To Love and Cherish Read Free

they slowed the horses to a trot.
    â€œLet’s ride over to where there’s plenty of wild grass, and the horses can graze.”
    Melinda followed his lead but remained astride Anna Belle until Evan dismounted his own horse and circled around to help her down. She loved the safety and warmth of his broad hands as they held her waist and lowered her to the ground. She tipped her head back to meet his eyes. “Thank you, Evan.”
    â€œMy pleasure. Our time together is the best part of my day.” A golden glint twinkled in his brown eyes, and she wished the moment would go on forever. He grasped her hand. “Over here. So far there are only two nests, but in a few weeks there will be many more.” His voice brimmed with undeniable excitement.
    Melinda’s desire to remain with him on Bridal Veil washed over her like a tidal wave, and she forced back the threat of tears. How she longed to share in his pleasure today, as she so often had, but unless they developed a plan for their future together, she would experience little joy this day.
    He gestured toward the nests and turned to look at her. “What’s wrong? Sea turtle nests are nothing to cry about.” His words mingled with the high-pitched cawing of the seagulls along the shore, and he stepped closer. He pulled her to his side. “Tell me why you’re so sad.”
    The pain in her heart had become so heavy that it seemed to sink to the depths of her stomach. Didn’t he understand that unless something was done, she would leave tomorrow morning? Perhaps she needed to clarify, but she had expected so much more from him. That he would sweep her off her feet in a magnificent embrace and tell her he’d never let her out of his sight again; that he would hold her close and speak of his undying love; that he would propose marriage and her long days as Mrs. Mifflin’s companion would be over.
    â€œI’m sad because I don’t want to leave Bridal Veil. I don’t want to leave you.” She waited for his response and silently prayed, Please, Lord, let him hear my despair and say the words I long to hear.
    â€œI know. Every year you say you don’t want to leave, and every year I wipe away your tears and tell you I will write and that it will be time for you to return before we know it.” He smiled and looked at her as though his words should resolve her sadness. “Everything will be fine.”
    â€œNo it won’t!” Several startled terns took wing as she shouted her reply.
    He watched the birds take flight. “No need to shout. I can hear you.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” Her stomach churned as she turned her back toward him. She immediately felt guilty for her harsh response. “This early departure took me by surprise, and I feel as if my world is falling apart. I don’t want to leave you, Evan. I lost my parents, and now I feel as though I’m losing you, as well.”
    He cupped her cheek and wiped away a tear. “My sweet Melinda, I know how hard the loss of your parents has been on you, but the miles separating us aren’t permanent. The time will pass quickly, and soon you’ll be back on the island, and we can be together again.”
    â€œBut for how long?”
    Melinda noticed the perplexed look in his eyes. It was clear he didn’t understand that she loved him and wanted to make her home on Bridal Veil Island, that she longed to work alongside him and be a true helpmeet. Had he not learned that much about her during the four winters she’d lived on the island?
    Perhaps the clubhouse maids were correct. They’d often spoken about a man’s inability to understand a woman and her feelings. But Melinda had always thought Evan was different. The two of them could talk about everything. At least that’s what she had thought.
    Each winter they spent all of their free time together, either walking or riding the fifteen-mile length of the