Then he released her and they sat facing each other on the sofa. “There’s one other matter we have to consider. I remember how much you love living in town and being around people and visiting and socializing. I can’t give you all of that if I’m working a ranch.”
“Working a ranch? Where? I told you I’d go anywhere with you. I don’t care if you move to the great northwest or to the mountains or stay in Louisiana, I want to be there too.”
Delight filled him, and he couldn’t stop the grin from turning up one corner of his mouth. “Then how about Texas? On your Uncle Micah’s ranch? He’s offered me a job there.”
Molly’s mouth dropped open. Had she heard him correctly? Back to Texas and to the Gordon ranch? “Oh, my, that’s even better than I ever dreamed.” She stood and reached for his hand. “Maybe I could even keep teaching, like Ellie.”
He lifted her free hand to his lips. “Then, Miss Molly Whiteman, will you be my wife and work with me to raise the best horses Texas has ever seen?”
Molly’s heart jumped and beat faster than the flutter of hummingbird wings. Stefan’s blue eyes penetrated her very soul and beyond to depths she didn’t know existed. He loved her and that’s all that mattered.
“Oh, Stefan, yes, yes, and yes and yes again!” She planted her lips on his to seal her answer. This moment would live forever in her memory.
Hands clapping and laughter broke them apart. Heat filled Molly’s face, but this was the happiest moment in her life, and she was glad to share it.
Papa strode to her and held out his arms for a hug. “This will make your mother very happy. This is what she’s been praying for.”
Colonel Elliot stepped to his son’s side. “Micah Gordon has told me of his offer. The ranch in Texas is a long way from here, but not as far as Arizona, so I’m happy for you.” He reached out and hugged his son.
Stefan stepped back. “Thank you, but what about the plantation?”
Mr. Elliot grinned and stepped back. “I am pretty sure the deal I made with Thomas Dyer will go through. He’ll add Oakwood to his land, keep all our workers, and move in here. Mother and I will then move to Baton Rouge to be closer to your grandmother.”
Stefan grasped his father’s hand. “I’m sorry to see Oakwood leave the family, but happy it will be in such good hands. And with me being a part of his family, it won’t seem as much of a loss.”
Molly’s heart soared at this new revelation. Nothing could keep Stefan and her from going back to Stoney Creek now.
Clarissa tugged Molly’s arm and pulled her aside to a corner of the room. “Andrew and I have committed to each other too. He’s decided to stay in New Orleans with Dr. Sutton, and he’s going back there tomorrow to make all the arrangements. I wanted to be near you, but think of all the fun we can have when you come to visit. And I know we’ll want to come out to Texas and visit with his family, too.”
“What do your parents think about that?” Concern for how they’d previously acted toward Andrew prevented her from sharing Clarissa’s happiness.
“Since Andrew has been helping with the medical care of Stefan, Mother and Father have come to know him better. Now with the plantation being sold and Andrew staying in Louisiana, Father won’t be as reluctant to see me married and living in New Orleans.”
Papa joined the conversation. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Molly, I think you’ll be happy to know that I’m going to suggest to your mother that we allow you to stay here while she settles Grandma Dyer’s estate.”
Molly squealed and hugged her father then winced. She’d forgotten about the sore shoulder, but she ignored the pain in the joy of the moment. “Oh, Papa, that would be wonderful. Then I can see Stefan every day and help him get better.”
“I thought that might please you. My retired friend, Dr. Sanger, is at home now taking care of my patients, and when I return he will remain in Stoney Creek and help me until I find a replacement for Andrew.”
“That’s perfect.” She grabbed Clarissa’s hand. “Yours is the next best news I’ve had in a long time, the best being Stefan of course.”
“We’ve talked about an early fall wedding here at Oakwood, but it’ll most likely be at Grace Church. So, it looks like I’ll be Andrew’s bride by Thanksgiving.”
Molly squeezed Clarissa’s hand. “I can hardly wait. It’ll be so good to have you close by while I’m here with Mama.” Tears welled in Molly’s eyes, but these were tears of pure joy. She’d spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. And her two best friends were going to be married, too.
Stefan reached for her and pulled her against him. “Are you sure you want to be tied to me the rest of your life?”
Her heart filled to the bursting point and beyond. “As sure as I could ever possibly be. Just try and get out of it now that everyone here has heard you declare your love.”
His laughter rang in her soul. “I don’t think that’s about to happen.” Then he sobered and held her hands. “Your Uncle Micah talked to me about God’s unfailing love. He seems to have proven that beyond a doubt with all He’s done in the past few weeks.”
Molly nodded in agreement. “My uncle is a wise man.” She stepped closer to enter Stefan’s willing embrace. God had worked in mysterious and even painful ways to bring them to this moment. But she had no regrets. He had brought them together, in His timing, in His way. No matter what they faced in the future they could stand on the assurance that God’s love had never failed them—and never would.
OTHER BOOKS BY MARTHA ROGERS
WINDS ACROSS THE PRAIRIE SERIES
The Winds Across the Prairie series brings you back to the town of Barton Creek in Oklahoma Territory, providing a glimpse into everyday life at a time when Oklahoma was drawing homesteaders to its territory before the days of statehood.
Amelia’s Journey
Ben Haynes and Amelia Carlyle were childhood friends before Amelia’s family moved to Boston. After they run into each other at her sister’s wedding, Ben calls on Amelia several times. As he leaves for Kansas, they promise to write. Although Ben captured Amelia’s heart, her parents discourage the relationship and forbid her to correspond with him. She promises to wait for him, but will the love and loss they experience along the way draw them closer or tear them apart? Can a Boston socialite find true happiness with a Kansas cowboy?
