Summary: A prequel to the Salute to Yesterday episode. Eighteen-year-old Candy Canaday is in love with seventeen-year-old, Ann Purcell, but her disapproving father, Colonel John Purcell, feels Candy is not suitable enough for his young daughter.

Rating: PG.

Word Count: 21,799 

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Chapter One 

It was a crisp Autumn day in Virginia City as ranch hand and foreman of the Ponderosa, Candy Canaday, walked along the boardwalk and over to the post office. His boss, Ben Cartwright had asked him to see if any mail arrived for them. 

He headed inside and saw the postal clerk, George, looking through a stack of letters. George looked up and saw Candy. 

“Oh, Candy.” 

“Hey, George.” Candy walked up to the counter and asked, “Any mail for today?” 

 “As a matter of fact, yes.” George went over to the shelf containing the recent mail that had been received. He pulled out a small stack of envelopes and handed them to him. 

 “Here you are.” 

 “Thanks.” 

Candy looked through the stack of envelopes. 

George said, “It’s mostly for Mr. Cartwright, but there is one addressed to you.” 

Candy looked up at George and smiled. “Thanks.” He then said in a sarcastic tone, “I’m surprised you actually gave me a chance to read it.” 

George looked at him in annoyance.

Candy said goodbye to him and headed out of the post office with a big grin on his face.  

Outside, Candy looked down at the letter addressed to him. He took notice of the Army seal and his curiosity got the better of him. He went ahead and opened the envelope. It was a letter from his former wife, Ann Purcell. 

“Dear Candy. I’ve been holding off on writing this letter so many times. But now I feel I finally have the strength to. It’s been a long time since we last spoke, but I haven’t stopped thinking about you from the moment we parted ways that day after you rescued Jim from those bandits. It’s funny. Just before I started writing this letter, a memory came to me. We were both back at the Fort, young and in love. We were in the meadow when you first told me you loved me. It seems crazy now, but I suppose some memories still stay with you after all these years.” 

Candy looked up from the letter and couldn’t help but smile as he thought back to that same memory. It had been so long ago. They were only kids at the time and it seemed almost like a blur. Yet it was still so very clear in his mind.

The year was 1859. Eighteen-year-old, Candy, awoke in bed. He squinted his eyes as the sunlight beamed down on him through the window. He sat himself up and realized the time. He quickly got up and out of bed, grabbed his navy blue and yellow uniform, and rushed to get dressed. 

Outside the tent, Sergeant Shaughnessy gave the soldiers their assignments for the day when Candy came hurrying out of the tent just as he finished putting on his boots. The other soldiers snickered.  

Shaughnessy looked over at him and said, “Well, glad you could join us, Canaday.” Candy fell in line with the rest of the troops and got into position. Shaughnessy stood up straight in front of him with his hands behind his back. “Well, private, do you have some sort of explanation or reason for being late?” 

 “Yeah, I didn’t get here on time,” Candy said. 

Shaughnessy heard some of the other soldiers snicker. He pursed his lips and asked, “So you have no excuse then?” 

Candy shook his head with a small smile. “No.” 

Shaughnessy barked, “Then how would you like to clear out that watering hole because that’s what you’re gonna be doing for the next few hours, is that understood?” 

Candy flashed a wide grin. “Can’t wait.” 

Shaughnessy added in a stern tone, “And wipe that smirk off your face, private.” Candy tried hard to suppress it. Shaughnessy said to the other soldiers, “All right, men, you have your duties. Fall out!” 

The soldiers dispersed. 

Candy said to Shaughnessy, “Always a pleasure, Sarge.” He gave him a salute.  

Shaughnessy glared at him. Candy flashed that same grin and walked off.

A little while later, Shaughnessy stood inside a tent talking to Colonel John Purcell who sat at his desk with Sergeant Ordy sitting in a chair near him. 

Shaughnessy said to Purcell in frustration, “You need to do something about Canaday.”

“What’s he done now?” Purcell asked. 

“He was late for the third time this week and he disrespected me again in front of my troop.” Purcell and Ordy exchanged glances. Shaughnessy then said, “Now, I know his father was a good friend of yours, Colonel, but if he doesn’t straighten up, I’m gonna have to kick him out of my unit.” 

Ordy said, “Come on, Shaughnessy, he’s just a kid.”

“Well, he’s got a lot of growing up to do. He’s not pinned as an Army brat for nothing.”

Ordy told him, “He’s a good kid and smart as a whip. He knows Army protocol like the back of his hand. He grew up here, remember?” 

 “He’s also too cocky. The kind that can get you killed,” Shaughnessy said. 

Purcell relented. “All right. I’ll have a talk with Candy. That satisfy you, Shaughnessy?”

“You just make sure it doesn’t happen again, Colonel, or you can find yourself another sergeant. 

Shaughnessy stormed out of the tent.

Ordy turned to Purcell. “I’m sorry about that, Colonel.” 

“Oh, don’t worry about him, Ordy, he’s just blowing off steam. Would you mind talking to Candy just so we can keep the peace around here? I know he’s close to you.”

“I will, Colonel.”  

“Thank you. You’re dismissed.”

Ordy left the tent. Purcell shook his head with a smile.

***

Later that afternoon, some of the troops in Shaughnessy’s unit gathered around the campgrounds of Fort Delaney when Candy walked past them knee deep in mud. One of the soldiers, the team leader of Shaughessy’s unit, Corporal Noah McKinley looked over at Candy and called out to him.

“Hey, Canaday!”

Candy stopped and turned around.

McKinley told him, “I just saw Shaughnessy going into the Colonel’s tent. I think he went to talk to the Colonel about you.” He pointed his rifle at him. 

Candy scoffed. “Old spit and polish Purcell doesn’t scare me in the least. He can’t kick me out and he knows it. Not Sergeant Canaday’s boy.”  

McKinley couldn’t help but smile and shook his head. He said, “You’d better watch your back, Canaday. You’re asking for trouble.”

Candy shrugged his shoulders. “He already thinks I’m trouble, so why not just have him keep believing it?”

One of the other soldiers looked ahead of them and a big smile spread across his face.

“Hey, look who just walked out of her father’s tent.”

McKinley and Candy turned and saw Colonel Purcell’s young daughter, seventeen-year-old Ann, walking along the campground. 

“She certainly turned into a pretty little thing, hasn’t she?”

The soldier next to him said, “Better make sure the Colonel doesn’t hear you say that. He’ll have your hide.”

They both chuckled.

McKinley said, “All right, that’s enough, let’s move out. We still got work to do, come on.” 

McKinley and the other soldiers dispersed.

 ***

Candy looked over at Ann who stared right back at him as she slowly moved her feet along the dirt. 

Candy hung his head down and started moving again over to his tent.

Ann had been watching him when Colonel Purcell walked up to her.

“Ann? I was just checking to see how you’re doing.”

“Oh, fine,” Ann replied. 

“Good. Well, I’ll see you later tonight.” 

He gave her a kiss and walked off in the other direction.

Ann moved behind the tent when Candy appeared, making her nearly jump out of her skin. He busted up laughing.  

“You scared me,” she said.

“Sorry.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes when Candy gently took hold of Ann’s face and kissed her. Ann returned the kiss as she moved her hand along his shoulder and up to his neck. Candy pulled back and leaned his head against hers.

Ann said, “I waited all day for you.”

Candy sighed. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t get away. Sergeant “stiff neck” had me clearing out that watering hole again. He’s always on my case about something. I just wish he’d lay off.”

“You give him reason to,” Ann told him.

Candy looked at her and smiled. “Maybe. Or maybe he just doesn’t like me.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I don’t like him so I guess that evens things up, don’t it?”

Ann rolled her eyes at him and smiled. 

Candy said, “Hey. Why don’t I take you to that little clearing by the Valley River, just over the hill where no one can find us.”

She smiled. “I’d love to.”

“Good. I’ll be here tomorrow at noon.”

Candy looked around to see if the coast was clear and gave her another kiss. He backed away while holding onto her hand and then hurried off. 

Candy walked over to his tent. He turned around and flashed a mischievous grin. He walked into the tent and saw Sergeant Ordy sitting in a chair. 

Candy said in surprise, “Ordy.” He gave a soft chuckle. “You scared me, I thought you were the Colonel.”

“Speaking of the Colonel, he and Sergeant Shaughnessy had a very interesting conversation about you,” Ordy told him.

“Oh?” Candy said as he went over to his bunk.

“Yeah, he thinks you’ve been slacking off.”

Candy scoffed. 

Ordy asked, “Why were you late this morning?”

“Well, for yours and his information, I stayed up late last night and overslept.”  

Candy removed his wet and muddy boots.

 Ordy pried further. “Doing what?”

Candy grinned and shook his head. He told him, “I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Ordy.”

“Well, if it gets you in trouble, then it is my business.”  

Candy said, “Well, you don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself. I don’t need you breathing down my neck like the rest of them, telling me what I can and can’t do, you’re not my….”

Candy looked down with pursed lips.

“No. No, I’m not your father, Candy. I knew your father, he was one of the best. You’re just like him in a lot of ways. Including that stubborn pride of yours. But I still had a hand in raising you.”

“You and every other non-com around here,” Candy said.

“That’s right. Now after your father died, I made a promise. So I feel a responsibility to make sure you stay out of trouble, and that’s by showing a little respect.” 

Candy sighed in frustration. “All right, fine. I just wish I could get out of this stinkin’ place.”

“And go where?” Ordy asked.

“I don’t know, anywhere’s better than here.” 

Ordy said, “Well, until the Colonel relieves you of duty, you’re expected to stay here and follow orders. Although I’m a little surprised you’d even want to leave considering who you’d be leaving behind.” 

“What are you talking about?” Candy asked, puzzled.

“You and Ann, right?”

Candy’s head perked up. 

Ordy smiled. “You don’t think I know about you two sneakin’ off someplace in the middle of the night?” 

Embarrassed, Candy said, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. We’ve just been waiting for the right time. Does anyone else know?”

“No, and I haven’t told anyone either.”

“Are you surprised?”

Ordy shook his head. “Not at all. You both grew up here together. It was only a matter of time.”

“I love her, Ordy. She’s the only other person besides you who even bothers to listen to me and understands how I feel.” 

Ordy crossed his arms and nodded. “Yes, but you’re forgetting one thing. She’s the Colonel’s daughter.”

“I know that and I don’t care. I love her and he can’t stop us from being together,” Candy said, sharply. 

“Candy, you’re like a son to me. I just want you to be careful.”

“I will.”

“All right.” Ordy got up from the chair and told him, “I’m on training duty tomorrow, so I’ll see you in the morning.”

Ordy left the tent while Candy laid back on his bunk bed.

Chapter Two

The next day, Candy and Ann managed to get away from the fort and made their way over to Valley River. They sat on a picnic blanket underneath a tall oak tree with the sounds of the stream nearby drowning out the silence.

Candy stared out into the meadow. Ann looked over at him.

“Candy?” Candy turned to her. She smiled and asked, “Daydreaming again?” 

Candy looked down and smiled. “I guess I was.”

“About us?” she asked.

“Yeah. I have a lot of dreams for us.”

“Oh?” She leaned into him and asked, “Tell me about them.”

Candy smiled at her, but his smile soon faded. “I would, but I doubt they’ll ever come true for us. At least not with the Colonel around anyway.”

“I wouldn’t say that. He cares a lot about you, Candy. He always has.”

“He tolerates me. And it’s only because of who my father was.”

Ann told him, “Your father was a good man, but so are you.”

“Well, it’s nice to know you think of me as one,” Candy said.

Ann brushed her hand underneath his chin. “I’m sure if he saw you for the kind and wonderful person you really are, he would think differently.”

“Maybe,” he said.

Ann decided to change the subject. She asked, “Aren’t you going to ask me to the Social this Saturday?”

Candy looked up at her and smiled. “Are you sure you want to go with a guy like me?” he asked.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and told him, “There isn’t anyone else I’d rather go with than you.”

Candy gazed into her eyes before he leaned forward and kissed her. 

“I love her,” he said.

Ann gave a warm smile as she repeated the words to him. It was the first time Candy had heard her tell him she loved him which made his heart soar in his chest. He smiled big and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. 

***

A little while later, Candy and Ann held hands as they walked back to the Fort when they heard the sound of gunfire up ahead.

Candy and Ann stopped and looked up.

Ann asked, “What’s that?”

“I don’t know, but it sounds like trouble.” Candy then told her, “I need you to go back to your pa now.”

Ann hesitated. “Candy.…”

Candy started moving her along. “Go on.”

Ann hurried back to her father while Candy followed the sound of the gunfire.

Candy moved into the bushes and spotted McKinley and a few other soldiers. He hurried over to them.

McKinley saw Candy and said, “About time you showed up.”

“What’s going on?” Candy asked.

“Apparently word got out about the ambulance containing the gold.” 

Candy responded in annoyance, “I knew that idea wouldn’t last.”

McKinley fired another shot. 

Candy asked, “How many are there?”

“I counted three men,” McKinley told him. 

Another shot was fired and McKinley fired back.

“They must want that gold real bad,” Candy said. 

