They had a wonderful time the following day at the horse show, with the Callahan horses winning and showing. After a light lunch at the house with the family, Jessie and Charles managed to get away the entire afternoon, long enough to go horseback riding themselves. She showed him the property lines and even a few of the oil wells in the distance as they rode along, several of her hunting dogs racing along, baying at anything in their paths. She showed Charles some of her favorite places on the property, including a huge oak tree that grew by itself in the middle of one of the pastures, a tire swing dangling from one of its branches.

Through the woods on a grassy spot by a small creek, Jessie spread out a red-checked blanket, and they ate the late afternoon snack Mattie had packed. Afterwards, they made love and lay in each others arms, listening to the snuffling of the grazing horses and the faraway baying of the dogs.

"Will they come back?"

"Sure. Watch this."

Jessie sat up and whistled shrilly three times. After a few moments, the baying got louder, and the entire pack emerged in the clearing, tails wagging. Jessie praised each of them.

"Smart brutes, aren't they?"

She scratched the ears of a pretty black and tan. "They better be."

Towards dark, they reluctantly left their spot and followed the dogs home.

Mattie was waiting for them at the back door, the light from inside glowing around her imposing figure. "You two stayed gone long enough."

"Well, it's a large piece of property, Mattie. Takes awhile to get around."

Mattie eyed their rumpled clothes and picked a strand of grass out of Jessie's hair. "I guess you felt the need to roll around in it, too."

Jessie winked at Charles, who was edging towards the door and away from the dreaded spoon. "We had to stop and let the horses rest, Mattie. How mad would Dad be if I brought one of his prized horses back lame?"

Mattie huffed all the way back to the kitchen.

She squeezed Charles's arm lightly. "Let me go upstairs and change. I want to go with you and Arthur to the airport."

As soon as Jessie was safely upstairs, Charles saw his chance. He made his way down the hall and stood in front of her father's study door. After a momentary hesitation, he knocked.

"Come in," Mr. Callahan mumbled.

Taking a deep breath, Charles entered. The study was similar to his father's, except for the pictures of oil rigs and horse trophies of all shapes and sizes that graced the walls.

His father wouldn't be caught dead with a photo of an oil rig in his house. Despite the fact oil brings a fortune to astronomical proportions.

Mr. Callahan stood up and shook Charles's hand. "So, Winchester, what do you think of our humble little abode so far?"

"I don't think it's very little at all. In fact, I think it's quite grand."

Mr. Callahan puffed his chest up a bit. "Started out with 20 acres. As soon as I struck oil, I began buying up the surrounding land as fast as I could. A man's nothing without some property to his name."

Charles nodded in agreement. "My father has said the same thing many times. It's a sound principle."

"I met your father awhile back. I understand you come from a well-to-do family yourself. Drink?" He turned to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Charles tried not to shudder. "Uh, no thank you."

"Don't worry, Winchester." He reached underneath and pulled out a decanter of cognac. "I heard about your aversion to bourbon. I had Arthur pick this up today. I thought you might come to see me before you left."

Charles gratefully took the offered glass. "I guess you can't fool a man when it comes to his daughter."

"Damn straight. Smoke?"

Charles shook his head.

Mr. Callahan settled behind his desk. "Good man. Nasty habit, but I can't seem to shake it." He leaned back in his chair, reminding Charles so much of Col. Potter that he had to smile. "So, Winchester, what can I do for you?"

Charles stood up, almost as nervous as he was the day he started med school. "I – I wanted to ask you . . . ask if . . ." he nervously cleared his throat. "For permission to . . . to marry your daughter. Sir."

At the mention of Jessie, her father's face softened. He straightened up in his chair. "Ah, my little girl. So much like her mother. More so than any of our children." He looked fondly at a painting of a dark-haired woman next to the doorway. "Before I answer, let me ask you something."

Charles nodded.

"God knows you can provide for her, but do you love her?"

