The meter above is to show the progress on finishing the chapter goal of 2,300 words ~ chapter 7.

Molly's been wondering what kept you all so long (don't tell her it was me), Jeff's eager to figure out what's going on with that sassy girl with the sweet face, and Eddie, well, just pray for that poor fella...LOL!

PS ~~ Please share Love's Gamble with any friends who might enjoy it ~ just ask them to drop by The Homestead Heart to read the chapters. Thanks, friends, for spreading the word! I so appreciate you!

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Tina[at]TinaDeeBooks[dot]com

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Silas, would you finish this sentence? There's nothing better than...having a home of my own. I grew up rough, running wild on the streets while my ma worked in a saloon. I hated that life and swore I'd make a real home for myself. And even though I've lost two ranches, I'm planning to try again someday.

What's the most important thing you own? I came into Montana with nothing. I left my last home on the run and didn't stop to get so much as a change of clothes. So I had my horse, my fire iron and a few dollars in my pocket. I reckon I don't own a thing. But I've got a strong back and a good mind and I can always find a way to get along.

What's the prettiest place you've ever seen? I owned a ranch in New Mexico sweeter'n anything you've ever seen. There was desert and rugged mountains all around. People thought I was a fool to claim that land but I knew something no one else did. I found a high mountain meadow full of lush grass and running water up there. I spent two years combing strays out of the hills to get the beginning of a herd. It was a beautiful place and it hurt bad to give it up. But being tricked into marrying Lula Mae Tool was too high a price to pay for any ranch. So I lit out and I kept drifting until I met Belle.

What's your favorite indulgence? When a man lives and works alone it's mighty pleasant to hear another voice, even more so to eat food not cooked over an open fire. Better still if that food is cooked by the soft hand of a woman who'll talk while you're eating. I don't ask for much.

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Your favorite season of the year and why?

autumn. i love the air getting cooler with less humidity. it feels arty and inspiring. seems more laidback and relaxed. colors are less vivid and eyepopping. makes me feel like life isn't working as hard at trying to impress...and, therefore, is doing just that. to me, summer has always felt like life is laughing at it's own joke. autumn moves away from that.

An instrument you'd love to learn to play one day?

easy, piano. all music stems from piano. i should have stuck with the lessons my parents put me through when i was 10.

If you could have lunch & spend an afternoon with anyone, historical or present day, who would it be and why?

very hard. there are so many. rich, again. tom waits. richard rohr. bob dylan in '66. tom osborne. my dad when he was 22. me when i was 10.

Quality or characteristic you first noticed about your wife AFTER you realized you loved her, but before you let her know how exactly you felt?

her love of tom hanks movies

Okay, Mitch, what’s your favorite dessert?

any kind of chocolaty ice cream

Favorite children's book?

"guess how much i love you"

Favorite memory with Rich?

too many...picking a favorite wouldn't be right. but... when he was chewing me out (weird i know). when he was rooting me on.

Guest Interviews

In the hopper, post dates scheduled when interview rec'd back:

Authors

~ Lauraine Snelling

~ Linore Rose Burkard (or one of her characters)

~ Vickie McDonough

~ Mary Connealy

~ Stephen Bly

~ DiAnn Mills

~ Pete Wilson

~ Lena Nelson Dooley

~ Terry Burns

~ Karen Witemeyer

Musicians

~ Kirk Graham

~ Nate Fowler

May

Describe yourself (tall, blond, etc)
Fairly tall, dark hair, brown eyes. I ride a paint gelding, Scout. That’s about it.

What type of gun do you carry?
I’ve got a Remington rifle, and lately I’ve been wearing a Colt revolver. Nothing fancy, just enough to do the job.

What's your favorite food Gert makes?
Oh, that’s got to be pie. Apple, blueberry, blackberry, rhubarb, I don’t care.

Who is the most peculiar person in your town?
Maybe Augie Moore. He’s the bartender at the Spur & Saddle. He’s bald as a billiard ball and big and tough. But he has a Bible, and they say he cooks the chicken dinner they serve every Sunday at the saloon.

Where is your town located?
We’re in the Owyhee Valley in southwest Idaho. (They say that name comes from “Hawaii,” after some men who came from there to work in the mines). We’re up in the mountains, though not as high up as Silver City or Ruby City. We’re into the mining country, but there are a lot of ranches around here, too.

What's another book by Mrs. Davis that you think you'd enjoy reading if you could?
I heard she’s got some good shoot-em-up tales in her Wyoming Brides book. Cavalry troopers and scouts and wagon trains and such. I wouldn’t mind reading those.