Chapter 13 - The Question Beneath the Cottonwood
Elias did not buy a diamond.
It felt wrong.
Instead, he went to Walter Briggs and asked a silversmith traveling through town to make a simple ring set with a small piece of turquoise.
Then he waited.
And waited.
Naelli noticed.
“You are behaving strangely.”
“I always behave strangely.”
“More strangely.”
Finally Elias asked her to ride with him.
They went to Cottonwood Creek.
Naelli saw the old tree.
Then Elias removed his hat.
Her eyes widened.
“Elias.”
“Don't interrupt. I've practiced this.”
That made her smile.
He took a breath.
“I spent thirty years believing the best part of my life had happened when I was a boy.”
Naelli’s smile disappeared.
“Then you walked up to my gate.”
He took the ring.
“I don't want to own your future. I don't want you to become anything except who you already are. I just want to be beside you for whatever years we've got left.”
Naelli’s eyes filled.
“So…”
Elias suddenly forgot every word.
She waited.
He cleared his throat.
“Would you marry me?”
Naelli stared at him for so long that Elias began reconsidering every decision he had ever made.
Then she said:
“You talked better when you were eleven.”
His face fell.
Naelli laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Yes, cowboy.”
Elias exhaled.
“You could have started with that.”
“Where would be the fun?”
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then Naelli reached into her pocket.
She pulled out another braided grass bracelet.
“For you.”
“I already have one.”
“This one means something different.”
“What?”
She tied it around his wrist.
“It means you finally caught me.”
Elias looked at her.
“I wasn't chasing.”
Naelli kissed him.
May you like
“You were always slow.”
---
