Chapters (241)
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Whatever Tomorrow Brings
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- The Taylor and Donovan Families1871
- one
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- forty
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- fifty-six
- fifty-seven
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- fifty-nine
- sixty
- sixty-one
- epilogue
- Dedication
- The Taylor and Donovan Families—1871
- Prologue
- one
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- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- epilogue
- Sean Donovan
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Visalia and Santa Rosa Families—1876
- one
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- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- Epilogue
- Dedication
- Willits and Santa Rosa Families—1881
- Dear Marcail
- prologue
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
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- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
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- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
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- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- thirty-eight
- thirty-nine
- forty
- forty-one
- forty-two
- forty-three
- forty-four
- forty-five
- forty-six
- forty-seven
- forty-eight
- forty-nine
- fifty
- fifty-one
- fifty-two
- fifty-three
- fifty-four
- fifty-five
- fifty-six
- fifty-seven
- fifty-eight
- fifty-nine
- sixty
- epilogue
- Books by Lori Wick
- About the Author
I said, Robbie, will you marry me?
Are you serious, Cleve?
Never more so.
But weve never even talked about this.
So lets talk now, Cleve said as he took her hand, touching her for the first time. Bobbie had been too stunned to speak. It was a wonderful thing to know that someone desired her for a wife, and it was simply lovely to have Cleve holding her hand so tenderly within his own, but it certainly wasnt as simple as he made it sound.
They had talked about little else in the weeks to follow, or rather Cleve had talked and Bobbie had listened. He had every imaginable argument as to why they should be married. The only thing he never mentioned was love. Bobbie said as much one night.
Ive never tried to analyze it before, Robbie, but I do know that I feel something for you that Ive never felt for anyone before. Im not at all worried that were not gazing into each others eyes like lovesick teenagers. Our marriage would be built on commitment and trust. And love, if not now, would come in time.
Cleve had kissed her then, the only time. Bobbie had been a little dazed after the kiss and even more so when he told her she was beautiful. She was also more confused than ever.
Bobbies reverie was interrupted by a knock on her bedroom door.
Come in.
Its me, Bobbie.
Hi, Mom.
I saw the light under your door. Everything okay?
Not really, but I wouldnt know how to tell you whats wrong.
Cleve?
Cleve. Bobbie answered, glad that her mother understood. Do you know, Mom, that when he kissed me I thought I would melt? Does that make me kind of . . . promiscuous?
No, her mother said tenderly and felt tears sting her eyes.
I also like it when he holds my hand.
Im sure you do. I would say thats pretty normal. Did Cleve kiss you often?
Just once.
But wonderful kisses or not, youre not sure you want a lifetime of that?
Right. I mean, marriage is more than intimacy, isnt it? And I want to be sure that we can live as man and wife in every room of the house for the next 40 years. No regrets, do you know what I mean?
I know exactly what you mean, Maryanne answered calmly, but her heart was crying out to God. Oh please, Lord, give her a godly man who will cherish her as Ive been cherished by Jake.
You better get some rest, Maryanne said after a moment of quiet.
Hes coming to visit.
So you said. Now maybe that will settle the whole thing. Hell come and your father and I will loathe him on our first meeting and that will be the end of that.
Bobbie laughed. Im afraid its not that easy. Youll probably think hes the greatest.