He continued.
“Of finding out how much happiness a man can have before he starts worrying it might disappear.”
Her expression softened.
She reached toward him.
He took her hand without looking at the dress.
“Darling,” she whispered, “you don't have to earn a place beside me by being fearless.”
He smiled faintly.
“Good.”
He squeezed her hand.
“Because I don't reckon I could manage that.”
The wedding date drew closer.
Then the banker sent another letter.
This time, the notice warned that the property would be subject to enforcement unless the account was resolved by the very day the couple intended to marry.
The timing was too convenient.
The woman read the document and felt her stomach drop.
She showed it to the rancher.
His expression hardened.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he folded the letter.
“We'll handle it.”
She looked frightened.
“How?”
He considered his answer.
Then said, “The attorney is pressing for the proper payoff statement. We have the receipts and the original note.”
She nodded.
He continued.
“The bank can't simply invent a debt because it wants the land.”
The woman looked toward the smokehouse.
“But it can make us spend money fighting.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
She took a slow breath.
“I don't want our wedding to become a battle over property.”
The rancher looked at her.
“Neither do I.”
She lowered her eyes.
Then whispered, “Maybe we should wait.”
He became still.
“Wait?”
“Until the mortgage is resolved.”
He studied her.
For a moment, he wanted to protest.
Then he remembered that she deserved the freedom to choose without fear.
He took her hand.
“If postponing the ceremony would make you feel safer, I'll agree.”
Her eyes filled.
“You would?”
He nodded.
“Of course.”
She looked toward the wedding-dress drawing.
Then toward him.
“But I don't want to wait.”
His expression softened.
She continued.
“I've spent years being afraid to want something good.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“And now I finally have something wonderful happening, and that man is trying to frighten me out of it.”
The rancher squeezed her hand.
“Then we won't let him decide whether we marry.”
She looked up.
He smiled faintly.
“We'll make the decision ourselves.”
She nodded slowly.
Then leaned toward him.
He kissed her forehead.
But while he held her, he made a private decision.
He would settle the lawful debt before the wedding if it was possible.