“Did Franny tell you about her and Gavin's problem?""Yes,I'm afraid I pried if out of her. You know that was a good idea you gave her. Too bad it didn't work.""It didn't? Criminey, he must be made of stone!""She wasn't entirely without success. She got a rise out of him, that's for sure."Willow grinned at Miriam's unintended pun.The older woman pursed her lips by way of reprimand and continued. "Seems Franny jumped in bed with him in her natural state and he flew out the other side of the bed.""Then what happened?""He threw his clothes on and left the room for safer territory, I guess.""Damn! Sorry," Willow apologized for her lapse. "But I did mean damn. Darn just isn't strong enough to describe this here situation. Did you ever hear the like?""No,but perhaps we can think on it during your visit. Right now, we better get rolling before your father-""Woman,ain't you ready to leave yet?" Owen yelled through the door."Oh,hush up, you ole bad of wind," Miriam called back.”

“Just before Willow and Rider boarded the stage, Owen and Miriam pulled them aside. Owen looked terribly uncomfortable, and for a moment Willow thought they were about to hear some dreaful news."Yes,Pa?" Willow prodded. "Is there a problem?""No.Just got something to say, is all.""Well,what is it,Owen?" Rider chuckled.Owen put his arm around Miriam and yanked her close. She scowled and smoothed her pretty peach satin gown."Well,I guess me and Miriam here are getting hitched.""You guess?" Miriam snapped, slapping at the arm squeezing the air out of her."Congratulations!" Rider shouted out. "Mrs. Brigham, how did you ever talk this stubborn father-in-law of mine into it?"Owen winked at Rider. And to his future wife's horror, he replied, "She rode and broke the stallion.”

“You'll have that handsome rogue you married at your knees, my dear."Franny giggled. "You really think so, senora?""I certainly do, my dear."Willow nudged the girl in the ribs. "Take it from me, Miriam knows what she's talking about!""Good grief, Willow!" Miriam protested. "You make me sound like I'm an expert on seducing men! I find that not the least bit flattering."Willow winked at Franny, and Miriam rolled her eyes skyward.”

“Willow turned her gaze from him as he sat down on the bed and smoothed her tangled hair off her face. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, sweetheart. Are you all right now?"Willow couldn't help flinching from his touch. "Of course I'm all right," she snapped.Rider jerked his hand back as if bitten. "Freckles, honey, is something wrong, something you're not telling me?"The angry redhead shrugged. "What could possibly be wrong?""I don't know. You just seem a little....out of sorts."Bastard, she silently cursed. But aloud she said, "I'm fine. Just tired, I guess.""Do you want me to bring your supper to you in here? I'd be happy to keep you company.""I would like to have my supper in here but don't bother yourself on my account. I'm sure you have things to discuss with Pa and the boys."Rider stood abruptly, obviously at a loss over her attitude. "Fine,Willow, if that's what you want.""It is."He opened the door to leave but halted when she called, "Rider.""Yes?""You better move your things in with one of the boys. Miriam is sharing my bed tonight.""Tonight? But I'm leaving tomorrow and won't be back until-""Really,Rider, it's only for one night and I ain't,er, am not in any shape for fooling around!""I know that," he bit out, his ire piqued now. "I just thought it might be nice to hold you."With that, he slammed out the door and Willow broke into tears. Before they stopped, her head was pounding all over again.”

“Tell me one thing. Has Rider Sinclair done something to hurt you in any way? If he has,I'll shoot that man!"Willow was taken aback by Miriam's vehemence. "No,no," she hastily assured. "He might have hurt my feelings some but that's all.""I noticed he wasn't being very gentlemanly, but I overlooked it because I thought perhaps he was still showing his temper over the Scofield incident.""You're probably right. But, Miriam, this ain't, er,isn't about Sinclair, not entirely anyway. It's about me." Willow's smile was sad. "Being a man would be easier and a hell of a lot more fun but I ain't built right. So, I want you to teach me how to look and act like a fine and proper lady. You will, won't you?"Merry chuckles bubbled and rolled out of Miriam. "Oh, Willow!" More chuckles. "I know I shouldn't laugh right now, but I can't help myself. You say the most awful things!"Willow didn't know if she should be insulted or not, but since it was Miriam laughing at her, she gave her the benefit of the doubt. "I know my wanting to be a real lady is funny, but not that funny.""No,no." Miriam laughed, gasping for breath. "No that, the part about you're not being built right.”

