John watched on as Elma and Mae made a big production out of putting Wesley to bed. The boy was definitely doted upon and would be a handful for him once they moved. Yet he didn't interfere knowing this was one battle he'd not win.

Once tucked in, the tired but still smiling boy looked over to him and held his arms out. "Night Da."

As was customary, he went to the bed and leaned over to hug his son. "Good night Son." Wesley held on to his neck and sighed. John wondered at the boys' thoughts at times. Whenever John was within his sights, Wesley tracked his movements, always watching where he went. He'd hoped by now to have proven to the child he'd not leave him, but sometimes he wondered if there was another reason why Wesley watched him so closely. Perhaps he'd ask Elma her opinion. The woman had told him she'd raised four sons.

"I must speak to you," Mae caught up to him in the hallway. "It's important." She went past him towards the front room and he followed.

Her perfume assailed his senses when he entered the room. Mae closed the door behind them, and John steeled himself against the urge to reach for her, to touch her. Even in her sensible pale green calico dress, her stand was regal and she was breathtaking as always.

What a fool he'd been to think he'd be better able to keep a distance from Mae. He'd actually believed once he'd kissed her again and the illusion was broken, he'd be able to remain impassive.

Quite the opposite, he'd craved her with a hunger that constantly gnawed at him.

The beauty moved across the room, and she stood by the window, her hand on the drapes. While Mae processed whatever she would speak to him about, John took full advantage and studied her profile at leisure. Had he'd noticed how her slightly upturned nose fit her face so perfectly before? She pressed her full lips together for a moment and then faced him. "A woman claiming to be Wesley's mother was here today."

His stomach sank. "Why wasn't I alerted about this as soon as I returned?" He stalked to where she stood and scowled down at her. "What happened? Did she see Wesley?"

Mae took a step backward and stepped on the hem of her skirts. She wobbled and threw her hands out to get her balance. John held her steady until she regained her stability. When she straightened, their faces only a scant inch apart both froze, gazes locked.

Seconds ticked by while they faced off, neither wanting to be the first to move away. Stubborn woman.

John looked away first and motioned to the couch. "The ride to and from town took its toll. I have to sit down."

"Of course, goodness, I didn't think on it. Let's sit."

He cringed at the instant concern in her tone and followed her to the chairs flanking the fireplace sitting across from her. "Now tell me what happened please."

Mae took a breath. "I had Alan stand by while I met with her out front and instructed Elma to keep Wesley out of sight. The woman, Carla, contended her reason for coming was to take Wesley with her out west. I informed her I could not allow it. That it was your decision to make. After several more exchanges, where she claimed not to be able to return another day to speak to you, I offered her payment in exchange for leaving permanently. Without Wesley."

John searched her face. "Why would you do that?"

Mae shrugged. "The woman never once asked to see her son. I am a good judge of character. By the way she sized up my clothing and the house, I knew she was more interested in money than in seeing him."

"Did she take it then?"

"Of course," Mae shook her head. "Honestly John, I don't see any of her in Wesley. I don't know what your relationship is with her, but I must apprise you she insinuated to be married to the outlaw."

"She must be then," John answered then met her questioning look.

"Do you think she'll return again? I mean how can she just leave her son?"

"I didn't get the opportunity to know Carla enough to claim to understand her motivations or what she'll do. From what I understood from her sister, she's always been a bit of a free spirit. After she contacted my parents when Wesley was born, they exchanged correspondence with a solicitor. My parents did not care for her reputation for taking lovers. I wanted to find the child and see for myself whether or not he was mine since it seemed questionable I was the father."

"Yet you went to great lengths to find him," Mae stated. "It's a good thing you did, because there is no question. Wesley is your son."

"Yes he is." He couldn't stop the smile at speaking of his son. "Tell me the amount you paid her, I will repay you of course."

She told him the amount, and it was a much smaller amount than he expected. Pleading eyes met his. "John, promise me you'll never tell Wesley about this." Her concern for his son touched him and he was forced to clear his throat. Mae was such a caring soul.

"Of course, don't worry Mae. He will never learn about it. If I can help it, he will never meet her either."

"Thank you," she placed her hand over his, the warmth of it ran up his arm to settle in his chest. "Tell me about your day."

John nodded and looked into Mae's eyes only to find a mixture of curiosity and sadness. "My trip to town was to see about a property I learned was for sale. I found it to be a small piece of land with a small serviceable house. I plan to purchase it once my money is transferred to the bank in town. I will also repay you then as well."

