Page 51 of An Unescorted Lady

The thought of being his wife thrilled her. Sleeping with him every night, loving him, being finally free to love him like he deserved.

But what if Priscilla seduced him while he was there? What if she got pregnant? What if, what if!

Oh Lord, I gotta quit dreaming up problems!

On Saturday he took her to meet the Williams. Sally Williams was a bit younger than Helen and very pretty. She was blonde and tall, and she had five children running around the house chasing each other. Strange but the noise they made didn't seem to affect her.

She offered her some coffee and some apple pie.

Lance and Joe Williams went outside to discuss the trail drive.

"I'm sorry I haven't been over to welcome you, hon, but as you can see, I have five kids that keeps me in line every day."

"I understand, must keep you plenty busy."

"Yes, it does. So, tell me, how do you like it here?"

"I do, very much. I don't like the weather as much, I mean it's just April and already beginning to get hot."

"Wait until July and August those months are killers, it gets so hot sometimes you think you'll just die from breathing the hot air. Sometimes the wind just doesn't blow, and you wish for it. It doesn't come."

"I met Helen the other day."

"Did you, we all get together on quilting Fridays."

"Oh, yes, I want to learn to do that."

"Well, we can always use another hand at it. We try to make quilts for the church, as new people are always moving here and don't have things they need."

"I see, sounds wonderful." Trudy told her.

"I told Helen I'd give her some recipes and help her learn to cook more, if she'd teach me how to quilt. I've never done it, although I can sew some, but I'm sure not as well as any of you." Trudy explained.

"Oh, that's good, I'm sure Marty will appreciate that!" Sally chuckled.

"It surprised me at her age that she isn't an excellent cook."

Sally ran her finger over the top of her coffee cup, "Well, there's a reason for that. You see, her Ma died early, and she was the oldest kid, so her Pa had her doing things outside the home. She never got to be the girl. He treated her like the son he never had."

"That must have been hard for her, growing up I mean."

Sally nodded, her eyes taking on a faraway look as though remembering. "She told me she had a terrible time with boys, always trying to outdo them, but when Marty came along, it was different. He didn't mind her challenges and he admired the fact that she could ride, rope, and handle almost any job he could. He told her he liked a girl that could work alongside him."

"That sounds so romantic."

Sally chuckled, "When she quit trying to out do him, he started courting her. He treated her so sweet, bringing her flowers, asking her to dances. She was awkward being a girl, but she told me it was the biggest challenge of her life, and Marty was there waiting for her at the finish line. It really was quite a romance; the whole town remembers it."

"I never did manly chores, but I did my fair share of work." She told her.

"I was pampered I suppose. But Joe taught me so much about doing my share and encouraged me to learn to do new things. Out here, a woman is challenged by everything around her. She learns to cope and to do things she never thought she'd do. You gotta have a strong stomach for it, and a big heart."

"Are all your kids in school?" Trudy changed the subject as one of them came up to Sally with an "owie" she called it. Sally got some water and a rag, cleaned it up and wrapped it, and sent her on her way.

"Thanks, mommy… " the little girl came back to peck her on the cheek.

"She's precious." Trudy smiled as she bounced out the front door.

"I guess it won't be long before you and Lance have one on the way?"

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