Page 90 of More Than Meets the Eye

“I need six months,” he blurted before he lost his nerve. “Six months to finish the cabin, purchase a starter herd, and prove that I can provide for us without gambling.” He blew out a breath, then dove in for the rest. “I need time to put things right with my mother,” he rushed on, not quite able to meet her eyes, “which will take me away for extended periods. It’s not ideal for courtin’.” He dug at the ground with his boot heel.

“But it’s important.” Her words echoed verbatim the thought running through his mind, as if she’d peeked inside his skull and read it written there.

Logan found her eyes, and the utter acceptance gleaming in them melted away his last insecurity.

“Your mother is family, Logan. Taking care of her, loving her, is your God-given duty. All I ask is that you let me help. Bring me into your family just as I have brought you into mine.”

Her plea so humbled him, he tugged her to his chest so she couldn’t see the moisture gathering in his eyes. “You’re already there, darlin’,” he murmured, the words hitching only slightly over the emotion clogging his throat. “You’re already there.”

Epilogue

March 1895

Evangeline held out her left hand to admire the new gold band residing on her third finger for what must have been the tenth time since Logan had placed it there an hour earlier. Mrs. Logan Fowler. Had there ever been a name so fine? For all the years she’d lived with a borrowed name, being gifted with a new one that bound her to a man who made her heart turn giddy little flips every time he smiled at her was a blessing that still hadn’t fully sunk in to her brain.

Surely, Hamilton would approve. When Zach and Seth had both walked her down the aisle of the Pecan Gap church, she’d held her head high, making no effort to hide her eyes from the townsfolk. Hamilton had been right all those years ago. Her eyes were a gift from her parents, a way to remember them, and on her wedding day, she’d wanted all three of them near—Mama, Papa, and Hamilton. So she’d lifted her chin and marched forward on her brothers’ arms, feeling all of her family surrounding her, bestowing their blessings and wishing her joy.

When she’d reached the front of the church and taken Logan’s hand, his face alight with pride and love as he beheld his bride, she knew she’d never hide her eyes again. No doubt some people would still see her as an aberration instead of one of the Creator’s more unique designs, but the small-mindedness of a few would no longer blanket her in shame. Not when her husband looked at her as if she were his every dream come to life.

“It’s not going to get any shinier, you know.” Christie’s teasing voice brought a happy blush to Evangeline’s cheeks as her sister-in-law entered the bedroom that Evangeline was vacating after nearly eight years.

She kept her arm aloft, looking up from the symbol of love on her finger only long enough to ensure the shape of her lips would be visible. “How long does it take for the wonder to wear off?”

Christie shrugged, lifted her left hand, and admired the ring on her own finger. “I don’t know. Hasn’t happened for me yet.”

They laughed as Christie retrieved the small valise Evangeline had returned to fetch before she’d been caught up in the nostalgia of saying good-bye to her childhood and starting a new life as a married woman.

“Are you sad to leave?” Christie asked.

Evangeline shook her head, unable to stop a silly grin from overtaking her face as she thought about moving into the cabin Logan had crafted. “No. Especially since I know I can come visit any time I like.”

“Of course. This will always be your home,” Christie assured her.

“I’ll always be welcome,” Evangeline corrected, “but this is your home now. Yours and Seth’s and Archie’s.”

Christie and Seth had married last Christmas. Zach had moved into the barn’s tack room to give them the largest bedchamber, where Archie had slept on a miniature bed in the corner. Not exactly conducive to a newlywed couple’s privacy. Seth had been more than eager to help Evangeline pack up her things last night, and if the box in the hall was any indication, he already had Archie’s belongings ready to move into her space the moment she left.

He loved that boy, though, and Archie adored him. The little fellow followed Seth everywhere, especially down to the river. The fish stories those two could tell. They’d be catching whales by Easter.

“Mrs. Fowler,” a deep voice boomed, “your husband is growing impatient.”

Tiny pinpricks of excitement danced over Evangeline’s neck at Logan’s call. Heaven knew they’d both been growing impatient over the last few weeks. When he’d first asked her to give him six months to prove himself, she’d wanted to refuse. He hadn’t needed to prove anything to her, after all, not since the moment he’d sacrificed his vengeance to make peace with her brother. Yet she’d sensed that he needed to prove something to himself, so she agreed to his terms, and the waiting period brought its own blessings. They’d developed a deep, soul-binding friendship that anchored their love in something more stable than mercurial passion. That friendship enriched her love for Logan and gave her confidence in the joy they would surely experience in the years to come.

Evangeline’s thoughts must have shown on her face, for Christie grinned and gave her a little push toward the door. “Better not keep him waiting.”

Evangeline looked over her shoulder. “How did you know?”

Christie laughed. “Who do you think sent me in here after you?”

“Mrs. Fowler,” a different male voice called, “please inform Mrs. Jefferson that her husband grows equally impatient.”

Evangeline smirked. “It seems Seth is eager to have his wife by his side as well.”

Christie’s cheeks turned pink, and Evangeline grinned.

Seth had reverted to his given surname at his marriage—Jefferson. Though all of their documents were signed with both last names, making Hamilton just as legal as Jefferson, Seth wished to pass on the name of his father to his own children someday. Perhaps even to Archie, should the boy wish it. He and Christie had decided to let him choose for himself which name he wished to carry once he was older.

“That man.” Christie made a shooing motion with her hand even as her green eyes glowed with unfettered happiness. “I’ve only been gone for two minutes. You’d think it was our wedding night approaching, not yours.”