Heart of Stone
Page 20
Dear Mr. Harrison (and Luke, whom I presume is reading over your shoulder),
First, let me thank you again for giving James the chance to redeem himself. Having now become acquainted with his family circumstances, I truly do understand why he has been so selfish and unkind. People here in the east are rather different from those in the west, but I am doing what I can to adjust their way of thinking. I may not have an effect on society as a whole, but I have made progress with James, as the enclosed bank draft will demonstrate. He recently came into an inheritance from another uncle, and I insisted the first thing he must do with the money is make amends for what he cost you. After having looked into the matter, I hope the sum will be sufficient to cover your losses in full.
James now understands the importance of having a clean slate—or if he doesn’t fully understand it himself, he understands I believe it is necessary. For the moment, that is sufficient.
Lest you think I am unhappy, let me assure you I am content here in Boston. James’ mother is a strong-willed woman who treats me very well, but she does have decided opinions on things, as I am certain Susan and Anna have explained. I hope you don’t mind me sending them to you. When I heard about Mary’s marriage, I was certain they could be of service to you, and that you, being kind and understanding men, would give them a chance. I’m rather pragmatic in most things, but I truly do believe love can conquer all. As it has for the two of you.
I hope to convince James to travel back to Serenity in a few years so I may visit my parents. I am expecting our first child, and hopefully by the time he or she is old enough to travel, James will be at the point of being able to offer you a sincere apology in person.
I will close this letter with best wishes for your health and happiness.
Yours,
Agnes Wilson Rivers
“Well, I’ll be damned.” He looked up at Luke and shaking his head in wonder. “She made James pay for what he did to the ranch!” He handed Luke the bank draft. “Maybe we can buy a few more horses for breedin’ stock now.”
Luke gazed down at the draft with visible amazement, and he shook his head slowly. “I ain’t goin’ to worry about Miss Agnes no more. Looks like she’s holdin’ her own just fine!”
“Sure seems like it,” Stone agreed. He was grateful to Agnes for all she’d done for them, and he thought James Rivers was damned lucky she’d taken an interest in him. Even if James might not think so.
He set the letter on the table and returned to Luke, wrapping his arms around Luke’s waist. “Now as I recall, we was in the middle of somethin’ and got interrupted. Is that how you remember it?”
“I remember havin’ thoughts about bendin’ you over that table,” Luke drawled, hooking his fingers through Stone’s belt loops and holding him close and fast. “We got interrupted before I could get in the middle of somethin’, so to speak.”
Stone grinned. “Well then, Mr. Ranch Foreman, I suggest you get busy again and make up for lost time.”
Luke proceeded to do just that, and as he surrendered to the pleasure of Luke’s possession, Stone was grateful once again to Priss, and to Agnes, and to the fate that had brought him to Copper Lake. It had taken him a long time to get here, but he had finally found real happiness, and, even more, he knew his heart had found its true home at last.
About the Author
ARI MCKAY is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who collaborate on original m/m fiction. They began writing together in 2004 and finished their first original full length novel in 2011. Recently, they've begun collaborating on designing and creating costumes to wear and compete in at Sci Fi conventions, and they share a love of yarn and cake.
Arionrhod is an avid costumer, knitter, and all-around craft fiend, as well as a professional systems engineer. Mother of two human children and two dachshunds who think they are human, she is a voracious reader with wildly eclectic tastes, devouring romance novels, military science fiction, horror stories and Shakespeare with equal glee. She is currently preparing for the zombie apocalypse
McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she's relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.
Visit Ari on:
Blog: http://arimckay.wordpress.com/
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