scandal that could jeopardize his career.
Now I'm finally thinking with my mind, instead of my heart. Duane has certain delightful traits, she pondered, but he's really just a plaything, and not a man with whom a woman can build a life. Lieutenant Dawes, on the other hand, is a West Point officer with a better chance for promotion than those who came up through the ranks. I can't throw myself at him, and he can't ask me to marry him, since I'm already engaged. Maybe I should get unengaged, but if I do it so soon, people will think that I'm silly, callous, or a schemer, which in fact I am. And then, if it all works out, how could I tell Duane? With his temper, he's liable to shoot somebody.
Duane lay on the dirt near the cold embers of the campfire. Men snored all around him, but he wasn't accustomed to sleeping on the ground, and didn't know where to put his hip. He tried to find a comfortable position, but there was none on the cold, hard ground.
His muscles ached, a demon drilled a hole through his brain, and his stomach struggled to digest the massive poundage of beef that he'd devoured that evening. Unable to fall asleep, he recalled the run-in with the Circle K. He was in trouble again, because other people wouldn't leave him alone.
What is it about me that bothers them? he wondered. Why didn't that Circle K cowboy pick on somebody else? And he knew that the incident wasn't over. Once again, he'd have to watch his back.
You can always return to the monastery, he said to himself. Just get down on your knees, apologize to the abbot, and he'll forgive you. But how can you live without women?
He'd noticed pretty Mexican girls at Mass in the monastery church, and had experienced impure thoughts. The craving became so intense, he decided to leave, but didn't have courage to tell the abbot. So he got into a fight, and the abbot had thrown him out, resolving his dilemma. Then, a few weeks later, he'd run into Vanessa Fontaine. He recalled the advice of Saint Paul the Apostle. It is better to marry than burn.
Duane was anxious for Saturday night to arrive. He also considered Vanessa his best friend and advisor. She'd always demonstrated good sense, except when she'd run off with him. I'll bet she's as lonely and unhappy as I am right now, and misses me as much as I miss her.
CHAPTER 4
L IEUTENANT DAWES appeared at the general store at the appointed hour next morning. A buffalo hunter sat at the round table, drinking whiskey, while Gibson filled an order for beans, molasses, and flour. âThey're awaitinâ fer you,â he said.
Lieutenant Dawes headed for the corridor behind the counter, spine straight, stomach in, chest out. His stomach rumbled with anxiety, because the detachment commander didn't feel comfortable with little children who weren't subject to his orders. And he had to make the best possible impression on Miss Fontaine.
He found the parlor, where children sat on chairs, the sofa, and the floor. The schoolmarmfaced them behind the rickety writing table that served as her desk. âOur guest has arrived,â she declared warmly. âClass, I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Clayton Dawes.â
The children applauded politely, as she'd taught them. Lieutenant Dawes tried to smile, but looked as if he'd just been outflanked by six thousand Comanches. âI've been asked to tell you about army life,â he began, âbut I don't exactly know where to begin, because the army is quite a complex subject. So I thought that I'd just answer any questions that you might have. Who wants to be first?â
Nobody moved for several seconds, as children eyed him suspiciously. Then a hand warily raised into the air. âHow come you wear a uniform? Why can't you dress like an ordinary person?â
âUniforms originated because soldiers couldn't recognize friend from foe in the confusion of battle. My particular uniform was designed by people in Washington D.C., who've never seen Texas in
Now I'm finally thinking with my mind, instead of my heart. Duane has certain delightful traits, she pondered, but he's really just a plaything, and not a man with whom a woman can build a life. Lieutenant Dawes, on the other hand, is a West Point officer with a better chance for promotion than those who came up through the ranks. I can't throw myself at him, and he can't ask me to marry him, since I'm already engaged. Maybe I should get unengaged, but if I do it so soon, people will think that I'm silly, callous, or a schemer, which in fact I am. And then, if it all works out, how could I tell Duane? With his temper, he's liable to shoot somebody.
Duane lay on the dirt near the cold embers of the campfire. Men snored all around him, but he wasn't accustomed to sleeping on the ground, and didn't know where to put his hip. He tried to find a comfortable position, but there was none on the cold, hard ground.
His muscles ached, a demon drilled a hole through his brain, and his stomach struggled to digest the massive poundage of beef that he'd devoured that evening. Unable to fall asleep, he recalled the run-in with the Circle K. He was in trouble again, because other people wouldn't leave him alone.
What is it about me that bothers them? he wondered. Why didn't that Circle K cowboy pick on somebody else? And he knew that the incident wasn't over. Once again, he'd have to watch his back.
You can always return to the monastery, he said to himself. Just get down on your knees, apologize to the abbot, and he'll forgive you. But how can you live without women?
He'd noticed pretty Mexican girls at Mass in the monastery church, and had experienced impure thoughts. The craving became so intense, he decided to leave, but didn't have courage to tell the abbot. So he got into a fight, and the abbot had thrown him out, resolving his dilemma. Then, a few weeks later, he'd run into Vanessa Fontaine. He recalled the advice of Saint Paul the Apostle. It is better to marry than burn.
Duane was anxious for Saturday night to arrive. He also considered Vanessa his best friend and advisor. She'd always demonstrated good sense, except when she'd run off with him. I'll bet she's as lonely and unhappy as I am right now, and misses me as much as I miss her.
CHAPTER 4
L IEUTENANT DAWES appeared at the general store at the appointed hour next morning. A buffalo hunter sat at the round table, drinking whiskey, while Gibson filled an order for beans, molasses, and flour. âThey're awaitinâ fer you,â he said.
Lieutenant Dawes headed for the corridor behind the counter, spine straight, stomach in, chest out. His stomach rumbled with anxiety, because the detachment commander didn't feel comfortable with little children who weren't subject to his orders. And he had to make the best possible impression on Miss Fontaine.
He found the parlor, where children sat on chairs, the sofa, and the floor. The schoolmarmfaced them behind the rickety writing table that served as her desk. âOur guest has arrived,â she declared warmly. âClass, I'd like you to meet Lieutenant Clayton Dawes.â
The children applauded politely, as she'd taught them. Lieutenant Dawes tried to smile, but looked as if he'd just been outflanked by six thousand Comanches. âI've been asked to tell you about army life,â he began, âbut I don't exactly know where to begin, because the army is quite a complex subject. So I thought that I'd just answer any questions that you might have. Who wants to be first?â
Nobody moved for several seconds, as children eyed him suspiciously. Then a hand warily raised into the air. âHow come you wear a uniform? Why can't you dress like an ordinary person?â
âUniforms originated because soldiers couldn't recognize friend from foe in the confusion of battle. My particular uniform was designed by people in Washington D.C., who've never seen Texas in
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