Finally a Bride (46 page)
Authors: Vickie Mcdonough
Tags: #Western, #Love Stories, #Christian Fiction, #Texas, #secrecy, #Historical, #Christian, #Romance, #Mail Order Brides, #Fiction, #Redemption, #Historical Fiction, #Religious, #Man-Woman Relationships, #General
“I love you, Jackie—I think I always have.”
“I love you, too.” She ran her hand across his cheek, marveling at its roughness. “It just took me a bit longer to realize it.”
Noah’s warm smile tickled her stomach. To think she almost gave him up because of her own stubbornness and refusal to forgive. He lowered her so that she could stand.
“Are you ready to go back home?” She fingered a button on his shirt.
“Where is home? I quit my job, you know?”
“I know the marshal real well, and maybe I can persuade him to ‘encourage’ the council to hire you back.”
Noah lifted her off the ground again and kissed her, then he spun her around, hugging her tight. “Thank You, Lord!”
She sent her own prayer winging its way heaven bound.
Thank You, Father, for helping me see past my hurts and for giving me another chance with Noah
.
Epilogue
J
ack repeated the vows in her head after Noah stated them. His black eyes caught hers, and he winked, sending shivers of delight through her. In front of the church, Carly gazed at Garrett with adoration and promised to love, honor, and obey him.
Jack winced. She wasn’t 100 percent sure about that
obey
stuff, so she skipped that word. Maybe she and Noah could write their own vows before their wedding next month.
She could hardly wait. The two weeks they’d been courting had dragged by slower than a slug. But she’d seen the wisdom in waiting and getting to know each other better—that and they had to wait until another minister could come and marry them. At least Noah had his job back, and most of the town had forgiven him after their initial shock. Nothing stood in their way now—no barriers from the past, no hurt feelings, no unwillingness to forgive.
“Join me in praying for the bride and groom.” Noah bowed his head, his deep voice lulling the room into a hushed reverence.
Jack breathed her own prayer, overflowing from her abundantly grateful heart.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me forgive my father and giving me Noah. He’s a good man
.
One day soon, she’d finally be a bride.
A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR
Award-winning author Vickie McDonough believes God is the ultimate designer of romance. She loves writing stories in which her characters find true love and grow in their faith. Vickie has published eighteen books. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is currently serving as ACFW treasurer. Vickie has been a book reviewer for nine years as well. She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother of four sons, and grandmother to a feisty three-year-old girl. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling. Visit Vickie’s website at
www.vickiemcdonough.com
.
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