He took Rose to Dobie’s Emporium and tried to buy her clothes she didn’t want. He took her to Hanson’s Wholesale and tried to buy furniture he didn’t need. He took her to the Bon Ton and made Dottie wait on her former waitress. He didn’t have to make sure everyone in Bullock’s Hotel knew he had come in close to midnight demanding a hot bath before he could go to his bride.
Mrs. Spreckel had made sure of that.
They walked arm-in-arm, shopped side by side, whispered in each other’s ear, laughed at jokes only they would understand, and pretended to be completely unaware that anyone else was in the street.
“Sure I’m looking for hands,” George said when Silas Pickett introduced himself and told him he was looking for a job. “But I can’t pay wages until I sell the herd. I’m just providing mounts and food. You have to provide all your own equipment.”
“Fine with me.”
“Ever do any work with cattle?”
“A bit.”
“Then you’re ahead of the rest of us,” George said. “Go talk to Salty. He’s been doing my hiring. I’ve been busy with other things.”
George’s gaze strayed to where Rose had stopped about twenty feet up the boardwalk. She was looking in one of the windows, her attention apparently caught by something. Whatever it was, George made up his mind to buy it for her.
“I heard. I guess congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks,” George said, shaking the hand offered him.
“I guess it won’t be too long before you’re building a place in town.”
“Why do you say that?” George asked, surprised.
“I just assumed,” the ex-soldier said, clearly aware he’d said the wrong thing. “You selling your herd, just getting married. A beautiful wife doesn’t seem to belong on a dirt farm in the brush country.”
“I’m selling steers to buy breeding stock. In five years my six brothers and I plan to have a lot more than a dirt farm. Salty’s back at the hotel. I’ve got to join my wife.”
George put the man out of his mind. It was much more pleasing to think about Rose.
She turned away when she saw him coming. She even tried to position herself between him and the window, but he saw it nonetheless. It rested on a piece of black velvet cloth and winked wickedly in the sunlight.
A gold ring set with a large, yellow topaz. It was beautiful. It would be perfect with her coloring. He knew she wanted it. The effort she made to distract his attention only underlined how much.
But he couldn’t afford it. They had barely enough money to last until they sold the herd. And it was the family’s money. He had none of his own.
George tucked her arm in his and guided her over to the jeweler’s window. “Do you like that ring?” he asked. He had to mention it. She never would.
“Which one?” Rose asked. But her eyes found the topaz ring immediately.
“The one with the yellow stone. I think it would look pretty with your eyes.”
“Maybe,” Rose said, turning away, “but I can’t wear it in my eyes. Besides, it’s much too expensive. I never knew topaz could cost so much.”
“Would you like it?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure I like that shade of amber. It’s so dark.”
George thought it looked perfect.
“Besides, I’m waiting for you to sell the herd. Then you can buy me something really expensive. How do you think I would look in rubies and sapphires?”
He thought she’d look just lovely, but she was still trying to draw his attention away from the ring. He cast one last glance at it as they walked away. He’d love to give it to her, but he’d have to wait until he had some money of his own. He didn’t know how many years it would be before he could spend that kind of money on a ring.
He knew Rose wouldn’t mind waiting, but he would.
It was the shaking earth that woke her.
Rose sat up with a start. She couldn’t see anything in the inky darkness that surrounded her. They were on their way home, and George had insisted they make camp in a nearly impenetrable patch of brush. She turned to where he had bedded down next to her.
He was gone!
“George!” It was a strangled cry.
“Shhh!” Silas Pickett hissed from nearby. He and the other men were standing with the horses to keep them quiet. “George and Salty went to see what’s going on,” Silas said. “He said we were to stay here no matter what.”
Rose waited, huddled in her blanket, fear causing her teeth to chatter. She immediately thought of the Indians she and Zac had seen. Were these Cortina’s men? Had the dreaded bandit general reached this far into Texas? And where was the army? Weren’t they supposed to protect Texas citizens from Indians and bandits?