When the door to his opened Samuel lifted his head totally surprised to see his visitor. Rose's father. He was limping, but his eyes were perfectly fine. How could he not notice her every time she came to town. Rose was a beauty. It wasn't like he was going to do anything about it, but it didn't mean he was oblivious of the events and people around him.
She was the girl he could only dream about. Even without his limp he was older than her. Rose would never give him time of the day. Each time she walked by him she never even looked his way. Which wasn't all that unusual.
Somehow, Samuel had a notion that this visit was born out of necessity.
The man in front of him held his hat while turning it with his long fingers. It was a total giveaway of a nervous person. Someone who would rather be anywhere else but at this spot at that moment.
Finally, he looked at Samuel while the color in his cheeks reached the deep red.
"Mr. Bolton could I have a word with you?"
"Certainly. What can I do for you Mr. Alward?"
"It would be better somewhere a bit more private."
"Follow me. We can use my office."
There was a long silence before Tom Alward spoke. Samuel sat down at his long desk waiting.
"I have a daughter."
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
"That didn't come out right. How should I put it. Did you ever consider marriage?"
"Why do you ask? You and the whole town knows that the man in my position is not likely to attract the prospective bride."
"Maybe I have a solution for that. Would you be willing to marry my daughter?"
"I have a feeling there is more behind your proposal. Let me see if I got this right. You are offering your daughter's hand in marriage to me. What is wrong with her?"
"Nothing..., except..... this must stay between these walls. Rose got herself pregnant. The father ran far away as possible. If you are willing to overlook that we can arrange fast marriage and no one have to know."
Samuel got angry, but it wasn't in his nature to show it. Let see how far will this man go, and what was this all about. No doubt they thought they were doing him a huge favor. They thought of him as everyone else in this town.
"And you say nothing is wrong with her!" He pulled the chair and stood up and then sat again. Samuel wanted to show him the door, but the prospect of marriage held him back.
"This is very unexpected. You'll have to give me a little time to process this. Does Rose know you are here?"
"Yes, she does!"
The idea was planted in his head. He could have a family, he so much longed for. Maybe down the road he could have his own child alongside the one already on its way.
"And, she is fine with that?"
"Rose got no choice. She has her sisters to think of too."
Samuel almost had had enough. "I see. I would like to say that I'm flattered you thought of me as a way out of your problems, but I would be lying. Unwilling bride is something I'm not ready to deal with."
"Oh! Rose will be willing to be your wife."
"You just said she had no choice."
"I know it sounded that way, but tell me what are her options? She'll be a good wife to you. She is a good daughter, but very foolish in her choices. Her mother, though her all the necessities of running the household, and she is pretty."
Samuel took a deep breath. As much as he wanted to tell him not to bother coming back something stopped him.
"Let me sleep on it. I don't want you to think that I'm rushing into this. I would also like to know why do you think I'll be a good husband for your daughter."
"You are respected in this town, I've heard all the best about your character. My daughter could do way worse. There is little doubt in my mind that you'll treat her well."
