Homespun Bride

158 Homespun Bride“Not at all.” It was the only place he wanted to be.Had ever wanted to be. Gazing down at her lovely face,seeing the snowfall clinging to her velvet hat’s brim didfunny things to his chest. To his heart. To impossibledreams long buried that had come to life again. “It wastough being gone from my family.”“You missed them.” She could see that now. “Youand your older brother used to be so close.”“Still are. Another good part about being home isthat I’m not always having to write a letter. It’s betterjust to walk up to the main house—I’m staying in theold shanty on our place—walk into the kitchen, pull upa chair and share the day’s news over a hot pot of tea.I reckon not much in this lifetime has made me happierthan coming back to the homestead.”There was the Thad she’d known—had alwaysknown. The man Thad had always been. “Then it’s ablessing that you’re here.”“I’m glad you think so.”Her shoes sank in the deep snowdrifts, and Thadguided her up the slight slope to the stable’s doubledoors. The sweet scent of hay and the warm earthyscent of horse greeted her. The wind-driven snowmoved off her face and echoed in the open raftersoverhead. She drank in the sounds of the stable, soundsshe missed. The movement of the horses shuffling inthe stalls. The low-throated nickers of greeting. Therustle of stray bits of straw beneath her shoes.The steady footsteps at her side were the sweetestsound of all. She could no longer deny it. Not evenSolitude’s single, gentle whinny could be morewelcome.“The foal is still wobbly on her feet.” Thad drew her