"I thought," Dickens paused, looking quiteserious. "I really thought you had come to like her."
Wes didn't want to get into this now, but heknew he'd have to convince Dickens that it would all be alright. Hehad some ideas now, and he intended to put them in action. If itworked out, things would straighten out. At least he hoped theywould.
If his plans didn't work out, then it's besthe left now. Neither of them knew just how much he'd miss them, norhow much he cared for them. But it was time to change some thingsfirst.
He rode over on his horse to the Smiths. Theplace was a mess. These people didn't take care of their propertyand it was a shame.
Edward came out and stared at him. "What doyou want?" he asked in an unfriendly tone.
"I want to talk to you and your brothers."Wes said in a hard tone.
"About what?"
"About respecting the widow Marley." He saidwith a stiff upper lip.
"Why, her old man ain't even cold in thegrave and she's messing with you and that Campbell fella. Whyshould we miss out on a good thing?"
"Because I plan to kill you if you touch ahair on her head, you or your brothers. Now do you understand me?"Wes asked.
"Are you threatening me?"
Hubert came out. "What's he doing here?"
"He's threatening us."
"What fer, she's the one that hit me!"Hubert yelled.
"You see this gun?" Wes asked.
"We see it. So—"
"So, I'll use it on you if you ever hurt heror even think of hurting her. I want to be very clear boys."
"She your woman?" Edward asked.
"That's right, she's my woman."
"Why does she call you her hired hand,then?" Hubert asked.
"She's a widow woman, but mark my word onit, boys, she's my woman."
Edward looked at Hubert. "I don't hold withwhat she did, but you comin' to face us and telling us so, thatmeans something. I'll keep the others in line."
Wes eyed him, then he stuck out his hand andshook on it. "I'll hold you to that promise. Alright boys, good dayto you."
They nodded.
But he heard Hubert fuss at him.
"I gave him my word Hubert, I meant it."Edward yelled. "He staked his claim, and that's the end ofthat."
Satisfied he'd put the fear of God intothose boys he rode home with a smile.
He thought about leaving and he had toadmit, he didn't want to, but he knew now he had to. There weresome changes coming and he was making them. If he succeeded, he'dsee them again. If not, they were better off without him.
The good news was that for the first time inhis life, he was going to change his whole attitude toward life. Itwas all due to Kate.
He only hoped he could get back before itwas too late.
"Well, did it work?"
Wes smiled at Dickens, "I think so. I toldthem in no uncertain terms I'd kill them if they touched her."
"For goodness sakes, "They believedyou?"
"I think so. Besides, it wasn't an idlethreat, Dickens. Once I'm gone, you have my permission to shootthem if they come near her. You hear me."
"I hear you. But I sure wish you'dreconsider leaving. It's gonna upset her something awful."
"I'll be back, good Lord willing." Wes toldhim.
"When you gonna tell her?"
"After she pays me."
Dickens nodded. "Well, you know I think alot of you Wesley and I hope you know what you are doing."
"For the first time in my life, I do,Dickens. I really do. Don't worry if all goes well, things willwork out, as you always say."
"What if she ups and marries that rancher?"Dickens asked.
"If she does, then that's how it will be,and you'll just have to accept it."
"But can you?"
"If that will make her happy, I can." Hetold him.
A tear fell down Dickens cheek as he shookWes' hand. He hated leaving Dickens too. But he knew what he had todo, and there was nothing left to say in the matter.
But saying goodbye to Kate would be thehardest thing he'd ever done. And he dreaded it.
He went into see her and she was sitting upwith the rag on her head. "How are you feeling?"
"A little better, not a lot.
"Did you…?"
"Yeah, a couple of times. I'm sorry."
"No problem I'll empty it." He took thebucket with the cover on top and took it outside.
Going to the pump he washed it out good andtook it back to her.
"Just in case you need it again."
"Thanks. I guess I really made a fool ofmyself last night."
"We all have our moments." He grinned.
"I was going to the bank today, but I guessI'll put that off a day or two, do you mind?"
"Nope, that's fine, whenever." He toldher.
"You're very understanding." Then she lookedat him once more. "You're leaving, aren't you?" she asked her facepaling as she said it.
He turned to look at her. "Yeah, there'ssomething I gotta do."
"It can't wait?"
"No, it can't wait. But if I'm successful,I'll be back."
"Successful at what?" she asked.
"I got some plans, and if it all works out,I'll be back." He told her.
"You mean that?" she asked reaching for hishand.
"I mean it."
"Can you tell me about it?"
"Not yet." He told her, with a solemnface.
"I care for you Wes," she said softly almostin a whisper.
"I know," he swallowed hard.
"I guess I've been a bit too forward withyou. I apologize." She added when he didn't say how he felt.
"You've been you, Kate, and that's exactlyhow I like you, being you. Keep your chin up and maybe somedayyou'll ride down that Mississippi paddle boat."
"Yeah," she felt tears coming on and neededto get him out of the room. "Maybe."
"Don't give up your dreams Kate, for anyoneor anything."
She nodded, trying to blink the tearsaway.
When he walked out of her bedroom, she wassure he'd be gone in a few days and it broke her heart.
She turned her face into her pillow andcried. She was in love for the first time in her life, and he wasleaving her. Had her scheme to make him jealous made him turn away?Had she gone too far? She was losing him. But
