Wildest Dreams - By Rosanne Bittner Page 0,251

Double L. Any children I have will love it as much as I, and someday maybe one or two of Katie's children will also want to help run this ranch. The important thing is that it's in the hands of family, people who love it, and who love and respect the man who built it. I've learned a lot about how to run the ranch, and I'll teach my children the same. The Double L will be all right. I would never let anything happen to it. You must know that. Besides, times are changing. Sheep men and cattlemen get along well now, and the Indian wars are over."

Luke met his gaze squarely. "What about Alice Richards? Do you intend just to throw her away? She's been a good friend to you for years, more than a friend; and I don't doubt she's been waiting for you to settle down and get more serious."

Ramona looked down, burning with jealousy over the pretty white girl she knew was fond of Ty.

"Alice knows there is something going on. I'll talk to her. I don't take her friendship lightly, Pa, but I don't love her the way I love Ramona."

Luke shook his head. "Well, considering what has already been going on between you two, I guess your own decision has already been made." He looked at Nathan. "I don't have any choice but to give them my permission, Nathan. If I send Ramona to the Cheyenne reservation, I'll only alienate my own son, and I won't do that. I just hope letting them marry doesn't mean alienating you."

Nathan approached them, his lower lip still a little blue, the cut scabbed into a red line. It had been a week since his fight with Tyler, and he had not spoken to him since. "I do not blame you for your decision," he told Luke. "You are not the one who has a choice. Tyler is your son, and I would not expect you to go against him. It is Tyler who has the choice. I think he has made a bad choice, but it is done now. He must marry her the Christian way to make an honorable woman out of Ramona in the white man's eyes. I just do not want to see her hurt."

"None of us wants that, Nathan," Lettie put in. "But you should know by how much we love you and your family and little Luke and Julie that whoever Tyler marries, we will love and defend her as our own." Her heart warmed at the loving look he gave her, something she had once thought she might never see.

"My mother is a woman of great compassion," Nathan answered. "I do not fear how you will accept Ramona." He turned to look at Tyler. "You have said that I am not Indian. This is true. But I was raised with Ramona, and I love her like a sister, even though we are not of the same blood. You and I are of the same blood, but the bad feelings continue. I told you once before that I did not come here to take anything from you. Now I give something to you. I give you Ramona." He turned and walked out.

Luke turned to Lettie. "I'd like a few minutes alone with Ty."

Lettie took hold of Ramona's arm. "Come with me, Ramona. We need to talk about your wedding. I'll have Gino make a gown for you. You'll be such a beautiful bride!"

Ramona looked sadly at Tyler before leaving the room with Lettie. Was everyone right? Would it be such a difficult thing being married to a rich white man? She looked around the room of the elegant Fontaine home. What did she know about living like this? Lettie Fontaine was so educated and refined. She was the kind of woman it took to run a place like the Double L. Tyler's parents were good people. They would love her as their own daughter if she married Tyler. Was Nathan right that Tyler would ultimately be much happier married to someone like Alice? She had much to think about, for above all else, she loved Tyler Fontaine more than she loved herself.

"I want no more fighting between you and Nathan," Luke said sternly. He walked over to close the parlor doors, then turned to face Tyler.

"I just don't like his arrogant attitude," Ty answered, "as if he were better than the rest of us."

"Maybe he thinks the same way about you,"