“You still sure?”
He whispered.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
The rest belonged to them.
No debt.
No bargain.
No food exchanged for affection.
Martha chose every step.
And Gideon listened.
Morning arrived with Bess knocking on door.
“Mama!”
Martha’s eyes flew open.
Gideon stared at ceiling.
Bess knocked again.
“Mama!”
Martha covered face.
Gideon whispered:
“She’s persistent.”
“Your fault.”
“How?”
“Everything is your fault this morning.”
He almost laughed.
Martha got up.
Opened door slightly.
Bess looked past her.
Then smiled.
“Gideon sleeping.”
“Yes.”
“In your room?”
“No.”
Bess considered.
Then shouted down hall:
“CALEB! MAMA SLEPT WITH GIDEON!”
Martha closed eyes.
Gideon laughed so hard he nearly fell from bed.
Family life had no dignity.
By February, marriage became obvious next question.
Not because intimacy required it.
Because they were already running household together.
Martha owned half winter accounts under their agreement.
Gideon had added her name at bank through a supply agent.
She almost cried seeing it.
MARTHA HIGGINS — CO-HOLDER
A name beside money.
Not dependent.
Partner.
One evening Gideon set a small wooden box on table.
Martha looked suspicious.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“That means something.”
“Open.”
Inside lay a ring.
Simple silver band.
No stone.
Practical.
Beautiful.
Martha stared.
Gideon said:
“My mother’s.”
She looked up.
“Gideon.”
“Don't answer because winter.”
“Or children.”
“Or food.”
“I know.”
“I want answer only if when spring comes and road clears, you still choose here.”
Martha’s eyes filled.
He continued:
“So don't answer tonight.”
She stared at him.
“You proposed and forbid answer?”
“Yes.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Probably.”
She closed box.
“Fine.”
Gideon looked relieved.
That annoyed her.
Three days later Martha put ring on her own finger.
He noticed at breakfast.
Almost dropped coffee.
She said:
“I waited.”
“Three days.”
“You said not tonight.”
He stared.
Martha smiled.
“Spring can confirm.”
“Today can begin.”
They married in April.
Not Oak Haven.
Martha refused.
Gideon knew a traveling preacher who passed through ridge settlements.
The ceremony took place outside cabin after snowmelt.
Caleb stood beside Martha.
Sarah carried flowers.
Bess dropped hers immediately and chased a butterfly.
Gideon wore clean shirt.
Martha wore burgundy dress repaired at cuffs.
She refused new one.
“It survived.”
“So did I.”
After vows, preacher told Gideon to kiss bride.
Gideon looked at Martha first.
“May I?”
The preacher blinked.
Martha smiled.
“Yes.”
He kissed her.
Caleb looked away dramatically.
Sarah giggled.
Bess clapped.
That summer they returned to Oak Haven.
Martha needed settle debts.
Gideon needed supplies.