She nodded.“That sounds good to me.”
Jasper grinned at her.“It works well for me.I love our little town, and it’s nice to finally have women there.We only had Mrs.Johnson for years and years.She’s a good woman, but she’s married, and she couldn’t keep up with baking for all of us.”
Agnes smiled.“I believe three or four more from the hotel plan to come soon.They were waiting for matches that appealed to them.”
“If they don’t leave soon, they will have a very hard time with the journey.They would need to wait for spring.”
“Like Sally did.”
“Exactly.My friend, Tom, is her husband.He’s one of the best men I know.”
“I can’t wait to meet him.But I really can’t wait to see Sally again.She’s one of my very favorite people.”
They walked and talked, the mule plodding along behind them, Agnes’s carpet bag tied to the side of the beast.
It was many hours later when Jasper finally said, “This is a good place for camp.There’s already a fire pit from others.I hope you don’t mind not having a tarp over us as we sleep.I thought we’d save that for rainy nights.”
Agnes was relieved it was time to rest.“That’s fine with me.”
“You start the fire, and I’ll get our bedrolls out.”
She sat down and removed her shoes, rubbing her feet.She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever walked so far.Of course, she’d probably walked more while serving tables, but at that moment, her feet were screaming, and she couldn’t think of a time when they’d hurt quite so badly.
When Jasper joined her at the fire, he gave her some hardtack and jerky.“This will probably be all we eat until we reach Yeti.We may see some ripe berries along the way, but I can’t promise that will happen.”
“That’s all right.I’ll fix us good meals as soon as we’re settled in Yeti.”She took a big drink from the flask he handed her, happy to have fresh water.
“We’ll boil water every morning, but that will be the only cooking we’ll do on the trail.”
“That’s fine.I’m happy to boil a pot of water.”Agnes looked at Jasper by the light of the fire.It was her first good look at him.He looked kind.She hoped he truly was.
“I put our bedrolls close together.I hope that’s all right.”
“We’re married.I’d have been shocked if you’d set them away from each other.”
“Oh, good.We’re thinking alike then.That will help.”
She smiled.“I do think it will.I just hope I can stop feeling awkward around you soon.”
“Well, you did marry me, knowing very little about me.I’m sure we will gradually feel less uneasy around each other.”
“May I ask for something?”
He frowned.“You can ask, but I may not be able to provide it.”
“I want a kiss.Before we sleep tonight.I think it would help me feel more comfortable around you tomorrow.”She’d never been kissed by a man, but she felt it was right.She didn’t know if he was planning to demand his husbandly rights that night, but if he wasn’t, kissing would hopefully help her.
Jasper smiled.“You don’t have to ask me twice.”He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, his arms coming around her.
Agnes was surprised when his tongue touched her lip, but she liked it.More than she knew how to express.
After a minute, he pulled back.“I don’t want our wedding night to be in the grass.”
She frowned.“Today was our wedding, and tonight is our wedding night.It must be in the grass, mustn’t it?”
He grinned.“I mean the consummation of our marriage.”
Agnes blushed, hoping he couldn’t see her face in the dark.“I see.”
