Arabella blinked. “What?”
“I said I’m sorry I’m not very romantic. I made a complete mess of things before, and I swear I’ll make it up to you.”
A half laugh, half sob escaped Arabella’s lips. “Good heavens, Theodore, you just did the most romantic thing a man could ever do for a woman.”
“I did?”
“You offered up yourself in order to save my life.
That
was truly romantic.”
“It was?”
Arabella smiled. “You know, it’s suddenly clear to me what has to be done.”
Theodore felt his lips twitch at the sight of Arabella looking up at him with what could only be described as mischief in her incredible eyes. “What has to be done?”
“You seem to get yourself in a lot of trouble, especially when you’re rescuing me.” She released a dramatic sigh. “I think the only solution available to us is marriage. It’s the only way I can keep you safe.”
He grinned. “You’re going to marry me in order to keep me safe?”
“No, I’m going to marry you because I love you, and I never want to be parted from you again.”
Theodore felt all the breath leave his body. He leaned his head closer to her. “I love you more than I have ever loved another person in my entire life.”
Arabella tilted her head, and Theodore couldn’t help himself. Her lips were right in front of him, and he needed to claim them. He settled his lips over hers and the world melted away.
“This is all very touching,” George said with a snort, “but I’m almost eighty years old, and I could use a bit of assistance here. If you haven’t noticed, we have a bunch of weeping women on our hands, one unconscious criminal, and a dead man. Kissing will have to wait until after the wedding.”
I
cannot believe there’s another blizzard outside,” Gloria muttered, moving to Arabella’s side as she peered out the window of the church. “What a way to start the New Year.”
“Weddings are the perfect way to start the New Year,” Eliza said as she bustled into the room. “I cannot believe you and Cora were able to pull this off on such short notice, Gloria. Why, I just peeked in the church, and I think all of New York has braved the weather to come watch Arabella and Theodore get married.”
“They’ve come to see what can only be described as a most peculiar circumstance,” Agatha said, strolling into the room. “Who would have thought that one of the leaders in the suffrage movement and one of the most chauvinistic gentlemen we know would discover a real and binding love together?”
Eliza grinned. “It is a bit odd.”
Arabella found she couldn’t quite disagree.
She’d been so adamant in rebuking any and all suggestions that she and Theodore suited each other, but . . . she had certainly turned out to be wrong, and for once in her life, being wrong didn’t bother her in the slightest.
“Auntie Arabella, Ben took my flowers,” Piper yelled as she ran into the room, skidded to a halt, and smiled. She looked Arabella up and down. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Piper. You look very pretty as well.”
Piper giggled. “Mr. Theodore told me he’d marry me if I was older, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. He was just kidding.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, and I forgot, Miss Violet and her friends are waiting outside. They wanted me to ask you if they could come in for a moment to see you.”
“Of course they can come in,” Arabella said.
Piper spun on her heel and rushed back through the door, reappearing with Violet and her friends a moment later.
Violet moved across the room and pulled Arabella into a hug. “Oh, I’m going to cry. You look absolutely stunning.” She stepped back and dabbed a handkerchief over her eyes.
“You do look lovely,” Lottie said, and Hannah and Sarah nodded in agreement.
Violet swallowed what sounded like a sob and then smiled a rather wobbly smile. “Lottie and I wanted you to know that we’ve made you a special treat for after the wedding. We just
had
to do something to show you how much you and Theodore mean to us.”
“They made your cake,” Ethel said, beaming at everyone as she glided into the room. “Just so you know, they’ve promised to remain in my employ after everyone samples their baking. Why, I don’t think George could live another day if he didn’t have the wonderful cakes and breads they’ve been creating for us.”
Violet grabbed hold of Arabella’s hand and gave it a good squeeze. “We won’t keep you much longer, seeing as this is your special day and all, but Lottie, Hannah, Sarah, and I wanted to thank you personally for everything you’ve done for us. You’ve given us a chance at a new life, and without
your support we’d still be out on the streets. You’re a special person, and we wish you only the best.”
“I think you’re getting that by marrying Theodore,” Lottie said with a grin. “He is an uncommonly fine specimen of a man.”
“Yes, thank you for that, Lottie,” Gloria said with a returning grin as she turned from her position at the window. “Now, everyone out. We do have a wedding in a few minutes.”
The room cleared as Eliza and Agatha went to stand in line beside Katherine who had been waiting there, the three women looking beautiful in their gowns of pink, all seemingly delighted that everything had turned out so well and they could stand as bridesmaids for Arabella.
Ethel gave her a quick kiss and went to join the bridesmaids, and Arabella couldn’t help the tears that stung her eyes as she watched Theodore’s grandmother take her place as matron of honor.
Cora Watson suddenly breezed into the room, escorted by Zayne. She dropped her hold on him, stepped up to Arabella, and hugged her, hard. “I wish you a very happy and amusing life.” She nodded, just once, stepped back, and then turned to Zayne. “You would do well to emulate your sister and marry someone who amuses you.” She turned and winked at Agatha, who was watching the exchange with clear horror on her face, and then quickly left the room after sending Gloria a wave, the telltale sounds of sniffing trailing after her, explaining the speedy exit.
