A Walk in Heaven (35 page)

Two months later

Careen stood beside her husband as Pastor Adams gave them
his,
and God’s blessing on their marriage. Tears stung her eyes as she looked at the man she loved more than life itself. Joshua had been her rescuer in every way, and she had the rest of her life to repay him for everything he’d done.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” Pastor Adams grinned.

Joshua didn’t waste a second before gathering her in his arms and kissing her in front of his family and friends who had attended the ceremony. This time she wasn’t embarrassed to show her affection for this man.

When Joshua ended the kiss, he hugged her tight and whispered in her ear, “I’ll love you forever.” She wanted to weep with happiness. Finally something had gone right in her life.

They turned and took each other by the hand and headed for the doors as people in the pews gave them nods of approval and wide smiles. Careen kept her eyes on the
door,
and with each step closer, fright consumed her, slowing her steps. Memories from when she had left the church with Matthew resurfaced and she couldn’t bear leaving the building and having history repeat itself. She stopped a few feet in front of the doors, her limbs frozen.

She knew Luther wouldn’t be outside waiting to kill her husband this time, but it still frightened her to think that something may happen.

“What’s wrong?” Joshua asked.

“I…don’t dare leave,” she whispered.

He slid his arms around her waist. Pulling her close, he kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.
Always.”

Joshua motioned for one of the ranch hands to come over. When they did, Joshua gave him instructions in a low tone. The other man nodded and walked out the church, withdrawing his gun from the holster.

Smiling down at Careen, he winked. “Are you ready to go now?”

She nodded, and said a silent prayer as they walked out of the church. The sun shone brightly, warming her face. Fright still pumped in her chest, but as she glanced around the street, her fear subsided.

Careen breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed against Joshua. “I’m sorry to have worried you.”

“Nonsense.
You have every right.” He kissed her lips. “Now, should we proceed to the buggy and drive home for the party my mother has arranged?”

“Yes.”

He took her by the hand and led her toward the vehicle. Suddenly, a man ran out of a nearby building waving his hand and calling Careen’s name. Her heart plummeted again. She clutched Joshua’s arm.

“Hold up a minute.” The man waved as he neared.

When she realized he wasn’t holding a gun, she relaxed and willed her heart to start pumping regularly.

“Please, give me a moment. I’ve been trying to locate you for a few months,” the man said.

Joshua stepped in front of her and faced the man with sandy hair and a mustache. “What do you want with my wife?”

“I need to talk to Careen Kennedy…
er
, Grayson.”

Curiosity got the best of her, mainly because he knew her maiden name. She gave Joshua’s hand a reassuring squeeze and stepped around him. “What is so important?” she asked.

He took off his hand, respectfully and smiled. “I’m your Aunt Charlotte’s solicitor. She had heard you were married, and she wanted me to find out if that was true.” He switched his gaze to Joshua. “I know you’re not Matthew Grayson because I’d heard he was killed.”

“Correct. I’m his brother, Joshua.”

“Nice to meet you.”
He shook Joshua’s hand. “My name is Floyd Martin, and now that I know Careen has married, I will let her aunt know where to send her inheritance.”

Unbelieving, Careen blinked as her mind swirled. “Mr. Martin, you stated you’ve been trying to reach me for a couple of months?”

“Yes.”

She glanced again over his attire; nice suit, hat, sandy hair and mustache, southern accent. This was the very description Miss Jones had given Joshua when they thought Luther was here. She laughed lightly. “Well, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She shook his hand. “But I don’t need my inheritance.”

“Oh, you must, Mrs. Grayson. Your family’s plantation in Charleston is flourishing and making lots of money.”

Joshua chuckled. “Well, wouldn’t you
know.
” He slid his arm around Careen’s shoulders. “You’re a wealthy woman after all. And to think I fell in love with you when you were as poor as a church mouse.”

She grinned.
“Poorer, in fact, my dear husband.
There for a while, the mice fed me.”

From behind, her mother-in-law laughed and Careen glanced at her, giving her a wink. She turned back to Joshua and hugged him. “I don’t really care about the plantation. All that I love and hold dear to my heart is standing beside me—” she glanced at her new family, “—and are all with me now.”

Joshua kissed her,
then
pulled away. “Then what do you say we start our life right now? I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood to hold you for the rest of my life and never let you go.”

“That, my loving husband, sounds like the perfect ending to a perfect day.”

~The End~

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Other stories from Marie Higgins

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“Heart of a Hero” – Historical romance

“Hearts
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Paranormal
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“It Must Have Been the Mistletoe” – Christmas short story

Christian Historical Series

“A Walk
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Heaven” – (book 1)

“Reaching
For
Heaven” (book 2 not out yet)

“A Touch of Heaven” (book 3 not out yet)

Regency Romance Series

“The Sweetest Kiss” – Regency romance (book 1)

“The Sweetest Touch” – Regency romance (book 2)

“The Sweetest Love” – (book 3 not out yet)

Victorian Romance Series

“Love Me Always” – book 1

“Charmed
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Knight” – book 2

“True Love’s Deception” – book 3

“Belong To Me” – book 4

“Love Comes
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Colonial Romance Series

“Take My Heart” – (book 1)

“Falling
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“The Last Waltz” – (book 3 not out yet)