daughter, and the courting rules will be up to me.”

     “I completely understand and will abide by those rules, Sir.”

     Christine watched the battle for her daughter go back and forth between the two men, a man who Dessie held on a pedestal, and a man who held Dessie there, had for all her life.  Adam rose from his seat.

     “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to get back to the office and check on my patient.  I’ll send Dessie home soon.”

     “Very well,” Ryan replied, rising, too.

     “Thank you for giving your consent and I’ll ask Dessie,” Adam told them then turned around and walked out the door to his buckboard.

...

Please subscribe to keep reading.