Charles briefly thought about his conversation with Mattie. He could not imagine his father being concerned with any of Honoria's suitors actually loving her. "Yes, I do. I have for a long time."

Mr. Callahan rose and walked across the room, stopping before his wife's painting.

Charles studied it, too. Jessie did resemble her mother. It was the stubborn set of her jaw.

Mr. Callahan took a sip of whiskey and cleared his throat. "A long time ago, I think when Jessie was seven or maybe eight, Arthur caught her fighting with one of Johnny's friends. Apparently, he had teased her about something, I don't remember what, and Jessie took it to heart. She proceeded to beat the daylights out of the boy. Arthur sent him home howling to his mother."

Charles smiled at the picture it made, as did her father.

"Well, Mattie and I sat her down and explained to her that she was a young lady. And in her position in society, she needed to act like one. And you know what she said? She said, as plain as day, 'I didn't ask to have money. If I want to fight boys, I'll fight boys. You can't stop me.'"

Charles had to fight the urge to laugh aloud.

"As you know, she continued to balk. She basically drove me crazy. She even took up with that infernal Mark and flaunted an engagement ring to boot. Then, she joined the Army. Good Lord, I pulled every string I could and couldn't get her out of it."

He turned around to face Charles. "I'm telling you all this because I want you to understand something. She can be stubborn as a mule, but she has a heart of gold. I honestly didn't know what she was going to do with herself, but lo and behold, she brings you home." He held his glass up to Charles. "You have my blessing, Winchester. But know something. You're not going to mold her to Boston's way of thinking. Don't expect her to be something she's not."

"I wouldn't want to."

"Good." He drained his glass. "I also want to thank you for saving her life."

"Sir?"

"I know it was you who operated on her. I have many contacts close to the Army. I asked around."

Charles could only nod, his fear returning to briefly wrap around his heart.

Mr. Callahan continued. "I also know about the incident with the Chinese on the side of the road. Stubborn woman! Didn't even tell us herself!"

They could hear voices rise in the hallway. "Leave them alone, Miss Jessie. They're having a man-to-man chat."

"Mattie, his plane's leaving in less than an hour!"

"Well, he can catch another plane!"

"Mattie, would you please move, so I can drag him out of there!"

Mr. Callahan shook Charles's hand. "Good luck, son. I think you're goin' need it."

**************************

Jessie nervously licked her lips, watching the Boston scenery zip by. She settled into the plush limo, grateful for the warmth. Although it was still quite pleasant in Texas in November, snow was falling in soft white flakes when her plane arrived in Boston.

Charles had to work late, but he sent a car for her. She was greeted quite professionally by James, the butler, who seemed to remember her from her visit earlier in the year, a pleasant smile on his withered face.

Large, stately estates began to dominate the scenery, and Jessie squirmed in the seat, praying for guidance. She agreed to the visit, feeling brave at the time. Now, she was out of her element, and she had a hard time summoning the same bravery. She wished Charles were there when she was re-introduced to his parents.

James pulled up to the stately townhouse and rushed around to open the door for Jessie. The snow made the grand house look picturesque, and Jessie admired it for a moment before James escorted her inside.

They were almost bowled over by Honoria. "J-J-Jessie! It's b-been a long time!"

Jessie hugged the young woman. "I heard you have a boyfriend, too."

Honoria blushed prettily. "Oh, it's no b-b-big deal." Jessie knew it was. He was an intern from an upper-middle class background who worked with Charles at the hospital. He was taken with Honoria the minute he laid eyes on her. Charles said he expected him to talk to their father any day now.

If he approved or not remained to be seen.

Somehow, Jessie didn't think Honoria would really care.

James helped her with her coat, and Honoria led them into the parlor. Mr. Winchester rose when they entered the room. "Miss Callahan. We're pleased you could join us this weekend."

Charles's mother rose and hugged Jessie briefly. "Charles has been in such a state about your arrival. He hated not to be able to meet you at the airport."

"That's quite alright."

