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ahead. John can show you what you need to know. I have other things to keep me busy for the rest of the day. I’ll see you at supper.” She pulled on the horse’s reins and headed back to the barn, giving him one last look at her lovely backside in the trousers.
    “I’m glad she married you. I was afraid that Melrose guy was going to have his way and take over the farm. He tried to tell Miss Bender—excuse me Mrs. McCoy—that her daddy planned for her to marry him. Mr. Bender was pretty closed mouth, but I’m sure if that was something he’d planned on, he would have said something about that to her. Poor girl was completely taken by surprise when Melrose showed up demanding she marry him.” John shook his head. “He’s a mean one, that Rupert Melrose.”
    The two men worked side by side for a few hours, getting the fences repaired, then riding the entire area, checking for any other problems. John pointed out that the creek running through their property and Melrose’s was running dry, even though they’d had sufficient rain recently.
    Stephen leaned on the saddle horn and studied the creek. “How much do you want to bet Melrose has dammed up the creek further down on his property?”
    John shook his head. “I think you’re probably right. That’s something I hadn’t thought about.”
    “I think it’s time I paid a visit to our neighbor.” They turned their horses and headed back to the farm. First thing tomorrow he would ride over and meet this Melrose and get a few things straightened out.
    Stephen brushed Topaz down and gave him a bag of oats before heading to the house. Once he rounded the bend he saw a horse hobbled in front of the house. A sense of foreboding rushed over him, and he took the steps two at a time.
    Raised voices greeted him, coming from the kitchen.
    “Both this farm and you belong to me. Your daddy said so before he died, and that’s the way it’s going to be.” The man’s loud voice was followed by a yelp that had the hairs on the back of Stephen’s neck rising. He strode down the hallway and pushed open the kitchen door.
    A large man stood with his back to him, his hand gripping Calliope’s arm. He was paunchy, and his trousers and vest were covered with mud. She winced in pain as he shook her, and rage rushed through him like a steam engine.
    “Get your filthy hands the hell off my wife.”
    ***
    Calliope slumped with relief. She should have known Rupert would have heard she’d returned and race right over here to confront her. It had been foolish of her not to lock the door since he’d always felt he had the right to just stroll in anytime he wanted. She’d never been so happy to see Stephen than she was at this moment.
    He stood with his feet apart, hands resting on his hips, his hat pushed back and jaw tightened with anger. His eyes flashed and she almost felt sorry for Rupert. He swung around to face Stephen, still gripping her arm.
    “I told you to get your hands off my wife, and I don’t intend to have to say it again.” Stephen’s soft words were deadly.
    The big idiot scowled. “Who the hell are you?”
    Stephen strolled up to the man, toe-to-toe. “I’m her husband. Now release her and step back, I’m losing patience.”
    “Oh yeah? Well I say she’s lying and you ain’t no husband. I don’t know who you are, but I suggest you leave us alone and go back to the rock you crawled out from under. This is my woman.”
    With a look of disgust on his face, Stephen pulled his arm back and plowed his fist into the man’s chin. His head snapped back, and Stephen drove his fist into Rupert’s soft middle. He released Calliope and went down like a sack of potatoes. He shook his head, then jumped up and came at Stephen.
    “Haven’t had enough?” It took only a few more blows to Melrose before he was lying flat on his back on the kitchen floor, blood dripping from his nose. Without a comment, Stephen picked up Rupert’s feet and dragged him out of the