A heartbeat of silence, and then Jericho let out a whoop of pure joy, sweeping Dinah into his arms and twirling her around.
Laughter erupted from the family, and the room came alive with fresh excitement.
Sampson pulled Grace a little closer, his heart near to bursting with so many wonderful gifts.
Ruby squealed and clapped her hands, as if she too understood the joy rippling through the room.
Grace tilted her head up to him, her own smile soft as her eyes brightened. Again, he pressed a kiss to her mouth. Then he shifted so he could murmur in her ear. “I love you.”
One day, maybe he and Grace would share a moment like Jericho and Dinah, announcing a new addition to their own little family. But for now, he already had every blessing he could possibly want.
EPILOGUE 1
Grace stood with Sampson at her side, little Ruby cradled in his good arm. Most of the Coulter family gathered around them. Waiting for the ceremony.
In the distance, the winter sun glinted off snow-capped peaks. She still hadn’t gotten used to the beauty of this place, often catching her breath with fresh wonder.
She never would have guessed this ranch could feel like home so quickly.
She slid a sideways glance at Sampson—her husband. That broad chest, his incredibly handsome face. when he looked at her the way he did now, with such intensity, he made her insides tingle.
And holding Ruby’s tiny form, snuggling her so close, so comfortably.Lord, how could You have blessed me so much?
Now that Sampson had regained so much strength, he was usually the one holding or carrying the babe. Like he couldn’t get enough of her. Like the little pumpkin had him wrapped around her finger.
Which was entirely true.
“I think they’re coming.” Sean’s excited words brought the murmuring of the others to a halt.
They all turned as the cabin’s front door opened and Lillian stepped out. The brides must be ready.
Jess and Patsy would both be married today. A shiver of excitement slipped through Grace.
Grace had been inside helping with preparations much of the morning, and both brides had looked angelic. Patsy with her rich auburn curls and Jess with that dark hair and her wide blue eyes. The cabin had been full of so much joy, so much laughter as they’d all bantered and prepared for today’s festivities. After the wedding there’d be a feast, and Grace had had a hand in helping to prepare it.
Now, Lillian’s sweet face held a shy smile as she descended the single step to the snow-covered ground and moved to the side to hold the door.
A moment later, Jess emerged looking absolutely radiant. The lovely blue gown she wore perfectly accentuated her features, but her smile outshone everything else.
Grace slid a glance at Gil, who waited with Jonah and the deputy who would perform the ceremony. Gil stared at his bride with so much wonder, she almost chuckled. Were his eyes glistening? So much admiration there.
As Jess walked through the open path between the family members, her gaze left Gil for the first time, sliding to look at Grace. Her smile, the warmth in it, felt special.
The two of them had talked a great deal this past week, and she’d learned more about Jess’s life in the caves. She was a remarkable woman, strong in ways Grace might never be. Yet so kind and gentle.
All the women on the Coulter ranch could fit that description, and they’d all become friends. Good friends. She’d never had such abundance. Being around so many people wasn’t nearly so overwhelming now. The way they included her as if she’d always been part of their family… She never ever wanted to leave this place.
As Jess neared Gil, he stepped forward to close the distance between them, eagerness joining the other emotions in his expression. He took both her hands and lifted them to his mouth. The gentleness, the reverent way he kissed them as he held Jess’s gaze… It was a wonder Jess didn’t swoon right there in the snow.
Grace might swoon herself. But a glance over at her own husband settled her. He’d been watching the couple with a little smile on his face, but when he met Grace’s gaze, the richness of the love in his eyes made her heart swell. This man…Thank You, Lord.I can never say it enough.
The way he’d courted her over the past week had felt too wonderful. The gifts he continued to surprise her with, the way he remembered the little things she’d said. And his kisses. They stirred her blood.
But what she’d loved the very most were their long conversations, sometimes sitting by the fire as she fed Ruby, sometimes while he held the sleeping babe. Sometimes, they snuggled in his little bed before they went to sleep each night. She loved his stories, his dreams for the future. She especially loved when he shared his worries or regrets. Everything about this man drew her.
Now that Gil and Jess were settled before the deputy, the group turned back toward the cabin to watch for Patsy. A moment later, Lillian pulled open the door again, and Patsy emerged.
Patsy shone every bit as much as Jess had as she stepped down to the snow and walked toward the group. A sound from behind made Grace glance back. Jonah’s grin stretched wide across his face, not holding back a bit of his pleasure.
