But that evening he remained free.
Sadie returned to boardinghouse for first time.
Her tiny room remained.
Mrs. Palmer had kept it.
Sadie stood inside.
The bed seemed smaller than memory.
Lucien waited in hall.
“You don’t have to stand there.”
“I know.”
“Come in.”
He did.
Barely room for both.
Sadie looked at cracked washbasin.
“This was my whole world.”
Lucien said nothing.
She turned.
“Do you pity me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Pity makes people small.”
“What do you feel?”
His answer took time.
“Angry.”
“At Cobb?”
“Yes.”
“At yourself?”
“Yes.”
“At me?”
“No.”
“Never?”
He almost smiled.
“Ask after you reorganize my pantry again.”
Sadie laughed.
Then she looked at him.
“Lucien.”
“Yes.”
“What happens to us?”
His smile faded.
“Your choice.”
“You always say that now.”
“Trying to learn.”
She looked at ring.
“If I annul?”
“I sign.”
“If I remain married but live here?”
“I visit if invited.”
“If I return mountain?”
His eyes softened.
“I make better coffee.”
“That would be necessary.”
Silence.
Sadie stepped closer.
“I’m still angry.”
“I know.”
“You lied by omission.”
“Yes.”
“You treated me like problem to solve.”
“Yes.”
“You also gave me key.”
“Yes.”
“And slept on floor.”
“Yes.”
“And brought food you never expected to trade for me.”
“Yes.”
“You are infuriating.”
“I know.”
Sadie touched his chest.
He became completely still.
She said:
“I don’t want marriage because town chose.”
Lucien swallowed.
“I know.”
“I don’t want marriage because father trusted your family.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want marriage because you protected land.”
“I know.”
She looked into his eyes.
“What if I want to begin again?”
Lucien’s breath changed.
“Begin how?”
Sadie removed iron ring.
His face fell.
She held it between them.
“Ask me.”
Lucien stared.
Then understood.
He looked suddenly more frightened than when facing armed deputies.
Sadie almost smiled.
Lucien took ring from her.
His large hand trembled.
“Sadie Miller.”
“Yes?”
“Would you marry me?”
She let silence stretch.
His jaw tightened.
She enjoyed that more than she should.
Then:
“Why?”
Lucien looked at her.
Not at floor.
Not ring.
Her.
“Because cabin is less empty when you’re there.”
“Because you make me argue with shelves.”
“Because you laugh when I don’t deserve it.”