“Longer.” Holly bent down and kissed him. He laid his head against her waist, his breath deep and labored. She ran her hands through his wondrous dark-blond hair and sent a prayer of deep gratitude to the God whose grace had finally released this man from his exile. “Mason?”
He looked up at her, and somehow she managed to love him even more. “Yes?”
“When should we tell Liam?”
He grinned, looking all too much like the boy who would soon complete their family. “I think now sounds perfect, don’t you?”
* * *
For the longest time, secrets had been dark and heavy things pressing down on his chest and making Mason feel lonesome. Now, as he and Holly tried to walk casually toward the church steps, secrets felt wild and energetic, pounding with urgency to get out of his chest and be shouted to the world. Mason knew his life had changed when he walked right past Beatrice without a mean thought. She stared at him, perhaps at the silly grin he knew he must be wearing, but said nothing.
His smirk widened when he heard Holly laugh softly once they’d passed. They’d both been angry at Beatrice’s accusations, but now her sourness seemed so inconsequential. Mason stole a sideways glance at Holly, fighting the urge to take her hand.
“I know I said we should wait to tell everyone,” she whispered, one hand fiddling with her skirts, “but I’m not sure I can keep it in.”
He knew the feeling. “We just need a day, like you said. To let Liam get used to the idea.” Mason pulled his hat down and stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Although it won’t be much of a surprise. He knew, you know. Spotted it right off. He saw us kiss that night.”
Holly’s hand went to her mouth, and she stared toward the church. All the children were sitting on the steps, listening to Liam tell some rousing tale. The boy probably was making his hiding out to be some grand adventure instead of a few hours in a damp cave.
“Rebecca encouraged me to be brave enough to tell you how I feel. She made it seem so easy.” He followed her gaze as it rested on the tall and elegant city woman, who couldn’t be more different than his lovely, simple Holly. “I thought I could be confident like her.” Her voice was wistful. “How foolish I was.”
“Holly. Holly,” Mason repeated her name until she turned and looked back at him. “I’ve no eye for any high society airs.” He gazed at her, letting his eyes hold her if his arms could not. “And believe me, I was charmed. Dumbstruck’s more like it. You could have knocked me over with one breath when you gave me that book. I could hardly breathe for wanting to kiss you.” He paused for a moment, needing her to understand how she’d moved him that night. “I fell for you so hard that night I was scared to death. I’m still a mite spooked by it all.”
“It is a powerful thing, isn’t it?” She smiled, and for the first time Mason wondered who was the stronger of the two. “Big enough for three, I expect.” Her gaze flicked down as her cheeks flushed, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. What he wouldn’t give to be that strand, brushing her rosy cheek. “I can’t wait to tell him.”
“Then let’s stop standing here and go tell him.” He started toward the church, but said to her, “I’m warning you, though. I’m going to have a bit of fun with this. I reckon it may be the last chance I have to get the upper hand on that boy in a long time.”
Stuffing his smile down inside, Mason lowered his voice until it rumbled like thunder. “Liam McLoughlin!”
Liam’s head jerked up as every head on the church steps turned toward Mason. He was pretty sure he saw the boy gulp. “Sir?”
“I’ll need a word with you. Alone.” The mumbles of the other children told him he’d succeeded in giving the impression Liam was in serious trouble.
Liam didn’t look too eager to come away from the protection of his companions, but Miss Sterling raised him by the elbow and motioned for him to walk forward. The boy pulled his cap from his head, trying to look penitent, perhaps, and shuffled forward.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught Holly turning away. Good. She could never hold her feelings in, least of all now. Her “shunning” likely scared the boy more. “I didn’t do it,” Liam pleaded. “You know that. You told me so.”
“All the same, I have serious business with you. Very serious business.”
Liam simply nodded.
“There are going to have to be some big changes around here. I need to know you’re willing to step up and make them.”
Twisting his cap in his hands, Liam said, “I’m up for anything. I’m willin’ and ready.”
Mason pointed to the ground just in front of him. “Come on over here close. What I got to say isn’t the kind of thing everyone can hear.”
Liam seemed to think this spelled his doom, moving forward with eyes down and shoulders slumped. Mason felt a small surge of victory at finally rendering the boy speechless.
“You are not to repeat to anyone what I’m about to tell you. You are to stand silently and listen. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you are not to move or any such thing. No matter what I say. Eyes down, son.”
Liam complied, looking worse than ever.
“I can’t. Mason, we can’t do this with everyone watching.” Holly’s voice came whispering behind him, pitched high with tension.
He turned to her, and she looked as if she’d come apart at the seams in a matter of minutes. The woman had too much joy bottled up inside her to hold it in. Mason nearly gave in to a soft laugh, realizing he’d asked for too much composure from a happy woman about to deliver happy news. “We could just let the whole world know right now.”
“Know what?” Liam looked understandably stumped.
“Not yet!” Holly nearly squeaked. “He needs to hear first.”
