"Why don't you boys finish rounding up the dishes and take them over to the house," Rachel suggested with a tone that let them know she was being nice but it wasn't really a suggestion or request. "Lou and I need to give Heather her birthday present."
Heather looked to Cody who just smiled reassuringly at her.
"You don't need to look at me like that. You don't need anyone's permission."
Heather cast a worried glance at Addie which Cody took note of.
"Don't worry about her," he said softly, "I think Teaspoon was in the middle of telling her a story earlier. I'm sure he'll finish it now."
Mustering all of the courage she could, Heather walked over to Teaspoon who had been so wonderful to Addie and to her as well.
Teaspoon looked at the girl approaching him. She really wasn't much more than a girl but then Cody was barely more than a boy. He wanted to treat her like he had Lou—once he had learned Lou's secret that was. He wanted to put an arm around her shoulders or kiss her forehead or even hug her. In short, he wanted to show her the love and kindness a father should. He feared he'd terrify her if he tried so no one was more surprised than he when Heather wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. He hugged her back, his heart nearly bursting with the pride of having made this inroad with her. She didn't say a word but when she released him, her moist eyes spoke volumes. He patted the side of her face before scooping Addie into his arms and carrying her to the porch of the bunkhouse.
"Now where were we?" he asked, his voice still thick with emotion.
"Come on with you," Lou said pulling Heather toward the house. Lou tried not to show it but she'd been moved by what had just transpired. She was glad Heather could see Teaspoon for the good man he was. Lou knew how hard that could be when you lived a life like Heather had. The boys and Teaspoon could be scary but they ultimately were nothing to fear. They were a safe place. Lou stopped about halfway to the house. Rachel was already inside readying the surprise.
"I know this ain't going to make a lick of sense to you, Heather," Lou began, "But I need to apologize to you."
Heather's brow furrowed and Lou quickly explained.
"These boys are like brothers to me, except for Kid of course. I get protective of them and when Cody was acting all strange and in love, I jumped to some conclusions about you that weren't so nice. I was wrong about everything. You're a nice girl, Heather. You're not just good for him. You're perfect for him. Please accept my apology."
"Of course I will."
Lou felt a little better. There was still a concern that a girl with a history filled with less hurt might not have forgiven her but then there was still the issue of Heather's present which Lou hoped would go even farther toward making things right, or at the very least, assuaging her own guilt.
Heather wasn't sure what to make of Lou's confession. She understood the conclusions Lou had jumped to and wondered that everyone here hadn't thought the same things. Guilt washed over her to think that she had come between Billy and all he had for family. But then there was something more in Lou's apology, something desperate. It was almost as if Lou felt she might be losing something valuable if Heather didn't accept. Heather's blood ran cold at the thought that perhaps Billy had made some sort of ultimatum. She'd have to find out. She could not let him give up his family for her. She wasn't worth it.
The two young women entered the house with Lou excitedly leading the way to Heather's room.
"Are you ready for us, Rachel?" Lou called from just outside the door.
"I've been ready."
"Come on then," Lou said smiling widely and tugging on Heather's arm.
Following obediently along, Heather stopped short at what was before her. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. The women had made it from the cloth she had picked out after falling in love with it. Perhaps it was seeing it made into something and perhaps it was the lighting in the room but Heather thought it looked even more the color of newly sprouted grass. It had a square neckline which was not high cut but wouldn't stray much below her collar bone either. It certainly would not show any cleavage. The sleeves were tight until they reached the elbow and then flared out to her wrist. The skirt was not full and had a layer that went around the back and only partway down. Everything from the edges of the skirts to the bottoms of the sleeves and the neckline was trimmed in a crisp, white lace.
"Happy birthday!" Lou and Rachel sang out in near unison.
"We thought about waiting until tomorrow to give it to you but you need to try it on while there's still enough time to alter it if it don't fit right," Lou explained, "You'll want it perfect for tomorrow night."
"It's already perfect," Heather said finally, losing the battle with her tears, "I can't wear something like this. That is a dress for proper ladies, and prettier ones besides."
Rachel pulled Heather to sit down next to her on the edge of the bed and held Heather's hands.
"What makes you less worthy of a dress like this?"
"I'm just a poor girl, not a fancy lady. My mama was a-"
"Your mama did what she had to and not having much money doesn't make you less deserving of feeling pretty," Rachel told her, "I know of one young man who doesn't think there's a prettier or more deserving young lady in the territory. Besides, maybe it's time the princess stopped living in disguise."
