Paradise Falls (33 page)
Authors: Ruth Ryan Langan
Tags: #Romance, #Historical Romance, #New York Times Bestselling Author
“I will.” He brushed a kiss over Fiona’s cheek. “I can’t wait until this is over.”
“Soon,” she whispered.
He turned away and stiffly offered his arm to Rose. “Come on, Ma.”
Just as awkwardly Rose walked by his side to her seat at the very front of the church.
Gray took his place beside Reverend Schmidt, and at the urging of Fiona, the boys from her school joined him. Will and Edmer, taller than the bride, looked every bit as uncomfortable as the groom as they watched his father step up to offer his arm to the bride.
The little girls in their bright dresses and shiny hair walked up the aisle, some waving shyly to their parents until they reached the front of church and turned to watch as Fiona and Broderick walked slowly up the aisle.
Fiona paused to press a kiss to Broderick’s cheek as she whispered, “Neither of us stumbled.”
Touched, he gathered her close. “Nor will we. Be happy, Fiona.” He brushed a kiss to her cheek before walking away to sit beside his wife.
With a smile Fiona linked her fingers with Gray’s.
Facing each other they spoke their vows for the entire church to hear. And then, when the service was over, they sailed down the aisle and out into the bright sunshine, to accept the congratulations of all in attendance.
The first to approach them was Christian Rudd, followed by his wife and son.
“I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to the happy bride and groom.”
After offering his hand to Gray, he stood back, allowing his wife and son to offer their best wishes as well. Then, before they could turn away, he startled Fiona by bending to brush his lips over her cheek. “I wish also to offer my apology to you, teacher.” Seeing the look of surprise in her eyes he added quickly, “This time, it is a sincere apology, not given because of any threat, but because I realize I was wrong. I consider you a fine addition to our community, and I hope you will overlook the things I said earlier in anger.”
Fiona was as touched by the relieved smiles on the faces of his wife and son as she was by his words. “Thank you, Mr. Rudd.”
As they walked away, she felt Gray’s big hand close around hers and turned to give him a smile that dazzled the sun. Before they could speak, they were caught up in the crowd as they accepted hugs and kisses. While the guests ate and drank, Fiona and Gray refused all offers of food, too excited to think about eating.
Finally, as the lager flowed and desserts were passed around, the couple found themselves alone for a moment.
Just then Rose approached. “I have something to say.”
Gray put an arm around his bride’s shoulders, as though to protect her. Seeing it, Rose flushed. “I’m not here to attack you or your wife, though I can’t say I blame you for thinking such a thing.” She clasped her hands together tightly and cleared her throat. “These last few days have given me much to ponder, and I can’t say that I like facing the truth. But face it I must. A better mother would have seen through Flem’s lies. Looking back, I realize that I didn’t want to. Revealing his shortcomings would have revealed my own, as well, and I have too many to mention. I’m truly sorry, Grayson, for the way I’ve treated you. I believed Flem’s lies and allowed you to stand alone against an entire town. I will always regret that I refused to stand by you when you most needed me. I hope that in time you will find it in your heart to forgive me.”
As she started to turn away Gray placed a hand on her shoulder. “Thank you.”
She spun around with a look of surprise. “For what?”
“The words you just spoke are the only gift I wanted on this day. Better than gold.” There was just the merest hint of humor in his eyes. “Surely better than draperies.”
She forced herself to meet his look. “Are you saying that you can forgive me?”
“I already have, Ma.”
“Oh, Grayson. I don’t deserve you.” Her eyes filled as she felt his big arms come around her. And though she felt stiff and awkward in this son’s embrace, she managed to close her arms around his neck and hug him before stepping back.
Because her eyes were blinded by tears, she was grateful to find Broderick standing there with his hand outstretched to steady her. She caught it and held on tightly as Gray led his new bride toward the wagon, which was now abloom with bright ribbon streamers.
Gray paused. “What’s this?”
Fiona laughed. “I heard the children whispering. Now I see why. Apparently they’ve been planning it for some time.”
She was still laughing as he helped her up to the hard wooden seat, where Chester was waiting, a ribbon around his neck.
As the crowd gathered around them, Gray flicked the reins, and they started away, waving to those who called and cheered.
Fiona nodded toward Rose, who stood to one side, clinging tightly to her husband’s hand. “She loves you, you know, Gray.”
“In her fashion.”
“It took courage for her to admit her mistakes.”
“The Haydn family is a brave lot.” He drew her close. “That’s why I figured you’d fit right in.”
When he veered off the path Fiona put a hand to his arm. “This isn’t the way.”
“I know.” He smiled. “There’s someplace I have to go first.”
She knew at once.
When they’d left the lane behind he brought the horse and cart to a halt and helped her down. As they approached, the roar of the water grew louder. And then they were standing in Gray’s favorite spot, watching the spill of water over rocks and seeing the mist rise up to catch the rays of sunlight.
“Look.” She caught his hand. “A rainbow.”
He nodded. All his nerves had settled. With the celebration behind them, all his fears had fled. “I knew there’d be one today. It’s good luck, you know.”
She merely turned to him with a smile. “I do love you, Gray.”
“And I love you, Fiona. More than life itself.”
As he drew her close and brushed his lips over hers, she felt again the familiar rush of heat, and the way her bones seemed to go all soft and fluid at his touch.
Oh Da. Mum. Be happy for me. For I’ve truly found a man worthy of my heart.
Gray took her hands in his. “Are you ready to go home?”
Home.
Was ever there a word so fine? Her heart was nearly overflowing with love for this man. “I am. Yes.”
As they turned toward the wagon Fiona couldn’t contain the lilt of laughter that bubbled up. On the train here she’d promised to make this journey an adventure, and what an adventure it had become.
Paradise Falls had lived up to its name after all. For here in this strange place, in this good man’s arms, she truly had found paradise—and a love that would last for a lifetime and beyond.
The End
Romance Classics
Now Available as EBooks:
Heart's Delight
Paradise Falls
Ashes of Dreams
Duchess of Fifth Avenue
Captive of Desire
Passage West
Nevada Nights
September’s Dream
The Heart’s Secret
Destiny’s Daughter
Visit Ruth's website at
www.RyanLangan.com
for more information and to purchase.
New York Times
best-selling author Ruth Ryan Langan, who also writes under the pseudonym R. C. Ryan, is the author of over 100 novels, both contemporary romantic-suspense and historical adventure. Quite an accomplishment for this mother of five who, after her youngest child started school, gave herself the gift of an hour a day to follow her dream to become a published author.
Ruth has given dozens of radio, television and print interviews across the country and Canada, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as
The Wall Street Journal
and
Cosmopolitan
. Ruth has also been interviewed on
CNN News
, as well as
Good Morning, America
.
Ruth's website:
www.RyanLangan.com