“Don’t you know me yet, woman? I don’t say anything I don’t mean. Tomorrow. We’ll get married tomorrow. After we get the results of your test, we’ll hightail it into Black Eagle, find the Justice of the Peace, and we’ll get married.”
“You want to marry me tomorrow?”
“Did you not hear me, woman? I never say anything I don’t mean. Yes, I want to marry you tomorrow.”
“But I might need more treatment. I might…not make it this time.”
“Yes, you will.”
“I’ll lose my hair. You love my hair, Zach.”
“Not more than I love you. Christ, Dusty.”
“I’m sorry…but I just can’t bear the thought of leaving you alone. I want more than that for you.”
“Damn it, woman, there are no guarantees in life. I could be hit by a semi tomorrow. And if I am, I sure as hell want to be spending today with you!”
She burst into tears.
“Come on now, that’s not fair.” He brushed her cheeks with his thumbs.
“I love you so much.”
“Then you’ll marry me tomorrow?”
She sniffed, rubbing her nose on his shoulder. “Yes. I’ll marry you tomorrow. I’d be honored to marry you tomorrow.”
“Good. Now, how are you feeling? This very minute.”
“Pretty well, actually. I was nauseated this morning, but since Jemma—she’s the cat—went into labor, I’ve been feeling a lot better.”
“Then put on your best outfit. I’m taking my woman to dinner.”
“It’s Sunday, Zach. Nothing in Black Eagle is open on Sunday. Small town, you know?”
“To hell with Black Eagle. We’re driving into Billings. I already made the reservation at Chez Nous.”
“Chez Nous? That’s so expensive.”
“Darlin’, there’s something you need to understand about me.”
“What’s that?”
He winked at her. “I’m loaded.”
She burst out laughing.
“Now that’s a sweet sound.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. And there’s something else you should know.”
“What?”
“As soon as we’re married, you’ll be covered under my health plan, so you don’t have to worry about your medical bills.”
“But the leukemia is a pre-existing condition.”