A Thousand Little Blessings (32 page)
“Do you think your father's able to talk to me this morning?” Gabriel asked.
“Probably. Would you like to have breakfast at our house instead?”
Gabriel had expected to be anxious when he finally got around to proposing, but rather than nerves, a feeling of quiet assurance filled his heart. He touched Etta's elbows and softly turned her to face him. “Etta⦔
She lifted her face and looked at him, her sweet lips parted as though on the verge of a question.
Gabriel touched her cheek with his fingertips. “Etta, since I came back, you've been my best friend. When I took that trip to visit the families of my men, all I thought about was how much I wanted to talk to you. Whenever I was disappointed or angry or frustrated, I wished I could sit with you in a quiet place and simply be with you.” Gabriel moved closer until the toes of his boots touched her feet. “I don't know when it happened, but I've fallen in love with you, Etta.”
Her eyes widened and a tentative smile teased the corner of her lips.
He cradled her face in his hands and gazed into her lovely, kind eyes. “I love your gentleness and your sweetness. I want to build a home with you, a home bursting with laughter and love where friends and family are always welcome.” Gabriel kissed her forehead. “I want you to be the mother of my children, Etta. When we stand before the congregation to have our children baptized, I want everyone to know how blessed I am to have you for a wife.” He slid one arm around Etta's shoulders and held her against his chest. “And when I'm an old man, I want to sit by you in the evenings as we watch the fire dwindle. Then we'll climb into bed and hold each other while we sleep. I will cherish your love for as long as I live.” He bowed his head and brushed his lips against hers.
Etta took a sharp breath as though surprised by his loving touch but then rose to her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave herself to his kiss.
Gabriel pulled her body closer, rejoicing in her willingness. Her kisses were as sweet and honest as the rest of her. If he kissed her every day for the next fifty years, he still wouldn't have enough. “Oh, Etta,” he whispered. “Please marry me. Be my wife. Be my friend. Be my love.”
Etta nestled her head on his shoulder and relaxed in his arms.
The tenderness of the moment warmed Gabriel's heart. Once they were man and wife, he'd hold her like this every chance he got. “What do you say, Etta?”
Her eyes shone with love and joy. “You've made my dreams come true, Gabriel.”
“So you'll marry me?”
“Of course.”
Gabriel encircled her waist and lifted her off the ground. “I love you, Henrietta Davis. I'll do everything I can to make you happy and keep you safe.”
Etta flung her head back as peals of laughter rang toward the sky. When at last Gabriel set her on her feet, she lifted her mouth to his. “I love you, too, Gabriel.” Her whispered words tickled his lips.
Gabriel kissed her again, all of his love, joy, and hope bound up in that act of love. “It's time to visit your father. There's a question I need to ask him.”
Etta's smile erased any lingering doubt from Gabriel's soul. He closed his eyes, sent a prayer of gratitude to his Creator, and took his beloved's hand.
Side-by-side, Gabriel and Etta walked into their future.
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