Forevermore (37 page)

“You’ll recall we agreed that I’d pay whatever I felt was right.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I reckon that sounds like what we decided. ’Twas our other pact that mattered—and with God’s help, we done dreadful good at getting Annie through everything.”
If ’n I keep thinkin’ on Annie and Emmy-Lou instead of myself, I can get through this
.

He rose and stuck his hands in his pockets. A few steps one direction, then a few more the other—until he somehow managed to be standing by the settee. He reached down and lifted her hand in his.

Warmth streaked through her, leaving her longing to hold hands with Jakob forever.
I can’t be thinkin’ like that. Annie. I’ll think of her
.
Annie’s gonna feel safe and happy. Any woman would in his hands
.

“I want to renegotiate our agreement. It would involve a different pact altogether.”

Hope moistened her lips and stared at him in silence.

“Have you noticed something about that verse of yours? One part always catches me when I hear it. It says ‘going out and coming in.’ Folks always say ‘in and out,’ not ‘out and in.’

Then it hit me why.”

He paused, so she half whispered, “Why?”

“Because finally, you’d end up where God wanted you to stay—forevermore. You’d go in, and He’d never call you out from there. Hope, this is that place.”

Her chest constricted. Other families invited her to remain with them, but she’d known it was time to leave.
Can it be God’s allowin’ me to stay here? With Jakob? And Emmy-Lou and Annie and Johnny? Is that why I didn’t have a peace in my heart about leavin’ tomorrow?

A thought shot through her mind. Struggling not to sound hurt, she whispered, “But you was gonna send me away. You said so yourself.”

“Ja, and it tore me apart inside, knowing it was the only way I could keep you and Annie and the children safe. My plan was to send you to safety, sell the farm, then come claim you.”

Her mind whirled.
He wasn’t trying to get rid of me? He just wanted to keep us safe?

He smiled. “In the end, it wasn’t my plan that mattered; God’s plan prevailed. So tell me, Hope. You don’t want to go, do you?” His voice sounded gentle, even coaxing.

A flood of memories washed over her—the kindness in his eyes, the rich timber of his voice as he read to her. His tenderness with Emmy-Lou and Johnny. The tingling warmth when their hands brushed. The inexplicable way that when they were together, she felt completely at ease, yet more alive than she’d ever been. Hope bit her lip and slowly shook her head.

Jakob pulled his other hand from his pocket and went down on his knee. “Hope, I was a broken man and my family was in shreds when you came here. God’s used you to restore us, and even beyond that—He’s planted seeds of a crop I never thought would grow here again. Seeds of love. I’ve reminded you that you agreed to accept whatever I want to pay you—and here it is. I’m praying you’ll accept it.”

He opened his hand. A circle of gold nestled in his palm. “I want to give you my heart, my home, and my name. Hope, please marry me and be my wife.”

Suddenly, she understood why she hadn’t had a peace about leaving. God hadn’t planned on her going away. She’d charged ahead instead of seeking His direction.
I belong here—and not just with Jakob, but to him
.

“Seeds of love? Oh, Jakob, there’s no crop better to plant and tend than love.” A smile broke across his face, and she realized she was smiling, too. “I’m standin’ in a garden that’s already flourishing. Somethin’ deep down inside me’s glowin’ like the sunshine—and without a doubt I know it’s the love I hold for you. Nothin’ would make me happier than to be your wife.”

He shoved aside the quilt and pulled her up into his arms. “You once said you were like a dandelion, blowing in the wind. No more. Your days of drifting are over.”

“That’s okay. Every wish I ever made just came true.”

“Me too. Because you’ll be mine forevermore.” He dipped his head, and his kiss promised a lifetime of joy.

M
ORE
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AUGH
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UT
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OUD
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UN
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ROM

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