Martha listened intently, occasionally interrupting with questions or exclamations.

When Lily finished, the older woman reached across the table and took Peter’s hand.

“You are a good man, Peter Nash.

Not many men would have been so honorable in such a situation.

You could have taken advantage, and no one would have been the wiser.

” Peter looked uncomfortable with the praise.

“I was raised to respect women, Mrs.

Anderson.

My mother would come back and haunt me if I had done anything less.

” “Well, your mother raised you right.

” Martha squeezed his hand once more before releasing it.

“You are welcome in this house anytime, you hear me? Anytime at all.

” After breakfast, Peter prepared to leave despite Martha’s insistence that he stay longer.

Lily walked him out to where the horses were tied, suddenly reluctant to say goodbye.

“Thank you again,” she said softly.

“For everything.

” “You have already thanked me about a dozen times,” Peter said with a gentle smile.

“I think we can consider the debt paid.

” “Will I see you again?” The words were out before Lily could stop them, and she felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.

“I mean, I suppose you come into town sometimes for supplies or” “I come into town once a week, usually,” Peter interrupted, saving her from her awkward rambling.

“Usually on Saturdays.

I do my shopping at the mercantile and sometimes stop by the saloon for a drink.

” He paused, then added, “Perhaps if you are in town on a Saturday, we might run into each other.

” “Perhaps we might,” Lily agreed, her heart beating faster.

Peter mounted Duke and gathered Rosie’s reins.

For a moment, he just looked at her, and Lily wished she could read what was in his eyes.

Then he tipped his hat to her.

“Stay safe, Miss Lily.

Try not to get caught in any more blizzards.

” “I will do my best, Mr.

Nash.

” She watched him ride away, leading Rosie behind him until he disappeared around the corner.

Only then did she realize she was smiling like a fool.

She turned to find Aunt Martha standing in the doorway, watching her with knowing eyes.

“He is a good man,” Martha said again.

“Yes, he is,” Lily agreed, “and handsome, too.

” “Aunt Martha,” the older woman laughed.

“I am old, child, not blind.

I saw the way you two looked at each other.

Like there was no one else in the world.

Lily felt her blush deepen.

I barely know him.

Sometimes that is when you see people most clearly, Martha said wisely.

Before expectations and disappointments cloud everything.

You saw him at his best and he saw you at yours.

That is worth something.

Lily thought about those words as she went about her day, resuming her normal routines.

She helped Martha with chores, prepared her lessons for the coming week, and tried to push thoughts of Peter Nash out of her mind.

But he kept creeping back in.

The memory of his gray eyes and gentle smile.

The way he had made her feel safe and valued and interesting.

When Saturday came, Lily found herself taking extra care with her appearance.

She told herself it was just because she wanted to look nice after being cooped up week.

But Martha’s knowing look suggested she was not fooling anyone.

She put on her nicest day dress, a deep blue wool that brought out her eyes, and pinned her hair in a style that was a bit more elaborate than her usual simple bun.

I am just going to the mercantile for some thread, Lily announced, pulling on her coat.

Of course you are, Martha said mildly.

And if you happen to run into Mr.

Nash while you are there, well, that would just be a happy coincidence.

You are impossible, Lily said, but she was smiling.

The walk into town was pleasant.

The snow from the blizzard had mostly melted, leaving the streets muddy but passable.

Albuquerque was busier than usual for a Saturday, with ranchers and their families coming in from the surrounding areas to stock up on supplies and socialize.

Lily exchanged greetings with several people she knew, including some of her students and their parents.

She was browsing the thread selection at the mercantile, trying to decide between blue and green when a familiar voice spoke behind her.

I would go with the blue.

It matches your dress.

She turned to find Peter standing there, his hat in his hands, looking clean and freshly shaved.

He wore a nicer shirt than the one he had been wearing when she last saw him, and his hair was neatly combed.

Her heart did a little flip in her chest.

Mr.

Nash, what a surprise, she said, hoping her voice sounded more casual than she felt.

