Free The Reckoning by Len Levinson

will never be alone.”
    â€œIt's been my observation that men grow tired of women rather quickly.”
    â€œDepends on the woman, I'd say. You'll probably remain beautiful forever, because you have perfect bone structure. But true beauty comes from within, and is ageless. As I said before, I'm surprised to find a woman like you in Shelby. Do you like it here?”
    â€œNot very much, I'm afraid, and I certainly don't look forward to spending the rest of my life here.”
    â€œWhy can't you leave?”
    â€œSometimes people get locked into difficult situations from which they can't readily extricate themselves.”
    â€œAre you speaking of yourself, Miss Fontaine?”
    â€œPerhaps.”
    They gazed deeply into each other's eyes, then glanced away nervously. This is it, he thought. “Sometimes, people think they're trapped, but they're really not. If you don't want to marry MisterBraddock, you can . . . well . . . this may sound rather strange . . . but you can marry me.”
    She didn't know whether to blush, laugh, or cry. “You shouldn't joke with a poor girl's heart, Lieutenant.”
    â€œI need a wife, and it appears that you need someone to take care of you. Perhaps we can arrange something, but it wouldn't work if you found me unattractive.”
    â€œOh no—you're quite attractive,” she admitted. “The army uniform was made for a man like you. It's just that you've taken me by surprise.”
    â€œSurely you've noticed that I've been looking at you with lust in my heart.”
    She touched her hair. “I thought you saw me as a dried-up old schoolmarm.”
    â€œYou're much more than that.”
    Both felt relieved, because the barrier had been passed. “This is very unexpected,” she said. “I don't receive a proposal every day. You have made a proposal, haven't you?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    â€œI'm scheduled to marry another man this Sunday, but your offer is most compelling. I'd like to think it over, if you don't mind. In war and love, one mustn't make hasty decisions.”
    â€œWe could help each other,” he explained. “I'm going on a scout in the morning, and perhaps you'll have an answer when I return?” He bowed slightly, a sunbeam rolling across his left shoulder bpard. “I place myself at your disposal, Miss Fontaine.”

    Duane twirled his lasso over his head, as Thunderbolt leapt over a cholla cactus. They were chasing a spirited calf who wasn't in the mood for a red-hot brand. The calf dodged from side to side, squealing for his mother, but Thunderbolt stayed after him, tongue hanging out, enjoying the chase.
    Duane threw the rope, and it flew through the air. The calf saw it coming, bleated in misery, but couldn't get out of the way. The ring of doom dropped over his neck, and Duane tied his end around the pommel. “Gotcha!”
    He dragged the struggling calf toward the fire, and couldn't remember when he'd ever felt so vigorous. I always knew that this was the job for me! The sky was bright blue, with no clouds in sight. He felt warm, the top three buttons of his shirt unfastened, his red bandanna loose around his throat. A substantial quantity of thick black cowboy coffee made him wide awake and keyed for action.
    It's not a bad life, he acknowledged. And on Saturday night, I'll sleep with my beautiful future bride. What am I always complaining about? It looks like everything's finally going my way.
    Lieutenant Dawes sat at his desk, studying his map. His orders were to sweep south, to insure that no Comanches were marauding in the area. He traced his finger along the proposed route and hoped to reach a certain water hole by nightfall.
    The image of Vanessa floated through his mind, interrupting his concentration. After years of livingin the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters, the mere thought of sleeping with Vanessa Fontaine excited him beyond his wildest hallucinations. My misery will be over,