“Will you carry in the supplies?” Gen asked.
“Certainly.” He stuffed the papers back into the envelope and jumped from the wagon. He offered his hand and smiled. “Let’s make this quick, Mrs. Stapleton.”
“My life as I’ve always known it is ending and you want to make it quick? You need to learn patience, sir and perhaps today is a good time to start.”
After her feet hit solid ground, Trace boldly brushed a feathery kiss across her cheek and whispered in her ear. “Just in case the family is looking.” He walked to his horse, tied it to the back of the wagon and stashed the envelope in his saddlebag. He picked up the box of supplies and grinned. “Ready, sweetheart? A smile might be more convincing when I announce our secret romance and rush wedding.”
“Secret? You mean we’ve been meeting on the sly? You’ll ruin my reputation.”
“I’m sure your family has glimpsed your prudish side by now. Let’s paint a whole new picture of you.” Fists clenched at her sides, she gaped at the man who held her future in his hands. “You wanted adventure, didn’t you? What better place to practice than on the home front?”
At least he was right on the adventure part. “Okay, Mr. Stapleton. I can play any role needed to make this arrangement work. But don’t be surprised if you discover a whole new definition for the prudish spinster you think I am.”
“Now that’s the woman I want to get to know. Lead the way.”
When they opened the door and walked into the kitchen together, all conversation ceased and four sets of eyes gawked openly. Finally, Jethro jumped to his feet.
“Set an extra plate, little Ruth. Looks like your big sister has brought a man home.”
Trace set the supplies on a wooden table beside the door and Gen wrapped her arm through his, pushing him forward.
“Everyone, this is Trace Stapleton.” With her left hand free, she waved the wedding band that the Agency had provided during the ceremony and finished her introduction with, “my husband.” Her eyes lit up, as she smiled lovingly into Trace’s face. Gen did not miss the sound of him catching his breath, undoubtedly surprised at her brashness. There – that should keep the fox in the den for a while.
The girls were on their feet and rushing over to see the evidence. After the squeals subsided, the men wedged into the circle to shake Trace’s hand.
“Welcome to the family,” said Jethro. “You’ll have to overlook our shock. Genevieve never mentioned you.”
“No doubt at my request,” he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “She’s been a gem in keeping our little secret.”
“Why would a man request such a thing?” asked Grace. “My beaus love to shout it from the rooftops, eager for the competition to know they’ve entered the battle to win my hand in marriage.”
“Believe me, I am equally thrilled at my conquest. Gen is everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. But alas, my job restricts broadcasting such things.”
Gen stared at him. Really! Their job encouraged the union. But she supposed her family did not need to know all her secrets in one day. Leaving home and a husband would suffice.
“Your job?” asked Saul.
Gen spoke up. “And that’s all Trace will say on the matter. You must trust my judgment in my choice of man.”
“Well, you sure waited long enough,” said Jethro. “Both of you come and have lunch with us. Farm work won’t wait forever, especially now that Nick’s gone.”
Gen brought Trace to the table and they sat while Ruth rushed to the cupboard for more dishes. “My brother Nick took it upon himself to leave home for greener pastures. His heart was never loyal to the farm. Jethro and Saul will provide a good living for their families here.”
“Is that why you chose now to get married?” asked Jethro. “Because Nick left and I’m bringing a bride home in a few days?”
“I did take those things into consideration.” She turned her most wonderstruck gaze toward her husband and patted his hand. “That, and I couldn’t bear to be apart from Trace a moment longer. Pa’s been gone long enough – you don’t need me anymore.”
“And I must confess that I desperately need your Genevieve,” said Trace, beaming from ear to ear. “I will be forever grateful you saved your sister’s heart for me.” A touch of sadness filled Gen, for as a younger woman, she’d dreamt that a man would say those words and really mean it. She restrained her emotions, reminding herself his performance was a sham, a wicked slap at her lonely soul.
“How did you meet?” asked Grace. “I want to hear all the details.”
Trace proceeded to spin a tall tale, which Gen was relieved to see everyone at the table swallow as easily as the hot chicken soup placed before them. It appeared she and Trace met at the general store – how such an unromantic beginning mushroomed into a full-fledged love neither of them could fathom. When she offered to help him with his ailing father – rest his dear soul – Trace knew he could not live another day without her by his side. Even Gen was swept along the emotional ride as he spun the yarn of their imaginary journey that led them to the altar.
“But why didn’t you invite your family to the wedding?” asked Grace, pouting.
“I never craved the grandeur of a perfect setting with everyone gawking at me as I said my vows. You know I am not that sort of person, Grace.”
“Oh, phooey. You didn’t want to steal the attention away from Jethro and Sandy. That’s the sister I know and love,” said Ruth.
