“Lee, that’s wonderful! It’s such an honor. It’s clear that everyone loves you. Most of our weddin’ guests said you helped them in one way or another.”
“It would mean a big change, Corinne. We’d have to live in town. We have to build a house there too. Might want to get another stove. We could keep this place, but we couldn’t live here all the time. I’d be out working. Maybe for a few days at a time.”
“You’d be so good at it,” she said, taking his arm.
“Sure, but it’s not just up to me.”
“Do you think it would make you happy?” Corinne asked.
“You make me happy. It wouldn’t even start until January. They told me to take my time and be sure. You would have to be sure too.”
“I know,” Corinne said thoughtfully. “I’ll think about it.”
“Alright.”
Corinne watched him walk to the wood pile and lift the big axe. He sometimes chopped wood when he had something on his mind. Corinne went inside and began to peel apples. She knew what worked best for her.
Chapter Ninety-One
The crumbled topping on the pie was browned perfectly and Corrine pulled the pie from the big oven. It looked beautiful in the fancy ceramic pan. She would use it only once and just for this pie.
Lee walked in, his hair combed neatly back, wet from his visit to the pool in the creek. His shirt was crisp and white and he smiled at her as she stood at the end of the table. He looked down and let his arms fall to his side.
“Is that…?” Lee stopped midsentence.
“It surely is,” Corinne said.
“Apple crumb?”
“Just as you requested.”
“My pie,” Lee said reverently.
Corinne chuckled.
“I have decided to give you everythin’ your heart desires.”
“Such as a lifetime of pies?” he asked, stepping up and smelling the sweet steam rising from the pie.
“More than that,” Corinne said, looking into his eyes.
“I think that about covers it,” he said.
“Not quite. I want to give you a lifetime of somethin’ else as well. It’s happened before so I am certain.”
Lee studied her face, seeing an odd expression in her eyes.
“Lieutenant Highland, I am carryin’ your child.” Corinne held her breath.
“Really? Already?” He stood very still.
“I am sure of it.”
“That’s wonderful!” He stepped up to her with one long stride and kissed her. Corinne fell into his arms.
Lee looked into her eyes.
“Take the sheriff’s position, Lee. I’ll go wherever you go. My life is yours. You’ll be perfect at it. You have so much to share. Your honesty, your kindness, your strength. I’ll be proud to be the wife of the most important man in town. When you’ve finished doin’ what the town needs of you I’ll be there at the end of the day to take the badge off your chest and make you all mine again and again. I love you.”
“This pan,” Lee said as he took the last slice of pie. Glazed into the elaborate design were tiny letters. “Look at that! It says that love is forever! Where did it come from?”
“It’s a wedding gift,” Corinne said, smiling. “From Barnette and Daniel.”
When Lee had eaten the entire pie Corinne smiled. She felt perfect and safe. The dish was right, love is forever. Corinne knew she would love Lee Highland for all of time and he had made a promise to love her in return.
The End
Dear Reader,
If you enjoyedPiecrust Promise I would be very thankful if you would post a positive review online. Your support is invaluable and I read all reviews. Your opinion will help me to continue to write other books. To leave a review, please visit the page for this book at Amazon. Select “Write a customer review”.
Thank you so much for your support!
Sincerely,
Nanette
Coming Soon…
The Matter with Margaret
On the eve of the year two thousand Margaret Hobart watched her husband Fred snore his way into the next millennium. She took the perfume she had found hidden in the wall, and as she spritzed her neck, imagined a different ending to the passing year. Margaret gulped down the last of her champagne and climbed into bed alone.
When Margaret opened her eyes in the morning light of January the first, 1920 she would embark on an unexpected journey through time. She would learn about herself, her world, and her life. But the most important lesson Margaret would learn would be about love.
Books by Nanette Kinslow
Stavewood
South of Stavewood
Home to Stavewood
The Secret of Stavewood
Sweet New England
Ill Repute
Pie Crust Promise
The Matter with Margaret
Piecrust Promise Page 21
