ENTRY 8
POSSES AND POSIES

February 14th, 1871

Eric sighed as he passed the Swan's Sweets display on his way back to the register. In the seven years he'd lived in and run the General Store in Rosewood, Colorado he had seen many things, but the tomfoolery surrounding his sister-in-law took the cake.

How these dirt-caked and whiskey reeking men knew about a thing like Valentine's Day, he'd never know, but they all saw it as an opportunity to pitch woo. There was now a small box sat behind the counter holding the ridiculousness until he went home that evening. The newest offerings were not something he saw winning Bella's heart, nor her purse, which just as many of these men were after.

When a few miners came in, Eric was momentarily distracted. Just as he went to tend to them, the bell above the door alerted him to another customer. A quick glance revealed it to be the sheriff, so he turned back to his customers, knowing Mr. Cullen would wait until he finished with the men in front of him.

It wasn't until the tinkling laugh of the woman he'd been concerned about reached his ears that he realized Bella had come down from the apartment above. The thick braid in which she styled her hair was done up fancy with a light purple ribbon; her cheeks were a soft pink that made her look so much like her sister, Angela.

The sheriff and Bella were in deep conversation, but Eric spied the way his hand reached up to tuck a tendril of hair behind her ear as she looked down to wrap his purchase. Edward doffed his Stetson at Bella as he turned from the counter. With the small wrapped parcel in his hands, the sheriff approached Eric. He stepped back and turned to face the man fully.

"Sheriff Cullen," Eric said in greeting.

"Mr. Yorkie. I've come to ask your permission to take Miss Swan to dinner Sunday after church."

"I will need to speak with my sister-in-law to see that she's agreeable, but if she is, I don't object to it. She's been quite popular since her arrival this winter and I've been worried about her. I'm glad to see a man of character showing interest."

"Thank you, Mr. Yorkie. I look forward to hearing from you."

Eric watched as the sheriff walked out before he went to Bella. "The sheriff just asked my permission to take you to lunch on Sunday. I told him I approved, but needed to speak to you first."

"I'm aware. I'm honored he asked after me. Mr. King at the bank was extolling his son's virtues and I was afraid he would try and force a meeting when he returns from Chicago."

Eric stopped at the mention of the bank. "What business did you have there?"

"Dr. Cullen sold me his small lot with the cabin on it."

"I've told you, Isabella, you will not live alone while you are out here. It is bad enough to have you living above the shop."

The set of her shoulders told him he was in for a fight. "It wasn't my intention to live there. I've hired Alistair Jones to help me with some odd jobs and he will be living there as part of his pay. I won't have an employee of mine living in the gutter."

"You're throwing away money there, Bella. Alistair isn't reliable."

"It is my money to throw away, isn't it? And Mr. Cullen said it was a fine act of charity I'd done for him."

"Miss Swan?" Alistair called behind them.

Bella turned to the man with a smile on her face. "Yes, Alistair?"

"The Sheriff asked me to deliver this to you."

Bella looked down at the small posy of lavender, columbine, and some other wildflowers bound together with twine and a card.

"Thank you, Alistair. I should be done here shortly. Then we can go to your new home and see what will be needed."

"Yes, Miss."

Bella opened the card and smiled at Sheriff Cullen's elegant script.

Miss Swan,

The beauty displayed on the outside is equally matched by the beauty of your gentle heart. I hope you will accept my invitation to lunch on Sunday and that we may begin to get to know one another better. In the meanwhile, I hope these flowers keep me in your thoughts.

Sincerely,

E. Cullen

Bella smirked at Eric before she turned to Alistair. "Alistair, please tell the sheriff I will see him on Sunday. After that, you can go to your new home. I will meet you there."

With a nod, the man left and Bella returned her attention to her brother by marriage. "Did you throw out the other cards and gifts that have been dropped off today?"

"No, but we can now."

"Nonsense. I'd like to see exactly what interest there is out there, and the cards and tokens were for me. Now, I will be gone for a bit, but once I've returned from my errand, I'll watch the store so you can have lunch with Angela."

Bella whisked her way past him and collected her box of valentines before she made her way upstairs. Minutes later she returned with a few sheets of paper and a pencil in hand as she left the store.

"I sure hope the sheriff knows what he's getting into with that one."

#V3ENTRIES

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