Mr. and Mrs. Payne came by after many of the others had gotten their food and presented the couple with their gift. Owen was deeply touched when Mrs. Payne pointed to her husband’s full arms.
“We ladies made you a wedding-ring quilt. I had the task of finishing up the binding and wasn’t sure I’d be able to get it done in time, but here it is.”
Mr. Payne began to unfold it, so Owen jumped to his feet and helped him hold it up to show off the fine workmanship.
Susanna examined the piece in awe. “This is so beautiful,” she said, tracing the stitches the women had quilted. The colors of the rings were varied against the white background, and Owen had never seen a finer quilt.
“Thank you so much,” Susanna said, her tears streaming again.
The day had been precious to both of them, but Owen couldn’t help wondering if her emotions had more to do with memories of her first husband than with him. He frowned and hid his face as he helped Mr. Payne refold the quilt.
Did she miss Mark? Had the ceremony stirred up old feelings? Owen had never really considered if Susanna had truly finished mourning for her first husband. She seemed happy enough, but was that just an act?
For the first time since he’d asked her to marry him, Owen had doubts. What if she saw Mark when she kissed him? What if she dreamed of it being Mark’s arms that held her? Owen didn’t want a ghost to be a part of his marriage.
He reclaimed his seat beside Susanna. Why hadn’t he thought to talk about these things in more detail before the wedding?
As the celebration wound down, Owen was still considering these things. He wanted to be happy and unencumbered by the past. He had fought through his own past feelings of inadequacy, but this was something new.
“It’s time you two get over to the train depot. That southbound freight will be here in about ten minutes,” LeRoy announced.
Owen got to his feet and extended his hand to Susanna. She studied his face for a moment but got up without question. Her parents and brother came to bid them farewell, and Owen forced a smile.
“You don’t worry about a thing,” her father said. “We’ll have Gary live at the house while you’re gone.”
There had been several burglaries of late, and Susanna had commented the day before about her worries for the property.
“Thank you, Father.” Susanna kissed him on the cheek. “And you too, Mother.” She embraced and kissed her mother before turning to Gary.
Owen didn’t hear what she said to her brother because Mr. Ragsdale had taken hold of his arm and was talking about his joy that Susanna had found someone to love again.
“You are very welcome in this family—although,” Mr. Ragsdale said, lowering his voice, “you know we aren’t without our troubles.”
Owen nodded. “We all have them.” He hoped Susanna’s love for Mark wasn’t going to be one of them. He really should have talked to her about all of this.
Lia and LeRoy, along with the boys, hugged them and wished them well. They walked with Owen and Susanna to the depot and waited with them as the freight crept into the station.
“Sorry we couldn’t get you a passenger train,” LeRoy said.
“I’ve resolved that matter,” Uncle Harrison said, smiling. Hemotioned to the back of the train. “They’re going to attach my private car and then leave it at the Socorro station to be brought back with the next train.” From Socorro, Owen and Susanna would take the spur line into the mountains toward Magdalena.
“The engineer knows to stop at 982.9,” LeRoy added. “That’s where they’ll load your horses and supplies for when you head up to the cabin.”
Owen nodded, recognizing the mile marker for the Mendoza ranch. “Please thank your father for his generous loan of the horses.” Owen had been so blessed by the way people helped him plan their wedding trip.
“And Lia, thank your mother,” Susanna added, “and grandmother and all of them for the food and things we needed to take with us. I’m sure I forgot to thank them after the wedding.”
“It’s not a problem. They know that your minds are on each other.”
It didn’t take long to add Harrison Ragsdale’s private car to the train, and before he knew it, Owen was sitting in the regal furnishings with Susanna at his side.
“Goodness, that was exhausting, and we still have so far to go,” she said, leaning against him. “What an adventure.”
He didn’t say anything. He still wanted very much to reassure himself that the past was behind them. But how could he ask that now?
“What’s wrong?” Susanna said.
“Huh?” He looked at her. “What do you mean? Nothing’s wrong.” That was a lie, and he immediately felt a prick of conscience. “Well, not really wrong.”
