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"He threw a blanket over me and handed me out to Jack."
"Why'd he put a blanket over you?" Bessie asked.
"I was in my nightdress--or maybe because I was screaming."
"Why'd you scream?" Jason asked.
"Land sakes. If something like that happened to me, I'd a been screaming too," Martha said with
vigorous nods of her head.
"Anyway, they carried me to their horses, and we started riding. I could hear shooting, but I
didn't know how close it was. When we got back to their camp, Hawk had some men's clothes for
me to wear. That's when he decided my hair had to be cut. I was really mad at first, but it's not so
bad now."
Bessie's round cheeks glowed as she looked up at Victoria with dreamy eyes. "It's no wonder
you fell in love with Mr. Hawkins. He's the bravest man I ever heard of."
"Ah--yes, he is brave." Hunger called the family's attention back to the food on their plates, and
Victoria sighed in relief. That wasn't so bad. She could talk about that terrible misadventure. In
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fact, she now understood why Jack liked to tell the story. Having a roomful of people hang onto
your every word was strangely satisfying.
Hawk arrived for Sunday dinner. Victoria, with an apron around her waist, confidently helped
Martha serve the meal. After they had eaten, Hawk complimented Martha on the food.
She interrupted him to ask, "What did you think of that berry pie?"
"It was as good as always."
"Well, your wife made it."
He looked surprised, then beamed at Victoria. "If she's already cooking that good, she doesn't
need to stay out the week."
"Yes she does," Martha answered quickly. "Monday's wash day and Tuesday we do the ironing.
She's still got a lot to learn."
The younger children went out in the yard for a noisy game of tag. Ralph Jr. obtained his pa's
permission to ride into town. After he left, Martha speculated on which town girl had caught his
fancy.
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The adults sat in the parlor, contentedly digesting their meal. Ralph bestirred himself enough to
ask, "Jack still working for you?"
"Yeah, when he can find the time."
"Where's he gonna stay?" Martha asked. "I can't see Carlos letting a gringo move in with him."
"Jack's taking over the house on the Ward place," Hawk replied.
"Why's he wanta move way over there, and to a place that size?" Martha asked indignantly.
"He's decided it's time he had a place of his own. He's buying the house and a couple of acres
from me."
"What's that tumbleweed gonna do with his own place?" Ralph asked.
"Jack's about to become a family man. I guess Alice Murdock got tired of waiting."
"No! You don't mean.... Is that rover getting married?"
Martha asked with a look of surprise.
"That's what he tells me," Hawk said with a smile.
"Well, good for Alice," Martha said, with a dip of her head. "I don't know why she wants that
old reprobate, but as long as she does, I'm glad she's making him stand up with her."
Ralph sighed. "Ain't that just like a woman. Can't stand to see a man happy."
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Martha sniffed indignantly. "Ralph, you didn't know what happy was until I married you."
"I was just a pup when you decided to house break me. I'm surprised a man who's been on his
own as long as Jack would have the nerve to get yoked up."
"Maybe being around these lovebirds gave him the idea," Martha said with a knowing smile.
Hawk looked at Victoria with a small grin that didn't quite reach his eyes, and her cheeks grew
warm.
They talked on, until Hawk stretched, partially stifled a yawn, and said, "I could use some
exercise after that big meal. Victoria, would you like to come for a little walk?"
"We can't be rude to Martha and Ralph," she replied.
Martha chuckled. "Don't worry about us, child. You go along and have some time with your
husband."
Hawk reached for Victoria's hand and led her toward the porch. As they strolled away from the
house, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side. When she was sure the
Benson's couldn't hear, she said, "Do we have to walk like this?"
"You heard Martha call us lovebirds."
"She and Ralph never make public displays of affection."
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