The Heart of a Soiled Dove (23 page)

In the bittersweet fall, Aurora relinquished her home to Roman and Carrie Anne Brennan. A union was formed, so lands were conjoined. Her fight to provide a home for prostitutes would never end. They kept coming, from as far away as Helena. Aurora now carried the last name of Ramsey and looked up in the distance at her strong husband, sitting high on his horse, a lasso twirling above his head. He was hers. The joy she felt at the success of her boardinghouse was minimal compared to being with someone who loved unconditionally. Donovan turned towards her and his tipping of the hat in the most gentlemanly manner did not fool her. He was no gentleman when it came to his passions. And his smile was sly, laced with warning. Suddenly he spurred his horse onward and sped towards the house. When she realized his intentions, she feigned a scream, dropped the water basin and ran inside.

“Oh, no you don’t!” He called out, laughing. The door was open in a flash and her man, with fire in his eyes, stood in the doorway. A nervous smile came over her as he made his move.

Grabbing her playfully, he said, “How I have lived so long without you, I’ll never know.”

The art of his loving never ceased to amaze Aurora. It was so tender, so filled with love and awe… a beautiful, foreign experience. She was all his and he was all hers, in every way.