Daniel frowned, trying to remember.
“We were leaving church. Mrs. Wilkins had that new baby.”
Understanding entered his eyes.
“I said the ranch had enough bedrooms for a noisy household someday.”
“Yes.”
“That was hardly a demand.”
“It was enough.”
“Enough for what?”
“To know you wanted them.”
Daniel looked away.
And there it was.
The truth.
He had wanted them.
Emily felt something cave inward.
“I knew.”
she whispered.
Daniel’s eyes snapped back.
“I knew I was cheating you.”
“Stop.”
“I let you marry me without telling you something that could change the whole life you thought you were choosing.”
“Emily.”
“A man deserves to know whether the woman he marries can—”
“Stop.”
His voice was stronger now.
Not angry.
Firm.
Emily flinched anyway.
Daniel saw it.
His expression softened instantly.
“I’m sorry.”
He lowered his voice.
“But don't finish that sentence as though your body is a contract you failed to deliver.”
Emily stared.
No man had ever spoken to her like that.
The doctor in St. Louis had been kind.
Her aunt had not.
Her former fiancé certainly had not.
Daniel slowly set his coat down.
Then pulled the wooden chair farther from the bed and sat.
He kept several feet between them.
“You should have told me.”
Emily closed her eyes.
There.
She had known it.
Daniel continued before she could speak.
“Not because you owed me children.”
Her eyes opened.
“Because you've carried this alone while believing I would stop loving you if I knew.”
She stared at him.
“That part hurts.”
Emily’s chin trembled.
“You aren't angry?”
“I’m hurt.”
“That’s worse.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“It’s different.”
He looked toward the floor.
“I wish you trusted me.”
“I wanted to.”
“But you didn't.”
She had no defense.
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel rubbed a hand over his jaw.
“How certain was the doctor?”
“He said nearly certain.”
“Nearly.”
Emily shook her head.
“Don't.”
“What?”
“Don't give me hope because you feel sorry for me.”
“I’m not.”
“He was a surgeon.”
“Then I believe him.”
Daniel leaned back slightly.
Emily searched his face.
“Would you have married me if I'd told you?”
He did not answer immediately.
That pause hurt.
Then Daniel said:
“Yes.”
Emily laughed once through tears.
“You don't need to lie now.”
“I’m not.”
“You wanted children.”
“I did.”
“Do.”
Daniel nodded.