“That’s lovely. I’ll need a dozen. Now boys, this is my wedding day, so if you all don’t mind, I am going to ask you to give Seth and me some privacy.” She grasped Seth’s arm tighter, turned her chin up and actually batted her eyelashes at Seth.
The boys suddenly all needed to clear their throats, and red crept into their faces. “’Course, ‘course. We’ll bring those apples over tomorrow and meet y’all at the picnic. Ma’s sure gonna be happy to have another woman to talk to.”
The three brothers scooted by Seth, each tipping their cowboy hat and stamping out the door. In moments, all that could be heard was the sound of horse’s hoofs pounding away from the house. Seth realized he hadn’t even mentioned their ploy to get out of jail. He wasn’t sure what exactly had just happened. Both Seth and Ruby were silent for a long time.
Finally, Ruby let out a ragged breath and she collapsed onto a chair. Her head lay in her arms and her shoulders were shaking. At first, Seth thought she was crying, but when she lifted her head again, he heard a trill of laughter escape her lips.
“You think this was funny? They broke out of jail and came here after you.” He stared at her incredulously.
Ruby tried to stop laughing. “No, I don’t think it’s funny. Well, not exactly. At first, I was terrified. I may not be a saloon girl, but I’ve seen my mother soothe enough brutes in my life. I just tried to behave as she would, as if there were nothing and no one to be afraid of. Once the boys learned about Timmy, I had nothing more to do. They really are sweet, just misguided by the saloon life style.”
Seth relaxed his taunt shoulders. “That’s why I want to close the place. Those men weren’t boys though. They’re old enough to settle down, get married and do some farming. Our town needs more moral women and less alcohol.”
“Well, I believe the town’s sheriff could find enough things that need doing around town to keep them busy. If they help to build up the town, they won’t be so bent on tearing it down.”
Seth nodded. His eyes met hers and he wondered if they’d always sparkled like they were doing at this moment.
Seth sat across from her. “Ruby, you’ve told me about your mother and why you brought Timmy along. Now it’s time for me to tell you my story.”
Ruby gave him a shaky smile.
“I met Anne, my first wife, when I was eighteen. She’d been raised by her father in an even smaller town than Waterhole. She was a wild and untamed girl but I fell in love with her. It was a whirlwind romance. We got married when I was nineteen and she only seventeen. For two years we were together and then our son came. After he was born, Anne got restless, started talking about seeing the world. One day, she was gone. She left her one-year old baby and disappeared. I didn’t try to follow her. There was no use. There was nothing I could have done to convince her to come home. Unfortunately, a year later I received a notice from a Doctor in Wyoming telling me that Anne was dead.”
Ruby didn’t speak. She could tell Seth was lost in his painful past.
“Four months later, we had an outbreak of yellow fever in town. We lost ten people… including my son, James.”
“I’m so sorry.” Ruby’s voice was low and gentle.
“I couldn’t do anything. I had to hold him in my arms and watch him die.” Seth looked at her. “I don’t know if I can go through something like that again. That’s why I didn’t want Timmy. Do you understand?”
Seth stopped talking. He seemed to be struggling with his emotions. Ruby stood and walked over to him. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension he was holding onto.
“Seth, I understand. I’m so sorry for your loss and I would never want to cause you more pain. Timmy and I will leave. I don’t expect you to…”
Seth turned and placed his hands on her arms and gently pulled her to her feet as he stood up. He placed a finger on her lips, shushing her.
“Ruby, I was so scared when I thought the Carter boys might come to the house and find you. I didn’t know I could care for anyone ever again. The whole ride here I was so worried for you and for Timmy, but you were spectacular. The way you handled the brothers showed me how much pluck you have. But… Texas isn’t an easy place to live. Waterhole doesn’t offer anything the bigger cities do. You may be more like Anne than you think. You may want more of an adventure than you’ll find here.”
Ruby shook her head back and forth. “Adventure isn’t what I want. All I want is a home of my own, where I can do things that are honorable, go to church, and raise Timmy. I’m not a fragile flower, but I truly don’t want more out of life than the home and security you offer.”
Seth pulled her closer to his body. She could feel heat emanating from him. Ruby wanted to rest her cheek on his chest, but she held herself in check. He pushed her back, his eyes meeting hers, a look of longing boring into her. “What about love, Ruby? Don’t you want love?”
Ruby hesitated. “I’m willing to live without it, Seth.”
“But you want love?”
Ruby nodded. “Yes, Seth. I do want love. I won’t ask it of you though.”
Seth kept staring at her.
“Do you want me to leave, Seth? I know You didn’t expect a saloon
