He didn’t hesitate, his confident demeanor only amplifying the allure of the impromptu proposal. “I say, let’s not waste time. Cassie, will you be my wife?”
Her breath hitched. It was madness, sheer madness, but thrilling too. “Yes, Andy. I will.”
“Friends and neighbors!” he called out, causing a lull as curious faces turned toward the pair. “Miss Cassandra Brown has agreed to become my wife!”
For a moment the room was silent, but then a young woman Andy had never met began clapping and was soon joined by the others.
Cassie grinned at her sister of the heart, Deborah and nodded slowly. “That’s my sister, Deborah,” she whispered to Andy.
“Right now?” someone called out.
“Right now,” Andy confirmed, his hand finding Cassie’s and squeezing it with unspoken promises of shared tomorrows.
As lanterns cast a golden glow over the dance floor, Cassie twirled in Andy’s arms, her laughter mingling with the lively tune of the fiddle. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she caught the rhythm. Andy’s eyes were filled with laughter, his confident steps guiding her through the sea of dancers who now viewed them not just as partners for the evening, but partners in life.
“Seems we’re quite the spectacle,” Andy mused, his voice a low hum above the music.
“Let them look,” Cassie replied, her words bold and carefree. “We’ve nothing to hide.”
Their smiles were twin crescents of sheer delight, unspoken understanding knitting them closer with every beat of the drum. The crowd parted for them, giving space to the couple that had so suddenly become one. And in that expanse, they danced as though the world had shrunk to the size of the wooden planks beneath their feet.
Time slipped by, marked only by the changing tempo of the songs. The stars outside began their slow arc, winking at thenewly betrothed as if to bless the union that had taken root under their watchful eyes.
“Guess we need to go and find the preacher now,” Andy said later, as they paused for a breath, leaning against the punch table.
“Sounds good to me.” She looked around. “They said there would be one here so we could marry on the spot.”
“Well, I saw Amos Kauffman a bit ago. He’s our preacher. We should go and talk to him.”
“That sounds like a brilliant plan.”
“The fact that you recognize my brilliance makes you so much more in my eyes than you were a moment ago.”
“I thought you were already entranced by my charming wit?” she teased.
“Oh, I was,” he said with a laugh.
They made their way through the throng of dancers and found Amos Kauffman deep in conversation with Hannah, one of Cassie’s sisters who had come to Texas with her. “Can we get married now?” Andy asked Amos.
Amos looked confused for a moment, but then he turned his full attention to Andy and Cassandra. “Of course.” There, with people dancing behind them, they went through the ceremony, and Amos pronounced them man and wife.
Andy leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against Cassie’s lips. Hannah stepped forward and hugged her sister. “I hope you find all the happiness you deserve,” Hannah whispered.
“And you,” Cassie said softly. “Are you certain you know what you’re doing spending time with a pastor this way?”
Hannah shook her head. “No, I think I may have lost my mind. But he’s the one...”
“Ready to step into a new adventure?” Andy’s voice cut through the whispered conversation between the sisters.
“Only if you are,” Cassie responded, her blue eyes reflecting a mixture of daring and wonder.
“Then it’s settled.” He offered his arm, and she took it, her grip firm and sure.
“Quite the leap we’ve taken, Mr. Forsythe,” Cassie murmured, allowing herself a small, hopeful smile.
“Leaps are easier when you’ve got the right person by your side, Mrs. Forsythe.” His dark eyes crinkled at the corners with a smile to match hers.
They moved toward the exit, their steps slow and measured, as if they were both aware that each footfall was taking them closer to an unknown destiny. The warm night air greeted them, and they paused at the threshold, looking out into the dark expanse that held their future.