"Just try it on," Lou pleaded, "I can't wait to see that color next to your eyes."
Reluctantly Heather stood and allowed the ladies to help her out of the work dress she had worn that day. The work dress was fine enough for her. It had no ruffles or frills or lace but it was a pretty enough gingham print and far nicer than anything Heather had known. She actually had planned to wear one of her other dresses to the dance the next day. It was a buttery yellow color and Heather had added a small ruffle around the neckline and had allowed a little more flourish in the sleeves. It would have been fine. This green dress with the impossibly soft material was too much and she knew that the moment she spied herself in the mirror. She looked like she was trying to be someone else, someone she was not and could not ever be. She looked like she was trying to be something special. Perhaps Billy normally pursued women who could look at home in a dress like this but she knew to keep him she would have to use another tactic. There were things she could do for him when they were alone but she was also a very good cook and he would appreciate that and she could give him children. Maybe even boys to carry on his name. She surely wouldn't win or keep him wearing a dress so far above herself. She was no princess in disguise. She was no princess at all. She was a plain and poor girl whose mother had resorted to being a whore to keep a roof over her head. A dress like this one was meant for the daughter of a banker or lawyer or maybe even the mayor.
"Oh Heather!" Rachel cried out when they had finished doing up the bodice of the dress and she stood back to look at her. "You are a vision! I would venture to guess that somehow you were in mind when that cloth was made. Nothing could be more perfect for you."
Heather thought at first that Rachel was upset about making such a lavish dress for one so undeserving but then the rest of her words were so flattering and sounded so genuine.
"Wouldn't it look better on Lou maybe?"
"No," Lou said quickly, "I don't think I could wear that color like you do. Besides, I'm a boy as far as the fine citizens of Rock Creek know. I'll be at the dance holding up the wall next to Buck and Noah."
"I look ridiculous," Heather protested but her fight was waning, "I should wear the yellow dress."
Heather missed the nod that Rachel gave to Lou before she came over and stood behind Heather in front of the mirror. Lou slipped out of the room.
"Perhaps for some girls a nice work dress would be fine and maybe even for you someday," Rachel said, "But not this dance. This one is too special."
"I don't understand."
"Well, you're sixteen now," Rachel explained, "You've reached a proper courting age and it's time for society, such as it is in this town, to acknowledge a new young lady."
"But I am already getting married," Heather protested, "I don't need anyone else knowing I'm courting age but Billy."
"You've been hidden, my little princess in disguise," Rachel went on, "It's time for you to make your debut. And think of Billy. Think of how he'll feel with you on his arm wearing this dress."
"I look like a fool and he will too for being with me. I'm trying to be something I'm not."
"Come with me," Rachel said giving Heather a squeeze around the shoulders.
Heather dutifully followed her out to the sitting room and almost ran back to her own room when she spotted Jimmy and Buck standing and talking to Lou. But Rachel was behind her and would not let her turn back.
"Boys," Rachel called, "Heather wasn't quite sure about this dress. Maybe the two of you could tell her if it's right or not."
Jimmy and Buck both turned their eyes toward Heather making her feel uncomfortable and more like she wanted to run than ever. And then she had no idea how to respond to their expressions that followed. She saw their eyes widen and their mouths fall open.
"Are you boys going to just stand there gathering flies or are you going to tell the young lady what you think of her dress for the dance?" Rachel smirked with a hand on her hip.
Buck snapped his mouth shut and tried to form words. He'd rarely seen ladies in such finery outside of the dances and even then had spared them not much more than a glance. It never went well for him to be noticed ogling white women, especially the kind of women who would wear a dress like this. He certainly had never had such a vision before him nor had his opinion on the garment asked.
"Rachel, you know I always get nervous around beautiful ladies," Buck said.
"Cut yourself some slack," Jimmy piped up, "Any man would be left speechless at such a vision of beauty."
Heather felt the heat rise to her cheeks at Jimmy's words.
"It's settled then," Lou chimed in, "If you can leave that one speechless then this is the perfect dress."
"I'll say," Jimmy agreed, "If I didn't figure it would get me punched by Cody, I'd ask you to the dance myself. Any man would be honored to escort such a beautiful lady."
Heather looked at the floor and then saw an opening and dashed back down the hall to her room.
Jimmy and Buck looked at each other and then at the women.
"Did we say something wrong?" Buck asked.
