Page 88 of If the Boot Fits

At the door to the office, Eli stepped aside and gestured for Asher to enter ahead of him. He smiled and dipped his chin in thanks, but it was all for show. The last thing he felt was gratitude as he stepped into that study. Immediately, his gaze locked on the sofa he’d hidden behind. Then the desk he’d rummaged through and the shelves he’d scoured. Even the window taunted him, tempting him to make another rapid escape.

Not this time. Asher squared his shoulders and turned away from the window to face the man he hoped would be his future father-in-law. He’d already owned up to his mistakes. All he could do now was plead his case and pray Eli Dearing saw more potential than pitfalls in his proposal.

Inhaling a fortifying breath, Asher braced himself and drove straight to the heart of the matter. “Mr. Dearing, I’d like to ask permission to court your daughter, and, if she agrees, to marry her. I realize I don’t have wealth or prestige to offer, nor do I have land of my own, but I know what it means to be responsible for a family, to put their needs ahead of my own. I promise to do the same for Samantha. I will work hard to provide a good life for her. It might not be as lavish a life as she would have back in Boston or here at the Three Cedars, but it will be rich with the things that matter most—love, mutual respect, joy, and faith.”

Eli sat on the corner of his desk and leveled a steely stare at Asher. “Love and joy are all well and good, son, but a man needs to have a way to put food on the table and a roof over his family’s head. How’re you plannin’ to do that without wages from the Bar 7?”

Asher lifted his chin. He’d been anticipating this question. “I signed on with the Double J this mornin’. I start on Monday. It might take a couple years to save up enough to buy a small spread of my own, but I’ll not propose to Samantha until I know I can provide for her.”

“The Double J’s a good outfit. Alvin Johnson and I have driven a few herds to market together over the years. He’ll work you hard, but he pays solid wages. You coulda done a lot worse.”

“My foreman at the Bar 7, Walt Ricker, recommended the Johnsons. Put in a good word for me with the hirin’ boss, too.” Asher had been thanking God for Walt’s kindness from the moment he’d received his letter two days ago telling him about the position.

“You could hire on here.” Eli pulled a pen from its fancy brass holder and rolled it between his fingers and thumb. “I’m still short a couple hands. I promoted Martin to foreman, but his old position is vacant.” He stopped fiddling with the pen and lifted his gaze. “Seems the least I can do after all you’ve done for my family.”

Asher’s gut tightened like it did when he’d been a boy in school, called upon but completely unsure of the rightness of his answer. “As much as I appreciate the offer, sir, I’ve made a commitment to the Double J. I’ll be ridin’ for them.”

Eli placed the pen back in the holder, then stood and clasped Asher’s shoulder. “I respect a man who honors his word. And I can appreciate you wantin’ to build something with your own two hands. But the man who marries my daughter stands to inherit half of the Three Cedars. You willin’ to take on that kind of responsibility?”

Asher nodded. “When the time comes.”

“Good.” Eli released his hold on Asher’s shoulder. “I hope to be around for a few more decades, but if the last month has taught me anything, it’s that life doesn’t always go according to plan. I need to know that Sam will be taken care of. Clint too. That boy’s been through a mess of hurt. He puts on a good show, but it’s gonna take time for him to figure out who he is. Clint looks up to you, Asher. Shoot, you’ve saved his life twice now. I’m hoping you can help ground him. You’re in a unique position to show him that family is defined by love, not blood.”

Asher locked eyes with Eli, feeling the weight of his plea and accepting the charge with a sacred vow. “I give you my word, sir. Clint and Samantha are family, and I don’t turn my back on family. Ever.”

“No, I don’t believe you do.” A grin creased Eli’s face as he slapped Asher on the back. “You’ve got my approval, but you oughta know, Samantha’s the one who’ll be making the final decision. She’s made it clear I ain’t to be pickin’ beaus for her.”

The knots in Asher’s gut began to unwind. “I’ll do my best to prove myself worthy of her love.”

“You can’t earn a gift that’s been freely given, son.” Eli’s expression sobered as he reached for the family photograph at the edge of his desk. “All you can do is cherish it and give your own gift in return.” The pad of his thumb caressed the glass, then he set the frame aside. “My girl’s got a big heart and a zest for life that can energize everyone around her, but she ain’t perfect. She’s stubborn, opinionated, and has a tongue sharp enough to shave whiskers off a man’s chin. There’ll be days when your will clashes with hers, when feelings are hurt, and anger is roused. Those are the days that need more love, not less. Remember that.”

“I will.”

“Good!” Eli clapped Asher’s shoulder once more for good measure. “Now let’s get back downstairs. I imagine my daughter’s eager for your company.”

As he was for hers.

When they reached the parlor, Asher scanned the room for Samantha. She was sitting in front of the hearth chatting with Mama Bess and Mrs. Hopewell. As if she felt the touch of his gaze, she glanced up. A wide smile bloomed across her lovely face.

“I have an announcement to make.” Eli Dearing’s voice boomed near Asher’s ear as the man barreled into the room behind him. “Mr. Ellis, here, has just gained my permission to pay court to my beautiful Samantha.” He bowed in the direction of his daughter, who pinkened at his compliment.

Asher doubted the dusty rose painting her cheeks could compare to the tomato red that had to be climbing up his neck, judging by the unwelcome heat around his collar and the way Jack was pointing and snickering with Clint by the window.

Parson and Mrs. Hopewell gave a good-natured cheer, and Mama Bess turned in her seat to smile at him, her face alight with pleasure.

“I told the boy that gaining my permission was only half the battle, though. My daughter must also approve, and her criteria are much more stringent.”

Asher looked to Samantha, thinking to share a smile with her, but her expression had gone quite severe. She rose from her chair, clutching something behind her back.

Her father gave him a not-so-gentle push deeper into the room. Samantha met him halfway across the rug, her arms still behind her back, her expression regal.

“My father has granted me the honor of choosing the man to whom I will one day be betrothed.” Her blue eyes danced, and knots tightened in his stomach. “Asher Ellis, you have proven to be a man of honor and steadfastness.”

Her eyes darkened slightly, the way they did right before he kissed her. His pulse jumped straight from a walk to a canter.

“You have exhibited tenderness and humor in good times and remarkable courage and sacrifice in times of tribulation. You have not only passed but exceeded every test I could have asked of you. But one remains.”

Asher blinked. One what? Test? His hands immediately started sweating again. Until he found her eyes once more and discovered a delightful mix of love and laughter glimmering there. His breathing eased as trust calmed his racing heart. Samantha loved him. She’d not concoct a test for him that he couldn’t pass.