Epilogue
Addie snuggled close to Nash as the wagon rattled over the narrow trail to his ranch.
In the days and weeks following their admission of love, he had come to town often. As they spent time together, walking and talking, sitting with the Stones over a meal, or attending church, her love for him had grown. He was everything she needed and wanted.
They journeyed to his ranch in his wagon—her first visit to what would be their future home. The narrow trail wound around rocks, and at times, the edge of the road dropped away, sending her heart plummeting to her toes. But it gave her reason to cling to Nash’s side.
She laughed with joy.
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Happy?”
“So happy. For the most part, I’ve welcomed the life the Stones lived—moving often. It protected me from getting too close to people. But being with you…I realized I’ve been afraid to open my heart to love.” Her smile flattened. “It hurts so much when that love is lost.”
His warm fingers curled around her hand. “I’m not planning to leave. God willing, we will grow old together.” His fingers tightened. “Surrounded by our children.”
Tears welled up in Addie’s eyes, making it difficult for her to speak. Instead, she pressed closer.
“Whoa.” He stopped the wagon. “There’s your first look at your home.”
A peaceful sigh escaped her chest. The log house stood before a stand of tall pine trees, with the barn and corrals further away. Horses grazed in the nearby pasture while a river sparkled in the distance. Sunlight bathed patches of green grass. Mountains rose like huge guardians.
“‘As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever,’” Nash quoted, his voice heavy with emotion.
She lifted her face to him, and they shared a tender kiss, sealing their love for each other.
He flicked the reins, and they drove onward to the house. He helped her down and opened the door for her.
As they stepped inside, sunlight drew blocks of light on the polished wooden floor. To one side, she glimpsed a red cloth in the center of a wooden table. She chuckled as she recognized the irregular shape of a tree.
“Let me show you around.” Nash led her from room to room, making suggestions for changes she might like.
The tour complete, they stood in the center of the kitchen. “Addie, you’ve hardly said a word. Are you disappointed?”
“Disappointed? Not at all.” She grabbed his arms and faced him. “It’s perfect. Better than perfect.” Laughter bubbled up. “Must we wait so long to get married?”
“We promised the preacher we’d wait. It’s only two more weeks.” He sighed as he pulled her to his chest. “It feels like forever.”
“I know.”
He lowered his head and claimed another kiss, holding her in his strong arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, his heartbeat sounding in her ear. “You’re a good man, Nash. I’m proud to think of being your wife.”
He didn’t kiss her, instead, his arms tightened around her. “Thank you.”
She’d done her best to make him understand he didn’t bear any stigma because of who his father was, and she would continue to do so.
“Do you want to see the rest of the place?” he asked.
“Of course.” Though she didn’t mind if they simply stayed there holding each other. But she accompanied him outside to see the garden, the horses, and the barn. They eventually made their way to the river.
“This will be our spot.” Pride rang in his voice at the surprise he’d prepared. Silver glistened in his eyes.
He’d made a bench. She laughed and hugged him and gladly joined him there. The water gurgled by. The sun peeked through the branches. And her love for him swelled in her chest.
Two weeks later…
Preacher Stone had been told about Nash’s father. He said Nash’s legal name would go on the documents, but as far as he was concerned, they could be known as Mr. and Mrs. Burns.
On a day bright with sunshine and hope, they were married before their small group of friends and family. Preacher Stone announced, “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Burns. May God bless your marriage with joy, understanding, forgiveness, and a passel of children.”
Addie and Nash laughed.
They welcomed the blessing.
Later, at the ranch, Nash swept her off her feet and carried her into the house.
Before he lowered her to the floor, he said, “I promise I will do my best to fulfill the preacher’s words.
I hope to bring you joy. I promise to always seek to understand and forgive.
And”—he kissed her gently—“I look forward to the passel of children.” His next kiss was more insistent.
“Addie, I am a happy man. I thank God for the stagecoach being delayed, so we got to know each other. You have filled my life with…” He grinned at her.
“More than I thought possible.” He set her on her feet but kept his arms around her.
Just before she lifted her face for another kiss, she whispered, “Nash, I love you more than words can say.”
His kiss silenced the need for words.