"Elma told me this morning of your plans to. I would like to propose that until you are settled, Wesley remain here." Without giving him time to reply, she launched into the next statement. "He has been through enough John. Once you get your house into acceptable shape, you will be required to work long hours to get everything prepared for the winter. Then there is the matter of hiring a caregiver. You must find someone who is trustworthy to care for Wesley and see about his studies."

She loved his son. John settled back in his chair, enjoying the fire in her eyes as she made the case she'd no doubt practiced. Her chest heaved with every breath as her passionate pleas fell away from her lips. "John, please think on it, I am not asking for an answer this instant. I do understand it would be hard for you to be away from Wesley, but we can arrange to come and spend time with you or you can come and sup regularly. I don't want to take him from you…I just want…"

"I understand," John interrupted her. "And I'm grateful you care for my boy as much as you do. But you have to understand, the longer he remains here, the harder it will be for him to come away with me." He hesitated when tears sprang to her eyes. "Mae, it's going to be a painful transition for everyone involved. I am not so uncaring not to know how you feel. I will think on this and make a decision. But I have to decide based on what I feel will be best for Wesley." He covered her hand with his and once again was forced to hold back the need to move it further up her soft skin. "Thank you for loving my boy so much."

Mae slipped her hand from under his and stood. "Very well. Good night John."

* * *

"Senorita, there is a wagon approaching." Elma came into the front room where Mae sat mending the next day. She dropped her sewing into the basket at her feet and went to the window.

Indeed a wagon approached, a couple sat on the bench, the man guiding the horses toward the house.

"It's the Jacobs'!" With a shriek of laughter, Mae ran to the front door and out to meet the wagon.

No sooner did the wagon stop than Patty dressed in a red calico dress and matching bonnet, practically flew off of it and went to embrace Mae who was already standing to the side. The women hugged, stood back and looked at each other with broad smiles only to hug again. Ryan remained back and held the horse's reins, smiling at their antics while patiently waiting for Mae to turn her attention to him.

"Oh Ryan, thank you for bringing my friend to see me," Mae finally rushed to him and they also embraced.

Arms entwined around each other's waists, the women made their way to the house, while one of the ranch hands came to show Ryan where the stables were.

"Of course you plan to stay for a few days?" Mae asked barely able to get her breath, "I missed you so."

Patty wiped at tears of happiness. "If it's not an imposition, we brought provisions so we could stay in the wagon if necessary."

"I won't hear of it." Mae tugged her friend toward the kitchen where Elma was already preparing a light fare for the guests. "Oh Patty, I have so much to tell you, and want to know everything. I can't wait to hear about your new home."

Patty sat and accepted a glass of lemonade proffered by Elma and smiled up at her.

"Oh excuse my manners," Mae exclaimed. “Patricia Jacobs this is Elma. She was my father's caregiver. And she's remained here as a godsend to me."

Elma's puffed her chest with pride at her words. "Senorita Mae is a saint."

Alan came to announce Ryan remained in the stables visiting with John, so Patty ate a small repast while Mae kept her company bringing her up to date on what had transpired since they'd parted ways.

Patty then informed her they'd established into a small home less than a day's ride away. Ryan's father was having a hard time relinquishing the church over to his son. Instead of participating in the tug-of-war with him, she and Ryan were planting a new church near their home. Mae clapped at the news. They'd be closer, and she could see her friend regularly.

After Patty ate the small meal, they moved to the front room and continued their discussion. Patty's keen eyes took Mae in. "I notice a certain sadness in your eyes, in spite of your initial joy at seeing me. What happened between you and John?"

"It's what I've come to expect," Mae replied. "He's moving, taking his darling son with him. He's come to care for me Patty, I am sure of it. Although, I am not sure he loves me enough to marry me even without the obstacle of my past."

"I'm so sorry," Patty shook her head. "Men can be so pig-headed. I mean why does he not see his son needs a mother and accept he loves you. And unless things have changed, John McClain does." Patty huffed. "And to think he plans to rip that child away from you. It makes me so angry."

Mae smiled at seeing the diminutive women hit her fist into the palm of the other hand. "Please Patty, let's leave the conversation for another day. Tell me, are you with child yet?"

Patty's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I am beginning to think God is never going to bless us with a child."

* * *

John stood by and watched the stable hand shoe the new workhorse. His stomach rumbled, and he wondered at the time.

