Hope in Cripple Creek by Sara R. Turnquist

Author:Sara R. Turnquist
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sara R. Turnquist

“Here it is,” Wyatt said as they arrived at the building that boasted a sign indicating it was the city courthouse. Dark clouds loomed overhead. The sky looked as if it might open up any minute and pour down upon them.

Katherine nodded, eager to get indoors before it started raining.

Wyatt reached for Katherine’s hand as they walked up the few steps that would take them to the front doors. Why did it seem like a strange gesture to her? He was only being a gentleman. But it struck her all the same. Perhaps because of the way it chipped at her long held opinion of him, perhaps because of the warmth of his hand, even through her cotton glove.

As Wyatt held the door open, Katherine entered the building swiftly, grateful to be able to slip her hand away from his. A middle-aged woman with graying hair sat at a desk just inside the large entry. She rummaged through paperwork as they moved farther into the courthouse and closer to her.

“May I help you?” The woman looked up from her papers, her brown eyes warm in their greeting. It calmed Katherine’s nerves, if only just slightly.

“Yes, ma’am. My name is Wyatt Sullivan. I telegraphed the judge about a civil ceremony this afternoon.”

“Ah, yes. Dr. Sullivan. We’ve been expecting you. Please have a seat, and I’ll let Judge Dougan know you are here.”

Wyatt nodded and led Katherine to a bench nearby. She was so nervous that she shook. What could she do to distract herself? Shifting in her seat, she began maneuvering out of her travel jacket. Wyatt’s hands were on her sleeves then, assisting her to pull her arms out. It was not helping calm her to have him so close.

Still, she glanced over at him, thanking him, before setting the jacket to the side. Then she worked to smooth over the front of her dress, wishing she could release the wrinkles from the long trip. The dress had a sweetheart neckline trimmed in lace, and the bodice hugged her figure before meeting the waist. Her sleeves had a slight puff before they, too, hung close to her skin. As much as she loved her favorite church dress, she never imagined it would also be her wedding dress. Her childhood fantasies had put her in a flowing white gown that was not at all practical for any human being to wear on any occasion. But her dream was not to be.

Katherine caught herself. This was neither the time nor the place to break down. She had made her decision. Her eyes slid closed as she attempted, yet again, to still the emotions within herself and prepare for what was ahead. Her wedding.

They were going to do this. She was going to marry Wyatt Sullivan. Never could she have imagined agreeing to any manner of regular acquaintance with him, and now she would be pledging to live with him, raise children with him.

Realization slammed into her. She would live with him. What would that entail? Katherine had not thought that far ahead.

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