“And certainly not because I want a woman to spend the rest of her life telling me which fence is falling down.”
Clara laughed.
Nathaniel's voice softened.
“I want to marry you because this house feels empty when you're not in it.”
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered.
“Because I love you.”
Clara began crying.
She placed both hands against his face.
“Nathaniel.”
He smiled.
“Is that a yes?”
She laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
He leaned forward.
She kissed him.
And for a moment, the worries of the ranch seemed very far away.
Their wedding was scheduled for Christmas Eve.
Elena immediately began planning.
Mateo offered to decorate the church.
A neighboring family promised fresh bread and a small celebration.
And Clara wrote to Aunt Beatrice, asking whether she might travel west if the weather permitted.
The response arrived eleven days later.
Beatrice couldn't make the long winter journey.
Her health had become uncertain.
But she enclosed a handwritten letter, a pair of antique pearl earrings, and a small piece of lace that had belonged to Clara's mother.
My darling girl, you have spent much of your life being told what the world cannot make room for. I pray this man understands how fortunate he is to have you in his life.
Clara cried when she read it.
Nathaniel found her sitting beside the window.
He approached quietly.
“Bad news?”
She shook her head.
Then held out the letter.
He read it.
For a moment, his expression softened.
Then he looked toward her.
“Your aunt sounds like a wise woman.”
Clara smiled.
“She'd be pleased to hear that.”
Nathaniel sat beside her.
He took her hand.
Then asked something that made her heart ache with tenderness.
“Have you decided what kind of wedding dress you'd like?”
Clara laughed.
“Nathaniel, finding a dress suitable for me isn't as simple as walking into a shop.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She looked toward him.
For a moment, her smile faded.
“I've thought about wearing my burgundy gown.”
He frowned.
“The traveling dress?”
She nodded.
“It's comfortable. Properly made. And it's already here.”
Nathaniel considered.
Then looked directly at her.
“Would that make you happy?”
Clara hesitated.
For several seconds, she didn't answer.
Finally, she whispered.
“No.”
He nodded.
“What would?”
Her cheeks warmed.
She looked down.
“A white wedding gown.”
Nathaniel smiled.