"Well there you are," Ryan Jacobs approached, a soft curve to his lips. "It's good to see you John."

Genuinely glad to see the familiar face, John went to greet the man and they shook hands. "Well, it’s great to see you. I wondered how long it would be before you and Patricia would come and see about Mae. She's mentioned once or twice at wanting to come to see you."

"To be honest, if it were up to my wife, we'd come a month ago. She's been anxious to see her friend. Driving me crazy with it actually." The warmth in Ryan's eyes told he was happy to indulge his wife.

"You are still limping," Ryan stated. "Is the leg still giving you problems?"

"Not as much," John replied and knocked on the wooden lower part. "Not as much friend."

Ryan laughed.

Once the men made their way back, they walked into to a house full of activity. Mae helped Patricia settle their things into her father's old bedroom while Wesley immediately took to Ryan, the boy showing him his collection of wooden horses.

The conversation over dinner flowed easily, and John was surprised to find how much he missed the Jacob’s company. They were an amazing couple whose easy-going personalities brought ease.

Mae eyes were brighter, and she smiled more than she'd done in days. The visit was a great distraction for them after the countless days of tension.

This could be his life. He was fully aware of it, yet he could not take deny what he'd knew. Upon studying Mae when she stood to get the pot of coffee, full of elegance and grace, he felt stronger about his decision. She deserved a whole man, a better man than he could ever be.

Two days later, they ate outside, an impromptu picnic planned by the women.

Although the air was brisk, it remained warm enough outdoors so the party lingered outdoors after the meal. The ladies had brought out a Sears and Roebuck catalog, their heads together as they studied the pictures, while Wesley, who'd worn himself out playing, napped on a blanket nearby.

Ryan joined John a short distance away where he fished, more to pass the time than to catch anything, it was too late in the day for it. "These are beautiful lands."

"That they are," John agreed. "A perfect place to live."

"John?" Ryan got his attention. "I know you're not married to Mae. I also know why you said you were and I understand why you did."

John continued to fish wondering what Ryan planned to say next.

"Patty tells me you plan to purchase land nearby and move with Wesley?" Ryan pushed his hands into his pocket and brought out a jackknife. He bent to pick up a stick, giving John time to reply.

"It was my plan all along, to find my son, maybe start a family and settle down. I didn't plan to lose a leg and become a cripple in the process." His line became tangled and John wiggled the pole and tugged it. "So, yes it's true, just earlier this week, I found a place, plan to make an offer on it."

"I see," Ryan replied, his knife making short work of the small stick he held. "What about your life here? It seems to me, you have the perfect family already?"

John followed Ryan's line of sight to where the women sat. "Mae deserves a whole man for a husband."

"Is that what she says?"

John remained silent, not ready to share his reservations about her background and of the backlash a marriage to someone with a stigma like hers attached.

"You know," Ryan began. "The Lord says there is no one sin bigger sin than another. A sin just is. Whether you commit a sin or judge a sinner who does, both are the same."

"I admit I am nowhere near perfect, but I do try," John replied. "But some things are hard to move beyond."

"Yes, it's hard for us as humans to change the way we think and feel about what others may think, say or do. Especially when it comes to certain professions." Ryan lifted his eyes to meet his, and John felt his own widen. He knew.

"But," Ryan continued, his attention back to the whittling. "An honorable person will look into another's character and see them for who they are. Certainly love helps." Ryan threw what was left of the stick down. "Seems to me the problem is here." He pressed his fingers to the center of John's chest.

"I need to drag my wife back and get packing so we can make our leave at dawn. Hopefully we can get home before too late. I have much to do."

John pulled the line from the water and held out his hand. "I look forward to coming to your church. You are a rare man Ryan Jacobs. Someone I have come to think of as a friend."

With a smile Ryan shook his head. "Well I try. Just think on what I've said. Maebelle is one of the most generous, kindhearted women my wife and I have ever met. It'd be a shame for prejudice stand in the way of a relationship with her."

"Like I said, she deserves a whole man, not a cripple," John forced himself to keep his gaze from wandering away from the man's who stood before him.

"And like I said, you should let her decide," Ryan curved into his signature soft smile, and he hugged John's shoulder before both headed back to where the women were now packing the picnic items.

John watched as Mae laughed at something Patricia said, then turned and gathered Wesley into her arms.

He had to leave, perhaps sooner than later, else he'd find it impossible to do so.