The Problem Child (Emerson Pass Historicals 4)

“Too stubborn, that one, to see what’s right in front of her face.”

“Such a nice boy.”

“A looker too, ain’t he?”

Viktor leaned close. “I’m sorry. This was a mistake. I wanted to do it somewhere meaningful to us.”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t care about them.” I held out my hand. “Put the ring on, please.”

He blinked and then looked down to his finger and thumb, which still clutched the ring. “Yes, right. But you have to take off your glove.”

I giggled and tugged my glove from my hand. “We’re doing this all wrong.”

“This is a disaster. I don’t like them saying all those things about you.”

“I couldn’t care less. In fact, I love it.”

Despite everyone thinking I’d said no, not one moved away. I’d have thought they’d have skated off by now, disappointed in wild Cymbeline Barnes, but they must have sensed the moment wasn’t yet done. I held my hand out to him. He slid the ring onto my finger, but it stuck at the knuckle.

“Oh dear. I didn’t realize how wide it is there,” Viktor said.

“It’s fine. If I have to cut off my knuckle, this ring is going on my finger.” I had to take off my other glove and stick both of them in my pocket so that I could push the cold ring over my knobby knuckle. “I don’t suppose I’ll ever get it off again.”

“Good.”

“Let’s give them what they want,” I said in his ear. “Maybe they’ll forgive us later when they learn I pretended to be a boy in the race.”

“Good idea.”

I raised my arm high in the air and called out, “I said yes.” A happy roar went through the crowd before arguments broke out around us about who had been right and who wrong. Regardless and perhaps satisfied, people skated away, leaving us to stare into each other’s eyes in peace.

“I hope our wedding itself goes better than that,” Viktor said.

“I hope our marriage goes better.” I tilted my head so he could kiss me.

After a quick peck, Viktor motioned toward my family, who were now congregated over by the bench where I’d left Addie. “I think we have some folks to see.”

We skated over together. Mama grabbed me first, pulling me to her slender frame. “You did it, my girl.”

“What did I do?”

“You opened yourself to love.” She placed her hands on my face. “I know it wasn’t easy, and I’m very proud of you.”

“Thank you, Mama, but it’s all Viktor. He’s the only one it could be.”

“That, my dear, is love.” Mama let me go so that Papa could embrace me.

“You’re always my baby girl,” Papa said. “Don’t forget that.”

“Oh, Papa.”

He withdrew to shake Viktor’s hand.

Delphia threw herself around my waist. “I’ll miss you when you move away.”

I knelt down to her level. “I won’t be very far, and I’ll come see you all the time.”

“You won’t forget about me?”

“Never.” I pulled Delphia into a hug, breathing in the sweet scent of her. “You would be unforgettable even if you weren’t my sister.”

When I straightened, Fiona was there. We embraced, holding on to each other as if we were parting forever. Thinking of not waking in the same house as her was impossible.

“I’m happy for you,” Fiona whispered. “But I’m going to miss you more than you know.”

“I do know, because I’ll miss you just as much.”

The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Viktor and I skated many times around the rink we were so familiar with, basking in the day and each other. We didn’t talk much, but there seemed to be nothing to say that hadn’t been said that day already.