Admiration.
Then back to her face.
“You are beautiful.”
Penny looked away.
“You don't have to say that.”
“I know.”
That mattered.
He touched her only after she reached for him.
Over months, Penny slowly stopped hiding beneath layers even when they were alone.
Not because Declan cured insecurity.
Because safety allowed habits to loosen.
One evening she stood near the stove in a thin cotton chemise while mixing medicine.
Declan entered from outside.
Stopped.
Penny looked over.
“What?”
He removed his hat.
“Nothing.”
She smiled.
“You are terrible at lying.”
“I’m not lying.”
“What then?”
He approached.
“Trying to behave.”
Penny laughed.
“Why?”
“You are making it difficult.”
“Good.”
He stared.
“Cruel.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You married me willingly.”
“Temporary madness.”
“Permanent consequences.”
He kissed her.
Life became ordinary.
That was what surprised them most.
After seven graves.
A murder investigation.
A town legend.
Marriage became chores.
Breakfast.
Repairing fences.
Arguments about money.
Penny leaving wet towels everywhere.
Declan refusing to replace boots until soles nearly disappeared.
She hated how he stored traps.
He hated how medical books migrated onto every table.
They fought over whether Penny should ride alone during storms.
She accused him of treating her like porcelain.
He pointed out she once fell through a creek trying to rescue him.
She replied:
“And succeeded.”
He had no answer.
Twin Rivers reacted predictably.
Some people treated Penny like heroine.
She hated that.
Others whispered that being Declan’s eighth wife remained dangerous.
She ignored them.
Then patients began coming.
At first secretly.
A miner with infected fingers.
A pregnant woman embarrassed to ask Samuel certain questions.
A child with fever.
Penny had no medical license.
Women rarely did in their county.
But she had training from Samuel.
Experience.
Knowledge.
Eventually Samuel announced he intended to retire.
Penny stared.
“What?”
“My hands.”
They both looked.
Tremor.
Worse now.
“You can't.”
“I can.”
“What about the practice?”
He smiled.
“You.”
Penny laughed bitterly.
“The county will never allow it.”
“Then make them.”
“That is not a medical strategy.”
“It worked with Declan.”
She glared.
Samuel arranged for Penny to study formally in Denver.
Two years.
Declan supported it immediately.
That frightened Penny more than opposition would have.
“You'd stay here?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“I survived before.”
“That is not the point.”
Declan took her hands.
“Go.”
“What about us?”
“We remain us.”
“Two years.”
“Not every day.”
“You can return.”
“I can visit.”
Penny searched his face.
“You are not afraid I'll leave?”
Declan smiled sadly.
“Yes.”
Her heart tightened.
“Then why tell me to go?”