More shots were fired and Candy ducked. He asked McKinley, “Are you just gonna sit there and leave me unarmed?” 

McKinley handed him a rifle. Candy made sure it was loaded before he aimed and fired a shot at the bandits.

Meanwhile, one of Candy’s childhood friends, half-Mexican and half-Apache, Angel Montana, watched the chaos from behind a tree. 

McKinley and Candy continued firing shots when Candy saw a little boy in the line of fire. He lowered his rifle and said, “Hey, there’s a kid out there.”

“There’s nothing we can do,” McKinley said. 

Candy said in disbelief, “You’re just gonna leave him? He’ll die out there.”

McKinley told him, “I’ve been given strict orders not to engage them.” 

“He’s a kid!” Candy said, exasperated.

“Those were the Colonel’s orders.” 

Candy looked over at the kid and said, “Well, there’s one thing the Colonel forgot about me. I’m not good with following orders.”

Candy jumped over the rock.

McKinley yelled, “Canaday!”

Candy dodged bullets left and right as he sprinted over to the boy.

One of the soldiers said to McKinley, “He’s got a lot of brass, I’ll give him that.”

“He’s also crazy,” another soldier said. 

Candy came up to the boy as a woman screamed in horror. Candy grabbed him just as he was nearly hit with a bullet. They tumbled and hit the ground.

Candy asked the boy, “Are you all right?”

A woman came out of the bushes crying and screaming in Spanish.

“Alejandro!” she cried out as she scooped him up in her arms. Candy assumed she was the boy’s mother. She looked at him with gratitude in her eyes and nodded. 

One of the bandits came up to Candy with his gun pointed at him. He yelled at him in Spanish and was about to kill Candy when the woman spoke up and stopped him.

She spoke in Spanish to him and while Candy couldn’t understand what they were saying, he had some idea of what they were talking about. The bandit motioned for the woman to go back. She hurried off with the boy when the bandit turned back around to Candy. He moved closer to him with his gun still pointed at him. 

Candy’s heartbeat sped up and his whole body tensed. The bandit started to lower his gun when a gunshot went off hitting the bandit in the chest. He collapsed onto the ground. Candy stared at him wide-eyed in shock when one of the soldiers came up to him. 

“Colonel Purcell wants us to go back. We managed to run off the rest of them. The ambulance is secure,” he told him.

Candy’s shock turned into anger. “You didn’t have to do that.” 

The soldier responded, “He’d likely have killed you, private. I had no choice.”

Candy told him, “He was lowering his gun, he wasn’t going to kill me.”

“What’s it to you anyway? He was trying to steal from us, remember? Now, come on, let’s head back.”

Candy slowly got up from the ground, his eyes still fixed on the dead bandit. The lines between simply following orders and doing what was right started to blur for him.

Later that evening, Candy stood in front of Colonel Purcell in his tent with Sergeant Shaughnessy near him. Shaughnessy said to Candy in a stern tone, “You deliberately disobeyed a direct order!” 

Candy said in a surly tone of voice, “Oh, I’m sorry, Sarge, but I thought our job was to protect the people?”

“Your job is to keep quiet and do what you’re told!” Shaughnessy barked. Candy scoffed and shook his head. Shaughnessy then said, “I am getting sick and tired of you running that smart mouth of yours, acting like you’re in charge.”

Candy responded in a sarcastic tone, “That’s funny, Sarge, I could say the same thing about you.” 

Shaughnessy fumed as he said to Purcell, “You just gonna let him speak to me that way?”

Purcell said, “All right. Shaughnessy, would you give me and Canaday some privacy, please?” 

Shaughnessy pointed his finger at Candy and said in a stern tone, “You will never be an ounce of what your father was, Canaday.”

Candy stared at the ground as his hands clenched into a fist behind his back. Shaughnessy stormed out of the tent. Purcell looked at Candy and said, “Well, Candy. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Candy lifted his head up to him and relaxed his hands. “Not much, sir, except to say I don’t regret what I did. I know I shouldn’t have disobeyed your orders, but I just couldn’t let that kid die.” Purcell studied him. Candy then told him, “I take full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences for them.”

Purcell said, “Well. You did disobey a direct order.” Candy hung his head down, preparing for the worst. Purcell then told him, “But I also can’t help but commend your bravery. You risked your life to save another and for that I’m willing to overlook it, that is if you promise this won’t happen again.”

Candy sighed in relief. “Thank you, sir. I will.”

“You’re dismissed.” 

Candy started to leave, but he turned back around to Purcell and said, “Uh, Colonel? Sir? There is one other thing I’d like to ask of you.” Purcell gave him his full attention. Candy said, “With your permission, sir, I’d like to escort Ann to the Social this Saturday evening.” 

Purcell tried to suppress a smirk. “Well, I’d say it’s all right as long as you see to it that you’re on your best behavior and treat my daughter with the utmost respect. Is that understood?”

“Yes, of course, sir. You have my word,” Candy told him.

Purcell smiled. “Good. Well, if that’s all then, you’re free to go.”

Candy nodded and left the Colonel’s tent. As he headed over to his tent, he wondered if maybe he was wrong about the Colonel after all.

***

It was the evening of the Social and all of the soldiers were outside, dressed in their uniforms as they mingled about with the other soldiers. Some of which were dancing with beautiful young ladies. 

Off to the side near the table with the punchbowl, Candy and Ann stood underneath a tall oak tree. Candy seemed to have his mind elsewhere. Ann looked over at him and asked, “Are you feeling all right?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” 

“You’ve just been very quiet,” she said.

Candy moved his boot through the dirt and said, “I just can’t stop thinking about what I did.”

“Saving that boy’s life?” Ann asked.

“Yeah. I don’t even know why I did it. I didn’t even think that I might die doing it. I did it without a thought or care for myself.”

“That’s because it’s just who you are. It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Everyone can’t stop talking about how brave you were and how no one else could have done what you did. You’re a hero.”

Candy gave a small smile. “Well, I don’t feel like one.”

“You are,” she said.

Candy paused before he said, “I didn’t tell you the rest of what happened after I saved that boy. After I got the boy out of there, a woman came and got him. I assumed she was his mother by the way she held him. She looked right at me and nodded her head. I guess it was her way of thanking me. One of the bandits then came at me with a gun. The woman stopped him and while I don’t speak a lick of spanish, I somehow knew what they were talking about. I think she wanted him to spare me for saving her son. With his gun still pointed at me, he looked at me and started to lower it when he was shot and killed instantly.” Ann looked down with sorrow in her eyes. Candy then said, “I’m not entirely sure but I think that man was the boy’s father. Now in a war. There’s us and there’s them. They were the enemy. But in that moment, I couldn’t tell who the enemy was.” Candy smiled and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m ruining your evening, aren’t I?”

Ann placed her hand up to the side of his face. “No. You could never ruin it.”

Candy stared at her and remarked, “You do look very beautiful tonight.” Ann’s face flushed red. Candy then told her, “I would at least like to have one dance with you.”

“Of course,” she said.

Candy took her hand and led her to where the other couples were dancing to the music playing.

Meanwhile, one of the soldiers, Mason Whitlock stood off to the side with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. He took a drink when he saw Ann dancing with Candy. He gave a smug grin and staggered over to them.

Candy and Ann danced to the music when Mason cut in between them, pushing Candy off to the side.

“Why don’t you let someone else dance with the lady, huh, Canaday?” 

Mason pulled Ann to him. She tried to break free from his grasp as she shouted, “Let go of me!”

Candy yelled, “Let her go, Mason!”

Mason ignored him. Ann continued to fight him off when Candy grabbed him by the shoulder and punched him in the face, backing him up into the table. The ladies gasped.

Candy came up to Ann and asked, “Are you all right?”

Mason grabbed Candy by the shoulder and punched him right in the face, nearly knocking him off balance. 

Mason said, sternly, “You disobey orders and the Colonel lets you off the hook without batting an eye. All because of who your father was. He was a tough son of a gun. Let’s see how tough you are. Get up and fight me, Canaday!”

Candy stared daggers at him and didn’t budge.

Mason scoffed. “Just what I thought. But what can you expect from someone with a name like yours.”

Mason turned around when Candy lunged at Mason and tackled him to the ground. 

Candy attempted to throw a punch at him when Mason grabbed him and shoved him off. Candy slid through the dirt.

Candy hurled his fist at Mason who blocked his attempt. He overpowered Candy and threw punches at him left and right.

Candy crashed over a table, breaking it. Mason pulled Candy up off the ground and threw another punch at him.

Ann watched in horror from the sidelines. Colonel Purcell came up to her. She cried out, “Father, help him!”

Mason continued to fight Candy. Ordy tried to step in, but the Colonel held him back.

Mason said out of breath, “Had enough?”

Candy laid there on the ground as a rage burned inside of him. He growled and jumped up from the ground. He hurled his fist hard across Mason’s s face making him stagger backwards towards the broken table. Candy managed to gain the upper hand and he threw punches at Mason left and right. Candy threw one more strong punch and Mason fell onto another table breaking it in half. 

Mason stirred and moaned. Candy’s chest heaved in and out as he wiped at his mouth. Candy looked up and saw the crowd staring at him in shock and amazement including Ann.

***

A little while later, Candy sat down on an examination table in the Army doctor’s tent with Ann next to him. She dabbed at his bloody and bruised face.

“I was so afraid he was going to kill you,” Ann said.

Candy, still fuming, said, “And the Colonel just stood right by and did nothing. I think he wanted him to kill me, that way I wouldn’t be a burden to him anymore.”

“Stop,” Ann said, sternly.

Candy looked down and said softly, “Sorry.”

Ann told him, “Everyone knows Mason is the one who started it. No one is blaming you. I think everyone was just surprised at how you handled yourself.” She tilted her head to the right with one raised eyebrow and then asked, “Are you sure you weren’t trying to impress me?” 

Candy looked over at Ann and couldn’t help but smile. “What if I told you I was?” he asked.

Ann flashed a grin.

Candy said, “Thanks for trying to help me.” 

“Of course. I care a lot about you, Candy.” She brushed her hand through his curls. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” 

“Neither do I,” Candy said.

Ann gave a small smile and laid her head down on his shoulder.

***

Later that night, Candy slept soundly in his bed when a shadow hovered over him. A hand reached out and covered Candy’s mouth. Candy woke up startled and two men held him down.

Candy’s screams were muffled as he tried to break free from their grasp, shaking his body violently, but their grip was too strong for him. 

Mason said, “Easy now, Canaday.” Candy stopped squirming. Clay then told him, “We’re going on a little assignment, private. And you’re gonna have a little accident. You humiliated me, Canaday. And you’re gonna pay. Now, let’s go for a little ride.” 

Candy stared at him wide-eyed in disbelief. Mason gave a sinister chuckle and the two men snuck Candy out of the tent.

Mason rode a wagon up to a lake. He pulled Candy with a handkerchief tied around his mouth, off the wagon and he fell onto the ground.

Mason said to one of the men, “Tie him up.”

One of the men took some rope and bound Candy’s hands and feet together. Candy tried with all his might to fight back. Mason then said, “Pick him up and toss him in the river.”

The two men lifted Candy up by the shoulders and tossed him in the river.

“Let’s see you get outta this one, Canaday. Not so tough without the Colonel, are you?”

Mason chuckled along with the other men. 

From underneath the water, Candy sank down further as he struggled to free his hands.

Mason headed back with the men to the wagon when they heard the sound of a gunshot and the voice of McKinley shouting, “Hold it, Whitlock!”

Mason and the other men scattered. 

McKinley sprinted over to the river and dived in. He found Candy struggling and grabbed him before he swam back up to the surface.

They both came up from the river and Candy gasped for air. McKinley led him to dry ground and they both collapsed onto it.

Candy coughed, his chest heaving as he laid his head back against the grass. McKinley pushed himself up and looked over Candy. He asked, “Do you mind telling me what that was about, private?”

Candy tried to catch his breath. “Yeah. Mason and his buddies just tried to kill me.”

“Let’s get that rope off you.”

McKinley started to untie his hands when Candy said, “Wait.”

Candy pulled the rope apart, indicating he had managed to loosen it. McKinley looked at the rope in puzzlement.

Candy remarked, “If they want to capture me, they ought to learn how to tie a rope.”

McKinney shook his head and chuckled. Candy grinned. McKinley said, “Let’s get you back to the fort and report this to the Colonel.”

 Chapter Three

 The next morning, Candy stood in the Colonel’s tent along with Sergeant Ordy, Sergeant Shaughnessy and Ann who stood in the corner.

Ordy said to Colonel Purcell, angrily, “Colonel, I want you to find Mason Whitlock and those men and have them arrested for attempted murder.”

“I know that, Ordy. I’ve got my men out there searching for them now. And I promise you they will be found and tried by a court martial,” Purcell told him.

Shaughnessy gave a smug smile and said, “Colonel, how do we know this wasn’t just some practical joke and Canaday here is just pulling our leg?”

Candy scoffed and responded in a sarcastic tone, “Was Mason Whitlock nearly beating me to death at the party not proof enough for ya, Sarge?”

“Well, you did initiate that fight, Canaday,” Shaughnessy told him.

