Stranger's Bride

by Denise Hunter

  Very Sincerely,

  Mr. Charles VanCleeves

  When she looked up, Nathan was reading the letter from his father. She let him continue undisturbed, knowing the significance of these last words from father to son.

  When he finished, he handed the paper to her, then turned away to rest his forearms on the split-rail fence. She turned her attention to the letter, written in the heavy scrawl of an aged man.

  My Dearest Son,

  If you’ve gotten this letter, then it means that you chose to marry so that you can keep the ranch. There wasn’t much doubt in my mind that you’d do so.

  First off, I want to say I’m sorry for any grief my will caused you. Even as I write this, I worry that I’m making a mistake by wheedling you into taking a wife. But I’ve spent much time on my knees over this, and I know in my heart that God is in it.

  Please know that I want so much for you to love and be loved as I was. I don’t like leaving you alone in this world with no kinfolk whatsoever. I hope the woman you chose to marry will be that special someone to you. I’m sure she’s a fine woman.

  Be happy, Son. Serve the Lord, and He will bless and keep you.

  I love you,

  Pop

  Sara wiped away the tears that flowed rather easily these days, and joined Nathan by the rough-hewn fence. Know-ing he was overwhelmed, she waited until he was ready to talk. His hand was warm and callused under hers as she stroked it with her long, tapered fingers.

  “I was so mad at him when I found out about that will. I couldn’t understand why he’d do that to me—force me to get married when I was dead set against it.” He cocked his head to enchant her with a tender smile. “And now look at me. I have a beautiful wife to cherish. Even if you are a tiny little thing,” he joked.

  Sara’s gaze met his, her eyes twinkling. “Not for long.” She watched as the meaning of her words sank in. His mouth gaped, and it took two attempts to deliver the words.

  “You mean. . . ?”

  Her beaming face was all the answer he needed.

  Sara found herself crushed in an embrace, her feet dangling above the ground. He spun her around and in between his giddy chuckles she heard, “A baby! We’re gonna have a baby!”

  Finally, he set her back on her feet, but continued to cradle her against his massive chest. “I’m so happy, Sara. I wish he could know how happy I am.”

  Sara tilted her face up to his. “He does, Nathan. I’m sure he does.”