Modern medicine was a grand thing, Sam decided as she flexed her shoulder. Particularly if you knew someone with pockets deep enough to pay for it. The aerolin-impregnated thread and bandages had aided her arm to heal completely in only a couple of weeks, instead of the couple of months it she'd have needed without them. The muscles were still stiff, requiring frequent exercise to limber up and regain strength, but it was a damn sight better than still being in a sling and worrying about infection.
"So, you have how many brothers again?" Erik asked, turning into the driveway. Although
driveway was a little grand for the beaten dirt trail that led up to the
old house.
"Seven," Sam replied, "all older'n me. Robby, Jimmy, Bart, Billy, Chuck, Don, an' Joe." She eyed the house, noting some recent changes - the addition of a heliograph receiver, for instance. "Bart's out west workin' some Yankee's ranch, so it ain't likely you'll see him. Billy an' his wife Adelita live wit' Pa now, helpin' take care o' th' place." She smiled at the thought. "Billy's done got himself a knack fer this, too. Ain't jes a poor dirt farmer now, an' Pa kin relax a little." A pause. "Not that he does, mind."
Suddenly, Erik looked worried. "I didn't ask his permission," he said, gripping the steering wheel harder. "He's going to kill me. Sam, I didn't ask your father's permission to ask you to marry me! We're going to walk in and there's going to be a shotgun in my face I just know it."
"Naw," she laughed. "You ain't got nuthin' ta worry 'bout, Erik. He'll be too shocked Ah'm gettin' hitched ta go fer his gun. An if he does?" She pulled him close and kissed him. "Ah'm faster on th' draw, even wit' needin' ta exercise mah arm."
As the car pulled to a stop a pretty
dark-haired woman opened the door and waved, then called back inside. Sam swung out and slammed the car door behind her. "That'd be Adelita," she said, taking Erik's arm. "C'mon. You'll love them."
"¡Samantha!" Adelita called, rushing down the stairs to embrace her sister-in law. "¡Bienvenido a casa!" She looked Sam over, then did a double-take at the sight of her belly. "¿Qué? Eres ... ¿verdad?"
"Sí," Sam laughed, "sí, estoy embarazada." She pulled Erik over. "Y este es Erik, mi prometida."
Adelita looked shocked, then whooped with joy and hugged Erik. "¡Mucho gusto! ¡Nos preocupamos por nuestra pequeña Samantha, tanto!"
"What th' bloody hell is this?" a new voice interrupted. A
grizzled old man scowled at Erik with Sam's blue eyes as he stomped down the steps carrying a shotgun. "Did Ah hear some two-bit sidewinder done knocked mah baby girl up?" Eyes narrowing, he stormed across the lawn at Erik. "This here the sumbitch what did it?"
"Si," Adelina said. "Ese es el."
The man scowled as he drew closer, then suddenly tossed the shotgun to the ground and seized Erik's hand. "Pleased ta meetcha, boy!" he crowed. "Ah'm Bill Cavendish, but y'kin call me Pa." Spinning, he grabbed Sam in a bear hug. "An' Ah never thought Ah'd see th' day some fellah'd tie y'down, Sammy. Never thought Ah'd see it."
Sam hugged her father back. "Oh, he is Pa. He is." She grinned at her fiancee. "An' now y'see where Ah git mah sense o' humor from, don'tcha?"