Faith is guided to the woman, and they discuss her technique. The woman asks about her other pieces that the assistant has already unwrapped. Each is a unique, vibrant, landscape and the gallery is soon abuzz with excitement.
Solomon takes Hope and lets Faith have her moment. She is happily discussing each piece and the inspiration for them, when she glances at him. The pride shining from his eyes has her throat clogging with emotion. Is this what love is supposed to feel like she wonders? Moments of joy and sorrow, sadness and terror all shared together? She's never had that, and now she will be leaving it behind.
The gallery owner calls Faith to a desk, and they sit to discuss a price for each piece. She smiles and shakes his hand, taking an envelope from him. He commissions six more paintings and discuss a time frame and price. When she returns to Solomon's side, she is stunned and speechless.
“I’m ready to go.” She reaches for Hope and kisses her cheek before settling her on her shoulder and wrapping her blanket around her.
As they step outside, she watches the owner put one of her painting’s in the display window and gives a small wave.
“Are you okay, Faith?” Solomon asks.
She looks up at him, “I’m not sure. They bought them all outright Solomon. I just made six hundred dollars!”
His bellow of laughter has her jumping. Soon she is laughing until tears flow.
With an envelope of cash in her hand, she looks at him, “They've commissioned six more paintings, and I will make more on the others. Apparently, there's a demand for landscapes and people are willing to pay ridiculous amounts of money! I won't have to worry about money for a while.”
“Faith, I’m so proud of you!” he whispers and pulls her closer to his side.
“Thank you, Solomon. I guess we should get to the train station.”
She tucks her money inside of her boot and smiles at him. “I will send you a telegram when we stop, and one when I arrive in Texas.”
He leans down and kisses her head, “No worries. This is a new chapter in your life, enjoy the moment. I brought you these.” He walks with her around the back of the wagon and hands her the gifts. In all the excitement the other night, he forgot to give them to her.
“Art supplies! Solomon, what did I do to deserve you?” she says with stars in her eyes.
“I guess we are just lucky.”
Helping her up into the wagon Solomon scans the area one more time before climbing into the seat and snapping the reins of the horses. The ride to the train station is full of animated conversation about the gallery and her art selling so fast. Arriving at the boarding platform, he helps her with her bags and stays until the train whistle blows for boarding and kisses her softly. Then cups Hope's head and kisses her softly on top of her red curls.
“Keep your revolver close, and your eyes open. Be safe. I won't be happy if something happens to either of my girls.”
Wiping her tears, she leans into his embrace, “Hurry through your job and come home to us, Solomon.” His mouth takes her softly as his heart is filled with emotions at her words. He's amazed at how quickly that sentence has become truth. They are his home now.
He stares watching the train depart for a long time before leaving. “Time to find that bastard and eliminate this worry.”
Chapter 26
A young girl cleans the hotel room, beating the bed and changing the linens, then polishing the wood furniture. She gathers the sheets and tosses her long blue, black hair over her shoulders. Next, she stuffs the dirty linens in a canvas bag, to take the laundry where her mother will wash them. The sound of the door shutting behind her, has her spinning around.
“Shhh,” he says, smiling at the young Asian girl. When he steps towards her the setting sun glints off the large silver knife in his hand. She backs away in horror.
Aiden watches and waits for the moment he savors. The realization hits her almond eyes, and he lashes out slicing a red ribbon across her alabaster throat. Her startled scream is silenced and the red spray splatters, filling the air with the metallic scent of her innocent blood.
Aiden locks the door and uses his knife to slice the clothing from her firm young body. She attempts to fight back, but she is weak and beginning to feel dizzy. A quick smack across her face and pushes the knife into her cheek to wake her. He leans down and whispers, “It will be easier for you if you don't fight back.” The cut is starting to clot. He was careful not to slice too deep. He wants her awake for this.
Playing with Faith and her stupid cowboy was fun, but Cassie is the one he is after. She may have escaped him for now, but he will catch up to her. The chase is part of the fun. Aiden knew she was meant for him when she attacked and killed those who hurt her family. There are a thousand ways to kill a man, but to plan it out and make sure they suffered first, took a certain kind of “spirit.” He was impressed at the foresight it took to carry out such revenge. Aiden will have her and all the gold. The land will be his and so will Cassie.
The sound of her coughing and choking on the blood pooling inside of her throat draws him back to reality.
“I guess I cut too deep this time?” he remarks. Time to get to work. An hour later
