"Marriage. Need to talk about the ceremony."
Reverend Daniel's voice became excited. "This is great news, would this be for one of your children?"
"What? Ah no, it's for me."
Both Daniel and Maura expressed shock. "Well now, would this be your second marriage then Roy? Are you a widower?"
"Nope, it's my first" Roy gave them a big smile. "My bride though, she's a widow with two young boys."
"Well, this is great news, but as you can see, our church isn't ready just yet." Reverend Daniel's expression shifted. "Of course, if there's an immediate reason why you need to get married, I'm sure we can make some other arrangements."
Roy frowned. "No, I don't think so." Then it dawned on Roy what the minister was trying to say. "Oh, I get it. No, we're not living together. I want everything to be done proper. Why I only gave her the ring last week and asked her to marry me. No, wait, come to think of it, the blacksmith Tom asked her for me." Roy looked puzzled.
Both Reverend Daniel and Maura were perplexed as well. After pausing to think about Roy's comments, Reverend Daniel answered Roy's request.
"We should be completed with the building within a few months. Will that work for you and Miss…"
"Mrs. Sara Johansson. And yes, I believe so.
After shaking hands once more, Roy set off for his homestead. He allowed Sugar-Girl to walk slowly taking his time to ride home. Both Molly and Sally greeted Roy noisily when he appeared. Within thirty minutes of his arrival, Sheriff Dinkins showed up with several mounted riders. The sheriff was driving a buckboard wagon. Roy pointed in the direction where they would find the bodies. They could faintly make out a few birds circling above the spot.
"Are you sure you won't come along, Roy? We could use the extra hands."
Roy quickly processed the sheriff's request. "No thanks Buddy. I think I've seen more than my share of dead men. You'll be all right without me."
"Well, if you change your mind you can always catch up with us."
Roy shook his head. As the sheriff's group set off, Roy watched them until they disappeared over one of the low ridges. Returning to his garden, Roy then finished the chores he had planned for the day. The sight of the bodies lying in the desert played out repeatedly in Roy's head, disturbing the man a great deal. Finally, Roy's frustration peaked and he sought relief from the war inside his head. Feeding the mules and saddling Sugar-Girl again, Roy rode off toward Sara's place.