Belle was in the barn, repairing some harness leathers when Nick found her the next morning.

"Morning, Belle," he said, taking a seat on a crate beside her.

Belle favored him with a smile. "Morning, Nick, what brings you in here?"

Nick pushed his hat back on his forehead. "Need to talk to you about something."

Belle's heart froze at the slight hesitation she heard in Nick's voice, afraid he'd finally come to the conclusion that she'd never fit into his life. She stared at the strap in her hand, studiously punching holes in the leather, dreading what might come next.

"Been thinking about this a lot," Nick continued, "and, well, I want you to marry me, Belle."

Being the last thing Belle expected to hear, Nick's statement caused her to break her concentration. The awl slipped and, instead of piercing the harness strap, it went straight through her hand.

Belle swore loudly, a string of curses Nick never thought to hear from such a pretty set of lips. He quickly tore the bandana off his neck and took Belle's hand carefully. Blood was leaking down both sides and Nick tightly wrapped the improvised bandage around it.

"Can you move your fingers?" he asked, concerned.

Belle wiggled her fingertips, grimacing at the pain. "Hurts like hell, though."

Nick got to his feet. "I think there's some bandages in the tack room. I'll go get them, then we'll get that hand cleaned up." Belle nodded and held the bandana until Nick got back. He led her outside to the pump, holding onto the injured hand carefully. Belle stoically endured the pain as he gently washed it and wrapped it with a clean bandage before kissing her fingers lightly. Belle raised an eyebrow at that and Nick just shrugged with a grin. "Sure can't hurt."

Then he took her other hand. "Your response back there, I hope that was because of what happened to your hand, not because of what I said." Nick's tone was light, but the look in his eyes was sober.

"You really mean it, Nick?" Belle's voice was barely above a whisper. "You really want to marry me? I'm sure there are lots of other women more fashionable and sophisticated, just panting to become Mrs. Nick Barkley."

"Well, I don't know about that," Nick said with a slightly self-conscious grin, "but I do know none of them are you." He laid his hand on her cheek. "We were meant for each other, Belle. We both love this land and this life and I love you. I want you by my side always."

A dazzling smile lit up Belle's face. "Then, yes, Nick, I'll marry you. I love you too."

Nick grinned widely and grabbed both of Belle's hands. She gasped and he immediately let go. "Gosh, Belle, I'm sorry," he said contritely, remorse written on his face for the pain he just caused. "I think you should head into town and have the doc take a look at that, just to make sure you're all right."

Belle nodded, trying not to let it show how much her hand hurt. "Good idea. Might need a little help saddling my horse, though."

Nick offered to get her tack while Belle called Rusty out of the corral. Nick insisted on doing all the harnessing himself and even lifted Belle into the saddle over her protests.

"Gotta let a man take care of his woman sometimes," he informed her teasingly. "Now get going so you can be back before Mother's party."

The ride into town gave Belle plenty of time to think about what just transpired. She was going to marry Nick Barkley. In spite of the fact she wasn't a lady like those she was certain the handsome rancher had squired around before, he'd chosen her.

Belle experienced a sudden feeling of disquiet. Surely he wouldn't expect her settle into the role of his 'little wife', content to just keep house. So many women abandoned their jobs when they got married, but Belle wasn't willing to do that. She loved being out on the range, working under a blue sky, even the hard, dusty work of rounding up obstinate cattle. There was no way she'd give that up, not even for Nick. Belle vowed to herself she'd talk to him, just to make sure, before things got any farther between them.

Luck was with her when Belle got to town, as Dr. Merar was just returning to his office when she came to the door. He pronounced the wound not serious and advised her to rest her hand for the next few days and come see him right away if it got hot, red or swollen. Belle promised the doctor she would and was preparing to ride back to the ranch when she saw the dress shop across the street.

Victoria Barkley's birthday party was tonight and Belle suddenly realized what that meant. Nick had assured her she didn't need to bring his mother a present, but everyone was bound to be dressed in their Sunday best, if not their finest clothes, and Belle didn't think her best shirt and a clean pair of pants would cut it. She wanted to make a good impression on Nick's family, convince them she was the right woman for their son and brother and to do that, she needed a dress, something she hadn't worn since she was a young girl. Mouth dry, Belle slowly crossed the street and walked through the shop door.

A bell tinkled as she entered. "Just a minute," came a cheery voice from a back room. The owner of the voice, a neatly dressed middle aged woman, stopped when she saw Belle standing there.

"May I help you?" she asked hesitantly, trying to ignore Belle's cowboy garb.

"I need a dress," Belle said diffidently.

"Of course you do," the storeowner said brightly, happy to be on familiar ground. "Any special occasion?"

Belle nodded. "I need one for tonight. It's Mrs. Barkley's birthday party and I don't really have anything appropriate."

The modiste eyed Belle carefully, gauging her size. "I think I have something that might do," she said, pulling a sage green gown off the rack. "Let's go try it on you."

Belle wasn't sure, but Mrs. Tucker, the dressmaker, assured the cowgirl the dress looked lovely, just the thing for a party at the Barkleys' and quickly wrapped the gown and appropriate underthings for the ride back to the ranch. The helpful woman even showed Belle how to put her hair up in a simple, yet elegant fashion. Belle thanked her, and, as she left the store and mounted Rusty, wondered what it was about Nick Barkley that rendered her willing to make a total fool of herself.