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his weight in the saddle and realized his back and shoulders were weary of the ride. By the look of the sun’s position he’d been in the saddle for nearly eight hours without many breaks.
    “What are you sayin’, son?”
    “I’m sayin’ that I don’t know that I can marry her. Shedoesn’t want a ranching life. She’s told me over and over that she wants to live in a big city with loads of servants and free time.” He shook his head. It was hard to even imagine such a life and how a man might fit into the scheme of things. “I know some people expect us to marry. Mostly her ma and mine, but honestly, I don’t know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
    “Marriage is a real important thing, son. You don’t want to be toying with the girl’s affections if you don’t intend to do the honorable thing.” His father’s weathered face bore considerable concern.
    “I’ve never toyed with her affections, Pa. I haven’t even kissed her.” He felt his face grow hot. The topic had suddenly become embarrassing. Truth was he’d not kissed any girl other than his mother and sisters. He’d had plenty of chances, but his mother and father had always put into his heart the need for chastity and caution when it came to stirring up romantic feelings.
    “I didn’t mean to suggest you hadn’t treated her right. I just want you to be sure that you don’t lead her on.”
    “I don’t think Jessica loves me any more than I love her. We’re just like brother and sister or good friends. And I hope we will always be that—after all, we grew up knowing each other’s families. We’re all close, and I don’t want to lose that.”
    His father nodded. “Well, make sure of your heart. I know you’ve long taken up the affairs of the broken and wounded. Don’t let your heart be swayed by guilt or worry over what folks will think. She’ll recover a lot faster if you just lay it on the line with her. I don’t want to see either of you compromising or giving in just to keep the other from feeling bad.”
    “I just don’t know for sure what I’m supposed to do.”
    “Have you prayed on it?” his father asked.
    “I have. I still am.”
    William Barnett smiled. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Maybe tonight at the party you’ll get a feel for what you’re supposed to do.”
    “Christmas seems a bad time of year to tell someone you aren’t gonna marry them, especially when everyone figures you will.”
    “Christmas is still two weeks away, and the truth is never something to be delayed. Think about it, son. You may have more feelings for her than you realize. Might be that the expectations are what’s clouding your heart. Give it to the Lord and see where He wants to take you.”
    Father was right, of course. He always offered wise counsel, and Robert would do well to heed it. Still, he hated to hurt Jessica. She might be a pampered child, but she was still deserving of genteel consideration, and he did care about her. Putting the matter to the back of his mind, Robert gave his father a grin and touched his spurs to his mount.
    “Right now He wants to take me home to some of Ma’s great cooking. Race you back!” His sorrel gelding shot forward in a streak of red.

Chapter 3
    Alice gave a quick glance in the mirror to check her blond hair before heading out to wait tables at the Denver Daily Diner. She’d been blessed to get a job so quickly, despite her scarred face. The owner, Frank Bellows, told her that it didn’t matter to him. The clients he catered to were mostly rough and rugged railroad men whose aim was to eat quickly and get back to work. She could still hear the words of Mr. Bellows: “ You ’ re still kind of pretty — enough to entice them to buy an extra piece of pie . Just keep your face turned to the right and maybe they won ’ t notice the scar .”
    But Alice knew that wasn’t enough. The scar was still noticeable, although after a year it was finally starting to fade.