It was impossible to take her eyes off his boldly handsome features; his penetrating gaze. Her heart was thundering because she sensed what he was about to say next. She'd seen hints of it in his eyes before, when they'd been together out riding and when he'd been at the Flint house. But, right now, his ardent gaze was unmistakable. This rancher had something important on his mind, and she knew nothing was going to stop him.
"Veronica. I love you," he murmured. Veronica gasped, and sensation swept through her body, but he continued quickly: "I don't know how this happened. And frankly, it's beyond my understanding. And that's the way it should be. It's a kind of miracle. A gift from God. You rode into my life and took my heart." He smiled warmly and her heart tightened with joy. "And I couldn't be more grateful or happy about it."
Veronica felt her cheeks flame with heat and color. "Kyle. I don't know what to say."
Leaning closer, he whispered. "Say what's in your heart." She felt his breath, feather-like, against her cheeks.
His words, spoken quietly and steadily triggered racing thoughts in her mind. She'd tried to tell herself that she'd known all along how he felt about her. But she knew that wouldn't be true. She'd held back from admitting the truth to herself. Maybe because she'd feared it might all lead to nothing. Or perhaps because she didn't want to suffer another loss of a man she treasured. Not until this moment, enclosed in his embrace, would she have allowed herself to believe that Kyle Baxter was in love for her. But she did now. Because she could see the love in his eyes. It was real. Just as real as the love she harbored in her own heart.
Smiling at him, she curved her hand around his strong jawline. "I love you too, Kyle," she whispered.
Kyle grinned as if he'd just won the greatest prize of all. His eyes lit up with instant delight. Drawing her close, he kissed her again. This time there was blessedness and joy in the kiss. The earth seemed to shift beneath her feet. A giddiness took hold of her. But she knew as long as Kyle held her, everything would be fine.
He leaned his head back. She saw a flicker of worry in his eyes. He turned his head and glanced back in the direction of the other men. "What is it?" she asked, suddenly worried.
Turning back to face her, he shook his head. "I think they've got everything under control." He gave her a roguish smile. "That means I can ask you one question."
Veronica furrowed her brows. "What question is that, Kyle?"
He breathed out quietly. Suddenly, she saw hesitation in his eyes. Was he having a change of mind? The question flashed into her mind. Perhaps he'd realized the importance of what he'd just told her. And now, at the last minute, he was considering taking a step back.
Still holding onto her, he leaned his head closer. Once again, there was resolve in his gaze. "This is a blessing from the the Lord," he said softly. He gazed at her with such love and affection that it almost took her breath away. "He has brought you into my life. And your beautiful daughter, too."
Almost defensively, she said. "Molly loves you, Kyle. You know that, don't you."
He squinted at her. "How can you be so sure?"
"She told me," Veronica retorted, smiling brightly at him.
He tilted his head. "Maybe that's because I gave her a pony."
Veronica looked earnestly at Kyle and shook her head. "No. It's more than that. You've become like a father to her. The father she hasn't had for a long time."
Kyle's eyes widened slightly. He nodded and looked thoughtful for a few moments. "If I could be a father to your beautiful little girl, it would be the greatest privilege I could ever have."
Veronica gazed up into Kyle's eyes. If his words were true, then there was only one conclusion she could draw from them. And it was a wondrous conclusion, one that would change her life forever. All of their lives.
Veronica's throat tightened. She knew that herself and Kyle had reached a point of no return. It was time for decisions. God had led them both to this special moment. He had brought them together; He had allowed them to discover each other; He had helped Kyle heal the pain of her past; He had granted them both the gift of love. She knew she couldn't ask for anyone other than Kyle.
Softly, Kyle released Veronica from his tender embrace. Taking both her hands in his, he dropped slowly down onto one knee. She let out a squeal of delight as she gazed down at him. Kyle's gaze was fixed upon her as he uttered his next precious words. "Veronica. Will you do me the very great honor of agreeing to become my wife?"
