Roland nodded, "I thought to bring the subject up at this dinner that Mr. Cantrell has invited me to.  I suppose everyone with an interest in Lost Lake will be present at that table."

He reached across the table, attempting to take Addy's hand in a flush of emotion.  "That is why I hope you will join me there.  You've stood by me against highwaymen: blood and guts and lead.  There's no one I trust more to have at my side when planning a war... or even how to avoid one.  Plus, you are friends with everyone of substance in this town.  I've never mentioned your name but to see people smile at hearing it.

You can vouch for what you know of me.   As these ranchers might not otherwise trust a stranger.  It'll take more than buying a property to make the locals feel I'm one of them.  It'll take the good opinion of souls such as yourself."

He suddenly seemed to realize that he'd made a potentially forward gesture, and drew back his hand.

"So will you come with me, Addy, while I make my case and you grant what advice you may? 

I understand the beef is likely to be good, and I know you like a good steak."

He smiled, and waited for her verdict.

Bongo

Addy laughed, shaking her head.  "Can't say as I've ever been used ta lend credibility to a man!"  She understood what he was saying, but it sounded funny when it was said out loud.  "Are ya sure them folks ain't laughin' when ya mention me?" 

She gave him a bright grin and a wink, then sipped her coffee.  "I'd not turn down th' chance at a steak supper, an' that's fer certain!  An' any chance I can ta help out..."

They surely didn't need a range war brewing, and all the nasty things that came with it.  But if a man thought that some other man's cows were eating all his cows' grass, then he'd not hesitate to keep that man's cows from eating his cows' feed!  She didn't know enough to know if there was ample grazing out where the ranches met...

"So, now, what day is this meetin'?  We can ride out there tagether, if ya like."

"Dear Addy," Roland said, "you underestimate how rare and wonderful a good soul like yours is in the world.   If the folk laugh when they think of you, it's because there is some bright memory with you in it.  I've never known anyone to laugh in derision of you."

Not that they would be laughing long, in such a case.

He took the last bite of the cobbler she'd generously shared, and finished his coffee in a final swallow.

"This Friday coming up, on the eighth.   And I would very much enjoy riding out with you.  Ember misses your company."  He winked at Addy, and stood.

"I thank you deeply for the cobbler and coffee.  Doubly so for the talk.  And triply for agreeing to go there with me.  If there is ever anything I can do for you in kind, Addy, I hope you'll tell me without hesitation.  You have a friend in me."

He'd have gladly made her much more than a friend, but he had never sensed the same spark of desire in her that she stoked in him.  Had he spied such a glowing cinder, he'd have been on his knees with a bellows to bring it to a blaze.  But a warm friendship was as valuable to him as a hot interlude.  A friend's helping hand could often be counted on with more surety than a lover's embrace.  And only rarely did one find both in the same person.

Besides... there was that dark shard in him... something perpetually impure stuck deep in his soul.

There was no such darkness to be seen in her.

And perhaps it was best it remained that way.

Bongo

"Same goes fer me."  Addy stood, grinning.  "If there's aught that ya need, ask.  An' I'm sure Arabesque'll be happy ta meet Ember, they'll have a grand time tagether!" 

She was heading for the door when said door burst open, and 4'3" of tow-haired lad burst in, speaking excitedly.  "Ma!  Ma!  I got a ribbon at school for..."  The boy skidded to a stop and trailed off as he noticed the man.  "Hello, sir."  He was frowning.

"Weedy, this here's Mister Smith, you remember him, from th' Marshal's office?  Now, what's this about a ribbon?"

"Yes, Ma'am.  Good afternoon, Mr. Smith."  Weedy nodded to Roland, then held up a small blue ribbon.  "I got a one-hundred on my math test, the only one in class!"  He was beaming proudly at this point.

"Good fer you!"  Addy hugged the lad, then glanced at Roland.  "Gonna be way smarter'n me, he is!"

As one who had attended one of the finest boarding schools in London, Roland had an opinion on that.

"Smarter than you, who outmaneuvered three brigands that ambushed us on the road?  He'd be doing well to match you.  Don't confuse smarts with schooling, Addy," he said, "I've met plenty of dullards in London classrooms.  Your wits would best many of my ex-school lads, despite all the books that were festooned upon them.  That having been said, I wager Weedy here is indeed a sharp tack.  Winning contests of the mind is proof of a keen intellect."

He reached out to offer the boy a hand, "Congratulations on your achievement, Master Chappel."  He'd made an assumption there, and possibly a wrong one.  The full name of Weedy and the formality of his adoption by Addy were not known to him.

"Keep up the good work.  Remember to be kind to those you surpass.  Honestly kind, and not merely kindly condescending.  The back of the class has as many talents as the front, merely in different quarters.  Someday, you'll be glad of holding friends and allies across the spectrum of humanity.  No man is an island, and someday those who fail their tests will show gleaming promise elsewhere."

Well... usually.  He had met a few complete wastes of humanity, though not many.

Then he fished into his pocket, "And ah..." Finally, he produced a penny, "I understand from Miss Thornton that the local grocer carries a good brand of Licorice."

He glanced to Addy to make sure he wasn't trespassing by offering the coin... though perhaps it was a bit late to take it back, now.

bongo

Addy smiled and nodded to both Roland and Weedy, allowing the reward.  While she didn't advocate a reward every time the boy did well, an occasional treat was fine, and Weedy was bright enough to know that he wasn't working for coins, but for his own pride, and for Addy's praise.  However, there had been a bit too much emphasis that school-learning wasn't all that important in the big picture.  While Addy agreed with that to a degree, and that, yes, one needed a good mix of each, Weedy didn't need to know that just yet!

"Just make sure ya keep up yer studies," she chided with a grin, "an' Mr. Smith is right, ta be good ta all folks...'till ya find out they ain't worthy of yer friendship."  That wasn't really a problem with Weedy either...yet.  He took everyone as a friend, although he had a good aptitude for knowing when to be wary.

"Yes, ma'am!"  Weedy took the coin, then went into the kitchen to set his books down.

"I'm real proud'a him," Addy gloated, "but that poor kid can't get away with nothin', has half th' town keepin' an eye on him.  So, then, Friday...best ta leave a couple hours early, I'll be at th' barn."