Even as her heart soared at the realization they’d soon be married, she asked, “But isn’t it too soon? I mean, everything is happening so fast.”
“I know, but I’m afraid if we don’t act now, my pa will find a way to stop us.”
He was probably right. The only way they could be sure to marry is if they did it sooner rather than later. She nodded. “Let’s go.”
Smiling, he gave her a kiss and took her carpet bag. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“I’d go anywhere with you, Isaac.” She questioned whether or not it was wise to tell him as much but figured if she couldn’t tell the man who was about to be her husband everything she felt, then there was no point in telling anyone anything.
Taking her hand with his free one, he said, “I promise to be good to you, Emily. No matter what happens, we’re going to make it.”
In that moment, she knew everything was going to be alright. True, they’d have to deal with his father, but they didn’t have to deal with him tonight and for now, that was enough. They’d take it one day at a time.
He led her to his horse which was tied to a tree not too far from the house. “I hope you don’t mind riding on the same horse.”
Her skin tingled at the thought of him holding her in his arms as they rode into town together. “I don’t mind.”
“Good. I would have asked if you had a horse you want to take, but I only got one stall at the stables.”
Placing her carpet bag on the ground next to his, he untied the reins and picked up their bags before he hopped on his horse. He held his hand out to her. “Ready?”
She nodded and accepted his hand. After she settled sideways, she held him around the waist and snuggled into his embrace.
The horse let out a soft neigh as he directed it off her property. In all the times she’d been reading romances, she hadn’t once read one where a couple eloped. If she had, she might have something to compare this experience to, but as it was, she was charting new territory.
“Have you ever read a story where the hero and heroine eloped?” she asked.
“No, but then, I don’t read romances like you do.”
“I don’t only read romances.”
“I know, but you said you read them more than other books.”
“Yes, I do.” After a moment, she asked, “Do you think it’s romantic that we’re eloping?”
He laughed and shrugged. “I don’t know if I’d call it romantic. I’d say it’s more of making sure we get married. But maybe it’s romantic that I’ve been waiting three hours to talk to you tonight.”
Surprised, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you were here sooner?”
“I had to wait until it was dark. I didn’t want anyone to find me, so I waited in the group of trees between our properties. Then when it was dark, I went to your window.”
“How did you know where my window was?”
With a grin, he kissed her temple and said, “I remember you telling me when we were younger.”
Her eyebrows furrowed, she gave him a critical look. “I don’t remember ever telling you where it was.”
“Then you don’t have a good memory.”
“Oh, that’s silly! My memory is just fine.”
“You don’t remember that day when you said you hate the way sunlight comes in through your window early in the morning so you can’t sleep as long as your brothers whose bedroom faces the west side of the land?”
Her jaw dropped and she eyed him with newfound respect. “I was twelve when I said that.”
“Thirteen. But who’s keeping track of who said what and when?” he teased.
“Why, that’s a marvelous memory you have.”
With a sly grin, he added, “I also remember the time you bragged that no one could get a bigger animal than you when it came to hunting.”
“Oh, yes. I did say that.” Sighing, she shook her head. “My pa led me to believe that one. He said I had a better eye for the sport than anyone else.”
“That’s because he never saw me with a gun.”
“I reckon that’s true.” Though she pretended to be disappointed, a small smile betrayed her.
“I’ll tell you a secret, but you must swear to never tell anyone else,” he whispered, delighting her as his breath tickled her ear.
“What’s that?”
“You have to promise you won’t tell anyone before I say it.”
She bit her lower lip. “I don’t know if I can do that. If it’s good enough, I’ll need to tell Alice. She’s my dearest friend in all the world, and I can’t keep anything from her.”
“She might be your friend, but I’ll be your husband. Doesn’t that make me closer to you than her?”
“I suppose so.”
With an exaggerated sigh, he said, “Alright. I’ll let you tell her, but you must swear her to secrecy.”
Her smile widened at his playful tone. “Done. What is it?”
Turning his gaze to her, he whispered, “I was afraid you got a bigger buck than I did that day we were hunting on Wiley’s land. You really are a great hunter, especially for a woman.”
She giggled, pleased he was impressed with her skill with a gun.
“Just don’t tell anyone else you were Elmer. I don’t want to look bad in front of Wiley and Clayton.”
“Well, Alice already knows.”
He rolled his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Even Bertha Wilhem knows.”
“Who’s Bertha Wilhem?”
“She’s the one who made the outfit and gave me the wig and mustache.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask, but does anyone else know?”
“Nope.”
