by Rye Hart
"It's late, we ought to get to bed."
I looked at him, my brows furrowed. Were we really just going to ignore what happened? The uncertainty on Jared’s perfect face spoke volumes to what was going through his mind. I knew I could not just bring it up so I walked over to him and took his hand.
"The storms frighten me. Will you come lay with us?" I asked, motioning towards the bedroom.
It was a lie and he knew it, but he didn't call me out. He just smiled and nodded.
I left him in the living room long enough to get dressed in my night shift. Once I was ready for bed, I opened the door and crawled under the blankets, peeking out at him from the mess of covers. My eyes were wide and my lips were shaking, though I put a smile on anyway.
He slid beneath the blankets and leaned up against the headboard, glancing over at me and sighing. “You’re something else, you know that?” he said with a soft smile.
I ran my fingers through my hair, chewing on my lip a little as I looked up at him and then away. He was so beautiful, it made my heart ache. I ran my fingers through my hair again and sighed softly. I finally looked over at him. “I don’t know what you mean by ‘you’re something else’. I’m just me,” I said quietly.
He laughed and put his hand to his forehead, shaking his head back and forth. “That’s exactly what I mean. You’re so incredible and you don’t even realize it.”
I blushed a little and sighed. “Are we going to just ignore what you said in the market? About me being spoken for?” I asked, tucking some hair behind my ear.
He glanced over at me and smiled. “Well, I wasn’t planning on ignoring it.”
“I just, I’m having a hard time understanding,” I admitted, toying with the quilt.
He paused before reaching out and pressing a hand to my cheek. “I want to marry you, Mary. I’ve been thinking on it for a long time and I wish I could have done this right, but-” he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a simple silver ring, holding it up for a moment. “Will you marry me? Will you be mine?”
“This is so sudden,” I whispered. “I never even knew you had these feelings for me and now, you’re handing me a ring.”
He set his jaw for a moment and tucked the ring back into his shirt pocket, taking a deep breath. “Right, I’m sorry,” he murmured, closing his eyes and looking away.
I reached out and took his hand, smiling. “Sudden doesn’t mean bad,” I said softly. I looked down at his hand and ran my thumb over his knuckles for a moment. I took a deep breath, deciding I wanted to tell him about Richard. “I was married once before. I know you know that,” I said, motioning towards my baby. “His name was Richard and he was killed in the war. I was left alone and the state ran me out of my own home. I had nowhere to go so I came out here. I came out here because I thought God had abandoned me. I thought I was alone in this world and it was the only chance I had. Now I see that I came here to find you. I prayed and prayed for an answer to my problems and I found them. But that’s not all, I found so much more, Jared. I found adoration and romance; I found more than I ever could have hoped for.”
His eyes widened just a little as I spoke. “You’re so wonderful and I’d be a fool to say no,” I whispered.
I looked down at my ring-less hand and tears came to my eyes. I’d sold the wedding ring Richard gave me when times had become desperate. I knew he’d understand, so I tried to not beat myself up about it, but it was hard to not feel that weight on my hand.
As Jared slipped his ring on my finger, I knew I was finally being forgiven. Richard would have wanted me to move on and find happiness, and I could not have picked a better man to do either of those things with. Jared was a Godsend.
He pulled my close and held me tight. I melted into him, pressing my face into the crook of his neck and doing my best not to cry. I didn’t want to ruin this moment with tears. He held me close and I breathed against his neck. After a few moments he pulled away slowly, looking down at me with those beautiful eyes. He cupped my cheek and smiled, leaning down and pressing our foreheads together.
“My fiancé,” he whispered.
I finally fell apart. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I threw my arms around him and kissed him hard, not willing to let him go. As our lips crashed together he fell on top of me, hands on either side of my head as he returned the kiss. I held him there until the urge to breathe was too great to ignore. When I finally parted from his lips I looked up at him with wide eyes, my heart in my throat. Thunder clapped above us and he smiled, slowly lowering himself onto the bed beside me.
Neither of us said anything because we didn’t need to; words would only ruin the moment. He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. I leaned against him and sighed softly, my eyes fluttering closed as I wrapped my arms around him. This was right, this felt good. I felt safe in his arms and for the first time since Richard left I felt a weight lifted off my heart. I felt like it was okay to love again.
But most of all, I felt hope.
Chapter Eight
My first wedding had been simple and I wanted the same for my second, though the local townspeople didn’t really seem on board for a simple wedding. Jared was beloved in this town and everyone had been waiting for him to find a woman to marry. Now that he had, they wanted to make sure he had the most amazing wedding possible.
It was nice to see everyone accepting me with open arms, since I’d been secretly afraid the engagement would backfire. I’d been so terrified of it that I begged Jared to keep everything quiet for a while. When I told him he looked at me with a surprised expression and cocked his head to one side.
“Why in the world would you be nervous?”
I chewed in my lip and rubbed the back of my neck. “Don’t you realize how many women in this town are pining after you?” I’d asked.
He just smiled and tugged me close, kissing my cheek. “Does it matter? I chose you.”
