“Let them talk. My friends know my beliefs and trust me to make wise decisions, and those who believe otherwise are of no consequence. They aren’t real friends if they’re setting out to believe the worst about me.”

“True.” He ran his fingers through her errant blond curls. “You’ve given up so much to care for others. You are the type of woman a man can always count on for support and honesty. I know that my heart will be safe with you. I hope you know that yours will be safe with mine.”

“I do, and yet there is no reason either of us should feel so confident.” His fingers traced her jawline, and her heart quickened its pace. She loved his touch.

“Sometimes,” he began, “God does things in such a way that all the pieces fit neatly together. There’s no striving. No conflict. Some would call it miraculous, and perhaps it is, for how could two people otherwise come together for the first time, yet feel as though they’d already lived a lifetime in each other’s presence?”

“God is the only answer.” She was as sure of that as she was of anything else. Only God could have seen the need JT and Sally would have—the need that Gloriana and Luke would have—and then make such utter and complete resolution and restoration.

“I love you, Gloriana. Never doubt that, I beg you. Ours might be a different kind of courtship, but my love for you is no less filled with passion and wonder. I know we will be happy together.”

“I love you too, Luke. The wonder of it leaves me amazed and overwhelmed.” She searched the depth of his blue-gray eyes. “I never thought I’d fall in love—yet here we are.”

“I never thought I’d live here and meet someone I love. For a long time, I was expected to live a certain way. I used to be so prideful. I was always considered a prime catch.” He chuckled. “And I almost believed it for a time. But God straightened me out on that. He made it clear that He had plans for my future—that love would come in time. I’ve always known I would be a husband and father one day. I just didn’t know God would send me someone like you.”

“Luke, I don’t fit into that world of yours. You must see that and remember it.” She frowned. “I will never be good enough for Philadelphia society. You’re forsaking your upbringing and the privilege that goes with it by marrying me.”

“It’s a price I happily pay. It was never a world that made me happy. Not like you make me happy.” He took her face in his hands. “And, Gloriana, I’ve never been so happy.”