“I thought about what you said. Papa and I talked. I’m not a Richards. My name is Esther Maria Billings. I’m the daughter of Charles and Margaret Billings. Ruth and Naomi are my sisters and I love you, Whitney Hartman.”
“I love you, too. Will you marry me, Esther Maria Billings?”
“Yes! A thousand times, yes.” She cupped his face in her hands and pressed gentle kisses on his skin, only stopping when Papa cleared his throat again.
Reverend Billings studied the couple for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Let’s proceed. We have a lot of things to get done today.”
As the reverend began the traditional wedding vows, Esther lost herself in Whit’s steady gaze. The world around them faded away, and the only thing which mattered was the love they shared.
After they recited the words which would bind them together forever, he slipped a simple gold band onto her finger. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Reverend Billings said. “Take care of my daughter, Whit.”
“I will, sir.” Whit gave the reverend a grin. “May I kiss my bride now?”
“Yes, you may kiss your bride.”
As the congregation roared with laughter, Whit leaned in and wrapped his muscular arm around Esther’s waist, pulling her close. She felt his warm breath on her neck before he gently captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
The kiss ended too soon for Esther, but she remembered where she was.
Marshal Briggs moved forward and raised his hands.
“You know, Whit has been a part of this community for over eight years. He is a son. A brother. A friend. He’s been an unintentional defender of damsels in distress.” Briggs gave Esther a quick wink. “Today he becomes something more to all of us. He becomes our protector. Whitney Hartman, step forward. Esther, did you bring it?”
“Yes. It’s right here in my reticule.”
She slipped the small bag from her wrist and pulled out the star Marshal Briggs brought her the night before. As the marshal recited the oath Whit promised to keep as Flat River’s first sheriff, Esther carefully pinned the badge to his vest, marking the beginning of their shared future.
When Briggs finished, Whit addressed the people of the town. “When Briggs first talked to me about taking this position, I admit I didn’t think I was the right person for the job. Then I remembered a sermon Reverend O’Brien gave before the fever took him. It is from 2 Corinthians chapter 3, verse 5.‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’I am nothing with God, but I am enough because He is enough. Flat River is my home, and I promise I won’t let you down.”
Esther’s heart swelled with pride as Whit leaned in to capture her lips in another tender kiss.
“Three cheers for the newlyweds!” someone shouted from the crowd, prompting another wave of enthusiastic clapping. “Three cheers for our new sheriff!”
As they broke apart, Esther looked at her new husband. “Are you really glad to be staying in Flat River?”
“I am. How about you?”
“I am, but I think I’m going to miss the adventure.”
“I think I’m adventured out for a bit, Mrs. Hartman.”
“Not even a tiny one?” Esther measured with her thumb and finger.
“Not even a tiny one.”
“I think being married to you will be adventure enough, Whit.”
As he tucked her under his arm, they made their way through the crowd. “There is something I can agree with.”
Esther leaned into her husband and thanked God for all the blessings in her life. Especially praising Him because the outlaw had been redeemed.
