Page 95 of Falling for the Cowgirl
Her heartbeat turned over itself in a wild tumble. “Tonight?”
He tugged at the rope, and she toppled against him—right where she wanted to be. “You got a problem with me marrying you tonight?” His voice rumbled low and did crazy things to her insides.
“Reckon I can oblige you.”
“Good, because I’ve waited long enough to be with you. And I don’t want to have to leave you again, not for one second more than I have to.”
Holy Saint Peter, this man could talk sweet. And she was eating it up, every single word. As he dropped his mouth against hers, he captured her with hunger that told her he’d never get enough, not tonight, not next week, not next year, maybe not ever. But that he sure wanted a lifetime to try.
Good thing she did too.
“I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” Father Zieber’s declaration rose into the night air.
“Amen,” Jericho whispered. As Ivy peered up at him, joy swelled within his chest. She was his wife. He couldn’t have asked for a better ending to his journey than to not only win back her affection but to end up married to her.
Dylan’s words from the saloon that last night together had haunted him—that he needed to go back, marry Ivy, and see to her happiness, otherwise he’d be making the biggest mistake of his life. Silently Jericho lifted a prayer of thanksgiving that God had gotten through to him, shaken him up, and started him down a different path. If only Dylan would start walking the straight and narrow too.
Father Zieber closed his prayer book and beamed at them. Several lanterns hung around the outside of Ivy’s little cabin shedding light on their ceremony. Most of the crowd from the barn raising was still present and had gathered around when Jericho had called out to announce the wedding.
“Young man”—Father Zieber clasped his shoulder—“you may kiss your bride.”
Jericho was already reaching much too eagerly for Ivy. He drew her into his arms, and fused his mouth to hers in a kiss that contained all the months of wanting that had led him back to her. Part of him still couldn’t believe he was here, with her, and that she’d forgiven him and taken him back so willingly. He was struck again as before by how he didn’t deserve her, but he wanted to make a lifetime of trying to be worthy.
Cheers and whistles filled the mountain air around them.
Ivy pulled back first. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled. She’d never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment. He wanted to envelop her in his arms for another kiss, but he forced himself to release her.
“What is it with you McQuaids and hasty weddings?” The middle-aged minister quirked a brow at Ivy’s brothers, who were standing nearby with their wives and children.
Wyatt grinned and wrapped his arm around Greta and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Reckon when we McQuaids see a good thing and know what we want, we don’t waste any time in going after it.”
Flynn tugged Linnea closer into the crook of his arm. “Reckon when we realize God’s given us a partner who can make us into a better person, we aim to make the most of the time.”
Brody eyed Savannah with a hungry look. The man didn’t have to speak for everyone to know what he was thinking. As Wyatt punched his arm, Brody managed a half grin amidst the teasing and laughter that wafted around them.
Ivy slipped her hand into Jericho’s and laced her fingersthrough his. The simplest touch set him on fire just as it always had. And he was relieved he didn’t have to hold himself back any longer, that she was his in the sight of God and man.
“This wedding might seem hasty,” Jericho said. “But let me tell you, it’s been a long time coming.”
“Amen to that.” Judd’s words drew laughter. “Guess it’s a good thing we got the barn built, ’cause I know where I’ll be sleepin’ tonight.”
As more laughter and chatter filled the air, Jericho peered down at Ivy’s upturned face, her beauty taking his breath away.
“I love you,” she whispered, her eyes radiating it.
She hadn’t yet spoken those words to him, and it hadn’t mattered. But now with her declaration out there, he had all he needed to make his life complete—the love of the good Lord and the love of a good woman.
He bent down and brushed his lips against hers. “I love you too, Mrs. Bliss. Now and forever.”
Chapter
31
Dylan McQuaid
Chicago, Illinois
June 1870
