table near them. “I baked a few things, and there are some jellies and jams.” She took a breath. “And I have a little item for you.”
Morgan rubbed his palms together. “Is it a year’s supply of kisses?”
She glanced at him before standing from the sofa. “Not exactly.” She reached among the gifts and handed him his.
He opened it slowly, not at all like she expected. She watched his face, hoping to see a favorable response.
“A journal,” he said and turned the book over in his hand. His features lost all manner of teasing. “This is perfect, Casey. I needed one of these to record these—these days of securing your freedom. Thank you.”
She nearly wept. He was obviously moved by her choice, and it pleased her very much.
“Now, my turn,” he said a few moments later.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small box.
Casey stared at it and then at him. Please don’t propose marriage now, Morgan. I can’t give you the answer you desire, and I don’t want to spoil Christmas.
“Go ahead and open it,” he said.
Casey lifted the lid of the box to see a delicately carved gold and ivory broach. It nearly took her breath away. “Morgan, it’s beautiful.”
He smiled. “I found this in San Francisco. Remember when you and Mama rested at the hotel?”
She nodded. He said he’d gone for a walk. “Thank you so much.”
He sighed as though relieved that she was pleased. “I knew the reverend and Sarah had given you a dress, and I wanted you to have something special to go with it.”
“Perfect,” she said, brushing her fingertips across the broach.
“But you are my real gift.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her lightly, his lips tasting of the peppermint candy from a bowl in the hallway. The sweetness reminded her of what life with Morgan might be like. If only she weren’t so afraid.
Chapter 28
On January 2, Morgan left for Austin to see Governor Ireland. Casey should have been excited. Instead, worry knitted her insides. She wanted it finished. Now. The three days Morgan was gone seemed like forever, but when he did return, the wait continued.
Marriage. Morgan brought up the subject so often that she hated to see their conversation veering toward his love for her. She used to look forward to his visits. When did her love for him turn into such agony? When she remembered how Jenkins hurt her.
In the evenings when Sarah drifted off to sleep and Casey had the remaining hours to herself, Morgan arrived at the parsonage. She believed he stood outside in the street and waited for her to blow out the lamp in Sarah’s bedroom. Night after night, his pattern continued. Many times she wished the reverend would stay seated with them in the parlor, but he always excused himself to his study after a brief conversation. This particular evening, she sensed a lighter mood about Morgan the moment she opened the door. Maybe he wouldn’t mention marriage tonight.
“I have a surprise for you.” He closed the door behind him. He grinned, and the way he rubbed his palms together made her wonder what had happened.
“From the look on your face, you’d better tell me soon before you burst.”
“Evenin’, Morgan,” the reverend said. “Did you have a good day?”
“A busy one, which is good,” he said. “I saw you this afternoon coming from the barbershop. Thought about inviting you to my office, but a couple of ladies stopped you.”
The reverend chuckled. “I needed rescuing. Did you want to discuss something?”
“Just to talk a spell,” Morgan said.
“Here I thought you and Shawne had set a date. Sarah’d love to hear that.”
Casey hadn’t thought of Sarah wanting to see them marry. How could she ever disappoint her dear friend? But she couldn’t face getting married.
“You’ll be one of the first to know.” Morgan wrapped his arm around Casey’s waist. “Soon, I’m sure.”
Casey forced a smile. “Things need to calm down around here first.”
The reverend sobered. “I understand. Hard to set up housekeeping with all this upheaval. Glad I started calling you Shawne right from the start. Seems like I look twice at every man who enters town. Want to make sure it’s not a stranger.”
Her smile this time was genuine. “Thank you. We should have word any day.” She turned to Morgan. “Right?”
“Well, I did receive a letter this afternoon.”
She gasped. “From Governor Ireland?”
“Possibly.”
“I’m leaving you alone.” The reverend laughed. “This sounds like something just the two of you need