“It fits perfectly.” She stretched her hand before her. “I’ve always wanted a piece of jewelry, and look how pretty it is.”

Her first piece of jewelry, and he’d only bought her a plain gold band? “I should have gotten you something nicer.”

“Nicer? What could be nicer?” She twisted her hand in the sun. “The simplicity allows you to admire the beauty of the gold.”

Some of the Rangers had ribbed him about getting married. “Kiss your paycheck good-bye,” they’d said.

They didn’t know Leah Jones.

Leah Paxton.

Clay climbed the steps to the telephone center, identical to every other building at Camp Forrest. “I like calling home on Saturday evenings when the fellows are out on the town—no lines. This is early for me. Hope my folks are home.”

“Yes.” Her voice sounded as small as when she’d said her vows, probably nervous.

He couldn’t blame her when his stomach was turning this way and that.

The lady at the front desk directed them to an open booth. Clay motioned for Leah to take the seat. Then he set down the luggage, removed his stifling wool jacket, and had the operator put him through to Kerrville, Texas.

As the connections went through, Clay leaned back against the doorjamb. Daddy and Mama would be shocked, since he’d never mentioned dating anyone. At least he’d told them about rescuing Leah.

“Hello?” Daddy’s voice, deep and gruff.

“Hiya, Daddy. Hope you don’t mind me calling early.”

“Never. Lupe, it’s Clay.”

Clay heard his mama in the background, saying, “So early?” He could picture his parents scooting two chairs under the phone on the kitchen wall, holding the receiver between them.

“Hola, mijo. How are you?”

“Fine. Listen, we only have five minutes, and I have big news for y’all.”

“Oh?” Mama said.

Clay sank his hand into his trouser pocket. “Remember me telling you about Leah Jones?”

“That poor girl,” Mama said. “Everyone from church is praying for her. How is she?”

“She’s out of the hospital. But she isn’t Leah Jones anymore. She’s Leah Paxton.”

In the silence, Clay held his breath, staring at the opposite doorjamb, avoiding Leah’s gaze.

“Did we hear right?” Daddy said. “Leah Paxton?”

“You may be getting older, Daddy, but your hearing’s just fine. Leah and I got married about two hours ago. She’s sitting here with me.”

“Married?” he said. “How well do you know this girl?”

“Well enough to know she’s the one.” Clay clenched his hand in his pocket so the strain wouldn’t show in his voice.

“You had a wedding? Without us?” Mama sounded hurt. “Oh, Clay, we would have come.”

No time for that in these circumstances. “Sorry, Mama, but my battalion is leaving soon. I didn’t want to wait.”