Chapter 6:
"Madam, Sir... I present to you, the soon to be new home of Chez Grace!" With a bow Aingelina opened the door to the part of the building she had just bought and stepped aside for Grace and Robert E to enter, following the couple in. "There's a lot of work to be done yet, but I think if we all work on it we can get everything transferred into here by the end of the week. Give me a day or two to get it cleaned up, maybe a little paint on the walls, a few decorations here and there and we'll be ready to move everything in in no time."
"I talked with Sully, he's going to make a sign to hang out front and help me with getting some tables and counters set up in the kitchen. After the café is closed one night we can transfer everything in here, take a day to set up, and we'll be set to open. What do you think?"
Turning to face her partner Aingelina saw the joyful tears sitting on the rim of Grace's eyes and the smile on Robert E's face. "I think we'd better get to work!"
While the couple had to get back to work Aingelina stayed in the building, cleaning it up so that the next day she and Sully could get started on the work in the kitchen. Working side by side through the morning, pouring over design ideas and blueprints they both were startled when Grace appeared with a tray of food. "Y'all have been working all morning. Come eat something."
Glancing out the window at the sky Aingelina was surprised to see how late it was. "I gotta go, I'll be back in an hour." Nodding to her Sully watched her leave, wondering where she was going, seeing her disappear around the corner.
Entering the saloon she smiled when she saw the girls waiting for her, tables moved and 'class' assembled. Working on moves they already knew Aingelina tested them over and over, holding them in various holds until they could break them while Hank watched from the corner. They'd had little contact since that day in the woods, she having been busy with a project she wasn't telling anyone about, and he running the saloon. After working with each of the girls he watched her disappear into the building again. That night, after the entire town was shut down, though the saloon was still lively, he passed by the door and saw her trudging down the street and into the clinic. Her shoulders were drooped, her eyes half closed, she was exhausted. "What the hell are you up to?" he asked her softly, his words lost to the noise of the crowded saloon.
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Standing back the duo surveyed their work with satisfaction. It had taken three days of nonstop work but they were done, the kitchen was finished. All that remained was the main dining room, which Aingelina would have to do on her own, as Sully was needed out at the homestead. "Thanks so much for all of this Sully. I couldn't have done it without you."
"You were pretty good yourself. Once you got the hang of it you worked at a pretty good pace. I'll have the sign done by the end of the week, all ready for when you open on Friday."
Nodding to each other he left, leaving Aingelina to finish the work. Grabbing a paint can and brush she set to painting the main room white, leaving the wooden trim around the top and middle of the walls as well as the floors in their natural wood color. Needing to get this done by the end of the day she worked straight through supper and on into the night. By the time she was finished it was after midnight but Aingelina was too excited to sleep. Brushing off her pants she cleaning up, locked the door behind her, giving the place one last look, and headed over to the saloon.
"Whiskey," she said to the girl behind the bar. Turning to look around the room she spotted Hank supervising a poker game and smiled when he met her eyes. She was in a good mood tonight, weary but excited. Taking the glass of whiskey that was handed to her she knocked it back and slipped into a chair in the corner, propping her feet up on another, and watched the game. Her head propped on her hand Aingelina was asleep before the game was over.
Watching her as he moved to the bar Hank fought to keep a smile from his face. She was exhausted; working day and night one whatever it was she was doing in that building. He still had no clue; she was keeping a tighter lid on that than anything. All over town people were talking, coming up with heir own idea of what was going on. The only people who were allowed to enter were Sully, Robert E, Grace, and Dr Mike, and even they weren't talking. He had seen her face when she entered and knew she was excited about something, her dark eyes snapping and a grin that never left her face. To him, she was as easy to read as a sign.
"Hey, one of your girls is sleeping on the job!"
Looking around he saw a man lumbering towards Aingelina in the corner; Hank didn't like the look of him. Stepping out from behind the bar he moved to intercept him before he got too close. "Leave her be," Hank warned the man. Ignoring him the man moved closer, wanting to wake her up and have his fun, a whore as pretty as her was a rare one. When he reached out for her arm Hank moved closer, pulling the man back by his shoulder. "I said leave her be."
His tone was low, but filled with a message. There'd be trouble if the man continued. Again the man, brave with whiskey, ignored Hank and moved to grab Aingelina. Just as he reached for her, her wrist almost within his grasp, Hank put a hand around his throat, grabbed his shirt with the other, forcing him against the wall, a few feet from the floor. Leaning in close he whispered, "I told you to leave her alone." While the man choked in his grasp, struggling to get free, Hank looked to two of his girls that were standing nearby. "Get her out of here."
Moving quickly they each took an arm and walked the still half-asleep woman from the bar, going out the front doors and helping her up to her room in the clinic. Once the trio had left the saloon Hank dropped the man from his grasp and walked back to the bar, leaving the man gasping for air collapsed on the floor. Pouring a glass of whiskey for a waiting customer it took a few seconds for the men in the saloon to get back to their business, the girls enticing them as best they could. That night as he drifted off to sleep Hank's last thought was of how much he missed their afternoons in the meadow.
