Sam put his arm around her shoulder as they walked and drew her close and kissed her hair.<br/><br/>“Darlin’ . . . I surely do enjoy bantering with you . . . and you know . . . ”  Sam winked back at her and smiled wryly at her. “...everything else.”<br/><br/>They walked side by side down the hill into the heart of the town together.  Sam glanced over at Irene and she had a strange expression on her face and her body was held in an awkward posture as they walked like something was wrong.  Nothing was said by her so Sam remained quiet but he was on full alert.<br/><br/>He casually put his hand on his pistol and unhooked the little strap that secured it in his holster. He glanced about but didn’t see anything that presented a threat.   In fact there wasn’t a soul in sight.  He secured his pistol and rubbed her shoulder tenderly.  Whatever it had been seemed to be gone as she seemed calmer as they approached what looked like a small cantina-like establishment.<br/><br/>He smiled at her as she turned to reassure him that they had chicken on the menu.  Sam thought that it was sweet that she was looking out for him even though he could read the menu board just as she had.<br/><br/>A man apparently known to Irene as Louie took them to a table.  Sam sat next to her around the corner of the table from her.  The man was clearly checking over Sam as he chatted with Irene about how her work was going.  Sam grinned broadly when Irene announced that she was out of the ‘business.’   Louie seemed pleased with the news and quickly took off in the direction of what Sam assumed was the kitchen.  Sam took her hand in his as they looked at each other.<br/><br/>“Champagne huh?  No one is happier than I am Darlin about what you said to him.’”<br/><br/>He leaned over and kissed her softly.<br/><br/>“So will Louie be coming to the wedding too?”<br/><br/>He chuckled as he envisioned what a scene the folks gathering to celebrate their wedding would make with him and Irene.<br/><br/>“He clearly cares about you . . . so I have no problem with that Irene.  Speaking of our wedding Irene . . . when were you thinking we might close the deal Darlin?  I’m thinking that would help us complete the paperwork for the clerk’s records.  I want to be married to you Irene . . . with a ceremony and the words being said, and I’ve never wanted anything more than to marry you.  It doesn’t need to be in a church . . . it could be in a courtyard . . . a garden, if there is one around somewhere . . . I’ll leave it to you.”<br/><br/>He smiled and kissed her again.  He picked up the little chalkboard on the table with the menu choices.  Glancing over at her he smiled as he looked over her shoulder.<br/><br/>“I see Louie honey. It looks like he’s goin’ to be coming back so we can talk about it later.  What’s good here Irene?  Anything you’d think I’d like?”