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With the spring comes yearning.
~ Adrien’s Journal
TWO MONTHS LATER
Adrien stood at the corner of the cabin and soaked in the warmth of the March sun, which was doing its best to break through the layers of snow. These past months hadn’t been easy, but they may well have been the best of his life. Working side-by-side with Mary to keep them fed and warm through the dark winter days.
From the day she’d given her heart to the Father, the change in her had been gradual, yet marked. She was still competent and determined, but little by little, her strength seemed to come from a different place. A solid foundation. Christ within.
When he offered to read aloud from his Bible in the evenings, she’d listened with furrowed brow. Sometimes asking a question, sometimes commenting on the stories.
And she laughed. Just that morning, she’d chuckled when Domino knocked the bowl from his hands as he tried to feed the mule. Her joy held a clear, vibrant sound. Like her spirit had finally been unfettered.
The cabin door opened behind him, and he turned to watch that very woman step outside. Every time she came near him, his heart leapt in his chest. His pulse thumped harder. And he couldn’t wipe a silly grin from his face.
He reached for her hand as she approached. She took it but gave him a curious glance. He’d not kept his attraction a secret, but he’d done his best to keep his hands to himself for the most part. She was too much temptation to allow himself even one more kiss while they lived in such close quarters.
But soon. Lord willing.
He pulled her closer and slipped his arm around her waist.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I thought you were going to gather wood.”
He smiled into her hair. “I stopped to enjoy the sun. We haven’t seen much of it lately. Do you think it might be here to stay?”
She let out a long breath that could be a sigh. “Maybe not yet. But it’s nice while it lasts.”
His gaze wandered to the narrow trail where the mountains formed a V. “I wonder when the snow will melt in the big valley through that pass?”
Her body stiffened beside him. Then she straightened, pulling away. He tried to tug her back, but she turned to face him. “Are you anxious to leave?” Her face held what she probably meant as lack of concern, but he could make out the edges of vulnerability.
His hands itched to pull her close again. Maybe shuck his gloves and stroke her cheek, then kiss her until he’d banished every thought of him leaving from her mind.
But he held himself still and willed her to see the truth in his eyes. “I’m not leaving you, Mary.”
She wrapped her arms around herself, that vulnerability sneaking out a bit more. “I know you need to. You have plans.”
He did step forward this time, but he only slipped his hand around one of her arms. “Yes, I do have plans.”
It must have been the teasing tone of his voice that made her blue eyes widen. And when her lips parted—probably in shock—he just couldn’t stop himself.
~ ~ ~
MARY GRIPPED ADRIEN’S arms to keep herself upright. She’d had only a flash of warning before he pulled her close and lowered his mouth to hers. Her lips hadn’t been ready. Her mind struggled to catch up.
Then the warm taste of him broke through her fog, and she inhaled, coming alive. This was Adrien, kissing her with a thoroughness that infused her senses. And oh, heavens, did she respond.
These past months of living and working so near him had been a strain. A wonderful torture. And for just this moment, she broke free of it. Responding to his kiss with the love that had filled her more each day. Each hour. Growing so that the thought of him leaving had plunged a knife of desperation into her.
But if he was leaving...
She forced herself to regain control, to pull back. If this was his way of saying good-bye, well...
They were both breathing hard, the air fogging between them as she tried to step away. But his hands held her waist, not giving a bit.
“Adrien, I—”
“Mary.” He tugged her closer, and she let him. Reluctantly. It was almost impossible to resist the pull of this man.
She inhaled his presence as he lowered his forehead to rest on hers.
“Mary.” The rich timbre of his voice drew her like a bee to nectar. She could feed on it for days.
“Yes?” Her voice sounded too breathy in her ears, but she didn’t try for a better tone.
“When I go settle in that wide valley, I don’t want to go alone. I’d like you to be there with me. To build a life with me, working together. As my wife.”
She sucked in a breath with that last word, his meaning crystalizing in her mind. Her mind, her heart, did she dare hope?
He lifted his head a little, and she could feel his gaze studying her, although she kept her focus on his jaw. His mouth.
He lifted her chin with his finger so she had to meet his gaze. Those beautiful brown eyes. The faint creases that usually lined the corners had mostly smoothed with the concern tenting his brow.
He was so good, this man. How could she ever deserve him? She wasn’t quite the broken, half-starved woman he’d found almost three months ago, but she still had so much to learn. About God’s love. His goodness. Emotion clogged her throat, raising the burn of tears to her eyes. The same love and goodness shone from Adrien’s eyes now.
Except there was also a fair amount of worry glimmering in his gaze. “What is it, love? What’s wrong?” He moved his gloved hand to cup her cheek, then thumbed away the tear that broke through her defenses. “You don’t have to answer now. Take time to decide. Seek God’s guidance.” Those sweet, gentle eyes seemed to wrap around her in a warm embrace.
She worked to swallow down the lump clogging her throat. “I don’t need time. I would love to be your wife, Adrian Lockman. But...are you sure? You’re not asking me just because I’m the only woman within two week’s ride?”
She held her breath but worked to force a smile to lighten the question.
His gaze stroked her as his mouth found the smile she’d been trying for. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” And then he kissed her again. A seal. A promise of much to come.
