Chapter 15 - Gideon's Choice
Gideon became restless.
Maeve noticed.
Finally, he asked her to walk.
They climbed the ridge.
Below them stood the cabin, schoolhouse, barn, garden, and grazing animals.
Gideon removed his hat.
“I don't know how to say things.”
“I've noticed.”
He almost smiled.
“I didn't bring you here expecting…”
He stopped.
“Expecting what?”
“This.”
Maeve waited.
“You made my children alive again.”
“They were always alive.”
“You know what I mean.”
She did.
“You made me alive again too.”
Maeve's breath caught.
Gideon reached into his pocket.
Not a ring.
A key.
“To the cabin.”
Maeve stared.
“It already opens.”
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“But I want you to know it belongs to you as much as me, whether you marry me or not.”
Maeve's eyes filled.
He had offered her something more valuable than marriage.
Choice.
Then he asked.
“Would you?”
Maeve smiled through tears.
May you like
“Yes.”
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