Chapter 18 - The House That Was No Longer Empty
Hilton proposed in the barn.
Not intentionally.
He had planned something better.
Flowers.
Dinner.
Maybe the creek.
Instead, Min was arguing with him about a fence post.
“You put crooked.”
“It isn't crooked.”
“Hilton.”
“Min.”
She crossed her arms.
He looked at her.
Sunlight entered through the same wooden boards that had illuminated her frightened face months earlier.
He suddenly remembered the woman curled behind the feed sacks.
The biscuits.
The bruises.
The fear.
Then he looked at the woman standing before him now.
Strong.
Laughing.
Alive.
“Marry me.”
Min stopped.
Hilton stopped too.
Apparently his mouth had acted without consulting him.
“What?”
He removed his hat.
“Well. I suppose that's out now.”
Min stared.
Hilton swallowed.
“I loved Elizabeth.”
“I know.”
“I always will.”
“I know.”
“You loved Jian.”
“Yes.”
“You always will.”
“Yes.”
Hilton stepped closer.
“I don't want either of us to replace anybody.”
Min's eyes filled.
“I just want whatever years we have left to belong to us.”
Silence.
Hilton's heart hammered.
Min looked toward the feed sacks.
“You remember first thing you say me?”
“Hello?”
“After.”
“I'm not going to hurt you.”
She nodded.
“You keep promise.”
Hilton's throat tightened.
Min smiled.
“Yes.”
He blinked.
“Yes?”
“Yes, stubborn rancher.”
Hilton kissed her.
Outside, Martha screamed.
“I KNEW IT!”
Hilton pulled away.
Min burst out laughing.
Hilton stormed toward the barn door.
“Martha!”
Half the town was apparently waiting outside.
Martha shrugged.
“You two take forever.”
Min laughed so hard she had to lean against Hilton.
May you like
And standing inside the barn that had once been her hiding place, Hilton realized it had become the place where they chose their future.
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