CHAPTER 10
On his circle, Long found mavericks of all shapes and sizes, and wild as deer. Squatted on his haunches back in camp he told Harp they could get lots of free cattle out of this country they were in. “Remember, I’ll be back Sunday—late.”
“Don’t rush back; they’ll be here.”
Long looked around to be sure no one was close. “You’re lucky, bro. Anna ain’t Kate.”
Harp nodded. The words slipped off his lips. “They only made one of her.”
“You know I believe that. You’re lucky. Kate has no rules. Anna has strict ones.”
“You can win if you want to—bad enough.”
“I’ll tell you Sunday.”
“Maybe Monday.”
“I doubt it.”
“I want to make a run tomorrow and see how many we can get without my best man.”
“Half your world. Build to it. Good night.”
Katy joined Harp. “You two through for the night?”
“You bet. Is Chaw up at the wagon?” Harp said.
“He was a minute ago.”
“I need a word with him.” He left them to find him. At the wagon he caught his point man. “Tomorrow, saddle up at dawn. I want a hundred head in these pens at sundown.”
“Long’s going—”
“Hey, I want to show him we can do this while he courts the lady.”
“I’m game. We will all be in the saddle at sunup.”
“See you at breakfast.”
“Harp. I know we can do it.”
“That’s why I want to do it.” Then he took Katy off to their tent.
“What were you and Long talking so serious about?”
“I think Anna is keeping him at arm’s length.”
“Really?”
“And I think Long’s jealous of us.”
“He’s as neat a guy as you are. Why would she do that?”
“Strict upbringing.”
“I had none of that in my life. Folks did things and no one looked.”
Harp laughed, undressing. “Darling, if and when you get pregnant, I want to get married.”
“Really?”
“What’s wrong? Are you crying?”
She was up kissing him. Her wet tears spilling on him as they kissed. “I never thought I was worth being anyone’s real wife.”
He hugged her. “We don’t have to have a baby to get married.”
“Harper, no one in my life ever asked me to marry them.”
“I just did.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes, if you want to put up with me. No, if you have plans to see France, because I ain’t going there.”
“Silly. I would be proud as anything to be your wife.”
“You are now.”
“Do it in a church?”
“Hell, wherever. Do it on the moon coming up if that’s what you want.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Let’s go back to bed.”
“Anything you want.”
“I want you.”
“When we get back home, you and Mother set it up. She’ll know what to do.”
“She means a lot to you doesn’t she?”
“Yes, she’s been great.”
“I hope if I ever have kids they love me like that.”
“No problem. I know they will.”
He meant every word of it. Maybe tomorrow they’d set a record on wild cattle gathered. Who knew anything?