“I don't want you because I am lonely.”
She smiled through tears.
“That last one is partly true.”
“Yes.”
He smiled too.
“But I want you when you're tired.”
“When you're angry.”
“When you tell me my plans are foolish.”
“When you take up half the bed and somehow steal all the blankets.”
Martha’s mouth fell open.
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
“Thomas.”
“I love that too.”
Her eyes filled completely.
He continued.
“I want to know what you will complain about when we are old.”
“I want to watch you argue with Gideon.”
“I want to feed people at this table until you tell me we need another one.”
“I want your soup tomorrow.”
“And your company after there is nothing left in the pot.”
Thomas squeezed her hand.
“Marry me.”
Martha cried.
Thomas became alarmed.
“That looks unclear.”
She laughed through tears.
“You idiot.”
“Is that yes?”
“Yes.”
He exhaled.
Martha placed one hand against his beard.
“Although your courting remains terrible.”
“I brought a spoon.”
“You did.”
“A very good spoon.”
She kissed him.
The porch door opened.
Eli stood there.
Thomas broke away.
“How long have you been there?”
The boy smiled.
“Long enough.”
Thomas groaned.
Martha laughed.
Eli shouted toward the lower trail.
“Father! He finally asked!”
Gideon’s distant voice answered:
“About damn time!”
Thomas buried his face in his hands.
Martha had never loved him more.
They married beside the cabin in June.
No elaborate church.
No wealthy guests.
Gideon stood beside Thomas.
Eli carried wildflowers.
Clara came from Covenant Creek, where she had become county clerk after three former officials were indicted.
Mercer did not attend because he was serving eighteen months in territorial custody, though he sent a note that said:
I assume the soup finally worked.
Martha laughed for five full minutes.
She wore the same sea-blue dress.
Cleaned.
Repaired.
No corset.
No attempt to make herself look smaller.
Thomas wore a black coat Gideon forced him to buy.
When Martha approached, Thomas stared.
Not politely.
Not carefully.
He stared as though she were the only thing visible in the valley.
That mattered.
All her life, Martha had been told a woman built like her should be grateful for whatever affection arrived.
Thomas never asked gratitude.
He looked at her as though he had somehow received more than he deserved.
During the vows, the preacher asked Thomas whether he took Martha as his wife.
“Yes.”
Too quickly.
Everyone laughed.
When Martha’s turn came, she deliberately waited.
Thomas looked terrified.
She smiled.
“Yes.”
Afterward, she whispered:
“Consider that revenge for every spoonful you stole.”
“Cruel woman.”
“You chose me.”
“I did.”
“Then live with the consequences.”
“I intend to.”
They kissed beneath the mountain sun.
Years later, people in Covenant Creek told the story differently.
Some said everything began with a murder.
Others said it began with forged land deeds.
Eli believed it began when his father finally trusted him with the leather pouch.
Gideon believed it began twenty years earlier when he made the terrible decision to protect Thomas without telling him why.