But then she nodded, and her mouth opened with a puff of breath that sounded almost like a sob. She nodded again, more vigorously. “Yes.” This time the sound that slipped out was definitely a sob, even as a beautiful smile spread over her face. “I would love to be your wife.”
The knot in his chest uncoiled, and he could finally breathe. She’d said yes. The turmoil of thoughts and emotions took a moment to untangle enough to speak, but his smile came easily.
She’d saidyes.
He lifted her hand to press another kiss there, then hismind caught up enough for a better idea. Leaning toward her, he cupped her cheek with his free hand.
As her eyes fluttered shut, he took a single heartbeat to relish her beauty. Those exquisite features had caught him from their first meeting by the creek, yet it was her inner beauty that showed in every sweet smile, every caring word, every gentle touch. She’d captured every part of him.
He brushed his lips against hers, planning for only a sweet sealing of their promise. But the touch of her, the taste, drew him back for more.
She was intoxicating, addicting. The only way he was able to finally pull back was remembering that he would have the rest of their lives to kiss this woman.
As he worked to catch his breath, his smile stretched wide. He probably looked besotted, but he didn’t mind. He’d determined to only speak the truth, so why shouldn’t his face do the same?
He glanced at the children playing across the courtyard. The happy voices made the perfect background for the joy building inside him.
When he looked back at Audrey, her eyes held questions, and he pressed a kiss to her fingers. “What is it, my love?”
“Would we live in Kettlewell?” Her voice seemed tentative. Not worried, but unsure.
A wash of gratitude swept through him. Had he failed to mention that during his proposal? Even not knowing that detail, she’d still said yes.
He didn’t deserve this woman, but he’d spend the rest of his life thanking God for her. “If you wish to, we can. I do need to make a trip there, and I hoped you might come with me so my family can meet you. After the wedding,of course.” He squeezed her hand. “But then I thought we might make Laurent our home. If you want to, of course.”
Her eyes widened again, taking on that same sheen as before. Once more, her throat worked. “Really? Are you certain?” She seemed so hesitant, as though afraid to hope.
He cradled her face in both his hands and held her gaze in his. “Audrey, I’ve lived many places these last years, and the one thing I know for sure is that it’s not the location, it’s the people around me that matter. I like your village. I would be honored to become a part of it. But even more important to me is thatyoucan be in the place where you’ll be happiest. I think that will be near your father and your friends, but if you ever wish to see more of the world, we can do that, too.”
Even the tear that slipped down her cheek didn’t tarnish the sweet smile lighting her face. “I love you, Levi Masters.”
He would never tire of hearing those words. He nearly swept down for another kiss, but she spoke again before he could.
“But what of your family? Don’t they need you, too?”
He regarded her for a moment. “I’ve saved a good bit of money from my earnings. It’s back with my things in Washington, so we’ll need to retrieve that on our way to England. I think that will help Mum and Dad a great deal for the next few years. Maybe we’ll find things are different when we see them, but we won’t know for sure until then.”
He gazed into her beautiful eyes. “I do know the Scripture says that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife. I’ll always do what I can to help them, but my home will be with you, wherever the Lord calls us.”
As he spoke those words, he weighed them in his heart.He’d not consciously formed that thought before now, but the rightness of the notion sank through him.
And even more so when Audrey reached her hand around his neck and drew him closer. She paused partway, and her words filled the air with sweetness. “I love you, Levi Masters.”
Then she pulled him in for a kiss that promised a lifetime more of that love to come.
Epilogue
Levi soaked in the activity in the assembly room as he sat with his leg propped on a chair. The place looked far different from when he’d first been brought in here. Greenery hung in swags on every wall, and the chairs had been placed in rows instead of around tables. All pointed toward one end of the room, where an arch had been erected, just wide enough for two figures to stand beneath. Three, if you counted the minister.
Brielle’s father would be performing that honor, as the village’s chief. How did he feel about giving his eldest daughter away in marriage? To an outsider, no less.
Levi’s gaze wandered through the wedding guests milling about. Several had come by to greet him, and it felt good to receive the friendly attention. But he could also be content sitting on the sidelines watching. Waiting.
Audrey had flitted in and out of the room more times than he could count, positioning things at the food table, straightening decorations, and occasionally retrieving something. Asmuch as he wished he could get up and help her—perhaps bear some of her load during this busy day—he suspected she loved being so busy.
She’d looked forward to this day with an eagerness that had been palpable, planning and preparing for weeks. He loved the way she took such joy in blessing others.Thank you, Lord, that she was able to be here for Brielle’s celebration.
A figure sank into the chair beside him, and Levi glanced over.
