Once more, a sheen made her eyes glimmer, but this time the light inside them shone with joy. She didn’t answer right away, and a smile tickled the corners of her mouth. That was good, right? Was she too full of emotion to speak? Surely she wasn’t still trying to decide.Lord, I know I’ve been asking for a lot lately, but…
Finally, she cleared her throat. “My answer to that will depend on how you respond to what I asked a moment ago.”
He hesitated. What she’d asked…about sleeping arrangements? The teasing glint that crept back into her gaze showed he’d hit on it.
Keeping hold of her hands, he rose to his feet with a playful growl and pulled her tight against him. “With me, woman. Always with me. You can plant our bed in whatever house you wish, as long as you’re there by my side.”
Then he lowered his mouth to hers. After the first brush of his lips, she pulled back enough to let out a few breathy words. “I guess my answer is yes then.”
Joy swept through him as he closed in to celebrate.
EPILOGUE
“Look how fast she’s growing. I wish I’d brought a scale to weigh her.” Dinah wrapped the blanket back around Mary Ellen to warm the babe after her examination.
“Add it to the list. Jude said he’ll ride to Missoula next week.” Jericho spoke from the bench near the fire where he carved a new pair of walking sticks for Jonah. A better fitting pair.
Her heart stirred as she studied him. He'd worked so hard this past fortnight to prove he'd changed. That he was willing to trust those he cared about into God's hands. How could she not love him more and more each day?
He must have felt her gaze, for he looked up. The warmth in his eyes stirred more than her heart, heating her insides. She snuggled the babe against her shoulder and turned purposeful strides toward Jericho.
Jonah sat up in bed, his nose in a book, and Naomi was taking a much-needed nap. With Lillian working in the barn and the others out with the stock, she and Jericho could have a few minutes mostly to themselves. If she didn’t count Jonah and the babe, of course. Perhaps if the two of them whispered, they wouldn’t garner Jonah’s attention.
She snuggled in against Jericho’s side on the bench as he wrapped an arm around her, pressing a kiss against her temple. Her eyes drifted shut as his mouth lingered there, his breath caressing. Every touch from this man brought her nerves to life.
“Two Stones should be here any day now,” he murmured against her hair. “But you can be sure I’m not letting anyone leave until he comes. No chance I’ll risk a delay in marrying you.”
She allowed a smile. The moment they’d all returned to the ranch, he sent Jude to the Salish village to find Two Stones. Then he’d tasked his friend to seek out a minister he knew in Helena and bring him here to the ranch posthaste.
She could have offered to go with Jericho to the town to find the man. But she didn’t dare leave Naomi and the baby yet. And they both wanted their family around for the nuptials.
Mary Ellen stirred on her shoulder, bouncing her head as she searched for milk. Dinah rubbed her tiny back. “Are you hungry again, sweet one? You need lots of food to grow big and strong, don’t you?”
As hard as it was to leave Jericho’s side, she pushed to her feet and started toward the bedchamber where Naomi slept. Her sister hadn't left the room much these past days. Mary Ellen needed to nurse so often, and when Naomi wasn't caring for the babe, she seemed exhausted.
Was it more than the weariness of new motherhood? Dinah had attended many births and checked in with each mother and child frequently after. But this was the first time she’d overseen the daily care of a new mother.
Naomi didn't answer her soft knock, but when Dinah pushed open the door, her sister's eyes flicked open. They held a red-tinged sheen that might be exhaustion...or could be the result of tears.
Dinah padded to the bedside and settled onto the edge of the mattress.
Her sister pushed up in bed. "Is she hungry again?"
A glance at the babe rooting in the curve of Dinah’s neck gave the answer well enough. Dinah eased her away so she could place her in Naomi’s arms. “She’s determined to grow.”
As Naomi took her daughter, the smile sweetening her expression eased the worry in Dinah’s chest. Being a new mother was hard, both physically and mentally. But Naomi had been created for this exact role.
Give her strength, Lord. Help this sweet child grow in wisdom and stature and favor, just as Jesus did.
When suckling sounds filled the air, Naomi lay her head back against the headboard. “Thank you.”
That seemed to be a dismissal, and likely the two would appreciate privacy.
Dinah rested a hand on her sister’s arm. “I’ll come check on you in a little while to see if you want me to take her.”
Naomi shook her head. “She’ll probably sleep when she’s full.”
After standing, Dinah pressed a kiss to her sister’s brow. “I love you, Na. I’m here for anything you need.”
