“You will do what?”
Caleb cleared his throat.
“Samuel’s child belongs with his family.”
Nathaniel’s voice lowered.
“Adeline is his family.”
“She isn’t Price.”
“She’s Cole.”
Adeline looked at him.
Caleb said:
“You can’t father one yourself, so you think stealing my brother’s makes you a man?”
Nathaniel hit him.
Once.
Fast.
Caleb landed in snow.
Adeline shouted:
“Nathaniel!”
Nathaniel stood over Caleb.
His fists clenched.
“You can insult me.”
“You do not threaten my wife.”
Caleb wiped blood from his lip.
“You’ll hear from a lawyer.”
Nathaniel leaned closer.
“Good.”
“Bring paperwork next time.”
“Not threats.”
Caleb rode away.
Adeline said nothing until the horse disappeared.
Then:
“I told you not to hit people.”
“That was weeks ago.”
“The rule expired?”
“I assumed.”
Adeline glared.
Nathaniel looked ashamed.
“Sorry.”
She tried to remain angry.
Failed.
“You hit him very hard.”
“Yes.”
“That was not praise.”
“I know.”
She turned toward the house.
Nathaniel followed.
At the door, Adeline stopped.
“Did you mean it?”
“What?”
“My child is yours?”
Nathaniel stared.
Then understood.
He took her hand.
“If you still want me.”
Adeline’s eyes filled.
“I do.”
“Then yes.”
The legal problem was real.
Territorial law regarding unmarried fathers, deceased fathers, inheritance, and guardianship was complicated.
Nathaniel hired a lawyer in Casper.
He hated lawyers immediately.
The lawyer, Henry Wallace, hated Nathaniel equally.
“You cannot simply announce the child belongs to you.”
“I didn’t announce.”
“You punched the uncle.”
“That seemed clear enough.”
Wallace stared.
Adeline covered her face.
The lawyer continued.
“Samuel Price’s family may argue inheritance rights.”
“I don’t want their money.”
“That is not the point.”
“They might petition for guardianship if they claim Mrs. Cole is unfit.”
Nathaniel sat straighter.
“On what grounds?”
Wallace looked toward Adeline.
“They may use her prior circumstances.”
“Unmarried pregnancy.”
“Dependence.”
“Health.”
“Her size.”
Nathaniel’s face darkened.
Wallace raised one hand.
“I am explaining what they might argue.”
“Not what I believe.”
Adeline asked:
“What do we do?”
Wallace said:
“Document your marriage.”
“Medical care.”
“Stable home.”
“Your intent to raise the child.”
“And after birth, Nathaniel can execute an acknowledgment and seek formal adoption if necessary.”
Nathaniel nodded.
“Do it.”
“After birth.”
“Prepare it now.”
Wallace smiled.
For the first time.
“I like you slightly more.”