Kid stared up at the ceiling. He had taken Clyde's bed though he didn't much feel like a nap because the alternative of being bombarded with more questions from Ruth's parents didn't quite appeal either.

He heard Ruth's footsteps outside his door after about an hour. Was it strange that he could already pick out hers above others? The steps were light but confident and energetic and he hurried to catch up with them.

She smiled when she saw him. "Did you get your nap out?"

"No, I can't seem to sleep good anymore without you being next to me."

"Aww, that's sweet. If it helps anything, Clyde don't snore as I remember. More of a teeth grinder, so you ought to get a little bit of sleep anyhow."

"You find this funny?"

"No, not really," she said, sobering a little. "But you got to learn to see the humor in things. I think God designed laughter to help lighten our load."

"You think you can get your parents to change their mind about our sleeping arrangements? I don't know how small your bed is, but I really wouldn't mind if you had to sleep on top of me."

"I don't know if that's our best argument where my parents are concerned," she said with a grin. "Might as well let them simmer a little. I'm sure they'll be more reasonable when they've had time to digest the news. In fact, they might already be more agreeable."

As they entered the living room to determine if it were true, two gray heads flew apart. Ruth's parents had obviously been deep in discussion, no doubt about him, and their expressions didn't look any more agreeable to him.

The awkwardness hung heavy but not more than a few moments because the door swung open and Ruth's brothers, who were strapping fellows as big as their mother was little, burst into the house, eyes searching for their sister.

The older one, who looked to be in his mid 20s with the same reddish brown hair as Ruth, found her first and picked her up, spinning her around.

"Put me down, you big oaf," Ruth complained as she smacked him lightly on the arm, but it was clear from her grin that she really didn't mind.

He set her down. "We figured that was your wagon down there, but we know you're our sister; there was no need to paint it on there," he told her with a joking smile.

She shook her head in mock exasperation. Then Clyde took his turn to hug his sister and she exclaimed, "Goodness gracious, you must have shot up 2 feet. I guess I can't call you my little brother no more."

His blushing cheeks causing his blonde hair and blue eyes to stand out. Kid figured he was maybe a year or two younger than him.

Robert's face was full of good humor at least until he took a good look at Kid.

Ruth noticed that he noticed and introduced them, "This is my brother, Robert, and this is Clyde."

Clyde looked as hostile as the others, but at least he gave him a nod which was far friendlier than any greeting he had received thus far in this house.

"And this is my husband, Kid."

He figured they'd already guessed that much even though they still looked a little surprised, but there was no slaps on the back or welcome to the family. Did he carry some mark that branded him a villain?

The door swung open again and a girl around his age came in. She looked a lot like Ruth except she had green eyes and lighter hair and was an inch or two shorter. "You'll never believe what Samuel—" she stopped midsentence. "Oh, I didn't know we had company."

"It's your sister's husband," James informed her. "A real live gunfighter from the wild, wild west and all the vices to go with it."

The sister paled. "Oh… that's interesting," she said in a pitiful attempt to sound polite but looking frightened instead.

He was starting to wonder if anybody in the McKenzie family was going to take a liking to him.

"Don't let Daddy scare you, Anna," Ruth told her sister. "Those days are behind him and he's always been about the politest man you'd ever want to meet."

Anna didn't look reassured by her sister's words.

Kid looked at the door almost expecting another sibling to pop through, knowing she'd mentioned another sister, though if none appeared, he wouldn't be inconsolable. "Where's your other sister?" he asked Ruth.

"Home probably. She's married with children. I expect though she'll be along before the evening's through. News travels fast in these parts. Folks tend to notice when there's a newcomer around and we're hard to miss in the painted wagon.

"I kept supper warm," Mary informed her children. "Did you get hungry yet, Ruth? You're looking a mite puny. You been eating out there?"

"Yes, Momma, but I could stand to eat a bite or two now if it'll make you happy," Ruth said, eyes twinkling.

"Well, come on then," she said, leading the way to the kitchen for her family.

The room cleared out, leaving Kid and Ruth alone, and he knew this opportunity for privacy wouldn't happen often in a house this small with this many people. He pulled her outside though for an added precaution. The frosty air stung their cheeks and hands, but he was too intent on talking to her to care.

"First things, first. Why didn't you tell me you knew how to shoot?" he asked.

"I didn't think it was important. It doesn't change my opinion on guns. Carrying a gun through some of them towns is an invitation to fight or be put in the position of having to take someone's life. I'd rather rely on the Lord to protect me."

"I would've liked to have known anyway," A look of challenge entered his eyes. "What do you say to a little friendly competition? My gun against your gun."

"You asking me to a gun duel?" she said with a laugh.

"I'm asking you to do a little target shooting. You ain't got a thing against shooting trees, do you?"

"You've got to be joking. Besides, Daddy likes to exaggerate and brag when it comes to his children. I'm competent with a gun. That's all."

"Still, I'd like to see you shoot." He was picturing her with a firearm and the image was stoking his fire. He played with a loose piece of her hair.

"Forget it," she told him. "I ain't playing cowboys with you."

He chuckled. "Are you still planning on staying here the whole 3 weeks?"

Sympathy filled her features. "You didn't exactly get a warm reception, did you?"

"That's an understatement," he said.

"I expect you're mostly just a shock to them. Give it time. They'll come to love you as much as I do." She fingered the collar of his shirt and finished with a seductive smile, "Well, maybe not quite as much."

He grinned and leaned down to kiss her, but the front door opened, blasting them with warm but unwelcome air.

"We was all wondering where you'd slipped off to," Robert said, looking none too pleased about catching them almost kissing. "Momma said the dumplings aren't worth eating cold."

"No, can't have cold dumplings," Kid complained.

Ruth put a hand on his arm, reminding him to keep his temper and he sighed with defeat. Was he not even going to be able to steal kisses on this trip?