Page 21 of A Letter to Carolina
“You’re a nurse?”
“Yes, sir. I was educated at the University of Philadelphia. It is my calling to help people, so I became a nurse.”
“What about being a wife and a mother?” Mrs. Billings interjected.
“I don’t see any reason I cannot do both. Nate knows I intend to serve the community, and we have agreed to work together. We want to be partners in all things.”
“What if I suggested you take more time to get to know one another?”
“How would you like us to do that? If I stay at the farm and he remains in town, we are not likely to have time together. This town does not have a boarding house, and we have had several discussions about how to move forward. Is your concern that this is not my choice or that I am not the right match?” She knew her tone was impolite, but she was tired of people trying to press their will upon her.
Instead of being offended, both the pastor and his wife laughed, glancing at each other as if sharing a secret. “I can see that the Lord has already blessed this match. Let’s get you married,” the Reverend said.
She wasn’t sure what had changed his mind, but it didn’t matter to her. They moved to the front of the altar, and Nate took Carolina’s hands in his. She listened to the Reverend speak, emphasizing the importance of having God at the center of their marriage. She held onto the hope that God would continue to walk among them as they journeyed together into the future.
She felt Nate gently squeezing her hand, and she glanced over at him. His light blue eyes sparkled as the minister spoke the words that would join them as man and wife. She watched as he slipped a ring on her finger as he promised to take care of her for the rest of her days.
“Does anyone have a reason these two should not join in Holy Matrimony?” Carolina held her breath, but no one responded. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Nate, you may kiss your bride.”
Carolina smiled as Nate tugged her forward before releasing her hands to grip her hips. His lips found hers and the world melted away. Her toes curled in her leather shoes, the rivets biting into the top of her feet, and her hands fisted in the fabric of his shirt.
Maybe slow wasn’t what they needed,she thought as he pulled back.
The family gathered around them, exchanging hugs, well wishes, and joy. This was what she’d always wanted in a family.
Home. That was what she’d found, all because she’d written a letter to a matchmaker on a whim.
Chapter Eight
Nate believed everything was going smoothly until that moment when Tater arrived on his doorstep.
It had been three days since the wedding, and he was trying to get Carolina familiar with the faces in town. He had taken her to meet Sherriff Whitney Hartman and Marshal Sam Davis. She made friends with the Ardens who owned the mercantile; and Nate even made sure she had access to a horse and buggy at the livery, in case she needed it for emergencies.
He wasn’t sure where she would go, but he wanted her to know she had options. She manned the clinic, becoming familiar with the layout and where the supplies were while he would go out and see patients. In the evening, they would spend hours discussing topics that interested them, but other than a kiss at her bedroom door, and her kiss to him before the clinic opened, things were very platonic.
Nate wasn’t sure what it meant. He’d never been forward. He hadn’t been promiscuous, but he didn’t have anyone to talk to about this. If he was to mention it to his brothers, he was sure he wouldn’t hear the end of it.
He wondered if there was something wrong with his marriage to Carolina?
He thought about her all day, and he wanted to hold her in his arms. But she disappeared behind her bedroom door before he could say anything. He was staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out his next steps, when he heard his name being called from the street.
“Nate!” He could hear someone rattling the door to the clinic.
Nate rushed down the stairs and flung the office door open, only to find a disheveled Tater at the door, an unconscious woman in his arms. “Help,” the ranch hand pleaded, forcing his way into the clinic. Shock kept Nate rooted to the spot just inside the door.
“Take her to the first room on the right.” Carolina’s voice pulled him to the present. He closed the door and turned to find her staring at him as if he’d grown two heads. “That was Tater.”
He heard her shoes as she dashed through the waiting area, her nightdress billowing behind her. His pulse thrummed. How could she be that attractive a moment after waking?He was a lucky man.
“What’s her name?” Carolina asked as they entered the room.
“Molly.” Tater’s voice was gruff, and Nate realized that this must be the girl from Miss Marcy’s that the hand was intent on trying to marry.
“Molly, I’m Carolina. Can you hear me?”
Molly groaned and clutched her side. Carolina gently peeled back Molly’s fingers and Nate could see an ugly gash through the layers of fabric, and something had cut through Molly’s skin.
“Tater, let’s get you out of here. What do you need, Carolina?” he asked.
