Priscilla sat at the table of the hotel restaurant, twisting the gold band around her finger. She was touched that Jimmy had brought one, even if he had not bought it himself. So during the ceremony she tried to smile and act like a proper wife. She really was not sure what that entailed, but she tried to be pleasant.

She had been so angry, for so long. It was so hard to let go of it. But she had to. There was more at stake here than her wounded pride. She was going to be a mother! She blanched at the thought. It was one thing to raise her siblings. Her father was the parent. She could yell, she could boss, she could forget about things the teacher had mentioned, and the children never minded. But if her father forgot, they were devastated. The children listened to her, but they depended on their father. She wrinkled her brow. It was a strange and complex relationship, parent and child. She glanced at Jimmy briefly. She was glad she did not have to do it on her own. If that entailed swallowing her pride, then she would do it.

Maybe things would have been different if she had not of fallen ill. Or if her father had not told Jimmy to stay away. Or if she had not been kidnapped. But she could not change any of it. She was here, married and expecting. She could not punish her husband anymore. It was not healthy, for any of them.

She had never dreamed her wedding would take place in the marshal’s office. But it had. Sam had married them and Emma had been their witness. After Sam pronounced them man and wife, Jimmy had kissed her. She hated how she had responded, again. She was going to be pleasant, not passionate. He kissed nicely, she told herself. It was a normal human reaction, that’s all. It was normal to hold on to a man and kiss him, kiss him deeply, kiss him with such abandon that all others were forgotten, she thought cringing inwardly. Yeah, right.

She and Jimmy had then gone to the boarding house and rented a room. It was just a little bigger than her bedroom at home. It was very plain and completely devoid of any human touches, but it was clean and the landlady seemed quite nice. The rent seemed rather high, but Jimmy had paid it and Priscilla has sat there, feeling useless and guilty. She did not like him paying for everything. But she had no money of her own.

Then they had ridden to her home and told her family. Lorna had not said a single word, but she was sure her sister would stop by or she would go home and then they could talk. Her father had been puzzled, but Lorna had told him the truth about the baby, so he merely wished them well and asked them to join them for dinner the next night.

Tonight they were eating with Emma and Sam in the hotel. Sam’s treat. But Priscilla was having a hard time tonight. She was nervous about the rest of the evening. Her feelings for Jimmy were such a jumbled mess. She was touched he came for her. But she was hurt that it had taken him so long. She was pleased he wanted to do right by her, but was it really for her? Was it more about the baby? Or was it about saving face? She too thought about their one night. It had been special. But was it special enough to base a marriage on?

She also did not know how Emma, Jimmy’s surrogate mother, felt about her and then she saw the prices on the menu and blanched. Too much had happened to her today. She felt utterly drained. She wanted nothing more than to lie down and go to sleep.

Priscilla had always tried to be frugal when she had managed the money at home. But did a wife do that? Unsure of what to do, she ordered soup and then Jimmy scowled at her and ordered her a steak. She had already decided to just eat a little and take the rest home for lunch. Suddenly she was struck by a horrible thought. Where would they eat their meals? Would they have to eat out every day?

“Welcome to the family,” Emma said, beaming at her. “I hope you and Jimmy will feel free to join us for dinner any time. I’d like to make a special meal for you tomorrow night.”

Priscilla sat there, struck dumb. She just had this overwhelmingly urge to cry. Should she try to make a good impression? But her family asked them first.

Jimmy gave her a strange look. “We are eating with the Washingtons tomorrow,” Jimmy replied.

“The day after then,” Emma said firmly. She reached out and clasped Priscilla’s hand. “I’d like you to look at some quilts I have.” She smiled. “I made them for my hope chest.” She stopped when Sam made a strangled noise.

“For my first marriage,” she said, rolling her eyes. But Priscilla heard the teasing note in her voice and for the first time since she had sat down for dinner did the knot inside her begin to melt.

She leaned closer and whispered, “And some clothes that will fit you when you get a little bigger.”

Priscilla gave her a genuine smile this time. “Thank you.”

“Now eat,” Emma chided her gently.

Priscilla took one bite and then another and before she knew it, she had devoured the entire steak. Emma looked at her approvingly. She leaned close once more. “Remember, you are eating for two.”

When the waiter came to their table, Jimmy ordered some blueberry pie. Priscilla gave him a surprised look. “You said you wanted some,” Jimmy told her, looking slightly embarrassed.

Priscilla smiled. “I did.” She felt a tingling sensation in her stomach when Jimmy continued to watch her, his eyes so soft. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome,” Jimmy said quietly, his eyes locked with hers.

And when the slice of pie arrived, Jimmy tried to snag a bite with his fork and Priscilla laughingly slapped his hand away. She had forgotten how easy it was to be with him.

Priscilla consumed the entire slice of pie as well. Somewhere between the steak and pie, she found herself feeling happy. Maybe it was just a full belly, but as she looked at Jimmy out of the corner of her eyes, she was reminded of why she agreed to go to the dance with him. He was so handsome and she still yearned to be in his arms, to have him hold her close and tell her what was in his heart. And other things, she thought with a wicked smile.

Once she was done she leaned back in her chair, full and as she looked around, she felt content once more. Emma was far nicer than she could ever imagine. Sam was as well. Even though he was the town marshal and her only interactions with him had been very brief, she was touched that he now went out of his way to treat her with a kindness that she knew was reserved for only a special few. She also felt sleepy, she thought, covering her hand with her mouth as she tried to hide her yawn.

Jimmy put an arm around her shoulders and asked softly, “Are you tired? Should we go?”

“Let Sam finish his story,” Priscilla answered, her voice equally quiet. She leaned her head against Jimmy’s shoulder. She was not really listening to the conversation. Emma and Sam were debating something and Jimmy would add his thoughts here and there, but Priscilla could sense him losing interest in what was going on around them. She hated to admit it, but it pleased her to realize that Jimmy’s thoughts were on her.