Peter, remember, he said with a smile.

And I am not sure it is that much of a surprise.

I did mention I come to town on Saturdays.

So you did.

She selected the blue thread and added it to her basket.

How have you been? Any more unexpected visitors during blizzards? None, sadly.

It has been just me and the cattle all week.

Quite dull after the excitement of last week.

He fell into step beside her as she moved to look at some fabric.

How about you? Your students keeping you busy.

Always.

Though I think they are all a bit restless.

Spring cannot come fast enough for them.

They wandered through the store together, their conversation easy and natural.

Lily was aware of curious glances from other shoppers, and she knew that by tomorrow half the town would be speculating about her and the Nash boy.

But she found she did not care as much as she should have.

When they stepped outside, Peter cleared his throat.

I was wondering if you might like to take a walk with me.

There is a spot just outside town near the river that is particularly nice this time of day, if you have time, that is.

I would like that very much, Lily said.

They walked together down the main street and out toward the river that ran along the eastern edge of Albuquerque.

The day was cold but clear, the sky a brilliant blue overhead.

Peter offered his arm, and after a moment’s hesitation, Lily took it.

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each other’s company.

The spot Peter had mentioned turned out to be a small grove of cottonwood trees near a bend in the river.

Someone had placed a large flat rock there that made a natural bench, and they sat down side by side, watching the water flow past.

I have been thinking about you all week, Peter said suddenly.

I know I should not say that.

I know it is forward and we have only just met, but it is the truth.

I cannot seem to get you out of my head.

Lily’s heart was racing, but she kept her voice steady.

I have been thinking about you, too.

That night in the cabin, talking with you, it was the most comfortable I have felt since I came to New Mexico.

Maybe even before that.

Peter turned to face her, his gray eyes intense.

I am not a wealthy man, Lily.

I have a small ranch and some cattle and a cabin I built with my own hands.

I do not have much to offer except hard work and honesty and a life that will never be easy.

But I think I am falling for you, and I wanted you to know that before this goes any further.

If you are looking for security and comfort and an easy life, I am not your man.

But if you want someone who will stand by you through storms, both literal and figurative, someone who will value you and respect you and love you with everything he has, then I am here.

Lily felt tears prick her eyes, but they were good tears.

Peter, I am not looking for wealth or status.

I had comfort before, and when it burned away, I realized how little it actually mattered.

What I want is exactly what you are describing.

Someone real, someone I can build something with that is ours.

Then can I court you properly? Peter asked.

Call on you, take you for walks, let everyone in this territory know that I am serious about you.

Yes, Lily said softly.

I would like that very much.

Peter’s face broke into a wide smile, and before Lily quite realized what was happening, he had leaned in and kissed her.

It was gentle and sweet, his lips warm against hers despite the cold air.

It was Lily’s first real kiss, and it was everything she had imagined and more.

When they pulled apart, she felt breathless and giddy.

Was that too forward? Peter asked, looking suddenly worried.

No, Lily assured him, touching her fingers to her lips in wonder.

That was perfect.

They sat together on the rock for a long time, talking about everything and nothing, making plans for the future, dreaming aloud about what their life together might look like.

Peter told her about his plans to expand his herd, to build a bigger house someday, maybe even hire some help so he would not have to do everything alone.

Lily told him about her hopes for the school, about maybe starting a lending library so the children would have access to more books.

By the time they walked back into town, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

Peter escorted Lily all the way to Aunt Martha’s door, and there he kissed her again, this time more confidently.

I will be back next Saturday, he promised.

And every Saturday after that, for as long as you will have me.

I will be here, Lily promised in return.

She floated into the house to find Martha in the kitchen, smiling like the cat that got the cream.

I take it your trip to the mercantile was successful, the older woman asked innocently.

You could say that, Lily said, unable to keep the happiness out of her voice.

Aunt Martha, I think I am in love.

I know, dear.

I could see it from the day he brought you home.

The weeks that followed established a pattern that became precious to both of them.

Every Saturday, Peter would ride into town and spend the day with Lily.

