The Farmer's Reluctant Bride (7 page)

Hank smiled at her. “Because they
love you. That’s love, Mandy. That’s love you’re talking about.”

Mandy gave Hank a look of complete
disbelief. Then tears sprang to her eyes. She began to slowly shake her head.

“Really?” She still didn’t seem to
quite believe what Hank thought she already understood.

He had just assumed that his
actions spoke for him. Everything he did on the farm and around the cabin and
in their lives together was for her. He assumed that she already knew that he
loved her, even though he couldn’t recall ever saying the words, now that he
thought about it. And she needed to hear them. She needed to hear those words.

“Yes’m.”

“So that means...” Mandy searched
Hank’s face for the answer she already had.

“Yes, Mandy. I love you.” When Hank
smiled at her and opened his arms wide, Mandy flew into them without a moment’s
hesitation.

The End