"Would you like some tea? You must be chilled to the bone."

They passed the time with tea and light conversation, mostly about the ball they would be attending the following evening in honor of family friends. Jessie slowly relaxed, the fire light casting a cozy glow throughout the room.

Mr. Winchester bowed out soon after ten, leaving the women alone. Charles arrived soon afterwards, exhausted. Laying eyes on Jessie, all his tiredness vanished. He walked in as she and his mother were laughing at something Honoria had said. They all looked up as he walked inside.

"Sorry I'm so late. It's this blasted snow. People have to remember how to drive in it all over again, it seems."

Jessie jumped up, almost spilling tea on her dress. Mrs. Winchester greeted her son first, bussing him on the cheek. "That's OK, dear. Honoria was just telling us about the tea she attended yesterday. You know, the one where Mrs. Elby's dog wound up in the pool?"

"Yes, Mother, I heard."

Honoria winked at her brother, but he hardly noticed, so intent was he on Jessie. He walked across the room and stood in front of her. He wanted to kiss her. Instead, he raised her hand to his, brushing his lips against her fingers. "How was your trip?"

Mrs. Winchester raised an eyebrow. Honoria giggled behind her hand.

Neither one noticed.

Jessie tried not to grin stupidly. "Fine. Just fine. You think the snow will keep us from the ball tomorrow night?"

He still held onto her hand. "No, not one bit."

Honoria leaned over. "Tame g-g-greeting compared t-t-to the one you g-g-gave him, isn't it?"

"That was an accident!" Jessie hissed.

Charles laughed at her discomfort, as Mrs. Winchester looked confused.

"So, Jessamyn, have you seen the rest of the house?" Her hair looked a darker shade of auburn in the firelight, and he longed to touch it.

Jessie shook her head. "I didn't get the grand tour the last time."

He practically drug her out of the room. "Let me show you around before you retire. Good night, Mother, Honoria."

Mrs. Winchester looked at her daughter after they were gone. "You know, I think he likes her."

Honoria rolled her eyes. "Really, Mother."

Charles led Jessie down the hall to the darkened library. A dying fire was all the illuminated the room. Once inside, his mouth hungrily searching hers, fighting the desire to lay her down in front of the fireplace.

Finally, he pulled away, putting some distance between them.

"It's good to see you, too," Jessie croaked, straightening her sweater.

"I've had such an awful week. The only thing that kept me from going mad was knowing you were visiting this weekend." He reached out and ran his finger down her cheek. "Did you bring something to wear to the ball?"

Jessie nodded. "I think you'll like it. And don't change the subject. What happened this week?"

"Just technical things." He paused. " And I lost a patient today. A little boy, about nine. He was sledding and lost control, ramming a tree branch into his chest."

Jessie put her arms around him, resting against his chest. "Is it as hard as it was in Korea? To lose a patient like that?"

"At least here, it was just an accident. But, that doesn't help. And . . ." He trailed off, sighing.

"And, what?" Jessie asked, her voice muffled in his sweater.

"I had a long talk with a . . . a fellow doctor this week. A urologist, actually."

Jessie pulled back, anxious. Her eyes searched his. "What's wrong?"

"It's just that . . . well, remember when I had the mumps?"

"Yeah?"

"One of the effects of that particular disease is . . . is becoming sterile."

Jessie didn't realize she was holding her breath until she let it go in a great burst. "Good Lord, I thought you were dying!"

"Well, I might as well! When I die, the Winchester name goes!"

He let go of her, trying to pull away, but Jessie held on. "Wait, Charles, you know I didn't mean it like that." She wrapped her arms around him, settling against his chest again, not letting him pull away from her. "Tell me, what did he say?"

She could feel him give in, continuing to play with the ends of her hair. "He didn't know. The best way to tell, as he so eloquently put it, was to 'wait and see.'"

"He went to school for 10 years for that?"

"Precisely what I was thinking."

