“Cole.”
Gideon stood.
“Out.”
Amos blinked.
“What?”
“You heard.”
“I rode six miles.”
“Ride them back.”
Amos looked toward Adelaide.
Then smirked.
“Still keeping—”
Gideon stepped forward.
Not violent.
Absolute.
“Finish that sentence and you will never cross this property again.”
Amos’s smile faded.
Adelaide watched.
Gideon continued:
“My wife saved my life.”
“She runs half this ranch.”
“And even if she had never lifted a finger, you would speak to her with respect in her home.”
Silence.
Amos looked at Adelaide.
For the first time, perhaps, he looked embarrassed.
“Ma’am.”
Adelaide wiped flour from hands.
“Apology.”
He stared.
“For what?”
She waited.
Amos sighed.
“For what I called you.”
“And?”
“And laughing.”
“And?”
Amos glanced at Gideon.
Adelaide said:
“Do not look at him.”
Amos swallowed.
“And treating you like you were less.”
Adelaide nodded.
“Accepted.”
Not forgiven.
Accepted.
“There’s coffee if you can behave.”
Amos blinked.
Gideon looked at her.
“What?”
Adelaide shrugged.
“Coffee is already made.”
Amos sat.
He behaved.
Spring did not end their marriage.
It changed it.
Gideon took Adelaide to Dry Creek.
At station where they first met, he stopped.
She looked around.
“Why?”
“I owe you.”
“Money?”
“No.”
He faced her.
“I was wrong.”
Adelaide folded arms.
“Specific.”
He almost laughed.
“I looked at you and decided I knew what you could do.”
“Yes.”
“I married you while treating you like an obligation.”
“Yes.”
“I watched you hurt yourself trying to prove worth I should never have required.”
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“And when Amos humiliated you, I chose my fear over your dignity.”
Adelaide said nothing.
Gideon removed hat.
“I cannot undo any of it.”
“No.”
“But I am sorry.”
“And if you still want train east, I will buy ticket.”
Adelaide stared toward tracks.
A year earlier, that offer would have felt like rejection.
Now it was freedom.
He was giving her the exit he had promised.
No pressure.
No debt.
She looked at him.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No.”
His answer came instantly.
“Then say what you want.”
Gideon swallowed.
“I want you home.”
Adelaide’s face softened.
“Home where?”
“With me.”
“On ranch.”
“Beside me.”
“In my bed if you want.”
“In another room if you don't.”
“I want mornings with your biscuits even though you waste butter.”