The Sheriff's Christmas Twins (27 page)
Read The Sheriff's Christmas Twins Online
Authors: Karen Kirst
His chest expanded in a ragged sigh. “I'm not sure how to do this.” Beneath his tan, he looked pale. “I don't know what to say. Or how to say it.”
“You're making me nervous, Shane.”
“Right. Sorry.” Hurrying over, he took her hand and guided her to the lone cushioned chair. “How about you have a seat.”
Bewildered, she sat and arranged her skirts and waited.
“I knew you were special the moment I met you. We were both very young, but I was drawn to you. In my dark, miserable world, you represented joy and light.” He began to pace, gesturing as he spoke. “I did everything I could think of to push you away. And I succeeded.”
“That didn't stop me from caring.”
“I know,” he said softly, his eyes in turmoil. “I regret every moment of pain I've ever caused you.”
She bowed her head. Was this an elaborate attempt at an apology? “I think I should go.”
“No!” His vehemence brought her gaze up. “Please stay, Allie. Hear me out.”
Lips pressed together, she nodded and told herself that all she needed to do was stay strong for the next few minutes and then make her escape.
His throat worked. “When I learned you were coming, I arrogantly thought I'd do what I'd done in the past. It worked then. Surely it would work again.” His mouth curved into a self-deprecating smile. “I've been a first-rate idiot. It's a wonder you've put up with me.”
Allison wanted to tell him none of that mattered. That the pain was worth it if it meant they could be together. More than anything, she wanted to tell him she loved him.
She didn't dare.
“Many others would've given up. They would've told me off. Refused to spare me a moment of their time.” He went on his knees before her, drawing a gasp. “But not you. You're an amazing woman, Allie. I've never met anyone who could hold a candle to you.”
Shane's gaze warm with ardent admiration, he took her hand and pressed something hard and cold into her palm. “I know I'm confusing you. Maybe this will explain my feelings.”
Allison's breath caught. The plain gold circle was polished to a high shine. Not a single nick or scratch marred its surface. “It's a wedding band.”
“Quinn wasn't thrilled that I interrupted his breakfast this morning, but when I explained my reasons, he graciously opened the store so I could pick this out.”
Hope unfurled in her chest, but she needed to be sure. Needed to hear him voice his intentions. “This is the gift you couldn't wait to give me?”
“This has to be the worst marriage proposal in history.” With a groan, he bent his head, his forehead resting against her knee.
She gingerly smoothed his hair, relishing the blondish-brown strands' silken softness. “Talk to me, Shane.”
Straightening, he stared deep into her eyes, hiding nothing of what he was feeling. “It's hard to put this into words, but here it goes... I know that I admire your compassion and determination. I adore your smile. Your laughter makes my petty problems fade into the background, and your zest for life makes me realize I've been far too serious for too long. I need to learn to have fun, and you can teach me that.” Reaching out, he reverently traced her cheek. “I know that I don't want to live another day without you. I want you to be my wife.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I never thought I'd hear you say those words.”
He cupped her cheek. “Ah, sweetheart, I forgot to say the most important ones. I love you, Allison. I've loved you for a while... I just didn't know how to recognize it. If you'll let me, I'll spend the rest of our lives making up for the tears I've caused you. I'll spend my days finding ways to make you smile. What do you say?”
“I love you. I think I've loved you since that first day. But I have to be sure this is what you want. You won't be taking on a wife, but an entire family. Izzy and Charlie. Matilda. Life with us won't be easy. It'll be messy and demanding. I have to know you won't shut me out again. I couldn't take that.”
His expression turned grave. “I don't know how to be a husband or father, but with God's help and yours, I'll give it everything I have. I'll need you to be honest with me and tell me if you sense that I'm withdrawing. I'm not adept at expressing my feelings, as you've seen, but I give you my solemn promise that I won't shut you out again.”
Overwhelmed, feeling as if a lifetime of impossible wishes were being granted her, she laid her hand against his cheek. “Surely this is a dream.”
“If you say yes, it'll be a dream come true.”
