“How long do you think it will take to put your affairs in order back at home?”
“I don’t know. There isn’t much to do really. My parents are going to voice their concerns, so that will be the biggest thing to contend with.”
“They’ll probably worry about you being so far away.”
“I know. We’ve lived fairly close to each since Freedom.”
“They’ll miss you, too.”
“And I’ll miss them, as well.”
Where would they be in a year? she wondered. Still cuddling together like this or having gone their separate ways? Only the future would tell so she left it at that.
“Who should I speak with about buying land?”
“Arnold Cale at the bank, or Odell. He and Ben own most of the unoccupied land. I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but Jarvis stopped by earlier and wanted to buy some of my land. Said he wants to open a sawmill.”
“Are you selling?”
“No, but he also said Matt Ketchum is accusing me of having stolen the land from his father’s estate.”
“Do you have a deed?”
“Spoken like a lawyer. I do, and so do the others who purchased the bigger parts I couldn’t afford.”
“Like whom?”
“Nelson, Odell, and Ben. I’m wondering if Jarvis said anything to them about Matt’s lies.”
“Are you worried?”
“Not really. Randolph Nelson is one of the wealthiest ranchers in the Territory and the head of the Republican party. If Matt takes me on, he’ll have to take on Randolph, too, and he’d be a fool to try and run roughshod over someone that influential.”
“I agree but let me know if you need my help. I may not have liked being a lawyer but I’m good at it.”
“I will.”
“Sounds like the sooner I get home, the sooner I need to get back, if Ketchum’s bent on trouble.”
She agreed and it would be a lie to say she wouldn’t miss him. Becoming attached to him was one of the most surprising things to happen to her in quite some time. That and learning from him that sex was a form of art. She smiled.
“Why the smile?”
“Just thinking about how good you are in bed.”
“There’s not a man alive who doesn’t like hearing that.”
“It’s the truth, but don’t let it swell your head. Sooner or later I’ll find something you’re terrible at.” She turned to get a look at his face. “What are you terrible at?”
“Nothing that I know of.”
She playfully punched him in the shoulder before resettling against the comfort of his chest. “Such modesty.”
“You asked.”
“Which I now regret.”
Garrett wanted to spend the rest of his days holding her in just this way. Although he still had a few days to enjoy her company, he was missing her already. If the future was kind, he’d return, and over time have all his questions about her answered. Any she had about him would be answered, as well. Outside, he heard the rumble of thunder. “Does it storm this way often?”
“More in the spring and autumn than the rest of the year.”
She asked, “Do you hunt and fish?”
“I do, but why’d you ask?”
“Just thinking about some things we might do together. Would you like to go fishing with me when you return?”
“I would.”
He saw her nod. She was so unique. He’d never had a woman ask him that before. “Do you have a favorite place?”
“I do. It’s a small cabin up in the foothills. I do most of my hunting from there.”
He wondered how many men, if any, had been gifted such an invitation, but again he decided it didn’t matter. She’d chosen him for now, so he contented himself with holding her close and listening to the rain.
Chapter Ten
The following morning, after helping Spring with the breakfast dishes, Garrett prepared to leave for the day.
“What are your plans?” she asked.
“I want to stop by your brother’s place and hopefully make arrangements to interview your sister-in-law before I depart for home, then ride into town. I need to send off this latest set of notes to my father and let them know the date of my return.” His sadness tied to leaving her had not lessened.
“Dinner?” she asked.
“Here, if you aren’t sick of me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I suppose I can put up with you for another evening.”
“You’re so kind.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I’ve a reputation to maintain.”
He laughed, then placing a light finger beneath her chin, raised her lips to his. The kiss, the first of the morning, added to the growing connection and pleasure he’d found in