It was unusually hot for April, at least John thought so, he wasn't sure it was his first time there. Waves of heat pulsated from the parched ground but fortunately the clouds gathering in the otherwise bright blue sky promised a reprieve. Plus the rains would ensure a healthy crop.

John pushed his hat up from his brow, wiping absently with his handkerchief and listened to Alan, who explained the need for another field horse.

He'd fallen naturally into the role of overseer. Once training John to his satisfaction, Joshua was free to work his own lands and had gladly relinquished the duties over to him.

While listening, John glanced over at the other two men they'd hired recently. The men took a break under a shade tree, both drinking heavily of the cool water Elma had brought out. "I certainly understand why you feel another horse is necessary, but the three we have seem more than sufficient. However, I will speak to the Joshua to see if he also feels one of the horses is as unsuitable as you suspect." He replied. "Tell the others we have to get the equipment gathered and into the barn before the rains come." He dismissed the man and headed toward the stable. Alan, a hard worker, he seemed satisfied with John's reply and went to join the others.

John looked past the fields toward the horse corrals where several colts pranced around the adults.

Virginia was no longer an option, his father had written, he was selling the press. Perhaps he'd remain here, he'd start a new life for Wesley and himself.

A small farm, with stables.

Once settled, he'd see about breeding horses. Raising his purebreds was where his true passion lay. The experience here at Hawkins' ranch was a boon. He'd learned quite a bit about not only the proper way to run a large estate, but about horse breeding as well. At five years his senior, Joshua took him through the paces of all involved in running the ranch and all he knew about horses. It was evident the soft-spoken man had learned from the best.

John admired what Mae's father had acquired here and the hard work that must have gone into prospering such a great ranch.

The rain began to fall in earnest just an hour later, and John made his way from the stables to the house. His leg bothered him enough to let him know he'd spent too much time moving about that day. This evening he planned on a hot bath and perhaps reading in the front room. How easily I've become domesticated. He smiled at the thought and shook his head. Just months earlier, he much preferred spending the evening outdoors to being inside.

This could be his life, a future with Mae. But no, not only would he not burden Mae with his deformity and a child to boot, but also the thought of encroaching on her land as well sickened him.

Although Mae and he had remained civil toward each other since the night she'd spent in his bed, a curtain had fallen between them. He wasn't certain if he or she had done the honors of hanging it, but there it remained. Soft, yet still a barrier separating them nonetheless.

She deserved a whole man, and he would not stand in the way of her finding someone who would love her unconditionally. Regardless of how she'd made him feel on the night she'd come to his bedroom, as if his deformity did not matter, it did.

It had to.

Then there was the obstacle of her tarnished background. No matter how much he tried, it was impossible for him to ignore it. That someone would look upon her as before, a prostitute if she ever were to become his wife was something he could not reconcile. What would his reaction be? Was it fair for others to judge her? For him to?

She'd only had one other lover. How was it possible? She had no reason to lie. And he believed her, but for some reason it did not change the picture of her in his mind.

A scene repeated in his mind of the interior of the brothel. Tinny piano music playing, while the smoke and chatter of people filled the already overcrowded room. Presiding over the space like a royal, Mae stood out in spite of the colorful clothing of the other woman. With Kohl-lined eyes and feather in her hair, she reined over the establishment, a beautiful seductive madam.

And what about him? The desire of his heart was to have a wife, a family and a life something just like the current one here with Mae and Wesley at Hawkins ranch. His leg pulsed in reply.

Although Mae hadn't recoiled at the sight of his missing limb when she'd taken care of him, he'd felt its absence. No longer able to walk without a limp, he hated the lack of smoothness in his stride.

No. A life here was not for him. Most women expected more from their husband.

Not for you.

Having rounded the house and walked to the front, John neared the porch and peered through the window. He looked through the large picture window and stopped in his steps, taking a minute to soak in the scene before him.

He could not tear his eyes away from the interior. Mae sat in an overstuffed chair before the fireplace with Wesley in her lap holding a book, their heads so close together they touched. The little boy traced lines along the page as she read out loud to him. Before long, his hands fell away and Wesley burrowed into the woman who the little boy had come to see as a mother figure. He thrust his thumb in his mouth while Mae continued with the story.

John remained transfixed, remorse shoring into his chest at the knowledge he'd separate the two very soon. The guilt grew upon spotting Wesley wrapping his little fingers around Mae's wrist seeking the security of her to hold him after he fell asleep.

As if sensing his watch, Mae turned to the window then quickly away. But not before he caught sight of a tear trailing down her cheek.

It was best he find a way to leave without delay.

* * *

"So soon?" Mae twisted her hands in her apron. The flour from the bread she was making leaving a dusty print.

Elma nodded, her lips pressed together. "Yes, Senor McClain told me this morning before he left to go into town. He is going to look at a property to buy. And that he hoped to move in a couple of weeks."

"Well I suppose it's to be expected," Mae trailed off when Wesley rushed into the room and threw his arms around her legs.

"Go walk!" He announced looking up at her with anticipation. It had become their routine after she'd finished her morning chores to go outside and walk while teaching him words and spelling. "Not now Wes, in a few minutes." She leaned down and placed a kiss on top of his head.

He looked to Elma and she held out a cookie for him. "Go wait on the porch and eat it," she instructed him watching with fondness as he scampered out the door.

