SAM

Agreements

Bryan sat across from George in the library. They were having drinks. Cecile had gone up to see Sam and then had excused herself complaining of a headache. Bryan got up and walked toward the window. "I'll buy Cecile's place under one condition."

"What's that?"

"That Sam marries me."

"What? George jumped out of his chair."

"I said I'll buy Cecile's if Sam marries me." Bryan looked at the older man straight in the eye.

"She'd be next door to you and could help me around the ranch."

"How in heaven's name do you plan on doing this?" George asked him. "You expect me to tell my daughter to marry you?" George frowned, he had wanted this so much but he wasn't sure this was exactly how he had wanted it. He paced the room and finally sat down.

"If I courted her--it would probably be months before she would accept. I don't have the time and neither do you. I think we should both plan an offer she can't refuse and tell her of it once she recovers from this."

George laughed. This man was the answer to his prayers. He looked at Bryan--yes he could handle Sam. He wondered what Cecile had to say to all this. "How soon would you want to marry?"

"The sooner the better."

"Bryan my daughter is like a rare object. She will fight you face to face and she will back you up to the end, but she has a hard time giving in. I wouldn't like to see her hurt. I think she is more afraid of what a man can do to her than what she can't do as a woman. I am afraid she heard one too many stories from the men she worked with and Sam's not experienced. The trouble with Henry, the bastard, was that he tried to impose himself on her. Sam gave him a beating he didn't forget as you can see. Two nights ago she found he was the poacher and pulled a gun at  him.  If Harry hadn't interfered she would have shot him, no question about it. Sam will probably be more reluctant than ever to this idea, take her down this road slowly or you will find yourself fighting every step of the way and somehow I don't think that is the kind of relationship you want with your wife."

Bryan nodded his agreement. "You worry about her accepting the proposal, I'll worry about taming her. I promise you I'll be as gentle as possible. But I won't let her step all over me."

"I never thought you would. Well here's to Sam." George said raising his glass and downing his drink.

"To Sam." Bryan said drinking his.

Cecile leaned back on her pillows, she hoped George would come to her tonight. She was feeling lonely and helpless. Thinking of Sam, her face swollen, she sighed. That had brought out her own fears of how cruel her husband had been to her in the past. She remembered the feeling of impotence knowing he was stronger than her. Cecile hugged herself. She had survived and he had died. She had thanked God for giving her, her freedom. Cecile looked up and saw George watching her.

 "Hi." Cecile smiled weakly.

George took long strides and gathered her to him. He knew she was thinking of her past, they had talked about this before. He buried his face in her hair and smelled her scent, sweet, flowery. George kissed her eyes, the tip of her nose and her mouth sending shivers up and down her spine. He looked down at her and saw her eyes shining with tears.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Cecile asked.

George grumbled, love making him want to crush her to him. "You deserve the best sweetheart," George told her. "Come here, I have something I want to share with you." They lay in each others arms and George told her about Bryan's proposal.

"She won't accept that George, you know better." Cecile accused her green eyes flashing.

"Shush. I think he's exactly what Sam needs. Bryan is a good man. He was horrified at his helplessness and that cut at his throat tells me he didn't stand idly as Henry beat her. Maybe Sam grew on him."

"I don't know--" Cecile bit her lip. "What makes you think she will go with this idea."

"Bryan is promising to let her run your place as a partner. He will let her work. You see his plan is this--"

Cecile's eyes widened and she shook her head as she heard what these two men had concocted.

"And if Sam says no?"

"We'll have to find a new buyer."

Cecile kissed his mouth and neck and nestled against him. For all she could care the ranch could go to the dogs. She had told George once she wanted to give it to Sam. George almost had a fit. That was when he had decided to sell the land like his life depended upon it. George knew that if it wasn't sold before his marriage to Cecile, she would give it to Sam. If Sam accepted, she would never, ever marry. His time was running out and he was desperate. "I think we should just give it to Sam." Cecile murmured against his throat. She felt him stiffen. 

 George took her by the arms and pushed her away from him. "Cecile, we decided to give this a try--I would want my daughter to have what we have--someone to cherish her and to love her. Someone to keep her company and help her through her troubles."

"I know. But what if she doesn't want that?"

"No man or woman wants to live in loneliness, no matter what anyone tells you. We are all social creatures and are always looking for a mate."

"I hope to God you are right." Cecile said nestling in his arms.

"So do I Cecile, so do I."