Blue Bonnet Read Online Free PDF Page A

women said they
weren't sure why the Indians gave up the fight. Or, why they didn't
come back. Billie always hoped their courage and Hannah’s fighting
skills brought a measure of respect from the Indians. That might be
what made the braves decide to spare their lives.
     

Chapter Four
     
    After daydreaming about Hannah's
story, Bat was uncertain about getting married again. It might be a
unwise decision to make. As tamed down as the country around here
was now, it still was a far piece from town. A woman married to him
would spend an awful lot of her time alone during the day and with
only him for company at night.
    Once in awhile Indians were a
worry, but rustlers were what worried him most. The lazy good for
nothings still cropped up ever now and then. They burnt ranchers
out so they could make off with the cattle while the ranch hands
were busy putting fires out.
    Bat broached the subject with his
sister, Billie Sommers, over Sunday dinner. She had been a widow
for about as long as he had been without Hannah. Maybe she could
shed some light for him with her views on him trying a second
marriage. One thing was sure. His sister never lacked for an
opinion.
    Billie passed him the platter of
fried chicken as she advised, “If you found the right woman,
marriage is a good idea. Though if you're getting ideas about
taking another wife, you don't want to wait too long to pick one.
You're not getting any younger.”
    “I reckon I been thinkin' that way
myself. Fifty don't make me feel like I've got one foot in the
grave, either,” Bat defended. “What about ya, Billie? Ever think
about hitchin' up again? You're only a couple years younger than me
and right handsome and fit as a fiddle yet.”
    “Thanks for the complement. Makes
me feel as if you are comparing me to one of your cows. I'd rather
be considered pretty and lady like.
    Sure, I think about marriage ever
once in a while. If the right man came along, I just might
considered marriage real hard. I'm just not in a big hurry to find
the right man,” Billie said, spooning mash potatoes on her plate
and reaching for the gravy bowl.
    “Why not?” Bat asked, laying the
drumstick bone on the side of his plate.
    “A woman finds it easier to take
care of herself than a man does. As long as she has some money set
aside for her needs and a roof over her head, she can make do,”
Billie declared.
    Bat couldn't imagine that being
true. Most women thought they needed a husband to provide for them,
or so he had always figured. “Is that really right?”
    “Sure, we already know how to cook
and keep house. That's not a skill most men possess. As for me, you
know Lester left me well set with an income from the newspaper. As
long as I have an editor to run the paper, I get paid for owning
it. No work involved there.
    Lester had the house paid for, and
no other debts when he died. We had some savings in the bank so I'm
fine on my own,” Billie assured her brother. “The problem for you,
with picking a woman to replace Hannah, is that no other woman will
measure up to her in your mind. You're going to have to give up
some expectations I'm afraid. You can't be too choosy the second
time around. Comparing the women to Hannah is a no no.
    Now as far as I know, there is
several wife possibilities in town that you're already acquainted
with. Give each of them some thought to see if one of them is right
for you.”
    Bat rubbed his chin. “Several,
huh? I hadn't looked at another woman that way for a long time.
Don't know which ones to check out right off.”
    “You will think about it when you
run into the possibilities now that it's on your mind. What's got
you thinking this way anyhow?” Billie asked.
    “Yesterday, I went out at the
ranch to check on the boys. I stopped to see how the house was
fairin' with no one living in it. It was fall last time I checked
inside. I got to thinkin' about how much I miss livin' out there.
Besides, it makes for a long day ridin' back and forth