Happiness - true happiness - surrounded her for the first time that she could remember. Clara stared up at Ben’s eyes, which were filled with love. Had he truly asked her to marry him in the middle of the forest, and had she really said yes? It seemed surreal. Birds chirped overhead as if chiming in with their approval. If they’d been noisy earlier, she hadn’t paid attention. She’d been too lost in her world of terror.
For hours she’d been a nervous wreck, feeling as if the world was coming to an end and she was going to die. The fear that had held her captive all this time was replaced by pure joy. Not that the fear didn’t linger just below the surface, but for right now, in this moment, she was not going to let it win. This moment was hers to cherish, like she cherished the man who held her and told her he loved her.
“What does the letter A stand for?”
Ben’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. She blinked and glanced at the handkerchief he held up for her to see. The letters C-A-Y were embroidered in the corner, just like her mother had taught her to do when she was a little girl.
When she’d used her embroidered cloths to wrap his injuries all those months ago, she’d never thought it would lead to the happiest moment in her life. She’d never expected that Ben would hold onto the linens. They would have been ruined from all the blood. But, he’d kept them.
Clara stared at the letters. “A stands for Amelia. It was my mother’s name, and it’s my middle name.” She smiled. “I can’t believe you kept the wrappings. I didn’t have anything else to use for bandages, and when I left camp to find you and tend to you, they were all I could find that would work to dress your wounds.”
Ben chuckled. “When Michael found me days after I’d been shot, I didn’t remember dressing my own injuries. We couldn’t figure out why my wounds were wrapped in linen that was embroidered with the initials C-A-Y. He and his mother, Danica Osborne, teased me that perhaps I had a sweetheart. They didn’t believe me when I told them I had a guardian angel, but they’ll believe me now when I introduce you to them at our wedding.”
Clara shook her head. A small twinge of apprehension made her heart beat faster at the word ‘wedding.’ Ben truly wanted to marry her.
“I was so sure you’d be angry with me and would demand punishment if you found out. I’m sorry I kept the truth from you for so long, Ben.”
Ben laughed. “Clara, I’ll repeat this for as long as I have to, until you believe me without a doubt. You saved my life. I understand the terrible circumstances you were living with before, and that you would never intentionally be a part of your uncle’s schemes.” He took hold of her hands again and stroked her knuckles gently with his thumbs.
“What about my uncle and cousin? Max is going to cause trouble.” Just thinking about them brought trepidation to her heart, and her chest tightened. Max’s warning had been real. He would be back to cause trouble if he found out that Ben knew the truth. Ben’s hand against her cheek soothed her worries.
“Since I now know without a doubt who the poachers were that shot me, they’re going to be brought to justice for their crimes, but that’s for another day.” He leaned forward, his eyes turning dark with love. “Fate brought us together, even if it was under unfavorable circumstances. You’ve made me the happiest man when you agreed to marry me, Clara, and I hope I can bring a little happiness into your life. I promise I’ll always be there for you and help you get through the battles inside your head.”
Clara’s mind went blank to anything except Ben standing in front of her, the love shining in his eyes. “Since I’ve met you, I’ve been able to face each day with hope. I know it will always be a struggle for me, but you understand me and for that I will always love you.”
Ben led her from the woods to where his horse stood grazing. He helped her into the saddle, then swung up behind her and pointed the animal in the direction of the farm. Scamp ran along in front of them, barking happily to announce their return.
Sally stood on the porch, holding her baby in her arms. She smiled when they approached.
“I knew you’d find her and bring her back safe and sound.” Sally beamed at Ben, then tossed a questioning look at Clara.
“I’m sorry for causing you to worry.” Clara headed up the porch after Ben helped her from the horse.
“No one got hurt, that’s the important thing,” Ben said. “Besides, we have some news to share.” He grinned at Clara. The happiness he couldn’t hide was infectious. Despite her pounding heart that he was about to reveal their engagement, Clara smiled.
