Bill helped her to her feet without further comment, and walked her to the first table. "I'm thankful for our talk, Miss Marie, even if I am a fair lummox at conversatin'."
"You have no fault in speaking, Mr. Henry. I fear that I am in a bit of a cranky mood. I beg your pardon for putting you ill at ease."
Bill bent his head as though accepting her apology. "Next time, I'll not come up and surprise you, Miss Marie."
She nodded, and he went away, leaving his plate behind on the table. Marie sighed and made piles of the remains of the meal. Her thoughts buzzed in disarray, crossing themselves as she worked.
That Bill Henry! Is he toying with me? Why didn't Pa set me up with a husband? He took care of the boys, but nobody took notice of my needs. I was old enough to get married. Maybe Jule is right and I'm on the shelf. Who is there to marry me? Bill's surely going back to Texas soon. Pa wouldn't stand for me marrying a Mexican, even a landowner, but who else is there? Tom Morgan? Bill probably left a sweetheart behind in Texas. Kissed a pretty young thing goodbye when he hired on to trail Pa's herd and teach the boys about beef cattle. Why didn't Pa think of me?
Afraid she might dissolve into tears and betray her fragile state of mind to her brother, Marie dumped the dirty dishes into the wash tub and fled with it toward the house.
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About the Author
Marsha Ward is an award-winning writer and editor who has published over 900 pieces of work, including Western novels, short stories, numerous newspaper articles, and sections in books on writing. She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and American Night Writers Association. Born a while ago in the sleepy little town of Phoenix, Arizona, Marsha grew up with chickens, citrus trees, and lots of room to roam. She began telling stories at a very early age, regaling neighborhood chums with her tales over homemade sugar cookies and milk. Visiting her cousins on their ranch and listening to her father's stories of homesteading in Old Mexico and in the Tucson area reinforced Marsha's love of 19th Century Western history.
After many years in the big city, Marsha now makes her home in a tiny hamlet under Central Arizona's magnificent Mogollon Rim. When she is not writing, she loves to spoil her grandchildren, travel, give talks, meet readers, and sign books.
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Connect with Me Online
Website: https://marshaward.com
Author Blog: https://marshaward.blogspot.com
Character Blog: https://charactersinmarshashead.blogspot.com
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