by Terri Grace
She was seated on the porch seat one evening after dinner, just gazing out to the mountains and humming a sad tune, when she became aware that she was not alone. Thinking that it was Grace, Deborah turned to her with a ready smile, which froze when she saw that it was Gerald.
“You seem to love gazing at the mountains,” he said as he walked towards her. Philip, his head wrangler, had made him a walking stick and he supported himself on it with both hands. “What’s out there?”
Deborah could not believe the cordiality in her husband’s voice and she stared at him for a while before responding. “This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth,” she said at last. “I would never tire of gazing at those majestic hills, wondering what lies on the other side.”
Gerald chuckled and it was a pleasant sound. “Maybe the people on the other side also wonder what lies on this side. We could one day take a ride out there and see for ourselves.”
Deborah blinked rapidly; the man spoke as though she would be here for a long time. He stood next to the long, cane seat and she moved to make room for him, for she could see the strain that he was under. Like everything else Gerald did, recovering his mobility had now become a passion and he tended to overdo it.
“My legs are getting stronger, but I must admit that sitting down is wonderful.” He lowered himself and stretched his long legs in front of him.
The couple had no idea that they were under scrutiny by Grace, who was beaming from ear to ear. Dare she hope?
They sat in silence for a short while before Gerald turned to Deborah. “Debbie, there is so much that I have to say to you, but I don’t know where to begin.” He sighed deeply. “I’ll just say it as it is, and hope that you understand.”
Debbie nodded, not wanting to look at him for fear of what she might see on his face. The sun was just setting and they watched as it disappeared behind the hills.
“It will get dark soon and we’ll have to enter the house, but I just wanted to apologize to you – to say how terribly sorry I am.”
Debbie turned to make sure that she was still talking to Gerald. His eyes were filled with an intensity that made her feel very shy, and the expression on his face was sincere.
“You were brought to Winnemucca under false pretenses and had I known that Mama was merely pretending to be ill, I might not have sent for you. However, sending for you was the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He paused and looked at her. “These last few weeks as I lay helpless and injured, I got to see what a wonderful woman you are and I am deeply humbled.” He took a deep breath. “Mama told me that you overheard us arguing the day before I had my accident. I’m so sorry that you had to hear my selfishness. There is nothing I can ever do to redeem myself, but I plead for your forgiveness.”
“Oh, Gerry.” She turned to him. “There’s really nothing to forgive. You were just being honest and, much as it hurt, I appreciated your honesty. I’m just happy to see that your memory is back and you will soon be able to walk again.”
“Your words sound like a death knell,” he said softly. “Is it too late for us, Debbie?”
“Too late for us?”
“Yes, my darling,” he said, reaching out a hand and cupping her chin. He turned her face so she was looking at him. His touch was so gentle. “Debbie, I am so deeply in love with you but I’m so scared that it might be too late. Maybe I’ve really messed things up.”
“You love me?” Her words were barely a whisper.
He nodded. “More than you can ever imagine. It didn’t happen overnight. Maybe love was growing in my heart from the first moment I saw you but I was too stubborn and arrogant to see it. Mama says the accident was God’s way of humbling me and showing me who is Lord of all, for it certainly isn’t me.” He chuckled and she smiled. “Darling, am I too late? Can you ever forgive me?”
“I forgave you a long time ago,” she said, and for her efforts she was pulled into his arms. She rested on her husband’s chest for the first time, feeling his strong hands as they held her tenderly and gently. This was bliss.
“Thank you, and for the rest of my life I will do everything to make up for the lost days.”
“I was afraid that you’d send me away when you got better.”
“There was no chance of that happening because you’re the woman that the Lord sent me, but for a moment I was too blind to see. Our destinies are intertwined, and sending you away would be like cutting my heart out. I love you so much, Debbie. Maybe someday you’ll begin to love me, but I just thought I should tell you that you are the woman who makes my heart beat erratically. I even asked Mama how I ever lived without you.”
“I love you so much, Gerry. The thought of leaving you was killing me slowly, and I knew that I would have spent a long time getting over you.”
“You don’t have to, because you are made to be by my side, as I am for you. We belong together, and I was waiting to see what your response was before telling you that I have a surprise for you.”
“Really? What is it?”
Gerry chuckled. His lovely wife looked like an eager and excited child and he could not wait to see their offspring, for he was sure Debbie would make a wonderful mother. She had such a kind and tender heart. “It’s a surprise. You have to restrain yourself.”
The surprise turned out to be a second wedding.
“A real one this time, with you walking down the aisle towards me in church, surrounded by friends. I didn’t give you one last time so I’m doing things right this time.”
Salome Prune had travelled all the way from Dover and Debbie wept in her former employer’s arms. “Debbie, I told you that God has His own way of doing things, and all we had to have is faith. Are you happy?”
“Very happy, Mrs Salome. Gerry is a wonderful man and his mother is such a lovely woman, too.”
“Whenever one of my girls finds a good home and a loving husband, it is a great reward to me. Just be a good wife, virtuous and submissive, and your days on earth will be blessed ones.”
“Yes, Mrs Salome.”
Perhaps the happiest of the lot was Grace Harper. Her desire had come true and as she watched her son and his wife exchanging vows for the second time, she wept unashamedly.
Gerry could not believe the second chance he had been given. He whispered his love over and over again to his blushing bride, and grinned widely when she told him how much she also loved him.
Grace Harper was there to receive her first granddaughter, who was named Salome in honor of the woman who had brought Gerry and Debbie together. She also got to hold their seventh child, finally – her namesake.
:)
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Also by Terri Grace
Terri Grace is a multiple #1 Amazon bestselling author, who writes wonderful clean Western Historical Romance.
Every story is a journey of the heart.
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