Shaughnessy’s words set Ann off. She said in an angry tone, “He was defending me, Sergeant. You saw how he was at the party. He was drunk.”

Ordy said, “Sergeant, you’re forgetting we have an eyewitness. McKinley said he saw Whitlock and the two men toss Candy into the river and as soon as Whitlock and the others saw him, they ran. Now that to me sounds like someone who’s guilty.”

Purcell responded, “And that is why we’re going to find him and bring him in. But for right now, we still have work that needs to be done. So gentlemen if you would resume with your duties for today and I will inform you when we have new information, alright?”

“Yes sir.”

Shaughnessy gave him a salute and left the tent.

Ordy placed his hand on Candy’s shoulder and said, “Hang in there, kid.”

Purcell looked over at Candy and said, “I’m sorry this happened to you, Candy. But we’ll get to the bottom of whoever is responsible for this. You have my word.”

He left the tent along with Ordy.

Ann walked up to him.

Candy sighed and leaned back against the Colonel’s desk. He said, “I should have killed him when I had the chance.”

Ann said, “You don’t mean that.” Candy looked down at the floor in silence. Ann then told him, “You know despite what happened, I did have a nice time with you last night.”

Candy looked up at her and smiled wide. “So did I. And I would like to finish that dance with you.”

Ann put her arms around his neck. “Permission granted, Private Canaday.”

They kissed.

The next day, Candy stood outside his tent, chopping wood when Sergeant Shaughnessy called out to him.

“Hey, Canaday!”

Candy stuck the ax into the wood. Shaughnessy came up to him and handed him a letter.

“Here, this is for you.’ 

Candy looked down at the letter and said in a disappointed tone, “Oh, I’m sorry, Sarge, I didn’t get you anything.”

Shaughnessy looked at him in annoyance and told him, “You’ve been summoned for a hearing tomorrow morning.” 

Candy took a look at the summons and asked, “May I ask what this hearing is about?” 

“We found Mason Whitlock and the two men who you claimed tried to kill you. You’re to give your testimony along with Corporal McKinley about what happened that night.”

“You still think I’m pulling your leg, Sarge?” Candy asked. 

Shaughnessy ignored the question and said, “Just be there bright and early tomorrow, Private.” 

He walked off. Candy saluted him and said in a surly tone of voice, “Whatever you say, Sarge.” 

Candy looked back down at the summons and shook his head when Ann walked up to him. 

“Candy? Is everything all right? I saw you talking to Sergeant Shaughnessy.”

“Yeah, they found Mason. I’ve been summoned to appear in front of a court martial to testify against him.”

Candy showed her the paper.

Ann smiled big. “That’s good news.” 

Candy said, “Yeah, the only problem is I don’t trust Mason. Who knows what kind of pull he has around here.”

Ann placed her hands up to the side of his face and told him, “Now, don’t worry about that. McKinley will back you, everyone will. Including the Colonel.” 

“I’m sorry, but I’m just having a little trouble believing that,” Candy told her.

Ann asked, “What about me? Can you believe me?”

Candy looked at Ann and smiled. “Yeah. I guess I can. Are you coming to the hearing?”

“Of course, I’ll always be there for you. You know that.” 

Candy kissed her. “See you later tonight?” 

She nodded and walked off. Candy grinned and got back to chopping wood. 

***

It was the morning of the hearing and Candy and McKinley testified in front of the Court Martial. The hearing was a short one. One of the men fully confessed to the crime and Mason Whitlock was charged with attempted murder and awaited sentencing. 

Over the next few weeks, things started to return back to normal at Fort Delaney and Candy and Ann continued their secret romance. 

One afternoon by Valley River, Candy and Ann sat underneath the same oak tree as they kissed. Candy gazed into her eyes with a smile. 

“I love you more than anything, Ann.” 

She gave a small smile. Candy could sense something was bothering her. He asked her what was wrong.

“How long are we going to keep hiding, Candy?” she asked.

“Hiding what?” he asked in puzzlement.

“Us. We can’t keep lying to everyone we care about, especially Father. We have to tell him.”

“Ann, you know what would happen if we did.”

“But we can’t hide it from him either. He has a right to know.”

“I know, but you know he won’t approve of us. He’ll do everything he can to keep us apart,” Candy told her.

“You don’t know that,” she said.

“Yeah, I do. Ann, do you really think I’m the kind of man the Colonel wants for you? I’ll never be good enough to him.”

She took his face and told him, “Well, you’re good enough to me. I don’t want you ever saying that. You’re smart, kind, brave. You’re everything a good friend and soldier should be. If the Colonel can’t see that, I don’t know who can.”

Candy smiled and remarked, “You’re not so bad yourself, you know.”

Ann blushed as she gave a shy smile.

“I just don’t want to lose you, Ann.”

“You’ll never lose me, Candy. Not ever. I love you.”

Candy trusted Ann and her words gave him reassurance, yet Candy still had his doubts about the Colonel.

***

A few more weeks passed. Candy tried to be on his best behavior for the Colonel and even Sergeant Shaughnessy as difficult as it was for him. One day, Purcell got word that one of their fellow soldiers was missing. He found a piece of evidence that indicated he was captured by an Apache tribe.

Colonel Purcell pulled out a knife from a tree with a piece of clothing stuck on the end of it. He examined it to find that it was torn from an Army uniform. Sergeant Shaughnessy came up to him and looked down at the torn piece of clothing.

“What do you think? Apache?”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I need you to gather Ordy and McKinley. We’re gonna have a meeting.”

“Yes sir.”

A little while later, all of the troops were gathered around the Fort. Colonel Purcell told them, “One of our soldiers, Private Langley, has been taken prisoner by what we believe to be an Apache tribe.”

Candy looked over at Ann who was standing near the Colonel’s tent. Purcell said, “Now, as you know, the Apaches have been raiding our campground for quite some time and we’ve always been able to keep up our defenses against them, but this time they managed to be a step ahead of us. Now, we have some idea as to where they might be holding him, so I am going to need some of our best men on this rescue mission. And before we have any volunteers I must warn you this mission is highly dangerous. So the question is whether you are willing to risk your life to save a fellow soldier. Now, are there any volunteers?”

All of the other soldiers exchanged glances and a few raised their hands. Purcell nodded his head towards them. “Ellis. Hansley.” Angel Montana stood near the tent with his arms folded. Purcell looked over at him and said, “Montana. It might be best if you came along since you’re part Apache. You can communicate with them.”

Montana glared at him and responded, “Why should I help you? You are not my people.” 

He turned and walked off. Purcell paused and turned back to the other soldiers.

“Any more volunteers?”

Candy looked over at Ann who stared back at him and shook her head. Candy raised his hand. Ann closed her eyes and hung her head down. Purcell looked at Candy with intrigue. “Canaday? You want to volunteer for this mission?”

“Yeah, why not. Langley is a friend of mine and I owe him. I want to help him, Colonel.”

“Well, Canaday, I must say I’m quite surprised. But also very proud.”

Candy looked at him perplexed and wondered if he heard the Colonel correctly. 

“All right, Canaday. You’re in.”

Candy grinned. Shaughnessy came up to Purcell and said, softly, “Uh, Colonel, sir? Are you sure you want Canaday on this mission? You said it yourself, he’s just a kid.”

“Yes, a kid who’s been forced to grow up in this. So that’s why I believe he’s more than capable of handling it. He wants a chance to prove himself, let him.”

“Well, I still think you’re making a big mistake, Colonel. No offense, sir.”

Purcell just smirked and said to the other soldiers, “All right, if there are no more volunteers, you may get back to your post.”

The soldiers began to disperse when Candy walked up to Purcell and said, “I just wanted to thank you for letting me volunteer, sir.”

“Well, I’d say you’ve earned it, but just don’t make me regret it.” 

“I won’t let you down sir,” Candy told him.

Purcell patted his shoulder and walked off.

Candy went over to Ann who tried to hide her anger towards him which Candy could sense. He asked, “Hey, what’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy for me.”

“Not for this kind of mission I’m not.” 

“But Ann, don’t you see? The Colonel actually trusts me with this. This is my one chance to prove to him I’m not just an Army brat. I can show him what I’m capable of.”

“Not if you’re going to get yourself killed,” Ann said.

Candy placed his hand up to the side of her face and told her, “I’ll be all right. I can handle it. Trust me.”

She looked down, not fully believing it. Candy reassured her.

“Ann, please. I need to do this.”

She looked up at him and relented.

“All right. Just please be careful.”

“I will.”

Candy gave her a quick kiss and hurried off. Ann felt an uneasiness in the pit of her stomach at the thought of Candy out there vulnerable to the Apache. She knew he was more than capable of handling himself, but she still felt an ache in her heart for him and for how much she would miss him.

***

Candy along with McKinley, Ellis, Hansley and a few other soldiers rode into Apache territory. Ellis and Hansley rode on horseback while McKinley and Candy rode on a covered wagon with McKinley steering the reins.

They found a spot in the woods. McKinley said, “We’ll make camp here, rest the horses. Canaday, you can help set up camp. Our gear’s in the back.”

Candy got up from the seat of the wagon and hopped down. He opened the back of the wagon and saw Ann seated inside holding her knees up to her. Candy’s eyes widened when he heard McKinley call out to him.

“Canaday?”

Ann shook her head with a look of desperation on her face. Candy quickly closed the back of the wagon and turned around.

McKinley came up to him and told him, “You can set our gear down by the creek. Ellis and Hansley are keeping watch. I’m gonna gather some firewood.”

“Alright, yeah, sure,” Candy said while trying to hide his nervousness. McKinley walked off. Candy smoothed his hair back and sighed.

Inside, Ann sat there having barely moved when the tarp opened and Candy quickly got inside. Ann backed up, startled. Candy turned to her and whispered in exasperation, “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you and make sure you were alright,” Ann said.

“Well, I’m fine. I’m just a little worried that if the Colonel finds out you’re here, he’ll tan both our hides.”

“I’m sorry,” Ann cried.

Candy asked her in frustration, “Ann, what were you thinking?”

“I just couldn’t stay there worrying about you. I had to come. I want to be with you.”

“I want to be with you too, but not this way. It’s too dangerous for a woman to be out here, don’t you understand that?”

“I know the risks, Candy. You don’t need to remind me. I grew up in this with you, remember?”

“Then you know how serious this is, Ann. I can’t risk you getting yourself killed. I have to take you back to the fort.”

She pleaded with him. “No, please. Let me stay. I won’t get in the way.”

“Ann….”

“Please,” she said.

Candy gave a frustrated sigh as he looked through the crack of the tarp. A million thoughts ran through his mind such as the things that could wrong with Ann being there. Although the truth was he wanted to be with her too. His heart won the battle that time. 

“All right, fine. But you are gonna stay right here. You’re not leaving this wagon for anything, you understand?”

“Yes,” she said.

Candy heard the voice of McKinley call out, “Hey Canaday, what’s taking you so long? Let’s get a move on!”

Candy looked back at Ann.

She said, “Thank you.”

Ann gave Candy a quick kiss on the cheek. A small smirk formed on his lips as his face flushed red. He told her, “I’ll be back.”

Ann helped him gather the camping gear and handed it to him. Candy hurried out of the wagon. 

***

Later that night, Candy and some of the other soldiers sat around a campfire, eating a plate of beans cooked over a fire. Candy looked down at his plate as he played around with his food, thinking of Ann and the danger she was putting herself in when he heard McKinley call his name.

“Canaday?” Candy looked up. McKinney motioned towards the pot of beans.

“You’re welcome to the rest of this. It’s just gonna go to waste anyway.”

Candy said, “I thought the Army was concerned with rations.”

“Well, there’s just no need, we got plenty. So eat up.”

Candy looked at the pot of beans and said, “No, thanks.” He then remembered Ann and got an idea. “On second thought. Maybe I will.”

 Candy reached over and filled his plate with the rest of the beans. He got up and started walking over to the wagon when McKinley looked up and asked, “Where are you going?”

Candy came up with a quick excuse.

“Oh, uh, I’m just gonna go and keep watch over by the wagon.”

“What for?” McKinley asked in puzzlement.

“Well, somebody’s gotta stand guard, might as well be me.” 

McKinley responded with a shrug of his shoulders, “Alright, suit yourself. But try to get some sleep. We got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Right.” Candy headed back over to the wagon.

Ann sat in the wagon when the tarp opened. Candy got into the wagon and said to her, quietly, “It’s me.” He handed her the plate of beans. “Here, I brought you some food. If you’re gonna be here I can’t have you starving to death.”

She gave a small smile and took the plate. “Thanks.”

Ann picked up the fork and began to eat while Candy took a seat next to her. Ann looked over at him and said, “You don’t have to stay here. I’ll be alright.”

“No, it’s fine. And besides I already told McKinley I was gonna guard the wagon.”

“Even though you don’t need to,” Ann said.

Candy looked down with guilt. “Yeah.”

“Candy, you don’t have to hide it with me. I know you’re angry.”

“I’m not angry, it’s just that I can’t help but worry about what could happen with you being here.”

“Well, I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself,” Ann told him. 

“I know,” Candy said.