"Well, that's good news, isn't it? Perhaps you can still have children."

"If I can't?"

"Then, your wife will have to love you for you." She propped her chin on his chest, looking up at him. "Whoever she may be."

He kissed her forehead. "I suppose you're right. But suppose . . ." He paused, gathering his thoughts. " . . .suppose, I asked you to be my wife. Would it matter to you?"

She loved children, enjoying her nephews immensely, but the idea of having her own never even crossed her mind.

"I suppose not. But, it's not like you've asked, you know. Like Mattie said, I've had several young bucks nosing about. You better stay on your toes, mister!"

He thought of the obscenely expensive ring he was picking up tomorrow at the jewelers. "I suppose I better."

******************************************

"Wow, J-Jessie! That d-dress is g-g-great! Wherever d-d-did you get it?"

Jessie twirled around in Honoria's dressing room, making the smooth green material swirl majestically. "I ordered it from New York. It's supposed to be the latest style. Didn't want to look like a Texas bumpkin."

Honoria waved her hand impatiently. "Really, d-dear, you need to g-g-get over this inferiority c-complex."

"I do not have an inferiority complex!"

"Do, too!"

"Do not!"

"D-do, too!"

Jessie smiled. "OK, maybe you're right."

Honoria returned her smile triumphantly, and Jessie stuck out her tongue.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Yes?"

A maid stuck her head inside. "Miss Honoria, Daniel is here, and your parents and brother are ready to leave."

Honoria tucked her arm inside Jessie's. "You d-do know that Charles w-w-will have to chase the other g-gentlemen away w-w-with a stick!"

Jessie blushed. "Honestly, Honoria! You act like I'll be the only woman at this dance."

Honoria's eyes danced as the walked down the darkened hall. "You're new b-b-blood. M-makes the m-m-men a little c-crazy."

Jessie followed Honoria down the staircase where the rest of the group waited.

Charles resisted the urge to let out a low whistle as he watched her descend.

"Charles, it's n-not p-p-polite to stare," Honoria whispered as she regally sauntered past her brother to greet Daniel. Their parents were gathering their coats nearby.

Charles ignored his sister. Jessie reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped. "So, what do you think?"

"Lovely. Very lovely." He absently patted the coat of his tux to make sure the small box was still there.

He offered Jessie his arm, and she took it. Instead of following his family out the door to the waiting limo, he stopped.

"Excuse me, but Jessamyn and I will meet you at the hall. We'll take my car."

Mrs. Winchester eyed her son closely. "Are you feeling alright, Charles?"

Charles's father hurried his wife into the waiting car. "Come on, dear, let's not keep the Bullocks waiting." He climbed in beside her, but not before giving his son a slight nod. Honoria giggled uproariously as she and Daniel climbed in alongside.

Jessie looked up at Charles as the car roared off. "What's all this about?"

Charles helped her into one of his sister's mink coats. She still insisted she didn't need her own. Well, all that's about to change. I hope. "I have a surprise for you."

Jessie snuggled into the coat as he helped her down the slippery steps to the waiting car. "What sort of surprise?"

"You'll see." He climbed into the driver's side and slipped the luxury vehicle into gear.

She watched him as he drove. "You've been really secretive, you know. What're you up to?" Actually, he was so late earlier in the evening that he almost didn't have enough time to get ready for the party.

Charles smiled, but left his eyes on the road. "Just be patient."

Jessie rolled her eyes.

"I saw that."

"It's dark in here. You didn't see a thing."

"Doesn't matter. I know you."

Jessie fondly took his hand.

Before long, they entered a neighborhood of large homes. Whereas his family's townhouse was without a very large front yard and only had a garden in the back, similar to other houses nearby, this neighborhood had large front lawns with Victorian mansions set back from the road. Many of the houses had lighted front windows that shown cheerily out onto the snowy lawns. Jessie looked out the frosty window, impressed.

"Very friendly place."

Charles could feel his heart beating fast. "Quite."