“Hear what?” Liam’s eyes shot from side to side, panicked.
Mason cast about for a quick solution. Opting for the closest place out of the public eye, he pointed toward the church doors. “Inside. Now.” He was sure his gruff voice wasn’t doing much to mask the smile he was having trouble hiding. This was entirely too much fun. Glory, how long had it been since he’d had anything close to fun?
Grabbing Liam’s elbow for effect, Mason started for the church doors, only to have Holly dash ahead of him. Doubly puzzled, Liam glanced up at him, but Mason kept his eyes forward and walked as fast as he could manage. Now that he thought about it, a church was the perfect place to deliver his news.
* * *
Holly pushed through the church doors, relieved to find the sanctuary empty. She let out the breath she’d been holding, wanting to shout for all the happiness cooped up inside her. Unable to face Mason or Liam, sure she’d give the ruse away, she perched on one of the back pews and faced forward.
“Exactly how much trouble am I in?” Liam’s voice came squeaking as she heard Mason and the boy come in behind her.
“Let’s just say your life will never be the same after I get through with you today.”
“Miss Sanders, you’re not gonna let him hurt me, are you?”
“Relax, Liam, I’m not out to hurt you.” Holly peeked back to see Mason take the boy by both shoulders. He angled Liam so that he was facing back, giving her a clear shot of Mason’s face over the boy’s head. She swallowed a laugh when Mason actually winked at her. It was as if her sheriff had become a whole new man in the space of an hour. “You need to listen up good to what I’m about to tell you. Understand?”
Liam nodded.
“You’re clever, so it should come as no surprise to you that Miss Sanders and I...well, we have strong feelings for each other. Feelings we haven’t been...well, let’s just say things have been a bit tangled between us.”
“I’ll say,” Liam replied, “but you mind telling me what—”
Mason held up a hand. “It’d be best if you let me finish, son. This gets a mite complicated.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mason, suddenly remembering he
was in church, pulled his hat from his head and handed it to Holly. Something about the gesture touched her so deeply she was glad to be out of public view, afraid she might actually cry. She clutched the hat as if he’d given her a bouquet of roses.
“Now, then. Your little escapade earlier today brought certain things to light, and while I do not at all condone you hauling off like you did, there have been some...happy consequences. Miss Sanders and I, well, we finally figured things out. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I’ve asked her to marry me, and she’s said yes.”
Liam’s head whipped around so fast she thought the boy would fall over. Eyes bugged wide, he raised an eyebrow in stunned inquiry, and she nodded. It was so wonderful not to have to hide the mile-wide smile anymore. It felt like she might not stop smiling until Christmas at this rate. “That’s great,” the boy said slowly, still trying to piece together what this whole charade had to do with him.
Mason reached for Holly’s hand and drew her to his side. “It certainly is. Only the way we see it, things still aren’t quite right. Truth is, we were hoping you’d come on board. Stay here.”
“Well, sure I’d want to stay here. I’ve always wanted to stay here, you know that. Only I don’t see how...” The idea slowly began to dawn on him, and Holly felt a tear slip down her cheek as the boys eyes grew big as saucers. “You mean...?”
“We’re asking if you’d like to be part of our family.” Holly said, squeezing Mason’s hand.
Liam’s mouth was wide open. “No foolin’?”
“No fooling.” Mason finally let the smile play full across his face. “Not just placement, but a right and proper adoption in front of God and everybody.” If Mason was a handsome man when he scowled, he was surely the most handsome man God ever created when he smiled like that. “If that’s okay with you, that is.”
“Okay? Good grief, Sheriff Wright, I thought you was gonna wallop me, not take me in.”
“So that’s a yes?” Holly asked, reaching for the boy.
“Absolutely!” He spun in a small circle, his hands on his head in total bafflement. Mason pulled her close and planted a delightful kiss on top of her head. “I don’t think I got enough yesses to say yes to that.” He looked up at Holly. “So you’re gonna be Mrs. Sheriff Wright?”
“As fast as we can make it happen, Liam. These things take a little bit of time. There are lots of things to work out, but I’ve no doubt God will clear a path faster than you and I could ever imagine. The important thing is we’ll be together—a true family—as soon as we can manage it. Can you wait?”
“I’ll wait as long as you want.” He thought about that again. “As long as it’s not too long.”
Holly opened her arms, and Liam tumbled into them, nearly whooping until the three of them laughed and embraced in more joy than Evans Grove had seen in a very long time.
Suddenly, Liam scrambled free and scratched his head in thought. It was such a treasure to watch him take it all in. “Hey, I’m gonna be Liam Wright, aren’t I?”
Mason tussled his hair. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Are you kidding? Now I can say I’m ‘Wright’ all the time.”
Mason’s laugh was rich and deep. “How did I know you’d find an angle? In less than ten minutes, even.”
Liam pondered the whole thing for a moment, his face turning from that of a conniving imp to a tender little boy’s. “This is for real?”
