“What?”
“You ran through this house barefoot once.”
Her face warmed.
“Emergency.”
“You looked terrified.”
“I was.”
“Because of me.”
“Yes.”
He stepped closer.
“Say it again.”
She smiled.
“You enjoy hearing it.”
“I enjoy knowing it.”
“That I was afraid?”
“That you cared.”
Lila touched his shirt.
“I still care.”
Cole’s hands settled at her waist.
Carefully.
Even after months, he still gave her time.
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m planning something inconvenient.”
Lila narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
He reached into his pocket.
A ring.
She stared.
“Oh.”
Cole suddenly looked far less confident than the man who controlled forty thousand acres should.
“I had a speech.”
“What happened?”
“Forgot it.”
“That is reassuring.”
“Lila.”
She smiled.
“Yes?”
“Marry me.”
Straightforward.
Exactly him.
She looked at the ring.
Then him.
“Why?”
His brow furrowed.
“That was not part of the expected procedure.”
“I’m changing the procedure.”
He exhaled.
Then answered.
“Because this house sounded empty before you.”
Her chest tightened.
“Because Daniel says I’m less unbearable.”
“Strong endorsement.”
“Because I trust you.”
His voice softened.
“And because every time your hand leaves mine, I notice.”
Lila’s eyes filled.
Cole looked alarmed.
“Is that bad?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“You’re better at speeches than you think.”
He almost smiled.
Lila touched the ring.
“Ask again.”
“Marry me.”
“Yes.”
Cole closed his eyes briefly.
Relief.
Then she added:
“One condition.”
He opened them.
“Of course.”
“The bathhouse gets a second door.”
Cole laughed so loudly Mrs. Keller came running.
They married in spring.
Not a giant event.
Cole disliked crowds.
Lila disliked spectacle.
The ceremony happened beneath live oaks near the main house.
Daniel stood beside Cole.
Mrs. Keller beside Lila.
Jacob sat in the second row.
Not front.
His choice.
No expectation of fatherly privilege he had not earned.
That mattered.
Lila wore a deep cream dress made specifically for her body rather than designed to hide it.
For years she had treated clothing as camouflage.
Not that day.
Cole stared when she approached.
Daniel whispered something.
Cole elbowed him.
Lila smiled.
At the altar, the preacher spoke.
Lila barely heard.
Cole held her hands.
Same man.
Different context.
No danger.
No mystery.
Still her pulse raced.
When the preacher said:
“You may kiss the bride.”
Cole paused.
Everyone noticed.
Lila smiled.
He whispered:
“May I?”
Her heart broke beautifully.
“Yes.”
He kissed her.
Applause rose.
Lila heard Jacob crying.
She did not turn.
Some things could be allowed without being managed.