Sitting next to each other at the grand dining table in the ranch house, Bill and Sarah held hands under the table. He felt confident with Sarah beside him, but she would soon retire to the parlor with her grandmother and leave him to face her father alone.
Coleen and Reggie cleared the table and the ladies left to relax in the parlor, as usual.
Bill cleared his throat. "Mr. Gage, I have something to discuss with you." Bill's throat dried up when Reece Gage's gaze swung to him. He took a gulp of water. "I've something to ask of you, sir."
Reece Gage settled back in his chair, took in the nervousness in Bill's demeanor. He didn't see Bill uncomfortable too often – usually when it involved his daughter.
"I have an item I need to discuss with you. It's important." Reece wanted to get his announcement out of the way before giving the floor to Bill…and Sarah, he figured.
"Of course, sir." Bill wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, took another drink of water.
"Well, with the Wilkersons in jail, my ranch is without a foreman. I'd like for you to step up to foreman, Bill." Reece watched Bill's face, which, oddly, looked relieved. "I'm impressed with your work, your work ethic, and how you've conducted yourself personally."
"I've only just turned twenty-five, sir." Bill was relieved that Reece didn't demand that he stay away from his daughter. The offer of the foreman position came as a complete surprise. "I'd be jumping over several older hands."
"I'm glad you're thinking this through, Bill. I've weighed those issues in my decision and I think the benefits you bring to the position outweigh the negatives." Reece tapped his fingers on the table, and old habit he'd given up trying to break.
"I'm really honored, sir. But…"
"If I have any trouble with any of the staff on this, or anything, I'll show them the gate." Reece held his hand out.
Bill stood, shook Reece Gage's hand and eased back into his seat. The extra money will help with building a life with Sarah. He wanted to buy her nice things with his own money. Like the ring. He patted his pocket, making sure it was still there. Relieved, he traced the small circle with his finger.
"Good, that's settled then." Reece sipped his wine. "I'll work with you starting Monday. That'll give you time to get settled in, get used to the idea."
"Yes, sir. Thank you." Bill's mind felt numb. Too much was happening at once. Foreman. Engagement. His simple life was quickly becoming complicated.
"What's on your mind, Bill?" Reece prompted.
"Well, sir." For some reason words would not come to Bill's mind. He looked away from Reece Gage's intense face for a second, looking towards the parlor where Sarah had disappeared.
And there she stood, peeking around the jamb. She filled his heart, making the words flow.
"Your daughter, Sarah, has captured my heart and I hers." He looked back to Reece, stumbling a moment under the paternal glare. "Uh, I'm asking for her hand, to be paired with her. Married, it is. I ask your permission to marry Sarah."
There, he'd done it. He set his anxious gaze back to Sarah.
Reece Gage turned, following Bill's stare to his daughter peeking from the parlor doorway. "Sarah?"
Sarah rushed into the dining room, into Bill's waiting arms. "Yes, Daddy?"
Bill released Sarah and she went to her father. She hugged him dearly, whispering in his ear.
"Sit down, both of you," Reece said, somewhat sharply.
Sarah sat across from Bill.
Reece rubbed his hand down his face. He'd figured this was coming. What else, other than his Sarah, would have stoic Bill so nervous? Bill is an outstanding worker and a decent person. He had just promoted him to foreman, right? Oh, hell.
"Sarah, are you in love with Bill?" Reece watched her face closely, he'd know if it were true or not.
"Oh, yes, Daddy. Yes." Sarah put trembling fingers to her face, wiping tears of joy from her cheeks.
Reece's heart ached at the sight of his daughter's tears. He had no doubts. He turned toward Bill and found him staring longingly at Sarah. Although Bill shed no tears, which Reece appreciated, the look on Bill's face and in his eyes showed Reece enough.
Reece stood, palms on the table. "Okay," he stated. "I can see that you two are together on this. I have a couple of things to address."
He looked to Bill. "Are your intentions solely for my daughter's heart?" Reece paused for a moment. "Or her land?"
"Daddy!" Sarah jumped up, glaring.
Bill stood slowly, addressed Sarah first. "No, Sarah. It's a fair question and I would ask it if I were in his place." After Sarah sat again, he addressed her father. "Sir," he began, calmly. "My only interest in your land is the pleasure of working it, for you and eventually for Sarah. I can no more own it than I can your daughter."
"You don't acknowledge that we own this land?" Reece queried.
"I believe you have legal entitlement to work this land to your purpose. It cannot be owned." When Reece straightened at this statement, Bill held up his hand. "If the earth quakes and swallows your land, can you demand it back as it is yours? If floods wash it away, can you demand the waters return it? If the demon winds strip the land to bare clay, can you ask for it to be put right?"
Reece Gage's hands fell limply to his sides. He felt a twinge of jealousy towards Bill, who understood his land, and his daughter, better than he did. No wonder the ranch was thriving better than ever since these two had begun to work it together. He sank numbly into his chair.
"You have my blessing, Bill. I know that you will care for my daughter and her land with your soul."
"Yes, sir, I will."
He walked around Sarah's stunned father and stopped in front of her. He kneeled on one knee, taking Sarah's left hand in his. From his shirt pocket, he pulled out the pink sapphire and diamond ring. It wasn't large and gaudy, but he'd felt it was perfect – for his perfect lady.
He smiled when he heard Sarah's inhaled breath. "Sarah Elizabeth Gage, would you marry me? Be my life mate?" He held the ring in his right hand.
Unable to stop her tears, Sarah let them flow. "Oh, yes! Nothing would please, and honor, me more."
Gently, with hands more calm than what he felt, he slipped the ring on her left ring finger.
Sarah jumped into Bill's arms, crying for joy. He hugged her tightly, burrowing his face in her hair.
Reece Gage cleared his throat.
The love birds untangled.
"It's so beautiful, Bill." She dried her eyes, but tears of joy continued to spill from them. "It is perfect, so perfect."
"It's a pink sapphire. The other four are diamonds, of course," explained Bill.
"Oh, I've got to show this to grandmother," Sarah exclaimed. She rushed into the parlor.
Bill pulled himself up, listening to Sarah's happy shrieks.
"Not to be nosey, Bill," Reece said. "But, how'd you get a ring like that?" He felt guilty knowing he didn't pay the man enough to buy something like that.
"It cost me eight horses and ten good breeding cattle from my stock on the reservation." Bill looked Reece straight in the eye. "But, I'd have paid any price." He didn't mention the pay check and withdrawal it also took.
"I can see my daughter made a wise choice." Reece put his hand on Bill's shoulder. "And I know you have."
Sarah ran into her father's arms. "I'm so happy, Daddy."
"I can see that, child," Reece said, holding her tightly.
"You'll see." Sarah released her father, keeping his hand in her right hand. She slipped her glowing left hand into Bill's hands. "The ranch will thrive. We'll fill it with children – I want lots of children – to run and play, to respect this land."
That night, as Bill slept serenely on the quilt under the open window in the guest room, a squeaky noise awakened him. Instantly alert, he saw Sarah in the doorway. "Sarah?" He stood as she closed the door and crossed to him.
"Do you normally sleep on the floor?"
"When it's my choice."
"That won't do." Sarah picked up the quilt. Moonlight streaming through the window glinted off the ring on her left hand. Her smile beamed even brighter as she guided her man to the bed.
Bill ended this amazing day in the soft guest bed with the woman that would soon be his wife.