Mae blinked away the moisture in her eyes. She'd come to think of this as a permanent life. She'd written Miss Lady to inform her she'd decided to remain in Texas indefinitely, inviting her to come out to visit. It would do Miss Lady good to get away from the brothel and spend time here.

Now she wondered at her plans. What would her life be after John and Wesley left? Would she wish to remain in Texas? She caught sight of Wesley on the back porch nibbling at his cookie and she wondered if John would allow the boy to remain with her. After all, he could not possible complete all the duties involved in starting a horse farm and hiring men while caring for his young son at the same time.

The idea of approaching him to allow Wesley to remain there for an indefinite period made her feel much better and she finished by placing the dough into a bowl to rise then wiped her hands.

"I'm going for a walk with the handsome gentleman who stares at us through the window," she announced.

Elma looked to see Wesley's face pressed against the glass and burst out laughing. "He is not a very patient man, now is he?"

"So much like his father," Mae replied shaking her head.

Elma stopped her with a light touch to her upper arm. "Senorita, you can stop Senor McClain from leaving. Why do you not accept him as your husband?"

"He's never asked Elma. I believe he is not interested in marriage." Mae gave Elma an even look. "Even if he was, he knows my past Elma." Mae swallowed hard past the lump forming in her throat. "And cannot forget it, I'm afraid. John would never marry me."

"I don't know what your past is," Elma huffed. "But I know love when I see it, and that man loves you."

"Not enough apparently." Mae untied her apron and went to leave. Stalling at Elma's next words.

"We will see."

Just as Mae went outside Alan, approached, the man hurried to where she stood holding Wesley by the hand. It was hard to read the large man, his quiet reserve a shield. He frowned at her and took a breath as if not sure what to say.

"What is it Alan?"

The man looked to the child. "Someone is here," his eyes remained on Wesley. "You should see about it alone Miss Mae."

Without asking anything further, she guided Wesley back inside instructing Elma who'd come to see what happened to keep him inside and out of sight.

Alan removed his hat and scratched his head. "Miss Mae, there's a woman out front. Came in a wagon. She's claimin' to be the boy's mama. Said she wants to talk to Mr. John. I told her he was gone, but she insists on talkin' to someone."

Wesley's mother?

Mae straightened her shoulders and brushed the flour from her skirts, then ran an expert hand over her hair to ensure all was in place. "Thank you Alan. Please come with me, and remain a short distance away while I speak to her."

Thankful for the man's size, Mae walked alongside Alan his presence reassuring. They went through the house and exited the front door onto the porch. Alan stood a few feet away to safeguard her if the woman decided to over-react.

Her years of working in the brothel brought with it an innate knowledge of people, the cause for actions and words. And no time was Mae more thankful for it than upon meeting Carla.

Mae kept the knowledge of knowing the woman's name to herself. Instead stood just outside the door and motioned for the woman to join her on two chairs on the front porch. "How can I help you?"

Although attractive, the woman was very thin and harsh in appearance and with her speech. Her serviceable clothing although well tended to and clean, were old. Mae noted fraying at the hems of the brown skirt. The telltale sign of a hard life was evident in the manner of her posture and lack of luster in her skin and hair. Her shrewd eyes took a fast inventory of both Mae's face and clothing before agreeing to sit. "I'm Carla, Wesley's mother," she stated without giving indication of the purpose for her visit.

It struck Mae as odd how the woman had not asked to see Wesley right away. Instead of saying anything, Mae remained silent, not introducing herself.

"I've come to get Wesley." "I'm moving west and have decided it's best to take the boy with me."

The boy. Not "my son" or "my child".

"I'm afraid the decision is up to John McClain, and as you've been told, he is away, gone to town for the day. You can return tomorrow and speak to him." Mae remained still, giving the impression of calmness with her hands folded on her lap. Her steady hands gave no indication of the pounding in her chest. She looked over to see the woman had driven up in a serviceable wagon and came alone.

"I don't have time to wait another day," Carla told her leaning forward. "We're starting a new life. My husband and I. He's ready to leave, but the more I think about it, I want him along. I refused to go without Wesley."

Mae cleared her throat and slid her gaze to ensure Alan remained a few short yards away. "I'm afraid I will not budge on this matter, like I told you, return tomorrow."

"The fact you're shacked up with John McClain does not give you any say over this. I came to take the boy and will not leave until you hand him over." Carla sneered and jumped to her feet. "I don't have time to waste coming back here." She shrieked, but took a step back when Alan cleared his throat.

When the woman looked inside the house, her eyes narrowing in calculation. It was then Mae understood the true purpose of her visit. "You people with all your money have no idea what it's like to travel so far and not have enough to make it. That's why we are going west. There ain't no money to be made here."

"How much would it take to get you to leave without Wesley and never return?"

Carla was shrewd enough to lower eyes to hide any gleam of greed, but when she licked at her upper lip it became obvious.

Mae fought to understand how easily the woman would give up the beautiful little boy. "How much?"

"Well I do care deeply for my child."

Mae almost laughed out loud.

The woman had yet to ask to see Wesley.

"Alan, please keep the lady company. I will return shortly." Mae stood and went inside to fetch the payment. Anger simmered in her gut, but she kept it at bay. No use in showing the woman how much the visit affected her. When John returned, she'd beg him that Wesley would never learn of this. The pitiful amount the woman demanded almost made her want to pay more just to prove how much Wesley was worth.