Johnny rode Barranca on the road out of town, noticing a slight stiffness to the horse's gait. As Barranca loosened up over the first couple of miles, Johnny realized that he could probably start for home the next day, hopefully making it to Lancer in time for supper the day after. Looking ahead, however, he noticed people working on the road and going further along, that a small bridge was out and the water underneath was flowing forcefully over some rapids. Stopping to see what was happening, he jumped off Barranca and went over to talk to the man that seemed to be in charge. While the small, grey-haired man looked him over, Johnny asked "what's goin' on?". "The bridge got knocked out by the water runnin' after that storm the other day. The town has organized some people to work on it – bridge should be back in order in a couple more days," the man replied. Johnny thought about his options, "is there 'nother way around?" he asked. "Not really", the man said in response "you would have to go through the bush and it would probly be a long way down before you could cross the river because of the way it's flowin'. It's probably worth waitin' the two days for the bridge to be back in place." "Can I help?" Johnny asked, thinking that at least he would then have something to do while he waited – something to think about other than the hotel … other than Polly. The man looked at him closely "anxious to get out of town?" he asked, somewhat teasingly. When Johnny didn't respond, the man continued "nah, we've got lotsa people workin' on it – too many and nothin'll get done." "Thanks for the news," Johnny replied and getting back onto Barranca turned back on the road. Having not ridden for a few days, he decided to ride through town and follow the road for a bit, hoping the fresh air would clear his thoughts.
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Johnny walked into the kitchen, seeing everyone already seated at the table. When Martha looked up at him, he smiled at her, noticing her unhappy face – although she managed to smile slightly in response. She looked back down at her plate, pushing around her food. "Martha," Polly cautioned, "eat your supper, please." The girl obediently put a piece of chicken in her mouth. Johnny took a seat and helped himself to the food on the table. Noticing the quiet mood, he ate his meal, wondering what was happening. When everyone had finished, Martha got up and took the dishes to the sink, and Polly said, "time for bed". When the girl opened her mouth to say something in response, Polly pointed her finger towards the stairs and the girl headed in that direction, with her mother on her heels.
Sue looked at Johnny as Polly and Martha headed up the stairs. "How's your horse?" she asked the man, and he looked at her, realizing the hidden meaning behind the question. "I took him for a ride today – he's fine to leave, but the bridge out of town has been washed out. Looks like it'll take a couple a days to fix, so I'll be here until then – if that's okay, of course?" he added, watching to see how the woman reacted to the news.
"Polly has worked hard to build a life here, we all have," Sue said getting up and taking the coffee pot off the stove. Coming back to the table, she poured herself a cup and then wordlessly offered him some. He nodded his head yes and replied "I know – I respect that. I am really impressed with everythin' she has done and … well … Martha. She seems like a special little girl." Sue smiled at words about Martha, "yes, she certainly is that. She's smart as a whip …" she stopped when Polly re-entered the room. "Everythin' alright?" she asked Polly, looking at her closely. Polly smiled slightly at the question and replied "yes, she'll be back to her regular schedule tomorrow – we just had a few extra things … to work out today." Sue smiled slightly at Polly's wording. "I've got some things to finish for tomorrow." Turning to look at Johnny, she said "I`ll say good night to both of you now". She patted Polly on the shoulder before heading up the stairs.
Polly smiled at her friend's back saying "good night, Sue" and then heading to the coffee pot. Moving slower than usual, she picked it up and returned to the table, filling her cup. Seeing that Johnny's cup was already full, she returned to the stove, sighing slightly as she sat down. Johnny looked at her and noticed a tiredness that didn't normally seem to be there. "Are you okay?" Johnny asked. "Yes … Martha and I had a bit of a talk, and she's goin' to apologize to Tommy tomorrow. Most times I feel like I don't know what I'm doin' – how I should teach her right from wrong – but every once in a while, I feel like maybe things'll be alright. Today was hard, but she has to learn that she cain't let go of her temper – you probly ain't seen it yet, but she really does have a temper and she has to learn to manage it. She starts school in the fall, and she cain't go around lettin' it run off."
Johnny thought of his own temper – and his father's – and smiled a bit. "I can understand that – but you don't worry about bein' too hard on her?" he asked. Polly looked at him through narrowed eyes "of course I worry about that! But she has to learn – and whatever age she is, cussin' and hittin' ain't right. And if she does that kind of thing in school, it'll be even worse." Johnny raised his hands indicating defeat. "You're right" he said, "and she is a sweet little girl, so you must be doin' somethin' right". Looking to change the topic he said "Barranca's feelin' better, but the bridge is out – looks like I'll be around for another couple of days."
