"It would be nice. Do any of them live near?"
They continued the conversation and it struck Joshua how intelligent his wife was. She understood more about the ranch and how things worked in the few weeks she'd been there than Gretchen had after years of living there. His late wife rarely ventured outside the home and insisted one of the farmhands take care of the garden and gathering eggs. Viola had stepped into the role of a rancher's wife with ease, taking care of not just the home, but also whatever was necessary outside as well.
With new eyes, he watched her graceful moves as she began gathering their empty plates. Her hand trembled slightly when she neared him to lift a dish and he took it between both of his. With his gaze locked to hers, he brought her hand to his lips.
"Thank you, dinner was very good."
Her eyes widened and a soft sigh left her. "You're welcome."
Bedtime wasn't for hours. Hours, which would seem like centuries before he could hold her again. He stood and brought her against him. "Can the dishes wait until morning?"
She blushed and shrugged. "I suppose they could."
The next morning, the sounds of horses jarred Joshua awake. The sun was bright through the window. He'd overslept. From the kitchen the smell of coffee alerted him to the fact Viola was awake.
She rushed into the bedroom her eyes scanning over his nudity. "Someone's here."
"I'm expecting David and another man, Clark, to discuss our trek to sell the horses. If you'll invite them in, I'll get dressed."
Before long, he and the men discussed the plans for the ride. Viola’s moves were stilted and rigid and on several occasions she gave him worried looks. It didn't take much to deduce the man who'd come with David was the man who'd come to their house. Had Clark not thought she'd recognize his voice?
"Let's go outside. I'll show you the horses." Joshua stood and motioned for the men to go outside.
Viola rushed to him once they'd moved off the porch. "It's him."
"It's a good thing then." Joshua told her, and then hushed her when she opened her mouth to say something. "If he's with me on the month long trek, I won't have to worry about 'im coming to bother you. The marshal can't do anything about it since he didn't harm you. I guarantee you something, Viola. By the time we return, he won't want to ever come near you."
Her eyes filled with worry, she nodded in agreement.
It took a lot of self-control to go join the men. David seemed to sense something amiss by the questioning look he gave Joshua. Once they were on their way to drive the horses, he'd tell him about the other man. For now he'd bide his time. Before they got back, one thing was for sure, the man would not even think of looking in Viola's direction again.
*****
The days passed surprisingly quickly while Joshua was gone. Viola got to know the farmhands' wives and they'd even formed a bible study and fellowship group of sorts. She and Abigail visited weekly, spending time talking and knitting.
On occasion, when one of the families headed to town, they invited her, so she never ran low on anything. Grace was growing into a large dog, which helped her feel safer at night. That and one or two of the farmhands, who stayed in the bunkhouse.
It was early afternoon one day when she'd returned from town. Viola sat at the table, her hand trembling as she tore open a letter from her sister.
Dearest Viola,
I have been worried sick about you since you left. When I received your letter, I was so relieved to hear you are well and married to a good man.
It breaks my heart how I believed Frank over you. It was stupid of me. Deep in my heart I knew the truth, I just didn't wish to accept it. Now that it's happened again, with another woman, I know it's him. It's been him all along. I am trapped in a farce of a marriage with no options. I am forced to accept it as my lot.
Know that I think of you often and love you dearly. Please write me often.
Sara
Her eyes stung with unshed tears, a mixture of happiness at an open dialog with Sara and sadness at knowing the circumstances. Perhaps someday, her sister would be able to get away. With small children and little options for income, it would in all probability never happen.
The sounds of voices got her attention. She glanced at the clock on the mantel. It wasn't time for the men to leave yet. With a sigh, she stood and went to the window. Perhaps one of the wives had arrived to visit.
Her lips pulled into a wide smile. Joshua had returned.
He dismounted and spoke to one of the ranch hands, which laughed and took his horse toward the stable.
Joshua sprinted to the front door and she ran toward it. When he burst through the opening, he lunged at her wrapping her in his arms and turning in a full circle. He smelled of horse and sweat. It didn't matter. The feeling of his solid body against her was so amazing, she didn't want to let go of him ever.
Finally he released her and tipped her face up to his. "I missed you." His eyes darkened. "I love you."
Her mouth fell open. "You do?"
Instead of a reply, he kissed her soundly. "I do. More than anything."
Viola's spirit lifted. The knowledge her life in Colter Valley would be full and the future looked bright made her tremble with delight.
"Are you cold?" Joshua's concerned-filled eyes met hers.
"No, I'm happy and excited to see you. I missed you, Joshua."
She couldn't tell him she loved him, not yet. Although by the lightening of her heart and excitement at being reunited with her husband once again, it was inevitable it would come. The deep caring had crept in slowly and she wanted to be careful and wait.
He'd come a long way from the stern, distant man she'd met on Sunshine's porch just months earlier.
When he professed to love her, he made her soul sing. Viola let out a long sigh and laid her head on his chest. "I think we are going to make it."
He lifted her face and pressed his lips to hers. With a crooked grin, he nodded. "Yes we certainly are."
Viola surrendered to his strong arms around her and allowed hope to take a hold of her.
For her and Joshua, many good things were yet to come.
The End
About Hildie McQueen
Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves entering unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every reader can enjoy.
Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.
Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.
She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named Lola.
Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
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