Charity scowled at her brother and then smiled. “We worked through the lunch rush while you were out getting supplies and most likely laughing and sharing jokes with everyone you met along the way.”
“I did no such thing,” Joseph insisted, handing the crate of eggs to Holly. “I’ll have you know I was busy waiting for the supplies.”
“Uh-huh,” Charity answered. “And I suppose it’s just a coincidence that you finally finished buying supplies just as we finished with the lunch rush?”
Joseph shrugged and winked at Holly before turning to meet his sister’s eye. “Hey, sis, I hear that Jason is taking you to the New Year’s Eve supper. I hear they’re planning an exciting evening.”
Charity bit her lip and took a sip of tea. She stared at her brother for a moment before saying, “I’m not sure what to do. I enjoyed having supper with Jason, but I think he’s getting serious.”
“Of course, he is,” Joseph said. “He’s always liked you, and if you hadn’t married Charles, I think Jason would have stated his intentions much earlier.”
“Oh, no, he wouldn’t have, would he? Jason can’t be that serious about me. Stop teasing me, Joseph,” Charity begged.
“I’m not teasing you. I’m serious. You could do far worse than Jason Shepherd. He’s a good man and would make you a fine husband.”
Charity bolted to her feet and stammered, “Who said I was looking for a husband? All I did was have lunch and supper with the man and a few dances at the church social. I hardly call that a reason to start planning a wedding. I have a headache, I’m going home.”
Joseph watched Charity rush to the door, pull on her coat, and leave before he had a chance to say anything more to her. He looked at Holly and asked, “What did I say wrong?”
“I don’t know, but something is on her mind, and it’s troubling her quite a bit,” Holly replied.
“Maybe she’ll let us know tomorrow. I didn’t mean to upset her. I only want the best for her,” Joseph confessed before turning back to storing the supplies away.
Holly nodded, “I know, and she does, too. Don’t worry.”
Chapter 2
Charity murmured in her sleep and rolled over, hugging her pillow. Her dream took her back six years to the small ranch she and her husband, Charles, had purchased on the edge of town.
“I know it isn’t a lot to look at right now, my love,” Charles said as he drew Charity into his arms, “but I promise you that I will work as hard a necessary to build a good life for us and any children God blesses us with.”
“I know you will,” Charity murmured against his chest. “I promise to work by your side for the rest of our lives and build a future together.”
Charles leaned back a bit and looked into Charity’s eyes. “I love you more than life itself, but we both must plan not only for the future but for any trouble that might arise.”
Charity smiled. “We have our ranch and each other. What trouble could possibly befall us that together we can’t overcome?”
“I don’t know,” Charles answered. “I do know that life is hard here, and circumstances can change in a heartbeat. I will do my best to build this ranch for us, but if anything should happen to me, you must promise me that you will not try to take on this ranch alone. Sell it and move into town or remarry and allow your husband to care for you.”
Charity took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest. “We have only been married a few short weeks and you have me widowed and married to someone else. That will not happen. I refuse to discuss that possibility. You are my husband today and forever. That I can promise you.”
“No, Charity, I’m serious. If anything happens to me, you must promise me not to go through life alone or allow our children to grow up without a father.”
“Now, you have me a widow at a young age. Stop it, Charles, or you will make me cry.”
Charles drew her close again and said, “I’m sorry, Charity. I just remember my mother going through life, trying to care for my siblings and me after my father died. I don’t want that for you.”
Charity blew out a breath and agreed to Charles’ request, although in her heart, she swore she would never love another or marry another. He was her one and only love.
Charity woke with a start and sat up in the dark empty bedroom. Tears ran freely down her cheeks as she remembered that day and the day she buried her beloved Charles. Both days she promised to never love another. Why was her heart betraying her with feelings for Jason?
Slipping out of bed, she padded to the window and looked out at the pre-dawn darkness, wondering what she would do. She couldn’t break her promise to Charles even if he told her to find another. A promise was as solemn as a vow, and she’d never break a vow.
Blowing out a sigh, Charity climbed back into bed, trying to sleep a bit longer before her children would wake her, but sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind whirled with memories, and while her heart promised to always love Charles, she did agree with him that day in the barn. Did her agreeing with him negate the promise she made to herself? Her mind and heart were at war. Charity couldn’t decide which promise was most important, and her heart tugged at her to give Jason a chance.
Hearing Annie giggling in the next room, Charity knew her chance of any more rest was over. She’d have to forget about her dilemma until later if only
