Patience was sitting on the bed next to Rud and could not help kissing him every few minutes. She was the center of attention. It reminded her of her birthday parties back in town. Patience thought again and decided this was nothing like those silly parties. Her life now was real, and she could not be happier with her soon to be husband beside her. A beautiful home, wonderful friends, and someone to love her had always been her wish before blowing out her birthday candles.

The cabin may not be the beautiful home she had in mind, but it was her home, and she loved every stick and stone. Her friends were regular imperfect people, just like she was. They were true friends, and she loved them all dearly. Rud may not be the dashing prince in her little girl fantasy, but she loved him more than life. It was not her birthday, but from where she was sitting now, all of her birthday wishes had just come true.

Patience leaned down to kiss Rud and quietly he asked her, "What about your life and all the fine things you had before. Will you be happy just being a woodsman's wife? What if you miss those fine things?" From the start, Rud had feared his simple life would not be enough for a girl who grew up with so much, and eventually, she would want her old life back.

Patience looked at him and said, "Just a woodsman's wife? Rud, that is silly, what I have now, you, our home, and our valley is finer than any of the things I left behind. When I thought you would be taking us to my uncle, I told you I would come back to you. I knew if I went to stay with my uncle, I would have the things I had before. But I chose a life with you then, and I choose a life with you now. I will always choose you. You are my life."

She kissed his lips, squeezed his hand, smiled, and turned back to the conversation. Rud, satisfied, drifted off into a peaceful sleep. The move and the proposal had taken a lot out of the woodsman.

* * * * *

A few days later, Charlotte and Bessie had the wedding plans well underway. Both were in Rud's room at Bessie's, going over the plans. Martha, Ollie, Billy, and Alice were there as well since they would all have a role. Martha and Alice would be bridesmaids. After giving Patience away, Billy would take his place as the best man. Ollie would be the other groomsman.

Charlotte and Bessie would substitute as mothers of the bride and groom. The women and men who worked for Charlotte, plus some of Charlotte and Bessie's friends from the neighboring farms, would be invited as guests. Weddings were a big deal in the wilderness, and this one would undoubtedly draw a crowd.

Charlotte had contacted a judge she knew to perform the ceremony as in the wilderness, preachers are rare. Charlotte said, "It will be Patience Ann Billings marrying Rudolph Clark Morrow with William Logan Billings Jr. giving the bride away." Rud and Billy looked at Charlotte. Rud asked, "How do you know my name?" Billy said, "Yes, same question?"

Charlotte said, "I make it my business to know things. Rudolph, you and I met about ten years ago, but I don't think you would remember. I am the one who told your father about the valley you call home now. You two stopped by asking about places to hunt and trap, and I told your father about the valley. You were so tired sitting on the driver's bench of that wagon. You could barely keep your eyes open. Your father seemed like a fine man, and he was so proud of you. You were quite a handsome young fellow back then," she said with a smile.

Rud said, "I am sorry, but I don't remember." Charlotte said, "When a young boy started living in that valley and trying to make a life there, I thought I recognized you. When I heard what happened to your family, I knew it was you." Her smile went away. "I was concerned when you started killing. Especially after the Tavern mess, I was afraid that handsome little boy had turned bad."

Charlotte continued, "But then I realized you had no choice. Mad Hermit my foot, you were just a scared little boy becoming a man and trying to survive. Even the other times you killed, it seemed justified to me. Still, once you start down that path, most never get off it." Rud nodded.

Charlotte had been feeling guilty ever since Rud thanked her for letting him stay with her while he recovered. She realized Rud could have used a friend and a little help when he first moved to the valley. Charlotte knew what had happened to his family and, at the time, told herself it was none of her business.

But now she was ashamed for not at least letting him know she was here if he needed someone. She realized a little help from her could have made a significant difference in young Rudolph's life, even if it was just letting him know he was not alone. Charlotte vowed to never let Rud down again.

