“It’s more than all right,” Chisholm said. “It’s fitting. And now, I’d best get going. I’m supposed to be in town before noon. I’m heading out for a few days.”
“We brought the money down from the cave for you,” Jane said. She took the cover off a crock and took out the small metal box. She handed it to Chisholm.
“Thank you, that will save me some trouble,” he said.
Crockett stood and slapped his brother’s shoulder. “Take care.”
“I will. See you soon. Thanks for the coffee, Jane.” Chisholm went out the door.
“Do you want to go to the bank today?” Ben asked.
“All right. Wash up. Let’s eat dinner, and then we’ll go. Crockett, you’ll stay to eat with us, won’t you?”
“If you’ve got plenty.”
“I think we do. I’ll put a few eggs on to stretch it out.”
“Be right back.” Ben strode to the door and outside.
Jane sighed and went to the stove.
Crockett came to stand beside her. “Jane.” His mouth was dry, but now was the time. He needed to know if Jane would share his future. He couldn’t bear thinking about what he’d do if she said no. He didn’t care what his father said—if Jane turned him down, he couldn’t marry someone else in a hurry. Because Jane was everything to him now.
She glanced up at him, then at the pan of potatoes and ham she was stirring. “What?”
“I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”
“What? Because I wondered if you really think we ought to spend that money on supplies and young stock. I don’t know how much college costs, but—”
“This has nothing to do with the money.” Crockett nodded at the spatula she held. “Can you put that down?”
“I’ve got to cook eggs.”
“Forget the eggs.” He took the spatula from her hand and laid it on the table, then took both her hands in his, his pulse racing. He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “Jane, I want to marry you. Will you—will you be my wife?”
She stared up at him, no sound coming out for a moment. “You mean it?”
“Of course I do. These past few weeks, I’ve come to care about you, and—well, I’m pretty sure it’s love, Janie. I told you my pa wants all of us boys married, and I can’t think of anybody else I’d rather … Well, you’re it for me. Unless you say no.” He eyed her anxiously.
She swallowed hard. “I won’t say no.”
“So you’ll say yes?”
“Yes.”
Her breath rushed out of her as he pulled her into his arms.
Jane leaped away from Crockett when the door creaked open. Ben stood in the doorway grinning.
“Well, it’s about time.” He strode across the kitchen and stuck out his hand. Crockett grasped it heartily.
“Thanks, Ben. Jane just agreed to marry me.”
“Capital! When’s the wedding?”
Crockett laughed. “We haven’t discussed that yet. Soon, I hope.”
She felt a flush bloom in her cheeks, but Crockett only smiled at her.
“We’ll have to talk about it,” she said, fighting to stay calm. “Now, you fellows sit down and eat this food.” She quickly cracked eggs into the pan and brought the ham and potatoes to the table. They sat down, and she looked across the table at Ben. “Pa didn’t hold much with prayer, but I want to start again. Do you mind?”
“No,” Ben said, shooting a sideways glance at Crockett. “Just don’t ask me to say the blessing with no warning.”
“I’ll pray,” Crockett said.
Jane nodded, pleased at his offer, and bowed her head.
“Lord, we thank You for this day and all that it brings,” Crockett said. “We thank You for the food You’ve provided, and for Jane and Ben and the ranch they have here. We ask that You will bless our future. In Jesus’ name.”
All three said “Amen” together, and Jane smiled as she opened her eyes.
“Thank you. I hope we can always have the blessing in our home.” She looked shyly at Crockett, very aware of his gaze, and a new wave of heat washed over her face.
“How about two weeks from Saturday?” Crockett watched her closely.
“You mean…”
“For the wedding,” he said. “There’ve been so many in our family lately, I’m sure nobody at the 7 Heart will think it’s odd. Or too soon. What do you say?”
Ben frowned. “Let’s see, that’d be the twentieth, Janie. Sounds good to me.”
Jane made a face at him, but she wasn’t angry. “You’ve got nothing to say about it. But I admit, it sounds good to me, too.” Her heart pounded so hard she couldn’t sit still. She stood and went to the stove, where the eggs were simmering.
“Wear that dress you wore to the dance,” Ben said. “You haven’t put it on since.”
“I will.” She carried the pan to Crockett at the table, and he forked some onto his plate.
“Unless you’d like a new one,” he said.
“Oh, no,” she said. “It’s fine. I love that dress.”
Crockett smiled. “That’s settled, then. Once my sisters-in-law hear, I’m sure they’ll want to have you over for a sewing party.”
“Why?” Jane asked.
“They like you.” Crockett passed her the plate, while Ben helped himself to ham and fried potatoes.