by Dina Chapel
“Well then, good luck to you both. And God bless!”
What did he mean? Annie thought. Why am I the lucky lady? Annie wasn’t feeling so lucky at the moment, that was for sure. Next thing she knew, they were back out on the boardwalk.
“Rafe Stanton! You stop right there!” Annie recognized Claire’s voice instantly.
Rafe stopped and turned toward Claire. “Yes ma’am?”
“Just what do you think you’re doing, carrying Annie around like a sack of potatoes?” Claire sounded really mad. Annie was touched. “Annie, are you all right, dear?” Annie hesitated.
“You may answer Claire’s question,” Rafe allowed. He knew she was still worrying over a public spanking. And well she should.
“Yes, ma’am.” Annie said only what she was allowed to say and no more than that.
Claire seemed only slightly satisfied with Annie’s answer and turned back to Rafe. “Put her down, Rafe Stanton.”
“No, ma’am, I will not.”
“Why do you need to carry her all over town like this? You’re making a spectacle. And she likely has a headache from hanging upside down like that for so long.”
Rafe paused at Claire’s words as if he was thinking. He picked up his hat and scratched his head, then dropped his hat back on his head again. “Well, ma’am, I can see your point about the headache,” Rafe conceded. “Do you have a headache, Annie darlin’?”
Annie’s heart did a little leap. “Yes, sir.” He had called her “darlin’!” Rafe had never used a term of endearment before.
He continued. “I am sorry about that then, sweetheart.”
Another!
Rafe turned to Claire. “See, the thing is Annie here has a habit of runnin’ off on me. She’s done it a couple o’ times now. Isn’t that right, darlin’?” Rafe swatted her backside, not so lightly either.
“Yes, sir.”
“So I figure to keep her right where I can find her until I can make certain that she can’t never run away from me again.” Rafe tipped his hat at Claire, smiled and turned to go.
“Well,” Claire still wasn’t satisfied, “what do you plan to do with her, to make sure she can’t run away?”
Rafe stopped and turned back to Claire. “Why I aim to marry her, that’s what!” Rafe smiled at Claire, and Rafe hardly ever smiled. “I just got the rings and I’m headin’ for the preacher right now.” He turned again to make his way down the boardwalk. Enough talkin’, Rafe thought.
Claire was speechless. Then she smiled and waved at Annie, who had picked up her head enough to see Claire. Annie smiled back.
He loved her.
* * * * *
Everything went off without a problem at the preacher’s. They were married by Pastor White, who had performed Tom and Jenny’s ceremony only a few weeks earlier. It seemed like such a very long time ago to Annie; so much had changed in that short time. She had changed so much in that short time.
After Pastor White declared them man and wife, Rafe gave Annie a kiss that made her go weak in the knees. It also made her feel like she had butterflies in her stomach. Rafe managed to make her feel things she had never felt before. When they stepped out onto the boardwalk, Rafe suddenly bent down and scooped Annie up and over his shoulder again.
“Rafe!” What was he about now?
“Yes, darlin’?” Annie got those butterflies again from hearing him call her “darlin’.” She really liked that. She hoped he would do it all the time. “I... how come you’re carrying me?”
“I’ve taken a likin’ to it. I may carry you on my shoulder all the time from now on.” Rafe chuckled. When they got to his horse, he lowered her from his shoulder onto the ground and fixed her with a stern gaze. “Just so you know,” Rafe reached down behind her and gave her backside a good, hard swat for emphasis, “I’m going to tan you good and proper when we get home for runnin’ off on the stage that day. Anything could have happened to you.”
Annie got her back up at his comment. “I can take care of myself, y’know,” she said rather indignantly. “I been doin’ it for a long time. Besides,” Annie’s voice dropped low and soft, “I thought you didn’t want me.” She couldn’t meet his eyes, so Annie looked at the ground, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“I want you, little girl,” Rafe answered her tenderly. He slipped his finger under her chin and raised her face so that her eyes met his. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
“Oh, Rafe.” Annie threw her arms around him as she burst into tears. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Annie. And don’t you ever run away from me again!”
The End.