Brides of Idaho by Linda; Ford

scrambled to her feet.
    The man drawing near was a stranger. In a fine suit. With a round-topped black hat that looked like it had just been plucked out of a store display. He rode well, though in a stiff manner. Not like a cowboy who spent hours in a saddle. He drew to a halt before her. “You are on my land.”
    Not now. Her heart reached bottom and lay there limp. She’d hoped this day would never come. “Who are you?”
    He pulled off his hat to reveal blond hair slicked back with plenty of pommade. “Master Marcus Milton.” He returned his hat to his head and looked almighty pleased with himself, as if she should rejoice at meeting such a fine, pompous man.
    She bit the inside of her lip in order to keep her opinion to herself.
    When he realized she didn’t plan to comment on the privilege of meeting Master whatever, he gave a decisive nod. “Do you have plans to purchase this land?”
    “How much?”
    He named a sum likely fair enough but far more than she had in her tin can. Even selling her current half-dozen horses wouldn’t bring in enough money. “I could pay part now and part later.”
    He sniffed. “I am a businessman. Borrow the money from a bank. In the meantime, either buy the land or move your horses off it.”
    “They’re not hurting anything.”
    “You’re trespassing.”
    “I need time to find another suitable location. After all, I can’t keep them tied up in town, now can I?”
    “Very well. I am a reasonable man.” He looked like it pained him to say so. “I will give you two weeks.” He beamed at her.
    She stared, suddenly realized he expected her to thank him. “You’ll have your money in less time than that.”
    “Or you will remove your animals.” He jerked his mount around.
    It was all Glory could do not to order him to keep in mind the horse’s tender mouth. She watched him until he disappeared from sight then sank back to the ground and moaned. “How am I supposed to get that kind of money in less than two weeks?” Dare she pray about it? Would God listen to a foolish, selfish request? What did she have to lose?
    God, help me out here if You care about me at all. You say in Your Word You care. But everyone who says they care about me takes it back one way or the other. But You aren’t a man to change Your mind. So if it’s true, if I can trust You, make a way for me to buy this piece of land.
    She didn’t say amen. Just finished and sat there, a little seed of hope sprouting.
    Later, she returned to town, curious as to whether or not Levi was back. Or was he out taking advantage of innocent people? Perhaps even planning to rob a bank or something equally as dreadful. Her mistrust of Levi was at such odds with the step of trust she’d taken up the hill. But trust did not come easily, and she’d learned it shouldn’t be given freely.
    She half expected to see Levi striding into the saloon, despite Bull’s continued threats and warnings. Once she’d seen Bull pushing him out the door, growling and saying all kinds of horrible things, but Levi seemed to be hard of hearing. Why would he even bother going there when he knew it meant nothing but trouble from Bull? Was it part of a ruse? Or for real? She wished she knew. But it didn’t make any difference to her. Not really. He couldn’t or wouldn’t care about her. And she didn’t care about him.
    There was no sign of him at the saloon. She stopped and dismounted, checked to see if Toby was inside. He wasn’t. Maybe the two of them were together someplace, though she’d seen no sign of Levi’s big horse outside Mr. Phelps’s house. Not that she had looked. She was only being observant.
    She swung back into the saddle and headed for her shop. Sometimes he sat on the step talking to Toby as they waited for her. No one sat on the step. No one waited for her.
    And why had she expected anyone would? It was only because she was angry at him for saying something he didn’t mean. Just proved he was like every other