“The house wouldn’t be big enough to hold them.”
“It’s summer,” Rose said. “The children play half the night while the grown-ups sit outside, catching up on the news, reminiscing about the times they had when they were young.”
“You really are caught up on the idea of children, aren’t you?”
“I can’t help it. A future without children seems so empty.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure I can explain it. I know they’re a lot of work, that they’ll bring heartache and sorrow, but I can’t imagine anything more wonderful than facing the last years of my life surrounded by my children. But that’s only part of my dream.”
“What’s the rest?”
“It’s mostly about you.”
“Don’t I get to hear it?”
“If you want.”
“I want,” George said, giving her a quick kiss.
“It’s nothing much out of the ordinary. Just things I like about you.”
“Tell me.”
Rose chuckled contentedly. It was hard to believe she could be so complacent in the midst of trouble. Maybe after Indians, bandits, and rustlers, she was getting used to danger. But then things always seemed less dangerous when she was with George.
“I like watching you with your brothers. You’re never so happy as when they’re around you, usually all talking at once, arguing for their point of view. Of course you know they’ll do whatever you say—”
“I’m not that bad.”
“—so you can enjoy it. I also enjoy watching you with Zac. You never seem to be too busy for him even though he can be annoying.”
“Is that all you like about me? George the patriarch, George the indulgent big brother?”
Rose ducked her eyes so she wouldn’t have to look at him. “I also like George the lover. I doubt I’m very good at it yet, but I do like it.”
“You’re more than good,” George said, giving her a nuzzle. “If I weren’t afraid there were McClendons lurking about even now, I’d show you just how good.”
Rose sat up with a jerk. “Not here, you wouldn’t, not in the dust and the briars.”
“Even here.”
“You’re not going to treat me like one of your old cows,” Rose protested. She sounded indignant, but she was secretly pleased. It thrilled her to think George could be so strongly attracted to her he would make love to her in the brush. She had started a treasure chest of memories, the times when George had been so moved he had done something completely untypical. So far she only had his knocking down Luke Kearney and asking her to marry him. Making love out-of-doors would make a nice addition. She’d have to see what she could do about arranging a picnic.
In the meantime, however, the McClendons were about, and she had a lot to do before nightfall. As much as she didn’t want to let go of this moment, she would never forget the look on old man McClendon’s face when he’d charged the house over a few cows. She didn’t even want to think what he might be willing to do for half a million dollars.
George handed her his empty plate.
She got to her feet. “You won’t stay out here too long, will you?”
“Just until Salty gets back. Once I know how many are coming, I’ll know what to do.”
A few minutes after Rose left, Salty returned through the brush.
“McClendon’s bringing the whole tribe,” he said. “They’re probably half an hour away.”
George looked at the sinking sun.
“We’ve got another two hours before it’s really dark. Do you think they’ll wait?”
“I wouldn’t depend on it. There’re so many of them they might think they can attack anytime they want.”
“That’s what I was thinking. Was Silas with them?”
“Yes.”
“So they’re still convinced I’ve got the gold?”
“Seems like it.”
George cursed. “Then they mean to kill us in the end.”
“We’ll stay here as long as we can, but I doubt we’ll be able to hold the house for long.”
George and Salty had returned to the house. Having made his preparations for the attack, George was now going over his plans for their escape.
“I packed as much food as I could,” Rose said.
“And I’ve hidden our horses,” Salty added. “We ought to be able to get to Austin under cover of dark.”
The minute Salty mentioned Austin, George knew he wasn’t going to run away. It might be crazy to attempt to fight off so many, but a man had to make a stand somewhere. He couldn’t just keep moving on if he ever wanted to amount to anything. And George knew he wanted to do more than just amount to something. He wanted to create something, he wanted to leave something behind.