I smiled at the kiss and turned, putting a hand on his chest. “I know, I know. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t women in town who want my head on a plate.”
“Why in the world-“
“You’re such a smart man, but you’re so dense,” I sighed. “They’re jealous. They wanted you, but you chose me.”
“You’re worrying too much.”
I’d doubted him at first, but now that the whole town knew, I was much more relaxed. No one had tried to steal him from me yet, so I figured I was doing alright. Things were falling into place and I could not have been happier about it.
Jared had been away for the last day or so, handling some men who’d been stealing local cattle. This didn’t happen often, but he did have to leave me for longer than a few hours occasionally. His job required so much of him, so I never got onto him about being away. He had a tough job and I understood that. The last thing I wanted to do was nag him.
I hummed softly as I walked into the cabin, nudging the door open with my hip. As I walked inside I noticed that the back door was open. It was a curious thing to see, but not unexplainable. It was spring and the winds were picking up. Sometimes they were strong enough to make the glass in the windows rattle and push open the door if it wasn’t properly latched. I set Gabriel down in his crib and wandered over to the door, closing it and making sure to latch it. I didn’t want any wild animals getting into my house; it was a secret fear of mine that a fox or coyote might make off with Gabriel.
Once the door was secured I turned to grab the basket of food I’d gotten from the market, and when I did I realized I wasn’t alone. The brutish man from the market weeks before stood in the doorway of the kitchen, his frame taking up most of the space.
My blood ran cold and I whimpered, taking a step back. The man just grinned at me and took a step forward, keeping me close. My eyes widened and I turned to run to Gabriel’s crib but I wasn’t quick enough. The man’s hand shot out and grabbed me by the shoulder, yanking me back. I screamed and closed my eyes, turning to dig my nails into his arm
.
The retaliation did nothing and he just pulled me closer, lifting me off the ground with ease. Pain burned in my shoulder and tears came to my eyes as I tried desperately to scramble away. Soon my feet were off the ground and there was nothing I could do but scream and kick wildly.
He slapped a hand over my mouth, effectively silencing me as he stared down at me, his eyes narrowed. “You think you can run?” he whispered. “You think you’d get away from me? I’m not going to let that Sheriff make a fool of me. I’ll show him how things are done,” he growled, starting to drag me towards the front door.
Gabriel was screaming his crib, standing up on shaky legs and crying for me. I struggled as hard as I could, but it was no use. He just dragged me through the house and across the yard to a waiting horse. My mind was racing as I realized he planned to take me away and force me to be his wife. My eyes widened at the thought and I pulled against the ropes he began to tie around my wrists. His arm came close to my mouth and I turned my head, sinking my teeth into the tender flesh. He screamed and shoved me away. I stumbled and hit the ground, scrambling to get to my feet.
I ran back towards the house but he managed to grab my long, beautiful curls and pull me back, dragging me toward the horse again. My heart was pounding and I could hear him cursing softly as he started to pull me onto the horse. He tied my wrists to the reigns and I let out a desperate sob.
“We cannot leave my baby! He’ll die! Have you no heart?” I screamed, struggling against the restraints.
“Shut your mouth. I’m not caring for another man’s child,” he smirked and ran his fingers along my cheek. “We’ll have our own child soon enough.”
I let out another shaking sob as the horse turned and set off at a trot. As we rode I managed to find a sharp part of the bridle and started to run the rope along it, weakening it and hoping that soon I’d be able to get free.
We rode away from the town and all hope started to fade. If I could not get out of these ropes soon, my fate would be sealed. We’d been riding for about ten minutes when the loud pop of gunfire rang through the vast plains. The horse reared up, knocking the man off and snapping the rope around my wrists. We both hit the ground hard as the horse took off into the sunset, without a rider.
My captor hopped to his feet and looked around, eyes narrow and aware. Soon enough Jared came into view, his gun pulled free from its holster and aimed right at the man.
“I gave you one warning. I’m not going to do it again,” Jared growled.
Chapter Nine
My eyes widened when I saw Jared approach us, the hammer of his gun pulled back. The man glanced back at me and then at Jared. I knew he was trying to figure out if he could get to me without being shot, but that was clearly out of the question.
“You’re messing with the natural order of things! You don’t know what you’re doing!” the man spat.
Jared just stepped closer, closing the space between himself and the man. “This isn’t the wild. We aren’t animals. Maybe the way you act is acceptable where you came from, but not here,” he growled. “Now you listen, and you listen good.”
The other man frowned, waiting for Jared’s command.
“I want you to get down on your knees and I want you to pray for forgiveness,” Jared told him.
I jumped up. “Jared! What are you going to do? What are you doing?”
“I’m giving this man the chance to repent for his sins before I send him to his maker!” he snarled, eyes raging with anger.
He pressed his gun to the man’s forehead. “Grovel! Beg for forgiveness!”
The man’s eyes were wide and he was pleading for Jared to spare his life, but Jared just stared him down. “I already gave you one chance. Why should I give you another?” he asked.
I ran to Jared and grabbed his arm. “Jared! Don’t do this!” I pleaded, my eyes wet with tears. I dug my fingers into his arm and gave him a little shake. “Please! Please don’t do this!”
