The next day saw Ruby standing outside the Nolans' home as the sun poured over her skin, a stark contrast to the downpour of the day before. Ruby took no notice, however. She wouldn't have even known how much time had passed—how long it must have been since she lay all day on the pile of dirt, since she'd agreed to marry a strange man—except for the fact that the preacher was still in town to marry them. Her whole body felt numb, unaware of the heat of the sun's rays or the warm breeze that blew her loose hair in her face, and she gripped the folds of her dress—her red dress, which she'd put on to tell Peter her good news—that was becoming wrinkled and grimy after she'd slept in her clothes.

She should have at least found something suitable to wear, but she hated dark colours—didn't own anything much for mourning. And now she was going to get married in red. The thought made her stand up a bit straighter, embracing her armour.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the redheaded man with a little boy who looked to be about nine or ten. He had the same shock of red hair, though a little more vibrant, and Ruby wondered if the older man's hair had once been that same shade. The boy was pointing to two other children, a little blonde girl who was shouting back at him—maybe about six—and another boy who looked slightly older, tears streaming down his cheeks. Sheriff Nolan and a young woman Ruby hadn't yet met consoled the boy and the girl, rocking an infant in her arms, while the redheaded man with glasses shuffled the other boy to the porch, having given him a stern talking to.

Then, Ruby felt the presence of someone beside her. "I can't do this," she gasped before turning to face Mary Margaret. The sympathy she read in the other woman's eyes was enough to overflow the well of emotions that Ruby had thus far been able to keep dammed up, and Ruby looked away with a deep breath as she tried to regain control—tried to return to that soothing numbness. "I—I just want to go home."

The other woman put a hand on Ruby's arm. "I know it's hard," Mary Margaret said softly, "but there's no place in this part of the country to cry over wants. Your life's about needs now." Mary Margaret followed Ruby's gaze to the door through which the stranger who was about to become Ruby's husband had disappeared. "Archie's a good man. He'll take care of you—you'll get a roof over your head for the winter—and come spring, you'll be able to go home. That's a fair bargain."

Ruby met Mary Margaret's gaze and tried to give her a small smile, grateful for the friendship that seemed to exist between them. Mary Margaret's voice held no malice, only wisdom that was kindly meant—with just enough fortitude to strengthen Ruby's resolve. Still, try as she might, she could feel her nose and eyes start to sting, and she swallowed to fight back tears.

With her own sad smile, Mary Margaret gently led Ruby to the doorway, and Ruby didn't have the energy to resist as she tried to summon the courage for what she was about to do.

They entered the cabin—a humble building, with the main floor consisting of a one-room parlour and kitchen made of rough clapboard—to see Mr. Hopper and Sheriff Nolan and the preacher all waiting for her inside. It took a moment for Ruby's eyes to adjust to the dim light, and the shouts of the children playing outside only emphasized the gloom of the event about to take place. Ruby couldn't look at the eyes all fixed on her, their expressions filled with pity, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

Ruby gripped Mary Margaret's arm as she willed her feet to move towards the men, blood pounding in her ears. Before she knew it, she was standing beside the stranger who was about to become her husband, and Ruby forced herself not to reach for Mary Margaret's hand as the woman stepped aside.

She finally allowed herself to look at the gentleman beside her. He was dressed in the same shirt and jacket as the day before, and Ruby assumed it was his modest Sunday best. He looked tidy and clean-shaven, so that was something. His red hair, though thinning, was curly and more voluminous than it had been when she'd seen him in the rain when it was plastered to his scalp. And his eyes that looked back at her through the frames of his glasses—they really were so clear and blue, and filled with concern as his brows softened when she met his gaze, and her heart briefly quieted in her chest.

For a moment, Ruby felt a million miles away from her body as she stood inches away from a stranger in a rough wooden cabin in the middle of nowhere. Then, the preacher asked them to join hands, but Ruby couldn't bring herself to do it—could only allow Mr. Archibald Hopper to take her hand in his as she remained motionless, her eyes now fixed on the preacher in front of her. The warm touch that clasped her palm brought a new wave of grief over Ruby, and she had to squeeze her eyes shut and bite her lip to keep the images of Peter away—to stop her heart from wishing that his familiar hand could hold hers just once more.

Instead, she was listening to a stranger holding a black leather Bible ask if Archibald Hopper would take Ruby Smith to be his lawful wedded wife. An unfamiliar voice answered solemnly, "I will." Ruby shook her head to hear him say the words so easily, as if they weren't swearing to be joined to each other for life, whatever that looked like.