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Softly she tiptoed into the room, saw the sleeping man in the bed and smiled. Leaning over him, her hair held back with one hand and the other keeping her balance by holding the wall, she blew a puff of air onto his face and smiled as he stirred but did not wake up. Struggling to keep from laughing she blew another puff. Stirring once more his eyes remained closed and again she struggled to keep her laughter within. Her eyes focused on his face she didn't see the hands creeping along the bedspread until it was too late. Taking another breath to release it into his face she never got the chance, swallowing the little puff of air in surprise when he grabbed her arms and tossed her onto the bed.
Laughing she rolled away from him and fell to the floor; they were both laughing now. "Cheater!" she cried, kneeling on the floor she peered at him from the edge of the bed. "You were awake."
"You're the one who didn't move fast enough. Don't blame me for that."
Aingelina grinned at him, he could see the barely contained excitement in her eyes and in the way she was biting the corner of her lower lip. "Come on, I want to show you something." Leaving so he could get dressed she was waiting impatiently for him to emerge. Grabbing his hands she led him through the gray, pre-dawn, morning streets, empty of people, as most were still in their beds asleep. Stopping in front of the door to the building she'd been working in she pulled a key from her pocket. "I know I haven't been around much lately so I wanted you to be the first to see this."
Unlocking the door she opened it and motioned for Hank to enter. Raising his eyebrows at her mood he hesitated before moving into the building. Though it was still somewhat dark there was enough light for him to see what the room contained. Tables. Chairs. Everywhere, they filled the entire room. The walls were white with wood trim and he could see a fireplace on the one wall and a door on the other. Aingelina pulled him towards it and they crossed the threshold into the kitchen. Cabinets and counters lined the walls, a stocked pantry in one corner, and a stove in the other corner. There was a table in the center, above which were hung pots and pans of every size.
"You're opening a café?"
"Sort of. Relocating is more like it. Chez Grace has moved into town. I used the money I had and bought these two rooms; Grace and I are going to run the café here year round. We're partners."
Hank looked down at her as she gripped his arm, looking around the kitchen with the excitement of a little girl getting ready for her first dance. "Partners," he repeated. "Does this mean you'll be staying in town for a while?" The instant the words left his mouth he wished they hadn't. Her excitement vanished and she moved away from him to stand by the counter, her face dejected. "I shouldn't have..."
"No, you're right." Aingelina interrupted him, meeting his eyes across the room. "You're right. I know I can't stay here. I guess I forgot for a little while. Getting all this done, working with Sully and Grace and Robert E to get it ready in time to open today..." Sighing she looked around. "At least I'll always know that a part of me will still be here even after I leave. Something to return to, if I ever get the chance to stop running."
Lifting herself up onto one of the counters, her legs hanging off the edge, Aingelina looked down at her feet hanging free above the floor. Suddenly another pair of feet appeared on the floor beneath her. A warm finger was placed under her chin and her face was brought up to see Hank peeing down at her. Without a word between them he leaned down and placed his lips to hers, his gentle hand moving to cup her cheek, thumb caressing ever so lightly as he kissed her. Her virgin lips, unsure, melted into the feel of his warm lips pressing into hers until, by their own volition, they began to move, picking up on the movement of his mouth, mimicking them as their lips danced over each other.
Under its own power Aingelina's hand moved up to his arm while the other lost itself in his hair. The scruff of his jaw brushing her face she wondered at the feelings bubbling up within her, the giddiness in her heart, the fluttering in her stomach, the trembling from within her very core. She felt his arm wrap around her, pulling her even closer to him, and she melded to him, feeling the warmth of his chest even through his shirt and her own, the racing beats of her heart as it pounded in her chest.
"Hello??"
Though the voice called from the outer room the couple jumped apart like two teens caught out behind the barn. With a final caress of her cheek Hank fled out the back door, shutting it quietly behind him, leaving Aingelina breathless in the kitchen, a shaking hand tracing her lips. Looking up she saw Grace enter the kitchen and smile at her partner sitting on the counter. "Today's the big day. Are you nervous?" Taking Aingelina's hands in her own Grace laughed. "Why you're so nervous you're trembling! It'll be okay, you'll see! We need to get started though. I'll get going in here, why don't you set up out in the dining room?"
Getting lost in the set up for their first morning Aingelina didn't have a chance to think about the events of that morning and before she knew it, it was time to open the doors. Word had been spread that today was the day and a crowd had gathered in front of the building to await the opening, rumors still flying in speculation. Standing in front of the crowd, a few feet above them on the porch Aingelina grinned, unable to keep the excitement from her face.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming today!" she began, raising her voice so everyone could hear her. "I know you've all been wondering just what it is that's been going on and that's why I've asked you all to come be with me on this chilly morning. I won't keep you too long but there are a few things I want to say. First off I'd like to thank Sully for his beautiful woodwork. I think you'll agree his work is exquisite. I also want to thank my partner for all the work that has been put into this." Aingelina could see the crowds whispering among themselves. Partner?