Ann took another bite of beans when Candy gave a soft chuckle. Ann looked up at him in puzzlement.

“What?”

“I was just thinking about that time when we were kids how we snuck away from the fort during the Founder’s Day picnic just to watch the fireworks. The Colonel really had it in for us that day. I remember you convinced him how you practically dragged me into it when I was the one who dragged you.”

Ann smiled. “It worked like a charm too.”

“You were looking out for me even then,” Candy said. 

Ann gazed into his eyes and Candy stared back at her. He moved his hand up to her face and found himself leaning into her. He pressed his lips against hers and the plate in Ann’s hands fell over in her lap and clashed onto the floor of the wagon. Ann wrapped her hand around his neck as the kissing soon turned passionate. 

They were interrupted by McKinley’s voice 

“Canaday!”

Ann jumped. Candy placed his finger up to his lips and hurried out of the wagon.

Outside, he saw McKinley and came up to him.

“What’s going on?” Candy asked.

“Ellis is missing.” 

“What? I thought he was keeping watch near the creek with Hansley.”

“He was, but Hansley said he went off somewhere and didn’t come back,” McKinley said.

Candy responded in a sarcastic tone, “Well, that figures, where do you think he went?”

“I don’t know, but we gotta find him before the Apache do, we’ll spread out.”

Candy looked over at the wagon and thought about Ann. 

“Yeah, I just need to….”

“No time, Private. We gotta go now, get your gear and let’s go.”

McKinley loaded his rifle and hurried over to the other soldiers.

Candy worried about leaving Ann alone, but trusted she could handle herself. He grabbed his rifle and then hurried after McKinley into the woods.

Ann took notice of the quietness outside the wagon and began to worry. She slowly opened the tarp and saw everyone had disappeared including Candy. Her heart skipped a beat and she quickly got out of the wagon. 

“Candy?” 

She hurried into the woods. 

 Chapter Four

 Ann wandered through the woods in search of Candy when she heard a branch break. Her eyes widened in fear and her heart rate increased. She hid in the bushes. 

Meanwhile, Candy, McKinley, and the other soldiers searched for Ellis with McKinley leading the way. He looked ahead of him and gave them a signal. He pointed in front of him and they saw Ellis over by a tree.

McKinley gave out a bird call. Ellis looked up and McKinley came out from behind a tree followed by Candy and the other soldiers.

McKinley came up to him and asked, “Now, just where have you been, private?”

Ellis told him, “I noticed some tracks and decided to follow them. I found Langley, sir.”

“Where?” McKinley asked.

Ellis nodded his head to the right of him.

 “Just over that knoll. The Apache have got him strung up by the arms, but he’s alive.”

“Alright, we’ll reconvene and come up with a plan. Let’s head back to camp,” McKinley said.

McKinley, Candy, and the other soldiers made it back to camp. Candy went to check on Ann. He opened the tarp and found her missing. Candy scanned the woods as fear gripped his body. McKinley called out to him.

“Canaday?”

Candy sighed in frustration and headed over to McKinley and the other soldiers. Candy came up to McKinley who told him, “Canaday, I want you and Hangley to take the south side of them while me and Ellis take them from the north.”

Candy tried to stay calm, but with Ann missing, he realized he could no longer hide it as she might be in danger. He interrupted McKinley who was going over the plans.

 “McKinney, sir? We have a slight problem.”

“What do you mean?” McKinley asked.

Candy sighed. “Let’s just say Langley isn’t the only one in trouble.”

McKinley became agitated. “Canaday, I don’t have time for any games, just tell me what the problem is.”

“Ann is here. She stowed away in the back of the wagon.”

McKinley’s expression turned to disbelief. “What?”

“I didn’t know she was there until I went to get our gear,” Candy said.

“Why did you wait until now to say something, Private?” McKinley asked with anger in his voice.

Candy, with guilt in his voice, said, “She made me promise not to tell anyone. I’m sorry.”

Ellis asked, “Why would the Colonel’s daughter want to come on a rescue mission?”

McKinley said, “I don’t know, but we’ve got to find her. We’ll split up. We better hurry. We don’t have much time.”

Ellis and Hansley dispersed along with the other soldiers. Candy started to move when McKinley stopped him and said, “If anything happens to the Colonel’s daughter, I’m holding you personally responsible, Private.”

Candy sighed. “Why not? The Colonel’s gonna blame me for this anyway.”

“Let’s go.”

McKinley and Candy took off in search of Ann.

Meanwhile, Ann hid in the bushes. She took notice of the silence with only the sounds of crickets chirping and she figured the coast was clear. She slowly started moving again while Candy, McKinley, Ellie, Hansley and the other soldiers searched for her.

Ann stopped dead in her tracks when she heard rustling. She started picking up speed through the woods. She made it halfway when a hand reached out and grabbed her.

Candy clamped his hand over Ann’s mouth, silencing her screams. When she turned and saw who it was, she cried out in relief, “Oh, Candy.”

Her head fell onto his shoulder.

Candy took her shoulders and whispered, “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m alright.” 

Candy said in frustration, “I told you to stay in the wagon, what happened?”

“I saw you and the other soldiers were gone and I panicked. I’m sorry.”

Candy told her, “I had to tell McKinley and the others about you. I’m sorry, but I had no choice.”

“It’s all right, I understand.”

Candy, nearly in tears, pulled her close.

 “Oh, Ann, I was so afraid something happened to you.”

“I’m fine, Candy, really. Stay below the crest, remember?”

Candy pulled away and said, “Ellis found Langley. We have a plan to get him back, but we had to go looking for you first.”

“I’m sorry,” she said with guilt in her voice.

“Come on, let’s go find McKinley and the others. I want you to stay close to me, all right?”

Ann nodded. Candy took her hand and they hurried through the woods.

Candy and Ann rapidly moved past the trees when Candy heard voices. He brought Ann to a stop. He turned around and signaled for her to be quiet.

They slowly started moving again as they came up behind a tree. Candy looked ahead of them and saw a teepee set up with a campfire burning in front of it and Apache speaking in their native language to each other.

Ann gasped. Candy placed his hand over her mouth and tried to keep her calm. He turned around to the Apache camp and whispered, “We need to get past them somehow.”

A few Apache walked away leaving one of them alone.

“Now’s our chance.”

Candy pulled out a knife. Ann shook her head in disapproval.

“Candy, no.”

“We have to, Ann. They’re savages. First they’ll scalp us and then they’ll kill us. I’m not gonna stand back and wait to die.”

Candy looked for an opportunity and slowly made his way into the Apache camp, staying low to the ground. 

The Apache had his back turned when Candy snuck up to him. Within a split second, he placed his hand over the Apache’s mouth and jabbed the knife into his back. Candy then laid him down on the ground. 

From behind the tree, Ann started to move away from it when an Apache appeared from behind her. Her screams startled Candy. 

“Ann?” He saw her being carried away by the Apache into the woods. “No!” Candy shouted.

He attempted to chase after her when he stopped and realized if he even tried to follow him, he could kill her or he could get ambushed by them. He formed a plan in his mind as he got moving again. 

Candy stopped midway through next to a tree and tried to come up with a plan. He realized he would need to find McKinley and the others to rescue Ann since he would have no chance against them alone.

Candy heard rustling in the bushes. He turned and saw a familiar figure walk out of the woods. His expression turned to disbelief and then anger. He moved away from the tree and yelled, “Montana!” 

Angel Montana stopped and slowly turned around. A wide grin spread across his face. “Candy, mi amigo. Are you surprised to see me here?”

Candy said in a stern tone, “It was you who captured Langley and brought him here, wasn’t it?”

Montana’s grin turned sinister.

“It was also you who told those bandits about the gold. You brought them to the fort to ambush us. Why, Montana?”

“Because you are not my people. You have all of that gold while my people are dying.”

“But that isn’t the way. These are good people.”

Montana asked, “Why do you care so much about them, huh? You hate them as much as I do.”

Candy shook his head. “It’s not the people I hate, Montana, it’s the Army and everything it stands for. That’s what I hate.”

“But you are still on their side, not mine. You kill my people,” Montana said.

Candy told him in frustration, “Because they try to kill us, don’t you understand that? And they’re gonna kill Langley and maybe even Ann if we don’t stop them.”

Montana looked at him in puzzlement. Candy told him, “They’ve got Ann. I’m gonna get her back, but I need your help to do it. I can’t do it by myself, I won’t stand a chance.”

“Why should I help you, amigo? She is nothing to me.”

“Well, she is to me. I love her.”

“She is your woman?” Montana asked in curiosity.

Candy hesitated and then nodded. “Yes. So please. Help me get her back.” 

Montana sighed. “All right. I do it for you, but not them. Comprende?” Candy nodded. Montana moved his rifle over his shoulder. “Come on, we do not have much time.”

Candy and Montana moved through the woods with Montana leading the way. Montana gave Candy a signal to stop. He then motioned ahead of him and Candy saw Ann tied to a tree surrounded by Apache. Candy sighed in relief. 

“She’s still alive, thank God.”

Montana told him, “If they do not kill her, they make her their squaw. Which is a fate worse than death.”

Candy said, “We need to find a way to get to her somehow.”

Montana shook his head. “Not this way. They will kill you, amigo. And then they will kill her too.”

Candy tried to think of a plan when his hand touched the ground next to him. He lifted it back up and found it covered in mud. He then got an idea.

A short time later, Candy covered his hands and face in mud. 

Montana said, “You are crazier than I am, amigo. It will never work.”

“Well, I don’t see how we have any other choice. We gotta get Ann out of there.”

Montana sighed. “All right, but I still think you are crazy, amigo.” 

“I guess we’ll find out.” Candy finished applying the mud and said to Montana, “You promised to cover me.”

“Si. You better hurry.”

Candy got back up and started to move across the bushes. He bent down low and pulled out his knife as he waited for an opportunity. He was able to slip past without being seen as the mud gave him the ability to blend into his surroundings.

Candy quickly and quietly moved behind one of the Apache standing guard. He grabbed him and placed his hand over his mouth, jabbing the knife into his back before bringing him down onto the ground. 

Candy swiftly moved to the next one. Afterwards, he looked over at Montana who signaled to him that the coast was clear. Candy got up and hurried over to Ann.

A distraught Ann looked down with tears in her eyes when she heard a voice whisper her name.

“Ann?”

Ann looked up and saw Candy hurrying over to her. “Candy?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” Candy said as he started to untie her hands.

Ann cried out in relief, “Oh, thank goodness you’re all right.”

Candy freed her hands. “Come on, we don’t have much time.” 

He took her hand when an Apache appeared, ready to attack. Ann gasped.

Candy lunged at him and tried to grab the knife in his hand. The Apache fought back and attempted to drive the knife into Candy, who with all his strength held him back.

Candy fought hard against him, but the Apache managed to drive the knife into his shoulder. Candy yelled in pain and then punched the Apache across the face.

The Apache came back up and attempted to charge at Candy when a gunshot rang out. The Apache yelped and fell over dead.

Candy looked up and saw Montana lower his rifle. He said, “Go. Go now while you still have a chance.”

“What about you?” Candy asked.

“I cannot go with you. Take your woman and go. Now!”

“I won’t forget this.”

Candy took Ann’s hand and they hurried into the woods.

Candy and Ann rushed through the trees as Candy clutched onto his injured shoulder, blood oozing through his hand. He began to weaken and his breathing was labored. He slowed down and rested against a tree.

Ann came up to him and said, “Here, let me take a look.” Ann took a look at his wound and told him, “You’re bleeding pretty badly. You need a doctor.”

“We have to keep moving. Find McKinley and the others,” Candy huffed. 

“Candy, you need to rest.”

“I’m alright, let’s just find them.”

Candy pushed himself away from the tree. He took Ann’s hand and they got moving again.

Candy and Ann continued moving through the woods as Ann held tightly onto Candy’s hand when an Apache came out from behind the bushes and grabbed Ann. She screamed. Candy punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

The Apache attempted to come at Candy with a knife when Candy took hold of his hand and shoved him back down. The Apache rolled over on top of Candy who drove the knife into him. He yelped and fell limp. Candy pushed him off to the side. 

Ann was on her knees, crying hysterically. Candy went over to her, helped her back up and took hold of her shoulders. She sobbed as Candy tried to snap her out of it.

“Ann…Ann!” She continued to be in hysterics. Candy shook her and shouted, “Ann, stop, I want you to look at me! LOOK AT ME!” She stopped screaming and stared into his eyes. Candy told her, “Now, I can’t get us out of this if you’re gonna be hysterical, so I need you to focus, Ann. Can you do that?” She sniffled and nodded. He said, “Alright. Be brave, soldier, remember?” Candy pulled her in and kissed her. He took her hand and they hurried into the woods.

Candy and Ann came across the covered wagon. Candy whispered, “I want you to wait in the wagon. Stay low and out of sight. I’ll be back.”

Candy headed over to the campsite while Ann got into the back of the wagon.

Candy found the campsite completely raided. He took a look around and saw all their gear gone along with various empty tin cans and bottles scattered around. Candy turned around and saw a body lying on the ground. He walked over to it and his breath caught in his throat when he discovered who it was. He bent down and saw Corporal Noah McKinley lying there dead on the ground. He closed his eyes tight and moved his head down trying to fight tears. Ann appeared from around the wagon.