She turned to Patience then to Billy. "I heard about what happened to your father and mother. I am so sorry for you both. I knew Rudolph had company, a young woman, and a boy. I had passed you three riding in that old cart a few months back. I had seen Rudolph on the road many times before, but instead of ignoring me, this time, he smiled and returned my wave. Rudolph looked happy." Charlotte smiled at Patience then said, "Now I understand why. "

Charlotte continued, "Then I remembered a rough-looking man had killed nine men, including four boat captains with a large knife and hatchet, rescued a young woman and her brother. One of my men had seen Rudolph in town trading about that time, and I realized your rescue had Rudolph written all over it. Where else would he take you than to his valley?"

Charlotte looked at Rud again and said, "I am sorry, Rud. You put so much effort into not being noticed and covering your tracks. Truth was we knew who you were all along." Rud just shook his head. Patience asked how Charlotte knew so much.

Charlotte said, "I make a point of becoming friends with the women in all the villages where I do business. You would be surprised what gets talked about around a produce table." Patience told Charlotte her father had been wonderful to her, but she thought he might have been the one who had Rud's family murdered. Rud squeezed Patience's hand and said that it didn't matter now.

Charlotte said, "Your father, Patience, was a tough businessman. I dealt with him often, but he would not have done something like that. His brother, however, would and did. He was the one who had those boats burned and came after Rud's family."

Charlotte continued, "From what I heard, your father was furious with what happened. It was the beginning of a rift between your father and uncle that seven years later, reached the point where your father kicked your uncle out of all his businesses."

Charlotte, being careful with her words, said, "Your uncle is an evil man and was not going to stand for being left with nothing. It was your uncle who had your father and mother killed, and would have killed you and Billy. He did it to gain control of your father's business, and he has gotten away with it."

Martha said, "That is incredible. Rud survived Patience's uncle sending men to kill his family and seven years later is in the exact spot at just the right moment to save Patience and Billy when the same uncle sent men to kill them!" Looking at Rud and Patience, Martha continued, "You two were destined to be together. That is so romantic."

Alice said, "I thought you didn't believe in stuff like that." Martha, looking at Ollie, smiled and said, "I do believe in love. Sometimes love is the only thing that can save you."

Charlotte, looking at Patience, said, "Well, it looks like things are progressing nicely, and soon you will be Patience Morrow." Patience smiled, hearing her soon to be married name for the first time. Charlotte flashed her mischievous grin and told Patience, "As I told you, I usually get what I want."

Alice then said, "Patience Morrow, Martha Beasley, and Alice Billings." Martha said, "Don't get too far ahead of yourself, Alice." Alice looked at Billy, smiled, and said, "Alice Avinell Billings."

Billy looked a little embarrassed by Alice's comment. Alice pushed Billy back a bit and said, "You remember. I told you the first night we sat together we are going to be married when we are seventeen." Billy smiled sweetly at Alice and said, "I remember."

Charlotte told everyone there was one more thing to be decided. She did not want the killing of Martha's father and his men to be a problem in the future, so she had contacted the Sheriff, told him what had happened, and had given him all the dead men's possessions. The Sheriff agreed it was justified and assured Charlotte there would be no future legal action taken.

The Sheriff would send the men's belongings to the police in the city they were from but wanted nothing to do with the dead men's horses. Unless the dead men's relatives came to get the horses, which he doubted, they were Charlotte's problem.

Charlotte did not want the horses and thought Martha and Alice should both get a horse leaving six. Charlotte suggested Rud, Patience, and Billy each take one, so each had a horse. Bessie already had quite a few horses and was quick to say she did not want any more. Ollie had several horses too.

Billy looked at Rud and asked if they could use the remaining horses on the homestead. Charlotte, happy to be rid of the horses, said, "They're yours" before Rud could even respond. Bessie said, "Wedding presents." Rud didn't think they needed more horses to feed and care for but knew they would find a use for them.

Billy was leaning against the doorway, and Alice was leaning against Billy's chest, looking up at him. Billy meant everything to Alice, and it showed. Charlotte, who liked to think she knew what was going on with everyone, looked at Alice and Billy standing together and asked, "What's the story with you two?"

Martha rolled her eyes and turned to leave the room, motioning for Ollie to follow. Patience and Rud both laughed. Bessie shook her head from side to side and said, "Our little doves. It's a long story."