Everyone Ignored the Quiet Cook—Until a Mountain Man Asked About Her Cornbread

Chapter 13

Their wedding took place in spring.

It was modest.

Clara wore a cream-colored dress.

Elias wore his best dark coat.

The village came.

So did many of the families whose land had been restored.

After the ceremony, Clara baked cornbread.

Someone joked that Elias had married her because of it.

He replied:

“No.”

Everyone waited.

“I married her because she was the first person in this valley who made silence look stronger than shouting.”

Clara laughed.

Then she whispered:

“And I married him because he asked about the cornbread.”

Elias smiled.

“That was a good question.”

“It was.”

“And the answer?”

“My mother taught me.”

He took her hand.

“Then I owe her thanks.”

Clara looked toward the mountains.

“I think she would be pleased.”