She felt her hands shake slightly. The trail, here amongst the trees, in the cool evening air, felt solitary. Here, in this moment, it felt as if there was only herself and Kyle. No-one else. Although she knew others were nearby, she felt as if the world consisted of only herself and Kyle. Feeling the tightness in her throat, she wondered if she was going to be able to answer his momentous question. She knew her next words would alter everything. For herself and for Molly. But, deep down, in her quiet, solitary times back at the Flint house for the last few days, she'd been thinking about this very moment. What it would mean if he did ask for her hand in marriage. And now, with her heart filled with emotion, she knew the truth.
Kyle's eyes were wide with earnest expectation. Veronica smiled at Kyle and nodded. "I will marry you, Kyle," she declared.
She felt his fingers tighten their hold on her hands. "You will?" he exclaimed and rose quickly from his knee. She could see the joy on his face. It was real. Just like hers.
Veronica nodded. "It would be an honor to become your wife," Veronica said softly.
Kyle lifted his head and gazed up at the darkening sky. His chest swelled as he dragged in a deep breath. Lowering his head, he gazed deeply into her eyes. Then he dipped his head forward and kissed her. She curled her arms around his shoulders and savored every exquisite moment of his tender attentions.
From somewhere behind Kyle she heard the steady sound of horses' hooves. The kiss ended and Kyle turned, still keeping his arm wrapped around Veronica's waist. She saw two riders and recognized them. Kyle's two brothers, Gabe and Landon drew their mounts to a halt. Both leaned on their pommels and grinned.
"Well. Looks like we're interrupting something real important, Landon," Gabe said to his younger brother.
Landon nodded. "Maybe we should leave them here for a while," he suggested and grinned at Gabe.
Gabe tipped the front edge of his Stetson up. "You'll be pleased to know that those two varmints are on their way to the sheriff's office. With our dependable ranch hands keeping a close eyes on them, of course," he said.
"Vogel's in the cabin in the woods," Kyle said. "I'll go get him with the sheriff, later."
Gabe shook his head. "Don't go bothering yourself with that, Kyle," he said. He smiled at Veronica. "You've got other things to think about. Much more important than a no-good like Vogel."
Veronica felt her cheeks flush with heat. She glanced at Kyle and saw the deliberation taking place behind his eyes. He was thinking how to break the wonderful news to his brothers, she told herself. Veronica placed a hand on Kyle's broad chest. "I think Kyle has something he wants to tell you," she stated.
Kyle glanced at her and grinned. "Veronica's right," he said. Turning to his brothers, Kyle straightened, as if what he was about to announce filled him with pride. She felt Kyle draw her closer to him. "Veronica has agreed to become my wife," Kyle declared.
Gabe and Landon exchanged looks which were not full of shock. Instead, both men nodded to each other. Had they expected this?
"Told you," Gabe stated bluntly.
"You sure did," Landon agreed.
Then both men lifted their heads and hollered and whooped so loud that the sound of their voices echoed all the way down the trail. Veronica laughed and Kyle smiled at her as he moved to face her again. Then he leaned his head close and whispered: "You've made me the happiest man in Montana."
Veronica lifted a brow. "Just Montana?" she asked, giving him a mischievous grin.
She was still giggling when he dipped his head and
started to kiss her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
TWO MONTHS LATER
"I now pronounce you man and wife," Pastor Joseph announced, bringing the wedding ceremony to an end. He lifted his gaze above Veronica and Kyle's heads and surveyed the throng of people crammed into the church. A roar of approval filled the inside of the church. And when Kyle kissed Veronica they were both enveloped in a wave of applause. Gazing into Kyle's eyes, she smiled at her new husband.
"Hello Mrs Baxter," Kyle murmured.
"Hello Mr Baxter," Veronica answered back with a delighted grin.
Feeling Kyle's arm around her waist, Veronica turned to face the wedding guests. There had to be over a hundred people inside the church. Eyes bright with delight gazed back at her. All of the guests were applauding. The beautiful sound echoed to the rafters high above. She saw the Buchanan family members, complete with all of their wonderfully noisy children. She saw the Munro family, too. Veronica knew it would take a while for her to really feel she was a part of the community. But she was gradually starting to get to know people. Over the coming months and years, she knew she would become a real part of the town she had come to love.
