Josie’s lips parted in astonishment. “You put into words what I couldn’t,” she confessed. She pushed her lips together, and then in determination, said, “I love you too. I don’t know that I realized that until today. Or perhaps last night, but I know it for sure now.”
Arlen’s face burst into a grin. He reached for her hands and she gave them to him gratefully. “I know I promised you I wouldn’t ask you to marry me again, but . . .”
“Ask me,” she said eagerly. “Now. Please.”
He laughed. “If you insist. Josie, will you marry me?”
“Yes. How about right now?”
“Now?” Arlen looked startled.
“Why not?” She let go of one of his hands to gesture at all of those around them. “Everyone is here, and well, Pastor Collinswasexpecting to conduct a wedding. We shouldn’t disappoint him.”
“I approve of the idea, but are you certain? I don’t want to push you into something you aren’t comfortable with.”
“I’m certain. I’m certain I don’t want to spend the rest of my life without you.” She paused. “And I trust you. I know you.”
Arlen’s eyes darkened as he looked down at her. “In that case, let’s have a wedding.”
As he spoke with Pastor Collins, Josie clasped her hands together. And as they filed into the church, she thought she’d never felt so radiant. Pastor Collins recited the words of the ceremony with Josie in her mussed men’s clothing, Arlen still worn out from the ride in and out and back into town, and a group of outlaws handcuffed in the back row of the church. None of it mattered, not when they looked at each other.
When he promised her eternity, Josie promised him the same in front of everyone they knew and loved. And then after Pastor Collins pronounced them man and wife, Arlen kissed her with an intensity she could feel in her bones. She kissed him back as their friends applauded.
“I love you forever,” he said when she pulled away.
Josie responded by kissing him again.
Epilogue
Three months later– Christmas morning
A light snow drifted silently beyond the front porch steps at the Cummings-Thomas ranch. Josie smiled into the pure white flakes as she shrugged her arms into her coat.
“What are you doing out here? It’s freezing!” Arlen called from the door.
Josie flashed him a grin before running down the steps to stand in the falling snow. “It’s beautiful!” She turned her face up to feel the flakes hitting her skin.