“Yes! Yes, I'll marry you.”
“Yes?” His clear blue eyes lit with happiness, and his smile dispersed any lingering doubts. “Can I kiss you now?”
At her nod, he framed her face and kissed her with a tenderness that made her heart sing. The past no longer lingered between them. There were no questions, no reservations. Shane
loved
her. Holding him closer, she basked in his affection, amazed that he was hers.
He raised his head far sooner than she wanted. Grinning lazily, he made up for that by brushing sweet kisses along her cheek, temple and forehead.
“You're right,” he murmured, his breath fanning her eyebrows. “This does feel like a dream.”
“I always thought I'd have a spring wedding,” she mused.
Lifting her hand, he kissed her knuckles. “I'd wait a lifetime for you, Allie.”
“I've waited for you since I was twelve. Spring seems very far off.” She brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead. “Do you think we could find a place to live by February?”
“Sweetheart, if that's all that's holding us up, I'll find a place before the new year.”
“I like the way you think.” Allison laughed and pulled him close again.
Epilogue
One year later
S
hane let himself into the farmhouse, sacks of roasted chestnuts warming his pockets. He hung up his Stetson and shrugged out of his coat. The place was quiet. It shouldn't be at this time of day, not with eighteen-month-old twins and a gregarious twelve-year-old around.
“Hello? Where is everybody?” he called, unfastening his gun belt. “I've got a treat to share.”
The patter of little feet echoed along the upstairs hallway.
“Sheriff's home!” Matilda assisted her siblings down the stairs, her face bright with excitement. After a year of living with them, she still called him by his title. She treated him as if he were her pa, though, and that made him happy.
Giving her long braid a gentle tug, he chucked her chin. “How was your day?”
“Allison taught me how to make gingerbread,” she announced proudly, eyes dancing.
“Did she now? I thought I smelled molasses when I walked in.”
Not satisfied with the basics Fenton had passed on in the early days of their marriage, his wife had appealed to the O'Malley women for further instruction. He had zero complaints about her cooking skills these days.
“Papa.” Izzy and Charlie tugged on his pant legs, impatient for their daily greeting. One by one, he swung them up for hugs and sloppy kisses. Their giggles tickled his ears.
He'd never tire of this...being these kids' father and Allison's husband. Not every day was picture-perfect, but whose life was? Their homeâthe cozy white farmhouse with green trim in the shadow of the Smoky Mountains, the house where he'd fallen in love with Allie and the one he'd purchased from the Wattsesâwas marked with love and understanding and patience.
Fenton was a treasured part of their family and a regular visitor. His health had stabilized since he'd started getting more rest. The farmhand that Shane had hired went a long way in easing Fenton's burdens.
Clyde's visits were far less frequent. Unable to reconcile with his father, he'd worked odd jobs across the state of North Carolina, unable or unwilling to settle down. He'd kept his word, though. He'd given his permission for Shane and Allison to adopt the twins and was content to be known as a favorite, albeit distant, uncle.
Glancing toward the dining room, he wondered what was keeping Allison. It was her habit to welcome him along with the kids, and he was eager to see her.
“I got something for you.” He placed the sacks in her hands.
“Chestnuts!” She inhaled deeply. “Thanks, Sheriff.”
The twins crowded her in efforts to peer inside.
“Can I share with them?”
“Of course. You'll have to shell them, though. And make sure the children stay seated while they eat. No running around.”
“Yes, sir.”
He leaned down to ruffle Izzy's wild curls and tap Charlie on his button nose before they joined Matilda at the coffee table.
Whistling a favorite Christmas carol, he laid his sheriff's badge on the side table and walked to the foot of the stairs. “Allie?”
“I think she's in the kitchen,” Matilda told him.
Passing the dining table decorated with a red-and-ivory cloth and topped with greenery and candles in shining holders, he entered the sweet-smelling kitchen. Trays of gingerbread men covered the work surface in the middle of the room. His wife was at the other counter drying dishes.
