Ryan laughed. "How old is your niece now?"
"She's eight."
Ryan threw his head back and smiled. "I can just imagine you looking after an eight year old. She must be running you ragged."
Aaron nodded. "She's great. Anyhow. My parents can't get enough of her. They just love having her here. And that's all that matters."
"You always did like to keep you parents happy," Ryan said. "You a lawyer now?"
Aaron grabbed the lapels of his jacket in a grand gesture. "I surely am. Four years of training and now I'm just like my pa."
Ryan tapped Aaron on the chest. "Bet you picked up some fancy ways during your time there," he teased.
Aaron shook his head. "It'd take longer than four years to change me, Ryan. But enough about me. What are you doing here now. I thought you'd have quit Sweetheart Falls a long time ago," Aaron said.
Ryan opened his mouth as if to answer, but he was cut short by a painful roar from a deep male voice from inside the saloon.
Ryan looked at Aaron. "You'll have to excuse me for a moment, Aaron."
Ryan made as if to enter the saloon but Aaron laid a hand on his shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"I'm afraid I have to attend to that ruckus in the saloon," Ryan answered.
"Why? What business is it of yours?" Aaron demanded.
Ryan pulled his jacket open and revealed a shining, tin star pinned to his waistcoat. "I'm the sheriff of Sweetheart Falls. So anything that goes on here is my business. Especially trouble in a saloon," Ryan answered with a smile.
Aaron was dumbstruck. "You're the sheriff?"
"Yeah. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well it is. I never took you for the kind to take on being a lawman," Aaron said.
"You know my pa was a lawman. I'm just following in his footsteps," Ryan said.
Another loud yell from inside the saloon was punctuated by the crash of what sounded like a table or chairs being thrown around.
Before Aaron had a chance to say another word Ryan had disappeared through the saloon doors. Aaron followed his friend inside.
By the time he was inside Ryan already had one drunk man by the collar and had started lecturing another one about causing trouble. The saloon was dark and there were about a dozen men inside. Some kind of argument had started over a card game. The table was turned over and cards and glasses were lying on the wooden floor.
Everyone else was standing off to one side waiting for the young sheriff to do his job. Aaron was amazed at the confidence Ryan was displaying as well as the obvious attention and respect he was able to command from the men in the saloon. It was obviously not the first time he had done this. Not even one gun had been drawn during the whole incident.
The trouble was sorted out as fast as it had broken out. Ryan spoke firmly to everyone involved, talking sense and threatening an overnight stay in the cells.
Ryan released the man's collar and smiled over at Aaron. He must have been amused at the expression on Aaron's face.
With a quick look over at the owner of the saloon, Ryan made his way out and Aaron followed him.
Outside, the brightness of the sun contrasted with the gloom of the saloon's interior.
"Let's go over to my place," Ryan said. Aaron realized Ryan probably meant the town jail. "We got some catching up to do."
They made their way over to the jailhouse. Once inside Ryan took a seat behind a wide desk and pointed to another chair for Aaron to sit on. Aaron took a quick look toward the cells.
"There's no-one in custody at the moment. Truth is, Sweetheart Falls isn't the kind of place that needs jail cells that much. Yet." Ryan smirked. "I keep some of my own personal belongings in the cells. Extra storage."
Aaron smiled. "How much law breaking is there in this town anyway?"
"Not much in the town itself. What you just saw is about as wild as it gets during the day. The real problems are outside town. Ranchers have been having trouble with rustlers and the like," Ryan said.
"I know from my pa that even a place like Sweetheart Falls needs the law. My side of things isn't as dangerous as yours though. Except if someone decides to hit me with a writ for malpractice," Aaron joked.
Ryan nodded. "Your kind of law is important Aaron. You may not carry a gun, but what your pa has done for this town is just as important as any law enforcement that's been needed."
