truly have no idea how beautiful she looked.
Something wiggled in his shirt, demanding Hank’s attention. “Oh,” he said, pulling a gray cat out before she permanently scarred his chest. “I found this under the porch. Hope it’s the momma.”
Aggie laughed and took the cat from him. “Of course it’s the mother cat. She’s probably been frantic looking for her babies.”
As she sat the cat in the middle of the towel, the little mother began licking each kitten.
Hank watched. “Guess she didn’t think the storm got them clean enough.”
Aggie shook her head. “More likely she’s cleaning off my scent.”
Before either could say more, Jeb entered with a round of coffee. “I was just askin’ Mary Carol,” he bellowed, unaware he was interrupting a conversation, “how did Hank manage to leave a week ago with cattle and come back with a wife?”
Hank ignored the store owner and moved closer. “I like your choice of clothes,” he whispered before Jeb reached them. “They look right on you somehow.”
She leaned nearer, almost touching him. “Thanks for bringing the mother cat in.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, liking their whispering game.
Jeb tried again. “When did you two get married?”
“Last night, before we boarded the train,” Hank answered without taking his eyes off of Aggie. “And as for how, I asked her, and she said yes.”
Jeb laughed. “So that’s it. We was figuring she must have held that gun she’s wearing to your head and made you marry her—her being so homely and all.”
Aggie lifted the Colt from its holster as if she hadn’t heard the backhanded compliment. “Hank gave me his gun because, like my father, I’m a gunsmith.”
Hank took one of the hot mugs from Jeb and almost laughed at the man’s surprise.
When he found his voice, he asked, “A gunsmith?”
Both men stood silently as she opened one of her boxes. She pulled out her tools wrapped in oil cloth, then sat on the stool by the stove and used the checkerboard as her workbench. While they watched in amazement, she disassembled the Colt and cleaned it. She then dried the holster and rubbed the leather down with saddle soap to keep it soft.
Jeb stared at Hank. “Let me get this right. She’s not only beautiful, she can fix guns too.” He raised both eyebrows as if piecing together a puzzle. “And she married you?”
Hank laughed. “That’s about the size of it, except she wants to practice her craft. Do you think you could hang a sign in the window and take in any work folks might need done? We’ll come by every few days and deliver back and forth if she gets any business.”
“And I’ll give you a percent of all I earn, Mr. Diggs,” she added.
Jeb shook his head. “Don’t want a percentage. It’s your work. I’ll make any money for my time by selling more from the extra customers the sign will bring in. My guess is when word gets out that you’re here, you will have all the business you can handle.”
Aggie rolled up her tools. “Thank you. I have a list of tools I need.” She pulled a slip of paper from the side of the box.
Jeb took the list. “I could probably get most of them from a supplier in Fort Worth. Wouldn’t take more than a few days.” He tapped the paper with his finger. “I’ll send this order with the afternoon train.” He glanced at Hank. “And, of course, I’ll put it on your bill.”
Hank agreed but didn’t miss the surprised look she gave him. He couldn’t help but wonder how long she’d carried the slip of paper with her small box of tools.
She accepted a mug of coffee and went back to her seat beside the cats. “Thanks for the coffee and for letting me watch your kittens.”
Jeb shrugged. “In a few weeks you can have your pick of the litter.”
She grinned at Hank.
He nodded his agreement.
“We’ll take the runt,” she said and went back to watching the animals while the men talked about the weather.
When his cup was empty, Hank pulled on his slicker over his coat and asked if she was ready to leave. He slipped a new slicker over her shoulders and covered her hair with the hood, unable to resist touching the curls.
Her hand gently brushed his forearm and she whispered, “Should I change this bandage? It must be wet.”
Hank shook his head. “It’ll just get wet again. Wait until we’re home. I’ve got a good stash of medicine there.”
She agreed and Hank