The Husband Hunt (Smoky Mountain Matches) (23 page)

Epilogue

Three months later

“W
ill, hurry up and put your coat on,” Sophie called up to the loft. “We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

His face appeared at the top of the ladder. “One minute, okay? I’m almost finished with my list.”

“All right. Make it a fast minute.” She smiled, thinking of the O’Malleys’ Thanksgiving dinner tradition. After the meal, everyone around the table took turns sharing what they were thankful for. Unlike her brother, she didn’t have to pen hers on paper. Her many blessings were written upon her heart, and she considered them daily, thanking God for His goodness and grace.

Humming to herself, she retrieved the basket containing two apple pies from the counter and went outside into the crisp fall day. Above her, thick, white clouds floated in a cerulean sky. The meadows and forests bore witness to the changing seasons, the trees resplendent in hues of scarlet, orange and gold. A container of mums and daisies added a splash of much needed color to their front stoop.

“I’ll take that, Mrs. O’Malley.” Nathan took the basket and captured her hand, weaving his fingers securely through hers.

Her husband of two months flashed her a devastating smile, one that hinted of intimacies shared, of enduring love intertwining their hearts and souls into one. Since their wedding day—a small family affair performed on his parents’ property—he’d grown more precious to her than ever before, so much so she had to sometimes combat the fear of losing him and trust God to guide their steps.

Over the course of the past months, losing Tobias and coming very close to losing Nathan, she’d learned that while she may not always understand God’s ways, His plans were best. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

“Quoting Romans this morning?”

She wasn’t surprised he recognized it. Every evening after supper, Nathan read from the Bible and, together, the three of them prayed, a most special time that brought them closer as a family.

“Just reminding myself of God’s provision.”

His gaze warmed, and she reveled in the affection she witnessed there. Handsome and fit in a hunter-green shirt that molded to his chest and brown trousers encasing his lean, muscular legs, he wore his brown hair a tad longer than he used to, and he’d gone to shaving every other day now, lending him a more relaxed, approachable air.

He indicated the pies. “These smell delicious.”

“I hope they taste as good as they smell.” Shortly after their engagement, she’d enlisted Mary to help her learn to bake. Not only did she make bread on a daily basis now, she sometimes tried her hand at desserts.

“If they taste anything like the rhubarb pies you made last month, I’ll have to fight my brothers for a piece.”

The door shut behind them and Will bolted past in a blur of green and brown. “Come on, you guys,” he teased over his shoulder, dark hair flopping on his forehead. “What’s the holdup? We don’t want to be late!”

He shot off into the woods, no doubt as eager for the companionship as he was for the food. Will loved that he was now officially part of the O’Malley family. He’d taken to calling Nathan’s parents Aunt Mary and Uncle Sam, titles that greatly pleased the older couple.

Following at a more sedate pace, they entered the woods that separated the properties, quiet for a moment as they absorbed the beauty of the forest spread out in all directions.

“I forgot to tell you. I received a letter from Cordelia yesterday.”

“Really? How is she doing?” He guided her around a fallen moss-encased log.

“She wrote that she’s glad to be home, but it sounds to me like she’s lonely.”

“Admit it, you miss her,” he said good-naturedly, “bossiness and all.”

“You know, I do. I got used to having her around.” Cordelia had stayed on another week after their wedding, keeping Will with her at the Lamberts’ so that she and Nathan could have time to themselves. “She invited us for a visit sometime before Christmas. Before the weather turns bad.”

His silver gaze cut to her, dark brows raised in question. “Would you like to go?”

“I’ve never been to Knoxville,” she mused. “I’d like to see her home and visit her church. Perhaps you and I could do some sightseeing while Will visits with Cordelia.”

Downcast gaze on the lookout for exposed roots, he considered her words. “I like that idea. It’s a short day trip. Why don’t we go next week? We can ask Will’s teacher to send his lessons along so he won’t get too far behind.”

“That would be wonderful.” She smiled over at him, grateful beyond words. “Thank you, Nathan.”

Casting around the forest and seeing no one, Nathan stopped and set the basket on the leaf-littered ground. Hands on her shoulders, he pulled her close.

“What are you doing?” She laughed, completely at ease with him.

“When you look at me like that, Soph,” he breathed, “it makes me want to forget about my family, toss you over my shoulder and carry you back home.” His earnest bordering-on-vulnerable expression triggered longing of her own.

