He told them about his father, a stern man who'd fought in the Mexican War and come west seeking space to forget. About his mother, gentle but strong, who'd made the harsh ranch into a home. About his younger brother, Tom, always laughing, always getting into scrapes that Jake had to get him out of. The cholera came through in 71. He said Tom went first.
Fought it for a week, but he was always slight. Pa followed two days later. Ma tried to nurse them both. Wore herself to nothing after they were gone. She just gave up.
I'm sorry, Catherine whispered. Don't be. They're at peace. It's the living that carry the weight. Is that why you stayed here alone?
Margaret asked. carrying the weight partly also couldn't see the point of going anywhere else. This was home, even empty. It was still home, not empty anymore, Rose said firmly. The moment stretched between them, full of possibility. Then Margaret stiffened.
Riders northwest. They scrambled to positions, but it was a false alarm. Just a pack of cowboys heading to town. Drunk and singing. The tension broke, leaving them all laughing nervously.
"I need some air," Rose announced, heading for the door. "I'll come with you," Jake said, grabbing his rifle. "Just to be safe," they walked to the corral in companionable silence. "The stars were brilliant overhead. " Rose leaned against the fence, looking up. "I used to dream about a life like this," she said. a ranch, horses, honest work before Morrison destroyed everything.
"You could have it," Jake said carefully. "Here," she turned to him, moonlight catching in her eyes. "Is that an offer? " "Maybe. Would you consider it with you? " She moved closer, close enough that he could feel the warmth of her. "I might, Rose," he began, but she pressed her fingers to his lips.
"I know what you're going to say. We're in danger. This isn't the time. You barely know us. All true, but Jake, we might not have tomorrow.
Morrison could come at dawn with 50 men. So why not take what happiness we can find tonight? She stood on her toes and kissed him, fierce and sweet. Jake's rifle clattered against the fence as he pulled her closer, feeling like a man waking from a long sleep. A throat cleared behind them.
They broke apart to find Margaret watching, arms crossed, but a slight smile on her face. "Catherine's asking for you, Rose," she said mildly. "Something about the book she's reading. " Rose squeezed Jake's hand before heading back to the house. Margaret took her place at the fence. "She's half in love with you, you know," Margaret said conversationally.
"Has been since that first night when you offered us your parents' room? " Margaret, I'm not warning you off. God knows Rose deserves some happiness after everything. We all do. She paused, studying the stars. I'm just saying, be careful with her heart.