Fortitude

The little cabin was just around the bend in the road, Michael Farmer knew. Everyone knew where the Ranger's cabin was. But no one went there, save at great need. And Michael Farmer had such a need, kindled in him by one Evanlyn Treaty, the Ranger's daughter.

The Ranger's daughter. But so much more. She was fiery, kind, and beautiful, with almost-blond hair that caught the light of the fire just so. A great cook, so good, in fact, that she was only twenty-seven and already she was a full partner at The Heaped Platter, where Michael's uncle Rafe was headwaiter.

The sound of hooves behind him pulled Michael out of his daydream. Ranger Will Treaty rode along the road and stopped his horse right next to Michael. Michael swallowed hard.

"Anything I can do for you, Michael?" the Ranger asked. Michael started. He wasn't aware that the great Will Treaty knew his name, and what's more could match it to his face.

"Well, er, yes, Ranger Treaty, sir," Michael stammered out. "I've a question I was hoping you could answer."

"I'll certainly do my best," the Ranger said. "We're almost to my cabin, let's go there and discuss your question over coffee."

Michael walked beside the Ranger's horse, his heart hammering in his chest. Why was the Ranger dragging this out? It was said that Rangers could read the very thoughts in your head, so surely he knew why Michael had walked out there.

When they arrived at the cabin, Evanlyn's mother, Lady Alyss, was reading some papers on the front porch. Ranger Treaty dismounted and looped his horse's reins up to the saddle.

"Alyss, love," he said, "I need to rub down Tug. Please show Michael in and make some coffee."

Alyss stood, gathering her papers. "Of course," she said. "Come in, Michael."

Michael followed her into the small main room of the cabin. He looked around with interest. He had never seen the inside of a Ranger cabin. Certainly there was nothing that seemed occult in any way. A couch and a couple of chairs along one wall, a cozy kitchen, and a table and chairs standing on a braided rug.

"How do you take your coffee, Michael?" Lady Alyss was asking as she poured hot water into a pot.

"I've never had any, Lady Alyss," Michael said. He had always drunk the cheaper beer or ale, and sometimes water. Coffee was an expensive drink.

"Then I'll add some milk and honey," she said, a smile in her voice. "Coffee has a very unique taste."

The coffee was ready by the time the Ranger came in from the stable. Alyss poured three cups of coffee, with plenty of milk and honey for Michael. He took a sip, and had to fight back a wince. Even with three spoons of honey, it was still rather bitter.

"So," the Ranger said. "What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Michael took a deep breath. No more beating about the bush. He had to ask, or he never would.

"I – Iwouldliketocourtyourdaughter," he said, all in a rush.

The expression on the Ranger's face never changed, but Lady Alyss smiled.

"What would you have to offer her?" he asked. Lady Alyss shot him a glance, but Michael couldn't read it.

This was what Michael had been afraid of. "Nothing much," he said. "I will inherit half my father's farm, which would support a family, but only barely. She could do much better than that, even if she were to never marry."

Then he took a deep breath. This part, he hadn't discussed with anyone yet. "If Evanlyn says yes, I am going to sell my half of the farm to my brother, and use the money to buy pigeons. I'm good with them, and I know what the pigeon-handlers want. I can breed pigeons and make a living."

"And what of The Heaped Platter?" the Ranger asked.

"Evanlyn should keep working there," Michael said. "It's where she's happiest. I can raise any children we should have while breeding pigeons." Then he flushed. Was he being too forward, mentioning children? Would the Ranger think his request was motivated by lust?

The Ranger nodded slowly, his eyes still on Michael's face. "You seem to have thought this out very well."

"I've been thinking about it a lot," Michael admitted.

The Ranger nodded again and took a sip of his coffee. "You've planned a lot, Michael," he said. "And you have a good grasp of the realities of the situation. You're right, half your family's farm would just barely support you. It's been farmed for generations, and the land is tired, though I admit, your brother's ideas for improvement are interesting. They just might work, though I admit I'm not expert in agriculture."

Michael started. The Ranger seemed to know all about him and his family.

"I just have one more question for you," the Ranger continued. "What are you going to do when your father objects to your plans?"

Michael sighed. "Father is a worthy man and a good farmer, but he doesn't realize that there is more freedom in a town. I am aware that he will pressure both of us to make Evanlyn stay home and make me get a job. I will make Evanlyn aware of it too. Then I will respectfully ignore him. Evanlyn loves her job, and I see no need to make her change it."

"Well said," the Ranger said. He seemed about to say something else, when he jumped a little and glared at Lady Alyss.

"Stop scaring him, Will," she said. "Everything he's said has agreed with what you've learned about him, and he has a good plan. And he's respectful. Now give him your answer."

The Ranger sighed, then nodded. "The answer is yes."

Michael started. "So easy?" he said, without thinking. He had expected to argue for hours.

"Well," Lady Alyss said, "Evanlyn specifically asked us not to scare you off, unlike the others, and Will checked up on you and your family. Jenny and George were especially helpful there. As far as we can tell, you and your family are perfectly respectable."

Michael's face must shown his disbelief, because the Ranger broke out in a grin. "What, did you think that we would make you argue all day?"

"Yes, sir, actually I did," Michael said, still trying to process his good fortune.

"If you're going to court my daughter, I think Ranger Will would be appropriate," he said, his grin growing.

"Yes sir, uh, Ranger Will," Michael said. He was slowly starting to realize it. He would be able to court Evanlyn, who never went out with anyone who didn't ask her father first. And no one had ever managed to do that.

He wasn't entirely sure how he managed to bid his hosts goodbye and leave the cabin, but the next thing he realized, he was leaving the clearing, and the pain in his cheeks suggested he had been grinning for a while.

He glanced at the sun, and realized it was mid-afternoon. If he hurried, he could make it to The Heaped Platter during a lull. He quickened his pace and hoped Evanlyn had no plans that evening.

Hi! I'm back! And still writing, just a lot slower.

Many thanks to moniquebowman, Hibernia12, Erludovico, WritingNerd291, and HardyHavasu for reviewing the last chapter. And of course a special thanks to Who Am I - You'll Never Know for betaing.

I have a couple more written, but I'm going to wait to post them until I can work ahead a little more.

~Tortoise