Song of My Heart (41 page)
She laughed anew at his startled expression. She showed him the telegram while laughter continued to roll from her lips. Such heartfelt joy had to find release.
Thad grabbed her in another hug, rocking her, his chuckles combining with hers in a sweet harmony of delight. Then he pulled back, an impish grin twitching his mustache. “It’s a good thing she’s coming, too. ’Cause you’ll want her here to witness our nuptials.”
Sadie gaped at him, her laughter ending with a startled gasp. “W-what?”
“That is,” he said, dropping to one knee right there in the middle of dusty Main Street, “if you’ll have me.”
His image swam with the spurt of tears. She reached out, catching his hands. “Yes, Thad. Oh yes!”
He rose, scooping her into his embrace. His lips found hers—warm, soft, and moist with happy tears. Locked in his arms, her lips captured by his, she thought she imagined applause. But then Thad lifted his head, looking beyond her. Red splashed his cheeks. She twisted around to look, too. All along the boardwalk townsfolk stood, faces wreathed in smiles, clapping in approval. She hid her flaming face in Thad’s chest. Thad joggled her loose, encouraging her to acknowledge the gathered crowd. She did so, her lips quavering in an embarrassed-yet-pleased grin.
Mr. Hanaman called from his spot by the bank doors, “Sheriff, are you making an arrest, or can we assume somebody’s gone and captured you?” Laughter rang up and down the street.
Thad rubbed his finger over his mustache in a self-conscious gesture that made Sadie giggle.
Then another voice called out—one that made Sadie’s heart turn over. “If he don’t go willingly, he’s a plumb fool.” Sid’s teasing comment offered his blessing on Sadie’s choice.
Sadie sent him a grateful smile, which he returned with an almost indiscernible bob of his head.
Slowly, the townspeople turned and began ambling toward their places of business or waiting wagons. Mr. Hanaman and Sid disappeared inside the bank. A mockingbird swooped from a treetop, trilling a song he’d learned from a cardinal. His cheerful tune, not of his own making, reflected Sadie’s desire to sing the songs given to her by her Father.
For You, dear Lord. Always, only for You . . .
Sadie and Thad stood in the middle of the street, watching and waving until everyone had dispersed. Then Thad curved his arm around Sadie’s waist and deposited a kiss on her forehead.
“C’mon, Miss Sadie. Time to move on.”
Yes, Sadie agreed, her stride aligning perfectly with Thad’s, time to move on. Into her God-kissed future. She smiled upward, her heart thrilling at Thad’s tender smile in reply. Serving together, their lives would create a melody of God’s merciful faithfulness.
Acknowledgments
Mom and Daddy, Don, and my girls
—thank you for walking this pathway with me.
Critique Group
—thank you for your encouragement, your support, your listening ears, and your splashes of humor right when I need them most.
My soul sister,
Kathy
—thank you for that afternoon in Paxico, where the seed blossomed into story. Another memory . . .
Judy Miller
—thank you for lending me the book from Jim’s “to be read” pile—it helped bring the setting to life for me. Your friendship is one I treasure.
Shelva
, a woman I met at a book signing in Ohio, and
Melva
, my choir buddy—thank you for letting me borrow your names. The high-strung characters in the book in no way reflect
your
characters!
Charlene and the staff at Bethany House—
thank you for all you do to help me bring the people residing in my heart to life. I appreciate you!
Finally, and most importantly,
God
—thank You for the melody of grace that rings through my soul. May any praise or glory be reflected directly back to You.
About the Author
KIM VOGEL SAWYER is the bestselling author of more than twenty novels. Her books have won the Carol Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women’s fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in Central Kansas and have three daughters and nine grandchildren.
Books by Kim Vogel Sawyer
F
ROM
B
ETHANY
H
OUSE
P
UBLISHERS
Waiting for Summer’s Return
Where the Heart Leads
My Heart Remembers
In Every Heartbeat
Where Willows Grow
A Promise for Spring
Fields of Grace
A Hopeful Heart
Courting Miss Amsel
A Whisper of Peace
Song of My Heart
When Hope Blossoms
Resources:
bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website:
www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook:
Bethany House
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