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at him, surprise alight in her face. “I hadn’t thought of such a thing, David. I’d only thought of working here and having a chance to give Joshua a good life, with enough food and more clothing as he grows. The thought of marriage hadn’t entered my head.”

      “I realize that,” he told her, “but I spent a lot of hours last night trying to find a solution to your problems. This seems to be the answer for both of us. I’d hoped you might be agreeable.”

      Marianne was quiet for a few moments as if she must assimilate all he’d said. Her head was bowed as she considered David’s words. She’d not thought of marriage, for having Joshua to care for made her somewhat of a burden for a young man just starting out in his life. Whereas David had been married, knew the ups and downs connected with a relationship with a woman and, much to her surprise, he was willing to take her on, along with her brother, and make a home for her here in the parsonage. She felt a thrill of delight that such a man would be interested in her, that he found her attractive, for surely he would not marry a woman who did not appeal to him.

      She donned her cloak, watching as David cleared off the table and rinsed the plates in the sink. He was obviously used to washing up after a meal and she could not help but notice his skills as he wiped off the table, put the dishes into the pan and readied them for washing. He would be a husband to be proud of, she decided, hoping that his plan might bear fruit, that their marriage might be welcome to the townspeople who supported his church and paid his salary.

      “I’ll be back shortly, once I talk to Janet,” she told him, opening the back door and stepping onto the porch.

      “Joshua will sleep for an hour or two—at least he usually does in the morning after he eats. I’ll give him a bath when he awakens and do his washing. I hope you won’t mind if I use the line behind the stove to dry things on.”

      “You are welcome to do as you please while you’re with me, Marianne. I enjoy your company, and having Joshua here is a bonus for me. I feel attached to him already. I hope you’ll truly consider what I’ve asked of you. I’ve only proposed once before, when I asked Laura to be my wife, so I probably didn’t do a very good job of it, but I want you to know that it is the desire of my heart to take care of you and Joshua and give you a home where you’ll be safe and happy. I think I should make it clear that you may have your own bedroom, for I have no intention of pushing you into an intimate relationship. If and when you are ready to truly be a wife, I’ll expect you to let me know, for I’m more interested right now in getting to know you better and finding out how we get on together.”

      She smiled, standing in the open doorway. “That’s quite a speech, David. You’ve made me an offer I can hardly refuse. I hope you won’t find any dispute to your proposal from the board of your church, for this will be the answer to my prayers, if all goes as you have planned.”

      She blushed as his scrutiny swept her from head to toe, and his smile was approving as he walked toward her. His hands rested on her shoulders and he bent to her, pressing his lips against her forehead.

      “Talk to Janet about it if you like, Marianne. See if she gives her approval. I honestly think she will, for she is a sensible lady, one who will see the obvious advantages for both of us.” He held her apart from him and his smile was warm, his lips curved in a look of pure happiness. “Merry Christmas, my dear. I hope this day will be a happy one for both of us.”

      Marianne walked quickly to the house next to the general store, rapping once on the door and waiting as she heard footsteps approaching, the sound vibrating on the porch. Janet opened the door wide and welcomed her inside.

      “Merry Christmas, Marianne. I wondered what had happened to you last night. I left the store unlocked in case you wanted to sleep there, but I noticed this morning when I went over to put wood in the stove that you hadn’t been there.”

      “I slept at the parsonage,” Marianne admitted quietly. “David felt it would be better for Joshua to be in a warm house where there was everything available to tend to him. He’s sleeping now in the spare bedroom. And that was where I spent the night, Janet. I hope you don’t think there was anything out of order going on last night. David gave me a place to stay and I got up and made his breakfast.”

      She slid her cloak from her shoulders and sat in the chair Janet offered, nodding her head as she offered Marianne a cup of tea, a gift received with a grin.

      “Thank you. David prefers coffee apparently, and I didn’t ask if he had any tea. My mama used to always have a cup for breakfast or in the middle of the morning. I miss sitting at the table with her and talking of what we would do during the day and what work needed to be done.”

      “What have you and Mr. McDermott spoken of, Marianne? I think from the look on your face that you have something to talk over with me. Am I wrong?” Janet sat across the table, lifted her teacup and sipped at the warm brew, waiting till Marianne should decide to speak.

      “He wants to marry me,” she said softly. “He asked if I would live there and keep house for him and cook and do the laundry and all that is entailed in being a wife.”

      “All?” Janet asked quietly, her brow rising as she posed the query.

      “All but the sleeping in his bedroom part,” Marianne said, feeling awkward as she explained the circumstances David had suggested. “He said he would not expect that of me, for we barely know each other, having met but yesterday. I think he’s willing to give me as much time as I need to become accustomed to his company before he makes a change in our relationship.”

      “And how do you feel about it?” Janet asked, as if she were feeling her way, trying to negotiate a rocky path. “Would you be comfortable living in the parsonage and answering to the ladies in town, for surely you know they will watch you like a hawk.”

      “I hadn’t thought of that,” Marianne told her. “I suppose they feel somewhat protective of David, given the circumstances of his wife’s death and the loss of his child.”

      “It could well be the best thing that could happen for both of you,” Janet said slowly, as if her mind must catch up to her words. “I assume you’ve had a good upbringing, Marianne, and your parents were no doubt strict with you. Have you had a gentleman friend in your life before this?”

      “A young man in our neighborhood wanted to court me a couple of years ago and my father told him he could come calling so long as he didn’t see me alone, without a chaperone. He talked about marriage for the past few months, and I had just about agreed to the idea, for he was a good man, with good prospects.”

      Janet eyed her, obviously noting the tears that threatened to fall as she spoke. “What happened? Did you change your mind?”

      “No. He came down with the fever and died just before my parents became ill. A lot of the folks in our part of the county fell ill and many of them didn’t make it. There are a lot of homes without mothers, some without a breadwinner, and the winter looks to be a sad one for several families who are grieving for loved ones.”

      “Is that why you left home with Joshua?”

      “My neighbor said her sister lived here in town and I might be able to stay with her while I found work. You know how that turned out, once her husband got wind of the idea. I don’t think my old neighbor is aware of the situation in her sister’s home.”

      “Well, you didn’t need that sort of problem anyway,” Janet said bluntly. “What you’ve been offered is far and away the better choice for you.”

      “David said he’s going to speak with the mayor today, even though it’s Christmas. He’s anxious to get someone else’s approval of his proposal.”

      “The mayor is head of the church board, and if he gives his okay, David has clear sailing,” Janet said with a grin.

      “I’ll bet he’s anxious to get things in motion. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re not a married lady by tomorrow.”

      Marianne almost choked on her tea. “So soon? Do you really think he’ll

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