“I love you, too, Evan. Even though saying that scares me. I want you to know you can tell me anything and not fear my reaction. I suppose that means the opposite has to be true, as well. Which is why I need to ask what you plan to do next.”
She held her breath as she waited.
Evan’s brow still furrowed, his expression a mixture of earnestness and tenderness. He took a step toward her, then stopped. “The selfish part of me still wants to do the same thing. Go find another mountain that contains pitchblende, then take some back and sign off on my mission, resign from the army, and return to you. If you’ll have me.”
Her breath caught at the words. Would she have him? Could she trust him? She pressed her eyes shut.Lord, is this right? Is this your will?The angst in her spirit eased, and a peace settled over her, almost like the Lord’s arms wrapping around her in a hug.
She breathed in the sweet scent of His presence, then opened her eyes. A haze clouded her vision, but in the midst of it stood the man whose presence made her heart leap.
He stood a few steps away, hands by his sides, fingers spread, as though open to her. The look on his face caught her breath. His expression so vulnerable, his eyes revealing hope . . . and love.
She took a step forward. Then another. When her feet brought her within arm’s reach, she stopped. “No more secrets?”
He shook his head. “No secrets. Ask me anything.”
A new swarm of emotions welled inside her. This time love overrode everything else. If they could both commit to truth and seek the Lord’s guidance for each step of their path, this love between them could grow into something wonderful.
She took the final step forward and he wrapped his arms around her, cradling her tight against him. She breathed in the rich scent of him. Breathed in the love surrounding her.
If only she could sit and soak in his love for hours, butthey needed to make a plan. His country needed him. With her cheek still pressed to his shoulder, she asked a question that no longer scared her like before. “What would happen if you told your superiors about the pitchblende in our caves?”
His arms tensed and his voice grew tighter. “They would send miners and scientists. They’ll need a great deal of the mineral. My guess is they would destroy the comfortable homes you’ve developed. But when the war is won, I’ll request they send people back to help rebuild. I don’t know if they will or not, but I promised your father that no matter what, I would work as long as I had to in order to return Laurent to its former glory.”
His words sent a sliver of shock through her, and she straightened, pulling away far enough to look in his face. “My father? You spoke of this to him?”
Evan nodded, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. “I told him everything when I shared Gerald’s plan. I knew he wouldn’t believe me unless I gave all the details.”
Relief slid through her. Now she didn’t have to be the one to break the hard news.
“I also asked for his permission to speak to you of my love.”
Another shock rippled through her as she lifted her gaze back to his. The grin on his face was almost boyish and a little shy. She couldn’t help a smile herself. “You’re full of surprises.”
From the light dancing in his eyes, Papa’s response must have been encouraging. A surge of warmth for her father slid through her.
“Don’t you want to know what he said?”
She pressed her lips together to rein in her smile. “I hopehe said to ask me yourself. God blessed me with a good mind and sound judgment, and He expects me to use them.”
A chuckle slipped out from the man she loved. “Those were almost exactly his words.”
She nodded. “My father’s a wise man.” She paused for effect before adding, “I expect the same from the man I marry.”
Evan’s gaze slid over her, his eyes darkening to a delicious look that warmed her blood. “I’ll do my very best, my lady warrior.”
Then he leaned close and captured her mouth with his. This man she’d never thought she’d find ... this love she’d never dared hope for ... both were better than she’d ever imagined possible.
32
Evan sent a final glance around the small living quarters to make sure he was leaving the place in decent order. Brielle’s Uncle Carter had been kind to share his chambers during Evan’s first night as a free man in Laurent. It wouldn’t have been proper for him to stay with Brielle’s immediate family.
Uncle Carter seemed amiable, much more than when Evan had first seen the man after Brielle returned from the blizzard. Perhaps the events since then—or maybe a word from Chief Durand—had softened his concerns about Evan.
Even with his friendliness now, the man still didn’t seem to require many words. They’d spent most of the evening in Brielle’s home, then Evan and Uncle Carter had followed the dim hallway, weaving their way through the metal shop to Carter’s small room in the back. When morning light filtered through the window to awaken Evan, the man had already left for the council’s meeting.
As Evan walked through the metalwork shop now, he took the opportunity to see the place in better lighting. An assortment of metal pieces hung around the room, most withintricate scrollwork and leaf patterns. Even serving ladles and pots contained Durand’s signature marks.
The man created nothing commonplace ... only the exquisite.