Lifting her face to his, she kissed him, a toe-curling experience that made the day at his folks’ seem very long indeed.

“You know you want to spend time with Juliana and Evan,” she reminded him after a while. “They’re only here for a week.”

Smoothing her hair behind her ear, he nodded regretfully. “You’re right.”

“And—” she ducked beneath his arm and away “—think of all that delicious food you’d miss out on. Turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie, collard greens, warm, gooey yeast rolls.” She ticked them off one by one, squealing when he picked her up and whirled her around.

“Nathan!”

Chuckling, he lowered her to her feet. “Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me, woman. Let’s go before I change my mind.”

Both of them grinning ear to ear, they hurried on their way.

* * *

His parents’ house was, of course, chaotic. Laughter spilled in from the living room, and in the kitchen, bustling activity abounded as his ma and Aunt Alice plied Jessica and Jane with heaping platters to carry to the dining room table. Rich aromas wrapped around him, making his mouth water and his empty stomach growl.

When he reached out to snag a green bean from a nearby bowl, his ma playfully swatted his hand. “No filching. If I let all of you men do that, there’d be nothing left. Sophie, dear, how are you? Happy Thanksgiving.” Ma greeted his wife as if she hadn’t seen her the day before, pulling her into a warm hug.

His wife.
The term still startled and pleased him in due measure.

His thumb grazed the gold ring on his fourth finger, reassuring himself it was still there. That this was real. Sophie was well and truly his, a fact that filled him with gratitude and a humbling understanding of God’s goodness, the blessing she and Will were to him.

Gazing at her now, cheeks rosy from the cool air and quite possibly from their interlude in the forest, big blue eyes alight with contentment, his chest expanded with love and pride. She was truly lovely, inside and out.

Together, they drifted into the living room. Amid greetings and hugs and the shaking of hands, Nathan took note of the new additions to the O’Malley clan this year. Lucian lounged on the sofa, relaxed and content with Megan tucked close to his side. While he hadn’t lost his formal manners altogether, he wasn’t above joking and teasing along with the rest of them.

On the other end of the sofa was perhaps the most popular addition, six-month-old James. At present, he was being bounced on his father’s knee. With his fine jet-black hair and blue eyes, the baby bore a striking resemblance to Evan, whose look of paternal pride was unmistakable.

And then there was Will and Sophie.
His
new family.

Pushing to her feet, Juliana hurried over, flame-colored hair swept up in a dignified bun. “Welcome to the family, Sophie. I was ecstatic when I heard the news.”

“She’s not exaggerating.” Evan grinned, holding the baby steady with a large hand on his tummy. “I came in from feeding the animals one afternoon and she was jumping up and down, waving the letter around and basically scaring poor Jamey here.”

Juliana didn’t deny it, just laughed.

Nathan was next in line for a hug.

“Congratulations, Nate.” Pulling back, her forest-green eyes communicated her delight. “I wish we could’ve been here for the wedding. I hear it was a touching ceremony.”

It had been a perfect day. Sensitive to Frank’s feelings—they’d planned to marry only three weeks after that first interrupted ceremony—they’d decided against a church wedding. And so here on his family’s land, beneath a bright blue sky and with a handful of family and friends in attendance, he and Sophie had exchanged heartfelt vows.

“We understand how difficult travel must be with an infant.”

“Would you like to hold him?”

“If you’re sure I won’t break him.” He winked, waiting as she transferred her son to him. Cradled against his chest, the baby was small and warm and smelled like fresh flowers and milk, a curious combination. “Hey there, little guy,” he murmured, aware of Sophie’s keen interest.

Holding out a finger, she allowed James to wrap his fist around it, her eyes going soft when he smiled at her. “He’s beautiful,” she said wonderingly.

Juliana beamed her thanks. “Someday you and Nathan will have a baby of your very own.”

Sophie’s widened gaze collided with his, and they shared a smile. A baby. With Sophie. A thrill shot through him at the prospect. She’d make a wonderful mother.

“Time to eat,” Mary called from the dining room, and everyone began filing around the table. It was cramped, but no one cared. They were just happy to be together.

The meal was delicious. Afterward, the sharing of everyone’s lists evoked both tears and laughter, especially Will’s. He was over-the-moon excited to have Nathan as a brother-in-law and was hoping for a niece or nephew very soon.

