The Town Laughed at Her Empty Market Stall. One Lonely Cowboy Bought Everything
Chapter 13
Their courtship was slow.
Thomas visited her farm.
Anna visited his.
They rode together.
They talked.
They argued.
They learned each other’s habits.
Thomas discovered Anna hated thunder.
Anna discovered Thomas sang badly when repairing fences.
He discovered she could not tolerate dust on shelves.
She discovered he slept with a pistol beneath his pillow.
“That’s ridiculous,” she told him.
“Why?”
“Who are you expecting to attack you?”
“Nobody.”
“Then move it.”
“No.”
She laughed.
“You are impossible.”
“So you keep saying.”
One autumn evening, Thomas brought her to the hill overlooking the river.
The leaves had turned gold.
The crossing below was busy with wagons.
Families who once feared losing their homes now traveled freely.
Anna looked at the road.
“You saved this place.”
Thomas shook his head.
“You did.”
“My father started it.”
“You finished it.”
She looked at him.
“What did you buy that day?”
He smiled.
“Your empty stall.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You bought something else.”
“What?”
“My courage.”
Thomas stared at her.
Then took her hand.
“I think you already had it.”
