Sara's face lost its colour. By the expression on his face, it was obvious that he heard Martha's last words. His eyes just got darker and the vein in his neck protruded.
"Wes! Martha came for a visit, but I think she was just on her way out." Sara didn't want to sound rude, but she had enough of Martha for one day.
"Very well then! I'll be on my way."
She looked at Sara, "Come and see your old mother sometime." With only a quick glance Wes's way she mumbled, "Good day to you Mr. Jade."
Wes didn't reply.They both walked out with her, and watched after her retreating wagon.
When Martha left the seed of the doubt stayed in Sara's heart, but also in Wes's.
His jaw clenched, as he placed his hat on top of his head with a haste.
"I have some business in town, and I won't be home for dinner. Don't wait for me." He turned away from her and with long strides headed towards the corral.
"Wes, why won't you be home for supper?" Her voice was barely above whisper.
Without turning he added, "I have to stop at Big J, and like I said, don't wait!"
He spurred his horse and soon there was only the dust behind him. Sara stood there for a while before she turned around and headed towards the house.
Is he going to visit Rowena? By the third stair one tear drop caught up with the other. She held her feelings inside for too long. When she reached for the front door she couldn't make herself go inside. She slid down against them and sobbed. After a while she managed to get up and walked to the porch swing where she collapsed again.
It was dark when Wes made it home. He needed this time to clear his head, and over, and over he came to the same conclusion.
He eagerly climbed up the stairs of his home and as his hand reached for the door handle, with the corner of his eye he spotted someone on the swing. He came closer, and his heart jumped. Sara slept there her hands placed under her cheek and her legs curled up. The moon gave just enough light for him to see traces of her tears.He bent and gathered her up close to him kissing her forehead.
"I'm sorry Sara." He whispered to her.
She didn't wake, and he carried her upstairs to their bedroom. He took her shoes off and her dress, then he laid beside her cradling her. In her sleep, she snuggled closer to him and he felt her breath on his neck. He inhaled and released it. This was his wife, the only woman he loved and loves.
"I love you! As long as you are here with me, I'm happy Sara." She didn't hear any of it. Her closeness and her even breathing made him doze off as well.
Sara opened her eyes in the middle of the night, and unmistakable warmth beside her told her that her husband is home. It felt good, and she was relieved to find him in their bed. But the seed of doubt was sown.
It was unimaginable thought of losing him. What if Martha was right? What if he decided he wants Rowena after all? Where does that leave her?
Will she become an unwanted wife again? Why hasn't he just left her in San Francisco? Was this form of his punishment for something she did? The only thing was, she wasn't aware of what she did wrong; except loving him. She couldn't know that Wes was fighting with himself as well.
The tiredness took over and she somehow fell asleep.
Sara knew it was morning , and she felt the empty spot beside her. Wes had gone already. The sadness moved into her heart once again. She didn't know it, that before he left, he kissed her, and whispered that he loves her.