He pulled the reins back and the horse stopped. She turned her gaze to him and raised her eyebrows.
“Why did you dress up as Elmer anyway?” he asked.
“Do you promise not to tell anyone?”
“Does Alice know why?”
“Yes, she does,” Emily admitted and then purposely gave him one of the smiles her mother warned her would be akin to flirting with a young man. “Are you upset?”
“No. But since she knows, are you going to let me in on the secret?”
“Well, alright. I did it so I could spend time with you.”
A smug smile crossed his face. “Really?”
In a mock frown, she said, “Don’t act so haughty, Isaac Larson. I almost won that bet, you know.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t because if you lost, I don’t think I would’ve gotten a chance to kiss you. Without the wig and mustache, of course.” Just as she was going to tell him that was actually a romantic sentiment, he had to go and spoil the mood by adding, “But as it turns out, I didn’t need to collect on that bet because you were willing to kiss me anyway.”
She gasped. “Willing? What do you take me for? A tease?”
Laughing, he asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
As much as she tried to maintain her serious gaze, she couldn’t. Giggling, she said, “Yes. You were supposed to tell me that your life didn’t truly begin until you kissed me or that kissing me was the best thing that ever happened to you.”
“Alright. Kissing you was the best thing that ever happened to me, and my life didn’t begin until the moment our lips touched.”
Groaning, she shook her head. “You’ve got a lot to learn about women if you think that’s going to work.”
“What? I told you what you wanted to hear.”
“But you’re supposed to do that without me telling you.”
“But if you don’t tell me, how will I know what you want?”
“You’re supposed to figure it out, Isaac. That’s the whole point of being romantic.”
“I’m afraid I’m no good at reading minds, sweetheart.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he added, “But I will tell you that I was very relieved when you didn’t slap me that day we were hunting. If you did, I wouldn’t have blamed you. You gave me anot
her chance, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
He brought his mouth to hers and kissed her. As she melted in his embrace, she had a funny feeling that whenever he said something a bit smug, he’d figure out a way to redeem himself. But she didn’t mind, especially if it meant she’d be showered with kisses for the rest of her life.
“What do you say you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?” he whispered when their kiss ended.
“Let’s go,” she agreed, and snuggled back into his arms as he led the horse to town.
Chapter Eighteen
When they reached his aunt and uncle’s house in town, Isaac grew apprehensive. He lost a couple hours in waiting for it to be dark so he could get Emily, and he worried his father would figure out what he was doing and talk to his uncle about not letting him get married. He scanned the quiet neighborhood. Nothing indicated that his father had been here, but that didn’t mean much.
“What’s wrong?” Emily asked.
With a sigh, he said, “I’m hoping we got here before my pa did.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he got down from the horse and helped her down. Picking up their carpet bags with one hand, he took her other, squeezed it, and led her to the house. Once there, he knocked on the front door.
“Even if my pa came here and talked my uncle out of marrying us, we’ll find a preacher who will,” he promised. “I’m not going to let him stop me from doing what I feel is best.”
Smiling, she said, “As long as we stick together, we’ll be alright.”
“I think so, too.”
The front door opened and his fourteen-year-old cousin greeted them.
“Hi, Laura,” he began as he scanned the entryway. “Is your pa here?”
Laura’s lips curled up into a wry grin. “This is his home. Where else would he be this late in the evening?” She moved aside and motioned for them to enter. “He’s in the parlor playing a game with my ma.”
They stepped into the house and he set the carpet bags down.
“I’ll tell him you’re here and get you two something warm to drink,” Laura said. “You look like you’ve been out all night.”
That wasn’t too far from the truth, Isaac thought as he glanced at Emily who, despite her red cheeks and nose brought on by the cold temperature, looked as beautiful as ever.
Laura went to the doorway of the parlor and called out, “Isaac’s here with a girl,” and then headed for the kitchen.
Isaac’s face warmed. Of course, Uncle Rick would see that for himself when he saw them, but it embarrassed him all the same that his cousin blurted it out like that. He should have expected it, though. Laura had a tendency to be vocal about everything.
His Aunt Sally was the first one to come out of the parlor, and she clasped her hands together as soon as she saw them. “Oh Isaac, did you get married?”
Watching as his uncle came into the entryway, Isaac shifted from one foot to the other. “Not yet.” Clearing his throat, he continued, “I was hoping you’d marry us, Uncle Rick.”
Rick stood by Sally and asked, “Why didn’t you come to see me at the courthouse earlier today?”
“Well, I thought it was best if Emily and I eloped tonight.”
