Nathaniel unexpectedly laughed.
Adeline laughed too.
Then both stopped, surprised by themselves.
Nathaniel said:
“Come downstairs.”
“For what?”
“Breakfast.”
She stared.
“That’s all?”
“For now.”
Nathaniel lifted the trunk himself.
Returned it to her room.
At breakfast, they barely spoke.
Then Nathaniel put down his fork.
“One condition.”
Adeline looked up.
“If you stay.”
Her face tightened.
“You tell me the truth.”
“All of it.”
“Even ugly truth.”
“Especially ugly truth.”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
“No deciding what I can handle.”
“Yes.”
“No protecting me with lies.”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel looked at her.
“And I offer the same.”
Adeline swallowed.
“Then I have a question.”
“Ask.”
“Do you resent the baby?”
Nathaniel answered honestly.
“I resent that another man gave you something I was told I could never give.”
Adeline’s face fell.
Nathaniel continued.
“That is not the baby’s fault.”
She stared.
“Do you resent me?”
“Yes.”
The answer hurt.
He continued.
“A little.”
She nodded.
“Fair.”
“But less than yesterday.”
A tiny smile.
“Also fair.”
Nathaniel drank coffee.
Then:
“I want to try.”
Adeline froze.
“Try what?”
“This.”
He gestured around.
“You.”
“Me.”
“The baby.”
“This house.”
“All of it.”
Her lips parted.
“Nathaniel…”
“I am not promising I’ll never be jealous.”
“I’m not promising I’ll always know what to do.”
“I’ve never held a newborn.”
“Neither have I.”
He looked shocked.
“You’re about to have one.”
“Yes.”
“That seems irresponsible.”
She laughed through tears.
Nathaniel smiled.
Then became serious.
“I want to try.”
Adeline wiped her cheek.
“So do I.”
The wedding happened two weeks later.
Small.
Town pastor.
Ben as witness.
Lana Mercer, Ben’s wife, helped Adeline dress.
Nathaniel wore his best black coat.
Adeline wore the plain deep teal dress because she refused to spend money on another.
The pastor knew about the pregnancy.
Wyoming towns collect secrets faster than snow.
He said nothing.
Outside, others did.
Nathaniel heard whispering after the ceremony.
He ignored it until one man said:
“Cole finally buys himself a ready-made family.”
Nathaniel turned.
Adeline grabbed his arm.
“Nathaniel.”
He stopped.
The man smiled.
Nathaniel walked away.
Later Adeline asked: