Morgan blew out a long breath. “No parlor games, Jem. I’m not one for animal, vegetable, mineral. Out with it.”
“It’s animal,” said Jem. Before Morgan clubbed him with his canteen, he added quickly, “It’s about Jane.”
“You mean Mrs. Longstreet.”
“She give us leave at breakfast to call her Jane.” In response to Morgan’s arched eyebrow, he said, “But Mrs. Longstreet suits just fine.”
“Good. What about my wife?”
“Well, I guess I’ve been wondering what it’s like being married.”
“You guess? Have you been wondering or not?”
“Okay. I’ve been wondering. I reckon you know I’ve been fixin’ to marry Renee. I’ve had the thought rattlin’ around in my head for about ten years now, since I was fourteen and she was twelve, but early on mostly what I thought about was just kissin’ her. Haven’t changed my mind about that, and since she lets me have the chance now and again, I think we suit. For sure, we fit.”
Morgan used his index finger to tip back the brim of his hat and regard Jem dead on. “Wind it down, Jem.”
Jem shifted his weight. “It’s like this. I’ve known Renee pretty much all my life, been in love with her near to half of it, but sometimes when I actually think about being married to her, I just sorta freeze up inside. Maybe she knows it. Maybe that’s why she ain’t marched down the aisle to meet me yet. How’d you know you’d be a good enough husband?”
“Jesus, Jem. What the hell kind of question is that?”
“You think I should ask Jane? I mean Mrs. Longstreet?”
“You think I should stake you out here for the wolves to find?”
“No.”
“Right. There’s your answer.”
Jem shook his head. “C’mon, Morgan. You must have a notion or two about marriage since you went and did it. I don’t pretend to know you like I know my own brothers—none of us do—but I’m not wrong about you bein’ real thoughtful about the way you do things. Real particular, too. You put me a little in mind of the marshal that way.”
“I’m not flattered,” Morgan said dryly.
“All right. Maybe you don’t like him much, so forget I said that. Just tell me about bein’ married. What made you sure that it was so right that you could convince a lady like Miss Middlebourne to take you up on it?”
“A lady like Miss Middlebourne wouldn’t have me any other way.”
“Is that it?” asked Jem.
“Part of it.”
Jem’s mobile mouth worked side to side as he chewed on that. “What’s the rest?” he asked finally.
Morgan shrugged. “Maybe the person you should be asking is Cobb Bridger. He’s been married a spell, and he’s real free with advice.”
Jem looked to his left, his right, off in the distance, and then back at Morgan. “D’you see him around? You’re the only married man in spittin’ distance.”
“Well, then ask him next time you can spit on him. Hell, Jem, I wasn’t married when I saw you yesterday afternoon. I’m not exactly flush with experience.”
Jem packed up his canteen. “You played your cards close there, letting me think she was hiring on. Seems like you could have said something about why she was really at Morning Star.”
“Seems like some things are still my business.”
“Sure, I get that. It’s just strange, is all. You knowin’ her about a minute compared to all the time I’ve known Renee. And here you are married, and I’m still wonderin’ what it’s like.”
“Have you thought about where you’ll live, Jem?”
“I’m savin’ money. She won’t live outside of town.”