Candy saw her and ran over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. He said, nearly in tears, “Don’t look.”

Ann moved away from him and took a look at the body. She placed her hands over her face and started crying again. She said through her tears, “Oh, Candy, what if everyone is dead and we’re the only survivors?”

“You don’t know that. Langley could still be alive and the others. He was the mission.”

Ann cried, “Oh, the mission has failed, Candy, don’t you understand that? Now we’re just out here waiting to die.”

“No, we’re not because we are going to find Langley and the others and bring him back alive like we promised the Colonel.”

Ann shook her head. “Candy.…”

“And I am gonna do what I have to, to keep you alive. Whatever it takes, I’m gonna do it.”

They heard rustling in the bushes. Candy and Ann froze when they saw Ellis and Hansley along with Langley who held onto the both of them as they helped him walk. His face beaten and bruised. Candy hurried over to them along with Ann.

“Ellis?”

“Canaday, you’re alive.” 

Candy asked, “What happened?”

Hansley told him, “After you went off to look for Ann, we got ambushed.” He looked over at McKinley’s body and then said, “McKinley risked his life to save us. He went out fighting.”

“The only way he knew how,” Candy said.

Ann looked down with eyes full of tears as she became overwhelmed with guilt. 

Ellis said, “Let’s just get out of here. Take McKinley’s body back and report this to the Colonel.”

Ellis started moving with Langley and Hansley over to the wagon. Ann stood there still in shock over everything that happened. Candy came up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He turned her around and they followed after Ellis, Hansley and Langley to the wagon.

On the way back to the fort, Ann sat in the back of the wagon with Candy. Langley had fallen asleep. Ellis and Hansley sat in the front of the wagon with Ellis steering the reins.

Candy got up from his seat and went over to Ann. She had her head down.

“I can’t face him,” she said.

“I know. He’s gonna be angry, that’s for sure,” Candy said. 

Ann said, tearfully, “It’s all my fault. If it hadn’t been for me.…”

“Hey, don’t go blaming yourself. You were only thinking of me just like I was thinking of you. Why don’t I just tell the Colonel that it was my idea and you had nothing to do with it.”

Ann shook her head. “No, I won’t have you taking the blame for me.”

“He’s gonna blame me anyway. You know that.” Candy placed his hand on the back of her head and told her, “It’s going to be all right, Ann. I promise.”

Ann gazed into his eyes and laid her head down on his good shoulder while Candy gently stroked her head not fully believing his words.

When they returned to the fort, everyone was left to deal with the aftermath of the mission and the loss of McKinley. To make matters worse, Candy and Ann had to face the Colonel and give an explanation for why Ann stowed away on the wagon.

Candy and Ann along with Sergeant Ordy and Colonel Purcell were in the Army doctor’s tent with Candy’s shirt open and his bandaged shoulder in a sling. Purcell said to them, angrily, “I don’t believe this. Ann, what you did is inexcusable!”

Ann cried, “I’m sorry, Father.”

Purcell started pacing again as he put his hand up to his temple. He turned around and walked over to Candy.

“And I suppose you had something to do with this?”

Candy scoffed and shook his head. He said in a sarcastic tone, “Yeah. I dragged her into the wagon and forced her to come along with us on a dangerous mission, risking her life.”

Ann said, “Candy, stop. Father, Candy had nothing to do with it. I’m the one who chose to come along on the mission. Candy didn’t even know I was there until he found me. He wanted to take me back, but I wouldn’t let him.”

Purcell asked, “Why Ann? Why in the world would you do a thing like this?”

Ann looked over at Candy who stared back at her. She hung her head down and responded, “I don’t know.”

Purcell sighed in frustration and said, “Well, you could have been killed, don’t you understand that?”

“Yes, I know. But I’m alright. And Private Langley is alive.”

“And I lost one of my best men. I can’t help but think that if you hadn’t been there, he’d still be alive.”

Ann looked down as her eyes filled with tears again.

Sergeant Ordy spoke up. “Colonel, with all due respect. We knew it was a dangerous mission going in. We would expect there to be some casualties. I’m not saying what Candy and Ann did was right, but you can’t blame them for what happened to McKinley, sir.”

“He’s right, Father,” Ann said.

Purcell calmed down a bit. “Ordy, Candy. Would you leave us alone so I can have a talk with my daughter, please?” 

“Yeah. Come on kid,” Ordy said.

Candy got down off the table and looked over at Ann before heading out of the tent with Ordy.

Ann said, “Father, I know what you’re going to say, but if it hadn’t been for Candy, I could be dead now. He saved my life.”

“It just seems like when you two are together, there’s always trouble,” Purcell told her.

Ann looked him straight in the eye and confessed, “I love him, Father. That’s why I came. I wanted to be with him. Because I love him and he loves me.”

Purcell sighed. “Of course. I should have known.” 

Ann became filled with guilt. “We wanted to tell you, but we were afraid of how you’d react.”

“And just how long have you had these feelings for one another?” Purcell asked.

“A couple of months, maybe. But we’ve always been very close.”

Purcell asked with suspicion in his voice, “And just how close have you been with him?”

Ann looked at him in disbelief and said, “It’s not what you’re thinking and I’m appalled you would even be thinking that.”

She had been telling the truth about that. They almost gave into temptation a few times when they were alone, but never allowed themselves to go too far. Besides that, Candy was a gentleman and would never take advantage of her. 

Purcell sighed and walked over to her.

“Look, darling, I know you and Candy grew up together and have become good friends. But anything more than that I’m sorry to say just wouldn’t work. He disobeys orders, he’s reckless-stubborn.”

“Well, you can be stubborn too, Father.”

Purcell placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Ann, I just think it would be best if you and Candy remained friends.”

“But I love him, Father,” she cried.

“Darling, I’m afraid you’re too young to understand the meaning of the word.”

“I do understand. I’m not a little girl anymore. I think Candy was right about you. You do think he isn’t good enough for me.”

“I just don’t want you making a big mistake.”

“No, I think the mistake was telling you about us in the first place!” 

Ann stormed out of the tent. Purcell called out to her, but she ignored him. Purcell hung his head down and sighed.

A few days later, it was Ann’s birthday and a new young Captain arrived at the fort. A tall, handsome and very distinguished looking officer by the name of Charles Keller. Colonel Purcell introduced him to Ann in the hopes that it would make her change her mind about Candy.

“Ann, I’d like you to meet one of our new recruits, Charles Keller. Captain Keller, this is my daughter, Ann.”

Keller flashed a wide, sparkling smile.

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

He lifted her hand and gave it a soft kiss.

Candy watched them from a short distance as he leaned against a tree with his arms folded, shaking his head in annoyance. 

Keller said, “The Colonel tells me you live here at the fort. So I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other around here, won’t we?”

“I guess we will,” Ann said.

Purcell said, “Let me show you around the fort and assign your duties.”

Keller nodded his head to Ann with that same dazzling smile.

“Ma’am.”

He walked off with the Colonel.

Ann walked over to Candy and said, “He seems nice.”

“Yeah, he’s just what the Colonel ordered,” Candy remarked.

Ann rolled her eyes at him and decided to have a little fun with him.

“Are you jealous, Private Canaday?”

Candy looked at her and scoffed. He said with a chuckle, “Jealous? Honey, I’m a lot of things, but jealous isn’t one of them.”

“Well, then I suppose you wouldn’t mind if I asked him out to dinner then, would you,” she asked.

Candy’s head perked up as he moved away from the tree. “No. Not at all. Do what you want, I don’t care.”

Ann pursed her lips and said through gritted teeth, “Fine.”

“Fine!” Candy shouted.

Ann growled and stormed off. She came up to Captain Keller and chatted with him while Candy looked at them in disgust. His demeanor changed and he slumped his shoulders, feeling a slight twinge of jealousy and an ache in his heart.

A fellow soldier, Private Henry Weston saw Candy staring at Ann and Keller. He chuckled and walked up to him.

“I bet that’s driving you crazy, huh, Canaday?”

“Not in the least,” Candy responded.

“Oh, sure. But you know the Colonel will never let you have her. Why do you think he arranged that little meeting with her and Keller?”

Candy’s body tensed as he pursed his lips. 

“And why should he let you have her? You and her are the reason McKinley’s dead anyway.”

Candy felt like he had been punched in the gut at his words. His anger at him grew even further when Weston then told him, “You know he blames you. McKinley was one of his best soldiers and you let him die.”

Candy got in his face and yelled, “Shut up, Weston! Shut up!”

“Just face it, Canaday. You and her will never happen, not if the Colonel has anything to say about it. Why would the Colonel’s daughter want to be with a scrawny looking Army brat like you anyway?”

Candy lost control and punched Weston in the face, knocking him to the ground. Candy lunged at him and they wrestled through the dirt. A crowd gathered around them, whooping and hollering when Sergeant Ordy pushed through the crowd. He came up to Candy and grabbed him by the shirt collar, pulling him off of Weston.

“Candy! Come on, stop it, that’s enough.”

Candy tried to break free of his grasp, violently shaking his body around.

“Let go of me!” he shouted.

Ordy said to Weston, “Get outta here, go on.”

Weston got up from the ground, wiped at his mouth and glared at Candy. Ordy pushed Candy forward over to his tent. Candy looked up at Ann and saw her staring at him wide-eyed in shock.

Ordy brought Candy into his tent. Candy shrugged him off. 

“Sit down, Private.”

Candy took a seat on the bunk bed.

Ordy crossed his arms. “Now, what’s going on with you, Candy, huh?”

“I want out, Ordy.” 

Ordy gave a frustrated sigh. 

“And I’m taking Ann with me.”

That got Ordy’s attention. His head snapped back up and he stared at Candy in disbelief.

“I want to marry her, Ordy.”

Ordy shook his head. “Candy.…”

“We can build a life together away from the fort. Get as far away from this place as we can.”

“Son, I don’t think you realize what you’re getting yourself into. Marriage is a commitment. It’s a big decision that I don’t think you’re ready to make.” 

“I am. I love her, isn’t that enough?” Candy asked.

“Candy. You’re young. You and Ann have got your whole lives ahead of you, there’s no need to rush into something that could end up hurting you both.”

Candy snapped, “You think I’m not good enough for her, just like the Colonel, don’t you? Don’t you?” he shouted.

“I just don’t want you rushing into something you’re not ready for. Just give it some thought before you run off with this girl, all right?”

Candy began to calm himself. He said, “It’s probably too late anyway. She’ll probably run off with that officer and leave me in the dust.”

“Well, if that’s the case, you apparently don’t know Ann as well as you thought. I got work to do. I’ll see you later.”

Ordy headed out of his tent while Candy sat there pondering over Ordy’s words. He didn’t want to believe Ann had fallen in love with someone else. He loved her too much to lose her. 

***

The next day, Candy went through his things sitting on top of his bunk bed when Ann came through the tent.

“Permission to enter tent, Private Canaday,” she said.

Candy gave a small smile. “Permission granted.”

She walked inside and told him, “I haven’t seen you all day. I wanted to talk to you.”

“I’ve been busy. Besides, wouldn’t you rather talk to Captain tall, dark, and polished?” he asked.

Ann tried to suppress a smirk. “No. I’d much rather talk to you.”

“I’m listening,” Candy said.

Ann came up to him, took hold of his face and kissed him. She said, “Good. Because you’re going to hear this. I love you, you big galoot. I want you.” She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. Candy smiled big. Ann pulled away and asked, “How could you ever doubt I would want anyone else, but you?”

Candy became filled with guilt and apologized.

“I’m sorry. You were right, maybe I was a little jealous. I just can’t handle the thought of you being with somebody else that isn’t me.”

“Well, you don’t need to worry about that. Because I love you,” she said.

“I love you.” He pulled her to him and held her close. “Oh, Ann, I love you.”

He kissed her softly and pressed his forehead against hers.

Ann said, “That officer was boring anyway. He doesn’t make me laugh like you do. He’s also not as sweet, kind and as handsome as you.”

“Well, I don’t really buy that last one, but I’ll take it.” Candy flashed a grin. Ann giggled. Candy then told her, “I did have something planned for your birthday yesterday.”

“You did?” she said with intrigue in her voice.

“Yeah, I was gonna take you fishing by that little lake near Valley River.”

Ann took his hands in hers. “Well, you can take me now.”

“Yeah, but it’s too late now,” Candy said.

“No, it isn’t. You’ve done your duties for the day, haven’t you?”

“Well, yeah.”

“And I’m free for the rest of the day. So what do you say, Private?”

Candy smiled. “All right.”

Ann took his hand and they headed out of the tent together.

Colonel Purcell came out of his tent. He looked around the campgrounds and saw Ann walking out of Candy’s tent, holding his hand. Candy wrapped his arm around Ann and walked off with her down the trail.

Purcell looked down in disappointment and realized his plan to turn Ann’s affections away from Candy failed. He walked back into his tent and resumed his work for the day.

