A/N Thanks so much for having fun at the fair with me! Thank you again to Kevkye for the great prompt - I had a good time with it. Merle was my biggest challenge because I couldn't imagine what in the world would get the big man to the fair. But I think I figured it out for him!

There he was at 6:30 on a Saturday morning putting the finishing touches on the new overhead lighting system at the fairgrounds. He figured he'd be done in about three hours, just in time for the big Saturday morning opening of the week-long County Fair.

As he was working away on that wiring he couldn't help but let his mind wander to that day six years ago. Yep, it had been quite the day…

Six Years Earlier

He knew he had no business complaining, and he wasn't, at least not out loud he wasn't. But dammit, owning your own business could really screw with a guy's life.

He was supposed to be out fishing with Daryl. Instead he'd gotten a call from the chairman of the fair board at quarter to six on a Saturday morning. There was no power to the main exhibit hall. Great, just fucking great. Daryl would be off fishing and drinking beers and he'd be busting ass at a stupid fair.

But yeah he couldn't complain. He'd been the happiest son of a bitch in the world when he'd won the county electrical contract. They kept him busy, paid on time, and mostly he enjoyed it. Except if they called him on Saturday when he wanted to fish and drink beer with his brother. Or Sunday when he wanted to hunt with his brother and then drink beer.

Yep, he was there at the main exhibit hall and ready to work by 6:15am. He got the big generator going to get lights and AC on in the building, and he went to work. Whoever did the original wiring had to be the dumbest electrician this side of Mars. Shit he was surprised the whole fucking place hadn't burned down by now.

By the time he finished up it was one in the afternoon and he was starving, cranky and in need of a couple of beers.

Well shit he might as well grab something to eat here they must have a million of those food stands. Then he planned to head over to Pete's Tavern and see if Daryl had shown up yet. Fuck, then he'd have to listen to his little brother tell him all about what a great day it was on the lake. The fish were all biting, yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. On the other hand, he'd just made a big pile of money.

He found a stand selling Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches and they didn't sound bad. He ordered one up and just started walking aimlessly around eating and checking out the scene. Now that there was an edge off his hunger he was feeling a little better about life. And shit he couldn't recall ever being at a fair.

He couldn't believe it when he came across an auction. They were auctioning off a real pretty little blond gal, some kind of charity deal for the local Disabled Vets organization.

The longer he stood there watching that little blond the more intrigued he was by her. She looked embarrassed, nervous and like she'd just as soon be anywhere as up there on that stage.

But mostly he was thinking she was the best looking thing he'd ever seen. A little young for him but what the fuck? It was one date and he wanted it, with her.

So he raised up an arm and he didn't miss the look on her face when she looked toward him. Well why wouldn't she be scared? He probably had 10 or 12 years on her, at least, he'd been working all day and hadn't shaved or anything. And he knew he was kind of a rough looking cob anyhow. But shit, if he won her he'd show her he could be a gentleman, and he wasn't as dumb as he looked either.

Now he was determined he was going to show that sweet little thing he wasn't all bad. Just mostly bad is all.

She couldn't believe it when that man bid on her. She'd expected it to be all young farm boys, most of whom she knew, and maybe a couple of young vets who did the bidding. But she'd never even thought in her darkest dream it might be an older man that looked so, well quite frankly he looked a little rough.

OMG and he won! That's it she was never, ever going to volunteer for anything ever again the rest of her life!

He approached the stage and he knew he had an ear to ear grin but he just couldn't help himself. Damn, guys like him didn't have much luck trying to get a date with gals who looked like her.

And he didn't miss the death glares those younger fellas had been sending his way, or the worried look on her face. But hey he paid his money, he was taking his prize.

He held a hand out to her, "Hey there Miss, name's Merle Dixon. Ya look a little nervous but I promise I don't bite. I'm just a harmless country boy." Or whatever the fuck he was just trying to put her pretty little mind at ease.

"Very nice to meet you Merle, I'm Beth Greene. Um, how old are you exactly Merle?" It just came right out and now she was embarrassed. How rude.

He didn't miss the color come up in her cheeks and he couldn't help but smile. "Well now I can't tell ya exact ta the minute, but I'm 34 inchin' real close ta 35. An if we're layin' it all out here, just how old are you Beth Greene?"

"Oh I'm sorry I know I shouldn't have asked that. And I'm 22 and I guess you could say I'm inching very close to 23." And she had that high color still on her cheeks and that uneasy look to her brow.

"Ya know ya ain't gotta be so nervous, I ain't some mean old redneck that just come down outta the hills. I know how ta be a gent an all. So now why don't ya take a little stroll with me and tell me exactly what this date I won is all about."

Well he did seem kind of nice. She looked to the little card like she hadn't read it nine million times, but she was just so nervous. "Um it's a date with me tonight for dinner and dancing. But you know, nothing else, just dinner and dancing."

"Well that sounds real nice and now don't ya be worryin' yourself, I said I know how ta be a gent. I ain't gonna get outta line with ya in any way. Ya got my word on that."

"Alright thank you I appreciate you saying so. I'd better get home now and think about getting ready. I've never been on a date where we went out dancing. I'm probably not very good."

"Don't ya worry girl I know a step or two we'll work it all out. Here's my work log, just write down your address n your phone number. I'll be by ta get ya at seven. How's that?"

"Okay I'll be ready." And she was surprised how he'd managed to ease her mind. And now that she'd taken a better look, he really was quite handsome.

