Page 90 of Beyond the Desert Sands

“You needed rest after being up all night. I knew I could have woken you, but frankly I needed a few minutes by myself.”

“You want me to go back to the house?”

“No. I had my time on the ride down here. I’m glad to see you.”

“You’re going to do a great job, Aaron. Mr. Garcia was obviously a great judge of character, or he never would have fought to have you join him.”

“He must have seen something in me that I can’t see for myself.” Aaron shook his head and looked down at the sandy roadway. “I loved that man like another father—or maybe better still, a brother. An older, wiser brother.”

Jim smiled. “Kind of like you are for me.”

“I’m younger than you,” Aaron said with mock affront.

Jim chuckled. “I’m just teasing.”

Aaron shook his head. “Here I am, five years younger than you and soon to have responsibility for an entire town.”

“And a wife.”

“Yes, and her mother. Since I can hardly foist them off on you to take care of, how about you move down here and help me with the town?”

Jim’s eyes widened. “You serious?”

“I am, and before you ask, the job will pay a whole lotbetter than stockyard keeper.” He shrugged. “I don’t know anybody else as well as I know you. I know I can trust you and that you love God. Who could ask for a better right-hand man?”

Jim looked around at Silver Veil. “I think I’d like to move here. It’s a pretty little town. Most of the time everything in mining towns looks stripped away, but Garcia made Silver Veil a pleasant place.” He paused and leaned in. “What about cafés and places to eat? Any good ones?”

“Well, there’s no Harvey House, but yes. We have a few excellent places to grab a bite. However, you’ll probably take most of your meals at the Garcia house. There’s a small guesthouse you can live in on the property. Daniel offered it to me, but now I won’t need it. It’s small but has everything you’ll need.”

“Small just means less to clean.”

“Oh, the housekeeper will come and clean up after you, so no worries there.”

Jim laughed. “Then I accept. I’ve never had a housekeeper or folks to cook for me. Better still, I’ve never gotten to work with my best friend.”

“There’s just one more thing I have to ask.”

“What’s that?”

“Will you be my best man?”

“When’s the wedding?” Jim asked, grinning.

“Not sure. I want Isabella and her mother to have all the time they need to get through their grieving. I’ve left it in Isabella’s hands. When I know more, you will too.”

“Well, I guess that makes it all the more important to take the job. So yes, to both.”

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