A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,69
think we all find loving and being loved reassuring.” She lifted her face to him for a kiss, which he gave generously.
“What’s this I see?”
They broke apart at the voice. Delcie’s cheeks burned at having a stranger witness them kissing.
Ryder kept Delcie at his side as he crossed the room. “Cody, about time you showed up. I want you to meet my future wife. Delcie, this is my brother.” He turned back to Cody. “We’ve been waiting for you to get here before we tied the knot.”
“Looks like I got here just in time.” He reached for Delcie’s hands, laughing at the way her cheeks burned. But instead of shaking her hand, he pulled her close and hugged her. “You sure you can put up with the big bully?”
“I’m sure.”
“Ignore him,” Ryder said. “He always was a tease. Now if you don’t mind, she’s my girl.” He pulled Delcie back to his side. “How long do you plan to hang around?”
“As long as you need me. I’ve been wondering how you’re managing without me. I expect things are in a muddle.”
They laughed together.
“If you think you can keep from muddling things up for me, we’d be glad if you’d stay so we can have a honeymoon.”
Kent and Sally ran in. Kent stopped as soon as he saw the stranger and put out a hand to stop Sally.
Delcie’s throat threatened to close off at his caution. Not that she could blame him.
“It’ll take time,” Ryder murmured to her before he signaled the children forward. “Kent, Sally, this is my brother Cody.”
Two pairs of eyes widened, and they stared at the cowboy.
“He’s here. So we can get married.”
The children continued to stare.
Cody laughed. “Can’t blame them for wondering why she got stuck with you when there was me.” He pushed his chest out and looked as proud as a strutting rooster.
Ryder gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “A little humility wouldn’t do you any harm.”
It was Friday. The preacher would be there Sunday, so they made plans to marry then. Hilda and Laura planned a special meal for the occasion. Messages were sent to Audrey, the Hoopers at Coulee Crossing Ranch, and Jenny and Finn. The only other guests would be Burnsie, Big Sam, Ike, and Corporal Andrews.
Delcie had a dress all ready. Silvery gray in a style she could use on other occasions.
The children would be adorable. Sally in the new dress Delcie had made her and Kent in a new shirt and trousers.
Sunday morning they attended church as usual then the preacher and invited guests went to the café that the women had decorated, filling it with vases of flowers and sprays of ferns from the woods.
Jenny hugged herself as she looked at the room. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks to you and your flowers.” Delcie and the children waited in the kitchen while the other assembled in the café. Ryder and Cody came in.
Delcie couldn’t stop staring at Ryder. So handsome in his white shirt and black vest. He smiled at her and took his place in front of the preacher.
“Now,” she said to the children, and hand in hand, the two of them walked toward Ryder. She followed a few feet behind. Ryder touched each child as they took their place in front of him then reached out to take Delcie’s hand and drew her to his side.
They repeated their vows before the preacher and their friends.
But before Preacher Peabody could pronounce them husband and wife, Ryder lifted the children to his arms.
“Kent and Sally, I promise here before God, the preacher, and our friends that I will love you, be kind to you, protect you, and guide you for as long as I live. You will forever be in my heart.” His kissed each one on the cheek.
Kent shouted, “I love you too. You are now my papa.” He wrapped his arms around Ryder’s neck and hugged tight.
“Me too,” Sally echoed, kissing Ryder on the cheek.
Preacher Peabody spoke above the laughter of the others. “I now pronounce you husband and wife and parents to these children. You may kiss your bride.”
Ryder set the children down and pulled Delcie into his embrace. “This is just the beginning.” He kissed her amidst clapping from the guests and a loud whistle from Cody.
Later, having enjoyed the meal prepared for them and having received congratulations from friends and neighbors, they crossed to the living quarters at the back of the saddlery shop. They had chosen to spend their first night there, then tomorrow they and the children would make a trip to Fort Macleod. The children would spend tonight with Hilda and Laura. Cody grumbled good-naturedly that he could endure a night at the run-down stopping house.
Ryder stopped at the back door, swept Delcie into his arms, and carried her over the threshold. He held her in his arms and kissed her.
“I can’t wait to start our lives together.”
“Neither can I.”
“Thank you, God for rest and home.”
She joined him in finishing the prayer of thanks. “And all things good. For wind and rain and sun above. But most of all, for those we love. Amen.”
Her heart overflowed at the way God had changed her life from one of fear and caution to one of love and joy. One she would share with a man she adored and two children she meant to raise free of fear. And perhaps more children to fill the coming years.
Sneak peek of A Heart’s Delight
Marriage of convenience? Not to this man.
Laura has been lied to before and vows to guard her heart. Especially from the likes of Cody Remington who seems not to take life seriously for one minute.
Cody was erreneously charged with murder. And the one woman he trusted—the woman he thought he loved—left him to hang. Trusting a woman is a mistake Cody doesn’t intend to repeat.
Neither Cody nor Laura can turn away from two abused and hungry children. When they are stranded overnight caring for the children, the townspeople insist they must marry.
How can Laura marry a man she can’t trust? Can Cody overcome his past to become the man Laura needs?
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The story of the Kinsley family begins long before they take up residence in Glory, Montana Territory. It begins with a young woman, married to a preacher man. Both of them desire to serve God and have a large family. But their lives aren’t the dream they’d imagined. There are disappointments that threaten their hearts. Will their faith endure and their love survive?
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