"That you have a terrible habit of making a cowboy forget what he was going to say."
Ren laughed harder.
Elias grinned.
Then grew serious.
"Ren."
She looked at him.
"I meant what I said."
"About what?"
"You weren't worth marrying because you turned out to be beautiful."
Her expression softened.
He continued.
"I wanted to know you before I ever saw your face."
Ren's eyes filled.
She moved closer.
"Then perhaps you should know something."
He smiled.
"What?"
She looked toward the camp.
"I'm frightened of the future."
Elias nodded.
"So am I."
She turned toward him.
"Does that surprise you?"
"Not a bit."
Ren hesitated.
Then rested her hand against his chest.
"I don't know whether this marriage will protect our river."
Elias gently covered her hand.
"Neither do I."
She swallowed.
"But I want to try."
He nodded.
"Then we'll try together."
Ren looked into his eyes.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then she leaned forward.
Elias met her halfway.
Their kiss was tender.
Unhurried.
And when they separated, Ren rested her forehead against his.
"I think," she whispered, "I'd like to learn what it means to be happy without being afraid of it."
Elias smiled.
"Seems like a fine thing to learn."
She laughed softly.
Then took his hand.
And together they returned to the celebration.
Hours later, after the fires had burned low and most of the families had gone to sleep, Elias woke to the sound of boots outside their shelter.
At first, he thought someone was tending the horses.
Then he heard a low voice.
A second voice answered.
Ren stirred beside him.
"What is it?"
Elias sat up.
"Stay quiet."
The entrance covering moved.
Three armed men forced their way inside.
The first carried a rifle.
The second held a heavy wooden club.
The third moved directly toward Ren.
Elias lunged from the bedding.
The rifleman struck him across his injured ribs.
Pain exploded through his side.
He stumbled.
Ren screamed.
The second man seized her arm.
She fought him.
Hard.
She struck his face with the heel of her hand, twisted free for a moment, and grabbed a small knife from beside the bedding.
The third man caught her wrist.
The knife fell.
Elias drove his shoulder into the rifleman.
They crashed against the wall.
A shot went into the roof.
Outside, someone shouted.
Ren kicked one attacker in the knee.
He cursed.
Then the third man threw a thick cloth over her head and dragged her toward the exit.
Elias struggled to stand.
Pain nearly blinded him.
He heard Ren calling his name.
Then the sound of horses.
He stumbled outside.
Three riders were already racing toward the eastern ridge.
One carried Ren across the saddle.
Her pale wedding veil trailed behind them.
Elias shouted.
"REN!"
Warriors rushed from the shelters.
Iron Elk appeared carrying a rifle.
His face transformed when he understood what had happened.
"Where?"
Elias pointed toward the eastern trail.