The Fire Within a Ninjago Cowboy

Chapter 40 - The Week Before the Wedding

Chapter 40 - The Week Before the Wedding

** Monday **

Sam woke up very early on Monday morning. Through the window she could see that sunrise would not occur for another hour, but she could not fall asleep again once the wonderful event of late yesterday afternoon flashed through her mind. Kai had proposed marriage to her, and by this time next week, she would be his wife!

Smiling to herself, she recalled the other events of yesterday as well.

Prior to the morning church service, she had begun to get nervous as she and Kai had approached the house of worship. Her one other visit to the church had been the day of the kidnapping, when everyone had found out her secret about being an heiress. Even though Sam no longer had her money - and she didn't know if she'd ever see it again, since she didn't have many resources to pursue a claim to it in the courts - she was afraid folks would somehow not like her because of her background, or maybe they would like her, but only because of her background.

But as she and Kai had walked toward the door to go in, she sensed genuineness from the townsfolk who recognized them and came up to them, expressing sympathy about the plight they endured, as well as happiness that they had returned safely. Sam was relieved and pleased to be surrounded by such friendliness.

She remembered that some of the cowboys from other ranches had given her smug looks. Now she understood why. They were helping to build the cottages for the soon-to-be newlyweds, so they knew about the timing of the marriage proposals before she and Nya did.

Pastor Neuro officially welcomed her, Kai, and the posse members back during the service, asking them to stand up as he said a few words about them during announcement time.

After the service, Sam was pleased to renew contact with three of the other saloon girls - Brooke, Jenny, and Star. Their fellow saloon girl, Violet, had left Ninjago Town, looking for another saloon job. The other girls wanted to stay, and they had found small jobs to make a little money while they waited on the fate of the closed saloon, but they felt that if the saloon didn't open soon, they would have no choice but to move away if they wanted to find a good paying position.

Of course, the girls, who had seen Sam arrive at the church holding hands with Kai, wanted to know all about her relationship with her beau, for the last time they had talked to her, she had just met the cowboy who wore the red kerchief.

A few minutes later, after Jenny and Star had said goodbye, Brooke privately revealed to Sam that, after seeing a certain black-haired Garmadon Ranch cowboy stand up in church and be recognized for his heroic deed, Brooke finally realized she was sweet on him after knowing him for a while as a customer of the saloon. She told Sam she was going to find a way to bake Cole a cake. Sam assured her that she'd keep the secret.

After replaying yesterday's events in her mind, Sam looked out the window again. The sky was now brighter, so she knew Miss Gayle would soon be knocking on her door to apply salve and fresh bandages. Later on they would wash clothes, since today was Monday, and this week there would be work clothes that needed laundering.

Sam rose. After saying "Good morning, Bansha" to the comatose woman in the other twin bed in the room, she began preparing for the day.

** Tuesday **

Sam was especially excited on this Tuesday morning as she dressed for the day, once her daily back treatment was finished. Today she was going to accompany Miss Gayle to Ninjago Town as the housekeeper drove the big wagon. Mr. Wu was going to keep an eye on Bansha while he took care of the ranch's administrative tasks in his office at the main house today.