With Mae distracted by Miss Lady's visit, John was able to steal away and go to town. His money finally transferred to the town's bank, he was able to move forward with the purchase of a land and a new home for himself and Wesley.

It was interesting and infuriating that the further he went from her, the harder it became to breathe. She'd become a vital part of him and didn't it just make him wonder at his decision to move away. It was for the best, it had to be. Although not sure how he felt about taking Wesley away from Mae, he needed to do this.

The time had come to make a life for himself, to find out who exactly he was meant to be. The one driving factor for him was his son. To leave a legacy for Wesley would drive him to succeed. If nothing else, losing his leg brought a realization. Life could turn without notice or reason. He would die one day, and Wesley would have something to be proud of, land and property of his own.

John rode onto the property, the entire time keeping an accessing eye on the surroundings. Lasitor pranced with impatience at the slow pace he was forced to keep.

The good-sized log cabin in the center of the property was solidly built. He dismounted and walked onto the front porch stretched across the entire front length of the building with a lone chair on it.

An owl screeched and flew past John's head when he walked through empty house he intended to purchase. The large bird flew through a broken window with one last sound of protest at being rousted.

The front room was large, with enough space for a large table and chairs. On the opposite side was a sturdy fireplace with a hook and lever installed to hold a cast-iron pot to be used for heating water. An iron stove remained opposite with several sturdy shelves on the wall next to it.

John opened a door to a smaller room, which was probably used as a larder once and mouse scurried across his boot for shelter. He looked back towards the window. The owl certainly must have stayed well-fed, buy the looks of it.

Upon entering another room, which stored a few pieces of furniture, he lifted a canvas and began to sneeze as a cloud of dust filled the room. There was a great deal of work to be done, and he wondered if it wouldn't be easier to empty it completely and begin anew.

All together, the house consisted of three good-sized rooms, a kitchen living area, and two bedrooms. It would be more than enough for Wesley and him.

He went to the front and pictured a table surrounded by not only him and Wesley, but also a woman. The woman of course was Mae, and he bit back a curse and went to the front door and yanked it open.

John scanned the horizon. The land was flat, but green. A fence in dire need of repair attempted to encircle a space large enough to use for holding horses. A barn would have to be built. According to the banker, there was a natural spring on the land, not too far from the house, that would provide drinking water for the house and the animals.

It was perfect for him.

Yet the heaviness in his chest kept him from returning to town to make a final offer. He'd told the banker he'd return in a day with one, but he found his gaze going in the direction of Hawkins' ranch. It was only two hours ride from where this house was, but it may as well be a hundred. Once he left, it would change everything.

The last two days he'd only seen Mae at dinner as she'd kept busy with Miss Lady. He'd spent the time with Alan, ensuring everything was in order so he could remain as foreman without too much work since he planned to hire the ranch hands to come help him get this land ready.

Horses neighed in the distance, and John shaded his eyes with his hand to get a better look. Two men rode toward the house. It seemed the banker would not wait for him to come to town.

The man came to meet him and collect payment.