“I finally received some answers to my letters.”
Millie raised her eyebrow. “So, you did send them.”
“It took a bit, but yes, I finally felt like I could write something. Unfortunately, no butchers, or trappers or hunters responded. After learning that Robert didn’t write the letter with his name on it, I admit I was fearful of some of these letters might be phony. ”
“I just know the right man will appear at the right time.”
Beatrice Collins popped her head through the door. “Everyone is ready,” she said.
Heather gave Millie’s hand a squeeze and left the room. Nervousness gave away to excitement and Millie could wait to see Robert once more.
She walked down the small hallway in the parsonage to the sanctuary. All she had to do was open the door and Robert would be there to greet her. Wiping her hands on her skirt, she took a deep breath , counted to three and opened the doors.
Most of the women in town and had come to see her special day. Several had new husbands and even a few were rocking babies.
Her eyes glanced up to where Robert was standing in the front of the church. His cheeks lifted as his face broke into a huge grin. Millie’s heart wanted to stop. He looked very handsome in a brand-new black jacket, pants, and a cotton shirt. She felt a tightening in her chest.
“It’s just nerves,” Heather whispered, moving in behind her.
Millie nodded and moved forward. She faltered on the first step, throwing her arm out for balance. Recovering, she didn’t take her eyes of Robert as she continued down the aisle. When she was finally standing in front of him, Robert took her hand and gave her a slight wink.
Pastor Collins cleared his throat and began the ceremony to seal their lives together. Millie said the words with ease and the tightness in her chest dissipated. She felt at complete peace as Robert recited his vows before sliding a ring on her finger.
He didn’t even wait for the pastor to finished before leaning down and giving Millie a quick kiss on the lips.
Pastor Collins cleared his voice once more. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Millie reached her arms up around Robert’s neck as he leaned down.
“You look beautiful Millicent. I love you, sweetheart. I can’t believe you are mine,” he said as his lips claimed hers.”
It was the sweetest kiss Millie had ever experienced and she could feel it all the way down to her toes. As soon as the kiss ended, applause broke out in the church. Millie turned to see her mother wiping tears from her eyes. Mary Rose was cuddled up next to her Grandma.
“I knew I’d get a new papa,” she told her grandmother. “Now I just need a little brother.”
Mille gave a laugh.
“She’s right you know.”
“About what?”
“She’s going to get that little brother. I think we can fill that schoolhouse with children. Look around, Millie. This isn’t a last chance. It is the opportunity for new beginnings.”
“I love you, Robert Taylor,” Millie said as he led her down the aisle.
She took a gamble on love.
And won.
