“Well, we cut down more trees than I cared to count. Worked from sunup to long past sundown, but it was all worth it when my father purchased the first spread of cattle and later on added good horse stock.” He gestured across the valley. “Just look at the winding streams and pastureland. You know, Mama worked right beside us and not once complained.”
“I can see her working as hard as a man.”
“I remember the day we finished the cabin, after spending the spring and summer with only the wagon as shelter. She wanted to celebrate by having my father bring out his fiddle, but we were all too tired.” He paused. “I don’t think I’d trade those early days for anything.” Morgan lifted his hat and brushed back the hair on his forehead. “We had lean winters and fights over barbed wire, and I remember when Bonnie and Grant were born.” He paused, obviously deep in thought.
“Sounds like the memories that make a man.” She studied his face, and the realization of her growing feelings nearly staggered her.
“The other day, I gave Grant full rein of the ranch until he’s ready to head east for school.” He grinned. “My little brother wants to be a doctor.”
She recalled how he handled the young man gored by the bull—and compared the traits of Doc in Vernal. “He’ll be a fine doctor.”
“I agree, and I’m lucky he doesn’t despise me for the rough times I’ve given him.”
“He loves you, Morgan.” She craned her neck to see the outline of the log cabin in the distance. “And you plan to live in your parents’ first home? Seems fitting.”
“I don’t think so. Do you still carry a derringer?” Morgan said.
Startled, she glanced into his face, but his hat hid his features. “No, not since I came to Kahlerville and found the Lord. I don’t carry a knife, either. Why?”
He shrugged. “Just curious.” When he looked her way, a haunting, faraway look spilled into his turquoise eyes. “This life rests well with you.”
“Thank you. I feel like I belong here, even if the future is so uncertain.” She sighed. “I’m so glad you suggested Texas.”
“It’s God’s country. None like it in the country.”
“I’d probably be dead if I’d stayed in Arizona. A part of me will always long to be in the open spaces, but sleeping in a feather bed definitely has more advantages. My, I’m beginning to sound like a woman.” Embarrassed, she ceased speaking.
Morgan chuckled, and she felt her cheeks flush. “You’re happy, and I enjoy hearing you talk.”
They walked on in silence. Casey sensed something wrong with Morgan, but she couldn’t figure out what. So many things swept through her mind. “I read in the newspaper that Frank James walked into the governor of Missouri’s office and surrendered.” She paused. “Do you know what happened? I’m not sure the article gave an accurate accounting.”
“Ben said Frank got too nervous after Bob Ford shot Jesse. Of course, Governor Crittenden stood behind both deals.”
“Bob and Charlie Ford aren’t any better than Frank and Jesse.”
“I disagree,” he said. “Jesse’s dead, and Frank won’t be holding up any more trains. They were the worst. There’s nothing left of the James gang and the infamous brothers but history.”
“All I’m saying is Bob and Charlie Ford rode with Frank and Jesse. That makes them the same.”
“Do you know any of those men?” Morgan’s face hardened.
She stiffened at his abruptness and slowly formed her words. “I’ve met them. Jenkins originally rode with a lot of men who later turned outlaw after the Civil War.” She shrugged. “They belonged to Quantrill’s Raiders. The story goes they raided Union forces along the Kansas-Missouri border. After the war, Frank and Jesse gathered up what was left of the guerrillas and formed a gang.”
“Why didn’t Jenkins stick with the James brothers?”
His sharpness piqued her, and she regretted mentioning the newspaper article. “He probably couldn’t take orders from anyone else. Jenkins has a way of taking over. He’s persuasive when it comes to having men do what he wants. Tim told me he was a young officer in the Civil War and never accepted losing. Anyway, with the James gang broke up, Jenkins won’t last long.”
His gaze bore into hers—the same look she’d seen in the mountains. She despised this side of him. The intensity brought back the old feelings of alarm and mistrust.
“What’s the matter?”
“Don’t you miss the excitement?” he said.
Casey attempted to bite back her anger. “Morgan, you’ve questioned me about this