He went to see Alice before he rode into town. It was out of the way, and set the whole day back by a couple of hours—but he was nervous enough that he didn't mind. Anyhow, no way was Joe going to ask another woman to be his wife without telling Alice first.
"I think you'd like her." He sat by the white cross, turning his hat slowly in his hands, feeling the morning sun warm his face and his soul. "She's a good woman—always thinkin' about others. Always lookin' at things positive. She's been through a lot, but she's still happy." Joe grinned faintly. "And I'm happy when I'm with her." He sat for a few more minutes, but the day was passing. Joe finally rose, resting one hand on to the top of Alice's marker as he looked out over the land they had shared and the life that was no longer his. "If you wouldn't mind, sweetheart, say a prayer that she says yes," he finally murmured, then settled his hat firmly, swung back onto Cochise, and rode away.
He had been knocking and walking in since Lina stopped locking the bakery door, but today that didn't seem right. Not with what he had to say. She was puzzled when she let him in.
"Joe? It was unlocked."
"Yeah. I …" Joe snatched his hat off and crushed it absently. The little room smelled of cinnamon and dried apples. Catching sight of the single chair—the one in which he had spent so many hours—he nodded toward it. "Can you sit down for a minute?"
Lina paled. "Is everyone all right? Has something happened?"
So … maybe not the best start. It didn't do anything for his nerves, either. Joe shook his head, and muttered, "I must be the only man in the world who can go to propose and end up makin' her think somebody's died."
Her mouth formed a perfect, silent 'o', and she sank into the little chair.
No turning back now. Not that he had ever planned to, anyway. Joe crouched before her, laying a light touch on one knee.
"This ain't spur of the moment, I've been thinkin' on it for a while now. About what I want for my life." He quirked a grin into her shocked silence. "You're the reason I'm even there, you know—that I can think about this kinda thing at all. And I might be different in some ways now, but I still want a lot of the same things. I still want a family. I want to teach somebody to love the land like I do, to pass it on when the time comes. I want a partner to work alongside. To live alongside. To take care of, and to help me take care of the people I love. They're gettin' older, some of them—it won't be long now until they need that whether they want it or not."
"Joe." Her voice was faint. She waved a limp hand at her flour-dusted hair and worn skirt. "You are … I am not …"
That was the surprise talking. Lina never gave a fig about status, or the differences therein. In fact, she habitually ignored it completely.
Of course, an engagement drew more notice than simple friendship, and generally gave everyone else in the state the impression they had the right to comment. Loudly. Joe couldn't help that, but he also didn't care what anybody else thought. He wasn't about to let it worry Lina, either.
"You're my best friend. When I picture the rest of my life, you're the one I want with me." Joe chuckled softly. "You're the only one I even see."
Lina took a long, shaky breath. Her eyes wandered unseeing from his face. He took her nearest hand, cinnamon and sugar and all, and found it trembling. It shook him, reminded him what marriage had been to her. What it had done to her. A flush of protective anger seared him.
"I'll be good to you." He squeezed her fingers gently.
Her dark eyes locked onto his and her free hand grazed his cheek, setting it afire. "I know."
Joe dared a grin. "Is that a yes?" She was silent for another moment. He shook her hand gently. "Come on. It'll be fun."
That broke through. Lina snorted a chuckle, then slapped her free hand over her nose, skin flushing a rosy hue. "Joselito …"
"Yeah?"
"You haven't actually asked me anything."
He hadn't? Joe quickly went back over their conversation, and decided she was nitpicking.
That was all right.
He straightened, shifting so that he rested on one knee. "Catalina Marquez, will you marry me?"
Lina's fingers were cold, but her grip was suddenly firm. His heart lifted in a rush.
"A life shared with you would be a good one, Joseph. One of which to be proud." A girlish smile graced her lips. "Yes, I accept."
Joe laughed, relief and joy flooding into the dark places. They were still there, of course—they were a part of him now—but the shadows wouldn't be quite so dark. So threatening. He leaned forward.
"Can I kiss you?"
She giggled. "I think you had better."
Her lips were soft and warm, tasting of pastries and promises. Joe's hands found her hair, and hers his jacket, clinging to this new understanding. He deepened the kiss, let the heat flood him, and when he finally broke away it was hard.
So hard.
"Think we better stop now."
"Yes." Lina's voice was soft, breathy. "Yes, I …"
Her entire countenance was so bereft that Joe very nearly laughed. "Sunday?"
Lina nodded, eyes wide. "Sunday."
Joe planted another quick kiss on her forehead. "Can I bring you out to the Ponderosa tomorrow for dinner?" He grinned. "I want to give Pa tonight to get used to the idea."
"Of course." She smiled. "That is wise."
Yeah. He didn't think it would be fair to drop the news and the woman on Ben all at once—his Pa wasn't expecting this any more than Lina had been.
Anyway, Joe had other things planned for the afternoon.
"After you're done here for the day, I'd like to take you over to the jeweler."
She blushed again, a fiery splash across her rich skin, and nodded.
~.~.~.~.~.
She was waiting on the front steps of the Continental, wearing a yellow dress that set the honey tones in her skin aglow. It wasn't one he'd seen, and Joe wondered if it was new (he'd added Lina onto most of their store accounts yesterday, and reopened a few at places an all-male family generally didn't frequent) or if she'd had it tucked away somewhere. They hadn't ever been to the same dances or socials—for all he knew she'd worn this dress ten times in the last year.
