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Alice clapped her hand. “Okay, down to business. Just let me add these items to your list—and those beautiful boots.” She began writing on a pad of paper. So odd to see someone use a pencil and not an electronic tablet. “What have you brought to trade today?”
“The usual,” Huck said. “Fresh vegetables, jerky, alcohol, canned goods.”
“Yes!” She clapped. “You all do make the best schnapps in the region.”
Chapter Ten
Once again outside, I watched Huck and Garrett load the carriage with more supplies, stacking it atop of other stacks they had collected while I was at the doctor.
Bo took my arm and led me away from the cart. “Let’s go to the museum.”
This small town—a village really—had a museum?
Once we were out of earshot of the brothers, I took a deep breath for fortitude. “Bo, can I ask you something?”
He made a non-committal sound.
“I am now your wife, I guess, by the customs of your people, but I am not your first wife. May I as what happened to her?”
“My wife, Melanie, passed away in childbirth four years ago.” He looked off into the distance. “The baby would have been our first child,” he said so quietly I could barely hear.
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”
In a more normal tone, he finished his tale. “After she died, Huck and Garrett moved to the homestead that Melanie’s parents had gifted us when we were married. I tried to give it back to them after their daughter passed, but they insisted I keep it. As you could see, I’ve remained close to them.”
I threw my arms around his waist and buried my face against his chest. “I’m so sorry, Bo,” I cried. “I feel horrible for bringing it up. You must have gone through hell.”
He awkwardly patted my back. “It’s fine, Cedi. Now you know so we don’t have to discuss it further.” Bo peeled me off of him and handed me a hanky. “Dry your tears so we can go inside.”
I realized we were stopped in front of a spacious building with a small sign. The Historical Museum of Pre-Invasion.
Even though my new husband had dismissed his first love with a flippant shake of fabric, I couldn’t help but wonder about Melanie and what she was like. Bo must have cared deeply for her. A spark of jealousy flared for a brief instant before fizzling out like a dying ember in the wind. It was wrong to be jealous of a dead woman, but I realized it was not her I was upset about, but myself. I was so inadequate. I didn’t deserve one husband, much less three.
What would a Sloth know about living in an Anachronist’s world?
I literally brought nothing of value to the relationship.
Bo led the way, which seemed to always be the case, holding open the door for me. We entered the dim space with a slight musty odor. A layer of dust wafted up off the dirt floor when the door banged shut behind us.
An older gentleman, wearing an outfit I was sure was from an old-time western, scurried toward us. “Hello. So happy you decided to visit us. How are you Bo? It’s been a while.”
“I’m well,” he replied gruffly.
He came over to me. “Enchanted to meet you, madam,” he said then gently took my hand in his and smacked a kiss on top of it. I giggled at his silliness.
“This is my wife, Cedi. Cedi, meet my good friend, Alexandre,” Bo introduced. “Don’t go trying to steal her away from me, Alex.”
He held a hand to his chest. “Moi? I would never.” I realized they were joking with each other when the museum employee winked at me. “Please, call me Alex.”
I bet when he was in his prime, he was quite the ladies’ man.
“Where did you find such a beautiful young woman?” he asked.
“She is from the city,” Bo replied.
“Oh, my poor girl.” He gave me a sympathetic pat. “I’d heard about the city going into lockdown. I’m so sorry.”
I nodded and scooted closer to Bo. I had to admit I was a bit surprised when he pulled me to him, letting me fit into his side. He had seemed so distant since the morning.
