Holding up his hands in defeat, Fred asked three words. “Is that love?”
The reverend smiled. “It’s a good enough start. You have to promise to tell her kind things. Things that show how much you need her. You don’t have to speak of emotions, but you must show her appreciation. It will keep her from being obligated to you through the years.”
Absurdly eager to marry—something he would have scoffed at that morning if anyone suggested it—Fred nodded his agreement. “I will remember, Reverend.”
At the old man’s sudden sigh, Fred asked, “So, you are going to marry us?”
The concerned expression remained on the minister’s face. “Yes, if Miss Levitt agrees.”
Lilah shook her head. “No, this isn’t what I wanted.”
She watched Fred’s mouth gape, his eyes wide. She’d shocked him. Good! It was some emotion from him, finally.
Chirping, she spoke to the man. “I came to town to—” At a tsk from Myra, she stopped.
That woman’s lips became a narrow line as she wagged a finger at Lilah. “Remember what I said about that voice. No matter what your teacher told you, it is not attractive.”
Clearing her throat, Lilah started again. Myra was giving her permission to be herself, to see if Fred would respond to plain Lilah Levitt.
This time she addressed Fred in her normal, lower voice. “It was hard to return knowing the man who sent me to that brothel was still on the loose. Still, I came here because I sensed something between us from the first luncheon in the café. You were so attentive and caring the night you rescued me.” When she stopped, Lilah studied Fred. He smiled warmly.
Is that because I used my normal voice or what I said?
“What’s your smile about?” She pushed, wanting an answer to the question she asked in her mind.
Fred shrugged but shifted closer to her on the sofa. He sneaked an arm behind her shoulders and smiled again. “I like your voice, I guess.”
Squeezing her gently, he whispered for her ears only. “I like remembering that lunch, too. Something in me must have known how much I need you.”
The resistance that had been mustered with great difficulty melted away when he said that. For a man that shied away from any talk of emotions, that was close to a declaration of affection. She recognized that.
“Yes, I’ll marry him, Reverend Nillson.”
After that, the family gathered around the couple. Myra played Blest Be the Ties That Bind on the parlor organ as Holder escorted the bride to his brother. Lilah noticed the twins gripped hands and chattered softly to each other.
Such adorable girls and soon they’d be part of her family! She’d have a family that actually cared about her. A glow started deep inside Lilah at the thought.
She knew it was unfair. After all, her stepmother and father provided her with what she’d needed as a child. Their lives had been too full of social obligations to worry about a girl who had a governess to care for her.
When she’d left home the first time, her father had noticed immediately and sent a detective after her. She needed to remember that. It showed his measure of love she supposed. He didn’t do well at expressing any emotion.
Like Fred. That thought had her stumbling before she reached her groom. Did she love Fred because he reminded her of Father?
With wide eyes, she looked at her intended. His smile faded and worry wrinkled his brow as he watched her. When he took a step toward her, she held up a hand to stop him.
His concern was enough to assure her. He wasn’t like her father. Fred simply was the man meant for her and they were blessed to meet.
Holder took the hand that gripped his arm and placed it in Fred’s. Fred’s older brother didn’t smile, lines of worry furrowing the skin between his eyes. He did whisper, “God bless you both,” before stepping away to stand by the twins.
Lilah stood in a dress borrowed from Myra and pledged herself to the man she loved. The column in the paper flitted through her mind. It had said to show Fred how much he needed her. Odd that he’d spoken of need, also.
Please, dear Lord, let him feel more than need for me.
The preacher’s use of her name broke into her silent worry. “And do you, Lilah Louise Levitt, take this man to be your husband? To love and obey him and keep yourself only to him for as long as you both live?”
This was the moment she’d longed for since the day she’d met Fred. Her kidnapping had been a roadblock only. Here she was with him, standing before the minister. Why did she hesitate?
A soft mewling cry from Blossom drew her eyes to the cradle by the sofa. Johanna moved to pick up the baby, shushing her gently.
Love at first sight. She’d felt it for Blossom. A different kind of love from what she had for Fred. Still, it was another reason to say the words.
“I do.”
Chapter 7
The Visitor
Lilah stayed on the farm while Fred headed back into town. She needed help learning to care for—not to mention feeding—their little Rose Blossom. Also, it was his night to tend the jail and patrol the town.
Not exactly the wedding night any healthy young man anticipated. He’d kissed Lilah when Reverend Nillson declared them man and wife, feeling her answering desire. The rightness of holding this woman close made leaving her at Holder’s more