"Heather's not accustomed to compliments," Rachel explained, "You boys didn't do a thing wrong. She just isn't used to being the center of attention. She's probably never heard such fine words from a young man other than Cody."
Lou stood as if to head down the hall but Jimmy stopped her.
"Please," he said, "I just want to tell her one or two things more."
Lou nodded as Jimmy made his way delicately down the hall and stood awkwardly in the doorway. She saw him knock lightly and then disappear into the room.
Jimmy only had half an idea in mind of what he wanted to tell Heather but he felt the need to say something. He tapped lightly on the inside of the doorway and nearly jumped at Heather's terrified expression.
"Can I talk to you?" he asked softly almost as when he first encountered her in the loft of the barn. She nodded and he was fully aware that she had been conditioned to say yes to nearly anything anyone might ask of her. Of course he had no plans on taking advantage of this but it still bothered him a great deal.
"I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," he said after collecting his thoughts, "Most pretty girls I know have been told they're pretty plenty of times before I get to them. It didn't occur to me that maybe you hadn't heard that a lot. Truth is, you do look beautiful in that dress and Cody's going to be proud to be your escort. I want you to know that. I don't want you thinking I'm saying something just to make you feel better or nothing. I mean it. And I'm sorry."
"You don't have anything to be sorry for," Heather insisted, "I didn't act right. I don't ever know how to act and I usually mess things up."
"You're just fine and I ain't apologizing for telling you you're pretty or the dress is," Jimmy clarified, "I'm sorry that no one told you those things before. I'm sorry you had to go through the things you did. But I'm glad of something too."
Heather looked up, curiosity written all over her face.
"I'm glad you met up with Cody. He'll be good to you. I see you and I can't help thinking of my sisters. I don't know if I'd trust too many with either of them and before I saw the change in him after meeting you, Cody wouldn't have been one of the ones I would trust. But he's a different man. He must've just needed to find the right woman."
"Thank you, Jimmy," Heather said holding her head a little higher; "You really don't think this dress is too fancy?"
"I think it's perfect."
He smiled at her and then took his leave.
Heather stood a while contemplating Jimmy's words and Buck's expression at seeing her. A smile spread across her lips and she thought maybe she would be just fine with this dress after all. Maybe Billy would be envied to be with her. Maybe he would feel proud even. Walking over to the mirror to take another look at herself, Heather allowed her hips to swish a bit and then twirled around in front of the glass. She reached and freed her hair from the twist it had been in and then picked up only some of it to pile loosely on her head and twirled again smiling to herself.
Lou stood in the doorway watching the display and smiling. Jimmy always made her feel better too.
"Don't know what he said but if he don't watch himself, Jimmy's going to make that sweetheart of yours jealous," Lou finally said, "I knew the dress was missing something but I think you've discovered it. That smile is better than any frill I could put on that frock."
Heather looked over startled and embarrassed.
"Don't look like that," Lou said, "I know how you feel. You ain't been hiding you're a girl but you been hiding all the same. Feels good to come out of hiding, don't it?"
For all the possible reactions Lou thought she might get from Heather, what actually happened was something she didn't anticipate at all. Heather charged at her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"Thank you, Lou;" Heather said softly, "This is better than I ever even dreamed."
The next day the chores were done in record time as the boys wanted to be able to have time to make themselves look their best for the fine ladies of Rock Creek. Just as the other boys were finishing studying themselves in the mirror, Lou walked into the bunkhouse.
"Where've you been all day?" Kid asked her.
"I had to finish a few alterations to Heather's dress."
"It didn't look like it needed no altering to me," Jimmy noted.
"How did you see it?" Cody wondered turning to Jimmy.
"Seems Heather was feeling insecure about it and Lou and Rachel asked me and Buck to take a look and tell her what we thought," Jimmy said defensively, "All we did is tell her she looked pretty and you'd be proud to be her escort."
"Yeah," Buck chimed in, "She just needed to hear that the dress was right."
"You could've told me," Cody sulked and he wasn't sure if he was more upset that they had seen the dress and he hadn't or that they were the ones who got to comfort her and reassure her.
"No they couldn't," Lou said, "I told 'em not to. I knew you'd try to wheedle some information about the dress out of them and Heather deserves to see your expression the first time you see it. She needs that, Cody."
"I haven't even seen her today," he whined some more.
"Well you'll see her real soon," Lou told him, "Rachel's just finishing making her pretty for you."