Holly’s heart swelled as she watched her sheriff—the lonely man who’d kept the world at a distance—pull his new son close in a powerful hug. “Absolutely,” Mason said, catching a glance at Holly. “It’s real. This is your home now.”
“Wow.” Liam stepped back and looked up at them, his happiness lighting his face. “Can I tell everyone?”
“Why don’t you let us take care of the telling,” she replied. “I imagine this will come as a bit of a shock to some people.”
Liam stroked his chin, scheming. “Seems simple to me, but okay. In that case I’d better get back out there. If we stay too long in here, folks’ll wonder what’s up.” He looked at Mason. Then he reached into his pocket, pulling out the deputy badge Mason had given him. “You want me to make up a good tale, tell everyone you gave me a fierce talking to and took away my badge?”
“You kept it, even though you were heading out of town?” Rather than be angry, Mason seemed charmed by the idea. When Holly remembered he’d kept her inscription page, it was easy to see why. Pocketing the badge with a smile, Mason said, “I’m glad you wanted to keep it. And I’ll keep it safe for you until you get promoted.”
“Promoted?” Liam asked, fetching his hat off the floor where he’d dropped it in the commotion.
“To ‘son,’” Mason answered, and Holly felt the lump in her throat double in size.
Liam’s chest puffed up. “Interim Assistant Junior Sheriff Liam Wright.” He planted his hat on top of his head. “I like the sound of that.” As if the shift of his entire world were that simple, Liam thrust his hands in his pockets and walked back out of the church.
Tucked together alone in the back of the quiet church, Holly felt as if God smiled down on the launch of her new life. “‘Interim Assistant Junior Sheriff Liam Wright?’” She looked up at Mason as she leaned into him.
His arms slid around her with ease, as if they had always belonged there. “I was reaching for your way with words.”
Holly looked up into the surprising peace of his eyes. “Is this for real?” she asked, borrowing Liam’s words, feeling as dumbstruck as the boy.
His answer was a kiss so powerful it stole her breath and reason. When she finally broke away, gulping in air, Holly cocked her head to one side with amusement, “Mason Wright, kissing in church?”
“I’m just showing God how much I love you.” He feathered a hand across her cheek, and Holly felt the tingle spread all the way to her toes. “I do, you know. Even if God had to go to great lengths to shake me into realizing it. It was your faith in me that brought me back to mine. And to you. The way I see it, I ought to kiss you in church every Sunday.”
Holly wondered if her world could hold any more happiness. “My favorite kiss might just be the one that comes right after ‘I now pronounce you man and wife.’”
“I don’t know about that,” whispered Mason, pulling her close, “I plan on you having a couple of dozen favorite kisses before that.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cowboy's Surprise Bride by Linda Ford
Dear Reader,
It’s the human condition—we always think we know what’s best for us. What is God’s best for us, however, is often His deepest surprise—and maybe His strongest lesson. Most times, we’re never as quick to forgive ourselves as God is eager to wipe away our sins. That’s when God tenderly sends the clear vision of those who love us to remind us of our worth in His eyes. Friends in faith can always pull us from life’s ruts and shadows, don’t you think? Mason and Holly receive far more than they ever hoped for by trusting in God’s plan even when they cannot see the outcome. And there are more happy outcomes to be had in Evans Grove, so be sure to read the next two books in the series. As always, I love to hear from you at www.alliepleiter.com or P.O. Box 7026 Villa Park, IL 60181.
Questions for Discussion
Have you ever faced a danger as dire as Holly’s? How did you react?
Has God ever laid a problem at your feet and helped you to realize the blessing hiding behind it like Holly does with the orphans? How did it change you?
Do you have a Beatrice in your life? What are her positives? What makes her hard to deal with? How can God change your attitude or the relationship?
Rebecca says she’s “plum prayed out.” When have you felt like that? What revitalized you?
Was Pauline smart to invite Curtis Brooks onto the Selection Committee, or was she inviting trouble?
Have you ever felt Holly’s certainty about a challenging project like placing the orphans
? What did it make possible?
Do you agree with Mason’s tactic of forcing Holly back to the tracks? What would you have done in his place? In hers?
Mason says “duty isn’t honor.” Do you agree or disagree?
Curtis Brooks says “times like that bring out the best in some but the worst in others.” When have you seen disaster bring out the best in people? The worst?
What would you have told the children about the bandits hanging?
Have you ever “built a drawbridge” to someone in pain like Holly does? What happened? Would you do it again if given the opportunity?
When have you gone to church feeling “hollow and frail”? What helped to restore your strength?
Could Mason have done anything other than give the book back with the page ripped out? What would you have done in his place?
Holly believes that “as long as she could find some sort of use for this pain, she could endure it.” When have you felt this way?
Do you think “one doesn’t even need a home to be homesick”? Has it happened to you? Is there a homesick heart in your world who could use your comfort?
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.
You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.
Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!
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Family Lessons Page 23
