Lou purchased eighty additional yearlings.
Emmett built a new corral.
Roy turned seventeen and decided this made him irresistible to women.
No evidence supported the theory.
Perch told him so daily.
One evening Lou found Emmett outside the barn holding a piece of paper.
“What now?”
“Bank.”
Her stomach tightened.
He handed it over.
The winter payment had posted.
Remaining note lower than expected.
Interest adjustment in her favor after the successful contract increased the ranch valuation.
Lou read twice.
“We’re safe.”
“For this year.”
She looked at him.
“That is as close to safe as ranching gets.”
Emmett smiled.
Lou folded the paper.
He leaned against the barn post.
“Remember when I arrived?”
“You nearly got kicked by a steer.”
“I saved your steer.”
“Roy had it controlled.”
From across the yard Roy shouted:
“No, I didn’t!”
Lou glared.
Emmett laughed.
“You said husband position was vacant three years.”
“It was.”
“How long now?”
“Four.”
He nodded.
“Thought so.”
Lou looked at him.
“You keeping records?”
“Yes.”
“Dangerous.”
He took off his hat.
Suddenly serious.
Lou’s heartbeat changed.
“No.”
Emmett paused.
“I haven’t asked anything.”
“You’re about to.”
“Maybe.”
“Put the hat back on.”
“Why?”
“You look earnest.”
“That bad?”
“Terrifying.”
He smiled but did not replace the hat.
“Lou.”
She looked toward the house.
Perch disappeared behind a curtain immediately.
Roy’s head vanished from the bunkhouse window.
Traitors.
Emmett reached into his pocket.
No ring.
Instead, a small iron nail.
Lou stared.
“What is that?”
“Barn nail.”
“I can see.”
“First gate I repaired.”
She looked at him.
He had kept it.
The rusted bent nail from the day he arrived.
“You are proposing with hardware?”
“I’m not proposing.”
Lou blinked.
Emmett continued.
“You said if you ever asked, you decided.”
“Yes.”
“So I’m not asking.”
He placed the nail in her palm.
“I’m telling you I’ll stay whether you marry me or not.”
Lou’s chest tightened.
“That is a terrible proposal.”
“Good thing it isn’t one.”
“What if I never ask?”
“I stay as long as you want me.”
“What if I fire you?”
“I negotiate.”
“What if I hate you?”
“Unlikely.”
“Arrogant.”
“Yes.”
Lou closed her fingers around the nail.
Emmett put his hat back on.
Then began walking toward the barn.
She stared after him.
“Emmett.”
He turned.
Lou hated how nervous she suddenly felt.
She had faced floods.
Banks.
Ash Pomeroy.
Four hundred cattle.
Thirty miles without water.
This was worse.
“The husband position.”
He waited.
She swallowed.
“Still interested?”
Emmett’s face became completely still.
“Yes.”
“Pay remains nothing.”
“I saved.”
“Hours are terrible.”
“I noticed.”
“You’ll answer to me.”
“I already do.”
“Marriage doesn’t give you half the ranch.”