The Unexpected Wife(62)
Tommy wrapped his arms around Abby’s legs. “I love you.”
Her heart clenched. Tears pooled in her eyes.
Feeling Mr. Barrington’s gaze on her she looked up at him. She’d never seen a more handsome man.
“Marry me,” he said quietly.
Chapter Sixteen
Abby looked up into Mr. Barrington’s face. Emotion had deepened the lines around his mouth and eyes. “Are you sure, Mr. Barrington?”
“Very.” His voice was strong, without hesitation.
Her breath stopped as her heart pounded in her chest. She glanced at the boys who stared up at her with expectant eyes. She truly wanted to say yes, but for the first time since she arrived, she was afraid.
Mr. Barrington took her hand in his, drawing her gaze back up to this. “We’ll build a good life, Abby Smyth.”
No words of love. But she’d not expected any. He was giving her all he could.
A thousand questions collided in her mind. Did she really want this? Could she be the kind of wife he needed? Was she strong enough to live in Montana? She’d dearly wanted a sign from the heavens to confirm this would work. A crack of thunder. A gust of wind. But there was nothing. In the end, she realized marrying him now required that she take yet another leap of faith. “I think marriage is an excellent idea,” she said softly.
He grinned and suddenly his face looked years younger. “Good.” He picked up Quinn. “Let’s find the minister.”
Surprise tightened her muscles. “You want to get married now!”
He shrugged. “There’s no such thing as long engagements out here. Besides, it’ll be a few months before we get back to town and find a minister. I’m not waiting.”
Giddiness collided with nervousness. They’d been at a stalemate since she arrived and now everything was changing so fast. “You’re really certain about this?”
The deep intensity of his gaze made her feel as if she’d been caressed. “Very.” He held out his hand to her.
Abby took his hand. “Let’s find the minister, Mr. Barrington.”
He squeezed her fingers. “Don’t you think it’s time you called me Matthias?”
She smiled. “Matthias.”
Grunting his approval, he led her and the boys in search of the reverend.
The next few hours were some of the happiest in Abby’s life. For the first time since her parents had died she felt as if she had found her place in the world. She’d never felt more at peace.
As she watched Matthias talking to Reverend Brown, she realized suddenly that this marriage wasn’t simply a matter of convenience for her anymore. She loved Matthias Barrington with a power that shook her very core.
She understood and accepted now that he would never love her as he had Elise. But she felt in her heart that she had enough love for them both. She would work harder than ever to see that her new family thrived.
The wedding ceremony was simple. No fancy dresses, no special flowers or wedding bands. It was just her and Matthias standing side by side under the shade of a tall tree in front of the reverend with the boys and the townsfolk gathered around them.
Mrs. Clements dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes as she watched the two clasp hands. “I knew I had a knack for matching people up.” The older woman leveled her gaze on Holden. “It’s a gift, pure and simple.”
Holden paled a fraction and took a step away from her.
Matthias cast Abby a sideways glance and winked. “It will be good between us.”
No words of love, but she held on to the knowledge that her love would be strong enough for them both. “It will be good.”
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” Reverend Brown said.
The words drifted over her head as she stared at Matthias’s profile. The thickening stubble already covered his square, tight jaw. His hair drifted over the top of his collar. Likely, when he’d married the first time he’d been clean-shaven and worn a suit.
“Do you, Abby Smyth, take Matthias Barrington to be your lawful husband in sickness and in health, till the grave separates you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Matthias squeezed her hand, yet she noted his hands felt cold. He was nervous, she realized. Did he believe he was making a mistake?
“Do you, Matthias, take Abby,” Reverend Brown said. “To have and hold, in sickness and health, until death separates you?”
He lifted his chin a notch. “I do.”
Abby took comfort that he’d not made the promise lightly.
“So by the powers given to me by the territory of Montana, I pronounce you married. Matthias, you can kiss your bride.”
Matthias faced Abby then. He stared down at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of happiness and relief. Nervous for her first kiss as a married woman, she stared at his full lips and remembered that the last time she’d kissed him she could almost taste the fire in him. Her body tingled, eager for his touch.