“What?”
“Something I appreciate while it lasts.”
“Not something I’m allowed to ask to stay.”
Her expression softened.
“You already asked.”
“When?”
“In letters.”
“No.”
“That was asking wife for ranch.”
“I mean you.”
Silence.
Reid looked at her.
“Stay.”
Lena’s heart pounded.
He continued:
“Not because boys need food.”
“Not because ledgers.”
“Not because winter.”
“Stay because I want you here.”
Lena looked toward his hand over hers.
“Reid.”
He started to pull away.
She caught him.
“I came because your letters were honest.”
“I stayed because your boys needed someone.”
He nodded.
“And?”
“I’m still here because this became home.”
His eyes lifted.
“And because?”
Lena smiled slightly.
“You are very demanding tonight.”
“Apparently.”
She leaned closer.
“Because I want you too.”
He kissed her.
Carefully.
As if asking even then.
Lena answered by gripping his shirt.
From stairs came Peter’s horrified whisper:
“Oh, Lord.”
They broke apart.
Seven heads immediately disappeared around banister.
Reid closed eyes.
Lena started laughing.
The next morning, breakfast was unbearable.
Nobody said anything.
That was worse.
Finally Eli asked:
“Are you going to sleep in same room now?”
Thomas covered his face.
Lena nearly dropped coffee.
Reid stood.
“Work.”
All seven boys scattered.
The territorial investigator arrived two days later.