The front door opened at that moment, and Ethan stepped out. “Did I hear someone has news? I can’t imagine what it might be.” He and his wife exchanged a knowing smile. Ethan stepped up beside Sally and draped his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer. “I’m guessing there’s going to be a celebration of some sort.”
Ben nodded. “I asked Clara to marry me, and she agreed.”
Ethan stepped forward and shook Ben’s hand. Sally wrapped her arm around Clara in an embrace. Clara stepped back quickly for fear the baby would get smothered.
“I’m so happy for you two. Ellie and Lance tied the knot a few months ago. We’re due for another wedding. It’ll be exciting to start the planning.”
Ben cleared his throat. “Don’t jump into the planning so fast, Sally.” He glanced at Clara. “If Clara’s agreeable, I’d like to have the wedding somewhere other than my farm.”
Sally clapped her hands together. “Excellent idea! We’ll have the wedding and celebration right here.” Her eyes shot to her husband. “I’m sure Trace, Cade, Levi, and Lance would be happy to help prepare with setting up tables and such, and their wives and I will take care of the food preparations.”
Clara scrunched her forehead. The notion of an elaborate wedding where people would stare at her was rather unnerving and brought the same tightening to her chest as when she’d been on display during Uncle Eli’s sales show. “There’s no need for an extravagant wedding, Ben.” Her eyes went to Sally. “Or for you to go out of your way to plan anything.”
Ben took her hand and faced her fully. “The commanding officer at Fort Yellowstone extended an invitation to me to come and tour the park, ‘for old time’s sake’, as he put it.” He held both of her hands and smiled at her. “He was sorry he had to let me go, but it is army regulations. With my crippled leg, I wasn’t able to serve fully.” He glanced up briefly to look from Sally to Ethan, then his eyes were back on Clara. “I’d like you to come with me, Clara. Would you like to see the Yellowstone, under different circumstances than before?” He smiled, and his voice rose with enthusiasm. “It’s like no other place you’ve ever seen, and I can’t think of a more perfect place to make you my wife.”
“A fabulous idea,” Sally said beside them.
“Don’t you have supper to check on, Sally?” Ethan nudged his wife toward the front door. “And I’ll take the baby while you do.” He grinned and nodded at Ben, then ushered his wife into the house.
“Yellowstone?” Clara stared at Ben. It was clear to see in his eyes and from the way he spoke of it, he loved the area and his former life as a soldier.
Ben wrapped his arms around her. A worried expression passed over his face. “Is the thought of returning to the area making you anxious? I can see it in your eyes.”
She shook her head. This would be different than the last time she’d been in the land of hot springs and mud pools that would boil a man to death in an instant. Clara swallowed back her apprehension and growing anxiety. Ben tightened his hold on her. He tenderly kissed the top of her head. “I don’t want this to cause you any worry, and if you’d rather not go at all, I’ll understand.”
Looking up into his sincere eyes and focusing on the love displayed there, the fear evaporated. There was nothing Ben had ever done or would ever do to deliberately feed her panic.
Clara raised her head and leaned forward, touching her lips to his. Today was the beginning of a new life for her. Ben had made it possible for her to be happy and not constantly dwell on the fears that consumed her.
“You are the kindest and most honorable man I know, and if that is where you want to marry me, then I would love to begin our lives together in the Yellowstone that is in your heart.”
“You are now man and wife.” The chaplain smiled and nodded at Ben, then at Clara. “You may kiss your bride.”
Ben, looking dashing in his crisp army uniform, leaned forward and drew her into his arms. Clara closed her eyes and returned the kiss, savoring his sweet and tender touch. Forgotten were all the people watching, even as loud cheers and clapping erupted around them. Too soon, her new husband drew back, his bright smile warming her heart.
They faced the onlookers who had gathered in the chapel at Fort Yellowstone to witness their marriage. In the front row sat Ethan with his children. Behind them were the new friends she’d met in Elk Lodge – Jack and Laura Kincaid, Levi and Grace Colter, Trace and Katie Hawley, and Lance and Ellie Taggart. Michael Osborne had stood as best man beside Ben, and Sally smiled brightly as her matron of honor.
