Adele (Angel Creek Christmas Brides #18) - Cynthia Woolf Page 0,41

went easily, wondering how much he heard. Did he know she loved him? And that she believed he loved her? That belief was the only thing that kept her going sometimes. If she didn’t believe he loved her, she wasn’t sure she could stay. But now that she was expecting, she wondered if he cared for her because of the baby. No, that belief couldn’t be right. He was nice to her before he knew about the child.

Richard began to back of the barn holding his side. “The least you could do is give me something to stop the bleeding.”

Adele lifted an eyebrow. “Stop where you are. Move again and Edward will shoot you. As to your side, you’ll get medical attention in jail. You came here with evil intent. You’re just lucky to be alive.”

Edward lifted his chin. “Adele get your gun out and shoot him if he moves.” He got a rope from the wall and tied Richard’s hands and feet. Then he turned to Adele. “I’ll get Charley to ride into town and have Quinn come pick him up. In the meantime, he can stay here on the floor…safe and sound.”

Adele walked to Richard. “Goodbye. You should have let me go.”

“I know that now, for what little good it does me.”

Edward grasped her hand and headed outside. “We have some talkin’ to do.”

She nodded and walked with him. The sun was coming up and the lantern was no longer needed but she carried it anyway.

She shielded her eyes from the rising sun. “Do you think he’ll go to prison?”

“It doesn’t matter if he does or not, but I’ll testify at his trial and I hope you will, too.”

“I will. He deserves to go to prison for what he did to Lissa and me.”

He headed around the house to the front porch. “Now, I want to talk to you.”

Her stomach lurched. “Edward, I’m sorry Lissa was injured. I never should have let her stay with me. I won’t—”

He cupped a hand over her mouth. “I don’t want to talk about Richard or Lissa. I want to discuss us and our situation.” Edward lowered his hand and walked to the swing.

He sat and then crooked his finger. “Join me.” When she got close, he pulled her onto his lap. “Good. Now, tell me how you love me.”

Adele looked him in the eyes. “You heard.”

“Yes, I heard. I also heard you tell him that you believed I loved you, too.”

Her pulse quickened. “I do believe that but if you don’t feel that way, it’s all right. I’m staying regardless of how you feel about me.”

“Of course, you’re staying. Look at me, Adele.”

She gazed at him.

“I do love you and I won’t ever let you leave us. Lissa and me.” He lowered his head, his lips meeting hers.

Her heart pounded as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Kiss me once again and then we have to go inside and stop Lissa from worrying.”

“Yes.” He kissed her.

More a melding of hearts than just of lips occured. Relief flooded her followed by pleasure and pure love for this man by her side. She’d finally found her home.

When he pulled back, he stood, then took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “My poor baby was scared speechless.”

“I can’t say that I blame her. I was shaking in my boots, too.”

“But you protected her. Gave yourself for her.”

“Of course. I love Lissa, and I won’t ever let anything happen to her if I can help it.”

He put an arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the front door.

As they approached, Lissa shot out of the door and ran to them.

Adele stood to one side so Lissa could hug her father.

Lissa passed Edward and ran to Adele, burying her face in her skirt. She looked up at Adele, tears running down her cheeks. “You saved me. I think he was gonna kill me. But you saved me.”

Adele knelt and wrapped Lissa in her embrace. “I would never let him hurt you. I will always protect you. You’re my daughter.”

Lissa sniffled. “I am?”

Holding Lissa, Adele glanced up at Edward.

He wore a broad smile on his face as he looked down at the two of them.

“Yes, you are. You have been from the moment I married your father. I love you, Lissa.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Even though I was mean to you?”

Adele chuckled. “Even then. I sort of expected you to resent me.”

Lissa furrowed her brows. “What does that mean, resent you?”

“Just that you’d