Rocky Mountain Widow (Historical) (22 page)
Read Rocky Mountain Widow (Historical) Online
Authors: Jillian Hart
Tags: #Man-woman relationships, #General, #Romance, #Western, #Historical, #Fiction, #Love stories, #Divorced women, #Widows - Montana, #Contemporary, #Montana
There was hope, after all.
Six months later
R
ain tinkled against the glass panes, a happy sound that rustled the budding trees. Claire looked over the top of her knitting needles in time to see a gust of wind carry a cloud of pink apple blossoms past the window like a celebration from heaven.
She counted her stitches on the little baby sweater. So many good things had come her way since she'd be come Joshua's wife. A new house built on his family's land, a loving extended family, and a happy marriage that became better with every passing day.
She knew he was close even before the kitchen door whispered open. Joy filled her at the sight of her hand some husband and the quiet steady shine of love she felt flowing between them.
Joshua had recovered from his injuries, although he
still limped slightly, but that was improving day by day. With his father's murder solved, he'd been more relaxed. At peace.
“Hey, sweetheart.” His low baritone rumbled through her, an intimate sound that made her tingle deep inside. “How's my lovely wife?”
“Perfect now that you're here.” She put down her knitting needles, careful not to lose any of the stitches of the little baby blanket she was making. “What about the lambing?”
“I left Liam in charge of things because I needed to come home and check on my wife.” His hand curved over her swollen belly. “I love you, beautiful.”
“Oh? What a coincidence. I love you, too.”
“I have been thinking of you all afternoon. I need you, baby.” He held out his hand, still her strong and protective and tender man.
Love filled her so swiftly and deeply, she was borne away on it. She slipped her hand in his and let him help her onto her feet. Gasped as he swung her into his arms and carried her up the stairs and into their beautiful bedroom, where he laid her down in a pool of warm afternoon light.
“I'm so happy, Joshua.” She kissed him so he could feel all the love she harbored. “Thank you for marrying me. For changing my life.”
“It was you. You changed mine. Come, let me love you.”
As the rain sang like music against the sides of the
house and the wind added a low cello's rhythm, Joshua took his wife into his arms and showed her just how much he cherished her.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8388-0
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WIDOW
Copyright © 2005 by Jill Strickler
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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