“I know I can’t promise nothing ever reaches this cabin again.”
“I know people may always talk.”
His voice softened.
“But I don't want to protect you by making you live somewhere else.”
The Mountain Woman’s eyes filled.
He continued.
“I want to learn how to protect something by staying.”
That broke her.
She set the cloth aside.
The Mountain Man stood.
The Mountain Woman looked up at him.
He was enormous.
Everyone saw that first.
She no longer did.
She saw the trembling hand beside his leg.
The worry in his eyes.
The vulnerability he hated showing.
The man.
She said:
“Ask properly.”
The Mountain Man swallowed.
Then lowered himself.
Not on one knee dramatically.
His body protested enough from last night that he ended up half kneeling awkwardly.
The Mountain Woman burst out laughing.
He frowned.
“This is difficult.”
“Good.”
He glared.
She smiled.
The Mountain Man took her hand.
No ring.
Nothing prepared.
Only his scarred fingers wrapped around hers.
“Stay with me.”
She waited.
His expression became desperate.
The Mountain Woman raised an eyebrow.
He sighed.
“Woman.”
She smiled.
He tried again.
“Be my wife.”
She looked at him.
“Because?”
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
“Because I love you.”
There.
Simple.
Enough.
The Mountain Woman whispered:
“Yes.”
The Mountain Man did not move.
She frowned.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“I expected more resistance.”
She laughed.
“You spent six months resisting for both of us.”
Then pulled him upright and kissed him.
They married in spring.
The ceremony was small.
The Sheriff attended.
So did the Rancher and his Wife.
The widow from town cried.
The schoolteacher brought flowers.
Half the town appeared despite pretending they were not curious.
The Mountain Man wore a dark coat.
The Mountain Woman wore a plain cream dress.
No floral pattern.
No elaborate embroidery.
Simple fabric fitted comfortably over her large body, with a deep blue shawl around her shoulders.
She looked beautiful.
Not despite her size.
As herself.
The Mountain Man stared openly when she approached.
A local woman whispered:
“He looks terrified.”
The Sheriff answered:
“He is.”
The Mountain Woman heard.
She laughed.
When she reached the Mountain Man, he whispered:
“Too late to run?”
She smiled.