Hen started to follow his wife, then turned back. He reached inside his coat and pulled out an envelope. "Zac sent you this."

"Is that the money he stole?" Daisy asked.

Hen nodded. "He stopped off in Santa Fe before heading to New Orleans. Apparently the pickings were good." His eyes cut toward the bedroom door. "I will expect a complete set of wedding plans when I return." He disappeared through the bedroom door.

"Well?" Tyler said, turning to Daisy.

"I want to get married as soon as you can arrange it. I'd like my uncle and cousin to attend the wedding."

Tyler settled next to Daisy. He clearly had his own plans for the next several minutes.

Daisy moved a little away from him. She needed to be able to see his eyes. "I have a request first," she said. She could see Tyler stiffen. She hurried ahead. "You gave up your gold mines because of me. I know you planned to use that money to build your hotels, so I want you to take the money my grandfather left me."

"No." Tyler's answer was short and emphatic.

She hadn't expected him to agree, but she didn't understand the look in his eyes. It was almost defensive. "Then I guess I'll have to follow you all over those wretched mountains until you find gold. I can't say I'm looking forward to living in a cabin, but it shouldn't be too bad as long as we don't have any more blizzards."

"You would do that for me?" Tyler asked, dazed.

"The only time I've been happy is when I've been with you," Daisy confessed. "I'll follow you wherever you go."

"What about your freedom?"

"Laurel a.s.sures me she has more freedom now than ever before."

"So you're bargaining for a better position?"

"I'm asking for the only position I want, if you still want to marry me."

Tyler found a very effective way of convincing her his feelings hadn't changed.

"I have a confession to make," Tyler said a little while later. "I already found that gold."

"When? How?"

"I left Willie Mozel watching my claim. Apparently the first shovel he put in the ground hit pay dirt. Hen and Madison have already sold it for more than enough money to build my hotels."

"So you don't need my money at all."

"I need a partner," Tyler said. "Someone to share the responsibility fifty-fifty."

"What do you mean?"

"We each put up half the money. We each have an equal vote in making the decisions."

"And when we don't agree?"

"We'll take turns breaking the tie. I'll arm wrestle you to see who goes first."

About the Author.

Leigh Greenwood is the award-winning author of over fifty books, many of which have appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Leigh lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Please visit his website at http://www.leigh-greenwood.com/ .

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