Becoming Lucy
After the deaths of her parents, seventeen-year-old Lucinda Bishop is sent to Oklahoma to live with her aunt and uncle. Oklahoma ranch life brings more than this heiress bargained for when she meets Jake Starnes, a ranch hand running from his past. As her friendship with Jake grows, Lucy faces emotions she’s never experienced before. With Lucy’s help, will he get his life together and face the consequences of his past? Or will he lose the girl he loves before he gets a chance?
Morning for Dove
Love knows no boundaries of race or culture when it is rooted in God’s love for His people. When Luke Anderson falls in love with Dove Morris, he is aware of her Native American heritage. He does not, however, expect the sudden prejudice his mother exhibits toward Dove. When a wildfire threatens Morris Ranch and Luke risks his life for Dove, will his parents see how rooted the love b
etween Luke and Dove is? Or will Luke’s parents try to tear them apart? Can love overcome the intolerance in the Oklahoma Territory?
Finding Becky
Becky Haynes returns to Barton Creek as a new college graduate with a strong independent spirit and Geoff Kensington, a recent acquaintance who shows more than just a passing interest in her. Rob Frankston waited four years for her return and is puzzled by the new Becky. When strange accidents start happening around the town, Rob becomes suspicious. Is it just jealousy? Or will he be able to convince the old Becky to return before it’s too late?
Caroline’s Choice
Caroline Frankston longs for more than her provincial life in Barton Creek. When her feelings for Matthew Haynes appear unrequited, she moves to Oklahoma City for a fresh start. Matthew realizes his feelings for her after she is gone and decides to tell her when she returns to Barton Creek for a visit. When Caroline goes missing after her train is in an accident, Matt sets out in search of her. Will he find her, or has any chance of spending his life with Caroline disappeared?
Christmas at Holly Hill
When Clayton Barlow returns home after a prison sentence, he is determined to make a new start and prove he is trustworthy. Merry Lee Warner was his childhood friend and is now a schoolteacher. When Clayton’s feelings for her resurface, he doubts he could get a woman like Merry to love him. Will the trust of an unlikely new friend be enough to restore Clayton’s relationships with the town and reunite him with God and Merry?
SEASONS OF THE HEART
Set in the late 1800s the Seasons of the Heart series weaves together the stories of four women whose great faith make a difference in the lives of the men they love. The series moves from Connecticut to Texas as it follows the lives of these women and their families as they find true love and bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.
Summer Dream
Rachel Winston is tired of being known as the minister’s daughter in her small town. When she starts making plans to visit her aunt in Boston for the social season, Nathan Reed arrives. Rachel can’t help but wonder if he’s the one. Nathan has no desire to experience life with Christians after his experiences with his own family; not that he even had a chance to court Rachel until he resolves his anger with God and his family. When Nathan is caught in a blizzard and lies near death in the Winston home, Rachel and her mother give him a lesson in love and forgiveness while nursing him back to health. Will Nathan make peace with his family and return before Rachel chooses a path that will take her away from him?
Autumn Song
Kathleen Muldoon left her family’s ranch to live with her aunt Mae, who runs a boardinghouse, and study medicine under Old Doc Jensen in Porterfield, Texas. Daniel Monroe moved to Porterfield to set up his law practice and is introduced to Kate at the boardinghouse. Sparks fly, and then turn to ashes as the two begin arguing. Will Daniel accept Kate’s independent nature and dreams of becoming a nurse? Will Daniel’s law practice destroy her father’s land? Can they both overcome their pride and become everything God wants them to be?
Winter Promise
Abigail Monroe is almost twenty-five. She is educated, beautiful, and single, and she fears she’ll become a spinster if she stays in Briar Ridge, Connecticut. She decides she needs a fresh start and joins her brother and his wife in Porterfield, Texas. A sprained ankle sends her to the new town doctor, Elliot Jensen. Elliot, however smitten he feels by Abigail, is frozen by his emotions due to his painful past. Will he wait too long to share his feelings? Or will Christmas bring them both the gift they seek?
Spring Hope
Libby Cantrell arrives in Porterfield, Texas, in the middle of a cold winter night. She is exhausted, ill, hungry, and trying to run away from her past. Sheriff Cory Muldoon finds her behind a barn and takes her to the doctor. Cory is determined to know the truth about her even though he is attracted to the young woman. Libby escaped her abusive father and is trying to create a better future for herself. As winter becomes spring, will Cory be able to accept Libby for who she is now and forgive her sordid past?
THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY
Love Stays True
Sallie Dyer fell in love when she was just a young girl. Manfred McDaniel Whiteman and his brother, Edward, left Bayou Sara, Louisiana, to join the war and were taken prisoners. Now Sallie has grown into a caring young woman and is still waiting word of her beloved Manfred—despite her father’s worries that he may never come home. Following the surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, Manfred and Edward are released and begin their journey home. Along the way they encounter storms and thieves, and are thrown in prison. Will Manfred return home before someone else claims Sallie’s hand? Can the two of them overcome the distance that the war put between them?
Love Finds Faith
Hannah Dyer is a successful nurse who moved to Texas to help her brother-in-law’s medical practice. Despite her success, Hannah fears she is not good enough due to her birth defect of having one leg much shorter than the other. When Micah Gordon returns home, his father hopes he will finally settle down to ranch life. Hannah is smitten with Micah but believes she has no hope of attracting him because of her leg. Micah is determined to not settle down, no matter how attracted he is to Hannah. After Micah suffers a tragic loss, he loses his faith and almost loses his ranch. Can Hannah’s care and faith help him recover and find new hope, faith, and love?
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