 Chapter Five

 Candy and Ann sat in a boat out on the lake. Ann held onto a fishing pole waiting to catch a fish while Candy stared out into the lake. Ann noticed him and said, “You know for someone who wanted to spend time with me on my birthday, you don’t seem to be having much fun.” 

Candy looked down with a guilty expression. He said, “I’m sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about what Weston said about McKinley. How it’s my fault he’s dead.”

“Well, he’s wrong. It isn’t your fault. It’s nobody’s fault.”

“I want to believe that, but I just can’t help but think if I had been there to help him, he might still be alive.”

“But you don’t know that. You think you’re the only soldier who ever thinks about what they could have done differently to save someone? The truth is McKinley still could have died even with your help or you could have died trying to help him.”

Candy tried to fight tears as he said, “But I only thought of you. I didn’t care about anyone else. I just wanted to make sure you were alive.”

Ann reached over and placed her hand over his. She said, “Because you love me. My father would have done the same thing if it had been him out there. We’re all carrying our own guilt over what happened, but what’s done is done and there’s nothing we can do to change it. But he died a hero. He saved his fellow soldiers and I know he would have saved you if you had been there fighting with him.”

“That makes me feel worse,” Candy said, his voice breaking.

Ann put the fishing pole down and moved closer to him. She told him, “McKinley loved you. And I think if he were here right now, he wouldn’t want you blaming yourself. He’d say, “quit your bellyaching, Canaday, we have a mission to complete.” She stroked his head and said, “So quit your bellyaching, soldier.”

Candy smiled through his tears. He took her hand and kissed it. “Okay.”

She smiled and kissed him. Ann picked the fishing pole back up and they both went back to fishing, soaking in every moment together.

***

A week went by and Candy and Ann continued to spend time together despite her father’s wishes. With their relationship now out in the open, it caused some friction between some of the other soldiers, but Candy ignored them.

One day, Langley stood outside with a rope in his hand as he tried to round up some of the horses that had broken loose from out of the stable. Langley swung the rope and attempted to lasso one of them, but failed.

Candy walked up to the stable. He leaned his arms over the fence and grinned as he watched Langley trying and failing miserably to round up the horses.

Langley noticed Candy watching and asked in annoyance, “You find this amusing, Private?”

“Well, I haven’t had some good entertainment in a while,” Candy told him. 

“Very funny. You think you can do any better?”

“I couldn’t do any worse,” Candy replied with a chuckle. 

Langley walked over to him and handed him the rope. “Be my guest.”

Candy swung the rope and swiftly lassoed it right onto the horse, pulling it tight.

Langley said, “Hey, not bad, cowboy. You’d make a pretty good cowhand.”

Candy paused and then shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think so.”

He brought the horse into the stable. 

Private Ellis called out to Candy. 

“Hey Canaday! The Colonel wants to see you.”

Candy sighed. “Alright.” He then remarked, “Another day in Fort Despair.”

Langley got his attention.

“Hey, for what it’s worth, I think the Colonel’s wrong about you and Ann.”

“Well, it’s nice to know somebody thinks so,” Candy told him as he closed the stable door.

Langley wished Candy good luck and Candy responded he needed it.

Colonel Purcell sat at his desk when Candy walked in.

“You wanted to see me, sir?”

“Yes, Candy, come in.”

Candy stepped into the tent. Purcell then gave him some unsettling news.

“You’ve been called to active duty. The Apache tribe has taken vengeance upon our unit after Langley was rescued. We’re now at war with the Apache. You’ve been appointed along with a few other troops.”

Candy stood there in shock trying to process the news.

“You’ll be leaving at first light tomorrow. You’re dismissed.”

Candy thanked him softly and left the tent. 

***

Later that evening, Candy and Ann were outside, sitting on a log underneath the stars as they looked out into the meadow in silence.

“I don’t want you to go,” Ann said.

“I know. But it’s the Army, I can’t exactly turn it down. I don’t want the Colonel thinking less of me than he already does.”

“He doesn’t think of you that way, Candy.” 

Candy shook his head. “No, he just thinks you should be with somebody better, that’s all. For all we know he could have planned this whole thing just to get me out of the way.”

Ann cried, “Stop it. I already dread you leaving as it is without you saying that.”

“I’m sorry, that was out of line.”

Ann said, “I mean, what if this is the last night we’ll ever spend together and I’ll never see you again.”

“You will. It’s only for a couple of weeks.” Ann tried to fight tears. Candy wrapped his arm around her and told her, “I’m going to get back to you. I promise. All right?”

Ann knew Candy could take care of himself no doubt, but part of her would always worry for his safety regardless. 

Candy kissed her and said, “Hey, it’s getting late. I should probably get you back.”

Ann asked, “Is it all right if we stay out here a little longer? I just want to spend as much time with you as I can before you have to leave.”

He gave a small smile. “All right, just a few more minutes.”

She smiled and laid her head down on his shoulder as they enjoyed the stillness of the evening together.

It was the morning of Candy’s deployment. He said goodbye to Ann behind the tent. They kissed each other tenderly when Candy pulled away and leaned his head against hers.

“I’ll be thinking about you everyday.”

Ann wrapped her arms around him. “So will I.”

Candy paused before he placed his hands on her shoulders and said, “Ann, I’ve been thinking. And I better ask you now while I still have the chance.”

“Ask me what?”

Candy mustered up all the courage he had and took a deep breath.

“Ann, I love you. I don’t want us to spend another moment apart from each other ever again. I want to marry you, Ann.”

Ann’s breath caught in her throat.

“Marry me?”

Candy gently placed his fingers over her lips and said, “I don’t want you to give me an answer now. I want you to wait until I get back. It’ll give me something to look forward to.”

“But what if.…”

Candy shook his head. “No. I am coming back to you, Ann. I promise.”

Ann stood there at a loss for words when they heard a sergeant calling for Candy.

“I gotta go. I’ll see you when I get back, all right?” Candy kissed her and then said, “I love you.”

Candy hurried off. Ann stood there still in shock at Candy’s proposal, but at the same time filled with worry over whether or not he would make it back to her alive. 

***

The war lasted for nearly a month before the remaining troops returned back to the fort. One of the soldiers looked out into the distance.

“Hey, they’re back!”

All of the soldiers including Sergeant Ordy, Shaughnessy and Colonel Purcell dispersed out of their tents to greet the troops.

Ann walked out of the tent and saw all the horses come into the fort with a few bodies stretched out across the top. Her whole body tensed and fear overtook her as she searched for Candy in the crowd. She then heard a familiar voice. 

“Looking for someone?”

Ann turned around and saw Candy covered in grime. He flashed a grin. A wave of relief washed over Ann and she ran into his arms. Candy lifted her up off the ground and spun her around.

“Oh, Candy, I was so scared, I saw the bodies and I thought that.…”

“And you thought one of them was me? Oh, Ann, how could you think that? I told you I would come back to you.” 

“I know.” Ann wrapped her arms around him, her eyes spilling with tears of joy. “Oh, I missed you so much.” 

“I missed you too. Hey, why don’t I get cleaned up and we can catch up on things.”

“Alright.” 

Candy kissed her and hurried off to his tent.

After the fallen soldiers were buried and mourned, there was a party to celebrate the returning soldiers who survived and their victory against the Apache. Colonel Purcell stood off to the side with Sergeant Ordy. 

Ordy said, “We took quite a hit. Seven bodies, only four survivors. It’s a miracle they made it out of there alive.” 

“Yes, it was a big loss, but they didn’t die in vain,” Purcell responded. 

Ordy looked at Candy and Ann dancing together to the music.

“Candy has certainly come a long way, hasn’t he, Colonel?”

“Yes, he has.”

Purcell watched Candy and Ann, almost studying them when the music stopped. Candy took Ann’s hand and they walked over to the picnic table.

Ann said, “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you again.”

“Me too.”

Candy poured himself a glass of punch when Ann looked over at him and asked, “How did you ever survive out there?”

“I thought of you mostly. It kept me going even when things got really bad. I just knew I had to get back to you.” Candy paused and then said, “and to hear you give me an answer to the question I asked you just before I left.”

Ann gave him a shy smile. Candy took a sip of punch as he fixed his gaze on her.

“You don’t think I forgot about that, do you? It was all I thought about,” he said.

Ann turned away from him and said, “I thought a lot about your proposal since you left that day.”

“And?”

“Why don’t we go someplace where we can talk in private?” Ann said.

Candy agreed and Ann took his hand as they moved to a quiet spot where no one could hear their conversation. Colonel Purcell watched them in curiosity.

Ann led Candy behind a tree. She stopped and took a breath as Candy anxiously waited for her answer.

“Yes. I will marry you, Candy.”

“You will?” 

She nodded with a smile on her face. Candy smiled wide and took Ann in his arms. He kissed her and said, “Let’s not wait. Let’s get married tomorrow.”

Ann looked at him in disbelief, wondering if she heard him correctly. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes, as soon as we can get away. We’ll go into town and find a Justice of the Peace and get married.”

Ann let go of him and turned away from him. “Candy. This is crazy.”

“Of course it is, but when do you ever know me not to be?” he responded with a chuckle.

Ann asked, “But what are we going to tell my father?”

“No, we can’t tell anyone, especially him.” 

Ann’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

“If we tell him, it’s all over. He’ll do everything he can to try and stop us.”

“Candy, we have to tell him. We can’t keep it from him.”

Candy placed his hands on her shoulders.

“We will. After we’re married. That way he’ll have no choice but to accept it.”

Ann shook her head. “Candy, we can’t. It’s wrong.”

“Ann, you know he won’t let us. It’s the only way.”

“He’ll find out anyway. He knows everything that goes on around here.”

“Not if we play our cards right. We’ll make up some excuse for us to get away for a couple of days and then come back and break the news to him.”

“But it’s a deception. I can’t lie to him. No matter how he feels about us, he’s still my father.”

Candy gave a frustrated sigh and said, “Ann, how long are you gonna let him control our lives? Just because he’s a Colonel, he thinks he can get away with it, but he can’t! We’re not kids anymore, Ann. We can make our own decisions. I nearly died fighting the Apache, but I still came out of it alive. If that’s not man enough for the Colonel, then I don’t know what is!”

Ann hung her head down. Candy lifted it back up to him and asked, “Do you love me?”

“Of course I do.” 

“Do you still want to marry me?”

“Yes.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Ann, please, I can’t stay here any longer. I want you with me, I want you to be my wife, please.”

Ann closed her eyes as a battle raged in her mind, having to go with her heart or her head. She made a decision. 

“All right. Let’s do it.”

Candy smiled. “Okay.” He took her face and kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her and told her, “Don’t worry. Everything is gonna work out, I promise. I love you.”

While Ann was overjoyed to be marrying the man she loved, she still couldn’t help but feel reluctant to go through with it as she feared what her father would do when he found out. 

***

The next morning, Ann had her bag packed and ready to go. Her father came up to her and asked, “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the stage?”

Ann hesitated in her response. “Yes, I’m sure. I just need to get away for a little while, that’s all.”

“Well, maybe time spent away from here will be good for you. Give your aunt my best for me, will you?” 

“I will.” Ann gave him a kiss on his cheek and said, “Goodbye father.”

He smiled. “Goodbye. Have a safe trip.”

Ann picked up her bag and headed out of the tent.

Candy waited outside near a wagon. He leaned against a tree when he saw Ann coming towards him. He moved away from the tree and asked, “You ready?”

She nodded. Candy helped her onto the wagon and then hopped in himself. He took the reins when he noticed the solemn look on Ann’s face.

“Hey.” She lifted her head up to him. Candy said, “Smile. It’s your wedding day.”

Ann looked into his eyes and smiled. She couldn’t help it. Candy had a way about him that made her feel safe, protected. And despite how her father felt, she loved him. And nothing was going to stop her from being with the man she loved.

Candy gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before whipping the reins and taking off into town.

The wedding was a simple affair held by a justice of the peace. Candy and Ann had told Langley what they planned to do since he was in support of the relationship. He thought they were crazy, but he was happy for them nonetheless. Candy asked him to serve as a witness and Langley said he would be honored.

After the wedding ceremony, Candy had taken his new bride to a hotel. He carried her in his arms across the threshold of the room. He set her down and said, “Hello wife.”

She giggled. “Hi husband.”

They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed. Candy took notice of her solemn expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I still don’t feel right about this.”

“Ann, I don’t want to worry about any of that right now. I just want us to relax and enjoy ourselves. All right?”

Ann still felt uneasy. Candy took hold of her shoulders and said, “Come on, we just got married. Let’s celebrate. We’ll order the best champagne in town. What do you say?”

She smiled. “All right.”

Candy kissed her and said, “I’ll be back.”

He left the hotel room. Ann took a breath and tried to relax.

 Chapter Six

 Candy and Ann enjoyed married life while also trying to avoid the inevitable with having to eventually tell the Colonel.

One day, Candy had a surprise for Ann. He brought her to a spot just outside of town. She had her eyes closed as he guided her steps.

“Candy, you know I hate surprises.”

“Ann, life is full of them. You gotta have a little fun and excitement every once in a while.”

Ann took a few more steps.

“All right, you can open them now.” Ann opened her eyes to a small cabin. Candy smiled and said, “Well, what do you think?”

