Homespun Bride

Jillian Hart 251thinking, this is an odd gift since you can’t see to read,am I right?”“I can have Matilda read it to me.” She unfolded thepaper to reveal the black leather cover.“No need for that.” He opened the thick vellumpages with care and slid the book onto her knees. “Thisis one book you can read. It’s raised print. Go on, youcan feel the title.”“It’s the Book of Psalms.” She turned toward himand it wasn’t only tears that stood in her eyes. He sawher heart and her soul, all she was, all wrapped up insurprise and joy. “I love the psalms.”“You always did.” It did him good to see her sohappy. He loved her without end. He would do anythingfor her. The need to cherish and protect her left himiron-strong. Now all he had to do was ask the question,and she would be his. His intended, his fiancée for allthe world to see, and soon enough, his wife.His wife. That would have brought him to his knees,if he wasn’t there already. “I remember how much youused to love to read, especially your Bible.”“This is extremely thoughtful. And expensive.”He brushed the tendrils away from her sweet face.“Go on, give it a try.”Her sensitive fingertips skimmed over the top of thepage and found the raised numeral. Her face brighteneduntil all her heart shone sweetly. “It’s the twenty-thirdpsalm. I can feel the letters. Why, I can read them. ‘TheLord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’”“How does it feel to be reading again?”“It’s an answered prayer.” Happiness filled her completely.“‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; Heleadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.’”