“Marriage certificate.”
Dobs choked.
Cecilia’s face flushed.
“Wyatt married you because his mother asked.”
Avalene went still.
Nobody at the table moved.
Cecilia saw the hit.
So she continued.
“He told you that, didn't he?”
Avalene did not answer.
“Margaret was afraid he would remain alone.”
Cecilia lowered her voice.
“You were convenient.”
Higgins stood.
“That’s enough.”
Cecilia looked at him.
“I’m speaking to Mrs. Calder.”
“You're speaking in Mr. Calder’s house.”
Avalene lifted one hand.
“Higgins.”
The foreman stopped.
Avalene looked at Cecilia.
“You're right.”
Cecilia blinked.
Avalene continued:
“He married me because of his mother’s letter.”
“Yes.”
“I married him because I needed somewhere to go.”
Cecilia seemed disappointed by the honesty.
Avalene stepped closer.
“So perhaps neither of us has a romantic story.”
Her voice remained calm.
“But I am here.”
“You aren't.”
“And insulting breakfast will not change that.”
Cecilia’s face tightened.
“You think he'll love you?”
Silence.
That question was crueler.
Because Avalene had begun wanting the answer.
Cecilia saw it.
“You don't belong with him.”
A deep voice came from the doorway.
“Enough.”
Every head turned.
Wyatt stood there.
Mud on his boots.
Hat low.
Expression cold.
Cecilia paled.
“Wyatt.”
He entered.
“How much did you hear?”
She asked.
“Enough.”
Cecilia tried to recover.
“I was protecting you.”
“From my wife?”
“From making a mistake.”
Wyatt looked at Avalene.
Her face was composed.
Only her hands betrayed her.
She was gripping the edge of her apron.
Wyatt turned back.
“The mistake was allowing you to believe you had any authority over who belongs here.”
Cecilia stared.
“Our families…”
“Know each other.”
“You and I…”
“Were never promised.”
Cecilia’s face changed.
“You know that isn't entirely true.”
Wyatt’s voice remained even.
“You built expectations from dinners our mothers arranged.”
“You courted me.”
“I escorted you twice.”
“Three times.”
“That does not create a marriage.”
Cecilia’s eyes filled.
“You chose a stranger.”
Wyatt looked toward Avalene.
“Yes.”
Cecilia laughed bitterly.
“A woman you don't love.”
The kitchen went silent.
Avalene looked down.
Wyatt felt the moment like a blow.
Cecilia had found the one sentence he could not cleanly deny.
Not yet.
He looked at her.
“Leave.”
Cecilia stared.
“Wyatt.”
“Now.”
She gathered her gloves.
At the door she turned toward Avalene.
“This won't last.”
Wyatt stepped between them.
“You're done.”
Cecilia left.
The carriage disappeared.
Nobody resumed eating.
Wyatt looked at the ranch hands.
“Higgins.”
“Yes?”
“Take everybody outside.”
Higgins needed no explanation.
“Come on.”
Halfpint tried to take another biscuit.
Higgins grabbed his collar.
The kitchen emptied.
Only Wyatt and Avalene remained.
She turned toward the stove.