Daniel’s face fell. “Oh.”
With a sigh, he turned and started walking along the creek bank, and she fell into step beside him. For several moments, there was only the sound of the gurgling creek and twitter of birds. “The injury provided the travel party a good excuse to leave me behind. But it happened because I could not handle my horse.” Self-loathing crept into his voice. “And it was not the first time. It was a miracle we had made it this far. I had failed more times than I could count. Each time camp was set, it seemed I required some sort of assistance. I was a hindrance, not a help, and I am still a bit amazed they had not left me behind before then. But this time, a little boy was hurt because of my inexperience. There was no way his parents could let me continue on, and I cannot blame them for that decision.”
Keturah sucked in a breath. This was much more complicated than she had dreamed. Would Daniel be a hindrance to her as well? Maybe she should come clean regarding her own intentions. There was no reason to flounder in her pool of indecision if he had no interestin marrying her. “I suppose I should allow ye to know why I ask.”
Daniel nodded. “Go ahead.”
“A tornado claimed me father’s life last week. I have no family, a barn that needs rebuildin’, an’ a homestead to keep up. We poured so much into the land over the past couple of years, I cannae imagine losin’ it. So I need to take a husband. Someone to help protect me claim to the land an’ work alongside me.”
“Oh.” Disappointment was evident in Daniel’s voice, but his gaze did not waver from the ground before them. “That is quite the predicament. I hope you find the right husband.”
Keturah stopped in her tracks and stared up at the man beside her. Was this his way of politely declining her? Scamper barked and jumped at her petticoats, but she ignored him as the sting of rejection settled in her chest.
Daniel turned toward her, his mouth pulled into a line and his expression apologetic. He stepped closer and touched her arm, his brown eyes boring deep into hers. “Keturah, you are beautiful and captivating. And your undertaking is admirable. Any man would be blessed to stand alongside you on the journey. I know we have not known one another long, but I am certain of that.”
Heat rose up her neck. “Any man…but ye?”
Daniel’s hand fell from her arm. “What?”
Keturah’s own hands went to her hips. “Ye said anyman would be blessed to stand beside me. But evidently, ye have no desire to.”
Daniel’s brow scrunched as he looked down at her. “Wait. You wish for me to marry you?”
Keturah’s shoulders sagged. Her head tilted to the side as she fought to understand where the miscommunication had happened. Or where Daniel’s mind was. “That is why I was askin’ why ye were left behind. Ye need land, an’ I need a husband. But only if ye can pull yer weight.”
Daniel seemed to stand a little taller. “Of course, I can pull my weight.”
“Good.” Keturah hesitated. “So…are we to marry, then?”
Daniel blew out a breath. “Do you desire a genuine marriage, with love, marital relations, and all that comes with?”
Keturah blinked. Did she? In that moment, it became clear that though she had decided to take a husband, she had not considered all it entailed. While Daniel was attractive and appeared to be a decent man, could she come to love him? After all, they barely knew one another. Butterflies swirled in her stomach.
“Keturah, this situation seems to be perfect for the both of us. But if I marry, I want a real, loving family, complete with children. And while I understand love would take time to grow, I do not want a marriage in name alone. I want to be able to hold my wife and kissher. And I want us both to be committed to creating a loving, lasting relationship.”
Keturah was dumbstruck. She had prayed for a loving helpmate. But now that one was standing before her, offering all the things she desired in a marriage, hesitation gripped her. She had proven over the last couple of years that she was capable of being so much more than a woman who kept house and tended to womanly duties. But was she capable of all those things as well as being a wife and mother? Her father’s voice from when she was twelve came back to her.Yer a woman. Ye’ll never be good for nothin’ but tendin’ house an’ raisin’ bairns.She swallowed the bile that threatened to rise and closed her eyes. Was she truly ready for this?
CHAPTER 3
May 17, 1782
Daniel sighted down the length of his rifle the next day. “Lift the barrel a hair,” James Skaggs whispered from behind him.
Daniel did as he was told, then sucked in a breath and pulled the trigger. Smoke and powder filled his vision. Before it cleared, another shot blasted near his right ear. Ears ringing, he turned to see Mr. Skaggs’s rifle barrel pointed over his shoulder. And the deer lay on the ground. Though not by his hand. Daniel groaned.
“You will get it figured out, son.” James clapped him on the shoulder.
Daniel’s mouth pulled into a frown.Whenwas the question. How could he provide for a family if he could not bring down game? Maybe it was a foolish daydreamto believe he could have a loving family and a home where he was accepted and cared for. Settling a plot of land by himself, that was one thing. But becoming the head of household for a family before he had even learned the ropes of life beyond the mountains? That was a whole other story.
“What am I going to do?” He did not mean to say the question out loud, but as it so often happened, it slipped out of its own accord.
James turned to him. “You will learn.” The simplicity and conviction in his words caught Daniel off guard.
“But how long will that take? Keturah needs me now.”
Realization dawned on the older man’s face. “Ahh. So that is the problem.” He broke into a grin. James tucked his shotgun under his shoulder, facing away from Daniel. “Have the two of you come to an understanding, then?”
Daniel looked at the ground, giving the leafy green shrub near his foot a kick. “Since I had already agreed to come on the hunt with you today, we agreed she would take the day to consider her answer and let me know this afternoon when we return.”