Polly smiled into her coffee cup. "I guess we can put up with you for a bit longer," she said teasingly, "but Johnny …" she began in a more serious tone. He put up a hand to stop her "I need to say sorry for last night and this mornin'. I was out of line. Do you think you could stand to talk with me anyway, maybe play some more cards?" he then gave her his most charming look, the one designed for getting extra dessert from Maria, and other things he was not supposed to have. She smiled and laughed at him "you always were a charmer" she murmured, going into the store room and coming out with the cards and matches. They then proceeded to sort out the cards and play into the night, chatting and laughing and talking about life.
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Johnny awoke late again – wondering about the habits he was getting into in this place. Thinking about last night, he did not feel he could face Polly again – his thoughts were pressing in on him, he was having too hard a time thinking about tomorrow when he would leave. Needing to clear his head, he quickly got dressed and after washing his face with the pitcher and water bowl, walked down the stairs into the lobby and out the door, heading for the livery to get Barranca.
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Johnny walked into the lobby of the hotel as the sun was beginning to set. He could hear sounds of food and conversation coming from the dining room. His mind had not cleared through the day – really, all he found he could think about was that he was going to really miss Polly - her smiles and laughter, the way she would tease him unexpectedly, even be slightly sassy, how she could mention Madrid and it did not upset him – like she accepted it and didn't really care about his past. And Martha – how the little girl could look at him a certain way and he could feel himself melt, the way she played checkers, watching the game carefully, how she loved to tell stories about her dolls. Unbidden, the thoughts he had had throughout the day came back – the two of them at Lancer. Polly working in the kitchen alongside Theresa and Maria. Martha running around outside, him teaching her to ride a horse. Him and Polly taking her to the school.
He went up to his room, ignoring the rumbling of his stomach. What was he going to do? He tried to clear his thoughts as he took off his boots and gun belt and lay down on the bed, closing his eyes.
He woke suddenly to the sound of knocking on his door. "Who is it?" he called, getting up off the bed and grabbing for his gun which he had laid on the dresser. "Polly" he heard the woman call out, and he went to open the door. She looked at him, "sorry to bother you", she said, "Sue said she forgot to bring towels to your room" and she held out the ones in her hand to him. He looked closely at her and saw the tense look on her face. Feeling guilty about not speaking to her that day after everything that had happened between them, he felt he had to explain "sorry I wasn't around today – I had some things to work out". She shook her head at him "you don't owe me an excuse" she said, looking down, "do you have towels?". "Polly" he began, "Johnny" she said interrupting him "you're goin' home tomorrow. It has been real nice seein' you again, and talkin' about stuff with you, but we both have of our lives. Maybe we'll see each other again but probly not." And with that she pushed the towels at him in such a way he had to take them and, went down the stairs to the lobby, while he watched her walk away.
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Johnny sat at the corner table in the saloon, a bottle of tequila in front of him. Dios, he had to get out of this town! More thoughts started to enter his head –Polly working the bread in the bowl, her strong hands … shaking his head, he poured another shot of tequila and drank it quickly. He then stood up and went to join the poker game in the other corner.
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Johnny felt the morning sun on his face but did not want to acknowledge that it was time to get up. He had left the saloon after a couple of hands of poker, returning to his room and resolving to leave the next day, forgetting everything that had happened. Finally rising from his bed, he dressed and washed his face with the water from the pitcher. Grabbing his saddle bags, he went down the stairs, thinking about the best way to proceed. He heard the grandfather clock strike nine and realized the dining room breakfast would be over – if he wanted to talk to Polly she would be in the kitchen, probably alone. He hesitated slightly and then pushed his way into the room, seeing her with her hands in the sink, washing the morning's dishes. "Polly" he said, and she turned to look at him, taking in his saddle bags. "Headin' out?" she asked, and not waiting for an answer turned back to her sink and continued "it was real nice seein' ya again – hope your trip back goes well. Give …". He interrupted her saying her name again and she turned to look at him again "Polly … will you … and Martha … come back to Lancer with me?" he asked, surprising himself somewhat with his words. Polly looked at him "what are you sayin' Johnny Lancer?" she asked, her surprise evident, and a bit of suspicion in her voice.
He walked towards her, pulling her arm to turn her around and face him and then putting his arms around her waist. "Polly Foley …" he started again, smiling at the look on her face, "will you marry me?".