“But they’re tears of joy, Ollie. I’ve never been so happy.” It was hard to get the words past the lump in her throat.
“Then are you saying yes?” He held his breath.
Clarissa nodded and stood on tiptoe to touch his lips briefly with hers, but he captured her in an embrace that made her feel protected and cherished. The kiss deepened, and her insides felt molten. She could hardly believe this man loved her, and she was going to spend the rest of her life with him. God had been so good to her.
❧
Marissa had looked back at Ollie as she and Lowell drove away in the surrey. He was taking Clari riding. Maybe the brothers wanted to help Marissa and her sister celebrate the end of Pierre’s hold on their lives. It felt odd to ride in the middle of the day. No one had done any chores before the trial, so she thought the men would need to work when they returned home.
Marissa looked at Lowell. “Where are we going?”
“I thought you might want to go for a ride.” He pulled her close to him and kept his arm around her. “I know a place by a stream where we can sit and talk.”
Marissa liked sitting nestled close to him. If only it didn’t have to end. She would be happy to spend the rest of her life with Lowell, but she knew that was unreasonable. She knew he liked her a lot, but she wished it were more than that. Marissa wasn’t sure when she had started loving him, but she had been drawn to him as long as she’d known him. It was only a few months, but it seemed much longer than that. She felt as if her life began when she met him.
Lowell pulled the surrey off the road and parked it under a grove of trees. He helped her alight and led her deeper into the grove. Soon she heard the sound of water gurgling over rocks. The sun shone through the branches above the brook, and sparkles danced on the surface of the water. What a beautiful place!
Lowell stuffed his hands in his back pockets, then pulled them out. She had seen him do this many times, but it was usually when he was nervous. What did he have to be nervous about? She studied his expression. Whatever was on his mind was important.
She touched his arm. “What’s the matter, Lowell? Can I help?”
He took her hands in his. “Yes, you can. You can marry me.”
Marissa looked at him thoughtfully. “Why do you want me to marry you?” She hoped it wasn’t because he felt sorry for her and Clari because they had no home.
He gathered her gently in his arms. “I’m not doing this very well, am I?” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Marissa, I love you so much it hurts. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
She smiled and looked up at him. “I love you too, Lowell. And I want to marry you.”
She placed her hand on his cheek. He had no doubt shaved that morning, but she could feel a tiny bit of stubble against her palm. His masculinity made her feel safe.
He lowered his head until his lips touched hers. This time he didn’t pull away quickly. His kiss awakened every part of her being. The thought that she could experience kisses like this for the rest of her life washed over her, and she poured her love into returning his kiss.
Epilogue
They had chosen the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the wedding day. The dreams Marissa and Clarissa had shared in the forest were coming true. They would have a double wedding, and Lowell and Ollie were the grooms. Mrs. Jenson had offered to move to town and live with Gerda over the Dress Emporium, but neither of the twins would hear of it. Marissa wanted her mother-in-law to continue living in the home she had shared with her husband. She knew she would need the older woman’s help. She hadn’t learned all she needed to know about running a household and being a wife. Clarissa assured Mrs. Jenson she would need her help too.
Ollie and Clarissa’s house was finished, but all the furniture they’d ordered hadn’t arrived yet. They would move in right after the wedding, but it would take awhile before the household was settled.
The day of the wedding was a winter spectacle. It had snowed earlier in the week, and the sun on the white expanse lent a special glow to the bare tree branches encased in ice. Everything sparkled as if celebrating the special day.
Anna and Gerda came to the farm to help the sisters don the dresses they had made for them. They had created the same style but in different fabrics. Marissa wore a pure white brocade and Clarissa a rich cream-colored satin.
August brought a sleigh to take the brides to the wedding. The girls had never ridden in a sleigh and laughed all the way to the church. The horses wore bells on their harnesses, and the merry jingling was the perfect accompaniment to the excitement Clarissa and Marissa felt. The church was filled when they arrived, and some people had even clustered around the doors.
Mrs. Olson played the pump organ while Gustaf escorted Marissa down the aisle to Lowell. Then August walked with Clarissa to Ollie. In their dreams, this had been a fairy-tale ending for the girls’ lives, but they both realized this was truly the beginning—of a more wonderful life than either had ever imagined—a life free from deception.
About the Author
LENA NELSON DOOLEY is a freelance author and editor who lives with her husband in Texas. During the twenty years she has been a professional writer, she has been involved as a writer or editor on a variety of projects. She developed a seminar called “Write Right,” and she hosts a writing critique group in her home. She presently works full-time as an author and editor. She has a dramatic ministry and speaking ministry that crosses denominational lines and an international Christian clowning ministry. She and her husband enjoy taking vacations in Mexico, visiting and working with missionary friends.
Dedication
To my oldest granddaughter, Marissa Waldron, who is a joy to my heart. I will enjoy watching you grow into the beautiful woman God intends you to be. And every book is dedicated to the man who has shared his life with me since 1964, James Allan Dooley, the love of my life. The man God created to be my husband.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lena Nelson Dooley
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Double Deception Page 15
