Wes couldn't stop sighing, he hadn't wantedto say goodbye to either of them, but this was something he had todo, and it couldn't be helped. The sooner he got it done, thesooner he could come back.
He took Dickens hand and shook it, "You'vegiven me lots of good advice, stirred me in the right directionmany times. And for the first time, I've felt I belonged somewhere.Here, with you and Kate."
"Then for God's sake why are you leaving?"Dicken's voice was husky as though he were on the verge of eithergetting mad or crying.
"I'm gonna tell you, because I don't wantyou thinking bad of me, nor fretting about this, as I know youwould. You've been too good to me to just walk off and not tellyou. Your too old to fret about things, it makes you unhealthy. AndI'm gonna need you, so I want you healthy. And you can tell her ifthe time ever comes."
"Tell me what?" Dickens asked.
"You and Kate woke me up." He turned andstared into the old man's eyes. "I've been in a long-lost stuporfor some time Dickens. When my folks died, I was young, very young,and very alone. Like Kate was when her husband died, and no onearound here would help. I was scared how I'd make it. I guessthat's why I understood her so well. Then my Uncle came to livewith me until I was grown. We got along fine, and I grew to reallycare for him. Because of him, I got over my sorrow of losing myfolks, but then, a storm came up one day, and a tree fell on himand he died, and it all began again. Not long after, the girl Ifell in love with died too. I couldn't take it. I felt like a jinxor something. Everyone I ever loved died. But you and Kate got meout of that crazy stupor I was in. Now I realize that life is soworth living and I do want to live. I've got an idea, and I'll needyour help."
"What can I do?"
Wes smiled as he realized Dickens still hadfaith in him.
"I'm going north to the hill country and I'mgoing to round up some wild mustangs. I want to bring them backhere and break them and maybe start a horse ranch."
Dickens brightened immediately. "You want toprove your worth?"
"Exactly," Wes smiled.
"To Kate?"
"No, to myself. I'm not a bum. I can dothis, but I'll need you to build a big corral for this. I plan tobe back here by April if all goes well. If things don't work out. Iwon't be back. If I don't come back, promise you'll invest in somestock and ranch this place, you and Kate aren't farmers, but youcould be ranchers. Farming is a hard life if a person doesn't taketo it naturally. And you and Kate don't."
"Why wouldn't you come back?" Dickens raiseda brow.
"Well, accidents happen. Things could go allwrong. I love her Dickens, but I can't think of the future if Ihave none. I have to prove myself to myself. If things go right,I'll be bringing mustangs with me, as many as I can round up. And aring for her finger. If she'll still have me."
"She'll have you. She'd have you rightnow!"
"Not until I prove I can do this. It'ssomething I have to do. You and Kate raised my expectations ofmyself. I've wasted some years. My thinking wasn't straight, but itis now."
Dickens thought about it and nodded, "You'reright, you need to know just what kind of a man you are. You can dothis son. I know you can. It's a solid idea. There are plenty ofwild horses. And your good with animals. I know you can do it."
"Thanks for the confidence." Wes smiled."I'd have to break them and sell some off, breed others, but itcould be done."
"Then do it son."
Wes smiled. Laying his hand on Dickensshoulders. "I'm glad you are staying on and helping her out withthe money. And if she gets too blue, too down, tell her I said shedoesn't have to be the prim and proper lady for Campbell nor thewhore for Jim Marley, she just has to be herself, Kate. Becausethat's the woman I love."
"Why don't you tell her that?"
"I can't. I don't have that right yet. I'vegot to earn it, and I'm going to or break my neck trying." Wessmiled again.
"Nothing would make me happier son. I'd loveto see the two of you married and having children and building anempire of your own."
"Our own, we're a family, she just doesn'tknow it yet, but you, me and her, are family. And I want nothingmore than to put that ring on her finger."
"Then go with God, son." Dickens patted himon the shoulder.
"One other thing. I told the Smith boys notto touch her or they'd have me to deal with. I think they got themessage. I told them she was my woman. I didn't have the right tosay that, but as far as they go, she is. Keep an eye out for themin case they didn't get the message."
"I will, don't you worry. I will."
"Thanks, and God be with you both until Ireturn!" He saddled up and mounted his horse. "I'll be back comespring."
"I'll get to work on that corral." Dickenspromised.
Wes smiled, and slowly rode away. Luckyfollowed, barking all the way.
Dickens stared after him.
Dickens went to sit on the porch, smilingand petting Moby, "Don't you fret Moby, Lucky and him will be backbefore you know it." Dickens chuckled.
Kate came out and saw Dickens petting Moby."So, he's gone?"
"Yep, he's gone." Dickens replied, but hissmile didn't fade.
"You said your goodbyes?" Kate asked staringat him to see how he took it.
"We did. But he'll be back."
"What makes you so sure," She raised abrow.
"He's got a reason to, that's why."
"Oh, and what would that be?" Kate looked athim.
"You… me, and this ranch! He's finally founda home Kate."
"I hope so," Kate murmured.
ChapterTwenty-Three
The further north Wes ventured, the
