“You see, senor,” Slade spoke
up, “my brother owns a half interest in the ranch where we are living now. We might be making other arrangements if he
returns. When he returns, I should say.
“Although there is plenty of
room there our living arrangements will have to be considered. Especially if he comes back with a
bride.” Slade cocked an eyebrow. “That
could become really complicated since I have a wife, too.
“I had only a very small house
until Joshua left to advise his wife’s parents of her death.
“It was barely large enough for
one. I don’t know where I would put
Ellie. Maybe I’ll have to build a
loft.” He teased Ellen. “
But now Joseph and his
grandparents are living there. We might
need another house all together, but if not, we’ll make do.
“I certainly didn’t realize I
was going to be marrying money when I proposed the other day.”
“I know that, Mr. Slade.” Ortega-Garcia said. “It was evident that first day I met you.” He
chuckled. “And I saw the surprise on
your face when you realized her circumstances. It isn’t everyday a man intends to marry a
pauper, then discovers she is a rich woman in her own right.
“You shouldn’t fear that I’ll
allow anyone to think badly of you. If I
hadn’t trusted you, I would have had you driven away before you even knew what
was happening.” He stood up and stepped
across to stand before Slade. He
extended his hand.
Slade stood up.
Ortega-Garcia shook his
hand. “Welcome to our community, Mr.
Slade. I may not be a father to our
Elena but I’ve known her long enough to stand in the place of one. Welcome.”
He clapped his other hand on Slade’s shoulder.
“I don’t mean to be a poor host,
but you wife looks just short of falling asleep, senor. Perhaps you should take
her up to rest.” She has had several
exhausting days.”
Slade turned to Ellen. She was pale and drooping. “I can see you are right, Comandante. I must say good night for us both.
“We will be leaving tomorrow
sometime. I hope we may stop in the say
good bye before we leave.”
He wrapped Ellen in shawl. She smiled wanly and said her
good-nights.
Slade took his wife into their suite.
She was walking and responding to his words but she was evidently tired beyond
thought.
Slade had asked at the desk for
warm water as he passed through the lobby.
It arrived a few minutes after they got inside. He set Ellen on the sofa by the fire and put
the wash basin before her. She washed
her face and hands with the pleasant soap.
Then she stood up and walked to the bed, unbuttoning her pretty new
dress as she went. Slade took it from
her and hung it over the chair. Ellen
quickly dropped her petticoats and found her husband holding the night dress up
for her to slide into. She sat on the
edge of the bed and pulled her stockings off.
She laughed as she flopped back
amid the soft bedclothes Slade had pulled aside for her. “What a wedding night! A wife so tired she cannot keep her eyes
open.”
Slade turned her the right way
on the bed and pulled the blanket up around her shoulders. “Plenty of nights, sweetheart. I’ve waited this long for you to be my wife. I guess a piece of paper is enough for
now.” He leaned down and kissed her
sleepy eyes.
By the time he had changed out
of his suit she was breathing deeply in sleep.
He crawled beneath the blankets and pulled her close in his arms. She
turned to him and snuggled close as though they had shared a bed a hundred
times before. Slade bent his head to
kiss her amid the wild hair and was asleep before he finished the motion.
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