She Asked the Gunsmith to Wed Her Before Her Uncle Sold Her Land — “I’ll Want to Court You After,” the Gunsmith Said
Chapter 11
Crowe was arrested before dawn.
His papers were seized.
Pike confessed.
Thomas confessed.
The forged deed was invalidated.
The Vale property was protected.
The three neighboring farms were protected as well.
But Margaret had one final decision to make.
She could have sent her uncle to prison.
Instead, she asked the magistrate to allow him to repay what he had stolen through labor and the sale of his remaining property.
Thomas accepted.
It did not restore their relationship.
Not immediately.
But it prevented another family from losing its home.
Several months passed.
The Vale farm prospered.
Samuel returned to his gunsmith shop.
Margaret moved into the house beside it.
Their marriage became ordinary.
And strangely, that was what both wanted.
One morning, Samuel arrived at breakfast with a small bouquet of wildflowers.
Margaret looked at him.
“What is this?”
“My courtship.”
She laughed.
“You’re late.”
“I was repairing a musket.”
“You are always repairing something.”
“I thought you liked that.”
“I like you.”
Samuel smiled.
“That is better.”
He sat beside her.
They ate breakfast together.
Then he said:
“I have something to ask.”
“Another proposal?”
“No.”
“What then?”
“Would you like to go riding this afternoon?”
Margaret smiled.
“Yes.”
Samuel reached across the table.
She took his hand.
Their marriage had begun as an arrangement.
But slowly, day by day, it had become something neither had planned.
Something real.
