CHAPTER 29
Ethan held Trudy’s hand as they walked slowly along the riverbank.
“The water’s low,” she said. “Before we know it, that stream will be down to a trickle.”
Ethan stopped and turned toward her. “Trudy …”
“Yes?”
“There’s something …”
“What, Ethan?”
He hesitated, his heart racing. Just for a second, he wasn’t sure he could do it. But the image of Hiram standing behind him with a pitchfork prodded him. Quit that, he told himself. You know you want to do this. He felt calmer then, because it was true. He did want to propose, and even more, he wanted to marry Trudy. That was all he needed to think about.
He held on to her hand and went down on one knee on the grass. “I love you so much.”
She inhaled raggedly, staring down at him. Her eyes were almost luminous in the moonlight.
Ethan sucked in a lungful of air and blurted, “Marry me, Trudy. Please? I’ll take good care of you.”
She didn’t say anything, but her face melted into sweetness so intense he feared she would cry.
“I didn’t mean to make you wait. I’ve been saving for some things for the house, and thinking it would be nice to take you to Boise for a wedding trip, and—”
“I don’t need any of that.” She laid her free hand gently on his shoulder.
He gulped. “I never felt this way about anyone else. Will you … will you be my wife?”
“Yes.”
As soon as he heard it, he sprang up and engulfed her in his arms. “Trudy, Trudy.”
She raised her face to him, and he made himself calm down and lean slowly toward her to kiss her.
Ethan walked her to the kitchen door at quarter to nine. Trudy hated to let him leave, but his sweet good-night kisses would carry her through the next few hours.
She peered into the house. The kitchen was dark, but the lamp glowed in the parlor. Turning in the doorway, she let her bonnet slip down her back and slid her hands onto Ethan’s shoulders. He stood on the step below her, bringing them close in height.
“Thanks so much,” he whispered, drawing her into his arms.
“Tonight was lovely.” She let him kiss her again, treasuring his sweet tenderness. It was new enough to set her a-tingle but familiar enough that she could nestle against his collar bone after and cling an extra moment with no fear he would think her too forward. He smelled of leather and soap and mountain wind.
He twirled a lock of her hair around one finger. “I love you, Trudy.”
She smiled in the darkness and traced his badge with her fingertips. “I know. I’m glad.” There was a lot more she wanted to say, but they had time. Years and years ahead. “I love you, too.”
He kissed her again then pulled away. “Guess I’d better go ‘round to the Nugget again. He touched the end of her nose. “I’ll come by tomorrow.”
“All right.” She eased backward into the kitchen and watched him take the path around the corner. With a sigh, she closed the door. It was settled. She would be his wife. Soon.
She hung up her shawl and wandered into the softly lit parlor. Hiram sat near the lamp fitting a row of bullets into a small pasteboard box.
“Howdy,” she said.
He glanced her way and nodded.
“Is Rose home yet?” Trudy asked.
“Yes. She came in ten minutes ago and went upstairs.”
“Did she say anything?”
He shrugged. “Just that she was surprised how well that little blond vixen could play the piano.”
“She called Goldie that?”
“Coulda called her worse, I guess.”
Trudy sat down on the window seat. “You might do yourself a favor and start looking for a likely woman to cook and keep house for you.”
“That right?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Ethan pop the question?”
“What question would that be?” She kept her voice even, but she couldn’t hold back her grin.
Hiram looked her way and stood. “Well now.” He crossed the room and stooped to kiss her cheek.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think Ethan is a fine man and you couldn’t do better. Congratulations.” He went back to the table and closed the box of cartridges.
“When Rose hears, she might take it into her head again that she should be the one to do for you now.”
Hiram shook his head. “That won’t wash with me.”
“I know. But if Ethan and I get married, the two of you can’t stay here together.”
Hiram scratched behind his ear. “Thought she was looking for other lodgings.”
“I don’t know. She goes out most days, and I have no idea where she goes.”
“You going to tell her tonight?”
“I think I’ll keep it to myself until morning. She’ll want to know when the wedding will be, and I don’t know yet. But soon.”
“All right. And don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. You and Ethan need to be together.”
She stood and headed for the stairs. “You, Mr. Dooley, are a very observant man.”