Celia reached for it. She wore no gloves, a sign she must have left in a hurry. And she’d done it to look for him. Jack wrapped her frozen hand in his own.
“We need to get you inside to warm up,” he said.
“Please, let’s stay here, just for a moment.” She looked up at him, searching his face. “I’m so glad you’re safe. When I found George gone, I didn’t know what to think. I couldn’t think. I was so afraid I’d lost you for good.”
Her words were like a balm to his bruised face. And yet . . . He pressed his lips together and glanced down at their hands before meeting her eyes. “You deserve better than me, Celia. If you’d like to annul our marriage, I won’t fight you on it. You ought to have a man who isn’t so ashamed to share the mistakes he’s made with you.”
She furrowed her brow. “I don’t wish to have any other man. I only want you, Jack.”
Hope burst through him like the sun through the clouds, and yet, he didn’t dare rely on it. “But I kept information from you that could have gotten us both killed, because I was afraid you’d think less of me. It was selfish and dangerous.”
“Is there anything else I should know?” Celia asked.
“No,” he said. “I once courted a woman whose father ran me off at gunpoint, though.”
Celia grinned. “It’s a good thing my father is in Mississippi.”
“And that we’re already married.” That feeling of hope began to well up inside him again. This time, Jack dared to trace a finger along the side of Celia’s face.
“That we are,” she said softly, her eyes fluttering closed.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t entirely honest with you. It will never happen again.” He cupped her cheek, the skin smooth and warm under his hand despite the cold surrounding them.
She opened her eyes. “All right. I accept your apology, and I’ll hold you to that promise. But I might need reassurance.”
“Reassurance?” He raised his eyebrows.
“A kiss might do.” Her cheeks colored, and that was all Jack needed. He dipped his head down to meet her lips. She melted into him, and he knew there was no other place he would rather be. No city, no great business opportunity, no grand idea. Only here, in the cold Nebraska plains, with Celia and their farm.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. He broke away for a moment to look her in the eyes. “I love you, Celia Wendler.”
Her sweet lips curved upward. “I love you, too, Jack.”
He took her hands in his. “Let’s go see Sheriff Darcy so we can get home.” Home. The word felt so right, as if all his life, Jack had been meant to find his home here.
With Celia as his wife.
Epilogue
August 1879
Celia eased down the porch steps, her hands resting on her stomach. She was due to give birth in about two months, and it couldn’t come soon enough. Heather Barnes, the town’s midwife, had visited earlier that day and proclaimed that she’d be surprised if Celia made it two more months. Celia caught her breath at the bottom of the steps before making her way across the yard to where Jack stood, hat dangling from his hand, looking out over their crops.
Celia stopped by his side. He wound his free hand around hers and they stood in companionable silence, watching the stalks of wheat and corn wave in the breeze. Beyond that grew the hay that would keep their livestock and many of those in town fed through the winter. With the money they’d make, not only would they have enough for themselves, but also enough to pay off the remainder of the men who’d invested in Jack’s ideas back in New York.
“I never thought I’d say this, but have you ever seen such a beautiful sight?” he asked.
Celia turned to look at him. He’d grown a short beard and his face was tanned from hours spent outside. It only served to make him even more handsome. “I haven’t,” she said. “You’ve done so well.”
“I had a lot of help.” He squeezed her hand and Celia smiled. She’d only helped some, offering bits of knowledge she’d picked up from years living on a farm. Jack had befriended some of the other men nearby. Most were raising cattle, but a few others farmed their land, and together, they shared what worked and what didn’t.
Now, it was all up to the weather. And so far, it had treated them well.
“How are you feeling?” He laid a hand on her stomach and smiled.
“The same as I did the last time you asked.” She was teasing him, and he knew it. He’d fretted so much about her health since they found out she was expecting and asked her no less than six times a day how she felt. “Tired, hungry, and happy.”
“Well, then, let’s get you fed and rested. You, Ermilia, and John Junior.”
“Ermilia?” Celia made a face. “If one of these babies—or both—is a girl, she most definitely will not be named Ermilia.”
“What if—” Jack paused, his eyes widening. “What if there are more than two?”
Celia’s jaw fell. The doctor had heard two heartbeats, and it had taken time for that information to sink in. She couldn’t imagine having more than twins.
Jack burst into laughter, and she swatted at him. “Don’t tease me like that!”
“I’m sorry,” he said, still grinning. “Come on, I’ll dish up the dinner while you sit down.”
Celia let him lead her back to the house, where they enjoyed a
