“Lawson has chosen death.”
Henrietta looked at Caleb.
“Too much cinnamon?”
“In cobbler.”
She handed him plate.
“Give back.”
He held tight.
“I didn’t say bad.”
“Give.”
“No.”
She reached.
He moved.
The crew howled.
Henrietta chased him around wagon until both laughing.
That night, after men slept, they sat by fire.
Caleb asked:
“Do you ever miss husband?”
Henrietta looked toward flames.
“Yes.”
He waited.
“He was kind.”
“Funny.”
“Terrible with money.”
“Loved music.”
“Could not fix anything.”
“What was name?”
“Daniel.”
Caleb nodded.
“Do you think loving again betrays him?”
Henrietta looked sharply.
“That is bold.”
“I’ve spent two years being patient.”
“You call that patient?”
“Yes.”
She stared.
Then smiled sadly.
“No.”
“I don’t think it betrays.”
“Then?”
Henrietta looked at hands.
“I do not want be somebody’s exception.”
Caleb frowned.
“What?”
She breathed.
“I have heard men say things like, ‘I usually don’t like women your size, but you’re different.’”
“Or ‘I can see past it.’”
“As though loving me means overlooking something.”
Caleb’s expression hardened.
Henrietta continued.
“I don’t need man proud of himself for tolerating my body.”
Caleb was silent.
Then:
“Good.”
She looked.
“What?”
“I’m not.”
Her heartbeat changed.
He met her eyes.
“I don’t see past you, Hedi.”
“I see you.”
“All of you.”
“You take up space.”
“So do I.”
“You get tired.”
“So do I.”
“You are beautiful.”
Her eyes burned.
He continued before fear stopped him.
“And if you were smaller tomorrow, I’d still love you.”
“If larger, still.”
“But I am not waiting for another version.”
Henrietta could not speak.
Caleb looked suddenly alarmed by his own word.
Love.
It hung.
He exhaled.
“Well.”
She whispered:
“You said it.”
“Yes.”
“Was that planned?”
“No.”
“Poor planning.”
“Apparently.”
Henrietta smiled through tears.
Caleb remained where he was.
Did not reach.
That mattered.
She moved first.
She crossed the small distance between them and kissed him.
Caleb froze.
Then his hand came gently to her cheek.
When they separated, he looked stunned.
Henrietta said:
“Still too much cinnamon?”
He laughed against her forehead.
“Yes.”
She shoved him.
They married after that season.
Not because partnership needed.
Lawyers already covered business.