Wedding Ring by Emilie Richards

Author:Emilie Richards [Richards, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2004-11-21T20:00:00+00:00

Fate and Helen sneaked away from the music and the backslapping and the crying children. Obed had given Fate the keys to his old Model T, and for once it started without kicking and cursing. They were a mile down Fitch before either of them breathed easier. The only person they’d said goodbye to was Delilah.

“She looked so happy,” Helen said. “Like she was all lit up inside. Does she look sicker to you? Since you been gone, I mean?”

He was quiet for a long time. “Helen, you got to love every moment you got left with her. But even if she’s gone by morning, this night, well, it would have meant everything to her. She’ll die happy now.”

She knew that was his way of making her face the truth. But gently, with kindness. He had always been gentle.

She didn’t say anything until they were nearly at the cabin. She knew they had to park at the bottom of the hill and walk up. The road into the farm was bad enough. They each had a bag with things they would need that night, and after he helped her out of the car, he took both bags and held out his hand. They started up the hill, following a well-worn, moonlit path.

The night was chilly, and Helen shivered. Dorothy had warned her the cabin was always cold, and that even though she and Obed had banked the hearth fire before they left for the wedding, it would probably have burned out by now. If they were lucky, there would be a few coals to start another.

Fate lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, and she felt immediately warmer. The stars were a flickering, cloud-dusted canopy, and even though she was a little concerned about what awaited her inside, she was also anxious just to have Fate to herself. Since his arrival, they had been surrounded by activity and family, with very few private moments.

They stopped at the door, and Fate set the bags on the narrow porch floor and flipped a primitive latch. “Your pa told me I’d better not forget this.” Before she could respond, he swept her off her feet and into his arms; then he nudged the door with his shoulder and stepped over the threshold.

“Put me down,” she squealed. “I’m practically as big as you are!”

“Not nearly as strong, though,” he teased. He set her on her feet, and before she could say another word, he kissed her. She clung to him, only stepping away reluctantly when she realized a frosty wind was sweeping through the open front door.

“If there was anything left of the fire, there won’t be now.” She shivered again and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She had refused to wear her shabby old coat and cover her new dress.

“I’ll get it burning again.” He pulled her close once more, kissing her forehead; then he headed for the fireplace.

Helen got the bags inside and closed the door, latching it from the inside so it would stay that way.

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