"When can I see her?" he asked and Jimmy tried not to laugh at him. He knew it would be taken the wrong way. He wasn't laughing at Cody so much as feeling happy for him to have someone he hated to go even a short while without seeing. It was something most of them wondered if they would ever have and Jimmy was beginning to figure out he would not. There was a pang of jealousy but he was still happy for his friend. Heather was a sweet girl and the two of them might just be very happy together and Jimmy could ask for no more than that.
"I think Rachel was nearly done fixing her hair when I left," Lou replied, "If you're ready you should go on up to the house. Rachel will let you know if she's not ready yet."
Cody took one last look in the mirror making sure his tie was right and smoothing his hair back once more. Then he smiled and began to whistle as he left the bunkhouse to head toward the house. He climbed the few steps to the porch and knocked lightly on the door. It didn't take long for Rachel to answer with a wide smile.
"Why don't you look nice, Cody?" she greeted warmly, "Come on in. I'm sure Heather will be ready real soon."
"Is she okay?" he asked, "I mean I didn't see her after supper last night and not at all today. How's she doing?"
Rachel was about to answer when something caught her eye and she nodded behind Cody.
"I think you should turn around and see for yourself."
Cody turned and standing in the hallway was truly the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he had seen some true visions before in his life. He had seen the sun rising over a meadow. He had seen a mother horse caring for her newborn. He had seen the mountains and desert and canyons and so many lovely things God gave them to gaze upon. He had seen flowers in the spring and winters that looked like the frosting on a cake. But never in his life had he seen anything as lovely as what his eyes beheld at that moment.
He stood with his mouth agape a moment or two, long enough for her to see the awe he felt looking on her and for her to smile and even giggle softly at it. Then he found his tongue and composure.
"Heather, you are absolutely beautiful," he said smiling widely, his blue eyes glittering at her. "I'm not sure how I got so lucky to be escorting the prettiest girl in town to the dance."
It was right then that little Addie ran out from behind Heather in a brand new party dress that Heather had been working on while Lou and Rachel were making her dress.
"And just when I thought I had already seen the prettiest young lady in town," Cody smiled picking the girl up and kissing her cheek before setting her down again.
"I think Teaspoon has got the buckboard ready for us," Rachel said, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather ride with us?"
"Thank you Rachel," Cody replied looking to Heather to make sure they were still of the same mind on this and he continued when he saw her smile at him. "It is a lovely evening for a stroll and I don't want to pass up a chance to walk through town with the prettiest girl in the territory on my arm."
"Then I guess we'd better get a move on. Come along Addie," Rachel prodded.
Addie turned to follow Rachel out the door but then paused and walked back to Heather.
"You're the most beautifullest lady I ever saw, Heather," she said looking up with her big eyes and then hugged Heather tightly before scampering after Rachel.
"I hate asking when you're looking at me so happy and all but your uncle never hurt her, did he?"
Heather shook her head, "He tried to pretend she didn't exist most of the time. She looks exactly like her mother. When he did notice her he would get sad and drink more and pass out faster. It used to scare me how he might get when she got to looking more like a woman though."
"She's free now, Heather," he assured her, "Just like you are. And I think Rachel kind of likes taking care of her. I think she might just want to keep on caring for her. She tries not to play favorites with her students but Addie's a favorite."
"Thank you," she said, "For saving us. I don't know what made you even want to and I tried to push you away but…thank you."
Cody bent and caught her lips in a tender kiss then pulled his head back flashing a wide smile.
"We had better get a move on before rumors get going;" he told her offering his arm, "Shall we?"
Heather returned his smile and rested her hand on his offered arm and allowed herself to be led out of the house and toward the dance. She felt awkward at first but then looked over at Billy. His head was high and his chest swelled with pride. It made her feel good to see how proud he looked. She smiled and tightened her fingers around his arm and allowed her own pride to come forth. Surely no other girl there would have so handsome an escort.
Cody chanced a glance at Heather and it did his heart good to see her smile and hold her head high. He had seen far too much of her ducking her head and avoiding eye contact and far too little of her smiles.
"I don't think I thanked you properly for my birthday gift," Heather said, breaking the silence between them, "It is beautiful. I have never had such a beautiful thing."
"Now that's not true," Cody said softly, "I'm pretty sure you were born with that lovely face."
"Billy," she said looking away and blushing but he brought her face back to him with a finger alongside her cheek.
