and she lifted her face to him. His lips were warm and claiming and her heart beat a happy tattoo against her chest. Neither of them seemed anxious to end the kiss. He lifted his head. “Shall we tell the ladies?”
Delcie grinned. “Let’s keep them waiting a bit longer.”
They returned to their meal though food was often forgotten as they talked and planned.
“We should get married as soon as possible,” Ryder said. “The children need the stability.”
“I agree.”
“Do you have anyone you’d like to contact? Perhaps invite?”
“Only Jenny and Finn and Audrey and her family.”
“I’d like Cody to be here.”
“Of course. We’ll wait until he comes.” She wondered how long it would take. The man was riding in some far corner of a ranch to the north.
“Shall we tell them now?” He tipped his head toward the door.
She grinned. “They’ll be beside themselves with curiosity.” She raised her voice. “Hilda, Laura, you can come in now.”
They hurried through the door, carrying dishes of dessert and looking almost innocent.
Ryder pulled Delcie to her feet and held her at his side. “We love each other and are going to get married.”
Laura clapped. Hilda shook Ryder’s hand and hugged Delcie.
Kent and Sally picked that moment to run in, carrying Tiger.
Kent looked at Ryder with his arm around Delcie and skidded to a stop.
Ryder squatted down to the boy’s level. “Your aunt and I love each other and are going to get married.”
Kent burst into tears. Sally, looking confused, followed her brother’s example.
“What on earth?” It was the last reaction she’d expected from them. “Kent, why are you crying?”
“’Cause…’cause… ’Cause now you won’t want us,” he managed to gulp out.
Ryder lifted the boy and held him tight. “That’s wrong. I want you and Sally too.”
Kent’s sobs stopped. “Really?”
Ryder set the boy down and drew Sally close. An arm around each of them, he said, “Kent, Sally, will you let me marry Delcie and become your father? Or uncle? Whatever you want.”
“Yes,” Kent shouted. “You can be my new papa.”
Delcie could tell by the expression on Sally’s face that she wasn’t sure what was going on, but she shouted yes too. And Ryder hugged both children tight.
If she wasn’t mistaken Ryder’s eyes glistened. She sniffled back her own tears while Hilda wiped her eyes on a corner of her apron and Laura dabbed at hers with her hankie.
“This calls for a celebration,” Hilda said and pulled up enough chairs for them all to crowd around the table. She made sure Ryder and Delcie sat beside each other, each with a child at their side. She and Laura brought cake for all of them.
“I want to ask another blessing,” Ryder said. “Thank you, God for this food. For rest and home. And all things good. For wind and rain and sun above. But most of all, for those we love. Amen.
“Just like Mama said,” Kent said. “Wouldn’t she be happy for us?”
“Indeed she would.” But none could be happier than Delcie. Never had she thought a man would accept her with two children not her own. Never had she thought she’d learn to love and trust a man as much as she did Ryder.
Epilogue
A month had passed, and Cody had not shown up. Delcie and Ryder had put the month to good use, but she was growing impatient.
They’d spent hours together, talking about their past and planning their future. Often, they took the children on walks or simply sat and enjoyed watching them play with the growing kitten.
Together, they had made Ryder’s quarters ready for a family. Ryder had built beds for the children. He’d made shelves for their belongings. Delcie had made curtains for the windows. They would bring their quilts from the café.
Ryder had taken Kent under his wing, so to speak, and began teaching him leather work. He said the boy had a natural talent for the craft.
“Mostly, he’s patient and careful.”
“He’s suddenly so grown up.” Delcie had noticed how much more settled Kent was. “Sally is less easily upset too. I suppose it comes of knowing they are loved and will have a forever home.”
Sally ran to Ryder often. He showered attention on the little girl, telling her stories, playing finger games with her, and hugging her lots. She thrived on it and Delcie thought it filled a void in Ryder’s life left from the loss of his child. She was only too happy to see the children and Ryder benefiting from being involved together.
Delcie looped her arms around Ryder’s neck. “I