Barbara grinned. “That’s all I want.”
After lunch, they drove toward the lake. There was a cool breeze in the air as they stopped atop a hill, looking down at the beautiful lake that was right in their backyard.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Harvey remarked, pulling back on the reins to bring the wagon to a halt at the edge of the water.
“Like something out of a dream,” Barbara responded, her heart swelling with the beauty of the untouched wilderness that stretched before them. They sat side by side in the wagon, the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore providing a soothing soundtrack to their quiet contemplation.
Harvey’s eyes held a depth of emotion as he turned to her “Barbara,” he began, his voice low and tinged with an uncharacteristic hesitance, “I’ve been doing some thinking. You know how I feel about you. I haven’t tried to hide it.”
Barbara felt a flutter in her chest, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she waited for him to continue. She nodded.
“I want nothing more than to make you my wife, to build a life together here in this new land,” he confessed, his brown eyes searching hers for understanding. “But I can’t stand the notion of driving a wedge between you and your father. Your family means the world to you, and I’d never forgive myself if I were the one to come between you.”
Her heart raced at his words—marriage, a life together—but also ached at the mention of her family. She knew the cost of the choice that loomed before her. The Trail had taught her the value of sacrifice and the pain of loss. Yet, in Harvey’s unwavering gaze, she found a kindred spirit, someone who had gone through the same trials as she had.
Barbara reached out, her hand finding his roughened one. “My family is dear to me, yes, but so are you. And I think love is worth fighting for.”
The weight of her words hung between them, as heavy as the wagon they traveled in, yet as hopeful as the horizon that beckoned them onward. “I’m a little afraid that after you take me home today, my pa will find a way to keep us from ever being together again.”
The sun cast an orange glow over the still lake waters. She knew that with nightfall, the world around them would change, just as surely as her next words might alter the course of her life. He nodded. “I fear the same thing. Maybe we need to just marry and face the consequences after.”
“Harvey,” she started, her voice steady despite the turmoil within, “I’ve been thinking the same thing.” She felt his gaze upon her, attentive and filled with a gentle question. “Let’s do it. We could go to Jed Scott now, this very day, and be married.”
A grin transformed his face. “Truly, Barbara?” Harvey’s voice was a mixture of hope and disbelief. “You’d do that? Elope?” He knew her parents wouldn’t like it. For that matter, his pa and Katie wouldn’t like it too much, but they’d accept it.
“Isn’t that what your pa and Katie did on the trail?” she asked. “Everyone made decisions quickly, even ones that affected everything in their lives. I see no reason to waste time now when my heart’s already decided.”
Harvey’s hand squeezed hers. “You’re right. If we wait, there’ll always be something holding us back. Let’s do it.”
With a shared resolve, they set off from the lakeside, going down the path back to town. Clover Creek wasn’t far, and neither was the white church where Jed Scott preached every Sunday, his sermons generous and kind.
“Jed married Hannah without even knowing her,” Barbara mused aloud. “He’ll understand.”
“He will,” Harvey agreed. “He knows the value of finding a partner who can face whatever comes.”
As they approached the church, Harvey pulled the reins, bringing the horses to a halt. Together, they stepped down from the wagon, hands clasped, their boots stirring dust as they walked the short distance to the church door. “Are you sure?” he whispered once more, not wanting her to regret the choice they were making.
Barbara’s smile was her answer. In her eyes, he could see the love he felt for her. Harvey knocked firmly, the sound echoing within. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Jed Scott.
“Barbara, Harvey,” the pastor greeted warmly, stepping aside to welcome them in. “What brings you two here at such an hour?”
“Reverend Scott,” Barbara began, “we’ve come to ask a favor of you. We wish to be married right away.”
Jed’s eyes twinkled with a mix of surprise and understanding, the lines on his face deepening as he smiled. “Well now, that’s a request I’m honored to fulfill. Come on in. We’ll get you two married right away.”
Hand in hand, Barbara and Harvey stepped into the church.
Afterward, she glanced at Harvey, his hand steady on the leads as they rode back to her family homestead.
As the wagon creaked to a stop outside her home, Barbara’s heart clenched. Her father stood on the porch the lines of his face etched with disapproval. When he spoke, his anger was so palpable, she felt as if she could touch it.
“Barbara, get in this house. You didn’t have permission to go anywhere with that man!” His words stung.
“Pa, please,” Barbara said, but she stopped at the look on her father’s face. She had never seen him so angry.
“Get to your room while I talk to Bedwell.”
Barbara looked at Harvey out of the corner of her eye, and she straightened her spine. “It’s not my room anymore, Pa. We’re married.”