Then, it was her turn. "Do you, Ruby Smith, take Archibald Hopper to be your husband?"

Ruby's breaths became shallow and her mouth went dry as she struggled to form the words on her lips.

The preacher leaned forward and said, "Just answer, 'I will'."

I can't—I won't—I shan't!

"I will." Ruby closed her eyes at the betrayal those words held, a single tear trailing down her cheek.

"Then I pronounce you man and wife." The familiar line that once held so much joy was so matter-of-fact, so solemn that Ruby almost couldn't believe that she'd just been joined in holy matrimony to this man. And yet, with those last words, the deed was done.

Ruby all but yanked her hand free from Archibald Hopper's grasp.

To make things official in the eyes of the law as well as the eyes of God, they moved to the table where the papers were already laid out, waiting to be signed. Ruby watched Mr. Hopper sign his name in neat script before he handed the pen to her. She took a deep breath to steady her hand, though try as she might, her signature did not look like it should have. Still, it was legible, and she'd managed not to spill any tears on the paper. Then, she stepped back to let Mary Margaret and David perform their duty as the witnesses.

Archibald came up beside her, briefly laying his hand on her back, making Ruby start, before pulling it back. "I, uh, I realize there are no rings, but I thought we could take care of that later." His voice was low and soft as he spoke in her ear. Ruby only nodded, her gaze fixed on the sheriff and his wife who were finishing up with the preacher. She instinctively played with the ring already on her fourth finger, and her stomach lurched to think that she would have to take it off. No—they would not take that from her, too.

She couldn't bring herself to meet the man's gaze as he said something about getting the team hitched up, and Ruby was only vaguely aware of Mary Margaret's rubbing her arm. She let out a deep breath as the woman stayed blessedly silent—no false congratulations offered—and she shuffled back outside with Mary Margaret's arm hooked around hers, leaving Mr. Nolan to talk with the preacher.

Ruby only barely registered herself getting in the wagon beside the little boy while his father drove the horse to take them to another homestead. This cabin was only one storey, with a slanted roof that was higher over the main part of the building and sloped down to cover the room that had been added onto the side.

"Woah, Cleo!" Archibald Hopper called out as he pulled on the reins. The Clydesdale came to a stop as a large dog bounded up to meet them—all black fur with white patches and a booming bark. If Ruby didn't know any better, she'd say that "wolf" was a more appropriate label.

"Pongo!" August exclaimed as he scrambled over Ruby to greet his pet.

Archibald hopped down and rushed over to help Ruby out of the wagon. "He's harmless," he assured her, though Ruby hadn't been worried. She shivered as her palm connected with his once more as he guided her down to the ground.

"Here, let's get you inside," he said gently as he took her elbow and led her to the door. Then, he looked over his shoulder. "August, you can start unhitching Cleo—I'm just going to get Miss Ruby settled."

Ruby cringed at the name—she hadn't been "Miss Ruby" in ages—but she supposed that it was better than the alternative.

As they entered the little cabin, her gaze wandered around the space. She couldn't quite take in her surroundings as a whole but she noticed items strewn about. A pair of overalls hanging over a chair near the cast iron stove. The dishes piled in a washbasin. An ornately carved shelf that held an impressive collection of leather-bound books, so out of place in their rustic surroundings...

…like the bare windows.

"This is your room," Mr. Hopper explained as he opened the only other door. Ruby nodded as she slowly passed through, her feet filled with lead.

Archibald stayed in the doorway. "I've moved mine and August's things into the lean-to, so you won't be disturbed here." Ruby absentmindedly walked around, ending up in the corner of the room as she folded her arms across her middle. "I'll, uh, bring in your trunk for you. And I can get the rest of your things from your wagon tomorrow." Archibald looked like he was about to say more and then thought better of it, but before he could close the door, a blur of fur pushed through and sauntered up to Ruby.

"Pongo!" the man exclaimed as he made an unsuccessful lunge for the animal.

Ruby shook her head. "No, it's okay." The dog sat at her feet, panting, and Ruby laid her hand on his fur.

Archibald nodded and shut the door, leaving Ruby blessedly alone, save for the pet. With her hand still in the dog's fur, she slid down the wall until she was huddled in the corner. The dog nudged her hand with his nose.

All of a sudden, an overwhelming ache took over Ruby, and she buried her face in the soft fur, her arms wrapped around the solid animal as the tears came so fiercely that she thought she would never come up for air.