“What? No!”

“Don’t you lie to me. I see how he looks at you. A man only looks at a woman that way after he’s sampled what’s under her skirt.”

“I’m not pregnant,” she said softly, hoping it’d dampen his rage. “We’re getting married because we’re in love.”

“In love?” he sneered. “Bullshit. The McKays don’t know nothin’ about love. They know lust. Carson’s ass**le father knew how to talk his way into the ladies’ drawers.”

Including Mom’s? jumped into her head unbidden.

“He was a tom cat, laying down with any woman who was breathing. The reason he married a woman from out of state is because no decent, moral woman in Wyoming would have him. That’s the legacy he’s passed onto his sons. Not love.”

“You don’t know anything about him. You can’t judge him on the actions of his father.”

“The hell I can’t! I can judge him on the actions of his father and his lyin’, cheatin’ grandfather too!”

“So you’re willing to let your sons be judged on your actions? And on your ancestor’s reputations?”

“The Wests’ reputation was silenced with blood…by the McKays. Why do you think that McKay didn’t ask me for my daughter’s hand in marriage? Because he’s a dishonorable, disreputable man,” he spat, answering his own question. “I’ll never bless this marriage. Never.”

She’d expected this, yet it still sliced her to the bone. “It doesn’t matter. The only blessing I care about is the one we’ll get from the priest.”

“I never should’ve let you come back here this summer. I should’ve made you stay with your aunt. She never let you run wild like your mother does.”

“Run wild? I don’t even know how to run wild since I basically grew up in a convent!”

“A lot of good that did you—or us, trying to teach you morals. What do you do? Fall in with the first man who pays you the littlest bit of attention.”

Carolyn hated seeing this nasty side of her father. She always scurried away when he started spewing venom. Not this time. She stood her ground. “I’m marrying him no matter what you say or think.”

“Then you’re no longer welcome in this house.”

“Dad. That’s enough,” Thomas said from the doorway.

Her father whirled around. “Don’t you defend her.”

“I’m not. I came in to get my lunch pail and to tell you we’ve gotta go or we’ll be late.”

Then her father iced her with one last look before he stormed off.

Thomas slipped his arms around her as she stood shock-still. “I’ll always defend you, Carolyn, and your right to make your own decisions. Don’t worry; I won’t let him kick you out. I’ll smooth this over and we’ll talk more later.” He grabbed his lunch and headed out.

She wandered to the window above the sink and watched the sunrise, a hundred thoughts racing through her mind.

Carolyn didn’t head to her mother’s room until she’d gotten off the phone with Father Dorian and set up the meeting for early evening. By the end of the night she’d know whether it’d just be her and Carson saying their vows to each other in front of an empty church or if they’d stand before a judge.

She rapped on the door. “Mom?”

“Come in.”

Once inside the always cluttered room, she realized her mom had tidied up the space. “Good morning. How do you feel?”

“Decent, actually. I slept well for a change.”

“Good. Would you like breakfast? There’s banana bread and I could make you hot tea—”

“Liebchen. Don’t fuss. Sit down.” She pointed to Carolyn’s hand. “And for heaven’s sake, show me the ring.”

Carolyn had a burst of pride, although nothing about the ring was ostentatious. The setting was simple and elegant and perfect.

“This is beautiful. He knows you, sweetheart. And that’s how love is supposed to be…” She sniffled and reached for a tissue. “Sorry. Tell me how he proposed.”

When Carolyn finished the story, they were both crying and laughing.

Her mother placed her misshapen hands on Carolyn’s cheeks. “Is this what you want? A life with Carson McKay? Life as a rancher’s wife?”

“Yes. I’m surprised I fell for him so fast.” She smiled. “Carson wasn’t. He said he knew when he saw me I was meant to be his.”

“So the gruff rancher is a romantic at heart?”

“He swears he isn’t. He even warned me he wasn’t that type of man.”

“Actions always speak louder than words.” She let her hands fall away and used one to cover her mouth when she started to cough.

“Mom, are you okay?”

Her mother waved her off and it seemed to take a while before she stopped hacking. “Speaking of words. Your father didn’t take the news too well.”

“Did you hear him?”

“I think everyone in the county probably heard him. I…” She sighed. “His reaction is not unexpected. But this is my home too, so I promise I won’t allow him to kick you out, no matter how much he blusters.” She sighed again. “I wish I could tell you that he’ll come around, but he won’t.”

“Are you happy for me? Even if Dad isn’t?”