Chapter 13 - A Question Silas Couldn't Ask
Silas could face wolves.
Armed men.
Blizzards.
Apparently, he could not ask Cora Whitfield to marry him.
He carried the ring for four months.
Cora knew.
Martha Quinn knew.
Marshal Cole knew.
Half the valley knew.
Silas believed nobody knew.
At Thanksgiving, Martha cornered him.
“You proposing before Hope goes to college?”
“She isn't two.”
“Exactly. Clock's moving.”
Silas glared.
Martha laughed.
Cora rescued him.
Later that evening, they walked beneath the stars.
Silas touched the ring in his pocket.
Then removed his hand.
Cora noticed.
She decided not to help.
Not yet.
They reached the hill overlooking Thomas's apple trees.
One had survived.
The others hadn't.
Silas had planted replacements.
“You didn't tell me.”
“Figured you'd notice eventually.”
Cora touched the little tree.
“Thomas would laugh.”
“At what?”
“He couldn't keep one alive either.”
Silas smiled.
Cora looked at him.
“Silas.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you ever going to ask?”
He froze.
“Ask what?”
She stared.
Silas sighed.
“Ruined it.”
“You've had four months.”
“How do you know?”
“Everyone knows.”
“Everyone?”
“Martha nearly announced it at church.”
Silas muttered something unprintable.
Then he removed the ring.
Cora's humor disappeared.
Silas did not kneel.
That wasn't his way.
He simply stood before her.
“I can't promise you an easy life.”
“I'd distrust you if you did.”
“I can't promise I'll always know what to say.”
“You usually don't.”
He frowned.
“Are you going to let me finish?”
Cora smiled.
“Yes.”
Silas took her hand.
“But I can promise you the thing I promised when I had nothing else to give.”
Her eyes filled.
“I won't leave.”
Cora looked at the ring.
Then at him.
“Yes.”
Silas blinked.
“I didn't ask yet.”
“Yes.”
“Cora.”
“You're too slow.”
He laughed.
Then kissed her beneath the apple tree.
From behind the fence came applause.
Silas turned.
Martha, Cole, Eli, and several neighbors stood there.
Cora burst out laughing.
Silas stared at them.
“I hate every one of you.”
Martha wiped her eyes.
“No, you don't.”
May you like
For once, Silas had no argument.
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