Charlie turned to stare with a slow growing smile, "Well, how about that. I begin to think you wouldn't ever get around to it. What did she say?"
"Yes, so I guess it's alright with you, huh?"
"It's very alright. If you got that strong a feeling for her, then marriage is the only answer son. I'm real proud to hear it too." Charlie smiled.
"Yeah, it's gonna mean a lot of trouble, you know that, so do I. But it can't be helped. The way we feel, it's just too strong to ignore any longer. And I wouldn't have her unless we married, it's the right way to do things. But it will upset some people once they find out."
Charlie chuckled. "We've had troubles before son."
"Ed's threatened to burn us out, and I'm pretty sure he meant it." Clay mentioned casually. He wasn't going to tell his father about what happened last night with Ed. He didn’t want him worrying but they had to talk about what might come.
"Then we'll just rebuild." Charlie told him.
"You think you are up to all this, dad?" Clay asked.
Charlie chuckled, "I've been wanting this to happen ever since her and her father came here. I know it will cause trouble, but life is full of troubles, son. It's how you handle them that counts. The way she fits in so quickly here, without one complaint. I knew it would be a good marriage if you ever got around to it. We can always rebuild. I'm just happy that Elan will be my grandson soon."
Clay smiled warmly and put his hand on his dad's shoulder. "You love him, don't you?"
"I love them both, and now they will be family, I love them more." Charlie told him. "She's a good woman, and the best cook I've ever seen."
"She wants me to finish the room first though before we marry."
"Well, I can't blame her for that. I can watch Elan after the wedding for a few days, if you like, or go to town and rent a room."
"No, I don't want you leaving here without me. Things are gonna probably get rough and I want you here, with us."
"Alright, have it your way."
"I also want to get her some dresses like we talked about. White woman dresses so the people will start to see her for what she is, a wonderful woman." Clay told him.
"Sounds good."
"I was kind of surprised she went to see Cora though."
"I think the doc's been pretty worried about her."
"You know, I always liked Cora. She's ahead of her time. She don’t see people the way most do, she sees us all as people. She even hired a black man to help around the place a few years back. I think he finally ran off though. I'll go with Willa next time."
"Maybe we can all go visit back and forth so she won't be so alone all the time."
"Good idea."
"So, where we gonna go to get the two of you married. Have you thought about it?"
"There should be someone to marry us in Farmersville, I'd expect. If not, we may have to find a Catholic mission. They marry almost anyone there."
"Good thinking. Alright, I have to tell you, I'm looking forward to this. I didn't think I'd live to see you married." Charlie choked up.
"I'm glad you are happy about it, dad." Clay smiled.
"I thought I heard a ruckus last night, but the medicine made me a bit drowsy. Was I imagining it?"
"Willa, Elan and me, were out in the shed, that's all." Clay told him.
"What were you doing out there?"
"She was fixing to leave. I guess that's part of what spurred me on to ask her to marry. I couldn't let her go, dad. I knew she felt the same, even though we never talked about it."