Sam’s thoughts were stuck for a moment or two on Irene’s offhanded question about looking east for a wife six years before.  As he looked at her, he wished he’d been as lucky as Tim had been in finding her.  But six years ago he was not in a good place and he’d have been no good to her or any other woman.  ‘Time does heal,’ he thought.<br/><br/>Sam looked one way down the street as Irene looked the other.  It seemed like suddenly they were lost which seemed unlikely in a one-street-town.  ‘Maybe we’re both lost in our distractions,’ he thought as Sam’s eyes followed hers when Irene spotted the license sign.  He chuckled that Irene would think that marriage licenses would be the primary function of the clerk’s office.  He kind of liked that idea though and wondered if they were both having similar thoughts.<br/><br/>“Yeah I think you’re right darlin’”<br/><br/>She shot him a look which he didn’t understand and strode off on her own in the direction of the sign.  Sam took a few long strides and easily caught up with her.<br/><br/>“What was the look for?  Were you reading my mind or somethin’?  And if you were . . . are you objectin’ to what I was thinkin’?  You planted the seed after all.”<br/><br/>He grinned broadly as he walked beside her waiting to see how she’d respond.  Sam took her hand in his as they drew closer to the sign.<br/><br/><br/>