Now, she was wonderfully ensconced within a loving family, with plenty of friends and wholeheartedly accepted in their small town. With her beautiful little daughter, her doting husband, and her brother exonerated, Mary was so comfortably blissful that sometimes she wondered if it were all a dream that she would suddenly wake up from and lament its absence.
Opening her eyes, she looked down at the sparkling diamond filigree sitting beside the matching band—which Dwight had slipped onto her hand Christmas night—her Christmas present that he had scrimped and saved to purchase, and slowly shook her head.
No, it isn’t a dream—it IS my life. The one God gave to me. He replaced what I’d lost with more and better, kind of like Job in the Bible, and I’m so glad and thankful that He did. As she had many times before, she prayed now, Thank You, Father, for forgiving me for the lies I told to save my reputation—and for my part in getting myself in trouble to start with…
Indeed, Mary knew without a shadow of a doubt that God had worked everything out. What the devil had meant for evil—her father dying and her brother wrongfully accused, her being forced out of town, and even her foolish choice that had gotten her with child without the benefit of marriage—the Lord had turned it all around for the good.
The dread and fear she had suffered over others finding out the truth had vanished. Doc’s stern lecture and Dwight’s impassioned speech had done the trick and to her knowledge no one had voiced a word against them again. Cora Haggler had surprisingly been instrumental in bringing the ladies’ group at church for visits after the baby was born—once the snow from the big blizzard had begun to melt.
Dwight was on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming an attorney, their future was secure, and if she wasn’t mistaken, they might even be expecting another little dividend in perhaps seven months’ time.
She still missed her father, but she knew he was in heaven with her mother and that filled her heart with peace. Besides, God had provided her with a replacement that was just as good—Doc, her adoptive pa. She couldn’t feel more loved if she had been his true daughter.
“Hey honey, watch our big girl, here,” Dwight’s beloved voice called her back from her reverie and she turned to see him holding Lia aloft on his lap as she bounced on her chubby little legs.
Smiling at the two loves of her life, she decided that now would be a good time to let her husband in on her secret. She hoped he would be as excited about it as she was…and not think it was too soon. Lia was still just a babe, and walking was still a long way off. They would have two in diapers. Those thoughts brought both concern and excitement.
Motioning for him to come closer by patting the spot next to her on the settee, she watched as he stood up and crossed to her, handing her the baby as he sat down.
As she hoped he would, he leaned toward her and his lips captured hers. The warm, possessive kiss he bestowed filled her with those familiar, delicious tingles from the top of her head to the bottom of her toes. When he finally pulled back, he smiled at her with such adoration in his eyes that it caused her own to mist. She was nearly leaning in for another when she remembered her mission and she gathered her scattered thoughts.
“So, counselor…” she began as she touched her stomach with a flirtatious smile. “I have a case for which I need your advice.”
He smiled at her attorney-speak and tilted his head back to indulge her playfulness. “Alright, wife. Say on.”
She inclined her head politely. “Thank you, counselor. The facts of the case are as follows: The party of the first part bestowed a gift upon the party of the second part. The party of the second part invested said gift and would like to return it, with interest. However, she would need to wait before she returns it. About…seven months… She wants to know if that’s all right with him. It’s a gift she hopes he will adore…”
His brow had furrowed as she spoke, but now, he glanced down at her hand, and then his eyes rose again to hers, searching their depths. As if he could read the truth within, she saw the moment when he put two and two together and realization dawned.
The sparkle in his eyes and his mile-wide, dimpled grin told her all she needed to know.
Thank You, Lord for my many and ongoing blessings!
~~~THE END~~~
Well, dear reader—did you enjoy Mary and Dwight’s story? If so, PLEASE consider leaving a review on the seller’s page where you purchased. (Scroll further down for a link to my Amazon page.) I do understand that Amazon has become obstinate regarding reviews, so if they won’t let you, how about Bookbub or Goodreads? If nothing else, posting on your Facebook page would be awesome, and spreading the word by telling others about it in whatever way you want, word of mouth, etc. Have a friend, mom, aunt, grandma, sister, cousin who loves to read? Please let them know about me! For independent authors like me, reviews/shoutouts are the lifeblood of a book’s success. It doesn’t have to be long and wordy, just something like “Loved it!” is fine. (If you want to write more,
