Sam stood as she did.  He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her loosely as she spoke.  Then he kissed her.  As their kiss deepened Sam drew her more firmly against him.<br/><br/>“As to the clerk . . . besides the marriage license . . . I don’t have any questions that they can answer for me now.  As to getting into trouble Darlin’  . . . I’m sure the opportunity will present itself soon enough. A ride would be good . . . it’ll give me a chance to see what we’ve been talking about. ”<br/><br/>Sam grinned broadly and kissed her hard.<br/><br/>“I’m not the leader . . . but then you’re not either.  This is a joint venture Misses Markham.  I only asked that you let me do some reconnoitering about the fort. Seriously though . . . why do you think they might shoot at you out at your place?”<br/><br/>He looked at his beautiful wife with a little worry in his eyes.  Sam was not going to let anything happen to her if he could help it.  The problem was his mind hadn’t quite sorted out all that he knew about what had happened to her and to Tim.  In his mind the ranch should still be hers as Tim had no other heirs.  Something seemed very wrong with losing a longtime family owned ranch over ordinary debt. Every banker he’d ever known preferred cash to property and certainly a portion sold off of the land should have settled anything owed.  It just smelled fishy to him . . . and he hated the smell of fish.  He wondered if Tim had gotten himself involved in some trouble that Irene didn’t know anything about.<br/><br/>“Darlin’ you look a might too pretty to be standing around in here.  We best get downstairs or I’m liable to lose my appetite for food in favor of another appetite . . . a craving . . .  I’ve had since I woke this morning.  I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that?”<br/>