Clay knew he was rambling and sounding like an idiot, but he couldn’t help it. “Umm, would you mind if I kissed you? I know we shared that tiny peck at the church, but we’re married, and I thought we could start this friendship or relationship or whatever we’re doing with a kiss.” Yes, he thought, I sound like an idiot. Why am I rambling on?
Grace blushed and smiled. Her deep brown eyes stared straight into his and Clay felt as if she could look straight into his heart and soul.
He gently cradled her face in his hands and leaned forward placing a chaste kiss on her lips. She leaned closer, his hands slipped to her shoulders, and he deepened the kiss. He could feel her arms slide around his middle aa he continued to kiss his beautiful wife. When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing a bit heavily, and Grace laid her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, and they sat quietly for several minutes.
Clay whispered, “I’m sorry your father died, and your brother and sister-in-law treated you like a servant, but in a way, I’m happy because your situation brought you here to me.”
“I’m happy, too. Your need for a bride was well-timed. In another two and a half months, I would have dismissed Mason’s offer.”
“Why?” Clay asked wondering if he was a second choice.
“When I turn twenty-one, I will begin to receive an allowance from my father’s estate. My brother inherited the bookstore, but my father assumed I would continue to live and work there. My sister-in-law preferred the fast money a sale would bring rather than the earnings from book sales and my brother sold the store. I had no choice but to live with them. I planned to leave the day I received my first allowance draft.”
Clay straightened his spine and cleared his throat. Was he going to lose his wife before they were a real family? He could understand her need to run away, and he decided to offer her freedom before she just walked away.
“I understand. We don’t know each other, and you may not wish to stay here once you turn twenty-one. After you arrange to receive your allowance, we can have this marriage annulled. I am sure the judge will grant one. After all, a proxy marriage is unusual. You are welcome to stay in the guest room until then. I am sure my grandpa won’t mind.”
Grace wrapped her arms around her waist biting her lip to keep from crying. She wasn’t successful, and a few tears slipped down her cheeks. “You want me to leave?”
Clay stood and began to pace back and forth in front of her. “No, I didn’t say that. I didn’t know about your situation. I want you to know that I understand why you would choose a proxy marriage. It was a legal way to leave your brother’s house. It all makes sense.”
Anger pushed away Grace’s sadness. She stood and faced him. “Clay Hutchison, yes I was able to leave my brother’s home before I planned because of this proxy marriage, but you forget we were married in church this morning, too. I took those vows in front of God and the preacher. Did you think I did that so I could annul this marriage in a few months? Are you having second thoughts because your grandfather isn’t really dying?”
“Oh, no, not at all. I only thought that I would offer you a way out if you wanted it.”
Grace stepped closer and whispered, “Stop thinking and kiss me again.”
Clay smiled, “Yes, ma’am. A man should listen to his wife.” He slipped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against his chest. He kissed her for long moments and then pulled back and whispered, “They can see us from the house.”
Grace blushed again and buried her head in his shoulder. “Maybe we should walk.”
Clay agreed and took her hand. They walked around the small pond and stared back at the house. Clay slipped his arm around Grace’s shoulders, and she snuggled close to him.
“It is so beautiful here. I love the vast open land. I can look out and not see buildings blocking the horizon and stand quietly and not hear the sounds of people at all hours of the day and night. It’s peaceful, and I love it here,” she said hoping Clay would understand she wasn’t going to run away.
“It is beautiful. I hope you feel the same in the winter. Winters can be brutal here.”
“We have winter in Chicago, too. I know about cold and snow,” she explained.
“It’s a bit different here out in the open, I’ve heard. I have never been to a large city.”
Grace looked up at him. “I don’t think you’d like it after living here. I never cared for living in the city. It’ll be an adventure, and we’ll face it together. I think our entire lives will be an adventure.”
“I can’t argue with that. Since we seem to decide a life together is more than possible, would you allow me to court you, Mrs. Hutchison?” Clay asked as they walked back to the house holding hands.
“I would like that very much, Mr. Hutchison.”
Chapter Eight
Two days later, the family arrived in town to attend Sunday services. Clay was happy to have everyone meet his new wife, and Wade scowled as usual over his loss of controlling interest in the ranch. Both men helped their wives and Cora from the wagon and left to park the wagon while Grandpa Hutch delighted in having a new granddaughter on each arm.
