He laughed softly.
"Terribly."
Clara's smile widened.
"Good. I thought I was the only one."
He took her hand.
The officiant began.
Friends and neighbors stood beneath the summer sky.
Children watched from the front benches.
The mountains rose around them.
The air smelled of wildflowers and pine.
They spoke their vows simply.
Caleb promised to share his work, his home, his difficulties, and his joys.
Clara promised the same.
Neither promised that life would become easy.
They knew better.
They had survived a winter that nearly overwhelmed the settlement.
They had seen how quickly comfort could disappear.
They knew that love would not prevent illness, hardship, or loss.
But they could promise honesty.
Respect.
Patience.
And the willingness to face difficulty together.
When the officiant declared them married, Caleb looked at Clara.
For a moment, he seemed too overwhelmed to move.
She laughed softly.
"Well?"
He blinked.
"Well what?"
"Are you going to kiss your wife?"
The gathered neighbors erupted in laughter.
Caleb grinned.
"Gladly."
He bent toward her.
She placed her hands against his chest.
And they kissed beneath the Colorado summer sky.
The church bell rang in the distance.
Children cheered.
Hester cried.
Martha Bell laughed.
And Amos Pike applauded until his hands hurt.
For one beautiful afternoon, the people of Pine Hollow celebrated without worrying about the next ration, the next storm, or the next shipment.
There was plenty to eat.
Fresh bread.
Roasted meat.
Beans.
Potatoes.
Summer vegetables.
And several jars of chow-chow prepared from the first garden harvest.
Caleb took one spoonful.
Then looked toward Clara.
"Better than Christmas."
She laughed.
"Everything tastes better when you aren't afraid it'll be the last."
He nodded.
Then took her hand beneath the table.
She smiled.
And the feast continued until the sun began setting behind the mountains.
Marriage changed the Bennett homestead in small, practical ways.
A second pair of boots appeared beside the door.
Caleb built a stronger woodshed.
He repaired the chicken fence.
Clara added shelves to the pantry.
They purchased a larger dining table.
And together, they planted a row of apple trees along the sheltered southern edge of the property.
Some work they did separately.
Other work they shared.
They discovered that Caleb disliked having people rearrange his tools.
Clara disliked muddy boots crossing the clean kitchen floor.
He occasionally forgot that cooking required more planning than throwing meat into a pan.
She occasionally attempted work that aggravated her aching knees rather than asking for assistance.
They argued.
Then apologized.
Then learned.
One afternoon, Caleb entered the kitchen carrying a muddy bucket.
Clara stopped him.