Page 1 of My True Love Gave to Me

My True Love Gave to Me

Bethlehem, Texas

December 11, 1886

Simeon Shepherd had just reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes after Papa's amen when a knock thumped against the front door. Not just two or three polite raps, but an insistent pounding. Almost frantic. The kind of knocking that could not be ignored, or really even wished away. The kind that quieted a room and urged a man from his chair to see what trouble awaited on the other side.

Papa rose, set his napkin on the table, and strode from the room. Simeon exchanged a look with his mother, but she just smiled and reached for the basket of rolls in front of her.

"We'll find out soon enough," she said softly, tossing a meaningful glance toward his younger brother and sister. "Get those potatoes passing."

Simeon scooped a spoonful onto his plate without really paying attention then handed the bowl off to his Grandpa Joe. As he reached for the roll basket, a voice filtered into the kitchen that set his pulse ricocheting through his veins.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner, but something's happened and I need to talk to Simeon right away."

Anna.

Simeon jerked to his feet and made it halfway around the table by the time Anna reached the doorway. Her honey brown eyes met his, and his heart nearly stopped. She'd been crying. His Anna rarely cried. The only time he recalled seeing her in tears was when her father almost died last year. Had Mr. King had a relapse?

Simeon hurried to her side and clasped her hand. "Come," he said. "We can talk in the parlor."

Once away from prying eyes and listening ears, Simeon led his love to the small sofa near the woodstove so she could warm herself after riding from town out to his family's farm. Their knees bumped as they turned to face each other.

Anna's head wagged back and forth, her normally bright eyes dulling with shock. "I didn't think he'd do it, Sim." Her voice broke as words tumbled out of her. "But he has, and I don't know what to do."

Simeon had no idea what she was talking about, but it didn't matter. He'd stand by her and do whatever she needed him to do. This was the woman he intended to spend the rest of his life honoring and protecting. The only reason they weren't married already was because he was saving up to build them a house of their own. Papa had already deeded a section of land to him. Simeon had taken on odd jobs around town this winter to augment his savings and had a little over half of what he estimated they would need. He hoped to have the rest following next fall's harvest. If all went according to plan, they would be husband and wife by next Christmas.

"Daddy promised me to Herald Fielder!"

Simeon's gut turned to stone. "What?"

"I didn't believe it, either. Not at first. Ever since Daddy's apoplexy last year, he goes on these rants about needing to make sure Mama and I are taken care of in case something should happen to him. After Mr. Fielder moved to Cedar Hollow and bought out The Ledger, Daddy's been singing his praises. Talks about him being a good newspaperman. Young. Hardworking. A man of integrity. Someone he could picture taking over The Gazette when Daddy retires. I met him last year when I traveled with Daddy down to Austin, and Daddy's been hinting that he'd be in favor of a match between the two of us, but I didn't think he was serious. He knows how I feel about you. How I'd never consider marrying anyone else. But now he's invited Mr. Fielder to come for an extended stay. To court me! Herald showed up at the house not twenty minutes ago with hothouse flowers and expensive chocolates, talking about how much he was looking forward to spending time with me over the next two weeks."

Anna squeezed Simeon's hand so hard, he lost feeling in the tips of his fingers. Fitting since his insides had already gone numb.

"Daddy means for me to marry him. For us to be betrothed by Christmas." Her voice caught on a tiny sob. "What are we going to do?"

"We could elope." The words escaped his mouth before his brain could snatch them back, but once uttered he didn't regret them.

Anna was his world. He'd do whatever it took to keep her. Even if it meant running away. His family would help. Shepherd loyalty ran deep. They'd stand by him. Stand by them. For Anna would be a Shepherd too. Yet the idea of being separated from his family sliced like a knife across his heart. He'd always pictured himself here. Farming the family land beside his father and grandfather. Raising children with their grandparents close at hand. Maybe he and Anna could return one day. After Anna's father accepted their marriage. But who knew how long that would take?

"I can't." Anna shook her head, a tear rolling down her cheek. "It would break Mama and Daddy's hearts. And mine." She turned pleading eyes on him. "There's only ever been the three of us. They're all the family I have. I can't turn my back on them, even if Daddy is being unreasonable. There has to be another way."

Simeon wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his side. He laid a kiss on her forehead and squeezed her tight. "You're right. It's not fair to ask you to choose between me and your family. Forget I mentioned it. Christmas is still a couple weeks away. We have time. I'll think of something."

But what? Mr. King obviously considered him a poor choice for his daughter. He couldn't compete with some wealthy newspaper owner wielding hothouse flowers and fancy chocolates. What could he possibly do to convince Anna's father that he was worthy of his daughter's hand?

Anna raised her head and cupped Simeon's cheek in her palm. "I won't marry Herald. No matter what Daddy thinks is best. I give you my vow, Simeon. You are my true love. The one who holds my heart. If Daddy refuses to relent, I will elope with you. I'll marry you and pray that Daddy will eventually forgive me. But only as a last resort." Her lips curved in a sad little smile. "He's my daddy. He can be highhanded and stubborn, but I love him and don't want to lose him if I can help it."

"Of course you don't. Family is one of God's most precious gifts." How many times had he heard his own father say those words? Family was worth fighting for, even if that family included a man who believed Simeon a poor match for his daughter.

Simeon had no idea how he was going to win David King's approval, but he did know who to enlist for help.

Dinner was long over by the time Simeon returned from seeing Anna home. He'd ridden back by way of the big oak that marked the southwest corner of the Shepherd farm. His thinking tree. A man needed a place where he could go to be alone with his thoughts, and this tree had been his place for as long as he could remember. Unfortunately, he had no productive thoughts about how to handle the fancy suitor Anna's father had brought in, only panicky worries that threatened to paralyze him. He needed a wisdom beyond his understanding, so he dismounted, knelt, and unburdened himself before the Lord. No revelation dropped from the sky on a big white sheet, but the weight on his shoulders lightened just the same. God held the future, and he could be trusted.

Simeon expected the kitchen to be empty and his family busy with other things by the time he straggled home. Instead, he found everyone still sitting at the table, talking excitedly.

"What's all this?" he asked as he came in and took off his coat and hat.