Page 38 of The Rancher's Wedding

“Could you open the door, please?”

Jacob did so.

Michael put his hands together and took a deep breath. “I would really appreciate it if you’d join us tonight. I think it would be a good time for all of us.”

Jacob grunted, clearly not convinced.

“And I think it would be really good for you,” Michael continued. “I went with Estelle to the old ranch yesterday and it brought back memories. And, you know, feelings, too.”

It was clear to Estelle that he was listening to her advice. Michael struggled, but he let the words out and they came from the heart.

“What happened there, way back when, was an honest-to-God tragedy, no matter how you slice it, but I happen to believe there’s always a reason for these things. And I don’t think God burned down our ranch so we could spend the rest of our lives sad about it.

“No, I think it was a test. It’s easy to just be upset and angry and miss the people you care about. The harder thing to do, the way to pass the test, I think, is to feel all those bad things and still go on and have the best life you can live.”

Michael took another breath. “That’s what I think, anyway.”

Estelle was impressed. It was rare to see a rugged man like Michael show any level of emotion, but here he was, exposing his feelings for Jacob. She almost felt bad. She was worried what would happen if Jacob said no. Michael was at his most vulnerable at this moment—if Jacob turned him down, Estelle thought Michael may not open up like this ever again.

“And another thing I think,” Michael said, “is that it’s what Ma and Pa would have wanted, too. I think you know that.”

He looked up at Jacob, waiting for a response, but it didn’t seem like he was going to get one.

“Anyway,” Michael said, “Estelle and I would both like to see you at the fair. And I think it would be really good for you, too. So, please, feel free to join us if you’re up for it.”

He walked away, his eyes red, but not quite tearing.

“How was that?” he asked.

“Perfect,” Estelle said. They walked close as they returned to the house and, for one tiny moment, the back of their hands touched. Neither of them said anything; they just pulled their hands away and acted like it didn’t happen. But it did happen, and it made Estelle smile.

***

It looked as though everybody was there, crammed into the town center, cheering and talking over the band playing jubilant and familiar tunes on the stage. It was absolutely joyous. Estelle looked around in all directions, but she couldn’t find a single face that wasn’t stuck in a smile.

There were booths where men fired guns at targets to win a cigar and others where children tossed rings onto poles in an effort to take home dolls. Interspersed with these stood food stands with barbecued meat, filling the air with the smell of seasoned pork, steak, and chicken. And, of course, in front of the stage was a floor where couples, young and old, danced across from each other, performing do-si-dos in time with the music.

However, what caught Estelle’s eye first was a flash of light off in the corner of the town.

“Look there,” she said, pointing. “Let’s get a photograph!”

She took Michael’s arm and led him to the photographer.

“I don’t know,” Michael said.

“No,” Estelle insisted, “let’s do it before it gets too late. I want to remember this night forever.”

There was a short line to get to the front.

“Oh, this is ever so exciting!” Estelle said. Michael glanced at her with a smirk on his face. “I mean,” she amended, “this is wonderful! Is that how you’d say it?”

“I’d probably add a ‘here’ in there somewhere, but you’re getting better. Starting to sound more like you belong.”

“And that’s a good thing?”

“You know,” Michael said, “maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Maybe what I like about you is that you’re not from around here. I reckon I like the way you talk.”

Estelle blushed.

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