“That is right. I guarantee it. If you was part of the family, we could take over this operation and run it right. The old man is living in a time that's just gone. It's a new world out there, and it's our world, not his. We need to take the lead on this one. This is our time, Jeff.”

Mattie was dumping dishwater on the mid-May bean plants outside the kitchen door. It wasn't the best time he could imagine, but she was alone, and he was feeling more courage than he'd felt in a long time. He cleared his throat. “Miss Martha.”

She stood up, surprised, then cocked her head and knitted her brow. “Jeff Power. What are you doing sneaking up on me like that? And why are you calling me ‘Martha’?”

“Martha, I mean Mattie. Mattie. I have something to ask you.”

“Before you waste both our times, I don't have any money to lend to cowboys. Now is this something I'm going to want to hear?”

He was becoming flustered now. “I don't know. I don't know if you want to hear it. If I knew that, this would be easier.”

“It better not be of a lowly nature.” She plucked at stray strands of hair and began tucking them behind her ear.

“Oh, hell. Beg your pardon. I don't know how to say things right, so I'm just going to say it and hope it comes out in some way not to give you offense. And I would appreciate it if you wouldn't laugh. Will you marry me?”

“What?”

“Marry me. I want you to marry me.”

“You want me to marry you?”

“Yes, ma'am. I know I'm just a cowboy and all. And your pa owns the ranch. But I believe I got some prospects. I don't know. I work hard. I'm no angel, but I'm willing to give up some of the rough stuff and try to live better. I ain't a bad man.”

She let out her breath in one long exhalation that kept going and going. He was afraid that she was going to deflate and end up on the ground like an empty balloon. “My goodness,” she said at last. “He wants me to marry him.” She moved over to the kitchen stoop and sat down. He hesitated and then followed.

“You want me to go away?” he asked.