"I know."
That answer made him smile.
Barely.
But she saw it.
She rested her head against him.
After several minutes, she whispered, "Tell me something."
"What?"
"Why did you agree to marry me?"
Gideon was silent.
"You don't have to answer."
"I wanted someone."
She looked up.
"Someone?"
"Someone who would come home."
Clara's expression softened.
"That's all?"
"No."
"What else?"
He hesitated.
"I read your letter."
"Which one?"
"The first."
"What did it say?"
"You wrote that you weren't looking for wealth."
She smiled.
"I wasn't."
"You wrote that you didn't need a handsome husband."
"I lied."
He looked at her.
She laughed softly.
"I had to lie a little."
His mouth curved.
"You wrote that you wanted a quiet life."
"I thought I did."
"And?"
"I don't think I knew what quiet meant."
He looked at her.
"You do now."
She listened to the wind.
"Yes."
Another silence.
Then she asked, "Did you really mean what you said earlier?"
"What?"
"That you've never kissed a woman."
"Yes."
"Why?"
He thought about it.
"My mother died when I was young."
Clara waited.
"My father raised me."
"Was he kind?"
"Sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
"He was a mountain man too."
She smiled.
"I suppose that explains you."
"Maybe."
"What happened to him?"
"He died when I was twenty-four."
"I'm sorry."
"He taught me everything."
"Except women."
Gideon looked at her.
"No."
She smiled.
"Then perhaps you need a teacher."
His eyes darkened.
"You should be careful."
"Why?"
"I learn quickly."
She laughed.
The tension in the room loosened.
She touched his beard again.
"Are you still afraid?"
"Yes."
"Of me?"
"Of hurting you."
"Then don't."
"I won't."
She leaned closer.
"Good."
Her lips brushed his.
Only once.
Softly.
Gideon froze.
Clara pulled back.
His eyes were closed.
She waited.
Slowly, he opened them.
He looked stunned.
She smiled.
"That was a kiss."
"I know."
"You survived."
"Apparently."
She laughed.