by Amelia Rose
“That’s not how everyone will see it, Jenny. How people raise kids is a personal thing, and they don’t cotton to someone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong,” Mason said.
Jenny recoiled at his statement. He’d unwittingly repeated what Andy had said to her in the mercantile. “So, you think I should just keep out of it?”
Her blue eyes blazed with anger and Mason regretted his words. “No. I think you should do what Josh said and let him handle it. He’s the law here, not you.”
“Mr. Franklin is lucky I’m not the law because I would’ve given him a taste of his own medicine. How I wish I did have brute strength on my side!” Jenny said. “However, that’s not the case, so I’ll just do whatever I can to help them. And don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you. I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”
Jenny walked into the house before any more angry words could tumble out of her mouth.
THE SITUATION BETWEEN Mason and Jenny caused a great deal of tension between them. This wasn’t helped when the Franklin children stopped attending school. Guilt tore at Jenny because she knew it was her fault. Perhaps if she’d restrained herself, she could’ve found another way to help Ethan and his siblings.
But the emotional side of her knew that she couldn’t have resisted stepping in when she’d overheard Andy threatening Ethan. It just wasn’t in her nature to stand by in the face of such cruelty. She longed to go to the Franklin ranch to see how the kids were faring, but she knew it would only make matters worse.
One night, a week after the Franklin children had last been in school, Jenny sat at her dressing table, brushing her hair. Mason stood at the washstand in their room, cleaning up after the long day. In her mirror, she followed the progress of the washcloth he used as it glided across his muscular chest.
Despite her displeasure with Mason, her hunger for him hadn’t diminished. He turned and their eyes met in the mirror.
“Jenny, how long is this going to go on?” he asked.
Tears took her by surprise, clogging her throat. After a few moments, Jenny said, “You were right, Mason. I made things worse. The Franklin children still haven’t returned to school.”
Mason came and knelt by her side. “I don’t want to be right, Jenny. This has never been about that. I love you and it would kill me if you came to any harm.”
His sincerity was reflected in his expression and Jenny felt her anger and resentment fade away. “I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you.”
Mason tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry that I didn’t support you a little more about this. I never meant to hurt you.”
“I believe you, Mason. I know what a good man you are. I did let my emotions get the best of me,” Jenny said.
Mason smiled. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You caring so much is a good thing. And for the record, I don’t think you’re my property and I don’t want you to obey me. We should work together to solve problems, not let them divide us.”
“You’re right,” Jenny agreed. “We have to learn to listen to each other and not focus on who’s wrong or right.”
Mason pulled her close. “You know, I married a really smart woman.”
Jenny smiled against his chest. “Yes, you did.”
Mason’s laugh rumbled under her ear, making her grin.
“And I married a very smart, not to mention, handsome man.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Mason kissed her forehead. “I love you, Jenny, and we’re going to figure out how to help Andy’s wife and kids. I don’t know how yet, but we will.”
Warmth flooded Jenny’s heart, and she looked him in the eyes. “Thank you so much, Mason. That means the world to me.”
“I’ll do anything for you, Jenny,” Mason said.
Jenny sent him a coy smile. “There is something I’d like you to do for me.”
“Which is?”
“Get up off your knee and then make love to me.”
Her request sent desire coursing through Mason. He promptly rose and held out a hand to her. “Come to bed, honey.”
Jenny complied, eager to be in his arms again. As he laid down with her, she pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you so much, Mason. So much.”
Mason didn’t answer Jenny with words. Instead, as the moon outside rose higher, he showed her how much he cherished her. And later, when their passion was fully spent, Mason held her close as they caught their breath.
“Want to know what I love most about you?” he asked.
Jenny snuggled against his chest. “Yes. Tell me.”
“Your big heart and fiery spirit,” Mason said. “I never know what you’re gonna do and you’re never boring.”
Jenny’s shoulders shook with laughter. “I confess that I’ve always had a bit of a temper.”
“Well, most people do, but what I meant was that you have so much life in you,” Mason stated. “I love how much you care about people and that you stand up for them.”
“Thank you.” She lifted her head to meet his eyes. “I don’t want to fight like this again. Promise me that we’ll talk about our problems right away and not let bad feelings fester.”
Mason kissed the tip of her nose. “I promise. Now, get some rest.”
Jenny cuddled against him with a smile at his seemingly bossy remark and drifted into slumber.
Epilogue
A few nights later, the Crawfords were playing cards when they heard a horse trot up to the house. Cecilia opened the door to find Josh Ryder on the porch.
“Come in, Sheriff. What can we do for you?” she asked.
Josh took off his hat as he stepped inside and greeted everyone. “I just wanted to tell you that I have Andy Franklin in custody.” He looked at Jenny. “You were right. Andy was abusing Stella and the kids. She couldn’t take it anymore and came to my office around noon to file charges. I deputized one of my friends and we brought Andy in. I’ve sent for the circuit judge to come to hear the case. Andy will stay locked up until then.”
Blinking back tears, Jenny said, “I’m very sorry that I was correct in this circumstance but so happy that he can’t hurt them any longer. I’ll call on them tomorrow to see how I can help them. Thank you for letting us know, Josh.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
Mason and Jenny walked him out to his horse and saw him off. Jenny smiled when Mason slid his arms around her waist from behind and said, “I’m so glad that Stella turned him in.”
“Me, too, but I do worry how they’re going to get along without someone to work the farm for them,” Jenny said. “I want to help them however I can.”
He squeezed her a little. “You won’t have to do it alone, honey.” Turning in his arms, Jenny gave him a peck on the cheek. “What was that for, my fiery lady?”
“For being the most wonderful husband on Earth.”
Mason laughed. “Well, I try.” Suddenly sobering, he said, “I want to work together on solving problems, Jenny. Not just helping other people, but in our life together, too.”
“I want the same thing,” she said.
Mason smiled. “Good. Then that’s how it’s going to be. You and me, always working as a team.”
“Always?” Jenny asked.
Mason gave a brief nod. “Always.”
They shared a tender, leisurely kiss that sealed their vow, and they were secure in the knowledge that they could work through whatever difficulties life brought their way.
The End
Character List
Mason Crawford, rancher
Jenny Carson, schoolteacher
Aunt Cecilia, Mason’s aunt
Uncle Herb, Mason’s uncle
Damon Frost, owner of the Station
Maggie Frost, Damon’s wife
Elmarie Harmon, flower seller
Mrs Timmons, visitor. Children: Gary
Ted Drayton, stagecoach driver
Nell Danvers, waitress
Liddy Bentley, cheesemaker
Eli Car
son, Jenny’s brother
Paul Gibbons, pastor
Andy and Stella Franklin, ranchers. Children: Ethan, Lenny, Betty
Josh Ryder, sheriff
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Copyright
© 2020 by Amelia Rose
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
First Printing, 2020
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