He was there right on time and oh my the difference in the way he looked when he was all slicked up to go out, wow. He was dressed so nice in slacks and a sport coat. Earlier, when he'd pulled his ball cap off at the fair to greet her, she had no idea how nice his wavy hair was. But now she saw it was a lot nicer than she'd thought. Well he'd had hat hair and all, she should have realized that. And she also should have paid attention to the fact that this man knew enough to remove his hat upon meeting a woman. Old school manners. She liked that.

And she couldn't believe it when he handed her that box of pricey chocolates and got all corny with her. "Sweets for the sweet." She'd never had a guy pick her up for a date and bring her candy. She was feeling a lot better about what this evening might hold in store.

"Ya sure do look lovely Beth. I guess I'ma just be the beast lucky enough to accompany the beauty, huh?" And he smiled and this time she smiled back. She was starting to like Merle Dixon more all the time.

When she'd opened her front door damn, she was just so beautiful he couldn't believe it. Never in his life did he imagine he'd ever have a date with a woman so pretty, so sweet and well, innocent looking. Yeah a lot different than the gals down at Pete's. And she was so nice. He knew she'd been shocked he won the bid, but she was kind and polite and he appreciated her making the effort. Giving him a chance.

He took her out to a very nice restaurant for dinner and she was impressed. He was so polite and when she said yes to wine, he seemed to know what was what. He surprised her more and more. In fact she was beginning to enjoy his company very much.

But what really impressed her was how just plain nice he was to her. He seemed more at ease and not trying quite so hard, just chatting with her. And gosh he smiled a lot. But what was really nice was how he took an interest in her. He wanted to know what she liked, what her interests were, if she had hobbies and what she did for a living.

"Well for work I do the general purchasing and bookkeeping at the feed store. For fun I love to write music and sing. In fact I'll be putting on a short afternoon concert at the fair tomorrow. And I love nature, just being out in the woods hiking or fishing. That's so relaxing. Tell me about yourself Merle, what is it you do and what are your interests and hobbies?"

He smiled that ear to ear grin. Damn, damn, damn, she was somehow even sweeter than he'd thought. And even if she really didn't give one single flying fuck, she sure made it sound like she did. "I'm afraid I ain't as smart, pretty and talented as you are, but alright here goes. Well I own an electrical outfit. We do mostly commercial work, that's why I happened ta be at the fair this afternoon, I'd been workin' all mornin' fixin' a problem there in the main exhibit hall. I have the county contract so I'm the guy they call when there's trouble. I like my work so I get some pleasure from it."

"For fun I like fishin' too. Ain't nuthin' more calmin' than sittin' in a boat on a mellow lake an castin' a line. I also like ta hunt, I like the challenge of it an I like reapin' the reward. I almost never buy meat, I harvest my own."

She'd been impressed by him but when she really got impressed was when they arrived at the Starlight Lounge. He'd called ahead and had arranged for a nice table by the dance floor. She didn't miss that he'd slipped the host a twenty. Apparently he knew how to get what he wanted.

And he had such wonderful manners. He pulled her chair out and made sure she was seated comfortably before taking his own, just as he had at the restaurant. And the way he'd opened the truck door each time, helping her in or out of that very big and very nice Ford F-350 he drove. She sure wasn't used to this kind of treatment. Guys her age didn't seem to have a clue about good manners and chivalry.

Yes Merle Dixon was certainly far more charming and interesting than she'd thought he would be. But when she knew for sure she wanted to be seeing a lot more of this man was when the music started, and he asked her to dance.

He stood and took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. He lightly grasped her small slim hand in that big broad, strong hand of his, and he gently held it to his chest. His other hand was at the small of her back, and even though it felt incredibly romantic and sexy he wasn't being pushy or out of line at all. It was just something about being held in this man's arms. She couldn't think of anything better.

She was a tiny little thing that was for damn sure, but shit she felt good in his arms. He could hold her like this all night long and then die a happy man when the evening was over. The only thing upsetting Merle was the thought that she'd probably never agree to go out with him again. Shit she was only out with him tonight because he'd paid a whole lot of money to make that happen.

He just kept telling himself to enjoy it while it lasted.

They got to her door and she handed him her key to unlock it. And when he did and she made to step inside he handed her back those keys. That's when he decided what the fuck, he really had nothing to lose. "I'd like ta take ya tomorrow ta play your show if you'd agree ta that."

Oh what a relief, she'd thought this was a one-time thing and she was so sad to see the evening end. "I'd like that very much Merle. My show is at one so I'd like to be at the fairgrounds no later than noon. Maybe after the show you'd agree to take me walking in the park."

"Hell yeah I'd agree, girl I'd agree ta anythin' ya wanted. I think ya got me all won over already." He smiled and oh and that big smile of his, she was finding she liked that more and more.

"Well thank you Merle." And he saw her blushing and then she asked, "Do you remember you told me you wouldn't get out of line tonight?"

"Yeah I remember. I didn't step outta line did I?" He looked so concerned.

"Nope and I sure do wish you would, well at least a little and kiss me, a lot."

Yeah that had been the date of a lifetime, his lifetime. He thanked God for that auction every day because damn, he couldn't wait to get this lighting system up and he'd be running home to get his pretty young wife, and their two pretty young children, and he was going to enjoy watching his little family having big fun at the King County Fair.

A/N Well darn, this fic went by fast! Again, thank you for going to the King County Fair with me, I hope you had some fun. I'd love to read your comments / reviews. xo

To see the chapter photo please visit my tumblr at bethylmethbrick. If you're interested in reading some new Bethyl, my current Daryl and Beth multi-chapter story is titled Love's Highway, and I also have a collection of one shot stories I'll be posting in my new fic Little Love Stories. Thanks all! x gneebee