“Congratulations,” Roman’s mother said as they turned to face the small gathering. She came forward and kissed Roman and then Judith. “I’m so happy for you both. I could not haveasked for a more perfect daughter-in-law had I created her myself.”
“I’m so happy,” Claudette said, all but pushing her mother aside to embrace Judith. “I always wanted a sister, and now I have one.”
Roman laughed and steadied his mother. “Claudette seems not to realize her enthusiasm can be dangerous.”
“I’m glad she’s happy,” his mother replied.
“We’re all quite delighted,” Mary said, giving her nephew a hug. “I for one feared this day might not ever come. It seemed every hopeful prospect of a bride for you went completely unnoticed.”
“I couldn’t get Judith out of my mind,” he admitted.
“Yes, but neither could you seem to do anything about furthering a relationship,” Judith said, sounding as if she were annoyed.
Roman laughed and pointed his finger at her. “You could have come to Minneapolis. I was the only Dr. Turner in residence. A large part of the population here knew me.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You could have come to Philadelphia, where your friends already knew how to put you in touch with me.” She waggled her finger at him. “I was quite well-known there, and you wouldn’t have had any trouble finding me.”
Everyone laughed as Roman pulled her into his embrace. “Well, I’ve found you now, and I don’t intend to ever let you go.”
“If you will all join us in the dining room,” Sarah announced, “we have some refreshments waiting.” She pushed back the pocket doors to reveal a table overflowing with a variety of goodies. “Our ladies of the church made this for us.”
Reverend Knickerbacker and Dr. Lester were first to make their way from the room. Sarah followed, chiding them to leave some food for the others. Daniel took hold of Claudette, and they made their way to join the others, with Mary andMartha bringing up the rear. It left Judith and Roman alone for just a moment.
With her still in his embrace, Roman kissed her again. This kiss was leisurely, as if they had all the time in the world. Judith sighed and cherished the feel of his arms around her.
“I suppose we must join the others,” he whispered against her ear.
“I suppose. If we were to just sneak away, it would raise quite the scandal.”
Roman laughed and released her. “And we mustn’t have that.” He grinned in that impish way that Judith had come to love. He took her hand. “Come, Mrs. Turner, your family awaits.”
There were a great many stories told about Roman as a boy, and Judith acquiesced and told tales about her own childhood. How she wished her parents might have lived to be there. Her brothers too.
“You look rather sad,” Roman said as the others chattered away about the coming holidays.
“I was just thinking about my parents and brothers. I wish they could have been here; however, I’m blessed with my new family and the love they’ve shown me. I am quite content, not at all sad.”
“I intend to make you happy every day of your life. Although, I know we’ll have our moments.” He grinned.
Judith shrugged. “We are both opinionated and rather fixed on doing things our own way.”
“I am determined to seek God’s will instead of my own. That alone should help immensely.” Roman laughed, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Did you say something we should all know about?” his mother asked.
Judith pressed her cheek to Roman’s shoulder. “We were just planning for the future.”
When they were finally able to return to the house, Judith saw the palatial estate with new eyes. She imagined it filled with children and great happiness. This house that had so long been a place of greed and devious dealings would now be one of hope and joy.
She smiled as the others disappeared to various rooms. They were making it easy for the new bridal couple to have their privacy. Glancing at her husband, Judith started for the stairs. She didn’t say a word but knew he would follow her.
When they reached the top, he took hold of her hand. Judith led him down the long hallway without a word. She opened the door to her suite—their suite—and drew him inside.
“I hope you like what I’ve done with the rooms. Grandfather had them quite dark and brooding, but I took out all his things and gave most of it to the poor and crated up the rest, including the head of a most impressive stag.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect.” Roman glanced around.
The walls had been painted in hues of light blue and yellowed cream and trimmed in wallpaper with a gold scrolling pattern and fleur-de-lis accents. The sitting area had a couch and two overstuffed chairs that faced the fireplace. Someone had thoughtfully lit the fire, and the large blaze set off the room in the perfect glow of firelight and muted sun from the windows.
