[2016] A Widow's Love
Page 57
“Bird Hanes! What are you doing here?”
The sheriff laughed and clapped the man on the back.
“I was retrieving my wife, but it seems you have her detained for some reason. May I ask why?”
“This young lady? Your wife? What are you talking about? This is a runaway from this man’s house. She has stolen money from him as well as supplies, and is heading away as fast as she can. I am here to stop her and see that justice is done.”
Amelia could feel the color drain from her face. Of course Toby would have come up with such an elaborate tail to have her arrested. No doubt he would have her thrown in prison, or settle the account by taking her home with him. Either way sounded equally dreadful to her.
“That is a bold faced lie! This woman is simply traveling to marry me. You see, I was searching for a wife, and looked back home to find one. She answered me, and as it appears, she wasn’t in the best of situations. But that money was hers to take by all my reckoning, and she is old enough to make her own decisions, so let her be.”
Bird pulled the letter she had written out of his pocket, and unfolded it. He smoothed it flat against his chest, and handed it over to the sheriff. Amelia softly prayed that the sheriff would see her side of things and let her go.
“Forget this nonsense! She is my daughter, and I have every right to take her home with me!” Toby had flown into a rage, and tried to yank the letter away from the sheriff, but he held it out of reach and placed his hand on Toby’s chest to keep him at bay.
“I’m sorry, but it appears the young lady has done nothing wrong. It says right here that she used the money her mother left her, and no doubt she has a bank note to prove it. Do you, my dear?”
He turned to Amelia, who nodded, and opened her satchel. Water poured out of her bag as she opened it, and the note was wet and washed out, but the words were still visible on it.
She handed it over to the sheriff who skimmed it, and looked back at the letter Bird had handed to him. He looked at the three who were gathered around him, and shook his head. Nobody said anything for a moment, then the sheriff finally broke the silence.
“It all checks out here, Toby, so I am afraid there’s nothing I can do to help you. If she marries this man, she is his wife, and that puts her in his family. If she chooses to remain as she is, you have a bit more say, but not much. But really the choice is up to her.”
Toby’s face turned bright red, and he slammed his hat on the ground.
“She can’t do this to me! I won’t have it!”
“That’s not your choice to make, Sir, and I must say I have fallen in love with your daughter.”
He turned away from Toby, and looked down at Amelia. She felt her face turn red with a blush, and never before had she felt so vulnerable. She held his gaze for a few seconds, then she looked down at her feet. He cupped her head in his hands and lifted her face to look him in the eye.
“Amelia, I think you are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on, and if you will have me, I would love to have the honor of making you my bride.”
Amelia could feel tears in her eyes as she nodded, and the sheriff whooped.
“Well doesn’t this just beat all? I thought I was out here to make an arrest, and instead I am making a wedding! I can perform the ceremony right now if you two would like!”
They both laughed and Amelia nodded. Toby continued to shout his protest, but the sheriff motioned for his deputy to come over and assist Toby out of the way. Amelia smiled as she took her place beside Bird.
Their ceremony was short and sweet, but it was perfect for Amelia. She often wondered what her wedding day would be like, but she never imagined it would be like this. Yet, it was absolutely perfect in every way. Bird held out his hand, and helped her up into his wagon.
As they rode off into the sunset, Amelia was happier than she had ever been. She had found what love truly was, and she wouldn’t have changed a single thing. She was ready to be a wife, and she was ready for her happy ever after.
Finally, the wait was over.
THE END.
About the Author
Christian Michael is head of Purely Publishing, a digital publishing company that solely releases clean romance stories.
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