text: A few nights later, after Astrid and Paulie were in bed, Colleen sat down at the opposite end of the settee from Grit and said, "I suppose the trail is tamped down enough for me to go back to the fort, but who's going to care for Astrid?"
  
  "I don't know," Grit said. "I wish you didn't have to go back."
  
  "Suppose I did stay?" Colleen asked with a smirk. "As what—the maid, the nanny, the laundress?"
  
  Grit smiled at her. "I'd offer to marry you, but I'm an ex-convict and not much of a catch."
  
  "I'd say you were quite a catch," Colleen said with a smile. "I've never known a man who worked harder, but I've always thought a couple should love each other before getting married."
  
  "It's an age-old problem," Grit said. "Does love come before or after marriage?"
  
  Colleen moved down the settee close to Grit. "Do you have any feelings for me?"
  
  "Yes, of course I do," Grit said. "And I have great respect for you too."
  
  "Would you always be faithful to me?" she asked.
  
  "I could never be unfaithful," he said. "It's just who I am."
  
  "Well?"
  
  Grit was surprised as Colleen leaned into him and kissed him. The kiss became passionate, and it was prolonged. "Oh my, I do have feelings for you, Colleen."
  
  "Well?"
  
  "Would you marry me?" Grit asked.
  
  "Yes, yes I will," Colleen said as her lips sought his once more. When the kiss ended, she said, "There's a chaplain at the fort who could marry us."
  
  "I thought maybe you'd want a priest," Grit said.
  
  "A priest is far away, and I don't wanna wait," she said.
  
  "There's something you should know," Grit said.
  
  "What is it?"
  
  "I've put enough money away to send Paulie to college, and I'll still want to do that."
  
  "That's fine."
  
  "Just so you know," he said. "It's the only obligation I have except to take care of Astrid."
  
  "When we get an address for her relatives, I'll write them a letter wherever that may be, and we'll see what comes of it."
  
  "If they want her, they have the right."
  
  "Exactly, but if they don't, we'll raise her. Is that alright with you?"
  
  "Yes," Grit said with a smile. "I've grown to like her a lot. Maybe we'll have to send her to college too."
  
  "What about me?" she asked.
  
  "I'd be willing to send you, if that's what you want," Grit said. "I'd work and pay for it all if you wanted to go."
  
  "Hmm, that's a good offer," she said. "I've always wanted to go to college. It's been a dream of mine all my life."