"You've made me the happiest man in Montana territory," he said simply. "Perhaps in all the western states." Faith laughed, feeling lighter than she had in years. "That's quite a claim, Mr. Turner. I can back it up," he assured her, his smile radiant.
"Just wait and see." When the music ended, they found Emma and Mrs. Abernathy watching the dancing from a bench near the band stand. Emma's face was sticky with gingerbread, but her eyes were bright with excitement. Mama, you look so pretty dancing with Mr. Yates, like in a fairy tale.
Faith laughed, wiping her daughter's face with a dampened handkerchief. Thank you, sweetheart. Are you enjoying the festival? It's the best day ever, Emma declared emphatically. Can we come back next year?
Yates knelt beside her, his expression serious. I think that can be arranged, Miss Emma. In fact, I hope we can make it a family tradition. Emma's eyes widened. A family tradition.
You mean like we'd be a family? Faith held her breath, uncertain how Yates would respond to such a direct question. He glanced up at her, seeking permission, and she gave a slight nod. "Well, Miss Emma," he said carefully, "that, that's something your mother and I will need to discuss." "But I want you to know that I care very deeply for both of you, and nothing would make me happier than for us to be a family someday." Emma considered this solemnly, then nodded. "I'd like that.
Whistle, too. Whistle, too." Yates agreed with a laugh, standing up. Now I believe they are about to start the lantern release. Shall we go watch? As they moved toward the center of the square, Yates took Faith's hand in his entwining their fingers.
The simple gesture performed openly in public was as much a declaration as words could have been. Faith squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of rightness that transcended her lingering fears. The next few months passed in a happy blur. Yates courted faith properly with regular visits, Sunday dinners, and occasional outings to neighboring towns. As winter descended on Montana, bringing heavy snow and bitter cold, he made sure Faith and Emma's cabin was well stocked with firewood and provisions.
Faith continued teaching, earning the respect of even her most skeptical parents as their children's progress became evident. Emma thrived both at school and at home. Where Whistle had been joined by one of Shadow's kittens, a black fluff ball Emma named Meadow after the Meadowark Whistle Yates had carved for her. Christmas approached with mounting excitement. The schoolhouse closed for 2 weeks, and Faith devoted herself to creating a special holiday for Emma.
They baked cookies using precious sugar Martha had helped them obtain, strung popcorn garlands for their small pine tree, and wrapped modest gifts in brown paper brightened with red yarn bows. On Christmas Eve, Yates arrived with his arms full of parcels, and a fur tree strapped to his horses saddle a much larger, fuller tree than the small one Faith had managed to drag home herself. Merry Christmas," he called as Emma flung open the door, squealing with delight at the sight of the magnificent tree. "It's so big, and it smells so good," she exclaimed, dancing around him as he maneuvered the tree inside. Faith laughed, moving their smaller tree aside.