Isaac waited to see if they would ask what his parents thought of it, but then his aunt’s face lit up and she touched her husband’s arm. “Oh, Rick, isn’t this exciting? Remember when we eloped?” Turning back to Isaac and Emily, she said, “This is so romantic.”
“But it makes more sense to do this during the day,” Rick argued.
“You didn’t take me away to get married during the day,” Sally reminded him. “You did it in the evening, just as they’re doing. Where’s your romantic spirit?” When he shrugged, she clucked her tongue. “Really, Rick, you’ve become a tad bit boring in your old age.”
At that, his eyes grew wide. “Boring?”
“Alright, not boring. A better word might be unromantic.”
“Funny how you didn’t think that when I bought you a new scarf the other day.”
“Yes, that was a lovely surprise.” Kissing him on the cheek, she said, “I suppose you haven’t lost all of your romantic inclinations. However—” she looked at Isaac and Emily and winked—“he was wonderfully romantic when we first married. He actually kidnapped me and eloped with me.”
Rick chuckled. “That was fun, wasn’t it?”
Looking back at him, she giggled. “Very much so, especially when I found out why you did it. It’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
“I hope so. I hate to think that someone else might have swept you off your feet.” He turned to Isaac and Emily. “Go ahead and take your coats off. I’ll get the things I need to perform the ceremony.” He headed down the hallway to his den.
Relieved, Isaac helped Emily out of her coat before taking his own off. He hung them on the hooks by the front door. Good. His pa hadn’t been here yet. With any luck, he wouldn’t show up until after they exchanged vows. By then, it would be too late, and he couldn’t stop it.
Laura returned with the refreshments. Upon seeing her, Sally said, “Let’s go into the parlor. I’m so glad I can witness this blessed event!”
Isaac glanced at Emily and wondered how blessed his aunt would think the event was once she found out his father opposed the marriage. He followed his aunt and cousin into the parlor and sat next to Emily on the couch. Sally poured the hot liquid into the cups and handed the cups to them before giving her daughter a cup and then pouring cups for her and her husband. After she sat in the chair next to her daughter, Isaac took a sip of the hot chocolate.
“So,” Sally began as she looked at Emily, “did Isaac tell you who we are?”
Nodding, Emily replied, “You’re his Aunt Sally, this is Laura, and the judge is his Uncle Rick.”
“Yes,” she replied. “And we’re very happy to meet you.”
Realizing he hadn’t made the introductions, Isaac straightened up. “I’m sorry. This is Emily Craftsman.”
Sally’s eyebrows furrowed. “Craftsman? Are you Neil Craftsman’s daughter?”
Oh great. Here it came. Isaac should have known his pa would have told his aunt and uncle about Emily’s father and why he didn’t like him. “Yes.” He decided not to say any more than that in case he dug himself into a hole that he couldn’t get out of.
“I heard Neil sold some good cattle to the Greene family,” his aunt said before she took a drink from her cup. “The Greenes are somewhat good friends of ours. I met Veronica Greene shortly after you became friends with Wiley. Do you remember that, Isaac? I believe you were eight at the time.”
He was so relieved that Sally didn’t connect Neil with the past where he had abducted his mother that he eagerly nodded and said, “Yes, that’s the same Neil, and yes, I was eight.”
His aunt sipped more of her drink and then set the cup on the saucer resting on the table in front of her. “You should be proud of your father, Emily. I hear he has the best cattle in the area. In fact, some might say he’s something of a legend with the way he understands breeding.”
Beside him, he noticed Emily relax as she said, “Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. I am proud of him.”
“You ought to call me Aunt Sally since you’ll be marrying my nephew in a bit.”
Tracing the rim of her cup, she nodded. “I’ll do that.”
Rick entered the room and Sally stood in excitement. “I just love weddings. It doesn’t matter if they’re a small affair or not. It’s the bonding of two lives together where the couple shares their joys and sorrows for better or worse.”
Chuckling, Rick set the marriage certificate on the fireplace mantle. “Who’s the one performing the ceremony? Me or you?”
“Oh, it’s you, silly.” She gave him a playful swat on the arm and then pushed aside the table.
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell.” Directing his gaze to Isaac and Emily, he explained, “When Greg married Charlot
te Connealy, your aunt pretty much spoke the preacher’s words verbatim while we sat in the pew.”
“So I know the vows by heart? Isn’t that good? It means I know my place as your wife since I remember what I promised to do until death do us part.” She clapped her hands and added, “Isaac, I’ll have to pay your mother a visit. We just found out we’re going to be grandparents in eight months.”
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