Page 85 of The Hardest Part

Levi wrapped the cloth around his waist, covering himself as best he could. If he was going to share his blanket tonight, he figured he should at least wash the stink from his skin. After conferring with the others in their party, Cookie’s wagon was loaded with their provisions, giving each family more space to pack the supplies they would need to get through the winter.

He had three yokes of oxen, new shoes on the horses’ feet, and an unshakeable determination.

A slight chill in the air, gooseflesh prickled his skin. Levi dried off and dressed quickly. What was the date today?Friday, the first day of October. It would serve him well to remember it.

With Dalton and his party gone, the circle of wagons appeared woefully small. He would miss the man’s camaraderie and hoped they’d make out all right. Perhaps it was best they’d chosen a different path. Fifty was plenty to be accountable for.

Elijah stood with the twins, little Elizabeth, holding onto his leg. “Are you ready, good brother?”

“I am.”

“Oh, no, you are not.” Victoria turned to her sister. “Get me a comb and the scissors.”

She snatched the cloth from his hands, drying his hair while Mary Alice fetched the items she’d requested.

“What in tarnation are you doing, little sister?”

“You look like a shaggy old barn dog.” And she went to work with the scissors. “Can’t let you get married looking like that, so we’re gonna tidy you up a bit.”

“What difference does it make?” With a roll of her eyes, Mary Alice shook her head and turned away.

“Pay her no mind, Levi. It’s gonna take her some time to get used to the notion, is all.” She patted his shoulders and took a step back to appraise her work. “That’s much better. All done.”

“I cannot believe you’re all fine with this.” Mary Alice glared at Elijah, then gathering her skirts, she looked at him. “Andyouexpect us to be a witness to it?”

“I expect nothing, Mary Alice.” Levi took her by the hand, the tattered, mud-stained hem of her dress falling to her feet. “Least of all that you’d understand, but youwillshow Lucy and Fallon all due courtesy and respect. Is that understood?”

She nodded, staring down at her shoes.

“Good.” He let her hand go. “You can wait here if you’d rather.”

“And go hungry?” Her lips twitching, she glanced up at him. “I’m coming. For the food. Heard you got us a cook. And ‘cause I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Levi drew her to his chest and hugged her, smoothing her long blonde hair down her back.

“We’re gonna go to hell for this, you know.”

“Hell?” He didn’t believe in such a place. Or heaven, either. “I reckon, Mary Alice, we’ve already been there.”

The preacher, if that’s what he really was, waited for them in a small room, tucked away behind the counter where they’d purchased their flour and beans. He didn’t look like a man of thecloth, but if Levi had learned anything, it’s that looks could be deceiving out here. Few folks were what they seemed.

“Name?” the man asked him.

“Levi Gantry.”

“And the bride?”

Josiah spoke up and tapped on the good book the man was writing in. “Lucy Fallon Walker.”

Well, aren’t you a clever one?

It took all of five minutes.

Before he could even kiss his bride—one of them, anyway—Walker tugged on his arm and ushered them all outside. “Now we can have the real weddin’.”

“What was that?” Mary Alice pulled her head back and wrinkled up her nose. “Pretend?”

“Thatwas your way,” Walker said, then a faint smirk curled his lip. “This is ours.”

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