“It’s very nice, but what is it?” she asked in puzzlement.

Candy tried to hold back laughter.

“This is our home or at least it’s gonna be.”

“Our home?”

“Uh huh. I made a deal with the owner, it’s ours. It just needs some work. I know it’s not much now, but we can make it a home.”

Ann continued to stare at the cabin. Candy couldn’t take her silence any longer.

“Ann, say something, please.”

Ann turned around to him and exclaimed, “Oh, Candy!”

She wrapped her arms around him. He smiled and said, “I hope that means you like it.” 

“Oh, I love it,” she responded, nearly in tears.

“Good. I was getting a little worried,” he told her with a chuckle. He then took her face and said, “I’m starting to believe in those dreams for us again.”

They embraced.

 ***

Over the next few days, Candy began fixing up the cabin along with Ann. Candy also tried to find some work in the process, but was unsuccessful in his attempts.

One afternoon, Ann had baked a pie in their unfinished kitchen and placed it on a wooden table when Candy walked through the door. She greeted him, but noticed the gloomy tone in his voice.

She walked over to him and asked, “Is everything all right?” 

He sighed. “Yeah. I just didn’t have any luck again today with finding a job.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said as she gently brushed her hand over his cheek.

Candy took a seat at the table and said, “I thought it was gonna be easy finding work, but I guess I was wrong.”

Ann came up behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She began to rub his back as she told him, “I’m sure you’ll find something.”

Candy gave a sideways smirk and responded, “Maybe.” He turned his head around to her and took her hand. “Come here.” She moved around to him and took a seat in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and said, “Enough about me, I want to hear about your day.”

Ann looked down with a tilt of her head. “I don’t think you would find it very interesting. It was quite boring actually.”

“Ann, I would never think that about you.”

“Well.…” She reached over the table and picked up the pie. She said, “I did bake you a rhubarb pie since I know it’s your favorite.” 

“I thought I smelled something when I walked in here,” Candy said. Ann gave a soft chuckle. Candy set the pie down. “We can enjoy it later. Right now I’m gonna work some more on the cabin.”

Ann wrapped her arms around his neck. “There’s no hurry to do that.”

“There is if we don’t want rain coming through the roof. I’ll be back later for supper.” He kissed her and said, “And maybe later on you can finish that back rub.” He kissed her again and she giggled. “I’ll be back.” 

Candy got up from the chair and headed out the door while Ann shook her head with a smile.

Candy continued to work hard to build a life for him and Ann, but Ann’s guilt started to eat away at her as she thought about her father and how they had deceived him.

And while she had enjoyed that time spent with her husband, she knew they would soon have to tell her father that she and Candy got married without his blessing. 

One night, Candy and Ann were lying in bed together with their arms wrapped around each other as they kissed.

Candy pulled away and smiled as he gazed into her eyes. He said, “You know it doesn’t seem possible, but you get even more beautiful every time I look at you.”

Ann smiled as she tenderly moved her hand along his bare chest.

“Ann, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you ever since we left the fort.”

She looked at him with a curious expression. “What?” 

Candy hesitated before he asked, “Are you happy with me? I mean, really happy.”

“Yes. I’m very happy with you, Candy.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Of course. I love you.” He smiled and kissed her again. She pulled away and paused before she told him, “We have to go back, Candy. We can’t keep hiding it from him. He deserves to know the truth.”

Candy sighed. “I know. And we will.”

“When?” Candy couldn’t give her an answer. She said, “We can’t keep avoiding it, Candy. We have to tell him. If you love me you’ll tell him the truth. March right in there like the brave soldier you are and tell him.”

As much as Candy didn’t want to admit it, he knew deep down she was right.

“You’re right. It’s just that I’ve never been happier in my entire life. I don’t want it to end.”

“It won’t. It’s only the beginning for us. And if you’re my husband now, the Colonel will have no choice but learn to accept it. And maybe he will in time. After all, you’re his son-in-law now. Just get some sleep, all right?”

“All right.”

Candy and Ann exchanged another kiss and laid both their heads down on their pillows. With their arms still wrapped around each other, they drifted off to sleep.

***

It was a warm and sunny afternoon when Candy and Ann made it back to the fort. Sergeant Ordy was outside chopping wood when he saw Candy with his arm wrapped around Ann. They each had a big smile on their face.

Ordy said, “I was wondering when you were gonna be back. I’ve been having to do your share of the chores around here.” He stuck the ax in the wood.

Candy responded while looking at Ann, “Sorry, Ordy. I’ve been kind of busy.”

Ordy looked at Ann and said, “Ann, I thought you were visiting your aunt?”

Ann looked at Candy and replied, “Well, I decided to come back early.”

Candy and Ann both tried to hold back laughter.

“Oh. Did you two end up on the same stage or what?” Ordy asked.

Candy responded, “No, we asked to take the same stage. I certainly wouldn’t want my wife to travel back to the fort without me.”

“Oh.” Ordy paused and then said in puzzlement, “Your what?”

Candy chuckled and announced, “We got married.”

“What?” Ordy said again in disbelief.

Candy repeated, “We got married.”

Ordy shook his head and said in a disappointed tone, “Candy….”

Candy and Ann’s smiles both faded in an instant as they realized this reunion wouldn’t be what they had hoped.

Candy marched into the Colonel’s tent with a little too much confidence when he told him the news. Colonel Purcell was furious.

“Of all the underhanded, deceitful and treacherous things you could have done!”

Ann pleaded, “Father, please, if you would just listen to us. We can explain.…”

“No! I don’t want to hear it!”

Candy stood up to him. “Don’t yell at her.” 

Purcell pointed his finger at Candy and shouted, “You stay out of this, Canaday! This is between me and my daughter. You’ve done enough as it is.”

Ann said in anger, “He has every right to say something, Father. He is my husband now and I don’t appreciate the way you are speaking to him right now.”

Purcell sighed in frustration and said under his breath, “Husband.” He put his hand up to his temple and then said out loud, “Get out, just get out.”

Ordy motioned for them to leave the tent. “Candy, Ann. Come on.”

Candy took Ann’s shoulders and led her out of the tent.

Purcell was still fuming.

“I should have seen this coming, Ordy. How could I not have seen it?”

“No one could have seen it, Colonel.”

“Did you know anything about this?”

“No. Although Candy did mention to me that he wanted to marry Ann.”

Purcell looked at him in disbelief. “Well, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought maybe I had talked him out of it because he didn’t bring up the subject again after that, so it’s partially my fault.” Ordy sighed and then said, “I shouldn’t have let it go. I should have talked to him more about it. It’s times like this, I wish his father were still around.”

Purcell told him, “Well, his father never would have gone behind my back and lied to me. That’s exactly why I think Ann just made a terrible mistake. She’s throwing her whole future away for this boy.”

“Well, with all due respect, Colonel, I think you’re wrong about that. I do believe Candy is capable of being a good husband to Ann. He’ll take care of her.”

Purcell shook his head. “I’m not so sure, Ordy. You know how Candy can be. He’s got a lot of growing up to do. This marriage never should have happened.”

“Well, the fact of the matter is it did, Colonel. And sitting here arguing about it isn’t gonna do them any good. Now as much as you don’t want to admit it, Colonel, both Ann and Candy are old enough to make their own decisions and they made one without anyone’s consent or permission.”

Purcell said in frustration, “Ordy, surely, you don’t think what they did was right.”

“No, I’m not saying that. What I’m saying is that you better work this out now before you lose them both.” 

Meanwhile in another tent, Ann was sobbing in Candy’s arms as he tried to console her.

“I’ve never seen him so angry. I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me.”

Candy stroked her head. “No. No, he will, none of this is your fault.”

“He hates me,” Ann cried.

Candy shook his head. “No, he doesn’t hate you. No one could ever hate you. It’s me he hates.” He brushed his hand against her long blonde hair and told her, “It’s going to be all right. He can’t hurt us, Ann. I’m your husband now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Candy kissed her forehead when Ordy walked in.

“The Colonel wants to see you.”

Candy looked at Ann who tried to compose herself. She wiped away her tears and then headed out of the tent with Candy to face whatever the Colonel had to say.

The Colonel sat at his desk as Candy and Ann stood in front of him with Ordy standing near the entrance to the tent.

“Sergeant Ordy thought I should give you both the opportunity to explain yourselves, so….I’m listening.”

Candy looked at Ann and then at the Colonel as he spoke.

“Sir. I know what we did was wrong and I take full responsibility for it. I was the one to convince Ann to go through with it. But I only did it because I knew that if I would have asked you for Ann’s hand you would have turned me down flat.”

Purcell pursed his lips and responded, “Well, you would have been correct in that notion. I didn’t approve of it then and I don’t approve of it now.” Candy looked down and tried to keep his anger at him under control. Purcell then said, “But the damage is done. You’re both married now so the question is what is to be done about it.”

Candy asked in puzzlement, “What do you mean by that, sir?”

“Well, how do you intend to support my daughter?” 

“Oh, well, I have been trying to find work, sir, to help pay off the debt I owe for the cabin.”

“Cabin?”

“Yes, it was gonna be our home, sir. For Ann and I. I’ve been fixing the place up, it just needs a little more work.”

Ann took Candy’s hand and added, “Oh, it’s really a lovely little cabin, Father. It’s perfect for us.”

“Yes, well, nevertheless. You’ll still need a job.”

“I know, sir, anything I can do to prove to you that I can take care of your daughter. I love her and I’d do anything for her.”

Purcell studied him and then got an idea.

“There is an assignment that I think would be good for you. You’d be out on Patrol.”

Candy smiled. “Well, all right then.”

“For six months,” Purcell said.

Candy’s smile quickly faded. “Six months?”

“That’s right. If you want to prove to me that you can be a good provider for my daughter, then you will do this assignment without any hesitation. You have only a few hours before you are to disperse with the other troops.”

Ann became filled with anger. “Father, that isn’t fair.” 

Purcell looked at Ann and responded, “I’d say that’s very fair. Six months, that’s all I ask.”

Candy took a breath. “All right. I’ll do it.”

Ann looked at him in disbelief. “Candy….”

“It’s all right.” Candy turned to Purcell and then said, “If that’s what it takes to prove it to you, then I’ll do it. But not for you. For my wife.”

“Fine. You have two hours,” Purcell told him.

Candy looked over at Ann who burst into tears. She hurried out of the tent and Candy went after her.

Ann stood outside as she wiped at her tears when Candy came up to her.

“Ann.…”

“You know why he’s doing this.” 

“I know. But that’s why I have to do it. I have to prove to him that he’s wrong about me, that I’m more than just an Army brat.”

“But what about me? What’s gonna happen to us?” she asked.

Candy turned her around to him and said, “Nothing. Nothing is gonna happen to us, Ann. I’m going to come back to you and then we’ll finish the cabin and start our lives together.”

Ann placed her hand up to the side of his face and said, “But I want them to start now.”

Candy looked at her with sorrow in his eyes. Her head fell on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her.

***

It was time for Candy’s deployment as he said goodbye to Ann. Ordy and Purcell watched them in the distance. Candy and Ann embraced. Ann said, “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” Candy pulled away from her and placed his hand up to the side of her face. He told her, “Those six months will just fly right on by, you’ll see. Then I’ll be in your arms again.”

She smiled, her eyes full of tears. Candy leaned his head against hers as he tried to fight tears himself.

“I love you. I love you so much, Ann.”

“I love you.”

He kissed her again and then went over to his horse. Ann called out to him.

“Candy?”

Candy turned around. Ann hurried over to him, took his face and kissed him.

Candy wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he kissed her passionately. He slowly pulled away from her and then mounted onto his horse.

Ann said, “I’ll write to you everyday.”

“I look forward to every single one of them.”

Candy flashed a grin. Ann smiled and Candy took off down the trail.

***

In the following weeks, Ann wrote to Candy almost everyday like she had promised she would. One day, she came up to her father’s tent just as Purcell walked out of it.

“Oh, Father. I was just coming to see you. I was hoping you could mail this letter to Candy for me since you said you were going into town.”

“Of course, dear. I’ll mail it for you right away,” Purcell said as he took the letter.

“Thank you.” She sighed and said in a gloomy tone, “I thought about him a lot today.” 

“You really miss him, don’t you?”

“Yes. I just hope he’s all right.”

“I’m sure he is. Well, I better get going. I have a lot of business to attend to today. I’ll see you later.”

He gave Ann a kiss and walked off.

Purcell stopped midway and looked down at the letter. He became filled with guilt as he had no intention to mail the letter. In fact, he hadn’t mailed any of the letters she had written to Candy.

He kept telling himself that it was for their own good, that Ann would come to realize it was for the best even though it would hurt her.

Those six months passed before Ann began to question whether Candy would really return. She brought her concerns to her father.

“I don’t understand. It’s been over six months now and he still hasn’t come back. What if something’s happened to him?”

“Nothing’s happened to him, darling.”

“How do you know that?” Ann asked.

Purcell hesitated before he told her, “Because I saw Candy in town just a few days ago.”

Ann looked at him in disbelief. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it was very brief. He just rode off without telling anyone where he was going. He didn’t even leave an address.”

