I'd like that lots. Elias's expression cracked, just for a moment, showing something raw and aching underneath. Then he composed himself and looked across the table at Nora. Reckon that settles it then, he said quietly. If you'll have me.
It wasn't a proper proposal. There was no romance in it, no flowery words or bended knee, just a practical question from a practical man, witnessed by a tableful of cowboys and one oblivious 4-year-old who just accidentally orchestrated the whole thing, but somehow it was perfect. "Yes. " Nora heard herself say. "Yes. " "I'll marry you. " Tommy cheered. The hands had broken into startled grins and congratulations.
And Elias just nodded once, sharp and final, as if they just agreed on a livestock purchase rather than a lifetime commitment. "I'll ride to town this afternoon. " He said. "Talk to Pastor Reynolds about a ceremony. " "Sooner we make it legal, sooner Vincent's claim loses standing. " "That work for you? " "That works fine. " Nora managed, her heart pounding so hard she could barely hear herself think. "Good. " Then it settled. He stood, placed his hat back on his head, and walked out, leaving Nora alone with her decision and the sudden terrifying realization that in less than a week she'd be Mrs.
Elias Ward. Not out of love, out of necessity. But as Tommy climbed into her lap and hugged her tight, whispering, "We get to stay, Mama. We really get to stay. " Nora thought that maybe necessity was enough. Maybe love could come later or never, and they'd still be okay.
She had to believe that because she'd just agreed to marry a man who still loved a ghost, and there was no going back now. That evening, after the hands had left and Tommy was in bed, Elias called Nora out to the porch. He held something in his hands, a small box worn with age. "This was my mother's. " He said without preamble, opening it to reveal a simple gold band with a small garnet stone. "She gave it to Sarah. " "After Sarah died, I put it away, figured I'd never need it again. " He held it out to Nora.
"It's yours now, if you want it. " Nora stared at the ring, her throat tight. "Elias, I can't take Sarah's ring. It wouldn't be right. " "Sarah's gone. You're here. " "And we need this to look real if we're going to convince a judge Vincent has no claim. So, take it.
Make it yours. " Slowly, Nora reached out and accepted the box. The ring was beautiful in its simplicity, the garnet catching the lamplight like a drop of blood. "Thank you. " She whispered. "Pastor Reynolds will do the ceremony day after tomorrow. " Elias continued, his tone businesslike. "I told him it was sudden, but he's known me long enough not to ask questions. " "We'll need a witness.
I'll ask Miss Maybelle from the neighboring farm. " "She's discreet. " "Day after tomorrow. " Nora repeated, letting the reality sink in. "That's fast. " "Vincent gave us a week. Better to be ahead of schedule than behind. " "Right. " "Of course. " Nora turned the ring box over in her hands. "Elias, I need to know. " "What happens after? " "After we're married, what does that look like? Do you expect I mean, will we" She couldn't finish.
Couldn't make herself ask about the intimate realities of marriage to a man she barely knew. But Elias understood. "This is a marriage on paper, Nora. " "For protection and practicality. " "I'm not expecting anything beyond that. " "You'll keep your room, I'll keep the barn, we'll live like we've been living, just with legal standing. That clear enough? " Relief and something that might have been disappointment warred in Nora's chest. "Very clear.
Thank you. " "Don't thank me. This helps me as much as you. " "Boy needs a father, ranch needs an heir. " "We're solving problems, that's all. " But it wasn't all, no matter how many times he said it. No man married a virtual stranger just to solve problems. There was something more driving Elias's offer, something he wouldn't or couldn't articulate. Nora could see it in the way he looked at Tommy, the way his expression softened when he thought no one was watching, the way he'd stepped between her and Vincent without a moment's hesitation.
He cared. He just didn't know how to admit it. "Still. " Nora said softly. "Thank you. " "For caring enough to do this. " "Even if you won't call it that. " Elias's jaw tightened, but he didn't deny it. Didn't confirm it either, just nodded and walked away, leaving Nora alone with a dead woman's ring and the weight of a marriage built on everything but love.