Just a Dream

I was helpless, a sitting duck, with no way to defend myself. I shut my eyes tight and flinched away from his touch. But just when I was expecting

the worst, I heard a clunk, an "Oof!" and a thud. I opened my eyes and gasped as I sat up on the floor. Royce King was on the floor, scrambling to

get to his feet quickly. His hair was a mess and his expression was nothing short of furious. But his eyes were not on me. They were behind me to

my right.

I looked over, grateful to whoever it was that had saved me. And I was shocked to see who it was… for it was not my Emmett, or my father, or

anyone who I would have thought it to be. But it was Emmett's father!

"M… Mr. McCarty?!" I gasped.

He didn't take his glare off of Royce. But it was him. Thin, graying hair, tall, wearing the gray trousers and pale blue button down shirt that I had

seen him in only a moment ago. Hobbling on his cane, my father helping him walk across the lawn. There he stood now, double barreled shot gun in

his hands, aimed directly at Royce King. I was flabbergasted. He stood tall and strong, his weak legs did not tremble, and his back was straight as

an arrow.

"Get. Out." he said, his voice was assertive and sure. Not even a hint of a bluff in his voice. Even I was afraid that he might actually shoot the

monster.

Royce and his friend were quick to listen and they scrambled out the door and were gone in a matter of seconds. And my father in-law sank into the

closest chair to him and I could see how weak he really was. I stumbled over to him.

"Oh my heavens… Mr. McCarty… are you alright!?" I gasped, a hand over my mouth in shock.

He smiled and looked up at me. "How many times do I have to tell you, you can call me Frank, my dear?" he chuckled, and patted my shoulder. "I

ought to ask you the same question." he said, this time he looked more concerned. No longer joking.

"I'm… I'm fine… but… how did you…"

"I may not be as strong as I once was, but I'm as strong once as I ever was." he winked at me and pinched my chin gently, the way old men do.

"Thank you so much… Frank." I smiled, "But how did you know I was in here?" I wondered, my brows furrowed.

His brows raised and he looked down slightly. He shrugged and said, "I didn't, honestly. I didn't know you were in trouble. I just came in to put the

gift I brought on the table in there, and I heard you fall…" he said, looking at me again meaningfully. He motioned to an old shoebox sized package

that was wrapped up nicely with a bow on top that was sitting on the dining room table.

"An' I found this gun in with the umbrella's in the laundry room." he added, patting the weapon that I now recognized as Emmett's hunting rifle.

"I don't think they realized it wasn't even loaded?" he chuckled, and I laughed. "Thank you so much, Frank." I said as I threw my arms around his

shoulders.

He laughed and patted my back. "Your welcome, Rosy." he chuckled, and I smiled at the old nickname that he picked up on at the first dinner that I

had had over at his house when Emmett brought me over to meet him.

"Well, I s'pose we better get on back out there. 'Fore they realize we're missing." he said as he slowly began to rise out of his chair, with me helping

by holding onto his arms tightly. And I quickly ran to get his cane from where he said he'd left it in the kitchen and I helped him back outside and

down the back steps, his arm across my shoulders for support while the other kept a firm grip on his cane. And the incident with Royce King was

soon forgotten. No need to make everyone else worry… I would have to tell Emmett later tonight.

Supper was wonderful and after it started getting dark outside, the neighborhood women helped me to get all of the leftover food covered up and

all the empty dishes washed for everyone to take back home when they left.

The men folded and stacked the chairs and tables in an old trailer this time, borrowed from Mr. Conway, one of our other neighbors, that he and a

few other men volunteered to take back to the church, insisting Emmett stay back with the rest of the guests. And so he did, keeping the men

entertained in the front room while me and the other women were in the kitchen, sharing stories and conversations of our own.

It was a lovely party, but still rather sad. Knowing that it was Emmett's last night at home for a long, long time.

After maybe another hour or so, we waved goodbye to everyone as they left, standing on the front porch, his strong arm around my waist. And then

we went back inside to straighten up and get ready for bed.

I was silent and thoughtful as I slipped out of my dress and hung it up in the wardrobe, wondering how I would tell him about Royce King without

causing him to worry himself sick. Folding up my apron and placing it in a drawer with the others. Then slid my crinolines down my hips and placed

them in another drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe. I was about to finally tell him when I felt his strong arms wrap around me from behind and I

inhaled deeply, leaning back into his warm embrace. His lips graced along my throat and my eyes closed.

Oh who cared anyway, what he didn't know couldn't hurt him, and I sighed in content as we slowly melted into one being enveloped in hot passion.

And I didn't have to let go of him yet…

A/N: Hey guys, I am sooo sorry it took so long to update. There was some MAJOR computer crisis thing going on and we only just now got

it fixed in the past week or two. And I have been working on this chapter ever since. I know it's not my best, but I hope you like it. And to

have Mr. McCarty rescue her was a suggestion that I am VERY thankful for. And I hope y'all like the chapter!

R&R Luvs! Emmy