To her right, Veronica saw Molly. Dressed in her beautiful white gown, Molly was bouncing up and down on her toes and grinning at her mother. And now at Kyle, her new father. Next to Molly, Veronica's parents stood shoulder to shoulder. She'd never seen her parents look so happy. Her father nodded slowly, his expression speaking volumes. Satisfaction and pride were written on his features. Her mother just looked joyously happy. The assembled gathering of Kyle's own family gazed with delight at the man standing next to her. Her new husband.
Veronica smiled at Kyle's parents. It seemed like only yesterday when Gabe and Lauren had stood in the church exchanging vows. Veronica glanced at Kyle. She was a Baxter now. And she was a rancher's wife. For the last eight weeks, during frequent visits to the ranch, she'd been finding out just what it would mean when she and Molly moved permanently into the Baxter ranch house. They'd already arranged their rooms, and started moving their belongings over to the ranch. Veronica's parents understood that it was time for their daughter and grand-daughter to begin their new life. And it seemed they were genuinely happy for her and Molly.
Veronica acknowledged the good wishes being sent to her by the gathered guests. Everyone seemed so happy with the joining of the Flint and Baxter families. Running her gaze around the church's interior, she could see the improvement which her father had made possible. There was a brand new piano in the corner; a new roof had been put on the church; the length of the church had been extended with a new wooden structure that created a larger space for Pastor Joseph and extra seating for the congregation. Adding a new, bright layer of white paint had made the interior of the church cleaner and brighter than ever before. It had truly become a beautiful church, perfect to serve the needs of this godly community. Pastor Joseph had been fond of saying that the Lord would approve of the work, once it was complete. And, Veronica felt the pastor had been right. She was sure the Lord looked upon the work her father had helped make possible, and found it pleasing. Many local men had been employed during the renovation. During the course of the work, Veronica had seen growing evidence of the spiritual change in her father. He was a regular attendee at the church. And reading aloud from the Bible had become one of his new delights at home. He was a new man. He'd turned his back on his past.
The Flint place hadn't yet become a going concern as a ranch. But it would be soon. With all the work being carried out at the church, her father hadn't had time to pursue all of Kyle's recommendations. However, now that she and Kyle were married, she was sure her father would spend the coming weeks and months turning the Flint estate into a thriving ranch. As for Vogel and his men. They were currently being looked after in the Billings jailhouse, having been found guilty of planning abduction and extortion. They wouldn't be bothering anyone again. Defeating Vogel's evil scheme meant her father's past could be forgotten. Once and for all.
The applause ended slowly. Molly couldn't contain herself any longer. She came racing toward Veronica and Kyle. He reached down, stretching out his arms. Molly leaped into his embrace and he lifted her up onto one side, holding her effortlessly. The congregation gasped in delight at the sight of Inspiration's newest family. Another burst of applause quickly followed.
Veronica gazed into Kyle's eyes. They were bright with pride and delight. Molly smiled at her and then at Kyle. "How does it feel to be a Baxter, Molly?" Veronica asked her daughter.
Molly grinned from ear to ear, glanced momentarily at Veronica, and then quickly kissed Kyle on the cheek. "It feels great, mama," Molly announced excitedly.
Kyle turned to Veronica. "And you? What do you think?" he asked.
Veronica smiled at her new husband. There was such love in Kyle's gaze. She knew she would never get tired of seeing that look in his eyes. "Molly's right. And I believe it's exactly what God wanted for the three of us."
Kyle nodded. He leaned his head closer to Veronica and then gently, and lovingly, kissed her.
THE END
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading The Rancher's Beloved Bride. I hope you enjoyed the novel.
The Brides of Inspiration series will continue with the next novel very soon.
If you would like to know when the next book is available please sign up for my new release email announcements.
Thank you for reading
Just click here to sign up
Brides of Inspiration series.
The Rancher's Bride Arrangement
The Rancher's Marriage of Convenience
The Rancher's Second Chance Bride
The Rancher's Bride Surprise
The Rancher's Bride Blessing
The Rancher's Devout Bride
The Rancher's Christmas Miracle
The Rancher's Christmas Wish
The Rancher's Reunion Bride
The Rancher’s Beloved Bride Page 20
