A Bride for Cameron by Barbara Goss (read novels website .txt) 📗

glad her head was on Cameron’s shoulder so he couldn’t see her blush.

“I don’t know how to thank you, Hannah.  You’ve changed my life and made me a better person."

It was the closest Hannah had ever been to a man. It sent shivers through her whole body, and she felt as if she should do something, but what?  Her hands were still at her sides, but  instinct brought them up and wrapped them around Cameron’s neck.  “I’ve gained from our relationship, too.  I’m a mother.”  She pulled away just enough to see his face.  “I was so proud of you for telling the truth this afternoon.”

Cameron kissed her nose.  “I couldn’t have chosen a better wife.” He pulled her closer and brought her head to his chest.  “I love my family... including you, Hannah.”

Hannah wondered if Cameron could hear the pounding of her heart when she realized she loved him as well.  She pulled away and looked into his dark eyes.  “I wasn’t sure of my feelings until this afternoon.  I love my whole family, too, especially you.”

Cameron smiled and touched her lips lightly.  “I’m not sure now if I want to become a senator or not.  I’ll hate having to leave you and the children when I have to be at the state house in Topeka.”

Without thinking, Hannah smoothed out Cameron’s lapel and said, “We have time to figure that out.”

Cameron picked Hannah up and swung her around.  “She loves me back… she loves me back.” He laughed as they twirled.

On Sunday, Cameron and Hannah stopped to pick up Charles and Chloe for church, and the four of them walked proudly into the barn.  They felt shocked eyes on them, but they continued to their seats.

“Just look straight ahead,” Hannah told Chloe.  She prayed harder than she ever had before that no one would say anything to Chloe or Charles, and  her prayers were answered.

Reverend Hollister had finished his Commandment sermons, and he began picking random Bible stories for discussion.  To Hannah’s delight, that day's sermon was based on the story of the adulteress.  A group of men had brought the woman before Him for punishment of adultery.  The usual punishment was to be stoned.  Hollister’s voice boomed as he gave Jesus’ reply: 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!'”

Hannah squeezed Chloe’s hand.

Hollister continued, “Jesus told her to go and sin no more.  He forgave her without her even asking.  Jesus knew that she was repentant in her heart.   Hollister went on to explain how the story applied to all mankind.  “You can’t judge the town drunk, the saloon women, or the person you found out was gossiping about you… unless you are sinless, of course.

“In the Commandments, God tells us what he forbids us to do, but he never said we couldn’t be forgiven if we broke one of them.  Every story and parable in the Bible is a lesson for us to learn and apply to our lives today.  That’s why He included them in the Holy Book.”

Hollister closed his Bible.  “So, go out of the service today and let your hearts be filled with compassion and love for your fellow man, even those who are sinners.  Let your life be an example for them to follow.  Invite them to a service.  Perhaps all they need is to learn about God and forgiveness.  Jesus tells us to look at our own sins before judging someone else.  The Bible tells us to confront others’ sins with truth and love with respect.  And remember—God is the final judge.  Do I hear an amen?”

“Amen,” the congregation replied.

As Hannah, Chloe, Cameron, and Charles walked toward the door, several people came up, smiled, and shook their hands.  One lady thanked Chloe for coming and hoped she’d come back each week.

Chapter Eighteen

Cameron smiled all the way home, which he could tell made Hannah suspicious.  “You seem happier than usual,” she said.

“I am,” he said with a wink.

“Things worked out so well today with the Wilsons at church,” she said, “and you were so worried.”

His answer was another smile, though he battled with himself on the inside.  Should he tell her what he’d done or let her think she was right?  He’d promised himself to always be honest with her, so finally he said, “I had a little chat with Reverend Hollister yesterday.”

“You did?  What did you say?”

“You’re right. I was worried about the Wilsons’ reception at the service, so I asked him for a special sermon.  He readily agreed and came up with a better message than I’d imagined.”

Rather than become angry with him, she moved closer and put her head on his shoulder.

They ate a sandwich dinner. Since no one worked on Sunday, the whole family went outdoors.  The children played on the swings.  Georgie couldn’t push himself, so Annabelle would give him a good, high push before jumping on her own swing.

Hannah and Cameron sat in rocking chairs on the porch, sipping lemonade.  Their talk about the lovely day was interrupted by a horse galloping down their lane. It came to an abrupt stop in front of their porch.

“Joe!” Cameron called.  “What the blazes are you doing here on a Sunday?”

“Come and sit with us,” Hannah said, pointing to another rocking chair.

Joe accepted her invitation, and Cameron prepared himself for bad news.  He’d known Joe long enough to know his mood.

“I’ve a story to tell,” Joe began. “Be prepared for a shock.”

 “Go on,” Cameron said after taking his wife’s hand in his.

“I was prepared to confront Sheriff Stafford about the theft of my carriage.  I wanted whoever did it to be caught, yet something told me to wait.  I decided to visit Mrs. Monroe and ask her who had visited her the night her husband died.  We know Chloe Wilson said she'd been