They stopped in front of one of the homes. A few of the downstairs windows were lit, but the upstairs remained dark. Curious, Jessie waited for Charles to open the door. She almost gasped when the cold air hit her. "I don't know how you do it. I don't think it ever gets below 40 degrees at home."

"Oh, you get used to it," Charles replied, preoccupied.

Jessie did manage to stand outside the house for a moment, admiring the Victorian trim. "Such a beautiful home. Who lives here?"

"No one, at the moment."

Jessie stopped as he motioned for her to step onto the front porch. "We're not going to get shot for trespassing, are we?"

"Not a chance."

He opened the front door, and Jessie entered. The foyer was done entirely in wood paneling, and the floor shined with age and use. She walked towards the hallway, then stopped, turning to face Charles questioningly. He smiled and motioned her forward.

Jessie couldn't help but be awed by the house. Although sparsely decorated, it felt homey and lived-in. A large chandelier graced the foyer and several rooms exited off the front hall. Only one seemed lit, and Jessie gravitated towards the light from the fireplace.

This room made her stop. The room had been painted white, and the decorative woodcarvings along the ceiling danced in the firelight. This room was also sparsely furnished, but the fire made the room seem cheery. "Oh, this is wonderful," Jessie found herself saying. Charles helped her out of her coat. "But, I'm still a little confused. No angry homeowner is going to come running down the stairs, is he?"

Charles hung her coat in the foyer. "Sit down, and I'll tell you about this house."

Jessie settled on a small, overstuffed couch facing the fireplace, holding out her hands for the warmth.

Charles settled beside her. "This house belonged to my spinster aunt. She lived here all her life, most of it by herself, after my grandparents died. My grandfather built the house about 70 years ago, but it's used mostly for storage now."

"Well, that explains the lack of furnishings. But, everything looks so clean."

"I hire someone to come out here once a month and do maintenance. Wouldn't want it to fall into disrepair. Especially in this neighborhood."

"Very responsible of you."

"Don't mock me, Callahan. Let me finish my story."

Jessie chuckled. "OK, OK. Go on."

Charles cleared his throat. "I remember visiting here when I was younger. It was always a happy time for me, especially after my brother . . . I always felt like good things would happen here to me. It was a . . . a safe house of sorts."

He reached in his coat pocket. Gently, he took her hand and placed something in it. His hand remained on hers, so she couldn't tell what it was.

"When my aunt left me this house in her will, she told me she wanted me to live here. With my family."

"I don't exactly see your parents moving here from across town."

"Not that family. My future family."

Charles removed his hand from hers, and Jessie stared at the small box, a little dumbstruck. She glanced at him questioningly, and he motioned for her to open it, draping his arm across the back of the couch and leaning back to watch her reaction.

Slowly, she pulled the lid back, and her eyes widened. The firelight danced across the magnificent stone, surrounded on either side by smaller diamonds. Gingerly, Jessie removed it, holding it between her thumb and forefinger.

"Charles . . . it's beautiful. I-I don't know what to say."

"You could try saying yes."

Jessie laughed aloud, brushing at her tears with her free hand. "Aren't you supposed to get down on one knee for this sort of thing?"

Charles slid off the couch, taking the ring from Jessie. He settled on one knee and took her hand in his. Clearing his throat, he began. "Jessamyn. For several months now, we've been apart. I don't like it one bit. I want to wake up with you by my side, and I want to come home to you every day. I want to grow old with you. You would make me the happiest man alive if you would be my wife."

Jessie wiped her eyes, trying not to smear her make-up. All she could do was nod her head, curls bouncing on top of her head. And, she couldn't stop grinning! Gently, he took her left hand and placed the ring on it. He turned her palm up and kissed it.

Jessie gathered her skirts and slid from the couch, settling beside him. She kissed him, then laughed aloud.

He pulled back. "What on earth is so funny?"

"I cannot believe I'm going to live in Boston! Andrea will never, ever believe it!"