Susan Amarillas
Page 29
“Are you hurt bad?” Andrew’s voice was quiet.
“Not too bad,” Luke told him.
“My mom can make a bandage.” His face was solemn. “She’s real good at fixing things.”
“I don’t think she can fix this, Andrew,” he said, and Rebecca knew he meant more than his side.
Ruth stepped forward. “Rebecca,” she said firmly. “For heaven’s sake, you better haul off and marry the man before he up and bleeds to death.”
Rebecca didn’t move. “I...” Guilt and regret tore at her. She wanted to say something, to explain, but how? Even after all of this, nothing had changed.
Ruth looked at Rebecca, her gentle eyes searching her daughter-in-law’s, and she said, “Andrew needs his father.”
“Ruth, I...” She actually thought to deny it, her love for Ruth was so great, as was her respect for Nathan, and her gratitude for all he’d done for her.
As though sensing her thoughts, Ruth touched her hand and gave a knowing smile.
“How did you know?” Rebecca asked on a thready whisper, feeling all her defenses dissolve.
Ruth spoke quietly, so that Andrew would not hear. “I’ve always suspected. When I saw them together, playing baseball...” She cut them a glance. “Well, just look at them.”
Rebecca did. The men she loved, together. Her heart slammed hard against her ribs. Joy bubbled up in her. Could this be happening? Could all her fears be so easily dissolved?
What are you waiting for?
She hugged Ruth and then rushed to Luke. He stood and opened his arms to her.
He kissed her. When he looked up, he said gently, “I love you, Becky. I’ll never leave you. Marry me.” There. He’d said it all. It was all he had to offer. It was everything he was. He held his breath.
Andrew tugged on his pant leg, and Luke looked down. “Sir, are you gonna be my father?”
Luke glanced at Rebecca, then back to Andrew. “Would you like me to be your father, Andrew?”
“Oh, yes, sir.” The boy beamed.
“Then, Andrew—” his tone was rough with emotion “—I am your father.” It was enough, Luke realized.
Luke’s questioning gaze flicked to Rebecca. “You haven’t said yes,” he pointed out.
She hesitated long enough to look at Ruth, standing close by. At her confirming nod, she grinned and swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes,” she managed, though her voice cracked with the pure joy of loving him.
A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. “Yes, and...”
“I love you,” she told him, knowing it was true. She’d always loved him. Luke was her destiny.
He came to her then and pulled her more tightly into his embrace. She loved him. He’d heard the words he’d longed for, prayed for. He wanted to hold her now, and tomorrow, and all the tomorrows that God would give him.
Still in his embrace, he smiled down at her and said, “I think I know where there’s a newspaper for sale.”
She grinned back. “And I think I know who it will endorse for mayor.”
“I love you.” He hugged her to him fiercely, then hoisted Andrew up in his arms. “I love you both.”
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ISBN: 978-1-4592-8344-2
Scanlin’s Law
Copyright © 1995 by Karen L. Amarillas
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