Free Arizona Territory by Dusty Richards Page B

ready to go help that woman, but first you took me to see the stallion and his offspring, and before I could ask you if I could have one of them to train, you told Tom to bring me two.”
    Chet nodded grim-like. “I felt bad, fixing to leave you when you gave up so much to join me.”
    â€œYou told me something I have thought much about. What is a person’s life worth, compared to anything financial? I could be a rich woman, entertaining myself, or else I could share another person’s life, and it be as exciting as being a wife to him had been. It was not hard, after that long day we shared, for me to see being alone was not how I wanted to live the rest of my life.”
    â€œAll those suitors missed the point?”
    â€œOh, they were embarrassing.”
    He shook his head. “You didn’t know me, climbing out of that coach in a black dress and your earrings flashing.”
    â€œI immediately knew that man with his hat in his hand was no clown. You have a real aura about you. You know what I mean? You could hold people off without using your hands. It encircles you. What did your wife do to meet you?”
    â€œWe rode together from Tucson on that same stage to Preskitt. At the time, I was obligated to a woman in Texas. I guess Marge thought I was a stranded cowboy and she started paying my bills. I had to gather them and repay her. She simply wanted to be sure I could survive. Headed home south of Preskitt, road agents killed my nephew, Heck. She came to my aid. The lady in Texas had to stay there and care for her family, so I returned and Marge fell in my tracks. I owed her for helping me so much when Heck’s murder shattered me. My entire family was moved here, and I was to go look at the rim country for a ranch—but Susie, my sister, said Marge wouldn’t go on a camping trip with me—she has been to finishing school. But when I asked her, Marge said she’d love to go. I told her no, that I’d marry her first.”
    â€œThat is what I expected, if you wanted me. But I am doing fine, fitting into your life. Are you still suited with me?”
    â€œYes. Perfectly.” He reined up in the yard. “We must always keep talking, not simply as lovers, but partners.”
    â€œOh, we will.”
    Monica had waited up and spoke up, “Are all his fingers and feet still on him?”
    â€œOh, yes. I think he is fine.”
    â€œWhat was the result?”
    â€œOne of the troublemakers is dead, the other three will serve five years for murder and rustling. The lady has a suitor who I think will see to her.”
    â€œWas she pretty?”
    He shook his head. “Just a woman.”
    Monica nodded and served them cake.
    â€œThis is wonderful, thank you. Monica has been telling me about things in the past.” Liz cut a bite off with a fork.
    â€œShe could fill a book.”
    â€œNot me. You would be the one,” Monica said to him.
    They both laughed. “We love you.”
    â€œI am going to bed. He will be up early, I have warned you.”
    â€œGood night.”
    He was home. Time to straighten out things.
    â€œTomorrow, we can find the priest, and you can meet my associates in town.”
    â€œSounds great. I hope I am fitting in.”
    â€œYou can’t please everyone. You do me.”
    They went hand in hand upstairs.
    â€œWhen you set our wedding date, I want time to invite your people to come here, so I can meet them,” he told her.
    â€œThey won’t come.”
    â€œIf they don’t, then they will lose.”
    â€œYou have thought about that, haven’t you? You are such a family leader and I have forgotten them. I was raised so strict, I have always resented that.”
    â€œI bet you did.”
    She laughed. “We will have fun.”
    They met Bo Evans, the land man, who had bought three more homesteads near the Windmill Ranch. Chet introduced her to Tanner at the bank. At the mercantile,