The Lady's Mine

I am not giving up on God because of what one man said from the pulpit.

I never intended to marry - because I've never met a man I could trust. She raised her head slowly. I trust you, Matthias.

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. . . . Keep me from lying to myself. . . . Help me abandon my shameful ways. . . . I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

I promise I am not going to crush your spirit Kate. Why would I, when that's what I love most about you?

Never underestimate the importance of the woman who rocks the cradle.

Wealth isn't evil Kate, it's the love of money that is. When no matter how much you have is never enough.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. JAMES 1:27

Books can be bought. A house can be rebuilt, darlin. You can't be replaced.

You have no idea the power a good woman has over a man. You made me think about the faith I thought Id lost." He gave a low laugh. "You got me back inside a church. And, if all that isn't enough.." He took her hand, kissed the palm, and pressed it flat against his bare chest. She could feel the hard pounding of his heart. "Does that make you feel safer?

I promise you, I am not going to crush your spirit, Kate. Why would I, when that's what I love most about you?" He kissed her forehead as though she were a child.

You are wonderfully made, Kathryn Beck.

Go ahead!" Her eyes shimmered with tears. "Laugh!" Pulling Kathryn to her feet, he cupped her face tenderly. "We will laugh, darlin', right up until we're both old and gray and have a dozen grandchildren." He kissed her firmly. "The answer is yes. I'll marry you." He grinned and kissed her again.

I never intended to marry. Because I've never met a man I could trust." She raised her head slowly. "I trust you, Matthias.

Opening her eyes, she looked up at him and laughed. "Look at us, quoting Scripture." Matthias loved the warmth in her eyes. "My father was a preacher, but it was my mother who taught me the Bible." He tucked the strand of hair behind her ear. "Never underestimate the importance of the woman who rocks the cradle.

There's only one lady I want, and I'm looking at her.

She didn't make life easy on those who loved her, but she was worth it.

She met his eyes, praying he understood. "I felt safe with you." His expression softened. "You'll always be safe with me.

Wealth isn't evil, Kate. It's the love of money that is. When no matter how much you have is never enough.

If you don't love her, leave her alone. If you do, let her be the woman she is. You'll find a good description in that Bible of yours. Proverbs 31, if I remember rightly." "A woman of virtue…” "Just like a man to focus on the woman. Take a good, hard look at the husband that woman had” She shook her head. "If I ever met a man who treated me with that kind of respect, I might even marry again.

Their eyes met and held. As he passed, Matthias spoke low. "The lady's mine.

Kathryn didn't know it, but Matthias had, months before, made the same list she gave him. The minute she started rattling in off in panic to keep him at bay, he knew they thought ale. Everyone in town knew what Calvada lacked. It was still lite more than a rough-and-tumble mining camp, but he had a vision of what it could become. City had lit the fire. Kathryns arrival fanned the flame.