Jamie spotted a team of horses pulling a wagon, heading their way. Tariana appeared oblivious, and he yanked her back onto the platform in the nick of time.
The driver cursed the pair, and hit the lines on the backs of the animals, and sped away.
“Be sensible, Tariana. You nearly got yourself killed.”
“And who would care?”
That was crazy talk. Of course, people cared. He pulled her into an alley between two stores and pinned her wrists against the wall. “We will have this out, woman.”
“You’re showing your true colors, Jamie. All that gallant talk about respecting my independence…”
“This has nothing to do with your freedom to be all that God created you to be. This is about hiding behind your stubborn pride to justify your fears.”
“Enlighten me – what am I afraid of?”
“You’re afraid of me. Or to be more specific, us.”
“Well, it appears your Angelica fears that her Texan beau is aware that she is yours. That’s the way I see it.”
“You see wrong.”
“She came by to visit me earlier. Told me in detail about how you two met. Described the devious scheme right down to the 4th of July kiss she gave you. She said it was a joke at first, but lately, you’ve grown closer, and she has every intention of winning you for herself.”
Jamie fumed. “She does, does she? And I have no say?”
“Men are fickle, mere pawns in a game of chess for a determined woman.”
He lifted his brow and leveled a gaze on Tariana, who quickly added, “Her words, not mine.”
“And you honestly believe, that after last night, I’d settle for anyone other than you?”
“I was just a weak moment on your part.” Tariana lowered her head. He lifted her chin with his finger and held her gaze.
“Moments I want to repeat for the rest of my life…with you, and no one else.”
“Why do things always get complicated?”
“Because we have not laid out the ground rules between us.” He witnessed her hesitation. Rules would not be comforting for her. “Tariana, all I expect from you is trust and honesty. If you return my love, I will be the happiest man in Oregon, but either way, it won’t deter me from loving you, forever, until death do us part.”
“Your death could have easily happened today!” Tariana exclaimed.
“Don’t get sidetracked,” he said. “If we learn to confront one another honestly, talk out our problems or misunderstandings instead of responding with tantrums, then you and I will be fine. We can tackle whatever setbacks life throws our way.” He clung to her hands. “I loved you last night, and that did not change when the sun came up.”
“I suppose I did over react, but she clung to you and has told everyone the two of you are headed for the altar. People are gossiping. How can I compete with that?”
“Really? Miss Independent is asking advice on how to usurp her position in the battle for my affections?”
“Your head is beginning to swell, Mr. Sackerton.”
“Tariana, we will show a united front. I will take you everywhere, be at your beck and call, and hopefully the Texan will soon lose her patience. You can help by introducing her to our friends. I saddled her with Petrie earlier. For her, a match is all about finding a safe place. She is afraid to go home, and I don’t blame her if Clifford Parksview is her destiny.”
“That bully is from her hometown?”
“The one, daddy, has slated for her to marry. Appears he doesn’t mind if his daughter is abused at the hands of a gold digger.”
Tariana grinned, and Jamie asked. “What’s going on inside that brain of yours?”
“I feel a story coming on. Women’s rights being squished at the hands of their oppressors. Arranged marriages are barbaric. I believe I will go tomorrow to interview the girl.”
“I don’t want you near her. Who knows what lies she will tell to set you off, storming again?”
“I thought you said honesty was the new rule. I choose to believe you and only you, and if the doubts rear their ugly heads, I will head your way so you can clear them up.”
“Perfect! You were listening.”
“Do you think me such a featherbrain that I don’t know a good deal when it’s standing in front of me?” Tariana asked. “I did not profess my love last night as I was taken aback from the effects of the kiss, but I possess a clear mind now. You should know, Jamie Sackerton, that while stumbling somewhere between friendship and matrimony, I am confident we will discover any necessary concessions rather pleasant.”
His heart could stand no more. Secured within the shadows of the building, he leaned in and claimed her mouth. “Be mine, Tariana.”
“The moment I turn eighteen,” she said glibly.
Jamie groaned. “Waiting will not be easy.”
“Well, I’m not going anywhere, Jamie, so you best hang onto the thought of us and I expect you to furnish a whirlwind courtship come next spring.”
“I shall definitely look forward to that,” Jamie said.
“And someday, we can tell our children, that I proposed to you in an alleyway, while hiding out from our nosy neighbors.”
They chuckled at the ill-behaved start to their future. “We will have many stories to tell of our past, but it’s the new ones we will make from here on in that I will cherish most,” Tariana said. “To think that one could marry her best friend – it still boggles my mind.”
Jamie leaned in and sealed the promise with a kiss.
Epilogue
Tariana and Jamie enjoyed a whirlwind courtship. One month following her eighteenth birthday, the couple began to plan their wedding. It would be less formal than the event Frances had
