Jo nodded, then shook her and starred into her eyes. "Honey, that's part of what love is. Taking a chance. You can lose anyone, that's true. But isn't it better to have them and love them for the time you got, than not to have them at all?"
Callie looked confused. Somehow those words penetrated into her brain. "But…what if he doesn't want Sam? I can't leave Sam."
"You're just looking for excuses now. If I know Gil, he'd never even think of doing something like that. He's just too good a man. Now you listen to me. Don't you let that man slip through your fingers. If you love him, you let him know. You latch on to him so hard; he'll never let you go. You understand. Don't miss this chance. He knows Sam is a big part of your life."
Callie twisted her hands in her lap. "I done turned him down."
"Turned him down? Well, that can be changed. You just tell him yes. Tell him you changed your mind. And as fast as you can, too."
"But what if he doesn't want me any more?"
Jo almost laughed at her innocence. "What if he does? Love is risking everything, even your pride honey. And you couldn't prove it to him any better than letting that pride fall away from you and admitting it."
"I think it's too late. I saw the look on his face when I turned him down." Callie cried.
"It's never too late if he really loves you."
Callie hung her head. "Your wrong, it's too late Jo…"
~*~
Gil was hanging the posters up all over town and people were reading them as fast as they could and laughing.
Gil laughed too, he had a town full of friends that seemed to understand what he was up against. And they cheered him on for his efforts.
He continued to hang them everywhere.
"Think it will work, Gil?" one of his friends asked as he watched him nail another up.
"It better!" Gil smiled at him.
"Well, we're about to find out. Here she comes! And she shore don't look too happy." his friend laughed.
Callie was holding one of the posters. Her face was scarlet and her hands were on her hips as she stopped in front of Gil and demanded to know what it was about.
"What do you think you are doing?" She demanded to know, not bothering to be polite or quiet in front of everyone. A small crowd begin to gather around them as Gil stared at her and came closer.
"Putting a poster up. What does it look like?"
"But…you can't put this up!" She stomped her foot in the dirt as she displayed the simple drawing of her on a wanted poster.
"I already have, all over town as a matter of fact." He smirked.
"You take these down, immediately." Her anger festered.
"Not on your life." He said and everyone about them laughed. "Have you even bothered to read it?"
"I read it. Wanted: Bride." She swallowed hard.
"Did you read the description?" He asked her.
He turned on her now, facing her. "I asked you to marry politely once already. I did everything but get on my knees. It didn't work."
"This is outrageous. I want satisfaction."
"Me too! Okay…dueling pistols at dawn then?" He asked.
"Dueling…pistols?" She quirked a brow.
He backed her up, "There's only one way I'll take those posters of you down."
"What way?" She asked, her voice almost shaking at his amused glance.
Now he looked at her, the intensity of his gaze caressing her like a kiss. "Marry me and put me out of this misery…" He pleaded.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She glanced at the gathering crowd, but they were all smiling and waiting for her answer.
"All you gotta say is yes!" He reached to hold her at arm's length.
"I can't…I can't leave Sam."
"Who's asking you too?"
"I can't leave him."
"Of course you can't. He's part of the family the way I see it. Now, are you gonna marry me or not?"
She opened her mouth, and everyone seemed to wait with baited breath to hear her words. She glanced at their friends, then at him. His face sobered waiting for her answer.
"Y-yes!" She shouted aloud.
"Mother of Jesus, thank you God!" He shouted. A round of cheers went up as Gil took her into his arms and lifted her into the air as though she were nothing more than a feather, then as she slid down, he kissed her. The crowd cheered and hats were tossed in the air. The whole town seemed to celebrate right out in the street with them.
"I love you Callie, I always have."
"Oh Gil, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on, "I love you too!"
Two weeks later at the Christian church three couples came out of the doorway that afternoon.
Lou and Jo were off for a honeymoon in St. Louis, Saul and Roberta got into the decorated carriage and rode toward his ranch. Gil, and Callie paused as the doors swung open and he picked her up in his arms and kissed her long and hard. Then in a rain of rice and good wishes, they were off to live in their new home.
They were finally, blissfully, married. As they rode off in the wagon, Sam and Precious rode in the back. Precious was howling and Sam grabbed him around the neck and was laughing. Love had won, at last.
The End
About the Author
Rita has written many novels. This particular one is part of the Brides of the West Series. She loves writing and plans to spend the rest of her life doing so.
She's a mother of two girls, grandmother of seven, and great grandmother of three.
Widowed in 2006, she lost her soul mate, Don.
Visit her on the web.
Rita's Other Books
Brides of the West Series
Heart of a Family
Delivering the Bride
Heart of a Woman
Look for more coming soon
Brides of the Red River Valley
Heart of a Lady
Dancing With the Preacher Man
Last Bride, Last Man
Winning the Lady
Maggie's Dreams
The Dream Catcher Series
Beyond the Dream Catcher
Just One Kiss
Ask No Tomorrows
The Travers Brothers Series
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Courting Abby
Hannah's Man
Along Came Love
Avalanche of the Heart
The McKay's
Ring of Fire
Twelfth of Never
Stand By Me
The Amory's
Heart of the Wild
Sweeter Than Wine
Mail-Order Nanny
Some of my singles:
Nick's Baby
Pretend Mom
Suspicions of the Heart
Strictly Business
Wandering Heart
The Western Serial Killer Series:
Better Off Without Her
Good Day for a Hanging
Bad Day for a Killing
Historicals
Always Remember
Jodi's Journey
Many coming soon.