Aaron nodded. Ryan was right, of course. No matter how much Aaron wanted to diminish the impact his father had had on the people of this town, it was undeniable that he had made a real difference to the lives of the people. What his father was asking him to do was plain and simple. To carry on the good work. Added to that was his mother's wish that he settle down and marry.
"I hear you might be getting married," Ryan said suddenly.
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Nothing's decided yet," he said, knowing that, deep down, in his heart things were already decided. He just wasn't prepared to admit it to himself yet.
"That's not what I heard," Ryan said, a teasing tone in his voice.
"Who exactly has been telling you all this?" Aaron demanded.
"Oh. Word gets around. This is a small town Aaron. Not much stays secret around here for very long. Anyway is it true? You can tell me."
Aaron smiled at the mischievous attitude of his friend. Some things never changed. Ryan had always been able to extract secrets from Aaron ever since he could remember.
"I've only just met her. What can I say?"
"For a start, you can say whether you like her."
Aaron nodded. "I do," he said quietly.
Ryan smacked a hand down hard on the table. "I knew it!" he roared. "I knew that once you took one look at young Rachel, you'd be smitten," he said.
"Who said anything about being smitten," Aaron said. "And how come everyone in this town knows about this except me?"
"I guess you can blame the town matchmaker. I take it you've met Hettie?"
"I have indeed. If people hadn't assured me that her intentions are good, I'd be tempted to report her to you as a suspected criminal," Aaron said lightly.
Ryan laughed. "So when is the wedding?"
"You don't hang around do you?"
Ryan waved a hand casually. "Comes with being the sheriff," he said.
"As I told you. We just met. I have to wait and see."
"You mean she didn't like you?"
"No. I don't mean that at all," Aaron answered. "I mean that I still have no idea of whether she'll accept the proposal."
"So, you proposed?"
Aaron was starting to get exasperated at his friend. "I haven't proposed formally. But apparently that's not how it works with arranged marriages."
Ryan shook his head and sighed. "I never would have put you down for getting hitched like this. I have to ask you this. Do you like her?"
Aaron lowered his head, trying to hide the immediate reaction on his face to his friend's inquiry.
"You do, don't you? You really like her!" Ryan probed, leaning forward.
Was it that obvious? The truth was that, since he had seen her likeness, he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. In spite of his own stated intentions he really was considering the possibility of staying in Sweetheart Falls, marrying and settling down. He didn't completely understand it himself, but Rachel had made such a huge impression on him that it had thrown his original plans into disarray. Was that what it meant to be really taken by someone? That everything you ever planned or wanted was utterly and irrevocably changed, in spite of yourself?
"What about you Ryan. There must be someone you're sweet on," Aaron asked.
Ryan shook his head. "No. There is no-one. And there isn't likely to be anyone anytime soon. I prefer the life of a bachelor sheriff," he said.
For a moment a name came to mind, but Aaron wasn't sure if he should mention her. It might not do to bring up the past. However it seemed natural that he should ask Ryan since she had apparently meant so much to him.
"What
happened to Beatrice?"
The moment he asked the question he knew he shouldn't have. Ryan's expression changed immediately, his brows furrowing, his lips tightening.
"Forget I asked that," Aaron said apologetically.
Ryan shook his head. "You have a right to ask, Aaron, especially after everything I've been trying to get out of you."
Ryan leaned forward on the desk. "We haven't been together in a long while. Truth is, we stopped seeing each other once it was clear you were long gone to the East, studying law. She just kinda lost interest in me," he said with a slow, quiet voice.
Aaron'e eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry to hear that. I shouldn't have brought it up."
Ryan looked at his old friend with understanding. "No. You were right ask. Anyway the past is behind us. We still have all our good memories together. And you have a new life to look forward to," he said.
For a moment the two friends sat face to face. The silence was one that they both recognized, one that they had shared many times as younger men.
"So. How can we celebrate the good news?" Ryan said at last.
"There is no good news. Not yet, at least," Aaron said.
"You can't fool me. I know you."
