{Chapter 20}

Aubrey whirled around as the sound of children‘s running steps approached the room where she was making her bed.

“Jay hit me!” Sandy screeched.

“Jay, what have I told you about hitting girls?” Aubrey examined the child but saw no harm done to her.

Sandy way lucky, because Wade had taught Jay how to pack a hard punch. Not a good idea.

“She started it!” Jay defended.

“I did not. You said I was ugly.” Sandy crossed her arms with the attitude her mother had no doubt taught her to have.

“Jay?” Aubrey looked to her son.

“Well, she is,” Jay muttered.

“Jay, how could you be so mean?” Aubrey asked.

“She’s been naggin’ me all day, Momma!”

Aubrey sighed. Ever since Rawhide had taught Jay the meaning of the word “nagging”, he had put it to good use.

“I think the both of you need to play by yourselves for a little while. If you can’t play nice, then you can’t play at all, understood?” Aubrey looked between the children.

They nodded and turned to leave.

“Jay,” Aubrey said. “I want to talk to you.”

Jay sighed and walked back toward her as Sandy and Sadie left the room.

Aubrey sat on the bed and patted the seat beside her. Jay climbed up onto the bed.

“What’s wrong, Jay? You would never be so mean to Sandy before,” she asked.

Jay sighed. “She’s annoyin’ me, Momma.”

Aubrey sighed. “She’s a girl. It’s natural for boys and girls to annoy each other.”

“Do you and Pa annoy each other?” Jay swung his feet.

Aubrey smiled. Oh, yes. They annoyed each other plenty sometimes. It annoyed her the way Wade always propped his left boot up on the table and pushed his chair back on two legs while he was talking to her. It annoyed her that he would mess up her perfectly straight covers when he got out of bed in the morning and didn’t even bother to straighten them up. He more than likely didn’t even know it annoyed her, or he would spend an extra twenty minutes each morning trying to make them perfectly straight. It annoyed her that he would wait on her hand and foot if she would let him… but that was also endearing.

“Yes, we do,” Aubrey finally answered. “But we tend to look past what annoys us about each other and focus on what we like about each other. What’s something you like about Sandy?”

Jay thought long and hard on that one. “She can throw a ball pretty far.”

Aubrey smiled. “See? She’s good at something, huh?”

Jay smiled up at her. “And she can catch a frog better’n I can!”

Aubrey nodded. “That she can.”

They were silent for a moment.

“Jay,” Aubrey said softly. “I know you miss your Pa, and I do too. Its strange having Sandy around when she’s usually not and having to do your Pa’s chores while he’s gone, too. This will come to an end, too. We’ve just gotta tough it out, okay?”

Jay nodded.

Aubrey kissed the top of his head. “Now run along and be nice. You’re a big boy when it comes to chores and such, so you need to be a big boy when it comes to Sandy, too.”

“I will.” Jay ran out of the room. Aubrey sighed.

She wished Wade was here to talk to Jay. He seemed to have a way of communicating with the boy that no one else did.

She looked over to his side of the bed and fluffed his pillow, which still help his scent. Aubrey breathed deep and crushed the pillow to herself.

“I love you, sweetheart,” she whispered into the feathers inside the pillow. “With all my heart.”

**********

Dear Bree,

I couldn’t stop thinking about you today. I can’t tell if I’m just sore or if I miss you so much it hurts today. I started thinking on how my grandma used to write letters to my grandpa even though she couldn’t send them right then. I kept her going. So, here I sit with a rinkled piece of paper and a nub of a pencil that I happened to find in my saddlebag, writing to you. It might make me feel like I’ve talked to you, at least. Nights by myself are so much more lonely now than they were before I married you. I don’t understand why God didn’t give you to me sooner, but I reckon I’m not meant to.

The senery is real pretty up here, and I’m sure that you would love to see it. The only problem is the wind. It’s nearly blown my hat off my head more than once. Maybe I should get a drawstring or something. I guess I had better finish up before Mark makes me do something and I have to stop in the middle of this letter. I love you so much. I guess it’s a good thing that we’re so far apart, because I wouldn’t be able to let you go if I had you in my arms right now. I’ll be on my way home soon.

All my love,

Wade.

**********

Katie stared up at the stars that night. She couldn’t think of anything else besides Adam. How had she not noticed how sweet he was before? She felt like a teenager again, laying flat on her back and dreaming of a future with him. The wind blew over her in harsh waves for a while, but she didn’t mind. Strands of hair blew in front of her face, yet she didn’t even notice. Closing her eyes, she breathed deep of the night air and relived a memory from years ago…

“Just imagine, Kate. Someday I’ll buy us a little spread just outside of town so I can be close if I’m needed. I’ll be the Sheriff of Sundance and you and everyone else will be safe and sound. We’ll build a little cabin on a rise so we can look out of the window each morning and see on for miles. Can’t you just see it?” Adam smiled at her as they both sat on the steps of the porch in front of Katie’s house.

Katie leaned into him as his arm fell across her shoulders and held her closer.

“We’re gonna have a great life together, aren’t we?” she sighed. “Once we get past that dad of mine.”

Adam groaned and removed his arm. “How did you live with that man for seventeen years?”

“Patiently,” Katie answered him.

“I wish he approved of me,” Adam stated.

“If he didn’t want you around you wouldn’t be sitting on our porch while he spied on us through that window.” Katie tilted her head back slightly. ‘

Adam looked back at the window and saw the curtains shift slightly. He smiled.

“How did you know that?” He asked.

Katie shrugged, “He always tries to spy on me whenever possible.”

Adam shook his head. “Doesn’t trust me, huh?”

“Doesn’t trust me,” Katie corrected.

Adam gave her a strange look. She smiled sheepishly.

“So where are you going to put my well?” She asked, returning to the previous subject.

“Right in front of the house, just like you want it.” Adam smiled and leaned back on his elbows.

Katie grinned. “I can see it all now, Adam. Once I convince Daddy that you’re a good man, he’ll let us get married. We’ll have a beautiful family. Can’t you just see our children growing up in our little cabin?”

Adam sat up. “How many are we talking about here?”

Katie thought a moment. “I’d say three of four. I’m an only child, so I want my children to have the companions that I didn’t.”

Adam looked up at the sky. “I want as many as you want, sweetie. You’ve gotta do all the work.”

Katie grinned and elbowed him. “I hear that children are worth it.”

“They’ll probably be terrors like you,” Adam teased her.

Katie gasped. “Why, Adam Sterling. How dare you say such a thing?” She poked him in the ribs.

Adam put his hand on his side and laughed. “I’m just teasing. If they’re all like you, I’ll be perfectly happy.”

Katie nodded triumphantly. “I just hope the girls have your long, flowing hair.”

It was Adam’s turn to gasp. “Leave my hair alone,” he said as he touched his ponytail.

Katie grinned, “Teasing.”

Adam smiled at her. “I love you, girl.”

“I love you, too,” Katie grinned at him.

“You know I’d kiss you right now if your father wasn’t watching,” Adam whispered.

Katie blushed. He’d never kissed her before.

“I know I’d let you,” she whispered back.

Adam stood. “I’d best be going. It’s getting late.”

Katie nodded.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Adam said.

“Always?” Katie asked.

Adam smiled sweetly at her. “Always.”

Hope you guys like it!!

(yes, some of the words in Wade's letter were supposed to be misspelled) :D

(don't own that picture)