He considered moving out that night, but thought better of it. Fritz laid back down, and tried to sleep. He spent most of the night in fitfull tossing. After a few hours worth, the grey tendrils of sunshine crept over the horizon. Fritz saddled his mounts and headed up the trail. Then, he decided a cup of coffee couldn't hurt. He turned back towards town.
She rose early, as was her custom. Coffee was on the boil, and she'd begun fixing breakfast, when there was a knock at her door. Rowena cinched her robe tighter as she opened the door.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you." Even though the tone was sharp, there was a smile in her eyes.
"Rowena, I owe you an explanation."
She shook her head. "You don't owe me anything."
"Please," Fritz said. She opened the door and let him in.
"Your coffee's boiling," he said. Rowena lifted the pot form the stove. She poured two cups and brought him one.
"I married once, for all the wrong reasons. We hurt each other badly." He sipped his coffee. "I swore I'd never fall in love again. Truth was, I didn't want to be hurt again. So I threw myself into my career. I tried to be the best soldier I could be."
Rowena nodded knowingly.
"On one mission, I thought I was going to die...and I really didn't care. And then she came along."
"Who is she?"
"Scarlet...my wife. She saved my life, and stole my heart all in the same moment. We've fought side by side ever since. She's my equal. I couldn't love her more. And for the past two years, I've been happier than I've ever been."
"So, why are you alone, on the trail?" She warmed his cup.
"Because I've been recalled to battle the Sioux. It's my last fight. When it's over, I'm leaving the Army. My life's begun again, thanks to Scarlet."
Rowena smiled. "She's a lucky lady. Breakfast?"