He watched her face.
Then he set down the kettle.
“Another notice?”
She nodded.
He approached.
“May I?”
She handed him the paper.
He read it.
Then frowned.
“The amount's gone up again.”
She nodded.
“Another fee.”
He examined the document.
“Have you heard back from the county clerk?”
She shook her head.
“He says the original mortgage is available for examination, but the banker's accounting is a separate matter.”
The rancher considered that.
“Then we need to compare the original note with every payment.”
She looked toward him.
“We've already done that.”
“Yes.”
He pointed toward the statement.
“And we know something doesn't match.”
She sighed.
“I don't know how to force him to correct it.”
The rancher sat beside her.
For several minutes, he considered the problem.
Then he asked whether she would allow him to speak with a county attorney who handled property matters.
She hesitated.
Legal assistance cost money.
Money she did not have.
The rancher seemed to understand.
“I'll ask what a consultation would cost before committing to anything.”
She nodded slowly.
“All right.”
He smiled.
“We'll take it one step at a time.”
She looked toward him.
Then whispered, “You make everything sound possible.”
His expression softened.
“No.”
He reached for her hand.
“I just think some things are worth trying.”
She squeezed his fingers.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then the woman asked something she'd been wondering for months.
“Why haven't you found yourself another sweetheart?”
The rancher looked surprised.
She blushed.
“You don't have to answer.”
He smiled.
“I can.”
She waited.
He looked toward their joined hands.
“Maybe because I've been spending all my spare time with one.”
Her breathing stopped.
He raised his eyes.
The room became quiet.
She stared at him.
“Are you teasing me?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
Her lips trembled.
He continued.
“I've wanted to say it for a long time.”
She looked down.
The rancher leaned closer.
“Darling, I come here because I want to see you.”
Her eyes filled.
“I know you have work for me. And I know your cooking's better than mine.”
He smiled faintly.
“But even on days when there isn't anything to carry or repair, I find myself wanting to ride down that trail.”
She began crying.
He looked concerned.
“Did I say something wrong?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He waited.