THE OUTLAW'S THANKSGIVING Read Free Page B

snapped
it shut.   Her heart hammered against her
chest and she wondered if she’d heard right.   “Markus, are you all right?   Did
you just ask me to marry you?”
           “He threw his head back and laughed.   “You should see the expression on your
beautiful face and in those beautiful green eyes.   “Of course I’m asking you to marry me.   I love you, Katie, and will spend the rest of my life making you
happy.”
           “But, where will we live?   Do I have to leave here?”
           “Pa and Jake have saved up quite a bit of
money for me while I was gone.   If you
don’t want to stay here, I’ll build you a house anywhere you want.”
           “Do you like it here, Markus?   I know this cabin isn’t that big, but it’s
home and I love it.”
           “I will love being anywhere your heart
desires.   We can build onto the house
for the kids we have and buy horses.   I’m really good with horses.   Surely you know how I feel about you.”
           She blushed, remembering the few kisses
he had given her.   “I love you too, but
I never thought anyone would ask for my hand in marriage.”
           Markus got down on one knee and pulled a
ring out of his shirt pocket.   This was
my mother’s.   Pa said it was to go to
the son who wed first and that’s me.   Marry me, Katie.   I love you with
all my heart.”
           Katie felt the tears slip down her
cheeks.   “Yes,” she said, holding out
her hand.   It shook slightly and Markus
took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger.
    “I want you to wear it now and we will do it right in the church.   I don’t want any man coming along needing
help and fall in love with you like I did.   You’re taken.”
    She threw herself in his arms and kissed him.   “I’m so happy and have so much to do before Christmas Eve,” she
said, when she heard her grandma clearing her throat.  
    “Well, it’s about time!   I
wondered when the two of you would get around to it.   Come over here, Markus, and hold the chair for me.   I’m about to fall off these crutches.”
    Markus laughed and ran over to help her.   “Grandma, you can live here with us if you want to.”
    “Did you hear that, Katie?   I
can stay here.   That is if you want your
grandma around.”
    Katie leaned down and kissed her grandma on the cheek.   “We both love you and when the babies come,
you’ll be a lot of help too.”
    “I can’t wait to be a great grandma.”
    Katie slipped her arm around Markus’s waist.   “I think you’ve made us both very happy.
    Markus grinned.   “This is the
best Thanksgiving and Christmas I have had in a long time.   I’m back with my family, have a bride to be
who is beautiful and caring, and have a grandma and an uncle whom this morning
asked me to be his deputy.”
    “You’re kidding,” Katie said, looking at him with wide eyes.
    “Well, I had to go into town this morning to ask permission for your
hand in marriage and he asked me to become his deputy.”
    “Uncle Matt is a good man and knows a good man when he sees one.   I can’t wait to start our life.   A new year will be here soon and I just know
it’s going to be the best we’ve ever had in a long time.   I love you, Markus.
    “I love you too, Katie,” he said, taking her in his arms and kissing
her.   He thanked God for his blessings
and for bringing him home.
    THE END