by Jean Kincaid
“I am in such trouble.” He spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone.
“What do you mean?”
“I just realized that my wife gave away two months’ worth of pay, and I’m happy about it.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “Does that mean I’m henpecked and that you can get away with anything?”
Julianne leaned toward him, needing to impress upon him the earnestness of what she felt.
“No, Caleb. It means we are both deeply in love and wish to please each other. It means we pledge to protect our love from all that might harm our home and family. We will tell each other the truth, even if it hurts.”
They stared at each other and an understanding of the vulnerable position they were in passed between them, sealing their bond of love. Julianne knew he held her happiness in his hands, and from what Caleb just admitted he felt the same way.
He took her hand and raised it to his lips.
“I love you, Mrs. Hansen.”
“And I love you, Mr. Hansen.”
“Just so we’re clear, though, I am the boss and there is still this matter of payment you owe for giving away our money.”
He pulled her to him with a slow, secret smile she fully understood.
“Oh, but you’re so mistaken, boss.” She place a hand on his chest, her lips just inches from his. “I did not give away our apple orchard.”
“But I saw the money in the box when you handed it to Morning Star.” He protested as she walked to the kitchen.
“Close your eyes,” she commanded as he followed her.
“What?’
“I said close your eyes.”
He lifted a brow but complied with her request when he saw the threat in her stance. She dumped the contents of something on the table. “Now open your eyes.”
Caleb complied.
“What on earth? Where did you get all this money?” His smile was eager and alive with affection and delight.
Julianne’s heart took wings that no doubt or mistrust showed in his eyes.
“This is the money that my uncle took from my inheritance to pay Marcus.”
She set the other bag on the table and opened the top showing him another hefty number of bills. “This was my uncle’s bag that Marcus stole.”
She hesitated for a moment, and then her confidence spiraled upward. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like us to keep the money, but I’d like to send some back to my aunt.”
“But how did you get these?”
“Silly, you brought them home. Maggie carried them in, remember?”
Caleb nodded. He fingered a bundle of bills, scaling his thumb over the lot.
“How much do you think there is?”
“Enough to add a few rooms to the house and start an apple orchard.”
“How do you plan to get the money back to your aunt?”
“I don’t.”
“What does that mean?”
“I plan to send a telegram explaining what happened and if she wants the money, she can come and get it. If I know my aunt, she is so embarrassed at their circumstances she will jump at the chance to leave New York. The sale of her house and livestock will more than pay the fare out here for her and the girls, and then this money will help set her up in her own business here.” Julianne loved the way his gaze caressed her face. She didn’t much care for the frown he wore, though.
“But will you enjoy having them close by? If they treated you like your uncle did, why would you subject yourself to that again?”
“I have so much, Caleb. A husband I love with all my heart and who loves me in return. My aunt never had that. My uncle loved his businesses,” she paused, “actually my father’s businesses, far more than he loved his wife.”
Julianne fingered the money then moved close to her husband. “You know, at some point we will have to go back and tie up the loose ends of my father’s businesses—my inheritance.”
“Yes, I figured as much.”
“I will ask my aunt to bring what information she can from the lawyers and then we will know where we stand.”
“You’re that certain your aunt will come here?”
“If she wants this money she will have to. Otherwise, I will have to take it to her myself. Is that what you want?”
“Absolutely not! Woman, don’t say things like that. I’m not letting you out of my sight, and now that we have this money, I think I’ll order one of those new-fangled wringer washers so my wife never has to leave our yard.”
“Now there’s an idea, Mr. Hansen. While you’re at it, how about ordering one of those treadle sewing machines?”
“Anything you say, sweetheart, as long as you’re here to love me when I come home each day.” The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes sent her heart spiraling out of control.
“Our hearts are in perfect harmony then, because I never want you far from me, either.” Julianne could not stop herself from reaching out to touch him. He took her hand and placed it on his heart.
“You will always have a shelter in my heart, Julianne. I will always love you.”
She felt his heart beating in perfect harmony with hers. She was home and all was right with the world.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460380079
The Lumberjack’s Bride
Copyright © 2015 by Jean Kincaid
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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