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delegate. Well, at least he’d have a chance to see William, Kelly, and the new bairn again. The thought of wrapping them all in his arms made him smile. He’d seen their new daughter Nicole only once when William brought them to visit last spring. The bairn was a bonnie wee thing, bound to be a stunning beauty with the fine-looking parents she had.
    As he rode into town, he caught sight of William, a short ways off. Hisbrother stood talking to a woman—a tall stunning beauty herself. As quick as he could manage, he wove his way around wagons, other riders, and people milling about. “William,” he called out.
    William turned and his face lit up like a brand new sun. “Bear!”
    Bear quickly dismounted and tied Camel’s reins to a nearby rail. “Come over here and let me give ye a Bear hug,” he told his brother with outstretched arms.
    The two embraced for a moment and then William asked how Sam, Catherine and Little John were. Unexpected visits on the frontier often meant the delivery of bad tidings. After hurriedly assuring his brother that the three were well, Bear stepped back and looked in the direction the woman took as she had walked away from William.
    “And how are you Bear?”
    “As fine as frog’s hair, but please tell me brother who was that lass ye were just talkin’ to?”
    “She’s a newly arrived settler. I just met her. Her name’s Artis MacKay.”
    “MacKay!” Was it possible she was one of his kinsman? If so, he hoped the family ties were not too close. “Did the lass say where she was from?”
    “Indeed, from the Highlands. I didn’t ask what village.”
    “I couldn’t quite see her face as she spoke with ye, but from the back she appeared to be a bonnie lookin’ lass. Is she as pretty as she appeared from a distance?”
    “She was quite lovely,” William agreed.
    “Where did she go? She was just here. Is she alone?” Bear sincerely wished she was.”
    “Yes, I believe the young lady is alone. She traveled here with several families, but they are no relation to her. She went to the Land Office to see the Commissioner about a deed in her possession.”
    “I wonder how she came to acquire land.”
    “It appears she has somehow. I invited her to come to my office when she concluded her business to help her find a horse and locate her land. She also mentioned needing to buy a weapon.”
    “Perhaps I could assist the lass as well.”
    William chuckled. “Could it be that I see a spark of romantic interest in your eyes?”
    Bear felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment, but decided he needed to tell William the truth. “Aye, that’s the main reason I’m here. I’ve decided it is time for me to find a bride.” He looked in the direction of the Land Office, hoping to spot her.
    “All I can say is, it’s about time,” William said. “You don’t know what you’ve been missing.”
    “Aye, but I hope to find out.” Seeing the amusement in William’s eyes, he laughed and then added, “I’m also here on official business for Colonel Logan.” He filled William in on the details of Logan’s request and the upcoming ball.
    “Yes, I’m well aware of the meeting,” William said. “In fact, I am the delegate for Boonesborough, appointed by Judge Webb.”
    Bear leaned forward and lowered his voice. “We can discuss all that later. What else did ye learn about Miss MacKay? I did na get a good look at her face. What color are her eyes? Did she seem nice or a nag? Did she sound like she had a head on her shoulders or would she na know ‘sic ’em’ from ‘come’?” Bear realized he was ticking off all the things he wanted in a woman and his thoughts were racing dangerously. He had only just begun looking for a wife. He needed to slow down.
    Williams’s eyes grew openly amused. “Whoa, one question at a time,” he said, grinning.
    “My apologies, William. I guess I’ve spent so much time alone, now that I’ve decided I want somethin’ else for my life, I canna seem