Jewel’s faint smile held a touch of sadness.“I think Dawson favors Jonathan.Are you sure he’s not the father?”
“I would love to know that he is, but I have no way of proving it.”She cast her eyes downward.“I’m just grateful that Jonathan seems to accept Dawson even if he is Lee’s child.”
“Then we should be planning another wedding.”
“I sure hope so.”Joy bubbled in Elizabeth’s laugh and shone in her eyes.“Maybe I can start by setting everything straight.”
Jewel laughed.“There is one thing I’ve learned about life,” she said.“It is never a smooth road.There is always a bump or two in the road.”
Elizabeth’s gentle laughter rippled through the air.“Well, lately, I’ve been hitting all the bumps.”
That night after dinner,Jonathan invited Elizabeth out onto the verandah.The warm breeze and star-filled sky made everything feel peaceful.Crickets chirped nearby and the scent of honeysuckle was all around them.
Jonathan leaned against a post and looked at her and smiled.“Elizabeth, the bruise on your cheek is gone, your lip is healed, and your shoulder is recovering.So, tell me, how do you feel?”
Her laughter was like a bird singing and it made his heart feel light and carefree.“I’m well.But I have missed your kisses.”
His gaze dropped from her eyes to her shoulders to her breast.“Let me remedy that right away,” he said with a chuckle.Gathering her into his arms, he held her snugly.“It’s been much too long, my love.”
“Yes, it has,” Elizabeth whispered as her fingers slid into his hair.She loved its silky feel.
He traced her lower lip and the motion sent shivers through her.His lips produced a tantalizing blush that covered her body as they moved to her earlobes, where his warm breath made her melt.As his grip tightened, he pressed tender kisses along her throat, then finally moved back to her mouth, where he claimed her as his.He thrust his tongue deeply inside, and she responded ever so gently until he gave a husky growl.
Fire raged in Jonathan.Blood pounded in his brain.It seemed this was the only woman who could cause such a blaze.He wanted her to be his forever.
He tore his mouth from hers, and as his lips grazed her earlobe, he whispered, “Marry me, Elizabeth.”
Joy filled her, but she had to be sure.She pressed a kiss on his chin.“Will you accept Dawson?”
Jonathan took her by the upper arms and held her from him.“How could you even consider that I wouldn’t want your son?”Jonathan said.“He’s part of you, so why shouldn’t I love him?”
Elizabeth gave him a brilliant smile.“I want a big wedding.”
Jonathan chuckled.“Then you shall have it.I believe you already have the dress, though I’ve never actually seen it.”
“Touché, ” Elizabeth quipped.“I’ll marry you in two weeks.”
“I do have your word that you’ll show up?”
Elizabeth’s knees weakened as Jonathan’s mouth descended.“I’ll be there, Jonathan Hird.You can count on that.”
Chapter 24
It was early, Elizabeth noticed as she slid out of bed and went to her bedroom window.She wondered what Jonathan was doing.Was he awake?Was he thinking of her?She hoped he was looking forward to today, but she suspected he could be a little nervous after their last try.
She stood by the window, leaning against the wall as she waited for the morning sunrise to spread its glow silently across the horizon.
Finally, the orange ball peeked up over the trees, bathing the new morning with warmth.She opened the window.The air smelled of fresh pine and warm earth.It would be a beautiful day.
It was her wedding day.The day Elizabeth had waited for.
Then the queasiness struck.
She ran for the chamber pot.What was it about getting married that made her nauseated?Unfortunately, she knew the answer to her question.The harder she tried to ignore the truth, the more it persisted.She was wiping her face when she heard Sally behind her, clucking her tongue.
“You done done it again, didn’t you?”Sally asked.
Elizabeth chuckled.Her heart swelled with a special tenderness for Sally.“Yes, Sally.It seems I’m pregnant again, but this time I’m sure I’m marrying the right man, and I know he will be happy when I tell him.Do you know, Sally, that Jonathan’s crazy about Dawson?”An easy smile played at the corners of Elizabeth’s mouth.
