by Ana Leigh
“Not a single streak, sir.”
“Then I’d be inclined to say they obviously were not on the warpath.”
“That would be my opinion also, sir.”
“So it would appear that Mr. Slatter, here, has been the victim of a hunting accident. Does it appear the same to you, Captain Masters?”
“Yes, sir. It does,” Don replied.
“And it would be regrettable to start an Indian war over an innocent accident.”
Hardy stuck the cigar back into his mouth, and took several puffs. “Very regrettable indeed, Captain Masters. Tie the body to a horse and mount your troopers.”
“Yes, sir.” Don saluted and started to walk away.
“Oh, and Captain,” Hardy said, “you might consider cutting some of those arrows out of him first. Six of them might be too big of an accident.”
The colonel mounted his horse when the troop prepared to depart, and stopped where Rico and Jenny stood in front of the house.
“Rico, there’s a reward out for this man, dead or alive. Under the circumstances, I’d say it belongs to you.”
“Not me, sir. Divide it among your men.” He slipped an arm around Jenny’s shoulders and gazed down into the face of the woman he loved, who was smiling up at him.
“I’ve already gotten my reward.”
Epilogue
Pandemonium reigned when the carriages and wagons full of Frasers and luggage arrived in Redemption to reboard the two private railroad cars awaiting them.
The men saw to the transfer of the luggage. The women rounded up the children to make certain all were accounted for, and after many kisses, hugs, and thanks, all boarded the cars except for Jenny and Rico, who hung back for a final good-bye.
Jenny and Andrea hugged and kissed, and Jenny promised to contact them as soon as she and Rico returned from Virginia.
Then Jenny kissed and said good-bye to Maude, who was wearing a new emerald ring on the third finger of her left hand.
When Jenny turned to her father, he handed her a sealed envelope.
“What is this?” she asked.
“One of them eastern cattle companies made me an offer on the Double B. I’ve decided to sell it and give you and Andrea each a third of the sale, as well as thirds on the rest of my wealth. It should keep you sitting pretty for a long time. That envelope has all the information and legal papers. You can read them on the train.”
“You sold the Double B! But Father, that ranch was your life!”
“Naw, I’m tired of ranching, girl. And Maude’s selling the Boots and Saddles to Bess and Ollie. We decided we’re gonna take it easy from now on. Rico, this money is as much yours as it is Jenny’s. Lord knows you earned it. You said you wanted to go into business with your cousins. Well, you can afford to buy in now.”
“That’s very generous of you, sir—but we can’t take your money.”
“The hell you can’t! You listen to me, boy. I wouldn’t have a daughter now if it weren’t for you. And I’d most likely be dead, too. I owe you a damn sight more, than this, so don’t put no price on it.
“I’ve learned that money don’t do me no good if I’m just gonna sit around and count it. I’m lucky my daughter and sister are alive and found the men they have. You and Don are fine husbands, and will be good fathers. Better than I was, that’s for sure.”
“I think we are all fortunate in the women we fell in love with. Including you,” Rico said with a wink at Maude.
“You’re right. It took me a long time to realize that. These are new beginnings for all of us: Jenny and you, Andrea and Don, and Maude and me.” He clasped her hand. “Maudie and me still have enough years ahead of us to enjoy a life together, so as soon as my crew returns and I get them squared away, we’re gonna take a trip around the world. Figure that will keep us busy for a couple years.”
“The first thing you should do is marry her, Father,” Jenny said.
“She’s considering it. I swear, a man shouldn’t have to cope with two strong-willed women in one lifetime.”
Rico slipped an arm around Jenny’s shoulders. “At least I’m taking one of them off your hands, sir.”
Frank flashed a rare grin. “Just like I said, Rico—you’re a good man. I know you’ll take good care of my daughter and my grandchild, and there ain’t no price on that kind of peace of mind, either. I hope when we get back, we’ll be welcome to visit.”
“It will be a pleasure, sir.”
The cars had been connected to a small engine that would pull them back to the main line, and the conductor tooted the whistle to depart.
Frank shook hands with Rico, then hugged and kissed Jenny. “I love you, daughter. Reckon I always have, though I was too stupid to know it, let alone show it.”
Jenny kissed him again. “I love you, too, Father.”
The whistle sounded again, and Jenny and Rico boarded the train.
Later that evening, after the private cars had been hooked up to the Union Pacific train now carrying them eastward, Jenny stood on the observation deck in the circle of her husband’s arms.
She sighed in contentment. “I can’t think of a time when I’ve ever been happier.”
“I feel the same way,” Rico said. “It’s as if every care we’ve had in the world has been resolved.”
“And whatever new problems come along, at least we’ll be sharing them. Did you tell Clay we want to buy into Fraser Keep?”
“Yes, and he’s already figured out some more ways to expand.”
“You know what I’d like to do with some of the money Father gave us?”
“I know the first thing I’m going to do with some of it,” Rico said. “Plant you a garden.”
Jenny smiled. “With all different kinds of cacti?”
“Whatever you’d like. California is very green.”
“It sounds lovely. And your cousins are wonderful. I feel as if I’ve known them all my life.”
“That’s how I felt about them when I first met them, too. So, what is it that you’d like to do with some of the money?”
“I had a long talk with Rory and Caroline earlier, and we’d like to build a school. There are enough children in the family alone to fill a couple of classrooms, and the other women feel there would be plenty of children from the surrounding area to make the project worthwhile.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Rico said. “Hmmm, so I married a future schoolmarm. It sounds kind of intimidating, Mrs. Fraser. That should keep me on my toes.”
She turned in his arms and slid hers around his neck. “Like it or not, Dan’l, you’re stuck now. As I reminded my father, the mistakes of our past can’t be changed, but we have all our tomorrows.”
“And Princess…our tomorrows are forever,” he murmured as he lowered his head and kissed her.