He looked at me, his eyes full of surprise and shock. “What do you mean?” he asked, setting his lips. “Don’t you want him to pay?”
“God will make him pay! It’s not our place to decide who lives and dies. I’m here, I’m fine now,” I whispered, holding him close.
He swallowed and closed his eyes, turning to look at me. “I cannot let him get away with hurting you. What if he hurts someone else?”
“God will judge him. God will protect his children. Hasn’t he always protected us?” I whispered. “He brought us together and we cannot question Him. We have to believe that there is a bigger plan,” I whispered, leaning up and kissing his cheek.
Jared’s hands shook for a moment but he finally holstered his gun, clenching his teeth and turning away. “Get out of my sight,” he ordered.
The other man jumped to his feet and ran off in the same direction as his horse. My heart finally started to calm down and I gripped Jared’s arm, looking up at him, smiling shakily. “Thank you.”
He sighed. “No, thank you. I was blinded my own anger and fear,” he said sadly, reaching out and touching my cheek.
I sighed and leaned into him, nuzzling him gently. “It’s okay. We’re okay now. But we need to get home. Gabriel is alone and terrified.”
Jared helped me onto his horse and we rode back to the house where Gabe’s cries could be heard from outside the door. I ran inside and scooped my child up, holding him close to my chest and trying to comfort him with kisses and kind words. Gabriel sobbed for a while, his tiny hands tangled in my hair. When he finally calmed, I set him down to sleep and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Everything had happened so fast today and my brain was struggling to keep up.
I turned to look for Jared but he’d gone to the bedroom, starting to take off his holsters and uniform. When I entered the bedroom he was down to his shirt and pants and he turned to look at me. I frowned a little and stepped inside the room.
“Don’t you need to-“
“I don’t need to do anything other than be with you right now,” he whispered, walking over to me and wrapping his arms around me. “Everything else can wait,” he murmured, holding me close.
I sighed softly and kissed his neck, resting my head against his shoulder. I leaned into him, allowing myself to feel safe in his arms after this whole ordeal.
“It would be nice if you would stay,” I whispered, finally allowing myself to be weak.
He gripped my shoulders and pulled me away, looking at me seriously. “I have something I need to tell you.”
I looked at him and blinked, unsure of whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. I nodded and pressed my hand to his cheek. “Of course. What is it darling?” I asked, almost hesitant.
“I was so scared. When I heard your screams and when I saw him with his hand in your hair. I was so afraid that I might lose you for good and I’d never be able to tell you-” he broke off, overcome with emotion.
My eyes widened and my heart fluttered in my stomach. “Tell me what?” I breathed.
He took a deep breath. “I was afraid I’d never get to tell you that I loved you,” he whispered.
Tears came to my eyes and I threw my arms around him, holding him tight “I love you! I love you too!” I said.
He rocked me back and forth for a moment, kissing my face wherever he could. “I promise, I’m never going to let anyone hurt you ever again.”
“I know. I love you.”
We held each other for what felt like an eternity, kissing and whispering our love to each other. I knew, in that moment, that Richard was smiling down on us from heaven.
Chapter Ten
We were married shortly after that incident. We were planning on waiting until the fall but ended up being married in the summer. After everything that happened, we didn’t want to waste any more time.
The wedding was beautiful and more than I could have ever hoped for. Everyone came and wished us well, offering gifts of food and flowers. Gabriel was walking by the time our wed
ding came around and acted as the ring bearer. Jared was kind enough to have a small suit tailored for him.
After the wedding, a peculiar thing happened. The man who had tried to abduct me returned. He’d been unable to find his horse and had tried making it on his own in the wild, but it proved too difficult. He returned to the town and begged forgiveness, admitting that he had been shows the error of his ways. After a little nudging from me, Jared offered him a job as a deputy.
The man’s name was Maverick and he ended up being one of the best deputies Jared ever worked with. As he was integrated into our little town, he used his strength and size for good rather than mayhem. He turned out to be a rather mild-mannered man who loved to read and spend time with the horses. We learned so much about him in the time he stayed with us.
One of the young girls in town took an interest in him and despite his past, the two went on to get married. She was pregnant with their first child and looked like she might pop any day now. Maverick was proof to me that the Lord really did work in mysterious ways.
I smiled softly and ran my hand over my belly, tracing shapes with my fingers. I’d only found out about my own pregnancy about a month previous. I was barely showing but Jared was impressed with the tiny baby bump. He would come home every night and kiss it, offering tender, loving words. He was going to be an amazing daddy, even if he was terrified he might mess up.
When Jared started to worry about his abilities as a father, I would point out the fact that Gabriel adored him. Gabriel knew Jared as his daddy and while I wanted to tell him about Richard eventually, I thought it best to let Jared and Gabriel bond as father and son for now.
Marrying Jared didn’t mean I forgot about Richard. I’d never forget about Richard for as long as I lived. He would always be my first love, but I knew I couldn’t hold onto him forever. He wouldn’t have wanted that for me. I knew that if he could have met Jared, he would have wanted him to take care of me.