They would walk together, talk for hours, steal kisses when they thought no one was looking.

Peter proved to be a devoted suitor, attentive and romantic in his own straightforward way.

He brought her wild flowers when they started to bloom in the spring.

He fixed the gate on Martha’s fence that had been sagging.

He sat through church services, even though it was clear he was more comfortable outdoors than in the small chapel.

Lily, for her part, found herself falling deeper in love with every passing week.

Peter was everything she had not known she wanted.

Strong but gentle, serious but with a dry sense of humor, hardworking but never too busy to make time for her.

He treated her as an equal partner, asking her opinion on things and actually listening to her answers.

When she talked about her students or her dreams, he paid attention with genuine interest.

Three months after the blizzard, Peter invited Lily out to see his ranch.

He picked her up early on a Saturday morning in a small wagon he had borrowed from a neighbor, and they drove out together through the spring countryside.

The desert had transformed from its winter browns and grays into a riot of color with wildflowers blooming everywhere and the air filled with the scent of sage and juniper.

When they arrived at Peter’s place, Lily felt a swell of emotion.

This was where they had met, where her life had changed.

The cabin looked smaller in the daylight than it had felt during the storm, but it was neat and well-maintained, surrounded by corrals and outbuildings.

Cattle dotted the landscape, grazing on the new green grass.

“What do you think?” Peter asked, watching her face anxiously.

“It is beautiful,” Lily said honestly.

“It is home.

” Peter’s expression softened.

“I was hoping you would say that.

” He took her hand and led her around the property, showing her everything.

He introduced her to his favorite horse, a temperamental mare named Bella, who actually let Lily pet her nose.

He showed her the vegetable garden he had started, which was more weeds than vegetables, but showed promise.

He pointed out where he wanted to build a bigger house someday, up on a slight rise with a view of the mountains.

They sat together on the porch of the cabin as the sun set, and Peter pulled a small box from his pocket.

Lily’s heart started to pound.

“Lily Anderson, I know we have only known each other for 3 months,” Peter began.

“But I also know that you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

I love you.

I love your intelligence, your kindness, your strength, the way you laugh, the way you see the world.

I want to wake up next to you every morning and go to sleep beside you every night.

I want to build a life with you, raise children with you, grow old with you.

” He opened the box to reveal a simple gold band.

“Will you marry me?” Tears were streaming down Lily’s face, but she was smiling so wide her cheeks hurt.

“Yes.

Yes, of course I will marry you.

” Peter slipped the ring onto her finger, and then he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back, and everything felt perfect and right and exactly as it should be.

They were married 6 weeks later in a small ceremony at the Albuquerque Chapel.

Aunt Martha cried happy tears throughout the entire service.

Peter wore a new suit that was clearly uncomfortable for him, but he endured it with good grace because Lily had asked him to.

Lily wore her mother’s wedding dress, which Martha had saved and brought with her to New Mexico.

It had needed some alterations, but it fit well enough, and Lily felt her parents’ presence as she walked down the short aisle to where Peter waited.

The preacher kept the ceremony short, sensing that Peter was more interested in getting to the part where he kissed his bride than in lengthy sermons.

When he finally pronounced them man and wife, Peter kissed Lily with such enthusiasm that several people in the small congregation laughed.

There was a simple reception at Martha’s house with cake and punch and well wishes from neighbors and friends.

Lily’s students had made them a card decorated with pressed flowers.

Several of Peter’s fellow ranchers clapped him on the back and made jokes about him finally settling down.

Through it all, Peter and Lily could barely take their eyes off each other.

As evening fell, they said their goodbyes and climbed into Peter’s wagon, which several helpful souls had decorated with tin cans and ribbons.

The drive out to the ranch, which was now Lily’s home, too, felt both exciting and terrifying.

Lily’s hands trembled slightly as Peter helped her down from the wagon.

“Are you nervous?” he asked softly.

“A little,” she admitted.

“Me, too,” he confessed, and somehow that made her feel better.