“If you aren't in love, Willow Vaughn, then my name isn't Miriam Brigham."Willow started out of her daydreaming and glanced up from the laundry tub. Miriam stood before her with her fists planted on her hips. "Now, Miriam, I-""No sense denying it, young lady. You've got that dreamy dazed glow about you. Rider Sinclair isn't much better, the way he hangs around you,like a bee drawn to honey. He's always holding your hand or throwing his arm around you when he thinks I'm not looking.""Well,even if I were in love, it wouldn't change anything. I still don't want another man to look after, and I don't need one looking out for me either. I can take care of myself!""Course, you can!" Miriam agreed, picking the last sheet out of the rinse water and wringing it out. "Most women can. Look at me, I run a boarding house and support myself just fine. But let me tell you something. That lonely bed of mine is mighty cold on winter nights, even here in the territory."Willow blushed and concentrated on her hands where they rested on the edge of the tub."Willow," Miriam continued, "you've been managing your pa just fine since he got home. A husband isn't any more difficult to manage than a father, unless, of course, you're married to a no-good lout."Willow dried her hands on the wide white apron around her middle. "But, Miriam, if I don't marry, then I don't have to bother finagling a man to my way of doing things. Staying single makes a hell of a lot more sense!""Watch the cursing, young lady."Miriam slung the sheet over the line and returned to help Willow with the wash tub. They each grapped a handle and carried it a few feet before setting it down to rest their arms a moment."Willow, use your noggin, will you? Part of the fun of being a woman is wrapping some big, handsome hunk of a man around your little finger. You do have to use your good sense, though, and realize when you're wrong and he's right. Of course"-Miriam chuckled-"that won't be too often."And you have to be careful not to hurt a man's feelings overly much. Men are funny creatures. They seldom let their emotions show because they think it isn't manly. But you can tell when they're upset.They start pouting like a little boy.I've always thought that was rather curious.”

“Willow leaned forward and laid her head next to his on the pillow. "Is it too late to say I'm sorry, and that I love you more than anything else in this world?""Oh God,no,love." With his good arm, he reached for the back of her head and brought her lips to his. They kissed as if they'd never get enough of each other, because they knew they never would.When Rider finally released her mouth, he smiled rakishly and pulled her hand under the covers.Willow smiled when he laid her hand over his throbbing desire. "Hmmm, you are feeling better.""Almost well enough to start Mr. Happy on his baby-making lessons again," he said in a deep sexy baritone."Ah,Rider?""Yes,love?" He was pulling her down for another stirring kiss."About those lessons?""Hmmm, I'm anxious to start practicing again, too,love. But at the moment Mr. Happy is a lot stronger than the rest of me.""Oh,I know,but...Rider, Mr. Happy must have learned his lessons real fast."Rider stilled. "What do you mean?""I mean that I think Mr. Happy cooked something up in the kitchen."Forgetting his shoulder, Willow's husband sat straight up in bed. He winced, then asked, "You mean you're...going to have a baby?""Of course I'm going to have a baby, you beefwit. Did you think I was baking another damn pie?""Yahoooo!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, and hugged her with his good arm.Six men, Juan included, plus two women came pouring into the room."What in the hell is going on in here?" Owen grumbled in mock irritation.Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Rider announced, "Owen, your daughter is about to make me a father and give you a second grandchild.""Oh,hell, I knew that."Nine people echoed, "You did?""Hell, yes, all you gotta do is look at 'er face."Rider cocked his head and studied his wife's face. "She does have an extra glow about her, doesn't she?""She sure does." Owen chuckled. "Her mama got the same glow with all five of her babies.""If I'm glowing, it's because all of you are staring at me like I just grew horns," Willow said, covering her flushed cheeks with her hands."Dammit, I just thought of something," Owen said. "I s'pose this means I'll have to add another room to the house for when you come visiting.""Owen Vaughn," Miriam reprimanded, "stop that cursing. I swear every other word out of your mouth is a curse! I'm going to break you of that before your grandbabies get old enough to repeat that filth.""Break me of it?" Owen laughed and poked Nick in the ribs with his elbow. "Only one way for a woman to break a stallion, that's to ride 'im hard!" The man all guffawed loudly.Miriam's face turned ten shades of red. "Well,I never!" She turned on her heel and made an indignant exit.”