Traded for Two Mules, Maeve Entered a Broken Mountain Cabin—Then a Frightened Boy Called Her “Mama”
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Chapter 16 / 19
Chapter 16 - The Wedding Beneath the Pines
They married in September.
No ballroom.
No expensive dress.
Maeve wore blue.
Tess carried wildflowers.
Toby stood beside Gideon.
Half of Red Creek climbed the ridge to attend.
Deputy Hollis performed the ceremony.
When he asked who gave Maeve away, silence followed.
Maeve answered herself.
“No one.”
She looked at Gideon.
“I give myself.”
Gideon's eyes filled.
The vows were simple.
When Gideon kissed her, Toby groaned.
Tess clapped.
Everybody laughed.
That evening, lanterns hung between the pines.
Maeve danced barefoot outside the cabin.
She thought about the mercantile.
Two mules.
One satchel.
No future.
Then she looked around.
She had been wrong.
May you like
Her future had simply been waiting beyond the mountain.
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