Murdoch stopped the surrey at the same place Theresa had stopped the first day Scott and Johnny had come to the ranch, saying "As far as you can see is Lancer". Martha, who was sitting in front with him squealed with delight and proclaimed it "The most beautiful place she had ever seen". Polly murmured an appropriate response as well, from where she was sitting beside Johnny in the backseat, and then settled her head back on Johnny's shoulder as he drew her a little closer into his side, his arm wrapped around her waist.
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When they arrived at the ranch, Murdoch and Johnny started to unload the baggage, while Polly and Martha looked around the yard. Johnny noticed Martha start to walk over to the corral, where some horses were moving around. Johnny left Murdoch with the trunks and started to over to the girl and put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from getting closer. He turned her to face him and said "Beautiful, ain't they". After she nodded he said "But they can be very dangerous, querida. No going into the corral without anyone with you, okay?".
The girl looked up at him and nodded, saying "Yes sir".
He smiled at her then and said "Hopefully tomorrow I can take you for a ride – you ever ridden a horse?".
The girl gave off a palpable excitement at his words "Martin would rent one sometimes and take me out, but not regular like" she replied.
Johnny smiled, happy that she was so obviously excited about horses, thinking about how this was a love they could perhaps share. "Well, there's lotsa horses around here, but you have to be careful around them and learn to behave proper." He then led her back to where Polly was standing and helped Murdoch unload the next trunk.
Theresa and Maria came out of the house, broad smiles of welcome across both their faces. Scott and Cipriano then came into the yard. Cipriano murmured something to Scott, who smiled and threw his reins to the Segundo, coming over to the surrey to join in the unloading and welcoming. Johnny felt incredibly happy at that moment, his family welcoming his new bride and daughter, despite their reservations.
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They went to the Great Room after dinner. Over the years, they had developed a routine where the brothers would play chess or checkers, and Murdoch would read, while Theresa worked on a new knitting project or did some sewing. At other times, someone might read aloud from a book. Johnny wondered how things would change with Polly and Martha. He sat on the sofa, and Polly sat beside him, with Martha as close as possible on her other side. Thinking about how the girl had shadowed her mother since they had arrived, other than when she had walked towards the horses, he got up and walked over to the book shelves, pulling out the checker board and, holding it up, asked "Martha, would you like to play?"
The girl nodded her head no, but then Polly leaned down and whispered something in her ear and the girl looked up at her mother smiled, and said "Yes, please Johnny." They then proceeded to set up the board and play, Scott watching and laughing at some moves, and making suggestions to Martha. Johnny turned his head to answer a question from his father, and, out of the corner of his eye, saw his brother take a couple of his pieces off the board, while winking at Martha. He saw the girl put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing. He then turned back to the board saying "Heh, this don't look the same" in mock anger.
Scott quickly jumped in and said "I think you're wrong little brother, this is exactly how it was", and looking down at Martha he winked again, while she tried to smother more giggles.
When the game finished, Polly said "Bed time, Martha". The girl got up easily to take her mother's offered hand. She then turned to everyone and said "Good night, Scott, Theresa and Murdoch".
Johnny smiled at the girl's politeness, and said "I think I'll head up too" following the mother and daughter out of the room.
He lay on his – no their – bed in their room, waiting for Polly while she got Martha settled. He smiled at her when she came in asking "Everythin' alright?".
She smiled back saying "She fell asleep in the middle of her story – it's been a big trip for her". He watched her move around the room, taking off her dress and hanging it in the cupboard. He noticed that she had already unpacked many of her things. Grabbing her hair brush, she sat on the chair in front of the small vanity and started to brush. He moved down to the bottom of the bed and, smiling at her reflection in the mirror, took the brush from her hand and started to brush her hair for her.