it would work.”
Jack shifted, nodding. “We were all tired of running and hiding, and you offered us hope.”
“Brother, you gave us a reason to live.” Ridge touched Clay’s back. “And we’re indebted. We needed a leader to follow, and you gave us that. You made us believe anything was possible. And I knew deep down it was a whole lot better than what we had.”
“Shoot, I was no leader,” Clay protested. “I didn’t know the first thing about building a town, but I wanted to try. It nearly destroyed me when Montana Black torched our first two buildings.”
Jack shook his head. “I tell you, if it hadn’t been for your Violet befriending Montana and softening that worm-ridden heart of his, he would have kept burning us out until we gave up.”
“Or killed him. That little girl sure is something. Only she’s not that little anymore.” Ridge chuckled. “I don’t know who Violet will end up marrying, but whoever steals her heart will get one smart lady.”
Clay scanned the street below for his daughter and spotted her confidently walking along, holding Dillon’s hand, her “seeing stick” in front of her to warn of holes or obstructions. He’d loved teaching her how to get around without sight. She’d gotten a raw deal being born blind, but she’d never complained.
A few yards away, Addie’s three sisters strolled into the mercantile, laughing and talking. The two oldest had immediately found work and wouldn’t be single for long, judging by the line of suitors outside their door.
A spate of weddings seemed to be on the horizon. Dr. Mary and Angus O’Connor had started them off by tying the knot soon after Ridge became a free man. Charlotte Wintersby and Peter might not be far behind, and Eleanor Crump had been keeping time with George, the stage driver.
Marriages, babies, and newly arrived couples were going to keep the town growing.
“It was a brilliant plan to populate by bringing in mail-order brides, Clay. I might never have found anyone to have me otherwise.” Jack laughed. “My Nora sure is a special woman. Loyal to a fault and pretty as springtime, but she sure gets some crazy ideas sometimes. Still, I wouldn’t trade her for all the gold in California.”
“Or my Addie either,” Ridge declared. “Clay, thanks for kicking us off with Tally.”
“Well, I figured I’d better show you how it’s done.” Clay’s thoughts went back to the day Tally had arrived to find the town burned down around them. He thought for sure she’d head back where she came from, but she’d stayed and worked at his side. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen but broken inside, and he’d loved every step of putting her back together.
“Did you ever think we’d have all this?” Jack waved his arm across the bustling scene.
“No.” Clay cleared his throat again. Dammit, why couldn’t he say what we wanted without choking up like some old man? “I thought maybe a handful of people would join us. Never this.” His gaze moved from one business to another—all fifteen. Damn, they’d done all right.
“I plan on sticking around to see what this place will look like in ten or twenty years.” Ridge’s voice seemed strained as well. “I wonder if it’ll still be here. If we will.”
They lapsed into silence, each immersed in his own thoughts. For a moment, Clay thought he could hear the laughter of their childrens’ children a generation from now drifting on the breeze. One thing about it, life went on despite the highs and lows of the day-to-day.
Jack’s low voice cracked the fragile quiet. “Who knows? We did our damnedest to give it the best start we could. Now, it’s up to others to carry on and improve on what we gave ’em.”
“Don’t forget. We still have wanted men in town. Dallas Hawk for one. What happens to them?” Ridge asked.
“We’ll have to help them try to get right with the law.” Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll be their attorney if they want, help them write letters and fill out applications.”
“And if they still can’t?” Ridge persisted.
“Then we hide ’em. They can blend in, and we’ll protect them.” Clay pulled his Colt from the holster and stared at the cold steel. “I’m so tired of killing I could puke. When will it all stop? When will we be able to live in peace? I never want our sons to have to wear one of these.”
“We’re a dying breed, Clay. Face it. Our