“Perhaps,” Burnell said, “but he’s my animal. He’s good at what he does, and I need a man with his unique capabilities. You remember what he did, last spring, when that buffalo skinner was causing trouble at the Sidewinder? Gaines handled that situation quite efficiently.”

“He shot an unarmed drunk in the back,” Dovie said.

“As I said, Deputy Gaines handled the situation quite efficiently.”

“You approve of his marrying Idelle, don’t you?”

“If it makes him happy, yes.”

“What about Idelle’s happiness?”

Burnell emptied his glass in one long slurp and wiped the residue from his cracked lips onto the back of his mottled hand. “Her happiness doesn’t matter. Idelle has no more say in marrying Gaines than you had in marrying me.”

“Idelle is not marrying Eli Gaines,” Dovie said. “If he goes near her again, I’ll kill him.”

Burnell refilled his glass and laughed. “My first wife used to issue bold statements like that,” he said. “Like you, she pretended to have control of her own destiny, too.” He gulped more brandy. “Idelle will be marrying Eli Gaines. Get used to it. He’s already asked me, and I’ve given my blessing.”

“You’re not her father,” Dovie snapped. “It wasn’t yours to give.”

“Nonetheless, it is done. I suggest you convince your daughter to accept what’s in her best interest, and yours. I’d hate to have to tell Eli you threatened to kill him. Threatening to kill a law officer is a criminal offense. A hanging, criminal offense.”

“I see,” Dovie said, suddenly changing her tone. “Then it’s already decided? Idelle is to marry Chief Deputy Gaines?”

“She is. Pick a wedding date within the next month or so. There will be no more discussion about it.”

“Then I must go to Kansas City for a few days,” Dovie said. “I’ll need to do some shopping. I’ll obviously be taking Idelle with me.”

“Anything you need to get, I can have delivered here.”

“If Idelle is getting married, she can at least choose her own dress and have it fitted proper. You’re not so selfish as to deny her that, are you? I’ll not have my daughter wearing something delivered to your store in a box and unwrapped by Mr. Manning’s dirty fingers.”

“Very well,” Burnell said. “Take the train to Kansas City. I’ll expect you back within three days. If you’re not back within that time, I’ll have Gaines and his deputies hunt you both down and bring Idelle back. You, my dear wife, may or may not return to Atherton. I’ll leave that up to him.”

“We’ll depart tomorrow,” Dovie said, heading for the door. “Please have word sent to the train station to prepare for our departure.”

“Have a nice trip,” Burnell said, pouring himself another brandy.