A CowBoys Rose

19

Its been over a week since they've left now. And I'm starting to feel sick with worry and awfully lonely. Ive sorted as much as I can for the cattle to arrive, but I always feel its not enough. The house has never been cleaner or had more baked goods! With three women here!
Harriot's slowly started to settle with Rosie and we can actually all eat in the same room now. And shes started straightening out her thoughts on what she wants to do with Dixon.
Every day I see her heal on the outside and in. Seeing her start to understand that what he did was wrong.
It'll take a long time for her to really deal with it, but its a start.
I had to head over to Trudy in the week because her dog had finally laboured and she didnt know what to do. A healthy litter of 7 Shepard's. Trudy said as thanks I'd have first pick of two to help me on the farm which I thought was incredibly generous! And I think I'll wait to see if that's alright with Sam before I get too excited over that.
I'm trying my hardest to keep smiling and acting myself but as soon as my bedroom door closes I hold my pillow tight and miss him.
A knock at my door pulls me from my depression and I sit up "yes?"
The door opens and Rosie and Harriot are at the door "miss Caroline... We thought you'd like some coco" I look at the three mugs they've brought with them "we know you miss Sam a lot. So we thought we'd keep your mind busy"
I smile and tap the bed as they come in putting the mugs on my bedside cabinet "thank you"
They smile "Caroline. Why did you come to America?" Harriot asks playing with a tassel from my blanket.
"Well England didn't offer me much in life. A women working on a farm was below my social status there. And once my father died. The only reason I had to stay was his estate. But I sold it to my father's, seconds cousins husbands, brother. He thought he was clever. The estate was worth a lot more than what was given. But if I'd kept it. I'd have been given less because I'm a women. So I played the player and got enough money to come over here and set up home... I'd heard such stories of this place! How the mountains are so high it could kill you to climb them! And the horses so wild that all you'd see is a dust cloud as they run. And the stars... I think I was convinced when it come to the stars... Anyway! Once I got off the boat, the captain took me into a saloon" I start laughing at the memory "and I could have slapped the man right there!"
They smile shocked "what?! Why?" Rosie smiles.
"Women aren't meant to be in bars in england. Its incredibly looked down upon! And then to see the women. Well Rosie, you saw what I was like when I arrived here. Imagine my shock with my first encounter! It was so different! And so terrifying and confusing! I had no idea! Now I'm coming to terms of your ways, I'm less shocked by things. But even still! I look at some of the things people do and I next to scream!"
They laugh "what's it like? England?"
"Very green... Cold, wet. Very predijust and rather dull I spose. Well, for a women! The gentlemen are very reserved in how they act and speak"
"Thats why you freaked when Sam told you his feelings?"
"Yes. I'd never seen a man be so honest! Before then I hadn't even seen such emotion on a man! Not when talking to a women!"
"Do you miss it?"
"No! Not at all! I think my place is here"
"Here here" Rosie raises her mug and we all take the cheers our mugs of hot chocolate.

I wake up to the sound of galloping and next to fall from the bed to get to the window! I move the curtains and flinch but look out at Chris!
Their back! I run at the door. Ooh! Their back! Oh! Damn!
I can't believe I nearly run out in my night gown!
I quickly pull on my breaches and grab the shirt that I'd work in yesterday. I'm becoming less lady like by the day it seems!  
I run down the stairs, putting my boots on as I go and throw open the door... Well... Where are they? Chris is wiping down his face in the horses water toff
"Chris? What happened?"
He looks back at me "we had a little problem"
What? "Did you not have enough money? Was there something wrong with the cows-"
"No! No, nothing like that. Grab your horse" what? But I do as I'm told and rush to get Dutchess ready. Climbing up and rush to get to Chris who's already on his way.
After an hours ride I look in the horizon at the cattle... Oh goodness! I smile and want to cry! This is my start. About 20 cows are all stood around grazing at what grass there is.
Where's Sam? "Chris? Wheres Sam?"
He looks back at me "thats the trouble we had"
Sam?
We come to the heard and I can see Sam's horse behind them with no rider... Where is he?
Chris jumps down and starts around the cows. I jump down and go after him feeling sick. Where is he?!
We come around the other side and an older mans stood there with a shot gun "what on earth?!" I look down at Sam laying face down in the dirt with his hands tied behind his back "what is the meaning of this?!"
"Are you Caroline Darinton?"
"I am! Untie him!"
The man comes over to me "these men work for you?"
"Yes! Their under my employment! Now! I ask again! Untie him!" The man looks me up and down, huffing and puffing.
He unties Sam and grabs his arm to stand him up, making Sam hiss in the process. Pulling away from the man. And the look Sam gives him, I'm surprised they didnt start fighting!
Dust covers him. His face next to brown with the dirt. His hair messy and everywhere and his beard in need of a trim. Yet Im not entirely sure if ive ever been more attracted to him!