He carried her over the threshold in the traditional way, and they stumbled inside laughing.

Peter had clearly been preparing for this day.

The cabin was cleaner than she had ever seen it, with fresh linens on the bed and wildflowers in a jar on the table.

He had even hung a curtain to separate the sleeping area from the rest of the cabin, giving them a bit of privacy, even though they were the only two people for miles.

That night, they became husband and wife in every sense of the word.

Peter was gentle and patient, and if there was awkwardness, there was also love and laughter and a sense of rightness that transcended any physical discomfort.

Afterward, they lay tangled together in the narrow bed, talking softly in the darkness.

“I cannot believe you are really here,” Peter murmured, stroking her hair.

“Sometimes I think I am going to wake up and find out this was all a dream, that the blizzard never happened and I never met you.

” “I am really here,” Lily assured him, pressing a kiss to his chest.

“And I am not going anywhere.

” Life on the ranch was harder than anything Lily had experienced before, but it was also deeply satisfying.

She gave up her teaching position, though it broke her heart a little to do so.

But she could not manage both the ranch and teaching, and she and Peter had agreed that building their life together took priority.

She learned how to cook for a working man, hardy meals that would stick to Peter’s ribs through long days of physical labor.

She learned how to tend the vegetable garden, coaxing tomatoes and beans and squash from the stubborn soil.

She learned how to care for chickens, gathering eggs each morning and protecting them from predators.

She even learned some basic ranch work, helping Peter mend fences and move cattle from one pasture to another.

It was exhausting work, and there were days when Lily fell into bed so tired she could barely move.

But there was satisfaction in it, too, in seeing the direct results of her labor, in building something tangible with her own hands alongside her husband.

And every night, no matter how tired they were, Peter would pull her close and tell her he loved her, and that made everything worthwhile.

Their first winter together was harsh, with several snowstorms that rivaled the one that had brought them together.

But now they faced the storms together, safe and warm in their cabin, secure in their love.

They would sit by the stove on those long winter nights, reading aloud to each other from Peter’s small collection of books, or just talking about their plans for when spring came.

“I want to build you a real house,” Peter said one evening.

“Something bigger, with separate rooms and glass windows and a real floor instead of just packed dirt.

I love this cabin,” Lily protested.

“It is where we began.

” “I know, but you deserve better.

You gave up so much to be here with me.

The least I can do is give you a proper home.

” “Peter Nash, you listen to me,” Lily said firmly, taking his face in her hands.

“I did not give up anything.

I chose you, I chose this life, and I would choose it again every single day.

This cabin is perfect because you are in it.

A fancy house would not change that.

” He kissed her then, deeply and thoroughly.

“How did I get so lucky?” he murmured against her lips.

“The blizzard,” she reminded him with a smile.

“Best storm of my life.

” “Mine, too,” he agreed.

Spring brought new life to the ranch.

Several of the cows gave birth to healthy calves, and Peter was like a proud father showing them off to Lily.

The garden flourished under Lily’s care, producing more vegetables than they could eat themselves.

She learned how to can and preserve, putting up jars of tomatoes and pickles and jam for the winter ahead.

In early summer, Lily realized she had missed her monthly courses.

At first, she thought it was just stress or the hard physical labor, but when she missed a second month and began feeling nauseous in the mornings, she knew.

She was pregnant.

She waited until she was sure before telling Peter.

One evening after supper, as they sat together on the porch watching the sunset, she took his hand and placed it on her still flat stomach.

“There is something I need to tell you,” she said softly.

“We are going to have a baby.

” Peter stared at her, his expression cycling through shock, disbelief, and finally pure joy.

“A baby, we are having a baby.

” “Yes,” Lily confirmed, laughing at his reaction.

Sometime in February, I think.

” Peter let out a whoop of joy that probably carried all the way to town, and then he was kissing her and laughing and saying, “We are having a baby,” over and over like he could not quite believe it.

The pregnancy was not easy.

The summer heat made Lily feel even more nauseous, and by the time fall arrived, she was so large she could barely move.

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