"What? Talk to me."
"Are you sure you want a wedding? You keep telling me whatever I want is fine with you, but what do you want?"
"You living here with me, sleeping beside me, and waking up next to me. The rest is a formality, a chance for our friends and neighbors to celebrate."
"We could elope, tonight."
"Risk being tarred and feathered and displayed in the town square for a week. No thank you." She rested against him as his arm went around her shoulder. "Caitlin, this is different than before. You are my life partner; the woman Emmaline told me would eventually come my way. You are the woman with whom I would know true love. Having our friends celebrate and witness our coming together is exactly what I want." He kissed the tip of her nose.
A steady and strong heartbeat reminded her how much she loved this man. "I love you."
"Love you too. Now what else has you down?"
"I miss my family." She showed him the picture and saw him wipe his eye. "Why is Grandma Emmaline the first one I ask about? I never mention my mom or dad. Until today I had forgotten what my dad looked like." She kicked the earth with the toe of her boot.
"Emmaline raised you. Your parents died when you were three years old, how could you remember them?" He kissed the top of her head. "Listen, go talk with Rachel. She has the answers you need, not me."
"But I came over to be with you."
"I'll see you tonight. Go, get your answers."
She drove home, rehearsing the questions, but nothing seemed coherent or answerable. Once in the kitchen she slumped against the counter.
"What's got you in the dumps?" Rachel said, wiping the counter and then tossing the dishrag in the sink.
"I'm wondering about my mom and dad. Was it love at first sight? Did they argue? Did they enjoy dancing?" She laid the picture on the table.
"My William took that picture," she said, her hand on her heart. "That was your third birthday and only a month later they were gone. Hard to believe it's been this long." The photograph shook in Rachel's hand, but she refused to set it down. "I still hear your dad's laugh ringing through the ranch like church bells tolling in celebration. Even when he was hard at work, you would run by and he would drop everything. He tossed you into the air and took you on pony rides. Nothing came between you and your daddy." She rested in the chair. "Marshall came close to filling his son's shoes where you were concerned. You lacked for nothing in growing up. And you turned out great."