"You see, she's perfectly safe and healthy. Worn out from a morning of getting into everything."

"Did she miss me, too?"

"She asked about her papa every night."

He smiled and looked up at her. "Then what is it you have to talk to me about that makes you look so

serious?"

"I was planning to wait and tell you tonight after you'd had a bath and a meal and a chance to rest."

He frowned. "Tell me what?"

She smoothed her palms over her skirt.

"Some might have said I was crazy for coming here with a man I'd never met before. For listening to his rash promise of a home and setting out without a backward glance. But I've never been so glad for anything, Noah."

He stood to his full height and studied her, his brown eyes filled with curiosity and love. "I'm the one who's thankful."

He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

She never noticed the scars any more, had never cared much at all, actually. She reached up and cupped his beloved face in her palm.

His eyes darkened, but not with shame the way they once had, for now he believed in her love.

"What is it you have to tell me, then, Katy?"

She loved it when he called her Katy. She loved everything about the man. Anticipation made her throat

tight. "There's going to be another member of the Cutter family."

He glanced at Rose and back. Realization dawned on his face in that split second.

"This Cutter will probably have darker hair and maybe brown eyes." She couldn't hold back the smile

that sprang from her soul to express her supreme joy.

"Katy," he whispered. "A baby?"

She nodded through tears of happiness.

He gathered her to his chest so quickly and so closely, she could barely breathe. He smelled like sun and

man and horse and his strong arms felt like heaven around her. Once her dreams and her future had been dashed, but the love and caring of this man had restored her hope for fulfillment and happiness and had made all her wishes all come true.

Kate never regretted marrying Levi. If she hadn't, she'd never have had Rose, would never have met Noah. Her heart was so full she couldn't imagine how it could possibly hold more love, but she knew that it would. She had a lot more love to give.

end.