“Hello, beautiful.” Putting a hand on her shoulder, he bent to kiss her cheek. The wetness there surprised him. “Hey.” Tipping her chin up, he inspected her tearstained features with concern. She'd been distracted the past few weeks, which was unlike her. “What's the matter?” Another thought hit him. “George and Clarissa are still coming next month, right?”
“As far as I know, they are.”
He exhaled. Allison was looking forward to seeing her family, especially her niece and nephews.
“Then why are you crying?”
“Don't mind me.” Averting her face, she reached for a spoon to dry. “How was your day?” She dashed the moisture away, not meeting his gaze.
“Other than the fact Ben has broken another young lady's heart, and my lunch was interrupted by her tirade, it was rather uneventful.”
“Hmm.”
Shane's gaze widened. Allison shared his opinion about his deputy's disregard for the local ladies' finer feelings, and normally she would've demanded more information.
Gently taking the towel and spoon from her hands and laying them aside, he said, “Let's sit.” Guiding her to the small table, he sat and pulled her down beside him, curving his arm around her shoulders. “Talk to me, Allie.”
“I can't.”
Something inside him froze. “You haven't had a problem telling me what's on your mind before.” This past year of marriage had taught him so much. Together, they'd worked hard to be open and honest with each other. He trusted his wife as he'd trusted no one else.
“I'm afraid you're not going to be pleased with what I have to tell you.” When she finally turned her face up to his, her green eyes shimmered and her lips trembled. “Our house is full. Our days are busy. The twins are into everything and only going to need more attention in the coming year. Matilda will need help with school reports and navigating friendshipsâ”
“Allie.” Cupping her cheek, he peered deep in her eyes. “I love you. I like that our life is messy and chaotic, because it means I'm not across town, alone in that cabin where the quiet was deafening. I chose this life with you, remember?”
The love she held for him surged in her eyes, and as always, it humbled him. Each and every day, he thanked God for giving him a second chance with this woman. He'd been blessed with what he'd always wantedâa family of his own.
“I love you, too. IâI don't know if you're ready, though... I mean, I know we talked about more kids, butâ”
“More kids?” His heartbeat hammered in his ears.
Her gaze wide and hopeful, she bit her lower lip and nodded. “I've been tired lately. And sick to my stomach. I went to see the doctor today. He told me that I'm about eight weeks along.”
Easing back, he examined her middle, stunned that his and Allie's baby was nestled there. “You don't look any different.”
Her laugh was shaky. “That's all you have to say?”
Framing her face with his hands, he kissed her for long moments, emotion rising up within him. His eyes grew wet as he gently rubbed her middle. “This baby is as precious to me as you are.”
Happiness wreathed her face. “Truly? You're fine with this?”
“Oh, sweetheart, I'm not fine. I'm awestruck. Over the moon. Pleased as punch.” Kissing her again, he whispered, “And very, very blessed.”
Circling her arms around his neck, Allison smiled, at last free of worry. “Wouldn't it be funny if we had twins?”
He shot her a look of mock horror. “If that's the case, Fenton is moving in with us.”
She laughed, and Shane joined her. He was confident that whatever the future might bring, they'd walk through it together.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS TWINS, don't miss the rest of the
SMOKY MOUNTAIN MATCHES
series.
“SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS”
THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS TWINS
Keep reading for an excerpt from
A FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
by Sherri Shackelford.
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Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Shane's story. As the good sheriff has appeared in nearly all of my Smoky Mountain Matches books, I've lived with this character for several years. It's about time he got his own happy ending!
This was my first time writing about a hero with major doubts regarding God's love. While it's easy for Shane to believe in a divine Creator, he struggles to accept that God could truly care about him. His spiritual journey was a challenge to portray, and I pray I succeeded in meshing it seamlessly with his flourishing relationship with Allison.
For information about my other books, please visit my website
www.karenkirst.com
. You can find me on Facebook and on
Twitter @KarenKirst
. If you'd like to email me, my address is
[email protected]
. I'd love to hear from you!
Merry Christmas,
Karen Kirst