His face lightened, despite the bruises rising on his skin. “Are you certain? I understand if you feel otherwise.”
Faith regarded him a moment. He was so handsome, even through the beating he’d taken. But it didn’t matter so much what he looked like. Especially not after all he’d done for her. “You came back—for me. How did you know?”
He told her of running into Mr. Jones on his way to Cheyenne and how he’d learned that Mr. Lyon was likely a passenger on yesterday’s stage. His fear for Faith’s imminent safety had overtaken everything else, and so he’d returned to Last Chance. “I never felt so helpless as I did on that horse, racing to get back here. And then when I walked in and saw him . . . And then you, holding up that revolver. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do first—punch him for putting you in danger or kiss you for being brave enough to think of and get that gun.”
Faith’s cheeks warmed as she folded the damp rag. “I only did what any reasonable woman would do in such a situation.”
“No.” He rested a hand gently on hers. His knuckles were beginning to bruise too. All Faith wanted to do was cradle his hand between her own and never let him go—but she couldn’t let herself do that without reassurance first.
“Beau,” she said softly. “If we are to remain married, I must have your promise on one matter.”
When she glanced up at him, he was watching her intently. “I know,” he said. “I deeply apologize for not being entirely honest with you. It’s no excuse, but I feared you would want nothing to do with me if you knew the truth. And while I know I had no other choice at the time, I hated that I’d put myself into such a position. The fact that I took a life will be with me forever.”
“Oh, Beau.” Faith’s heart burst open at his words. She couldn’t imagine the thoughts that had plagued him since he’d left New Orleans. “I wish I could take that burden away from you.”
“It’s all right,” he said. “I’ve come to terms with it, but not a day goes by that I don’t ask for forgiveness for what I’ve done.”
As gently as possible, Faith moved closer to him and wrapped her arms about him. He rested his forehead against hers and his hands found her waist.
“I promise never to keep anything from you again. I love you, Faith Landry. I believe I knew that all along, but it wasn’t until I was riding like nothing else mattered to get back here that I realized it to be true. I know I’m not as good or as well-respected as your first husband, but I hope you’ll give me the chance to be a better man.”
Faith pressed her lips together to keep from crying. She pulled back a little so she could see into his eyes. “You are perfect as you are, Beau Landry. And I am proud to be your wife. I don’t expect you to be anyone different.” She swallowed, trying to find the words for what she wanted to say next. “When I found you’d gone, I was so afraid you’d never return. I admired your bravery for going to ensure your mother’s safety, but I . . . I . . .” She bit her lip, unable to put into words the desperation she’d felt that he’d never come back, whether because he’d get himself killed or because he believed he didn’t deserve her.
She drew in a deep breath. “I am sorry if I ever made you feel as if you needed to live up to any impossible standard. Aaron was a good man, but even he had faults. And when you left, I . . . well . . . I love you too.”
He smiled and then winced in pain. Faith laid a hand gently against an unbruised part of his jaw. He rested his hand on hers and drew her face closer to his. When his lips touched hers, every fear Faith felt vanished. It was as if his love could soothe every pain, every grief, every scare she’d ever felt. Her shoulders relaxed as his other hand found the back of her neck, and she thought she might disappear into him right now and not care one whit if she ever came back.
Beau was everything to her. He was her salvation, her rescue from a grief she never thought she’d feel, and her future. He was joy and teasing and a warm embrace.
He was her husband and she his wife. And together, they could survive anything life put in their way.
