The woman was amazing. While he’d resigned himself to the fact that his dreams of a life with her were unattainable, that banker’s brain of hers had been busy plotting a perfectly feasible plan to make the impossible possible.
He grinned at her, took her hand, and lifted it to his lips. “I don’t need a big salary, Emma. Just enough to provide for you and our children.” He pressed his lips slowly to the back of her hand, gratified when a tremor passed through her that matched the one dancing around in his belly.
“So you’ll stay? Oh, please say you will.” She leaned her head against his chest in a quick hug, then turned her face back up to look at him. Her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes glowed with love. “You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted, Malachi Shaw. No other will do.”
He nodded. “I’ll stay.”
With a squeal of pure happiness, Emma threw herself into his arms. He swept her around in a circle, laughter gurgling up inside him as her feet dangled in midair. As he lowered her back to earth, he bent his head for a kiss—one not born of desperation, but born of love, a love they had years to explore.
“That better mean you’re staying, young man,” Aunt Henry shouted.
Mal lifted his head but didn’t release his hold on Emma’s waist. Not only was Henry looking on, but the entire town had stepped out of the café to watch, each lady with a smile on her face.
He pushed his hat up off his forehead and grinned. “Just try to get rid of me!”
Then he bent right back down and resumed his kiss. The onlookers cheered. Emma barely lasted a heartbeat before she dissolved into giggles, not that Malachi cared. He simply held her close and reveled in feeling her heart beat in time with his.
With his angel in his arms, he’d always be in heaven.
Christy Award finalist and winner of the ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romances because she believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher and shower singer, and she bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.
To learn more about Karen and her books and to sign up for her free newsletter featuring special giveaways and behind-the-scenes information, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.