Alexander paced the parlor while Elise sat quietly on the settee.“He seemed like an upstanding fellow,” Alexander said worriedly.  “It makes no sense for him to completely ignore my wire.”“Are you sure the wire reached him?” Elise asked.“I checked,” Alexander replied testily, “it was picked up by a ranch hand that very day.”“Joseph struck me as the conscientious sort.  I imagine he would make sure Nate received it as soon as he arrived,” Elise said thoughtfully. “If that’s the case, then the man’s a scoundrel,” Alexander spat.“He said he loved me and I believed him,” Elise pouted.“Men say all sorts of things when they’re drinking and having their way with a woman,” Alexander said thoughtlessly.  “Has he declared his love to you while sober and not in the throes of passion?&rdquo

Nate stepped off the train and then turned to offer his assistance to Catherine.  Her step was light and filled with joy.  She was once again on familiar ground.  As much as she thrived in the wild west, she had to admit to herself and to others that she was, at heart, an easterner. Her brother was so very happy running the ranch for Nate that she could never tell him how much she longed to be back east. The dilemma of trying to focus on such a large operation while keeping a watchful eye on her safety in a world peppered with ruffians proved her ticket to freedom.  Not only was she back east, but her brother’s good friend was paying for her to go to finishing school.The time she spent on the train with Nate helped her to understand why Joseph was so fond of him.  Beneath that surly look that seemed like it was pasted on his face was a kind, gentle, and sensitive individual.  She thanked him profusely for becoming her family’s benefa

The Philadelphia House felt especially crowded. Nate pushed his way past the gaming table as he made his way to the dining room. He was to meet Oliver for dinner and drinks and hoped his friend was on time.  He spotted him seated at a table near the window and smiled while waving a greeting. He was only gone a few months, but it felt like years.  It would be good to spend time with a close friend; especially after such an unsettling visit with the Smithfields.Oliver was full of positive energy and juicy gossip. Before they knew it, they were done with their meal and making their way to the smoking room.“Well, hello there,” called Sidney Joselyn. “I declare, I didn’t expect to meet up with one of you fine gentlemen this evening, let alone both of you. What a great surprise.”“It’s good to see you again, sir,” Nate offered.Oliver echoed his sentiments while they vigorously shook hands.Sidn

Nate stepped onto the train and waved goodbye to his mother and sister.  They never came to the station to see him off before. It felt good, but odd. He confided in his mother about his actions where Elise was concerned after swearing her to secrecy.  She had a level head on her shoulders.  He hoped she would not be overly shocked, but he needed the advice of a woman with a level head.  It was upon her advice that he was going to live on the ranch he inherited from her brother, Richard. As a typical mother would be, Margaret Kimble was concerned for the mental health of her son.  He was not in the habit of exposing his emotions to her in such a way.  The fact that he felt the need to seek her advice on such a sensitive topic made her mind up that what was best for her son was for him to get as far away from Elise and the child she carried as he could.  It was sad to think that she would be denied the pleasure of her first

The house was abnormally quiet as Nate knocked on the door.  He was surprised by the length of wait he had between pulling on the knocker and the footman answering the door.“I wish to see Mrs. Smithfield,” he said as he handed the footman his card and stepped into the foyer.The first thing he noticed was the lack of décor.  Although still finely decorated, it looked barren in comparison to the way it looked the last time he visited.  He followed the footman into the parlor, but did not take a seat.  He wired his condolences to Elise when the train stopped in Kansas several weeks earlier, but this was the first he would give them to her face to face.  He could not explain why, but he was nervous.The sound of her soft slippers on the foyer’s marble floor caught his attention.  He turned just in time to see her enter the room with the assistance of a cane.  She looked tired and saddened, but still very