How could she possibly forgive the vile things his cousin did to her? Naomi was strong, but this seemed impossible even for her.
She spoke again, her tone a little more solid. “Not because he deserves it, but because I can’t let the bitterness build. If I did, I would never be what Mary Ellen needs me to be.”
So much emotion welled in Eric’s throat that he couldn’t speak. This woman never ceased to inspire him. Mary Ellen was blessed to have such a mother. He was even more blessed to be holding her here, this night. Certainty spread through him. They’d wasted too much time already.
Eric loosened his grip just enough to tilt Naomi's face toward his, needing to see her beautiful brown eyes. A sliver of moonlight painted a silver glow on her features, revealing a shimmer still in her gaze.
“You are...” He struggled for words that would do justice to what she inspired in him. “You are grace embodied, Naomi. Your strength humbles me.”
Her expression softened, giving him courage to continue. “God has brought us through so much, and I don’t want another day to go by where we’re not building our life together. If you’ll let me, I want to spend my life protecting and loving you and Mary Ellen, working to be the man you need me to be. We can stay in the mountains, if that’s where you want to be. Near your sister and all these people who are like family.” Like family to her, and hopefully soon to him.
Naomi didn’t answer, and her hesitation worried him. She’d said she would marry him. But that was before this awful event with Harvey. Had she changed her mind? Or perhaps she needed more time to heal. He would give her whatever she needed. Maybe heshould say that.
Before he could, though, a watery smile eased over her features. “I want to be with you, Eric. I’ve come to love these mountains, but I love you more. Now that God brought us back together, I want my home to be with you and Mary Ellen, wherever that is.”
He breathed in the joy. The relief. The peace and rightness of it all.
This woman.You’ve given me so much more than I ever thought possible, God.
He returned his own grin. “We can pray about where God wants us.”
His gaze dipped to her mouth, but he forced it back to her eyes. She might not want a kiss so soon after reliving what Harvey had done. He couldn’t let his own desires rush her.
But her eyes had darkened with a hunger he knew well.
He lowered his mouth—slowly, gently—and brushed her lips with his. A kiss to seal his promise.
Lord willing, the first of so many to come.
EPILOGUE
Eric stood in the bunkhouse, staring down at the telegram, taking in the message so unexpected. Such a unique and wonderful answer to his prayers.
He’d unfolded this paper to read the words so many times on the journey back from Fort Benton to the Coulter Ranch that the paper was crinkled and smudged from being gripped by snow-dampened fingers.
Now, as he prepared for the wedding ceremony with Naomi, the depth of God’s blessing nearly made him weak. Everything he and Naomi had been through had led them to this point.
Once they’d all made it back to Fort Benton, Two Stones and Silas helped him take Harvey to the law office. The deputy there said they’d hold him in a cell until the circuit judge came through for a proper trial.
That had been hard, leaving his cousin, the man Eric had thought was one of his closest friends—close as a brother—through the years. Yet Harvey had to face the consequences of what he’d done. Eric had a soon-to-be bride and daughter to protect.
They’d stayed a few days in town, both so Jonah could restand be tended by the doctor there, and also because he needed to exchange telegrams with his father. He’d used a different telegraph office this time, farther from his parents’ home, but where no bribed clerk could send a false reply.
His first message had been to make sure his father wasn’t actually ill. Dad had confirmed his health with his usual statement—In my prime. If the cost for each word in a telegram weren’t so steep, he surely would have finished with, even at the youthful age of two-and-fifty.
Then Eric told his father about Naomi and Mary Ellen, that he and Naomi were to be married. He’d promised to send a letter with news about Harvey, but most importantly, he said he wouldn’t be returning to Washington and that he needed to step back from the business completely. That had been a hard message to send, and Naomi had done her best to distract him for the hours it took to receive a reply.
The return message had been written on the paper he held in his hand.
Timing couldn't be better. Thinking of selling company, splitting profit. Retirement for me, income for you until next endeavor.
The relief still raised a well of emotion in Eric’s chest. Not only had God created the perfect route for him to pull back from the business and his parents to have income for the rest of their years, but this would also allow Eric to purchase what he needed to start this new life in these Montana mountains with Naomi and Mary Ellen.
Jericho had welcomed his request to build a cabin in the clearing where they’d had the picnic. The men all offered their help in building it. Even Jonah, though he’d have to do lighter work until his shoulder healed. They were welcoming him in, something he’d not thought possible that first day on the ranch.
"Eric?" Jonah's voice sounded from the bunkhouse doorway, tugging him from his thoughts.
Eric slipped the telegram back into the Bible on his bed, then turned to the man. “Is it time?”
