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  When the service was over, they slowly walked out as properly as any other couple or family there. Once away from the building, she watched as he picked up Samuel and put the boy on his shoulders. His high-pitched laugh carried through the town and made her feel so lighthearted.

  “We are glad you are back,” she said simply, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks at the admission. “Thank you for the gifts. They were extremely thoughtful.”

  “I’m glad to be back,” Andrew told her. His smile lit his face. Then he looked up suddenly at the young boy perched on his shoulders. “Samuel, don’t make the horse run on my head, buddy. You’ll scramble my mind and I’d like to talk with your mama.” Grinning, he glanced at Rebecca who was smothering a laugh.

  “You still have that coffee waiting?” he asked. His voice dropped as he talked to her, giving her goosebumps.

  “I do,” she breathed, smiling happily. “And I have some fresh bread rising right now, too. Would you like to join us for supper?”

  “I’d love that. But first things first! Samuel, hang on,” he said quickly and leaned down. His lips quickly touched hers, kissing her in the middle of town. Samuel’s laughter and shouts alerted everyone nearby that she was being kissed by the handsome ranger. As Andrew pulled back, his heavy-lidded gaze watched her as she slowly opened her eyes. “I’ve been wanting to do that again for weeks now. I’ve missed you, Rebecca. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” she murmured, biting her lip. “I’ve found that I have missed you, too.”

  “I think maybe we should talk about a few important things over that coffee,” Andrew told her pointedly, his eyes warm and loving. That lopsided grin that had enchanted her by the pond suddenly appeared as he swung her son down, tickling him. “And little Samuel here needs to not announce to the whole town that I love his mother until I am ready to tell her that.”

  Rebecca stood there in shock at his words, watching the two of them. Andrew set Samuel down on his feet and glanced up at her. Standing tall, he took her hand and kissed it politely. “You’ve swept me off my feet from the first moment I laid eyes on you. Surely you knew this? You’ve been all I have thought about the past few weeks when I have been looking for that bandit in Dallas. How do I get back to you? How can I tell you that I believe you were put in my path, just for me to find? How do I tell you that I fell for you from the first moment you spoke to me?”

  “I wanted to do this the right way but I think that if I just tell you and show you every chance I get, then maybe you might know how strongly I feel for you.” He gently cupped her face, his hand caressing her cheek inside of the bonnet she wore. “Rebecca, I don’t think I will ever be good enough to love a sweet angel like you, but I’d like to spend my life trying. I intended to talk to you about this later when we were alone,” he said nervously, glancing around as if he just realized they were still in the middle of town.

  “Now is as good a time as any,” Rebecca breathed, staring at his loving eyes. “I’ve thought of you the last few weeks and it seems crazy to have fallen…” She stopped as he swooped down and kissed her again, this time lingering and savoring the moment. She felt him pull back, breaking their contact.

  “Marry me,” he breathed. “I want to build a family with you and little Samuel. I want a place to settle down and have a home. I’m tired of never having a place to call home. And when I was gone, I realized that day by the pond was the happiest I have been in forever. You are my home. You are where I want to lay my head at night. Seeing your smile brings me peace of mind, joy, and makes me feel whole. I want that feeling in your arms when we are alone.”

  “I’ll marry you,” she smiled, turning her head and kissing the palm of his hand that lay against her cheek. “But what will we talk about over coffee?” she teased happily.

  “Maybe we should discuss when to get married and how to make that little house a bit larger. Samuel is going to need a room of his own as well as any other children we are blessed with.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” she laughed, completely embarrassed at the wide grin on Andrew’s face. Samuel took that moment to begin dancing around them in circles, also announcing that he was getting a new room to anyone nearby.

  Afterword

  More from First Street Church

  Start with the series by Melissa Storm

  Welcome to the tiny town of Sweet Grove, TX, where neighbors still care deeply about each other and the little white chapel on First Street is the heart and soul of all who live here.

  It’s a simple life–a good life–yet many here are suffering invisible pains. From alcoholism to divorce, hoarding, and even suicide, the struggles are real but so is the God who loves this town and all its residents. Through the darkest of times and the deepest of tragedies, each day provides a new chance to find faith, hope… and even love.

  www.sweetgrovebooks.com/start

  Find more books

  Our tiny town has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to the introduction of a new Kindle World. Many top Christian and Sweet Romance authors have already contributed their own stories to First Street Church, and many more will be joining us soon!

  Come see what’s available at www.sweetgrovebooks.com

  Contribute your story

  Whose life will you change for the better? Will you bring new purpose to a troubled youth, redemption to a scorned elder, or perhaps salvation to the newest resident in town? Their fates and futures now rest in your capable hands.

  www.sweetgrovebooks.com/authors

  Join our community

  Welcome to Sweet Grove, TX. We’re so glad you came for a visit! Please don’t be a stranger. Come join our wonderful community of Christian Romance readers on Facebook. Make sure to sign up for the Sweet Grove Sentinel to stay up-to-date with all the latest and greatest First Street Church news!

  Also by Ginny Sterling

  Lawfully Yours

  Emily and Elias Jessup left their home in southern Texas, tired of living a life of poverty. They soon find out that life is no better alone on their own. With not a penny to their name and no job prospects, the siblings turn to stealing from the rich to survive. Constantly on the run from the law, the two know their days are numbered before the law catches up to them.

  Cade Singleton heard stories of the Jessup siblings preying on the rich. When the bounty is increased high enough to entice him into pursuing them, he wants nothing better than to make them see justice.

  When he finally catches up to them in a rural area just south of Dallas, Cade captures Emily and decides to use her for bait to apprehend her brother. Can this bounty hunter find it in his heart to see past Emily’s lawless ways and be able to see the kind-hearted woman that lies beneath? Can Emily start over and be freed from her past through loving Cade? And will the Jessup siblings finally find redemption?

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you for taking the time to read Love’s Bittersweet Gift. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders <3 Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.

  Sincerely,

  Ginny

  About the Author

  Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or via email at [email protected]

 

 

 
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