Chapter 12 - Aayoka’s Warning
The restored cabin became known simply as the Creek House.
Women passing through Silver Creek could sleep there safely.
Widows stayed.
Mothers stayed.
Travelers stayed.
Nobody had to explain why.
Aayoka managed it.
Ruth helped.
Elias repaired everything that broke.
Micah learned to crawl across its floor.
One afternoon, Aayoka found Elias watching him.
“What?”
“He's fast.”
“He is crawling.”
“Fast crawling.”
“You think everything he does is extraordinary.”
“It is.”
“He ate dirt yesterday.”
“Exception.”
Aayoka laughed.
Their life had become unexpectedly gentle.
But she still had one warning for Elias.
They stood outside beneath cottonwoods.
“If we marry, you do not own me.”
“I know.”
“If we disagree, you don't disappear.”
“I know.”
“If you're afraid, you speak.”
Elias nodded.
“And you?”
“What about me?”
“If you're angry, you tell me before Ruth does.”
Aayoka considered.
“Unreasonable.”
“Aayoka.”
She smiled.
“I agree.”
Elias reached into his pocket.
Her eyes narrowed.
“You said if.”
“I heard you.”
He held out a simple silver ring.
“No speech?”
“I had one.”
“What happened?”
“Forgot it.”
“Good.”
He breathed.
“Aayoka, will you marry me?”
She made him wait.
Ten seconds.
Twenty.
Elias looked increasingly terrified.
Finally she said, “Yes.”
He exhaled.
“But—”
His face fell.
She laughed.
“Yes, Elias. Just yes.”
Micah began crying from inside.
Elias looked toward the cabin.
“He does that every time.”
“He likes dramatic timing.”
“Gets it from you.”
Aayoka punched his shoulder.
Their wedding would be small.
But before it happened, Elias had one final obligation.
He needed to visit Samuel's grave.
May you like
And this time, he would not go alone.
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