“I’m listening.”
“I’m not looking for someone to replace Martha.”
His late wife.
Lena knew the name from letters.
“I wouldn’t agree if you were.”
“My boys may.”
“Expect it?”
“Yes.”
“Then they’ll be disappointed.”
Reid looked surprised.
Lena dried her hands.
“I’m not their mother.”
“I’m not going to walk in here and pretend I am.”
“I can cook.”
“I can mend.”
“I can keep records.”
“I can make sure nobody eats moldy potatoes because seven boys apparently consider pantry inventory a form of witchcraft.”
A laugh escaped him.
She continued.
“But they had a mother.”
“They lost her.”
“I won’t erase her just because you need another adult in this house.”
Reid’s eyes went toward the stairway.
“Thank you.”
“You may thank me after the first week.”
He looked back.
“About that.”
“What?”
“The wager.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t give them a chicken.”
Lena smiled.
“We’ll see.”
They married the next afternoon in the front room because snow threatened the road.
Reverend Callahan performed the ceremony.
Martha Hale from the neighboring ranch witnessed.
So did all seven boys.
Thomas looked as though he were attending a bank foreclosure.
Eli held Lena’s hand during most of the vows despite Samuel trying twice to pull him away.
Reid wore his best black coat.
Lena wore the blue dress she had packed specifically for the wedding.
No flowers.
No music.
No feast beyond biscuits, stew, and the last jar of peaches.
When Reverend Callahan asked Reid whether he took Lena as his lawful wife, Reid answered immediately.
“I do.”
When it became Lena’s turn, she glanced at the seven faces surrounding her.
Then at Reid.
His certainty had vanished.
He looked almost frightened.
She understood.
He expected hesitation.
Perhaps everyone did.
Lena said:
“I do.”
Reid exhaled.