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to drive fear into the man.
"Though I suppose I could thank you for collecting my
hides."
    Lucas struggled to his feet, slipping
several times in the snow. "You can't prove nothin'. All you've got
me on is trespassing and the sheriff won't do nothin' about
it."
    "Lucas, that horse of yours is laden
with furs, anyone who sees it will know what you've been up
to."
    "You mean this horse?" Lenore emerged
through the trees on her mount, leading, not only the pack mule,
but Lucas's stallion. She was careful to position herself far from
his disreputable cousin.
    Heston's chest swelled with pride. He
didn't deserve this woman, yet, God through His mercy, had granted
this gift. Heston would do all he could to always be
thankful.
    Movement from his left drew his
attention back to Lucas. "Since you seem anxious to leave, why
don't you help transfer these furs to my pack mule, then be on your
way."
    The man started forward and stopped.
"You mean, you ain't gonna involve the sheriff?"
    Heston dismounted and stepped toward
him. "What do you suppose they'd do with you, if I did?"
    Lucas dropped his gaze. "Hang
me."
    "Cousin, you start coming to church
meeting with us on Sundays and we'll forget this ever
happened."
    Disbelief filled Lucas' eyes. "This
ain't like you, Heston. Why aren't you taking your anger out on
me?"
    Heston trailed his eyes back to
Lenore. "I'm choosing to keep my soul from trouble and stand
tall."
    ***
    As the cabin came into view, Lenore
saw smoke curling from the chimney. "Oh no, someone must be in your
house."
    Heston smiled, "You mean– our house. There's no one there. I just padded the preacher's pocket a
little extra to have him come back and stoke a fire."
    Lenore's gaze softened as she stared
at her husband. She followed his actions and dismounted then
stepped through the door he now held open.
    Heston lit a lantern to light the
room. What it revealed made Lenore gasp. From the table to the
floor, were gifts of every sort. Doilies, rugs, coverlets and
cooking dishes. "Heston, what is all this?"
    He scratched his chin sharing her
puzzlement. "There's a card on the table."
    Lenore reached for the delicate folded
paper. "Congratulations from Silverton Congregation."
    She searched Heston's face in
amazement. "For these people to bless us like this there must be
more to you than you've let on." She stepped closer. "And it makes
sense, given how many times you've been so generous and
selfless."
    Heston didn't reply but she could see
her words were affecting him. She touched a hand to his cheek, "And
only a moment ago, I thought I couldn't possibly be more proud of
you."
    Tenderness encased him as he drew her
close. He ran a hand through her hair and touched his forehead to
hers. "Lenore, I didn't think it was possible to fall so quickly,
but I already love you."
    A sigh escaped her as she leaned into
him. "I love you, too."