Page 54 of Heart of Mystic Valley
Faye Byrne leaned over to whisper something in her husband’s ear, her eyes never leaving Joshua and Faith’s joined hands. At a nearby table, the town barber, Elmer Moss, nudged his wife, pointing in their direction.
“Josh,” Faith whispered, her cheeks flushing. “Everyone’s staring.”
His thumb traced a soothing pattern on the back of her hand. “Let them. I want everyone to know how I feel about you. No more hiding, no more wondering. You’re the woman I love, and I’m proud to show it.”
“But what will they say? The town gossips will spread the word about us being here together.”
“They can say what they like. We’ve known each other since we were kids, Faith. They’ve probably been expecting this for years.”
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. “I suppose you’re right. It’s all so new. Wonderful, but new.”
“I know. But I want to do this right. No sneaking around, no secrets. You deserve to be courted properly.”
As if on cue, Aggie appeared at their table, a knowing grin on her face. “Well, now, what can I get for Mystic’s newest couple?”
Faith felt her face flush, but Joshua’s presence grounded her. He squeezed her hand gently before addressing Aggie. “Two of your finest steaks, please. We’re celebrating tonight.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Celebrating, eh? About time, if you ask me. I’ll have those right out for you.”
After she bustled away, Faith leaned in closer to Joshua. “You really meant it when you said you wanted everyone to know, didn’t you?”
He nodded, his expression earnest. “I did. I’ve loved you for so long. Now that I can finally show it, I don’t want to waste another moment.”
“I love you, too, Josh,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “And I’m grateful for your courage.”
Sitting there, hands joined across the table, Faith felt a sense of rightness settle over her. The whispers and stares faded into the background, insignificant in the face of the love she shared with Joshua.
As the evening progressed, the initial flurry of whispers and glances from the other patrons subsided, replaced by the comfortable hum of conversation. Faith and Joshua found themselves settling into an easy rhythm, their words flowing as freely as the Moon River running through their beloved Mystic Valley.
“Do you remember,” he began, his eyes twinkling with mirth, “the time we snuck into old man Morris’s orchard?”
Her laughter rang out, clear and melodious. “How could I forget? You got stuck in one of his apple trees, and I had to talk Mr. Morris out of hauling you to the jail.”
“I still maintain those were the best apples I’ve ever tasted.”
“Only because they were forbidden,” she teased.
Continuing to share stories and laughter, Faith marveled at how natural it felt. This was Joshua, her childhood friend, the man who’d always been there. Yet now, there was a new undercurrent to their interactions, a spark she’d never felt before.
“You know,” Joshua said. “I’ve always admired how you took over the Gazette after your father passed. Not many women would’ve had the courage to tackle something so significant.”
Her expression softened. “It wasn’t easy. There were plenty of folks who thought a woman had no business running a newspaper.”
His hand found hers again. “You proved them wrong. You’re making your mark on this town. It’s one of the things I love most about you.”
The warmth of his words wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. As they finished their meals, Faith felt the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment, their shared history intertwining with the promise of a shared future.
When they finally stepped out of the Golden Griddle, the night air greeted them with a crisp embrace. He offered his arm, and Faith took it without hesitation. Walking toward her home, she felt a sense of belonging missing since her father died.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she murmured, her gaze drawn to the star-studded sky above.
“It is. On nights like these, I’m reminded of why I love Mystic so much. The vastness of the sky, the quiet of the town. It’s as if the entire world is laid out before us.”
A small smile curved her mouth. “I know what you mean. I’ve always believed there was something special about this place.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Joshua said. “Grayson has been talking about expanding the ranch’s operations. Maybe branching outinto horse breeding. He asked me if I’d be willing to take it on. Working as a wrangler does appeal to me.”
Her eyes lit up. “What a wonderful idea. You’ve always been good at breaking and training horses.”
