Teddy stood, shrugging off the preacher’s hand. “But she’s a fine lady, and I’m just a cowhand.”
“That’s not true.” Brandon stood, meeting Teddy’s hot gaze. “You’re far more than a cowhand. You’re a good friend, loyal, hard-working, and true. I know Dan trusts you, not only with his cattle but with his life.”
Teddy dropped his gaze, his mind racing back to the war and his foolish acts of what Dan called bravery. “I look out for them I care for.”
“And that is why Amanda will grow to love you. Let her see the man inside. Don’t hide who you are, worrying about what you can or can’t give that girl. Maybe she is a fine lady, but she has made her choice, and with love, understanding, and care, she’ll find her way as your wife. The two of you stood before me last week exchanging your vows. I didn’t see any hesitation in her words.”
“You really think so?” Teddy looked up, meeting the preacher's gaze once more.
“Teddy, a woman doesn’t just want things, she wants love. You could give her the world, but if you couldn’t love her, she would always be lacking.”
“I don’t know, Preacher. She’s always had everything she wanted. How will she adjust to life as my wife?”
“Make her a part of that life,” Brandon said. “Share everything with her, your job, your finances, and your worries. Build a partnership where she’s as much a part of your world as the very breath you breathe.”
Teddy scratched the back of his neck. “You really think it will make a difference?”
“I know it will.”
“I reckon I’d better join my wife.” Teddy grinned. “She’s expecting a picnic.” Teddy turned, walking out the door pondering the preacher’s words.
Chapter 15
“Theo?” Amanda asked as her husband returned, slumping to the blanket she had spread in the shade of the trees. “Do you want to go home?”
“No,” Teddy shrugged, dropping to the blanket, his head hanging. “I promised you a picnic.”
Amanda looked at her dejected spouse, wondering what she should do. Reaching out, she pulled his hat from his head, placing it next to her knee. “Oh, your hand,” she said, pointing at his battered knuckles. “Let me see.”
Teddy reached out his hand, flinching as Amanda wrapped her handkerchief around it, tying it off with gentle fingers.
“Why did you do it?” Amanda asked, waiting until Theo met her gaze. “It wasn’t worth it.”
Teddy shook his head, shame making his face flush. “He shouldn’t have said what he did,” he tried, hoping to justify his actions.
“No, but what he says shouldn’t determine your behavior.”
Teddy offered Amanda a half-grin in acknowledgment of her words. “It’s true,” he finally spoke. “You should have married a man who could give you all the nice things you’re used to. A nice house, servants, fancy clothes.” He lifted the soft ruffle around her skirt as sorrow and shame washed over him.
“If that was all I wanted, I could have stayed home. My step-father would have found an appropriate man for me to marry, someone who would bring more wealth to the family through land, investment, or assets. I didn’t want that.”
“But I’m just a cowhand,” Teddy objected. “I have a tiny house, and you have to learn to do all the things you always had done for you. It doesn’t seem fair.”
Amanda grinned, reaching for the basket and placing the food on the blanket. “Theodore, I chose you. You may not have all of the things I grew up with, but you’re honest and true. That is what I need more than anything else. When I left home…” Amanda paused, handing Theo a plate. “It wasn’t just that I didn’t like my step-father. I thought he was a rude and greedy man, but it was more than that.”
Teddy took the plate Amanda offered, meeting her eyes as curiosity got the best of him. “Did he behave inappropriately?”
“No,” Amanda shook her head. “At one point, I went into town to meet a friend for tea. While we were out, I saw my stepfather with another woman.” Amanda’s cheeks flushed as she continued. “She did not appear to be a woman of good repute.”
“And that’s why you left.”
“I tried to speak to my mother, but she wouldn’t listen. She said that her new husband was a good man and that he would never do anything to cause her pain. When I tried to argue, she told me that if I was going to spread lies about the man she loved that I should leave.”
Teddy’s eyes widened at the words, and he reached for Amanda’s hand, giving it a soft squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
“Perhaps you aren’t rich and you don’t have all the fancy things I grew up with,” Amanda continued. “But you are honest. When you told me you would provide for and protect me, I knew it was true.”
Teddy’s lips twitched into a sad smile. “And love,” he said. “I’m already half in love with you, and I want that to grow.”
Amanda smiled, dropping her eyes shyly. “I like you too,” she admitted, her heart fluttering. “I look forward to learning to love you more each day.”
Amanda finished filling her plate and picked up a fork, taking a delicate bite of the delicious meal prepared for them. She still wasn’t happy about Teddy’s behavior, but she could understand how he felt. It wasn’t fair that a good man like Theodore had to scrape for everything he had, while men like Mr. Alder grew fat and rich profiting from the vices of other men.
Together they ate in companionable silence, finishing the meal as the sun grew high.
“How about a stroll to the stream?” Teddy asked, handing his plate back to Amanda, who packed it carefully into the basket. “It’s pretty this time of year. Shallow,