"Well. I'm not going anywhere near that saloon, if that's what you're suggesting," Aaron said. "Why don't you come over and have something at my parent's. I'm sure they'd be glad to see you."
Ryan nodded and smiled. "That sounds like a mighty fine idea."
Aaron stood and they both shook hands. He left his friend in the jailhouse.
Aaron made his way back toward his parent's house. He was still amazed that Ryan had taken on such a responsibility. However, on reflection he knew just what an influence Ryan's father had been on him. Ryan's father had passed away when Ryan had been at school. Aaron had been truly shocked at how his father's death had affected Ryan. It had seemed to add a steel to his character that had been missing.
Aaron wondered if he himself was in a similar position. With his own father ailing and weak was it now time for Aaron to step up and take more responsibility in life. Was that what his life had come down to?
As he he passed the church on the way home the thought came to his mind that maybe it was time for him to accept that sometimes in life, paths are provided.
The only thing Aaron knew he had to do was make a choice of which path he wanted to follow. And right now, the only path that came immediately to mind was the one that had Rachel waiting for him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Back at home later that evening Aaron sat in the parlor with his father over a coffee.
"How did your meeting go today?" Gabe asked.
Aaron took a deep breath and thought for a moment.
His father smiled. "Like that huh?"
Aaron frowned at his father. "What do you mean?"
Gabe settled back in his chair and took a sip of coffee. He put his cup down and fixed Aaron with a stern look. "The first meeting between a man and woman is never easy, son. I remember when I met your mother. It was at a social back East. We'd been placed together by people who had the best intentions. I thought I knew everything about how to handle people. But when I met your mother for the first time I realized I had a whole lot still to learn," Gabe said.
"How did you figure out what was the right thing to do when you first met?" Aaron asked.
Gabe smiled. "I didn't. It was your mother who put me at my ease. That was when I discovered that I might know a whole lot about the law, but I knew nothing about how to court a woman," Gabe said, nodding his head slowly. There was a wry grin on his face.
"It was just so darned difficult to find the right words to say, you know pa," Aaron said, his voice tight with frustration.
"I know what you mean. All that book learning and you can't even summon up the right word in polite company," Gabe said. "You'll find the same when it comes to dealing with the folks around here. They don't understand the law like you do. They don't know the rules. That's going to be your job to lead them and give them the best advice you can," he said.
"Pa. I've told you. I'm not sure I've come back to Sweetheart Falls to stay forever," Aaron said.
Gabe's eyes narrowed. "No-one's saying it's forever son. Just for now."
Aaron looked out the window at the gathering darkness. "Just for now can end up being a lifetime. I met Ryan. He hasn't even left the town. Not once. Outside of what his job demands," said Aaron.
"He's a good man, Ryan. He's done a good job helping to make this town a place worth living in. Maybe you can do the same."
Aaron breathed out, feeling the tension rising in him. "I'm not sure I can, pa."
"Not even with that beautiful woman by your side?"
Aaron felt his face color. It was true that she was beautiful. After his performance at Hettie's he wasn't even sure she'd want him as a husband. But she did seem to have fine qualities. And her eyes! Those eyes just burned into his soul.
Gabe looked at his son. "I can see she made quite an impression on you. You can't hide it, son. It's plain to see on your face," Gabe teased.
Aaron smiled at his father. "Is it that obvious?"
"It sure is. I know what your going through. It was the same with me and your mother. After our first meeting I couldn't get her out of my mind. No matter what I did, all I could think of was her. All day and all night. It darn near drove me mad," he said, smiling at the memory.
Aaron had never heard his father speak like this before. There was an sincerity to his words that really touched him.
"Can you see her as a wife?" his father asked him. Aaron was taken aback by the directness of the question. He paused and looked down, trying to consider the reply. He didn't want to speak in haste. Not on such an important subject.
