Hester turned away as tears prickled at her eyes once more, not even noticing when Polly slipped out of the room.
“I can’t do that,” Hester refused to look at the man who had broken her heart.
“Hester, I’m sorry,” Cecil felt his hope melting. “It’s all my fault. I was a fool. I should have just listened to you.” He turned running his hands through his hair. “I told you I would do whatever you thought best then turned on you. I was wrong.”
Hester twisted, seeing the anguish in Cecil’s eyes. “I don’t want you to say that just because the children want me back.”
“I’m not,” Cecil met her eyes for the first time, realizing the only thing that would do here was the truth. “Hester, I’m just a simple man. I’ve spent most of my life on my own always looking for what’s over the next hill. My brother was the one with ambition, a man who was driven to make something with his life. I was totally unprepared for being guardian to Bev and Jonas. I can’t promise I’ll always agree with you, or that I won’t make mistakes, or upset you. All I can do is tell you that somewhere between you cleaning the fireplace in New York, and moving into a rundown house on the outskirts of a tiny town, I fell in love with you, and I want to love you for the rest of my life.”
Cecil shook his head, the words sounding crazy in his ears. Romance, love, forever, was supposed to take time. Couples were supposed to court, spend time together, get to know each other, but he had never met a more honest soul than Hester Johnson. She had given him hope. She had given him a plan that would give him and the children a chance to find happiness.
“You love me?” Hester’s eye sparkled. “How is that possible?”
Cecil took her shoulders, squeezing them gently, “It just happened. You’re just what I needed Hester. God brought you to me when I was losing my way.”
Hester smiled searching his face. “I love you too,” she finally spoke. “I thought I was crazy. Romance, love, all of it is supposed to be something different, but this is how I feel. I don’t want to argue, Cecil. I want us to work together, to be a balance for the children and a hope for their future.”
“I want the same thing,” Cecil insisted. “And I want you to be with me all the way. I don’t know what the future will hold. I can’t promise to never have trials or troubles, all I can do is give you my heart and promise to stand by your side.”
Hester nodded, letting all the pain from only a moment earlier slip away as Cecil wrapped her in his arms. “I want that too,” she sighed as his lips met hers.
Chapter 27
“Looks like we’ll be having that wedding after all,” George grinned taking Polly’s hand as they watched Hyke drive the wagon with Cecil and Hester back toward the Rally house.
“I knew they’d come around,” Polly replied. “Love has a way of finding its way if you give it a chance.”
George grinned happy to see another couple pull it together in the tiny town he called home.
“What do you think happens next?”
“Oh, there’s more romance to come,” Polly’s voice was soft. “Life is full of love, loss, hope, and adventure, if we give it a chance.”
George wrapped an arm around Polly’s waist pulling her close as they watched the wagon disappear down the street. “You’re a hopeless old romantic,” He said, pressing a sweet kiss into her cheek.
Epilogue
“You’re sure about this?” Hyke peered down at his niece as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “You know if you change your mind, I’m on your side?”
Hester giggled, shaking her head. “I have no doubts,” she said. “I love Cecil and he loves me. I know we’ll have our share of conflict and trouble, but I have never wanted anything more than I want to be his wife.”
Hyke’s bright smile sparkled in his eyes. “Then I’m happy.”
Hester smoothed the beautiful dress Cecil had bought her for her wedding day, rising up on tiptoes to kiss her uncle. “I think it’s time,” she added urging Hyke forward.
Together, Hyke and Hester walked down the aisle to a waiting trio. Cecil surrounded by Beverly in a soft pink dress, and Jonas in a stiff black suit, grinned at her.
The tiny church near the grove of trees had been decorated by their new friends in Biders Clump, but Hester couldn’t have told who was present as her eyes locked onto the hazel gaze of her beloved.
The brief service seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye, and soon Pastor Dalton was pronouncing them Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Payton.
As the couple walked quickly up the middle of the church to the cheers of friends and neighbors, Hester couldn’t believe that her accepting a difficult job, in a house with a bad reputation could have led to this.
“Are you happy?” Cecil asked as they burst out into a bright spring day.
“I’m very happy,” Hester smiled, her eyes filled with love. “I feel like we’re starting something new today, and that tomorrow is as bright as the sun in the sky.”
A small hand slipped into hers, and she looked down at a smiling Beverly.
“Do we call you Aunt Hester now?” Jonas asked as he took his uncle’s hand. “Does this mean we get to keep you forever?”
Hester laughed, all the joy, hope, and wonder in her heart bubbling over.
“Yes, Jonas, you can call me aunt and keep me forever.”
The boy cheered, releasing his uncle’s hand and running to grasp his sister’s. “Come on,” he chortled, “Everyone will be waiting at the boardinghouse for us. I heard Mr. Rupert even made a special cake!”
Hester felt Cecil wrap his arm around her waist,
