Emmett’s saddle in the tack room.
His horse learning where feed appeared.
His voice from the barn.
His laughter with Roy.
His arguments with Perch.
His hand briefly at Lou’s back when passing behind her in the kitchen.
Every ordinary day answered a question neither of them asked aloud.
Staying.
They courted badly.
Lou had no patience for rituals.
Emmett had no money for them.
He brought flowers once.
Desert rabbitbrush.
Lou stared.
“These are weeds.”
“They’re yellow.”
“So is fever.”
He looked offended.
She put them in water anyway.
They lasted four days.
On the fifth she asked why he had not replaced them.
Emmett laughed until she threatened him.
He took her to town for supper.
The restaurant owner seated them near the kitchen because they arrived covered in mud.
Lou did not care.
Emmett did.
He quietly asked for another table.
Not because he needed status.
Because he had noticed the owner seating cleaner, wealthier ranchers near the windows.
Lou watched the exchange.
Later she said:
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“I like looking at you in good light.”
She nearly dropped her fork.
Emmett ate calmly.
Dangerous man.
Ash Pomeroy returned in March.
Alone.
No polished entourage.
No smile.
He stopped at the yard.
Emmett came from the barn.
Lou stepped onto the porch.
Ash looked thinner.
Investigation had cost him contracts.
Two former employees had testified.
He would likely keep his ranch.
Maybe lose portions.
Maybe pay fines.
The law moved slower than anger.
Ash looked at Emmett.
“You ruined me.”
Emmett said, “No.”
“You kept those books six years.”
“Yes.”
“You waited until now.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Emmett glanced toward Lou.
Ash saw.
His face twisted.
“A woman.”
Lou stepped down.
“Careful.”
Ash ignored her.
“You threw away loyalty for her.”
Emmett’s expression hardened.
“I had no loyalty to theft.”
“You signed the ledger.”
“Yes.”
“You were part of it.”
“Yes.”
Ash expected denial.
Emmett gave none.
That robbed the attack of force.
“I was wrong.”
Simple.
Ash stared.
Emmett continued.
“I spent years pretending returning some cattle made me less wrong.”
Lou watched him.
“It didn’t.”
Ash said nothing.
“I should’ve turned you in then.”
Emmett looked toward the yard.
“But I wanted another job more than I wanted courage.”
Ash laughed bitterly.
“And now?”
Emmett took Lou’s hand.
“Now I want something I can look at without lying.”
Ash’s gaze moved to their joined hands.
Something in him collapsed slightly.
Not defeat.
Recognition.
He mounted.
Before leaving he looked at Lou.
“You think he stays?”
Lou answered:
“That’s between him and me.”
Ash rode out.
She watched until he disappeared.
Then looked at Emmett.
“That was almost romantic.”
“Almost?”
“You mentioned theft.”
“Timing problem.”
“Yes.”
He kissed her forehead.
Spring turned Bitter Brush green for three brief weeks.
The cattle calved well.