A Season of Dreams
Page 31
Dent drove skillfully. He chatted on the way about the affairs of the small world they inhabited. He knew everyone, it seemed, not only in their little village, but all over that part of the Ozarks. They turned off the main part of the road. Violet looked out the window and saw that he was stopping in front of a fine old two-story house. “This is the Stephens’s house,” she said. “Why have we come here?”
“Come on, I’ve got something to show you,” he said. He shut the engine off, leaped out of the Ford, hurried around, and opened the door. As Violet stepped out, Dent grabbed her hand and said, “Come on.”
When they got to the porch, he opened the screen door and started in. Violet pulled away from him. “You can’t just go in this house, Dent!” she protested.
“Aw, there’s nobody here. They won’t care.” He pulled her inside and she saw that the furniture was all old, but of excellent quality.
“You ever been in here before?” Dent asked.
“Once or twice. It’s such a nice house, so big and roomy. But where are the Stephenses? I didn’t hear anything about them going on a trip.”
Dent said, “Let me show it to you.” He showed her the parlor, the kitchen, the dining room, and the four bedrooms upstairs—and the marvel of all—an inside bathroom with a fine enamel tub. “Look at the feet on that tub,” he said proudly. “I never saw nicer claws in my life!” He banged it with his hand and said, “Now a man could come in on a cold day, fill that up with hot water, and really relax.”
Violet was feeling more and more nervous. “You’re crazy, Dent! Let’s get out of here. If the Stephenses came home, I’d be so embarrassed! Did you bring me over to see them?”
“Let’s go downstairs. I want to look at that kitchen again.” He took her hand and led her downstairs, laughing at her protest. She tried to pull away and run out the front door, but he pulled her to him. She tried to get away, but his strong arms held her tight. She felt the lean, masculine strength of his body as he held her close, and she put her arms around him. Then he reached up and plucked her cap off. “I’ve always liked your hair,” he said, reaching up and running his hand down it. “Never saw such pretty, thick, brown hair in my entire life.”
Violet was mystified. “Dent! What are you doing?”
“Well, I reckon I’m holding about the prettiest girl I know real tight. How do you like it?”
“You’ve got to let me go, Dent. This isn’t right!”
He bent his head and kissed her. His lips were firm on hers, and her arms went around his neck. She held him tightly, then finally put her hands against his chest and pushed away. He let her go and she said, “I’m ashamed of myself.”
“Well, I’m not ashamed of myself,” Dent said huskily. He reached out and took her hands. “I want you to marry me,” he said abruptly, “and live in this house.”
“Dent, what in the world!—”
“I mean that the Stephenses have been trying to sell this house for a while. I made the down payment on it.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box and opened it. The light caught the diamond in the gold ring. He took her hand and slipped it on her finger.
Violet stood there, her heart beating fast. She looked up at him and her lips began to tremble. She looked very young and vulnerable, and finally she whispered, “Do you really mean it, Dent?”
For once, Denton DeForge was totally serious. “Sweetheart, I never meant anything more in my whole life! I thought I was too old for you—and I guess maybe I am. You’ll just be a child bride, I guess. But I love you, Violet. I guess I always have. You were like a little sister at first, but then you blossomed out and became a woman. And now, I love you like a man loves a woman. Do you love me?”
Violet pulled his head down and kissed him hard. When she drew back there were tears in her eyes. “I’ve loved you all my life,” she whispered. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Dent hugged her tight, swung her around till she lost her breath, then he carried her over to a full-length mirror in the parlor. Standing her on her feet, he faced the mirror with her and smiled at their reflection.
“There,” he said, squeezing her. “We’re going to make a good-looking couple, Violet. I wouldn’t be surprised,” he added with a wicked wink, “if we aren’t the best-looking couple in the Ozark Mountains!”
Violet’s heart was so full that she could not speak. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. “If you say so, Dent, then I guess it must be! . . .”
They stood quietly, holding each other, and the only sound was the ticking of a clock on the mantel—that and the startled meow of a hammer-headed yellow tomcat that came out from behind the stove and stared at them. The cat yawned hugely and began lazily to stretch and scratch.
Also by Gilbert Morris
THE AMERICAN CENTURY SERIES
1. A Bright Tomorrow
2. Hope Takes Flight
3. One Shining Moment
THE HOUSE OF WINSLOW SERIES
1. The Honorable Imposter
2. The Captive Bride
3. The Indentured Heart
4. The Gentle Rebel
5. The Saintly Buccaneer
6. The Holy Warrior
7. The Reluctant Bridegroom
8. The Last Confederate
9. The Dixie Widow
10. The Wounded Yankee
11. The Union Belle
12. The Final Adversary
13. The Crossed Sabres
14. The Valiant Gunman
15. The Gallant Outlaw
16. The Jeweled Spur
17. The Yukon Queen
18. The Rough Rider
19. The Iron Lady
20. The Silver Star
21. The Shadow Portrait
22. The White Hunter
23. The Flying Cavalier
24. The Glorious Prodigal
25. The Amazon Quest
26. The Golden Angel
27. The Heavenly Fugitive
28. The Fiery Ring
29. The Pilgrim Song
30. The Beloved Enemy
31. The Shining Badge
32. The Royal Handmaid
33. The Silent Harp
34. The Virtuous Woman
35. The Gypsy Moon