Once a Ranger Read Online Free PDF

who’d resisted marriage for so long, he found the rewards sure exceeded any of the pitfalls. But Cally had no big agenda for them, and she was there for him—as well as enjoying the entire process of man and wife. The situation left him as relaxed as he’d ever been and he looked forward to their trysts.
    At dawn he milked her cow while she made coffee and breakfast for the two of them. Then she started cooking for the potluck supper that night.
    â€œWhat will you do about the cow tonight?” he asked, putting the milk pail on the floor near her.
    â€œNoble said not to worry. He’s staying here, and he said he’d milk her tonight and in the morning for me.”
    â€œThat was nice.”
    â€œOr I’d stick her calf in the pen with her.” She smiled at him. “I wanted us to have another night together and not have to drive home after the dance.”
    He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Sweet idea.”
    â€œWhere will you have to go next?”
    â€œOh, I suppose sometime soon we might borrow that cabin up on Mount Graham where we honeymooned for a few days and escape the heat.”
    â€œThat would be nice. I bet we can arrange that.”
    â€œIf you get a chance to speak to those folks, ask them about it.”
    â€œWe will tonight. Are all your deputies working out?”
    â€œYes, I have a good staff. We may get a contact on the border to warn us about any approaching gang headed north. Zamora knows some people down there. I hope we can get that notification system in place.”
    â€œHow would it work?”
    â€œOh, say a spy knew that they were leaving Mexico for Soda Springs. The telegram would come. ‘I will see you in Soda Springs in a day,’ signed José.”
    â€œNo one would suspect that, would they?” she asked.
    â€œRight. It could tell us in time to fortify our guard if they’re coming.”
    She nodded. “First it was Whitmore wanting to control the entire range. Next some Mexican bandits ride up here like they own us.”
    â€œThere’s always criminals like that around. A sheriff needs to be aware of all law breakers.”
    â€œWas it like this as a Ranger?”
    â€œOh, we had gangs to be rounded up. People who tried to run over others to crowd them off a range or run them away. Bullies. They exist all over. Men who have no respect for their fellow man’s property, his family, or their assets.”
    She leaned against him. “I love being married to you. If I don’t please you, tell me, and I’ll try to do better. I don’t have any experience except what I’ve learned in the past six weeks with you.”
    He hugged her head to his chest and closed his eyes. “You are wonderfully honest. I am so proud of our relationship. You and I learn more and more about ourselves, about what we like and what we enjoy. I
am
pleased—more pleased than I guess I can tell you.”
    â€œI was afraid you would think me wanton if I said it’s wonderful—to be in bed with you.”
    â€œNo, no, that’s our part of this deal.”
    â€œThanks.”
    He squeezed her hard. “We have a great, powerful marriage.”
    â€œGood. Sit down and we’ll eat lunch. Then—we’re alone so we can do what we want to do.”
    He chuckled. “And we will.”
    â€œGood.”
    He clasped his hand on top of hers. “You are a real winner.”
    They didn’t get much of a nap that afternoon, but they damn sure learned lots about the power of love between them. He couldn’t believe what all they did and his back ached along with his brains—whew!

FOUR
    T HEY GOT A late start for the schoolhouse but made it before everything really began. Cally gathered some women to help her get the food she’d fixed on the serving table. Guthrey put up a wall tent and several teenage boys came to his aid.
    Cally came back out of breath and put her butt