Homespun Bride

274 Homespun Brideyou have to leave. I can’t go through this again. I hurtst-too m-much.”“I can see that.” He laid her hand over his heart. “Ican feel how much it hurts you.”“Then why are you here? You have to go.”“No.” He stood resolute. “Your pain is my pain.That’s the way it is. I’m not going to walk away fromyou this time.”Her chin shot up, and there, revealed on her lovelyface was the truth. He could see it, he could see the hurtand want and other precious emotions on her face. Butshe could not see his.So he lifted her hand to his chin, her fingertips to hischeek. “I want you to feel what’s on my face, since youwon’t look in my heart.”“Thad, just leave this be. Please.” Tears stood in hereyes, as if refusing to fall. “I told you. You can’t turnback time. Not even God can do that. It’s too late.”“That’s where you’re wrong, darlin’.” He pressed abrief kiss to her fingertips. Tenderness took him over,and it made him stronger. Better. “It’s never too late forGod’s greatest blessing. So, you can’t turn down myproposal over it. It’s because I left you once, and you’reafraid I’ll do it again. Isn’t it?”“Why didn’t you come to me instead?” Rain trickleddown her forehead. “You didn’t love me enough, that’swhy.You cared for me, I know that, but I loved you more.”“Not a chance, darlin’. Everything has changedthese past five years except one thing. My enduringlove for you. That’s something that will not end.”Another drop of rain trailed down her forehead. Thetears standing in her eyes still did not fall.His heart was breaking for both of them, but this had