There was nothing rude in Morgan’s tone, but neither did it invite further comment. “You spoke for rather a long time.”
“We have not seen each other in a while.”
“It seems as if Bitter Springs is a quiet town. Is that his doing?” Jane saw Morgan press his lips together. He regarded her over the rim of his coffee cup.
“You have a lot questions, Miss Middlebourne. Is there something in particular you want to know?”
She shook her head. “Not one thing in particular,” she said. “Everything.” When he simply continued to stare at her, she added, “Why, for instance, does no one I’ve seen wear a gun? I read articles, pieces in the newspapers, which led me to believe everyone wears a gun. You don’t. I’m not certain that even the marshal was wearing one.”
“He was. But the rest have to abide the town ordinance. I checked mine at Bridger’s office when I came in yesterday. I’ll get it when I leave.”
“Everyone does that?”
“I don’t know. I do.”
“It’s unexpected.”
“That I obey the law?”
Jane shook her head. “No, I meant it’s unexpected that no one wears a gun.” She caught a glimmer of a smile change the shape of his lips. “Oh, you knew that’s what I meant. You were teasing me.”
“A little.”
“There was no opportunity to do that in our correspondence. I remember thinking I wanted to impress you with my serious nature. I was cautious. It seems it might have been the same for you.”
“I would say I was restrained.”
“Yes. Just so. Restrained.” He was still restrained, she thought. He contemplated his coffee as if it might hold answers to questions yet unformed.“Why are you not already married?” he asked suddenly.
The question took her by surprise. “The simplest answer is that no man has ever asked me to be his wife. Until you, that is.”
“What is the complicated answer?” he asked.
“That no man was ever allowed to ask.”
“That is complicated. Something to do with Cousin Frances?”
Staring into her own cup, Jane nodded. She said quietly, “I regret that you were able to draw that conclusion with so little difficulty. I disclosed more in my correspondence than was either prudent or proper.”
“As I recall, you wrote very little. Last night’s fish story was revealing.”
Jane touched one hand to her temple, recalling her headache the evening before. There was the source of her wayward tongue. “There is no satisfaction in judging her harshly.”
“If you say so. I could find some satisfaction in it.”
His wry tone made Jane look askance at him. She returned her hand to her lap and surprised herself by confessing, “Sometimes I hate her.”
After a moment, Morgan said, “That’s not always a bad thing.”
“Do you think so?”
“I do, but I told you I’m not a godly man. I reckon you have to make peace with the hate and every other way you feel about her.” He shrugged. “About anyone.” He took another swallow of coffee. “I guess I always knew you were running more than coming.”
“Pardon?”
“Coming here because you’re running from there. I accepted that when I posted my advertisement. A woman with opportunities where she is doesn’t look for opportunities where she isn’t.”
“I am disturbed that I understood that, Mr. Longstreet.” She watched his mouth take on that vaguely sardonic twist she found a trifle alarming for its effect on her heartbeat. “I wish I could deny it, but you are right, of course.”