"Don't you 'Billy' me," he went on playfully, "I need to be able to tell the woman I love how beautiful she is. You are beautiful, Heather. I thought so the first time I set eyes on you. Someday I'll have you believing it too."
"When I'm with you I almost do."
Heather could hear the music and merriment before they were upon the meeting hall. She squeezed Billy's arm once again as she closed her eyes taking in the sounds.
"I'm so excited, Billy," she nearly squealed.
Cody's smile threatened to break his face in half at her glee at the prospect of the dance.
"I guess it's time for you to debut into society, such as it is."
They walked through the door and Heather felt the eyes upon her. She clung tighter to Billy suddenly wondering what possessed her to agree to this in the first place. There were whispers all around and Heather wanted to run away but Billy held her hand tight to his arm.
"Don't you worry, Heather," he whispered to her, "Every girl here wants to be you in that dress and every man wants to be me and have you on his arm."
"Everyone is looking at me, Billy," she whined, "I want to go now."
"If there was a beautiful painting on the wall everyone would be looking at that too," Cody said, "We stare at flowers all the time and they don't try to run and hide."
"Have I taught you nothing, Cody?" Teaspoon said interrupting their hushed conversation. Cody just looked up blankly at the older man. "You're at a dance with a beautiful young lady. A lady looking like that should be danced with. If you're not going to do it, I've half a mind to dance with her myself."
"You just wait your turn, Teaspoon," Cody replied turning to Heather, "I believe we really need to get that dress and the beautiful woman inside it out on the dance floor."
The color drained from Heather's face and she rose onto her toes to lean her mouth close to Billy's ear.
"I don't know how to dance," she whispered.
"That's alright," he whispered in reply, "I do and I have to lead anyway. You just follow along and you'll be just fine."
He was gratified with the look of trust she gave him then and he led her to the floor and placed a hand gently on her waist taking her other hand in his. Heather looked a little uncertain and he whispered, "On my shoulder."
Heather could scarcely move when he began to pull her around the floor but soon her feet were following almost of their own accord. Then she felt like she was floating. The music slowed and Billy pulled her a little closer to where she could just rest her head on his chest. His heart beat steadily and she felt safe. People were still watching her every move and whispering among themselves to try to figure who this lovely mystery woman was but Heather no longer noticed. For her there was no one in the world except for Billy and her. It was magical and she truly felt that maybe her mother had been right about her being a princess. She felt like a princess right then in the dress with the pretty cameo around her neck and Billy's arms strong around her.
The musicians took a break and Cody led Heather from the dance floor. He quickly found where his family was standing and left Heather with them while he went to fetch some punch.
"Well you sure do have the ladies in town all a twitter trying to figure out where you came from," Jimmy said sidling up to her, "They are speculating all kinds of strange things and I think I even heard one guess you might be royalty or at least from Europe or some such thing. We could go right ahead and tell them you are a princess. That could be fun."
Cody was walking up with the punch right about then.
"Are you trying to steal my girl, Jimmy?" he said playfully and then softened even more when he saw Heather's look of fear. "Honey, I am just teasing and he'd do the same to me if places was switched. I know he couldn't steal you if he tried, could he?"
She just shook her head and looked to Jimmy.
"I couldn't lie like that," she said returning to their previous talk.
"Wouldn't be lying on your part," he reminded her.
"Are you going to let me in on this or not?" Cody asked and was quickly caught up on the topic. He smiled widely. "Sure would be fun to mess around a little with some of these folks who look down their noses at other people. Why plenty of them have even seen you before, Heather. They just don't recognize you because you're wearing a nice dress and got your hair all piled up and pretty. It's like that story Teaspoon was telling us about that girl Cinderella. Even her own family didn't know her while she was at the ball."
"If you boys can't think of a thing to do with a pretty gal right in front of you besides talk her ears off, then you'd best step aside," Teaspoon said taking Heather's hand and kissing it as he bowed to her. "My dear I wonder if you would grant me the honor of this dance."
Heather giggled and followed Teaspoon onto the dance floor. He twirled her for a few songs before Jimmy cut in. Heather was only too happy to dance with Jimmy as he had been so kind to her but she still searched the room for Billy. She had come to the dance with him after all.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about Cody," Jimmy said easily, "He caught a few dances with Rachel and I believe he is currently teaching little Addie to dance."
Heather smiled at him gratefully and allowed him to lead her around the floor. After a song or two she leaned to whisper in Jimmy's ear.
