The squeal of a swine rang out, and a large, black boar ran into the shed I’d been working in. “Where’d that come from?” I shouted as it brushed past me, going straight for the clean hay I’d just spread out for our bovines.

My mother moved toward the door. “Stay in here, girl,” she told me. She closed the door behind her, leaving me in the dark.

I peeked out of the cracks surrounding the old wooden door. Another large swine was walking around. A black equine nibbled at the greens in front of our house. There was a bag hanging across the equine’s back, and something was making it move.

My father walked out to the equine and took the bag. He went back into the house with it. A few minutes later I saw my mother come back out of the house, heading toward the barn.

“We have to get you cleaned up, Emerald.”

“Mommy, what is it?”

“Follow me, we can go through the back door and sneak you into your room. You’ll have to have a quick bath. You’re dirty from tending the bovine.”

Once in my room, my mother moved about quickly making a bath so I could clean myself. I soaked in the tub, watching my mother move around my room, gathering my things. I’d been shushed when I’d asked what was going on.

As my parents were never the ones to talk to me much anyway, I remained quiet as I bathed. My mother packed a bag, so I knew I would be going somewhere.

She laid out clothes on the bed for me to change into and then left the room. When she came back, she had another case and then left again. I climbed from the tub, dried off and then dressed in the clothing my mother had laid out for me. A brilliant blue dress hung to the floor, and there was a pair of shiny, black shoes that made me taller than the five feet, five inches I was.

Making my way back to the bedroom, my mother said, “In this bag, you’ll find the things I’ve saved for ya.” She pulled a silky, dark blue nightgown out of the bag. “This is for tonight, daughter. Your wedding night.”

Fear froze on my face. “Mommy, I’m getting married today?”

“You are Emerald. The young man has come back with what your father asked for, and he brought a missionary. Today is your day, girl.”

I paced back and forth, nervously wringing my hands. “Mommy, no! I’m not ready.”

“No one is ever ready, but it happens just the same. He’s young and sturdy.” My mother continued packing.

A frown covered my face. “I have to go, don’t I?”

My mother’s eyes finally fell upon my face, which was pale with fear. “You do. Now let me put your hair in a braid, and we’ll go out to let you meet your young man. Be glad it was a young man who brought your father what he asked for in exchange for your hand and not an old one.”

I stood still as my mother pulled my hair into one long braid. She laid it on one shoulder, a faint smile on her face as she admired her work. Slowly she looked up at me, and her smile faded back into the tight-lipped expression she usually wore.

I gave my mother a weak smile. “Thanks, Mommy.”

My mother took me by the hand. “Well, then, let’s get you to him.”

At twenty, I knew I was more than old enough to marry, but my life had been so sheltered. I was as innocent as possible, having lived alone with my parents on the farm where we produced milk for the other Earthlings in our settlement.

My heart beat hard in my chest as my mother led me to the little main room of our house. My father, some old woman who held a book in her hand and a tall, auburn-haired young man turned to look at me after my mother cleared her throat when we entered the room.

I was in shock at the rapidly progressing events, finding I couldn’t hear properly or think straight. I just moved my body forward, going through the motions.

The young man was dressed nicer than he’d been the first time he’d come. I’d gotten a peek at him from my bedroom window before he was sent on his way by my father.

The man came to me and took my hand in his. I noticed his made mine look so small. He was about a foot taller than I was and I had to strain my neck to look up at him.

His deep green eyes were mesmerizing, and I was in awe of his muscled body. “I am Caleb Booth, Emerald. I’ve brought your father what he asked for and a missionary to marry us today.”

Quietly I spoke, “Okay.”

My father blurted out in his deep voice, “Let’s hurry this up. These two have a long ride ahead of them.”

The missionary asked us to say things after she said them. She told us to sign a paper, and we did. Only after the missionary had left did I really look at my new husband.

Tasseled auburn curls with hints of blonde, the sun had streaked it with made me want to touch it. Tall, broad-shouldered and handsome, I was very pleased with who I’d been given to.

I was about to leave my home and family, forever. My heart began to erupt considering I would never see my mother again. My father’s dark eyes found mine, bringing the eruption back under control with his strict expression. I shook her head, tossing off my feelings.

With a hug and a kiss, I told my mother I loved her. My father’s hard expression proved harder for me to place a kiss on, so I just hugged him. He didn’t hug me back, so I found myself happy I was leaving the place I’d felt unloved through my entire life. Perhaps this young man would see fit to find a place for love in our new home.

Caleb took my hand and led me out of the home I’d grown up, and to a life, I was nervously excited about. But being so innocent, I already feared he’d be disappointed with me.