Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
T hey held hands as they walked to the barn. It was a strangely silent walk. Stewart seemed to be a million miles away. Why wouldn’t he? Finding out a member of your family had stuck a knife in your back was never pleasant. In fact, it was unbearably painful. Of that, she could attest.
They walked down to a stall, where a horse nickered in welcome. “Hello, Echo,” greeted Stewart. The horse nickered again then nuzzled Stewart’s shoulder. The brief smile on Stewart’s face disappeared.
“To think I spent so much time behind a desk.” He stroked the horse’s nose. “I realized how much I missed riding when McKenna ousted me. I’m going to make more time for actual living. I thought the ranch couldn’t run without me. I was wrong. I’m not needed here.”
She hated how hurt he sounded. This time, she wrapped her arms around him to give comfort. He embraced her instantly, bringing her closer to him. It was comforting to hear his heart rate slow down from a rapid pace to something more normal.
Did he derive any comfort from her? Hopefully, he did. He’d given so much of himself to her. The discovery of the diamonds had pushed her off kilter yet again. Finding out about his brother’s extreme betrayal must make Stewart feel worse.
“I think you are very much needed here. I see how the others look to you for answers. They bounce ideas off you, and you seem to know what you’re talking about.”
He drew back slightly so he could see her. “Seem to know?” With a smile, he brought her back into his arms.
“Will the rest of your family be upset about McKenna?”
“Upset, yes. Outraged, of course. I’d thought they might want to keep him out of jail, but that wasn’t the feeling I got. I did what I could by hiring a lawyer. His sins are on him.” He stepped away and cradled her cheek in his hand. “Just like your stepfather’s sins are his own, not yours.”
She nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.
He leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft. She hadn’t known what to do, but she liked his kisses.
“Hey,” he said, drawing back and catching her gaze with his. “What if you woke up one day and knew everything from now on would be the truth?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “It would change my whole life. Someday I hope that will happen.”
With a tender touch, he wiped away her tears. “I want to be the one to give you that truth.” He stared into her eyes.
“I don’t understand.”
“Would you object vehemently to being my wife?”
“That’s how you ask a woman to be your wife? I think you need a new approach.” She laughed.
Her laughter stopped when he kneeled on one knee before her. “Aurora, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I don’t have a ring yet. You’ve been a truly delightful surprise. I never expected to find someone to love.”
He stole her breath away, completely and irrevocably. A smile tugged at her lips, and when she found her ability to speak again, she answered, “Yes, Yes I will marry you.”
Stewart stood and brushed all the hay off his jeans. He drew her close and kissed her once more.
What if everything she learned from now on was the truth? God had led her down the right path.