Giving someone a piece of your soul is better than giving a piece of your heart. Because souls are eternal.
– Helen Boswell
Hunter slept all that afternoon and completely through the night, just as the doctor said he might. When his eyes finally opened, his first words, to Andrea’s surprise, were, “Did Carter come?”
She looked at him in complete confusion. “Yes…he said he had to leave something for you. Alex, what—”
“Can you hand me that?” He ignored her words and nodded toward a small package on the stand beside his bed. Andrea walked over and handed him the box she had not even noticed, while he struggled to sit up. “Sit down, please,” he commanded, opening the package.
Andrea lowered herself onto the edge of the bed, so confused she did not know what to do or say.
“Andrea Evans, I wish at last to claim you as my bride. Will you accept this as evidence of my desire to give you my name and my loving protection and regard?” He paused for a moment and seemed almost worried of her answer, because his voice got low. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Shrieking with mad joy and surprise at the sight of the beautiful band, Andrea laughed and cried at the same time. “Alex, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!” She took the ring in shaking hands.
“Does that mean yes?” he asked innocently.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” She handed him the ring and watched him slide it on her finger. “I will cling to you for life. You will never be able to get rid of me.”
Alex held both of her hands in his and looked her directly in the eyes. “My darling, I will never wish to be rid of you.”
The door burst open then and Mattie, Izzie and Gabriella came rushing in. “What’s all the screaminations up heah?” Mattie asked breathlessly.
“Look!” Andrea stood and held up her hand.
The three women nodded and shrugged, making it clear the news was not unexpected. “I done told you everything was takin’ care of,” Mattie said, shaking her head. She gazed directly at Alex then. “Massa, Zach is out front with the—” She stopped and looked at Andrea, then back at Alex. “You know.”
Andrea wrinkled her brow in confusion at the secret code talk, then leaned over and kissed her bridegroom. She had intended it to be a quick peck, but he had other intentions.
“Such goings on’s as this ain’t meant to be seed.” Mattie quickly ushered the two other servants out the door with her hand over her eyes.
“All right,” Andrea said as she tried to push him away. “You’ve succeeded in chasing everyone away. Now tell me what you have up your sleeve.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “It’s a surprise.”
“A surprise?” Andrea started to stand, glancing toward the balcony.
“Hold on,” he said, grabbing her hand. “It’s your wedding present.”
“My wedding present? But I haven’t anything for you.”
“If you will come here—” He pulled her back to the bed.
“You are insufferable, Colonel Hunter.” Andrea pretended to be offended. She sat down beside him and spoke in a serious tone. “You need not treat me like a princess, Alex. All I need is this.” She put her hand on his heart.
Alex took a deep breath and kissed her hand tenderly. “That is yours. Above all else, I give my heart—and my soul—to you for all time.” He gazed down at her right hand then, at the other ring that to this day she had not removed.
Andrea saw the look and her eyes went up to meet his. “I can remove it, if you wish.”
“Of course not. His memory is part of both of us. It pleases me to see you wear it.”
Andrea’s gaze drifted back to the balcony door.
“Very well,” Alex said, giving in. “I can see you are determined. And I know better than to try to restrain you.” He started to heave himself up to a sitting position, but Andrea stopped him with a hand. “Do not push yourself.”
“I am much stronger today,” Alex replied, though he held his side painfully. Andrea pushed pillows behind him, and when he was comfortable, they watched Zach lead a large, black, unruly horse into one of the front paddocks. When he released the horse, it bucked and squealed, then took off at a gallop across the field.
Andrea put her hand over her mouth in amazement at how closely he resembled Justus, then looked down at Alex with tears of happiness in her eyes. “That is my wedding present?”
“He has been declared unsuitable for military service, a little too high strung. I believe he may be a perfect match for you.” In silence, they both watched the horse prance around the pasture for a few moments, then Alex looked over at Andrea. “The embodiment of spirit and beauty.”
“Indeed he’s simply splendid,” Andrea agreed.
Alex took her hand and pulled her down to him. “Who said I was talking about the horse?”
Andrea’s face blushed at the seductive look in his eye. She turned back toward the field. “I cannot wait to ride him.”
“The creature is very wild,” Alex warned her. “Stubborn and willful.”
“Are you speaking of the horse? Or your bride?” She threw her arm around his neck.
“Now that you mention it, I suppose you do share some of the same…qualities,” he replied, doubling his arms around her.
Andrea smiled at his humor, but worried about the strained look upon his face. “I hope you are not overexerting yourself. You need to save your strength, or we will not be able to wed.”
Alex laughed. “Believe me, we will be married even if I have to say my vows from bed.” He leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, but paused when his lips met the moisture there. “What’s wrong?”
Andrea spoke with her head pressed against his chest. “I fear I’m not worthy of the honor of becoming your wife,” she sobbed. “How can I be worthy of a man such as you?”
“My dear Andrea.” Alex tightened his embrace. ““I would not relinquish the title of your husband for any other earthly one you could bestow.”
Andrea took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him. “Promise you’ll never leave me, Alex,” she whispered. “I could not bear it.”
He grew quiet and she lifted her head.
“I can promise I will not leave willingly,” he said, forcing a smile.
“But if you do, I will follow you wherever you go. I will not leave your side.”
“I may order it.” Alex stroked her face with a wistful smile on his lips.
“Then I will countermand your order.” Andrea ran her fingers through his wavy hair, delighting in the sensation of touching the man she admired and loved with all her heart.
“I had no idea I had taken such a headstrong woman as a bride.”
“Come now, Colonel.” Andrea looked down at him with mirthful eyes. “Surely I gave an adequate indication of my traits before now.”
“Yes, I suppose you did.” He laid his head back on the pillow with a deep sigh and closed his eyes.
“Would you like me to check your wound and change your dressing?” Andrea tried to keep the concern from her voice. With his eyes closed, Alex looked pale and strained. She could see he was in much more pain than he pretended to be.
“No, Doc will do it later.” His voice sounded casual and indifferent.
“You do not trust me?” she asked, half-jokingly.
“I trust you, Andrea.” He took her hand and kissed it, though his eyes remained closed. “With my life. Forever.”
She gazed at his countenance intently. “But you want Doc to do it.”
He turned his head away. “Yes. I want Doc to do it.”
This time his voice was not so casual and the indifference sounded more like despair.