All in all, it was a great day, but as the sun sank lower in the sky, Nathan became impatient to escort his bride home. As she was packing up leftovers, he caught sight of Caleb slipping out the kitchen door and followed him.

“Hey.” Nathan closed the door behind him. “Where are you sneaking off to?”

Caleb pivoted back, shrugging up a shoulder. “Just going to check on the cows.”

“Too much togetherness for one day?” Nathan stepped off the porch and joined him, sensing the nervous energy his brother radiated. Sorrow overtook him as the truth sank in. Caleb was leaving.

“You could say that,” he hedged, his restless gaze scanning the horizon.

“When are you leaving?”

His brows shot up. “How did you know?”

Nathan settled a hand on his shoulder. “Wasn’t that hard to figure out. I’m surprised you’ve stuck around as long as you have.”

“Figured I’d ease the workload for a while after your wedding.” A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “Give you and Sophie time to adjust to married life.”

Nathan huffed a laugh. “Thanks, Caleb. I appreciate that.”

“No problem.”

“Are you sure you won’t stay a little longer?”

Caleb’s gaze darkened. “I couldn’t, even if I wanted to.”

What did that mean?

Seeing the unspoken question, he continued. “My presence around town bothers Rebecca. Well, let’s be honest, it bothers more folks than just her. But she’s the one I’m most concerned about.”

“You can’t let others’ opinions rule your life. If you’re around more often, seeing you wouldn’t come as such a shock.”

Pulling away, Caleb’s jaw set in a stubborn line. “I’ve already made my decision, Nate.”

The door opened then, and Sophie joined them, linking her arm with Nathan’s. “Will is staying the night with your parents again.”

“Okay.”

She looked from one to the other. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”

Caleb shook his head. “No, not at all. I was just leaving.” Pointing at Nathan, he addressed her. “You keep this one in line, you hear?”

“I—I’ll try.” Her frown meant she knew something was off, but she didn’t comment.

As his brother took off for the barn, Nathan summoned a smile. “Ready to go?”

Indicating the basket looped around her arm, she nodded, and they headed for the woods.

“Caleb’s leaving for real, isn’t he?” she questioned him at the halfway point. “I thought, since he’s been around for a while, that he’d decided to forego his jaunts into the high country.”

“I think we all hoped for that scenario, but no. He’s restless. I’m afraid he won’t come around again for a long while.”

“I’m sorry, Nathan,” she said, her voice thick with compassion. “I know how much you miss him, how much you worry when he’s away.”

“Right now, the only thing we can do is pray for him.”

They’d reached the cabin by now, his new home that Sophie had gone out of her way to make as cozy and comfortable as possible, and his sole wish at that moment was to focus on his wife. “Wait here.”

Taking the basket from her, he placed it inside the kitchen and, rejoining her outside, led her to her favorite tree. With a playful grin, she climbed up first in a flurry of skirts, and he followed close behind. Wedging himself against the trunk, he motioned for her to scoot close and lean back against him. He anchored her with one arm around her tiny waist, thumb lazily skimming her rib cage.

He heaved a grateful sigh, a lazy smile lifting his lips. “This is more like it.”

Her head beneath his chin, her soft hair tickling his neck, she held tightly to his arm, trusting him to keep her from falling. “I’m so happy I can hardly stand it,” she said with a low chuckle. “You and me. Together....”

“I know.” And he did. They almost hadn’t made it to this place.

Twisting her head, she gazed up at him with humbling adoration. “I love you, Nathan.”

“I love you, my dear, sweet Sophie.” And then he kissed her to show her how much he meant it.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from FINALLY A BRIDE by Renee Ryan.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing this latest installment of my Smoky Mountain Matches series. There’s something fascinating about the journey from friendship to love, don’t you think?

Exploring Nathan and Sophie’s relationship was such fun. This was my first time writing about a couple who knew each other well, and it was nice that they each had so much insight into the other’s behavior. Although keenly aware of each other’s quirks and faults, they still cared deeply.

In this book, we also got to spend a little more time with Caleb O’Malley, Nathan’s mysterious younger brother. Caleb’s story is next in line, so I hope you enjoyed getting to know him a bit better.

If you’d like to find out more about the O’Malleys and this series, drop by my website,
www.karenkirst.com
. I’m also on Facebook and Goodreads. Or you can email me at
[email protected]
.

Best Wishes,

Karen Kirst