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"Why? Why me? Martina is much prettier."
He looked at her and she thought she saw a slight blush to his cheeks as he spoke. "I'll admit I was taken with you the first time I saw you. Couldn't take my eyes off of you. No woman has ever done that to me. I don't know why I was so attracted to you. Still don't. And just a few minutes ago, you looked at me, really looked and we both know there is an attraction on both sides. That is if you can be honest with yourself."
"I gotta talk to Mama…" She said before he could stop her, and she marched back to the house. She didn't turn to see if he was following, she simply marched away.
Everyone had eaten and her mother was alone in the kitchen, waiting for her return.
She looked at her with guilty eyes. "I'm sorry darlin' but we had to do something."
"You knew….?"
"Of course I did."
"How can you sell me to this stranger?" She demanded shutting drawers and slamming things around in the kitchen.
"We have no money to buy food with. We have eleven other children to feed. We had to do something. Honey, it will be alright. He's right nice looking. Got good manners. you'll learn to love him in time."
"And what am I supposed to do, in the meantime, Mama? He'll expect me to sleep…with him…how can I do that, Mama."
Her mother looked at her and smiled. "Just follow your heart. That's all, darlin'. Just follow your heart."
"But mama, I'm not ready for this…." Beth cried as Martina came in the kitchen asking about all the noise.
"He done promised to treat you right and not force himself on you…" Her mother said cheerfully.
"I want daddy's old pistol." Beth cried trying to slow her breathing down.
"What for?" Her mother demanded.
"For making sure he honors those words." Beth cried.
"Marriage is built on trust dear." Her mother informed her.
"Trust, I don't even know the man…How can I possibly trust him?"
Martina looked from one to the other. "What's going on? Are you really engaged Beth?"
"I reckon I am…" She stared at her mother incredulously. "They did it, Martina" Beth turned to look at her sister, her eyes wild and searching. "They really did it! One minute you and me were joking about it, and the next they did it. They sold me down the river."
"Oh now, it's not that bad. He's right good looking, clean, and I saw a bible sticking out from his saddle bags when he rode up." Her mother was saying. "He can't be that bad."
"A bible. And that makes him suitable?" Beth cried, her hysteria only moments away.
"Your Pa never was never good with cards. I tried to tell him over and over not to gamble but he wouldn't listen. He always thought just one right hand would save us. It's a weakness in some men. We had to do something, the kids have to eat, darlin'. If he goes to jail, we'll starve."
"Mama sold you down the river?" Martina gasped. "I thought they were joking."
"It sure looks like it, but I'd say Pa sold me, and Mama just went along with it." Beth cried walking down the hallway to the room she shared with four sisters.
"Are you going with him?" Martina asked following her.
"I have no choice in the matter. But I won't set one foot off this property without a marriage license at least." Beth assured her.
Martina sat on the edge of the bed they shared. "Well, you got your fancy pants, but I sure didn't think it would happen this fast."
"Neither did I." Beth muttered miserably.
Chapter Two
