life, but he's being loved and spoiled."
"I had a nice long talk with Tom, " she remarked.
"What'd you talk about? " "You." He shot her a glance. "What'd he
tell you? " "He was full of stories about you."
"Like what? " "Abilene." His shoulders sagged. "I had hoped to get
married before you found out about that."
"You act like you did something wrong."
"I shot a woman, Jessie." He waited for her to grill him with
questions or tell him he'd been wrong to take that chance with a
woman's life hanging in the balance.
"It was very clever of you." He stopped dead in his tracks. "What?
" "I said it was very clever of you."
"I shot the woman, " he reminded her.
"Oh, it was a flesh wound. You're very good with a gun, aren't you? "
"Jessie, you act like we're talking about the weather. You aren't at
all shocked, are you? " "Of course not."
"The end doesn't justify the means."
"You feel guilty."
"Yes."
"It was a practical solution."
"Yes, but . . . " "You saved her life."
"Then how come I felt so rotten afterwards? " It was the first time
since it had happened that he had admitted the truth to anyone, even
himself.
He was giving her another glimpse into his heart by letting her see his
vulnerability. He showed the world such a hard, unbending exterior,
but underneath all the shields was a kind, gentle man who cared deeply
about others.
"Because you're honorable." She leaned up and kissed him, then took
hold of his hand and started walking again. "Grace sold another hat
today."
"What? " he asked, confused by the rapid change in subjects.
"I said Grace sold another hat today. Isn't that nice? " Jessica was
ready to move on, and that practical side of her was yet another reason
he had to add to his list when she asked him again why he loved her.
"Who'd she sell it to? " "A very nice woman . . . Well, she wasn't
nice at first, she was actually quite hostile, but Grace has a way of
putting people at ease and within minutes they were chatting like old
friends. She gave Grace seven dollars. I think she would have paid
more, but Grace said this was a working woman and couldn't spare
another cent. Grace tried to give the woman her hat until she realized
pride was involved. It was a good bargain, don't you think? " "What
kind of job could a woman get in that fleabag town? " "Her office is
in one of the rooms above the saloon." He grinned. "You do know what
she does for a living, don't you? " "Yes, but I wanted to see you
smile again. You worry too much." He would have argued with her, but
they'd reached camp and Grace was sleeping, so he didn't say another
word. He did kiss her good night, though, and was pleased to notice
that she looked thoroughly dazed when he was finished.