If It Makes Any Difference
Image Courtesy
of The Writers Ranch
Ike sat stroking Sampson's neck waiting for Lou to arrive. He needed her advice on picking out a ring for Annie. Not just any ring, but the ring and he couldn't think of anyone better to help him.
Lou arrived and held out a small red velvet bag to him. "Here. If you want my help for what I think you do, this should do the job."
Ike opened the bag to reveal a beautiful gold band set with a blue stone. It was perfect. The color matched Annie's eyes. *How did you know?*
"Sometimes a girl knows these things. I've seen the way you look at her, and figured when you said you needed my help..."
*You already bought this? Why?*
"I don't know why I bought it. Sometimes I think the Kid and me, you know."
I try giving it back to her. If it was meant for The Kid, I can't take it. She pushes my hand away.
"Don't worry Ike, there's plenty of rings in this world."
*You're giving it to me?*
"On one condition. You can't tell The Kid about it. I didn't tell him I bought that thing."
I smile. She loves him as much as I love Annie. *Why not if you two are in love?*
"Yeah, maybe I should have. The way things are goin', I don't think I'll be needin' it."
This has to be hard on her. We don't know why Kid ran off to join Hawk's gang, and now Lou might not see him again. She's trying not to cry so I go to hug her. She just pushes me away.
"Ike, you take care of Annie. She's a good girl."
*Not as good as you.*
Lou smiles. "Now you're on your own when it comes to askin' her. I helped you with the easy part."
I nod and watch her walk away. I spend all day thinking of how to ask her. Emma figured I was up to something and I had to confide in her. Emma has the perfect solution...
~~~ Journal Entry: October 15, 1860 ~~~
Lunch after church yesterday was humiliating. Sam was completely clueless, and Lou and Cody kept pushing me to ask Annie. They just don't understand how nervous something like this can make you.
Then all of these doubts entered my mind. I kept thinking about what Annie's life would be like if we were to get married. I know she's learning sign so we can communicate, but is that enough? What about my job with the Express? Can she handle the risk that my next ride may be my last?
But one glance at Annie, and I know we can make it work. I reached in my pocket for the ring and was about to ask when the impossible happened. It seems her intended husband hadn't been killed in the mine accident after all.
Harold Jackson had been found alive, and had come to get her. Annie felt obligated to go with him. I even tried to get them to leave before Hawk's gang arrived, but he insisted on staying to help us fight.
I realized that as much as I hated to let her go, Harold could provide Annie with all the things I couldn't. A stable home with a safe job; he quit working in the mines, the hope of children in the future... Things I didn't know when or even if I could give her.
But as they were finally leaving this morning, Annie told me that Harold was a good man. I watched her climb into the buckboard with him, and tried not to cry in front of them. As they rode past me, I saw Annie tell me one last thing... Something Harold would never understand.
*If it makes any difference, I would have said yes.*