Free Destiny's Bride by Ginger Simpson Page B

eyes at the thought of having to manage everything on her own, even if for a short while, but she reminded herself she was a woman now with adult responsibilities. She faked false strength. “Of course, I’ll be fine, but please hurry home.” She hoped Walt didn’t detect the tremor in her voice.
    He promised she had nothing to worry about, then almost immediately began to snore. She wished sleep came so easily to her. Instead she stared into the darkness, worrying about being alone for the first time in her life.
     
    ***
     
    The day before Walt’s scheduled departure, Cecile wrote a letter for him to mail to her parents. In it, she told them how very happy she was, embellishing a bit when describing her charming country home and flourishing ranch. Tears blurred the paper when she realized how much she missed her mother. Did the separation bother her as much? Cecile pondered for a moment, then wiped her eyes and continued, making the letter as newsy as possible, including details of the Stinson trip and expressing her pride in being able to crochet. In closing, she conveyed hope that perhaps she and Walt could visit before too long.
    Sealing the missive, she leaned on her elbows, her mind filled with images of Christmastime in Silver City. Even the hitching rails were adorned with holly berries and sprigs of greenery. She almost smelled the wonderful aromas drifting from her mother’s kitchen. The memories tugged her lips into a frown, wishing she and Walt could surprise her folks by showing up on their front porch for the holidays. Remembering Walt saying the roads became impassable during the winter, she knew that trip wouldn’t be possible.
    Tears of disappointment brewed near the surface, but Cecile fought them back and folded the paper into a square, writing the address neatly on one side. She was determined to stay positive, and started jotting down things on Walt’s shopping list for making decorations and gifts. For a fleeting moment, she felt like a little girl again.
     
    ***
     
    Walt was up before the sun the next morning, eager to get an early start. The cocky rooster crowed as Cecile dragged herself out of bed and slugged toward the kitchen. She’d never been an enthusiastic morning person. After pouring herself a cup of coffee from the pot Walt had brewed, she sat at the table, her head propped on her arm, while she willed her eyes to stay open.
    “Good morning, beautiful.”
    “Umm hmm” she muttered, still dozing.
    When he walked over in sock-clad feet and planted a kiss on her forehead, she looked up at him through half-lidded eyes. The truth dawned. He was leaving for Castroville. She squared her shoulders, determined not to make his departure any harder than it had to be, and began gathering food for his trip. While he pulled on his boots, she filled Aunt May’s basket full of biscuits, jam, and the last of the bacon.
    Walt walked up behind Cecile and put his arms around her. “Cece, I hate leaving you here alone, but the sooner I go, the sooner I can get back.”
    She stiffened at his mention of alone. “I know you have to go and that I have to stay here to take care of things, but that doesn’t make me feel any better. I’m miles from nowhere.” She hadn’t meant to add to his guilt for leaving, but her words spilled out before she thought.
    He grasped her shoulders, turned her to face him, and stroked her cheek. “You’ll do fine. I’m leaving my rifle, and the door has a sturdy locking bar. I promise I’ll hurry.” He bent and gently kissed her, then went outside, leaving her slump-shouldered and craving more assurance. A sturdy locking bar?  A stiff wind could blow the door off the house.
    She swallowed the lump in her throat and followed him with the basket of food.
    Standing in the doorway, she embraced herself against the chill.   Hadn’t it just been yesterday when she prayed for a change in the weather? Walt hitched the horses to the wagon, tossed his bedroll in the