Chapter Four

      Carly had it all figured out in her head. Marry the man. Go home and life would go on as it had since she’d started working the ranch when she was fifteen. Against her father’s wishes, although she had done plenty to help before that. His protesting noise meant nothing as he clearly needed the help. He didn’t like riding the range, didn’t like pushing cows out of coulees or roping an ornery steer to tend a hoof. She did like it and she did it well, so they had settled unto a comfortable routine. He farmed the few acres he had plowed to raise feed and wheat for their flour. She did the cow stuff.

      The roles were perfectly clear.

      Sawyer would help her maintain those roles. He could take Father’s place in the way the ranch was run.

      But if he thought she’d agreed to marry him because she needed him—

      Well, she hoped she’d set him straight on that matter.

      She resisted an urge to bend down and rub her ankle where he’d grabbed her. Indignation rose within her. Even if he’d promised himself to not stand by when he saw someone in danger, it didn’t give him the right to be so indiscreet.

      But marriage would.

      She shook her head to dismiss the idea. They’d agreed on the terms of their marriage and it did not include any privileges.

      At least Father had given his permission. She ducked her head to hide her smile as she thought of the note she’d written to him.

      You said we needed a man at the ranch. I found one. He’s strong. Has a little sister. They need a home. So we’re going to get married. I think you’ll like Sawyer. He appears to be a lot like you—stubborn, a man of his word and when he speaks, he means what he says. Though I doubt he is as stubborn as a Scotsman. I’ve made up my mind and intend to do this but I would appreciate your blessing.

      She hadn’t added that Hugh might refuse to marry them without Father’s approval.

      Her thoughts returned to the present when Hugh asked Annie to be witness to the exchanging of vows. “I’ll call Augie East to be the other witness.” Hugh left to go ask the blacksmith who also served as undertaker to join them.

      When the door closed behind him, Annie broke into tears, trying to wipe them from her face before the children noticed.

      “You two go play with Evan’s toys on the hearth,” Carly said and waited for the children to settle down in front of the cold fireplace to play before she pulled Annie aside. “What’s wrong?”

      Annie sobbed her reply. “I always dreamed of you walking down the aisle in a lovely white gown as I stood up front to share your wedding day with you.”

      Carly glanced over to Sawyer, saw that he watched them but he might have been deaf for all she could read of his expression.

      She turned back to Annie. “We could get married in the church if it means that much to you.” Though she preferred not to take vows before the pulpit. Not that she didn’t mean to keep the vows but not in the sense of marriage as God had instituted.

      “It’s not the same.” Annie wiped her tears on the corner of a kitchen towel. “But I know you won’t change your mind.” She looked past Carly to Sawyer. “She’s stubborn like that.”

      “Hush, Annie, do you want him to change his mind?” Some men saw stubbornness as contentious.

      “Better now than to have regrets later.”

      “I’m not about to change my mind,” Sawyer said. “I’ve given my word and I stand by it.”

      Annie sniffed. “You’re as stubborn as she.”

      “Not stubborn, ma’am. Just going to do what has to be done.”

      Hugh returned with Mr. East. He looked from Carly to Sawyer and back again. “I can’t say as I like this but it seems you’ve both made up your minds. Do you want to get married in the church or—”

      “Can we just do it in the front room?” Carly knew it didn’t make any difference in God’s sight where they spoke their vows but she did not want to do it in the church.

      “That will be fine.” They went into the next room. Hugh stood with his back to the fireplace.

      Feeling as awkward as a newborn foal trying to find her legs for the first time, Carly faced Hugh, with Sawyer on one side of her, Annie on the other and Mr. East at Sawyer’s far side. She’d never envisioned herself as getting married and if she had, it would not have been like this. But as Sawyer said, they were only doing what had to be done.

      Hugh opened his black book of ceremonies. “I will ask yet again, are you sure of this?”

      Carly nodded as did Sawyer. The children sat on the hearth, watching. Somehow, seeing Jill in her soiled dress with her hair tangled about her head made Carly straighten her spine. This was the right thing to do.

      “Very well,” Hugh said. “Even though the circumstances of this marriage are unusual, the vows are the same. You are about to enter into a union which is most sacred and most serious. It is most sacred, because it is established by God himself. You are swearing before God to uphold the tenants of this holy institution.” He paused long enough to give them a chance to withdraw their request.

      Neither did.

      “Very well. If you would face each other.” He waited while they slowly turned. “Take each other’s hands.”

      Neither Carly nor Sawyer moved.

      Hugh sighed a little. “How do you expect to be joined in marriage if you can’t even hold hands?” He half closed the book. “I don’t know if I can go through with this.”

      Carly and Sawyer reached for each other. She was not surprised to learn his hands were work worn and his grasp firm. She tightened her fingers and gave him an equally firm hold.

      “Good. Now let’s proceed. Sawyer, repeat after me.” Hugh spoke the wedding vows and Sawyer repeated them, his voice strong and sure.

      And then it was Carly’s turn. She met Sawyer’s gaze without flinching and echoed Hugh’s words. Every word a promise to be forever united to this man.

      “You have exchanged vows before God and these witnesses. Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. You may now kiss the bride.”

      Carly