Page 25 of A Letter to Carolina
“Thanks Tater.” Nate clapped him on the back, nodding at the ladies, then returned to the front room to wait on his bride.
The sound of light footsteps upstairs announced Carolina was awake.
Thoughts raced through Nate’s mind. What if she didn’t want to spend time with him? Yes, he proposed to her, and they married, but there was more to it.
There was a letter and an offer. Would she understand that this differed from Emily offering an invitation? Nate felt cheated out of writing that first letter.
He made his way to his desk and pulled out a piece of paper. It only took a few minutes to figure out what he wanted to say before he started scribbling on the page.
It was time to make Carolina his letter wife.
Carolina woke to an empty kitchen and an envelope on the table. She poured herself a cup of tea, added a dollop of cream that Nate was sweet enough to make sure they always had, and settled at the table with a hardtack biscuit.
She flipped the letter over and over, wondering if this was Nate’s way of asking her to leave. They’d had a quiet dinner, sharing the meal with Tater before Nate said he had to go visit Whit and Sam at the marshal’s office next door.
He left without giving her a kiss, which was unusual. She had been waiting for Nate to take the lead and discuss moving forward in their relationship, but the lack of affection made her wonder if he had changed his mind.
He had said nothing about the confrontation, and worry over going too far nagged at her inner peace.
Taking a gulp of her tea, she lifted the flap of the envelope and carefully pulled out the letter.
Lord, I know we’re unconventional and this has been a whirlwind, but please don’t let this be a goodbye letter.She prayed, bowing her head, before opening it up to see what he’d decided.
Dear Miss Andrews,
My name is Nathaniel Pickett. I am a doctor in a small town. My brother found your letter seeking a husband on a train last year, and I consider it a blessing to have this opportunity to connect with you.
I am twenty years old with four brothers and we are all very close. If there is any way that you would consider my offer of marriage, please join me downstairs for a buggy ride.
Yours sincerely,
Nate
Tears streamed down her face. He wasn’t angry at her, and he wanted to spend the day doing something else. She fled the kitchen, quickly donning a brown day dress, her kid leather shoes, and pinned her hair atop her head. There was no need for him to wait, but she wanted to be presentable.
Ten minutes later she was downstairs throwing herself into his arms, before pulling back and considering the game they seemed to play.
“Good morning Mr. Pickett. Thank you for your letter. I would be delighted to join you for a buggy ride this morning.”
Was this flirting?
“Good morning. I am grateful that you have joined me. The carriage is out front. May I escort you?”
Carolina nodded and laced her arm through his. Whatever they faced, they would face it together. “Nate.” Responsibility disrupted this façade they were carrying on this morning. “What about Molly?”
“I have already attended to Miss Markson. She would be grateful if you could help her wash this afternoon; but this morning she is having breakfast with Tater and Libby.”
“Thank you.” Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek, “Then let’s enjoy our morning.”
He helped her up into the buggy, and soon they were heading out of town. They rode to a meadow that was between the Pickett Ranch and the Chapmans, whom she had heard much of but never encountered in person.
“Whitney’s wife made a picnic basket for us. She said she’ll be stopping by to visit.”
“What a lovely surprise. I enjoy any meal I don’t have to cook.”
They put a blanket on the warm grass and Nate laid out a platter of cold chicken with fresh bread, cheese, and cookies that she hadn’t made. When he settled beside her, he gave her a slow grin that made her toes curl.
“Hello sweetheart.” His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close as his lips trailed kisses along her neck.
