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"But you didn't tell me then." She said softly.
"No, I had just discovered it. That kiss told me that despite the fact that I ran out on you, you still cared for me. I mean, I'd known you so long, and we'd been such good friends. I didn't want to lose that friendship either. I was afraid if I come on too strong you would run away from me, instead of toward me. You see, I've known you a long time. And because you were afraid of love, so long, I wanted to keep you near without scaring you off. You thought your folks didn't love you, because they threw you out. You thought Sam didn't love you because he raped you then left. You thought I was your friend for life, but I left too, didn't I? I had to win your trust again, and your love. But I've known since I've been back that you are the only woman for me. The only one. And now, we are one, as God himself ordained. I'll never let you go, never leave you and try never to hurt you. Nor Charlie. I love him like he was my own, because he's a big part of you, Lilly. He's family. And I meant it when I told you I'd make that legal too."
"I was going to cook something, but you know what? I'd rather just lay in your arms for a while. But first, I want to tell you, I do love you. And, I can honestly say, you are the only man, I've ever loved before. The only man I've let touch me like you do. But I trust that you'll never hurt me. And even though we're married, we're one, your still m
y best friend too!"
This kiss was different, full of their dreams and hopes for the future, full of their promises to each other.
He guided her back to the bed and he folded her against him, curling their legs around each other and sleeping. It was a peaceful sleep.
When they finally did dress, she dressed him and he dressed her.
Three days of total bliss had them blushing when they looked at each other and they finally returned to the ranch.
She knew there would never again be days like this at this cabin, but she'd cherish each day with him and love him for all she was worth.
After three days, they headed back to the ranch.
When she got to the ranch she noticed all the little things he'd done to it. Like putting in an inside water pump and fancy lamps.
She whirled around in the kitchen smiling. "I love this place, Cord. You've done so much work on the place, I mean the bunkhouse, the shed, the blacksmith shed and even made improvements on the barn. It's a place to be proud of."
"I'm glad you like your new home."
"I'm a very happy woman!" She glanced out the window with a sigh.
He smiled, he'd found his heaven in her arms. It wasn't the house that mattered. It was her!
Chapter Twenty-Four
Over three months passed, and life on the ranch was good. Lilly spent a lot of time learning to cook better and Charlie was so pleased to have both a mother and father at home too.
Now that he was feeling so at home, Cord assigned him and Juan some regular chores and they did them together. Cord paid them a very small allowance and they saved their money for new fishing poles at the General Store.
One project Cord set for himself was building a smokehouse, and him, Pedro, and Liam worked on it until it was built. Don Diego tended the cattle and fencing, along with his older sons.
Cord had hired five men, then he'd purchased more cattle and a breeding bull too.
"Well boys, looks like we need to go hunting and get some meat in here before winter sets in." Cord told them.
"Si," Pedro smiled.
"Well Pedro, I don't know if you should go or not. That baby may come any time now." Cord cautioned.
Pedro nodded and smiled, "Si, any time now."
"Tell you what, why don't you and Don Diego switch jobs for a while, until the baby comes, that way you can tend the cattle and fencing and stuff around here, while we stock this smokehouse for the winter."
Pedro nodded, "It is a good idea. I do not want to miss the birth of my child."
"No, and we'll have Lilly and Doc out here for that too." Cord assured him.
So Cord, Don Diego, Juan and Charlie planned a hunting trip. Don Diego assured Pedro he would instruct Juan on what to do and Cord was there for Charlie. The women weren't all that happy about it, but the boys were excited to go hunting with the men.
"They need to start learning these things sometime, and now is as good as any. We'll be there for any problems, don't worry," Cord flashed her a brilliant smile and kissed her. "I want him to learn to use the rifle and shotgun well, but we'll hold off any handguns."
Lilly sighed, Cord's kisses could settle anything. Since their honeymoon life had been hectic, but fun too. They made love nearly every night and never tired of each other. Cord had become a very affectionate husband and he was teaching Charlie so much about survival and life itself. That in itself told her how much he loved her.
