"You know Shandy's been with me since I was just ten or so. And since dad died, Shandy's been a real help."
"You don't have to live out here." Holman poured some rum into his coffee. "Just because your father was a naturalist and all."
"We don't have to talk about my father. I like living here. We've always lived here. Since we came out to Enoch."
"All right." He paused to look across the table at her. "You want to keep arguing or will you let me propose now?"
Nancy shook her head. "Don't now, Ken. Later sometime."
"You do know, though, that I want you. And you know I want you with me at the settlement."
Nancy folded her hands on the white tablecloth. "Oh, yes."
Holman drank the hot coffee fast. "And, really, Nancy, I don't see how we could keep something like Shandy in the settlement."
"Come and have dinner with me tonight and we'll talk then."
Putting down his empty cup, Holman said, "I'll go set up my tent at a safe distance."