Sam removed his hat and spun it in his hands as he walked up to Emma's door. His palms were sweaty and his heart was beating faster then it ever had. "Get a grip, Sam" he told himself as he knocked on the door. The immediate silence made him nervous. He looked toward the bunkhouse then back at the door. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock one more time as the door opened and the most radiant vision stood before him.
She was tucking a stray hair under a blue bonnet as she said with a smile "Breathe Sam, I can't have you passing out on my porch"
"Emma. You look.. wow… Beautiful." He offered her his arm and escorted her to the buckboard that waited at the end of her walkway.
"Why, Thank you Sam, You look quite dashing yourself. " She smiled as he helped her into the seat.
Sam looked toward the bunkhouse and saw Ike and Lou preparing for a run. He sat in the seat and grabbed the reins. "They're heading out awfully late." He said as he got the horses moving.
"Mr. Spoon has them on a run to Cheyenne. Some sort of Military papers." Emma said as she watched the rider's disappear into the desert.
Hot steam floated above the hot liquid that sat in the cup in Barnett's hand. He sipped the coffee and smiled. He had finished sweeping the floors and the prisoners were sleeping. He could sit back and relax. He saw the wanted posters on Sam's desk and knew their names. Brady Miller, his cousin Ben Kelling and Randal Gibson. They were wanted out of Texas. Barnett stared at the Wanted posters and realized that these were some of the baddest guys that had been in the jail.
Brady watched as the deputy sipped his coffee and knew the guy wasn't the sharpest nail in the box and getting out of that cell was going to be easy. The deputy had his back to the cell. He saw the broom that leaned against the cell and smiled. Reaching through the bars he quickly grabbed the broom and stood up. He kicked his cousin's bunk which got Barnett's attention.
"You boys settle do…" Barnett stood and saw Brady standing with the broom in his hands. Before he could react, Brady slammed the end of the broom handle into Barnett's stomach causing Barnett to drop his coffee as he howled out in pain and grabbed his stomach. Brady lifted the broom higher and slammed it down on Barnett's head. Barnett crumpled to the ground. Brady, surprised the broom hadn't shattered into pieces, smiled and pushed himself against the bars and stretched his arm out with the broom in it trying to reach the keys that were on the desk. He rolled the broom handle to slide the key ring to the edge of the desk; then slid the handle into the ring and tilted the handle toward him as the keys slid down the handle with a jingle. He smiled as he slid the ring of keys off the broom and inserted them into the lock. The click of the lock opening made the others cheer. Brady pushed the cell door opened and they all three stepped over Barnett's unconscious body and found their guns in the desk drawer, after strapping them on they proceeded to run out the back door, mounting their horses and riding off before anyone noticed they were gone.
Sam pulled the chair out for Emma, and then pushed it closer to the table before removing his hat and taking his seat across the table from the radiant angel that was still taking his breath away. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was smitten and if he had to admit it to anyone he had been a fool for messing things up the first time. But if that angel in the blue dress would give him this second chance, he was willing to try anything.
The food was good but not as good as if Emma had made it herself. Food always tasted different when it's cooked for the ones you care about. He cleaned his plate as a new song floated across the restaurant. He wiped his mouth with his napkin then stood up and extended his hand to Emma. "Emma, may I have this dance?" he asked
Emma placed her hand in his and stood. His smile matching hers as he spun her into his arms. The noises and other people in the restaurant disappeared and all they heard was the steady rhythm of their heartbeats. They didn't notice the music had changed and a new song had started playing. Emma felt like she was floating and if the smile on Sam's face was any clue, he was enjoying this moment as well. As much as he hated to end the dance he spoke softly " I hate to end this but I really should be getting you home, before the boys send out a search party." Emma smiled and agreed.
Sam escorted her to the door, "Would you mind if we stopped by and checked on Barnett before I take you home?"
Emma smiled "A walk in the cool evening air with you Sam is always welcomed." As she wrapped her arm through his extended arm and he placed a warm hand on her hand. They walked in comfortable silence. As they approached the Marshal office they saw a man tying his horse to the rail.
"May I help you, Sir?" Sam asked.
A/N: Ok Alot happening in this chapter hope you all enjoyed. The baddies are on the run. Who is the stranger at the Marshal's office? How is Barnett? TBC. Thanks Anita, Kristina and Jennifer for the baddies names.