Captain Harris and several of Ben’s former comrades congratulated them as Ben led her down the aisle and out the chapel. Bright sunlight greeted them. The lawns around the officer’s quarters and the chapel at Fort Yellowstone were impeccably groomed, quite unlike the rest of the area with its rugged mountains. A short distance away was a mountain that looked almost white, but it wasn’t a mountain at all. Ben had explained that it was one of the thermal features in the area called Mammoth Hot Springs.
“We’ll go tour the area tomorrow,” he’d whispered in her ear. First, a banquet was planned to celebrate the wedding. Sally, along with the other ladies, had managed to arrange for a grand feast after all, despite the wedding being so far away from their home.
“The soldiers deserve a little lavishness, don’t you think?” she’d said after announcing that she’d obtained the go-ahead from the captain. “Along with the cook at the fort, Laura, Katie, Ellie, Grace, and I will come up with something simple. Even Dani Osborne said she would help.”
Ethan had rolled his eyes. “Nothing’s ever simple when you plan a party, Sally.”
Tables and chairs had been set up on one side of the parade grounds, and Ben led Clara to their designated place. He pulled out a chair for her to sit when the sound of gunshots reverberated through the valley. Soldiers immediately sprang into action, led by young Michael Osborne. Seconds later, he galloped past them on his horse.
Ben gripped Clara’s hand, his entire body tense. She looked up at the concerned look in his eyes, coupled with an eagerness to join the soldiers in their investigation.
“What do you suppose is going on?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”
Sally and Ethan joined them moments later. Everyone eagerly awaited news of what could have caused the commotion.
A lone rider came galloping toward them. Ben stepped in front of Clara. Seconds later, he relaxed.
“Osborne, what’s going on?”
Michael Osborne’s horse came to a skidding halt in front of Ben, kicking up dust. The boy’s chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
“We got them. We got the poachers.”
Ben’s head snapped around to stare at Clara for a second, then back to Michael.
“Several soldiers and I had them in our sights. They were watching the fort when the soldier on watch spotted them.” Michael spoke fast while gulping for air. “They both took off running, the stupid bast . . . sorry.” He shot a quick glance at Clara. “They both took off running, straight into the hot springs when we surrounded them. Neither one of them apparently saw the pool they fell into.” He slowed his speech, then glanced at Clara again. Clearly, he wanted to make his description more graphic, but with her standing there, he lowered his voice to a whisper and kept it to a minimum. “There’s nothing left of them.”
“Thanks, Michael.” Ben stepped up and held out his hand to the young scout. “I need a few minutes alone with Clara.”
Michael glanced at her again, then nodded and turned his horse around. He galloped off in the direction from where he’d come.
Ben reached for Clara’s hands. He didn’t smile as he led her away from the other people. “Clara, the poachers Michael was talking about were your uncle and cousin.”
Clara’s eyes widened. Somehow, it didn’t come as a surprise. Uncle Eli had always said he had to come back to Yellowstone to get an elk, and also water from the hot springs for his elixir. Perhaps he and Max had been following her all along.
“I’m so sorry.” Ben squeezed her hands, then pulled her into an embrace.
Clara clung to him. Tears fell. They fell for her relatives, and especially her mother. Uncle Eli had caused so much pain to so many people.
“It’s over,” she said simply.
“It’s over. I’m sorry it had to end this way for them. They could have gone to jail for their crimes. I don’t want you to dwell on this.” Concern flooded his eyes.
Clara smiled at him. “I will always have something to fret about, Ben Ferguson. I told you I was broken, but you wanted to marry me anyway. I love you, and because I know you love me, my path will be much easier.”
Ben’s arms clamped around her waist, and he lifted her off the ground. “You’re anything but broken, Clara, and you can rest assured that whenever fear grabs hold of your mind, I’ll be there to help you chase it away. You’re my guardian angel, after all, and we depend on each other,” he murmured against her ear. “Every moment from now until eternity, you will always be in my heart and in my thoughts.”