Page 75 of The Formation of Us

“I mean ever.” He broke away to kneel by the lantern. He raised the wick, illuminating his handsome face and the hand he held out to her. “Will you marry me?”

Her breath whooshed out. She stared at him, so golden and beautiful kneeling beneath the gilded maple tree, offering the life she’d prayed for.

“I’ve seen how happy my brothers and their wives are with each other. I didn’t think I’d ever find that with anyone until I met you. My head, my heart, and my gut say you’re the one for me, and that we can share that same joy and passion. Say you’ll be my wife, that we can create a good, happy life together.”

To see him on his knee, his gorgeous gaze filled with trust and desire, made her eyes fill with tears.

“Say yes, Faith. Say you’ll meet me right here beneath this tree three weeks from now and take your vows with me.”

“Oh, Duke . . .” She linked her fingers with his, wishing she could be more for him, tortured by her conscience, torn by her need for truth and her need for security. She knelt in front of him. “I’d be honored to be your wife.”

“I’ll make you happy,” he promised, then sealed the vow with a tender kiss.

“You already have.” She cradled his face, the face she would kiss each night and wake to each morning, and vowed in her heart to be perfect for him, to bring him joy and laughter if not truth. Starting now, right here beneath these beautiful stars, she would put her past behind her and think only of their future, of pleasing him, of making sure he never regretted marrying her.

Chapter 23

Radford dropped his hand maul in the lumberyard and gaped at Duke. “You’re what?”

“I’m marrying Faith on August second.”

Boyd and Kyle exchanged a shocked glance.

“Stop looking like someone died, fellas. I’m not new at this. I’ve been courting women since I was sixteen. I don’t need months to decide if Faith is the right woman for me. She is, and I’m going to marry her in three weeks. Radford, I’d like you to be my best man.”

Radford’s jaw dropped farther.

“I stepped in so Evelyn had someone to give her away when she married you. I was hoping you’d stand for my wedding, too.” Duke had considered asking Patrick or Boyd, but he wanted Radford to stand beside him and give his blessing, to witness their vows, and to accept Faith and Adam and Cora as part of their family. “I’d like you to do it.”

Radford gave him a half nod. “All right. I will.” He shook Duke’s hand. “Congratulations,” he said, but sounded like he was offering his condolences.

Kyle gave Duke’s shoulder a hard squeeze. “Does Mother know yet?”

“I told her this morning, and she was pleased. She wants to help Faith plan the wedding.”

Boyd whacked Duke upside the head. “You just cost me a two-hour body rub. Claire said you’d propose before summer ended. I said you’d hold out until Christmas.”

“So you’ll have to rub your wife’s body for two hours? What a hardship.”

A wicked grin lit Boyd’s face. “I’ll hate every minute of it.” He caught Duke’s hand in a firm clasp. “Congratulations. Where’s the party?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“We can have it at our house,” Radford said.

His offer surprised Duke, and it meant a lot that Radford was trying to be supportive despite his reservations. “Thanks, Rad. I’d like that.”

“What can we do to help?” Boyd asked.

“Welcome Faith and Adam and Cora to our family.” he said, swelling with pride that his beautiful Faith, his soon-to-be wife, would take her place alongside his lovely sisters-in-laws.

o0o

On Tuesday afternoon Dr. Paul Milton limped into the greenhouse. He was the last person Faith wanted to see while feeling so disheartened. The new owners of the Colburn house were beginning to move in. She’d seen men carrying furniture inside all week, and this morning, Nancy Grayson had delivered a housewarming gift.

Aster puffed up like an angry bulldog as she faced the doctor. “If you’ve come to give us another lecture, Dr. Milton, you just limp your sorry self right back out the door.”

Faith gawked at her aunt. Aster had always been blunt, but never intentionally rude. When they’d heard that the doctor had had a buggy accident on Saturday, Aster said he’d needed to be taken down a peg. Faith sent a note wishing him well, and apologizing for her unladylike outburst at the lawn party. She wasn’t sorry at all, but she didn’t want to antagonize any of Duke’s acquaintances, especially when he might need their vote in the election.