Then she whispered, "I don't deserve your kindness."
Gabriel looked pained.
"That isn't how kindness works."
She stared.
He continued.
"I'm still angry."
Clara nodded.
"I know."
"And I still don't know what happens between us."
She lowered her eyes.
"But I'm not going to use your fear against you."
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Then Clara reached toward his hand.
She stopped halfway.
Gabriel noticed.
He looked at her fingers.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain.
Then he slowly placed his hand on the table, palm upward.
Clara stared.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
She placed her fingers against his.
He closed his hand gently around them.
Neither spoke.
The fire crackled.
Jasper sighed beside the stove.
And for one brief moment, something broken between them began to mend.
The first rumors reached the ranch after Sunday services.
Gabriel had not planned to take Clara into town.
He knew people could be cruel.
He also knew that hiding her from the community would only make their marriage more difficult.
So he asked whether she wanted to accompany him.
Clara hesitated.
Her pregnancy was becoming more visible.
In Missouri, she'd learned how quickly strangers could judge a woman they believed had violated the rules of respectable society.
But Gabriel didn't pressure her.
He simply said he'd be glad to have her beside him.
That decided her.
They traveled to town in the wagon.
Clara wore her best cream dress and a dark wool cloak.
Gabriel wore a clean shirt, brown vest, and his broad-brimmed hat.
He helped her down from the wagon.
Then offered his arm.
She looked toward him.
For a moment, she seemed surprised.
He smiled faintly.
"You're my wife. I'd rather not lose you between the wagon and the church."
She laughed softly.
Then took his arm.
They entered the small wooden church together.
The congregation wasn't large.
Ranch families.
Shopkeepers.
Children.
Several elderly residents.
And a few travelers passing through the valley.
Gabriel knew most of them.
People greeted him warmly.
Several looked at Clara with curiosity.
One older woman smiled.
"So you're the new Mrs. Morrow."
Clara nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
The woman took her hand.
"I'm Abigail Turner. We were beginning to think Gabriel would marry his cattle."
Gabriel groaned.
Clara laughed.
Abigail smiled triumphantly.
"See? He does have a sense of humor."
For several minutes, Clara felt comfortable.
Then she noticed two women near the rear pew whispering.
Their eyes moved toward her waist.
One leaned closer to the other.
Clara's stomach tightened.
Gabriel noticed her expression.
He followed her gaze.
The women looked away quickly.