Terri Reed - The Deputy’s Duty

“Marry me, Lanna.” Joe went down on both knees in the snow, beaming with hope. “Please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

“Yes, I will marry you, but the honor is mine.” Since her knees were wobbling anyway and her vision blurring with tears, she sank to the snow, too, full of joy and dreams.

Their kiss was perfection and full of promise, like the first crisp morning of the New Year. It was the right time for beginnings. Lanna thanked the Lord for bringing her here, to perfect peace and an enduring love, blessed by His grace.

Three years later.

Lanna could not take her gaze away from the newborn cradled in her arms. Not yet an hour old, the little girl looked like perfection with a round cherub’s face, a tiny rosebud mouth, a cute button nose and-when she wasn’t sleeping-big blue eyes.

The past three years of marriage to Joe had been the happiest of Lanna’s life, so it surprised her that more happiness was even possible to attain. But as the mother of Joe’s child she discovered that it was.

He eased onto the bed beside her, careful not to disturb her. Pride shone on his face, but more than that, love. Their beautiful, deepening love.

“She’s incredible.” He slipped his arm around Lanna’s shoulders, his movements gentle and his voice tender. “She’s just like you.”

“She’s her own little person.” Tears burned her eyes and she had to blink to contain them. “I love her so much. I love you so much.”

“Funny, that’s just how I feel about both my girls.” Joy layered his baritone. “She was worth the wait.”

“Yes, she was.” Lanna sighed adoringly. It had seemed she was never going to be a mother and just when she had started to give up hope, it had happened. God had blessed them with the most precious gift of all. They were now a family.

“There are two sets of grandparents who are anxious to see their first granddaughter,” Joe said in that calm, confidence-inspiring way of his. “My mother is not used to waiting, but I reminded her that this isn’t her house. That you are the boss here and that for once, she could be a little late to her New Years’ Eve ball. She’s trying to behave.”

“She has tried very hard for your sake.” It hadn’t always been easy, but things were improving between them and Joe’s mother, Geneva.

Looking down at the infant in her arms, so fragile and endearing, Lanna understood Geneva a little better. She would move heaven and earth to make sure this child was safe and happy. A mother’s love was a powerful thing.

Joe understood that, too, which is why he had built a house on the back of the property after they purchased this fine home in town. Her beloved parents no longer had to worry about making ends meet, and they were always near.

“Shall I let in the grandparents?” Joe asked.

“I think we’ve kept them waiting long enough.” Lanna brushed her fingertip down the slope of the baby’s nose. Contentment filled her-happiness could do that to a girl.

Joe eased off the feather tick and crossed the room. She couldn’t help from admiring her husband, the strong decent goodness of him. He was the most wonderful man, always dependable, always there for her and the best friend she could ever want. Impossibly, her heart swelled with more love for him. For her Joe.

The door opened, and Lanna’s vision blurred at the sight of her mother’s worried face.

“I just had to see for myself that you were all right.” Her mother padded into the room, her gaze going straight to the yawning little bundle. The baby was waking up. “Oh, Joe, you were right. She’s beautiful. Why, I’ve never seen such an angel.”

“It’s the pure gold hair. It’s like yours, Ma.”

Both grandfathers stepped close to peer with bashful pride down at their little granddaughter. Only Geneva was missing. Had she refused to come up? Lanna feared there would be more conflict between them on this, the most wonderful of days, when footsteps tapped in a businesslike cadence into the room.

Geneva swept into sight, looking cold and regal in her impressive gown and jewels. Her face was set and her posture rigid as she leaned in for a look at the baby. She gazed for a long time upon the child and a change came over her. The stiffness of her jaw relaxed. The measuring coolness of her eyes faded. Kindness remained.

“She is the loveliest baby I have ever seen.” Geneva blinked hard, a rare show of emotion. “You have done a fine job, Lanna. She is absolutely precious.”

“I told you.” Joe was at her side again to whisper in her ear.

“You were right.” Lanna’s vision blurred more and her face felt hot. She wasn’t crying, truly. Well, maybe just a little. Happiness could do that to a girl, too. “Her name is May Geneva Wolf, after both of her grandmothers.”

“Oh, Lanna.” Tears streamed down her mother’s face. She was overcome.

“Why, I’m speechless,” Geneva sniffled. “May we hold her?”

“Of course.” It was a surprise that Geneva let Lanna’s mother take the baby first. The women huddled together, exclaiming over the precious child who was cooing sleepily. Their husbands joined them. They made a joyful circle.

“Love does make everything right.” Her life was perfect, her world was flawless, and her love for Joe incandescent. “Happy New Year, my beloved,” she whispered to him.

“Happy New Year, my sweet.” He took her into his strong arms, both protective and tender. His kiss was perfection, just the way true love should be.

Lanna’s soul sighed with bliss. She leaned her cheek against Joe’s chest, happy beyond imagining.