CHAPTER6
What would Sampson think of her? Nervous energy hummed through Grace’s entire body.
She tucked the last pin into place and gave her hair one more pat. The braid coiled around her head would have to do. She couldn’t create the fancy styles Mama had been able to, but with a ribbon woven through the braid, this looked pretty enough. Didn’t it? Hopefully Sampson would agree.
Not that he’d agreed to a real marriage. Even so, for some reason, she wanted him to be pleased with her appearance as his bride.
It was silly to worry so. She pivoted from the mirror.
Ruby had played quietly while she worked, an accomplishment in itself.
She smiled down at the little one lying on the bed and gripping the leather strip she loved. "We're going to get married today, Ruby."
The babe's blue eyes blinked at her as she cooed like she understood every word.
Grace held in a sigh. “I hope so. I hope I’m doing the right thing.” She had to stop questioning herself. She’d made the decision, and the time had come to carry it out.
She scooped up Ruby and grabbed the basket so she would have a place to lay her during the ceremony. A scan around the room showed nothing else she needed. Was she missing something?
Most women had weeks or months to prepare for a wedding. If only Mama were here. She turned toward the door to ward off the grief that would overwhelm her if she let it. She had to focus on getting through this next hour. Nothing else.
She descended the stairs with Ruby in one arm and the basket swinging from the other.
Her father waited at the bottom. His dark gaze honed on her, bringing the realization that he didn’t know about Ruby yet.
She forced a pleasant expression, as much as she wanted to cower.
When she reached the bottom step, he demanded, "Whose child is that?"
Grace met his piercing eyes, her heart pounding. "This is Ruby. She's… I’ve taken her in as my ward. As my daughter."
His eyes narrowed. "Your daughter? What nonsense is this?"
"Her mother died, and her father left her in my care." She glanced at the open parlor door. "It's a long story, and one we don't have time for now."
It took some courage to step away from him and move toward the room.
Thankfully, her father didn’t try to stop her.
Sampson stood near the hearth, another man at his side. Sampson’s gaze locked on her as she entered, his brown eyes soft. He stepped forward, holding something green.
She met him partway, and he took the basket from her and extended a holly branch. He gave her a sheepish smile. "I thought you might like something pretty to hold, even though it’s not the season for flowers."
Warmth soaked through her at the thoughtful gesture. He'd somehow found a moment, amidst all the arrangements and bringing her bags from the livery to consider what she might want. She accepted the gift, her fingers brushing his. Tingles crept up her arm from the contact, but she did her best to ignore them. "It's perfect. Thank you."
And it was. The shiny green leaves and bright red berries added a festive touch to the simple ceremony.
She met his gaze and sank into the warmth there, the sincerity. He was truly trying to make this special for her, even in the midst of the chaos. Her chest tightened with unexpected emotion.
The deputy cleared his throat. "Are we ready to begin?"
Grace nodded, not trusting her voice. She settled Ruby in her basket, then straightened and moved to stand with Sampson in front of the deputy.
Someone had brought in a few extra candles to place on the mantel, and their glow lit the space as the deputy began the simple ceremony.
He read the vows, and she managed to speak her parts in a clear, mostly-steady voice.
It felt surreal to be pledging herself to a man she barely knew. Yet something about his solid, reassuring presence beside her and the care he'd already shown made it seem right. If she had to enter a hasty marriage, there was no one she'd rather bind herself to than this man who’d already proven himself countless times in two short days.
