She gazed into his beautiful eyes. “If you love me, I will.”
He caressed her arms. “I love you more than I knew was possible. I never want to be apart from you. Do you think you can ever love me?”
She hoped her smile conveyed the happiness she felt. “I’ve already fallen in love with you.”
He embraced her. “That’s the best news possible.” He pressed his mouth against hers, gently at first.
She responded to him with all the longing she’d harbored. Not merely since they’d met but as long as she could remember. He was the man she’d always dreamed of marrying. He cradled her as if she were precious.
She hoped he believed her to be as unforgettable as he was to her. His kisses grew more impassioned then he pulled away from her. Immediately, she felt she’d lost a part of herself.
“Sweetheart, I’d love to hold you close forever but I need to explain how I came to have my fortune and the obligation it carries.” His voice was raspy and his breathing ragged. “It’s a crazy tale that sounds impossible. I scoffed at it all my life but I’ve come to believe it may be true.”
He related the story of the Golden Legacy. “My father observed the rules and now I will.”
“You already have by saving this ranch from Winfield.”
“But I have to give away more. I wonder if you’d mind if I bought a home for the sheriff. He and his wife hate living over the jail.”
“They would appreciate that so much. Mabel Haney is a nice woman and I’ve heard her complain about the noise. She also truly believes the place is haunted by the ghosts of men who’ve been hanged there or died there of injuries.”
“Who’s to say she’s not right? In addition I’ll see if I can acquire Winfield’s ranch so there’s enough land for all three children. That’s something permanent for the family.”
“Oh, Bret, that’s would be wonderful.” Charlotte clutched her throat. “I should talk to them about our engagement. I wouldn’t want them to feel threatened.”
He reached for her hand then linked their fingers. “I’ve already asked Davie, as the man of your family, for your hand in marriage should you accept my proposal. He readily agreed.”
“No wonder he’s been sending me secret smiles. Did you swear him to secrecy or are the other two in on it?”
“I talked to them, too, but made them promise to keep our conversation a secret. Did they slip?”
“Almost. Susie asked about when you and I marry. I reminded her you were going to San Francisco. Jimmy said he hoped we would marry because he wanted a father. Davie just smiled.”
“I have a hard time admitting how foolish I was when I left Fort Worth. Don’t know how my sister and aunt put up with me. I know they’ll love you. They gave me a hard time on many occasions and justly so. I was ungrateful and jaded and out of touch with the world. Literally hated the family business that I depend on for income.”
“What is your business?” She didn’t know much about his life and she wanted to learn every detail.
“Metal Works and Foundry. Makes a lot of money but is unbelievably dull. I still don’t want to work there but now I’ll be eternally grateful for the revenue it provides.”
“You mean to live here?”
“If you’ll let me. We can enlarge this house or build a new one to your specifications. I don’t care as long as I’m with you and the children—and the children to come.”
Her heart was so full of love and joy she thought it might burst. “You’ve made me the happiest woman who ever lived. I’m lucky you fell into our lives.”
He caressed her face. “My good fortune, Charlotte my sweetheart.”
“Let’s go tell the children you proposed and I accepted.”
“First let me kiss you again and again.”
***
In Palo Pinto Moose helped the sheriff unload the prisoners. When they were locked up, the sheriff walked outside with him.
Moose climbed up on the wagon seat. “Real nice working with you again, Arvin. Glad to see you’re doing so well.”
“Say, Kid, you gonna tell Bret and the Dunns you’re the Missouri Kid?”
“Naw, they’d be disappointed. I can’t live up to the reputation those Dadburn novels created.”
Sheriff Haney’s shoulders shook with laughter as he turned back toward the jail.
Moose released the brake and snapped the reins. He was headed home, a real home at last.
Try Another Book
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