The Wedding Kiss Read online

  “You are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”

  “I had planned to do so,” Sikes told him. “But a special meeting has been called about legislation to prevent this kind of travesty with the Indians from happening again. I don’t want to miss that meeting.”

  Elam understood. By the expression on Susanna’s face, he thought perhaps she was beginning to.

  “You know, Elam, that you and your courageous wife, as well as your family and neighbors, share the legacy of heroism that Susanna has earned in her quest to get the truth out about the barbarians who met in Eureka Springs to murder innocent people.” Sikes gave his sister-in-law a nod of respect.

  Elam could see the surprise on Susanna’s face, and he smiled. She would be sorry for speaking ill of Sikes in the past.

  “Perhaps when you have a longer break,” Elam said, “you could come back out and visit us. There are luxurious hotels in town if you’re concerned about comfort.”

  Sikes chuckled. “I’ve been on hunting trips with our president. Theodore Roosevelt is not always concerned about comfort. He keeps his eyes on his goals.”

  “As do you,” Elam said.

  “Please, do come visit us,” Sikes said. “We will roll out the red carpet for our Arkansas heroes.”

  Keara remained teary-eyed as she helped Susanna prepare to leave. There wasn’t much to pack, as Susanna had not been able to carry a lot with her on Duchess, but Penelope was almost exactly Susanna’s size, and since her girth was growing daily, Pen had no use for her usual wardrobe. She sent several ensembles for Susanna’s travel.

  The time came far too quickly for Kellen to drive Sikes and Susanna to the station. In the short few hours Keara had been in the company of Sikes Luther, she was reassured that he would see to Susanna’s safety and comfort on their trip back to Blackmoor. He would also see to it that the sheriff of that town would not be able to throw his weight around to make life uncomfortable for Susanna.

  As the buggy disappeared over the hilltop, tears slid silently down Keara’s face. Elam turned to her, and he reached for her.

  “Oh, sweetheart, I know you’re going to miss her.”

  Keara could only nod.

  Elam put his arm around her and walked with her to the orchard wall, where Britte and Rolfe had run to the far end, waving at the carriage. They, too, would miss their auntie Susanna.

  “She hasn’t left you alone, you know.” His voice was tender, and Keara looked up at him, enchanted by his gentleness.

  “We still have Duchess,” he continued, grinning.

  Keara returned the grin, but she couldn’t laugh.

  “Susanna wants us to keep the mare for breeding stock.”

  “You mean I won’t be able to ride the train to take Duchess back home?”

  He touched his forehead to hers. “You and I can ride to Blackmoor together for a visit.”

  “You know, of course, that Susanna and Sikes will never be a match, no matter what you’re thinking.”

  Elam smiled at Keara, his dark eyes filled with love so powerful she could feel it. “You never thought that you and I would make a true match.”

  Keara swallowed, took a deep breath. “I might not have dared think about it, but I did dream.”

  Elam grew still. “You did?”

  She glanced toward the children playing around a tree. She swallowed again. “Cash will be toddling around soon, getting into everything. Don’t you think he’s going to need a younger brother or sister to teach him responsibility?”

  Elam’s breathing stopped for a moment. He cupped her chin with his hands. “Keara, do you mean it?”

  She smiled through drying tears, and she nodded.

  He caught her up in his arms and swung her around and then placed her on the ground and kissed her. “Keara, how long have I loved you without knowing it?”

  Her laughter joined the laughter of the children in the orchard. She wrapped her arms around her beloved husband’s neck and brought his face back down to hers. “I don’t know, but you’re going to love me for a long time to come.”

  Life truly could be filled with joy again. And it all began with a kiss.

  Author’s Note

  I love Eureka Springs, Arkansas! There’s something about this town-on-a-hillside with curving streets, trolley cars and horse-drawn carriages that beckon a person into the past. The Victorian homes that line those shaded streets are colorful and breath-taking. It makes one think of simpler times—when there were no cell phones, computers or even automobiles. The healing springs drew Native Americans to the area long before white settlers arrived, and though the neighboring tribes would engage in combat, when they came to the springs for healing, they put down their weapons in peace.

  Something about that resonates with me, and I hope it resonates with you. Our spiritual healing comes from another source—from Jesus Christ. When we come to the foot of the cross we need to focus on the truth of God, on healing ourselves and one another. At the foot of the cross, may we lay down our weapons in peace.

  —Hannah Alexander