“I want to, Rett.”
“Then open the door. Sign your name and be my wife. We’ll work the rest out.” His tone lowered. “They will both live another day because of you. One day, I won’t spare them. His men took you. They...” The cords in his neck grew taut. “The people responsible at all levels for that will pay. Just not today.”
“I have so many unanswered questions.”
“Do you trust me? I trust you with my name and to sleep beside me.”
Swallowing, I nodded. “At this moment, yes.”
Reaching for the doorknobs, I made the decision to believe the handsome man at my side. Liam had left me when I needed him. Kyle lied about being dead. As I stared up into Rett’s dark gaze, I knew I wanted to trust him, to believe him, to fulfill my promise to him.
When I opened the doors, Judge McBride, Ian, and Miss Guidry were front and center. “I apologize for the delay,” I said as I motioned for them to join Rett and me. “I’m ready to sign the certificate.”
“Praise be,” Miss Guidry exclaimed as she clasped her hands together.
The judge, our witnesses, and the man about to be my husband followed me to the antique console table as I reached for the pen. Rett’s other men continued to enter, taking their respective places. I stared down at the document. Under the title of bride read my name, the one I’d always used: Emma Leigh O’Brien. Gripping the pen, I hesitated. “Do I sign my maiden name?”
“Once you sign as Emma Ramses, your marriage is official,” Judge McBride said.
For a moment I considered what I’d said earlier to Rett, that maybe I wouldn’t change my name. It took only a glance at the man watching me with his intense stare to know that the battle to retain O’Brien or take on North wasn’t one I was willing to fight at this juncture. There were too many other matters at hand.
As I formed the letters, the swirl at the top of my E and an eloquent L, I realized I’d never written the name Ramses. It was an odd thought, but one that hit me, nonetheless. I forced my hand to keep moving, spelling out my new last name.
When I was younger, much like other girls my age, I would doodle names, such as mine with other last names. I’d spent many years imagining that I’d leave O’Brien behind and become Ingalls. Never before this moment had I considered that my name would change to something altogether different.
Placing the pen next to the document, Judge McBride came forward and added his signature as the officiant. He turned to the room. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Ramses.” He looked to Rett. “I will file this first thing in the morning with the court; however, not to worry” —he removed his phone from his inner coat pocket and clicked a picture of the document— “for I’ll send this via email to my secretary, and as of” —he read the time stamp— “this evening at 8:14 p.m., you are officially and legally married.” He folded the certificate and placed it in his inside breast pocket.
Rett offered the judge his hand. “Thank you, Raymond. The dinner offer still stands.”
The judge shook his head. “I believe you’ve had enough visitors for one night.”
With my hand in my husband’s, we escorted the judge to the front door. “Thank you again,” I said as he stepped through the threshold onto the front steps.
“It was very nice to meet you, Mrs. Ramses.”
Hearing my new title from his lips caused my cheeks to rise. Despite the turmoil, Rett and I were married.
“Everett, could I have a word?” the judge asked.
Rett released my hand. “I’ll be a minute.” He stepped out onto the front steps, closing the large doors behind them.
When I turned back to the foyer, I stood for a moment staring at my surroundings. I’d lived in this home for over a month, and yet I was seeing much of it for the first time. My gaze went up the grand staircase to the stained-glass window at the landing. There were so many unanswered questions swirling through my mind as I stared at the Ramses family crest. It was as Miss Guidry appeared that I realized we were alone. Rett’s men had disappeared.
Where did they go?
“Mrs. Ramses,” Miss Guidry said with a smile, refocusing my attention. “Mr. Ramses asked for your dinner to be served in the courtyard.”
“Will you and Ian join us?” I wasn’t sure what prompted the question, but since they’d both been involved in the wedding, it seemed appropriate.
“Oh no, ma’am, that wouldn’t be right. Tonight is about celebrating.”
I let out a long breath. “Is it? Did we do the right thing?”
Miss Guidry reached for my hands as her hazel gaze came my way. “Mrs. Ramses—”
“Emma,” I interrupted.
“Miss Emma,” she said with a nod, “you must believe in your heart you did what was right, always believe that.”