"So, will I. Can you tell me why you were angry?"
His expression changed to serious now, as he groped for his own answer. "I guess because you don't think I take this marriage seriously."
"I didn't expect you to." She looked guiltily at him. "I didn't let you touch me on our wedding night because you called her name while you were kissing me. I suddenly realized I was in some sort of dream-state from the time I got off the train until that moment. You put me there. No one's ever swept me off my feet, nor kissed me so thoroughly. I felt ashamed for letting it go on so long. Then you walked out when I told you who I was. It was very clear I wasn't the right lady, and I had no idea how to rectify the situation."
"I think we've been giving each other some mixed signals." he protested.
"Yes, when I told you who I was, I didn't know what you would think or do. But I did want to be honest. I thought once you heard the truth, you'd run away from me fast. And you didn't run away, and you could have," tears came to her eyes. "I never meant to blame you for it all. I un
derstood you walking out, without a word! I thought you'd left, gone home or something. I couldn't honestly believe you walked back in that room the next morning. I couldn't believe you didn't fire me."
"I slept in a livery stable that night, trying to figure out how my life got so complicated. But I got one thing to say to you now!"
"Alright."
"I'm going to Boston, I'm facing her with the truth and ending this once and for all. There is one thing I'm very sure of."
"What's that?" she asked still reeling from his kiss.
"You aren't the wrong woman!"
Her mouth opened to argue the point, but the look in his eyes gave her pause.
"Boston, you're going to Boston?"
"Yes, it's the only way to settle it."
"But what about the cattle, and Kansas?"
"I'll catch up to them when I get back. They won't be moving that quickly."
"Are you sure about this? I mean, is it something you really want to do?"
"Every time I kiss you, I know you’re the one I want. And if a trip to Boston to confirm what I already feel will end this struggle between us, then I'm ready to end it."
"But you've never kissed her!"
"You want me to kiss her while I’m there, that might send the wrong message." He smiled at her now.
"No," she shook her head and stared into his shining eyes. "But I never expected you to go to Boston. I'm confused and mixed up about all of this. It's happened so fast. My head says one thing, my heart another."
"Well, I'm going. I guess I'm a bit curious why she didn't show up that day. I want to see this sick mother of hers. I still don't believe it. There's something very wrong about this, and I'm going to face and find out what it is, once and for all, so you and I can get on with our lives together."
"And then what happens."
"We're going to live happily ever after." He told her with another sweet kiss to her lips.
She was wearing a blue robe, he'd bought her at the store in Ft. Worth, it looked so sweet on her, her hair draping over one shoulder in long curls.
"I guess I better turn in," he told her.
"Goodnight." She whispered.
He bent to touch her lips one more time, "Sweet dreams."
She licked her lips and watched him walk to his room.
When she closed the door, she closed her eyes and hugged herself. She wished with all her might she was hugging him, but if he went to Boston, and faced Priscilla for her, she'd be his wife for the rest of her life. Tears came to her eyes just thinking about it. He must love her to do such a thing. How could she have doubted him?