But he looks back at me and takes 2 large strides before taking my face in his hands and brings his lips heavily to mine. It actually takes my breath away as he holds me! "God damn! I missed you!"I take his arms and he tenses... "Sam?"
"Its nothing"
I look at Chris who raises his brows "take off your shirt" he raises his brows at me "take it off Sam!"
"I'm not-"
"Sam! Take off your damn shirt!"
He stares at me shocked and shakes his head as he starts unbuttoning his shirt, leaving it over his shoulders "there? Happy?"
"No! Take it off!"
"Caroline-" oh for goodness sake! I pull his shirt from his shoulders and see the bandage wrapped around him. He sighs and looks past me "its nothing"
"What happened?"
"Nothing, I just-" I start pulling at the bandage and his bruised arm and the closed hole in his arm... "I'm alright. Just believe that"
"You were shot?" I look at where the hole was in his arm. If it has been maybe 4 inches to his right it would have been his heart! 2 inches! It would have been in his chest! I gulp back and look up at him. He takes my
face in his hands again "I swear! On anything you need me to. I'm alright"
"If it helps Miss Caroline! You should see the other guy!" Chris smiles to me and I dont find this funny! Not at all!
In fact! Its actually turned my stomach!
I lean over and let my breakfast up. My hairs taken from my shoulders. I push him away "dont look at me"
"Oh hush up women" he kneels beside me and takes my hair again.
After a minute or two my stomach starts to ease and I'm actually able to get back on the horse... He was shot!
"You was shot!"
He looks back at my little rage "only once" What?! I stare at him and I can see he's hiding his laugh "if it helps, we managed to get a good discount on the cattle because of it"
"That does not help! I'd rather pay twice they were worth than see you hurt!"
"I'm touched. But really, its only a flesh wound. Now! What's been going on around here? I'm sure its been a lot more interesting"
Oh! That man!
We come into the ranch and the cows run out into the land and I smile. Its happened! I did it!
I climb down from Dutchess and I could cry!
I'll remember this moment for the rest of my life!
"Congratulations Miss Caroline" Chris puts his arms around my shoulders and kisses my head.
"Thank you... Thank you for everything! I uh... I want you and Sam to split what ever it was that you was discounted"  I turn back to look at the cow's mosying around.
He smiles "uh... Me and Sam came away from the town, with, money Caroline. So, no we won't split it. You can save it for next year or you can put it towards a nice dress"
I frown "I have far to many dresses! I dont need more"
"Well, maybe you can get one more?" Sam says behind us.
"Maybe, maybe I'll get some new breaches, or-" I turn and look down at him tying... "Sam?"
He smiles up at me "I know we haven't courted long... Maybe hardly at all! But... I know that if Im to marry anyone, its going to be you... Ive missed you more than Ive needed to breath this last week and I love you... With all I am... Now will you do me the honour of being my wife?"
"Sam?" I look over to Trudy who's just noticed what's going on and starts jumping up and down and chucking herself into Thomas's arms.
"Caroline?" Oh! I look down into Sam's eyes and I can see the nerves.
"I... Yes" come on brain! I know your there! Get back into form! "Yes! I will!"
He smiles and picks me up by the waist to kiss me heavily. Spinning us around "god damn! You had my worried there women!"
I laugh "I'm sorry! My mind turned off for a moment"
"I dont care" his hand hooks my neck and his lips are on me like a fire to a hay bail. He laughs and just keeps me close. Resting his forehead to mine "you've made me so happy Caroline" he pulls something from his pocket. A little silk bag and tilts it into my hand. Oh my! I look up at him shocked "Sam!"
He smiles "like I said, we came away with money... You deserve the best there was" I look at the gold band and a diamond that's been cut so perfectly I can see every detail of it!
"What did you do?!"
He laughs "just... Collected a bounty or two"
"6 actually" Chris says walking past.
...6?!