UNBROKEN PROMISE

~4~ Marriage??

Oma's POV

"Miss Caroma"

Logan’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I looked up at him, startled. His face was calm, but his eyes were steady, fixed on me like he had something serious on his mind.

“I intend to keep you safe,” he said, his voice low but firm. “And to do that, I’m gonna have to marry you.”

The way he said it—so direct, no sugar-coating, no beating around the bush—sent a shiver down my spine. He didn’t ask if I wanted to marry him. He didn’t give me a chance to think it over. It was like he’d already made up his mind, and I was just along for the ride.

I blinked, feeling my heart race in my chest. Marriage? To a man I barely knew, who claimed he made a promise to my dying father? It all seemed too much, too fast. But as the seconds ticked by, I realized something: there was nowhere else for me to go. I had already run as far as I could, and it hadn’t gotten me anywhere. My money was gone, used up on the train ticket that brought me here. And even if I wanted to go back to my town, there was nothing left for me there. No home, no family, no future.

I bit my lip, thinking hard. I didn’t know this man. I didn’t know if I could trust him, or if he really meant what he said. But what choice did I have? I was scared, yes, but I was also desperate. Maybe this was my only way out. Maybe, just maybe, he could offer me something I hadn’t had in a long time—security.

“I... I agree,” I whispered, almost choking on the words.

Logan’s expression didn’t change much, but he gave a short nod, his eyes softening just a bit. “Alright,” he said, and then he glanced at my half-finished plate. “Go on, finish your food.”

I looked down at the meal in front of me, suddenly realizing I hadn’t finished eating. My appetite was gone, my stomach twisting with the weight of everything that had just happened. But under Logan’s watchful gaze, I forced myself to take a bite, chewing slowly. He sat across from me, his arms crossed over his broad chest, watching me carefully. His presence felt... solid. Strong. Like he was already taking on the role of protector, even if I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

I didn’t know what my future held now, but one thing was clear, it was in Logan’s hands.

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Logan's POV

After I paid the bill, I turned to see Caroma—Oma, as she liked to be called—sitting quietly. Her eyes were cast downwards.  I could see how small she looked, tucked into herself like she was afraid the world might notice her. In a town like this, that might be a blessing. People here, they talked. And I knew they'd be talkin’ now.

We left the diner the cool air outside comforting, I helped her into my wagon and climbed in beside her, she was still scared and I could feel it the way she did evrythin' I got the team moving and drove to a small jewelry shop.

I helped her down from the wagon, holding her arm steady as she stepped out. Her movements were careful, like she wasn’t sure of her place yet. Couldn’t say I blamed her. She was a long way from home. We walked into the store together, the little bell above the door jinglin' as we entered. The smell of leather and polished wood filled the place, familiar to me but likely foreign to her.

An older woman stood behind the counter. Mrs. Whitefield. Who has a noggin for gossip, She’d known me for years, but today, she raised an eyebrow as soon as she saw Oma trailing behind me. “Mr. Tawney” she greeted, a bit too curious. “What can I do for you today?”

“I need to see your wedding bands,” I said, plain and simple. I didn’t have time for small talk, not today.

Her brows shot up in surprise. “Wedding bands?” she asked, lookin’ between me and Oma like she’d just heard the most unbelievable thing. “Well, I’ll be damned,” she muttered, half under her breath. “Didn’t think I’d live to see the day. You sure know how to surprise a girl.”