"Why don't Buck and Noah dance?"
"Any woman seen dancing with Buck better figure to marry him 'cause most other men won't look at her after that and I ain't so sure how legal it is to dance with Noah," he answered and Heather could see it pained him to think such things. "Legal or not he might still get lynched for such a thing."
"If the lady asked Noah would it be any better for him?"
"Not likely," he replied.
"But I could ask Buck," she ventured, "Billy wouldn't think ill of me for dancing with him, would he?"
"Of course not," Jimmy smiled back at her, "He'd probably love you all the more. I believe I could even escort you over to him."
Heather soon found herself right next to where Buck was leaning against a wall.
"Buck?" she said tentatively causing him to turn to face her. "I know it might not be proper for a girl to ask but would you care to dance with me? Billy seems busy with Addie and she has to leave soon so I don't want to spoil her fun…"
"I'd like that a great deal, Heather," he answered giving her a lopsided grin. He offered his hand and they walked out on the dance floor finding themselves being given a wide berth.
"People are really going to talk about you now, Heather," Buck cautioned, giving her one last out.
"They are already talking," she said with a smile, "It seems a few even think I am a princess or something from some far off land. They never noticed me before and they notice all the wrong things about you. You are a kind a gentle man."
"I hope you're real certain about marrying Cody because I doubt any other man will have you now that we've danced."
"If I wasn't sure before, I am now," she replied simply, "Any man that would fail to see you for what you truly are and judge me for seeing it is not a man I would want."
After another tune played through, Buck felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Cody standing there.
"If you don't mind too terribly," Cody said barely noticing the hush that came over the room as people realized that there may be a conflict at one man realizing a man like Buck was dancing with his girl. "I thought I might ask the lady if she would favor me with this dance."
Buck and Cody both looked to Heather who nodded. Buck bowed and kissed the back of her hand and she curtsied to him before being handed off to her love.
"Thank you for dancing with Addie," she said beaming at him and thinking for the first time that maybe someday she would have children that were not the children of others but of her very own and that maybe they would be Billy's too and maybe he would be the father she always dreamed of having. He would teach the boys to shoot and fish and other important things men needed and he would dote on his girls and tell them they were beautiful and he would teach them to dance in the parlor but then get protective when any of the boys in the town wanted to dance with them.
"Addie's a sweet girl," he told her, "But Rachel's getting her home and to bed now so I can get back to the girl I most want to dance with. I did notice the others kept you busy."
"Where are the others?" Heather asked suddenly not being able to see any of them save Teaspoon.
"I would expect they left along with Rachel. Kid and Lou can't dance with who they want to, Noah can't dance with anyone and Buck already danced with the only partner who'd offer."
"Should we leave also?"
He shook his head allowing himself to get lost in the future he saw in her striking eyes.
"I think we should stay until the band calls it a night."
So they danced the rest of the night away until they were the last two souls left dancing and the band was too tired to continue playing. Even Teaspoon had called it a night and gone down to his office to keep an eye on the town from there.
The two strolled toward the station with Heather's hand nestled into the crook of Cody's arm and so lost in the magic of the night that they did not notice someone following them. As they passed an alley, Cody tugged Heather into it and pulled her tighter to him pressing his lips to hers. When he pulled back Heather looked worried.
"Here Billy? In town," she worried, "Someone could see us."
"There's no one to see," he assured her, "Besides, we're engaged so there ain't nothing wrong with sharing a kiss or two. That's all I'm asking for, honey."
She looked around once more before seeing that, to her eyes anyway, he was right and there was no one around. It sort of frightened her that there was no one. If he should decide he wanted more than a kiss or two…But then she shoved the thought from her mind and knew in her heart that her sweet Billy would never hurt her or force her. Smiling, she pulled him toward her once again and allowed him to deepen the kiss. It surprised her when she felt stirrings of desire within her. Heather hadn't ever thought she would feel those things again but now she did and it felt good. She still wasn't ready for the things they had done before but she knew now that in time she might be.
So caught up in their passion were they that they didn't look up until Cody heard the distinct click of a pistol being cocked.
"I knowed you was just a stupid whore like your ma, girl," Martin Lepley hissed, "Thought you had more brains though, boy. Right now you got something don't belong to you."
Okay this chapter kicked my tuchus and got way longer than I anticipated...but Heather got to enjoy being the belle of the ball before we cued the forboding music.-J