in their footsteps and protect my country on horseback. Within days, I was assigned to the 2nd Regiment and sent westward with a group of other new troopers. What I found when I arrived was nothing like what I expected.”
He stared into his mug as those early days came back to him. “The Indians. I...” How did he say this without seeming overly harsh toward his superiors? Not all had been heartless. For many, this was simply a war they’d been commanded to win. Yet war should never be waged against women and children.
Swallowing, he did his best to sum up the story in as few words as possible. “I suppose you could say I didn’t always agree with the methods we were commanded to use in fulfilling our orders. For that matter, I struggled with why there was such a need to keep the Indians confined to reservations in the first place. In many ways, it seems possible and better for us all to settle in together doing what the Bible says. ‘As much as possible, live peaceably with all men.’” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I suppose soldiering wasn’t the best line of work for me.”
He chanced a look at Reuben. He’d never bared his soul so thoroughly to strangers. What would the man say? He’d not meant to put him on the spot, nor dive into such weighty matters in the first five minutes of conversation. Perhaps it was best they change the subject now.
This Daring Journey Page 19