Ann said in a stern tone, “You’re lying. Candy wouldn’t do that.”

“I warned you about him, Ann, but you wouldn’t listen. Candy has always been a wanderer. What kind of life would you have had with him?” 

Ann’s eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “No. No, you’re wrong. Candy loves me, he wouldn’t leave me.”

“I think it’s time that you faced the truth, Ann. You and Candy were just not meant for each other.”

Ann closed her eyes tight as tears streamed down her face.

Purcell placed his hands on her shoulders and said, “You deserve better, darling. Someone who will be there for you and not just run off at a moment’s notice without telling you where he’s going. You need someone who will treat you with the utmost respect.”

“Candy is all of those things, Father, even if you don’t see it.”

Purcell sighed. “Ann, please don’t make this any more difficult than it needs to be. You need to think about what’s best for you and Candy right now.” 

Ann turned to him and said, “What’s best?”

“Yes, and that’s if you want to allow this marriage to continue knowing you may never see Candy ever again. Just think about it, darling.” 

Purcell left her alone. Ann looked down at her wedding ring and then broke down crying as a battle raged inside her mind on what to do.

 Chapter Seven

 Candy walked into a Mercantile. He had finally completed his assignment and was on his way home, anxious to see Ann after being away from her for so long. The clerk behind the counter turned around and saw Candy.

“Oh, Candy.”

“Hey, Tobias.” 

Candy walked up to the counter.  

Tobias asked, “What can I do for you today?”

“Not a thing. I’m going home today,” Candy said with a smile.

“Oh, that’s wonderful, Candy.”

“I can hardly believe that it’s been so long since I’ve seen Ann. I hope she still remembers me,” Candy said with a chuckle.

“Oh, I’m sure she does.”

A little boy came running past them, nearly bumping into Candy.

“Oh, hey.” He bent down to him. The little boy looked up at his hat. Candy removed his hat and said, “Let’s see how it looks on you.” He placed his hat on top of the boy’s head. “I’d say you’d make a fine captain.”

The little boy smiled big, making Candy chuckle when he heard the boy’s mother call out to him.

“Thomas?” 

“You keep that, okay, buddy?” Candy ruffled his hair and the boy hurried off back to his mother.

Candy shook his head with a grin. He noticed the rocking horse on display in the corner. He hadn’t yet talked about starting a family with Ann and he smiled at the thought of it someday. He said to Tobias as he got back up again from the floor, “Tobias? Add that rocking horse to my bill, will ya? I want to surprise Ann.”

Tobias looked over at the rocking horse and smiled. “Well, congratulations.”

“Not yet. But I’m hoping,” Candy said.

Tobias took the rocking horse from the display window. Candy paid his bill and then left the Mercantile.

Candy stopped by the post office to see if any mail had arrived for him. He found it strange that he never received any letters from Ann after she promised she would write to him. He came up to the postal clerk and asked, “Hey, any mail for me, Charlie?” 

“Yes, as a matter of fact there is.” Charlie went over to the little cubby containing the new mail received and then handed him a letter. “Here you are.”

“Thanks.” Candy headed out of the post office.

Candy looked down at the letter and saw that it was from the fort. A big smile spread across his face. Maybe Ann had written to him after all and he was just now getting one of her letters. He decided to wait to open it until he returned to the cabin.

Candy made his way back to the cabin. He brought the rocking horse through the door and placed it in the corner of the room. He backed away slowly and smiled at it. He then pulled up a chair and decided to read the letter from Ann. He excitedly tore open the letter and started reading it. His expression turned to puzzlement when he found out that the letter was not from Ann, but the Colonel.

As he continued reading his expression turned to disbelief when he read that Ann had moved away from the fort and was somewhere back east. The marriage had been annulled. His whole body tensed and his breath caught in his throat as if he’d been punched in the gut. 

“No, no, no,” he muttered under his breath. He shot up from the chair and it toppled over. He started pacing back and forth, smoothing his hair back, trying to make sense of it all. He wondered what would make Ann want to end their marriage and then it hit him who was behind it all.

Who else would be behind it? Candy became filled with rage. He threw the letter and then pounded his fist into the wall. He pounded it repeatedly until his strength gave out. He broke down crying with his head pressed against the wall. He slid down it as he sobbed. 

Sergeant Ordy had gotten word that Candy had returned home. He knew about what the Colonel had planned to do and was against the idea from the beginning. He tried to convince him not to go through with it because he knew how much it would hurt Candy, but the Colonel had made up his mind.

Ordy came up to the door of the cabin and knocked.

“Candy?” He noticed the door slightly opened. He opened it further as he called out to him again. “Candy?” He stepped inside the cabin to a complete mess. The table and chairs were turned over with empty bottles scattered on the ground.

He noticed the hole in the wall where Candy had slammed his fist when Candy appeared in the doorway with a half-bottle of whiskey in his hand. He pointed to him with a smile on his face and said, slurring his words, “Ordy the ordinance man. Come to pay me a visit. Excuse the mess. I didn’t have time to straighten up.”

“Candy, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I’m celebrating. Didn’t you hear? I’m a free man again. My marriage is over.”

Ordy responded with sympathy in his voice, “I know.”

Candy motioned over to the table. “Here, why don’t you sit down a while.” He stumbled over a chair and Ordy rushed to his aid. Candy chuckled as Ordy helped him back up.

“You need to sober up, kid, come on.”

Candy said, “It’s over, it’s all over, Ordy. Ann’s gone, she’s gone.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, kid, I really am,” Ordy told him.

Candy snapped at him. “I don’t need your pity! Ordy. You were in on it, weren’t you? You didn’t want us together, you….”

“Candy.…”

Candy yelled, “No! You and old spit and polish Purcell planned this whole thing just to break Ann and me apart.” 

Ordy sighed. “You’re leaving me no choice, kid.”

He punched Candy in the face knocking him out cold. Candy fell limp in his arms. Ordy then brought Candy over to the bed that he used to share with Ann and laid him down on top of it.

***

A little while later, Ordy poured water over Candy’s head. He stirred a little and coughed. He squinted his eyes and slowly sat himself up, his head pounding.

“Maybe now that you’re sober, we can talk,” Ordy said.

Candy rubbed the back of his head and turned around to the edge of the bed.

“I didn’t want this to happen, Candy. You know that.”

“How could he do this? He had no right,” Candy said.

“I agree, it was wrong. And I did everything I could to convince him not to do it,” Ordy told him.

Candy responded in anger, “But you still let him do it.”

“What was I supposed to do, Candy? He’s a Colonel, a high-ranking officer. I couldn’t stop him even if I tried. You of all people should know that.”

Candy said, “Well, he got what he wanted. I never should have come back. I should have just taken Ann someplace far away where he couldn’t find us.” 

“It wouldn’t have worked. He still would have found you and you’d be worse off than you are now.” 

“Worse? How can it be any worse than this? He betrayed me! He might as well just take a knife and drive it right through my chest and get it over with because that is how I feel right now.”

“Well, in his mind, he thought what he was doing was right. He was only thinking of Ann,” Ordy said.

Candy asked with hurt in his voice, “Am I really so wrong for her? I would have given her everything. I would have done everything I could to make her happy. That’s how much I loved her.” 

“I know you would have, kid.”

“I used to have so much respect for him. After my father died, he cared for me like a son.” His eyes filled with tears. “Now I….hate him. And I’m gonna kill him.” 

“Candy, you’re not thinking straight right now.” 

“Oh, yes I am, Ordy. I want him dead. I want him to feel what I feel right now.”

“And throw your life away? It wouldn’t be worth it,” Ordy said.

“I don’t care. I have nothing left to live for. She was my life, Ordy.”

“I don’t think that’s true. You still have a lot to live for, Candy. And if you kill him, you’d not only be hurting yourself, you’d be hurting Ann too. He’s still her father no matter how you feel about him. Look, why don’t you try writing to Ann and explain to her why….”

“I don’t even know where she is. He only told me she moved back east,” Candy told him.”

“Well, I know you’re angry with him, but maybe if you just talk to the Colonel….”

Candy shook his head. “No. No, I can’t go back. I’m afraid of what I might do if I see him. I just need to move on. And besides, why would he tell me anything anyway? He’s the one who wanted us apart. He’d know I’d go to her, he’s not stupid.”

“So what are you gonna do?” Ordy asked.

Candy sighed. “I don’t know. All I know is you can’t trust anyone, Ordy. Everybody’s out for themselves. Well, that’s all I’ve got to look after now. Myself.”

“You still got me, kid,” Ordy told him.

Candy gave him a small smile. “Yeah, I can always count on you, Ordy. I just hope wherever she is, she’s all right.” 

“I’m sure she is. She’s probably hurting a lot worse than you are right now.”

“Oh, I know she is. He said something to get her to agree to the annulment. I know he did.”

“Nevertheless, it happened. The question is what you want to do now.” Candy wasn’t sure how to answer that question. Ordy then told him, “I need to head back to the fort, but I’ll be back later to check on you and find out what you decide to do.”

Ordy left the cabin. Candy looked over at the rocking horse that he wanted to surprise Ann with that was now broken along with all his hopes and dreams for them. 

***

A few days later, Candy saddled his horse. Ordy came up to him and said, “I wish you’d change your mind.”

“I’ve already made up my mind, Ordy. If I’m to get over Ann, I have to keep moving.”

“Where will you go?” Ordy asked. 

“Wherever the road takes me. I just need to get away,” Candy came up to Ordy and said, “You know now that I think about it, it was probably all for the best. I’m a wanderer, that wouldn’t have been a good life for Ann or our children if we had any.”

“You don’t have to do that, Candy. You would have given up anything for her.”

Candy smiled. “You know me too well, Ordy.” He sighed and then said, “Well, I’ve got a lot of places to go and people to see, so I better get moving.”

“Well, if you ever need anything, just let me know,” Ordy told him.

“I will. And if you ever do see Ann tell her I don’t blame her for what happened and that I love her and I always will. And that no matter what, she’s still my wife.” Ordy nodded with a smile. Candy took his hand and said, “Oh, and can you do me another favor?”

“What’s that?” Ordy asked.

“Try not to get yourself blown up.” 

Ordy chuckled and said, “Take care of yourself, kid.”

Candy smiled and mounted onto his horse. He took off down the dirt road and into the unknown.

 

Epilogue

 

Six years later, Candy wandered through the desert just as the sun set when he came up to a sign that said Virginia City Five Miles. He had been traveling on foot for two days. He lost his horse and was running low on food and water. 

He looked around and spotted a few guards up ahead. His expression turned to curiosity as he tilted his head. He grinned and then walked past the sign. He snuck past the guards and made his way in the direction of Virginia City.

Back in the present, Candy continued reading Ann’s letter.

“Like you, I was angry at what happened to us. I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with you. But I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. But I want you to know that I never stopped loving you, Candy. I still love you and I always will. Ordy did send me your message.”

Candy smiled. 

“Even though I have moved on, I’ll always remember the love we had and cherish the times we spent together. I heard you’re still working for the Cartwrights and that you’re very happy with them. They seemed like good people when I met them. Jim and I are doing quite well. We have a little girl now. Her name is Amanda after my mother. I’ve included a picture of her.”

Candy pulled out a photo of a little girl with long blonde hair. He smiled as he remarked under his breath, “I knew she would look just like you.” 

Candy read the last part of the letter. 

“I had always hoped you would find happiness and I pray it’s true. When I spoke to my father recently, he confessed to me that he did feel guilty about what he did to us and if he could go back and erase the pain he caused us, he would. I hope someday you can find it in your heart to forgive him. Well, Jim will be home soon, so I better end this letter now. I wish you all the best. Be brave, soldier. Love Ann.”

Candy was back at the Ponderosa near the barn as he looked up from the letter and saw his friends, Hoss and Joe walking over to him.

“Hey Candy, did you get the mail while you were in town?” Joe asked. 

“Yeah, I left it on your pa’s desk,” Candy replied.

Joe took notice of the letter in his hands.

“What’s that?” 

Candy looked down at the letter and smiled. “Oh, just a letter from an old friend.”

Hoss said with a grin, “A lady friend?”

Joe said, “Better yet, does she have other lady friends?”

Hoss gave a soft chuckle. Candy shook his head. “I don’t think so, fellas.”

Joe tilted his head and sighed. “That’s a shame.”

Hoss said, “Anyway, we’re gonna get ourselves some supper, you comin?”

“Yeah, I just have to unsaddle my horse,” Candy said. 

Hoss told him, “I sure am lookin’ forward to a good supper after ridin’ that trail all afternoon.”

Joe remarked, “It’s the only thing you ever look forward to.”

Hoss furrowed his eyebrows at him and responded in a stern tone, “It is not. I look forward to breakfast and lunch too.” He chuckled.

Joe rolled his eyes and said to Candy, “We’ll see ya.”

Joe started walking towards the house as Hoss jabbered away and followed after him.

Candy shook his head with a grin. He looked back down at Ann’s letter. He folded up the letter and tucked it away in his vest pocket. He went to unsaddle his horse and had supper with the family he had always wanted as he now had a place to call home.

 The End