Zayne cleared his throat. “Father’s waiting to escort you down the aisle, but I wanted to wish you luck before I join Theodore in the front of the church.”
“That is very sweet of you.”
“I also needed to let you know that Theodore’s responsible for the church.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll see,” Zayne said, kissing her on the cheek before he turned to his mother. “I’ll be escorting you down the aisle, so don’t be too long. Theodore’s anxious to make Arabella his wife, and I don’t think he’s willing to wait much longer.”
Gloria rolled her eyes. “While I certainly have no intention of holding up the wedding, especially since I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years, I do need to speak with my one and only daughter.”
Zayne rolled his eyes right back at her. “Fine, but again, Theodore’s anxious, and he has been known to pull out that pistol of his when his nerves get the best of him. I’d hate for him to shoot his soon-to-be mother-in-law because she tried his patience.”
After Zayne disappeared through the door, Gloria turned back to Arabella. “I truly have been waiting for this day for a very long time.”
“You probably never thought you’d see this day.”
Gloria reached out and stroked her finger down Arabella’s cheek. “I always knew there was someone very special out there for you, darling. In fact, I knew Theodore was right for you the moment I met him. Why do you think I sent him to fetch you home?”
“I knew you planned this from the start.”
“Someone had to get your life in order for you, dear. Who better to do that than your own mother?”
Gloria smiled, kissed Arabella’s cheek, and without another word she marched from the room.
For a moment, Arabella was all alone. She moved to the window, gazed out at the falling snow, and then closed her eyes.
Thank you, Lord. You’ve given me more than I could ever imagine. I thank you for my family, for my friends, for my Theodore, and for my very life. You’ve filled me with your love, and I will be forever grateful.
“Are you ready, darling?” Douglas asked, causing her to open her eyes.
She walked over to her father’s side, straightened his jacket, and nodded.
Douglas extended his arm to her, she took it, and on legs that trembled not even the slightest bit, she walked out of the room, down a small hallway after her bridesmaids, listened to the music begin to swell, and froze the second her gaze took in the sight before her.
The church was draped in pink satin. Pink ties adorned every pew, and there was even a pink runner down the aisle. The sun took that moment to break through the snow, and the effect was dazzling as the light streamed through the stained-glass windows.
Theodore had given her a romantic gesture.
Her eyes filled with tears, and she could barely see as her father escorted her down the aisle, but when she reached the end, her vision cleared and Theodore stood in front of her. Douglas passed her over to him, and the instant her hand touched his, she knew her life was complete.
“Do you like the pink?” Theodore whispered.
“I love it.”
“I love you.”
Arabella smiled and turned with Theodore to face Reverend Fraser, who was beaming back at them. As she recited her vows and listened to Theodore recite his, happiness flowed through her.
Theodore’s lips lowered over hers after they were pronounced man and wife, and Arabella knew as she stood in the house of the Lord that God had brought Theodore to her, and that He would be with them for the rest of their days—days that were certain to be filled with love, laughter, a little compromise, and joy.
I
’m constantly amazed by the efforts of so many people who help me get my books published. Those efforts deserve a rousing thank-you, and I truly hope everyone knows how much I appreciate all the help I’ve been given.
To my editor, Raela Schoenherr, for reading my work and knowing exactly how to make my story better. Your advice is fabulous and has helped me become a stronger writer.
To the marketing and sales department at Bethany House—Steve Oates, Noelle Buss, Debra Larsen, Anna Henke, Brittany Higdon, Stacey Theesfield, Chris Dykstra, Jennifer Parker, and Eric Walljasper. All of you are incredibly talented, and I couldn’t do this without you.
To copy editor Luke Hinrichs, thank you for catching all those pesky little commas I can’t seem to control.
To John Hamilton and Paul Higdon for yet another gorgeous cover.
To my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, for being my calm when I get a little neurotic.
To my brilliant friend Carla Laureano. Your support means
the world to me, and I love our daily chats. I can’t wait to see your books in print.
To Rick Gustafson, a dear writer friend who seems to have acquired the daunting task of talking me down from that proverbial ledge, sometimes daily. Thanks for making me laugh.
To my brother, Dr. Robert Turner, for being an inspiration to the entire family, even if you did set the standards rather high for those of us who had to follow you.
To my sister, Tricia Gibas, for . . . everything.
To my brother, Jeb Turner, for being a wonderful big brother, and for always having my back, no matter what. You’re a little bossy, but I still love you, and it makes me grin when you get so upset when anyone posts a less-than-positive review of my books. I appreciate your willingness to want to contact those reviewers, but, you know, that really isn’t a great idea.
To my sister, Gretchen Humiston. I guess you’ve finally proven you’re more than just a gorgeous face. Congratulations on passing the bar exam. Mom would have been thrilled that someone in the family is following in her father’s footsteps.
To my little brother, David Turner. Even though Gretchen and I tormented you endlessly when you were younger, you’ve turned out remarkably well. Thank you for being so excited about my books.
To my mother-in-law, Dolores Turano Cousino, thank you for all the love and support.
As always, a huge thank-you to my guys, Al and Dominic. Love you both!
And, of course, to God, for making this mind-boggling journey possible in the first place. All I had to do was believe it could happen. . . .