Bouquet for Iris (21 page)
Authors: Diane T. Ashley
“I—” His throat seemed terribly dry. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth once again. “I haven’t seen you since your engagement.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Why was she looking at him like that? Like he was not making sense. “You and Nathan will make a wonderful couple.” He forced the words out. It wasn’t like he hadn’t practiced them. Every day for the past few weeks, as a matter of fact. “I … best wishes on your upcoming marriage.”
Her hat slipped to one side.
Adam’s fingers ached to straighten it.
“I’m afraid you are mistaken, Mr. Stuart. I am not contemplating marriage with Mr. Pierce. He’s not the man I’m in love with.”
It was Adam’s turn to stare. Hope bloomed in his chest like flowers in springtime. He pulled out a chair for her. Her perfume wafted past him once again as she sat down in the chair—the chair she had used while they worked together to protect her employer’s rights. She leaned back and looked up at him. The tears in her large brown eyes had been replaced by a sparkle.
Adam pulled a chair into alignment with the one she occupied and sat down near enough that their knees almost touched. She did not demur or back away, which kicked up his heartbeat another notch. “I asked you a question a few months back.”
“Yes?”
He cleared his throat. Pressed his knee up to hers. “But now the question is a little different due to the wonderful change in my life. Would you consider marrying a Christian attorney?”
“Oh Adam …”
Her voice was so low that Adam feared the worst. She was going to break his heart again. He stood up and turned his back on her, concentrating on his breathing. He was going to survive this. God was with him.
And then he felt her touch on his shoulder. He turned.
“Adam, I would like nothing better than working with a certain Christian attorney in his mission to save the Indians from injustice.”
He drew a deep breath. “You mean …?”
She smiled at him. “Yes, Adam. I’ll marry you.”
His breath left him in a rush. He reached up and pushed her hat back from her head. Her unruly curls fell free, cascading around her shoulders and making her look as beautiful as he’d always imagined she would. Her hands curled around his neck, and she stared at him with those beautiful eyes. When their lips met, it was like a breath from paradise. She was the most precious gift he’d ever received, and he thanked God for allowing them to be together. “I love you, Iris.”
A single tear spilled over and traced the length of her cheek. “I love you, too, Adam.”
To our fellow Bards of Faith. You are more than just critique partners. You are friends and family. We have shared so many things … both good and bad. Thank you for always being there through it all. We look forward to sharing many more special times together—including your many future contracts! God bless us all as we continue to write for Him.
A note from the Authors:
We love to hear from our readers! You may correspond with us by writing:
Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
DIANE ASHLEY,
a “town girl” born and raised in Mississippi, has worked more than twenty years for the House of Representatives. She rediscovered a thirst for writing, was led to a class taught by Aaron McCarver, and became a founding member of the Bards of Faith. Visit her at
www.bardsoffaith.homestead.com
AARON McCARVER
is a transplanted Mississippian who was raised in the mountains near Dunlap, Tennessee. He loves his jobs of teaching at two Christian colleges and editing for Barbour Publishing. A member of ACFW, he is coauthor with Gilbert Morris of the bestselling series, The Spirit of Appalachia.
