Papa Colt, I don’t want to go back East to finishing school.” Tears brimmed Sammie Jo’s sky blue eyes. She was so pretty that he wanted her to pack a derringer.
“Yes, you do,” Colt said. “You’re going to learn how to be a fine woman. Oh, I know you can ride and shoot like a ranch hand, but your mama and I want you to learn all the things that will make you a lady.”
“But who will take care of little Stephen and Nancy and Clancy?”
“It’ll be hard, but we’ll manage.”
“But I’m scared.”
Colt stifled a chuckle. Since the incident with Thatcher Lee, Sammie Jo had found more than one thing that scared her. “Nancy’s growing up just fine. Your little brother has me and your mama, and Clancy would never want anyone else to take care of him.”
Sammie Jo reached up and hugged him tightly. “Take care of everyone while I’m gone.”
He laughed. “We’ll just pray the good Lord gives me wisdom.”
Colt felt an arm around his waist and knew it was his beloved Anne. How he could be blessed with the love of this fine woman still amazed him.
“Let her go, honey. She needs to catch the train,” Anne said.
Colt took a deep breath and escorted Sammie Jo to the train steps. “I love you, little lady. We’ll see you soon.” He waved and watched the train until it disappeared out of sight.
“You have tears in your eyes,” Anne said.
“Yes, Papa Colt, big ones,” Nancy said with a giggle.
“Oh, I just love my family,” he said and winked at Anne.
“And we love you,” Anne said and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Strange how he amounted to nothing until the good Lord slapped a wanted poster on his hide and taught him how to love. Life was good. Very good.