He didn't even know what he didn't know about her, but he was looking forward to finding it out.
"I hear you're taking my side business away."
John Hirschel pushed away from the railing and came forward as Joe rounded the buggy. Joe squeezed Lina's hand, grinning. "Yeah. I got tired of driving all the way in for empanadas, so I thought I'd just move the source a little closer."
She arched a brow at him, then looked back to her employer.
Former employer.
Joe's grin widened. He couldn't seem to help it.
"You and your family have been so kind, Señor. I know you will hire again for the hotel, but perhaps I can send something every now and again for your own table."
Hirschel smiled. "Lina, you don't need to do that, but I wouldn't turn it down either."
She bounced a little, satisfied. "Then we are settled, I think."
"I think that'll be about five years down the road, John." Joe shook his head. "Hop Sing's pretty protective of his kitchen."
Lina turned an amused eye on him. "I am certain Hop Sing and I will get along very nicely."
He had forgotten for a minute that his fiancée—Lina was going to marry him—and the little cook were friends completely apart from his own involvement. Huh. Joe nodded, feeling excessively pleased with himself. Whatever showed on his face set her to laughing, and Hirschel held out his hand.
"Joe, congratulations. Marianne and I are thrilled for you both."
Joe shook firmly. "Thanks John." He grinned down at Lina, then added, "We're havin' a party out at the house on Sunday afternoon, I hope you can be there."
"We wouldn't miss it."
"Good." Joe touched Lina's elbow. "We better get going. Pa might not be able to take the wait."
She smiled. "Of course."
Lina nodded to Hirschel, who tipped his hat, and allowed Joe to hand her up into the buggy. Then he settled beside her and set the horses back toward the Ponderosa.
It was a beautiful day and Joe let the horses take their time, enjoying Lina's awe at the beauty of his family's land. It was hard to believe they had known each other for so long and she had never been to the Ponderosa … but then again, there hadn't been much in the way of life on the ranch for quite a while. They slept and ate and worked there. They cut their trees, broke their horses, ran their cattle. They helped Jamie with his homework and read around the fireplace at night. They came into town for the shopping, and more recently for a picnic or a poker game. They rarely had guests anymore, though—either for the day or overnight—and they hadn't thrown a party since … well, since Alice at least. Even their Christmas gatherings had gone by the wayside.
They just … existed.
This woman beside him, so vibrant and full of joy, already made the place feel more alive. Joe sat back against the warm leather, soaking in the bright sun and her laughter, and thought that—for this moment, at least—he might be the most content man in Nevada.
When they rounded the barn, his family was waiting on the porch. Joe couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"The suspense is killing them." Lina, who had grown noticeably quiet over the last few miles, cast him a pale smile. Joe squeezed her fingers, and pulled the horses to a halt before the rail. "Pa will love you. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."
In fact, Ben was out into the yard before the buggy wheels even stopped turning, holding out a strong hand to assist Lina down. She dimpled up at him, drawing an answering smile from Ben that he lavished on his son as well when Joe joined them.
"Joe, introduce us."
"Yeah, Pa." Joe laughed. "I'm gettin' to that." He put a light hand on her shoulder. "Pa, this is Catalina Marquez. Lina, this is my pa, Ben Cartwright."
Ben bowed over hand. "Miss Marquez, it is a great pleasure to meet you."
She giggled softly, and Joe felt her relax into his father's enthusiastic warmth. "Mr. Cartwright, I feel as if I know you already. Joe talks about you so very much."
"Ben, please." His father glanced across to Joe, raising one dark brow. "I must admit, this has been something of a surprise for me." Surprise was putting it mildly—Ben had been utterly taken aback by Joe's announcement. Now, though … Ben's smile returned in full force as he looked back to his future daughter-in-law. "But a very welcome one."
"Lina!"
She peered around Ben to the gangling teenager behind. "Jamie!" Lina grinned. "We will be brother and sister now, hmm?"
Jamie grinned from ear to ear, looking like nothing so much as an excited puppy. "Yeah, I guess."
He thrust his hands into his pockets and shrugged, but she moved forward and hugged the boy tightly, eliciting a squeak of protest. Candy extracted Jamie and took his place, planting a firm kiss on Lina's cheek. "Hey!" Joe protested, receiving an unrepentant grin from his friend in return. Lina ducked away from them all and moved on to Hop Sing, who was still hovering on the porch. Reaching him, she threw her arms about the little cook.
"Hop Sing very happy," he was saying as Joe drew near. "He always know Miss Catalina belong at Ponderosa." He seized Joe and pulled him into the embrace. "Hop Sing so very happy for Little Joe and Miss Catalina." Tears swam in the dark eyes, and Joe felt answering dampness rise in his own. Lina was already wiping at her cheeks. Hop Sing pulled away then, arranging his customary irritable expression with a little more effort than usual. "Pie and coffee get cold. You come inside now."
Lina laughed, tucked her arm through Jamie's, and followed obediently. Candy trailed along, but when Joe started to follow a firm grip tugged him back.
"So, young man." Ben folded his arms, dark brows lowering. "Why is it that I seem to be the only one here who has never met the woman you're going to marry in a few short days?"
Yeah …
Joe shrugged, and tried bravely for a smile. "Well, Pa … it's kind of a long story."
One more little section to go! :-)