(lets go with after, makes for a less “mushy” scene....and allows Arturo to keep his “man card”)

The next morning dawned quietly and quickly. With years of practice, camp was down and the men were ready to ride before the first real rays of sunshine touched the soldiers. Softly, so as not to wake her, Arturo peeked in on Trinity. She was beautiful, but he knew if he took her with him, even under the reason of her water skills, she would hate him. She would loose that sweetness and become like every other woman he'd ever known.

Unable to help himself, he leaned down and pressed a swift kiss on her forehead. He would never forget her, and he hoped she might think on him with some sort of fondness while she wrangled a parcel of children and knitted her future husband's clothing.

He slipped from the tent and looked at Sean. The boy nodded at the silent message. Arturo mounted his horse and with the remainder of his men, headed back to the capital and his real life.