Could he see her as a wife? It was the only important question he could answer right now. When he'd arrived back in Sweetheart Falls the whole idea of getting married and settling down had seemed faintly ridiculous.
But not now.
Now that he'd met her, seen her, heard her voice, looked deeply into her eyes, it no longer seemed like a crazy thing to do. On the contrary she'd so overtaken his senses, his thoughts, his mind, that his plans had been thrown into disarray. Maybe he could marry her, after all.
He became aware of his father's penetrating stare. He'd seen that look when Gabe had been finalizing a legal matter. It felt like his father was reading his mind.
"Well? Can you? She is mighty fine young woman. Any man in these parts would be proud to wed her. Judging by her sisters, she comes from a good family. She seems to have a solid character," Gabe said, sounding like he was wrapping up a legal argument.
Aaron sighed and felt his throat tighten. He knew that once he admitted to his father that Rachel had already taken up a place in his heart, then Gabe wouldn't be denied. If Aaron accepted Rachel, then he'd be accepting Sweetheart Falls.
Was that such a bad thing after all?
"I'm thinking...that I might just...make her my wife, after all," Aaron said with a smile on his face.
Gabe smiled and leaned over, slapping Aaron firmly on the shoulder. "I knew it, son. I just knew it. Congratulations, my boy."
Gabe reached out a hand and shook Aaron's in a tight grip. "This is a great day. A great day indeed."
Aaron was amazed at the energy his father had suddenly acquired. He hadn't been like this since Aaron's return. Now he looked like years had dropped off his shoulders.
"This calls for a proper celebration."
Gabe got up off the chair and went to the sideboard. He took out a bottle of whiskey and poured out two glasses. He brought them over and held out one to Aaron.
Gabe clinked the two glasses together. "A toast to your marriage, son. You couldn't have chosen a finer bride than young Rachel. I wish you every happiness."
Father and son drank down the toast in perfect unison.
Lily walked into the room at that very instant. "What's going on?"
When she saw Gabe d
owning the whisky her face turned a shade of red. "Gabriel Caldigate. What are you doing with that drink," she demanded. She reached out and took the glass from her husband and placed it down on the table.
"You know you're not allowed that."
Gabe put up no resistance. "Lily. I had to. We're celebrating. Aaron has decided to ask Rachel for her hand in marriage," Gabe announced.
"What! Oh my Lord!" Lily's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She reached out and hugged Aaron. "Oh my boy. I am so happy," she sobbed, squeezing Aaron hard against her. She started to shake and Aaron held her close to him.
Aaron felt the shaking get more obvious. He took her by the shoulders and looked into her moistening eyes. "Ma. I'm glad you're both happy. Don't cry. Look. You're making pa tear up too," Aaron said, looking over at his father, whose eyes were indeed beginning to well up.
"What a sight we are," Gabe said.
"Oh get away with you Gabriel Caldigate. It's not every day that a son announces his wedding," Lily said, waving a hand at her husband.
"Without you, ma, I would never have known anything about Rachel. It's all been thanks to you," Aaron told his mother.
Gabe laid a gentle hand on Lily's shoulder. "Aaron's right. It looks like the town's got a new matchmaker," he said with a smile.
Lily composed herself. "When are you going to communicate the good news to Rachel?"
Aaron hadn't even thought of that. It had been more than enough to finally arrive at decision.
"Why, I guess... right away!" he said enthusiastically.
"Hettie's the one you should tell. Then she'll make sure Rachel gets the news."
Aaron frowned. He'd figured he'd ride on up to the Bar T and tell Rachel himself. But he'd forgotten how things seemed to get done around town. Marriage was an odd business in Sweetheart Falls.
"I'll get over to Hettie's right away," Aaron stated.
He quickly got himself ready and headed out the door, but not before a final hug from his father and kiss on the cheek from his mother. He'd never seen them so happy. It gave him a warm feeling to see the glow of happiness in his mother's eyes. His father and mother stood at the door and waved him away down the road into town.
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