Part 22 (1/2)

In a low voice he said, ”If it's all right, Miss Arlington, I will call upon you again tomorrow.”

TWENTY-NINE.

Morgan parked his automobile at the sidewalk near Gwen's front gate and whispered a quick prayer for G.o.d's blessing. The last time he'd asked a woman to marry him, it had been a bad decision. Even now, the memory left a nasty taste in his mouth. But Gwen was nothing like Yvette. For that matter, he was a much different man than he'd been before.

Now if only she loved him too. If only she said yes when he asked her. Last night he'd felt as if something had changed between them. Changed in her.

Please, G.o.d G.o.d, let me not be mistaken. let me not be mistaken.

He opened the pa.s.senger door and stepped onto the sidewalk. His lungs felt starved for air, and he took a moment to draw a deep breath before opening the gate and striding toward the house. The front door was open, and he could see through to the kitchen where Gwen sat at the table, holding a cup between two hands.

If I've ever wanted anything, Lord Lord, it's her. it's her.

He rapped on the doorjamb. Gwen started, as if surprised by the sound, then turned toward the door. Did she look glad or sorry to see him? He couldn't be sure. Her face was hidden in shadows.

”Good morning.” He removed his hat. ”I hope I haven't come too early in the day.”

”No.” She rose and came toward him. ”It isn't too early.”

What if he'd misread her last night? What if she wasn't ready to hear what he had to say? He could destroy any chance he had with her if he spoke too soon.

”Does Owen have a lesson today?” he asked.

”Not today. He's working for the Humphreys at the mercantile for the summer.” She pushed open the screen door. ”We'll resume his lessons in the fall when school starts up again.”

”No summer off for me?” He stepped inside.

She shook her head, voice grave. ”Owen is one of my advanced advanced students. He can take the summer off without losing ground. You need your lessons.” students. He can take the summer off without losing ground. You need your lessons.”

Morgan couldn't keep from chuckling, loving her all the more for her sense of humor. A slow smile curved her mouth, and the room felt the brighter for it.

Now. Now was the time. Now, while she was smiling at him, teasing him.

”Miss Arlington, I never want to miss another lesson with you. Not any lesson, piano or otherwise, that you want to give me.”

Their smiles faded in unison.

”And now, Gwen” - he gently clasped her upper arms with his hands - ”I'm going to kiss you.”

Gwen found it difficult to breathe and impossible to speak. All she could do was watch as he lowered his mouth toward hers. It was sweet torture, his kiss, his arms now embracing her. Loving Morgan must have been G.o.d's purpose for her all along, for surely nothing in her life had felt so right as this.

At long last, he drew back, far enough that she could look into his eyes and see her own swirling emotions mirrored in them.

”I love you, Gwen.”

And I love you.

”Marry me.”

”Marry you?” she whispered.

”Yes, marry me.”

She hadn't wanted marriage. She had turned her back on it years ago. But now she couldn't remember why. Looking into his dark eyes, she couldn't think of a single reason why she wouldn't want to be his wife.

”Marry me.” Another smile began to curve the corners of his mouth, and he nodded, as if to show her how to respond.

Marry him.

Love him.

Cherish him.

Laugh with him.

Grow old with him.

Holding her breath, she nodded in return.

His smile widened a second before he kissed her again, long and warm and sweet. She didn't care if he never stopped. She was willing to stay right there forever, wrapped in his arms, his lips upon hers, their hearts beating in unison.

When he drew back a second time, he surprised her by sweeping her feet off the floor and cradling her in his arms. ”You've made me the happiest man in the world, Gwen Arlington. Shall we go tell my sister? Then we can drive out to the ranch to tell your father and Cleo.” As if he antic.i.p.ated what she would say, he continued, ”I don't want to wait until tomorrow. I want to tell them now.”

She laughed, her joy matching his. ”Yes. Let's go tell them. Let's tell everyone. Let's tell the entire world.”

As Morgan's automobile approached the ranch house, a cloud of dust whirling up behind it, Gwen saw Cleo dismount and tie her horse to the corral fence. A moment later, their father appeared from inside the barn. Cleo waved at the pa.s.sengers in the automobile, then the two of them strode toward the house to await their arrival.

Excitement and nerves erupted in Gwen's stomach. She knew Cleo and their father liked Morgan, but maybe they would think Gwen was rus.h.i.+ng things. Maybe they would think she hadn't thought things through. And if they didn't approve? What then?

The touring car rolled to a stop, and Morgan helped Gwen and Daphne out of the automobile.

”Dad, Cleo,” Gwen said as the three of them stepped forward, ”I'd like you to meet Morgan's sister, Daphne McKinley. Daphne, this is my father, Griff Arlington, and my sister, Cleo.”

”How do you do?” Daphne offered her hand to Cleo's father first, then to Cleo. ”It's a pleasure to meet you both.”

After the group exchanged a few pleasantries, Gwen's father said, ”Let's go up on the porch out of the sun.”

The five of them trouped up the steps. While the others sat on chairs, Cleo leaned her backside against the porch rail and crossed one booted foot over the other while crossing her arms over her chest. Gwen wondered if her sister had already guessed the reason for their visit. Something about her shrewd expression said she had.

Her father asked Daphne a number of questions about her trip to Idaho and how long she meant to stay and if she'd ever been on a cattle ranch before. Gwen wished he would stop before she exploded with the news of her engagement.

At long last, Morgan cleared his throat and leaned forward on his chair. ”Mr. Arlington, I wonder if I might have a word alone with you.”

Before their father could answer, Cleo said, ”Say no, Dad. I think I'd like to hear this too.” She pinned Morgan with a fierce gaze. ”I reckon Gwennie and your sister already know what's on your mind, so why should I be left out? Go on. Speak your piece here and now.”