"I'm sure you'll all enjoy, as I know you did before." Scanning the crowd her smile faltered for a moment when she met Hanks eyes, her mind and body remembering their time in the kitchen. With a small shake of her head she smiled once more and continued. "So with out any further delay, ladies and gentlemen I welcome you to the new home..." with a small nod of her head Robert E and Sully tugged on the cover of the sign, releasing it for all to see. "... of Chez Grace!"
Together Grace and Aingelina opened the double doors of the café and people streamed in to look around. After satisfying their curiosity some left to get on with their day but others sat down to enjoy a breakfast. Making rounds with the coffeepot Aingelina listened to the comments people made, remarking on how pretty this was or how nicely that was done and how wonderful the other looked. Taking orders she brought them back into the kitchen for Grace, both of them unable to remove the smiles from their faces. Delivering breakfast to a table of four Aingelina listened as Preston praised her good business sense.
"And taking Grace on as your minority partner was a wise decisions. You and I should talk some time about my spa, we could arrange to..."
Aingelina cut him off. "I'm sorry Mr. Lodge, you've got it wrong. I am the minority partner in this deal, Grace runs the café; I just help out." Wanting to laugh at the look of disbelief that passed over his face Aingelina left their table before she did laugh aloud. 'Wait till that one gets around!' she thought to herself. Approaching Michaela's table she chuckled to herself ad got ready to pour their coffee. "Morning!"
"Good morning, Aingelina. The café looks wonderful! It really pulled together."
"Thanks, but you should see the woodwork in the kitchen, it's beautiful. Thanks again Sully!"
Laughing at her excitement he nodded to her, a silent acceptance of her praise.
"When you're finished here, Aingelina, stop on by the clinic. It's time to remove your stitches."
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"Will it hurt?"
"No, you'll feel some tugging and maybe a little discomfort but nothing to bad."
On the operating table, the screens drawn for some privacy Aingelina stripped her shirt and lay back so the doctor could work. She could feel the tugging as Michaela had said but it wasn't anything painful and her thoughts soon drifted off to the morning, her first kiss. Unknown to Aingelina a small smile tugged at her lips as she remembered. It had felt strange and yet at the same time it felt so right. Her back ached to feel his arm around her again and her cheek still tingled from the feel of his hand caressing it. Was this how it felt to be in love? Were these the feelings Kathy had told her about? If they were then being in love was more wonderful than she had ever dreamed.
"There, all done."
Glancing down at her chest she saw the black lines had disappeared and, though the skin was still red and angry, she could see that the wound was healing. There was sure to be a scar. "Thank you Dr Mike. For everything."
"Do you think you'll be leaving soon?" she asked as she cleaned and sterilized the equipment before putting it away.
"Yeah, I need to be leaving soon. The longer I stay the closer they get."
Stopping her work Michaela turned to face Aingelina, her eyes serious and concerned. "You don't have to leave. There are people here who'd protect you."
Buttoning her last button Aingelina stared at it while she thought her response over. "My Pa will kill anyone who stands in his way, Dr Mike. He's done it before and he'll do it again. If something were to happen to anyone in Colorado Springs, I'd never be able to live with that." Shaking her head she looked out the window across the street to the saloon where Hank was sitting on the porch talking with one of his customers. "It's best for everyone if I leave now before it becomes too difficult for me to leave."
Getting off the table she straightened her shirt and walked out of the clinic. Heading toward Charlie's pen she wiped a stray tear from her cheek and, with her back to him, didn't see Hank watching her. He knew she was going to see Charlie, she always did when she was upset, what he didn't know was why she was upset. This morning she'd been so excited when the café had opened, her smile never left her face and her dark eyes had never stopped snapping with her joy. 'So what happened?' he thought to himself. A few moments later she rode past on Charlie, her eyes barely meeting his as she passed and his heart stopped. She was leaving!?! Now!?!
Hank stood up from his seat and passed through the saloon, out the back door, to the stable where he saddled his horse and was out of town before his mind was able to remind him that she hadn't had her saddlebags with her. Once he was far enough out of town he kicked his mount into a gallop and raced after Aingelina. While in his mind he knew she wasn't leaving yet, his heart was too caught up in the image of her eyes as she had rode past, black orbs that were filled with pain and sadness. He saw her in the distance, racing Charlie as fast as she could, her hair flying out behind her as she urged him to go faster and faster. Eventually Hank closed the distance between them, getting closer and closer to her.
Worn down Charlie slowed down and, realizing how hard she had ridden him, Aingelina brought them to a stop. Dismounting she saw Hank pull his horse to a stop and jump off, coming towards her with long powerful strides, his eyes refusing to let her look away. His eyes were clouded over with anger but she could see some fear in them as well, turning the orbs from sky blue to the color of midnight. "What the hell are you doing?" he yelled as he approached.
"What are you talking about? I was just going for a ride," she answered, her tone defensive against his anger. Why was he yelling at her?
"You're gonna leave aren't you?"
Aingelina closed her eyes and wished this wasn't happening. She didn't want to go through this. "Yes. I have to."
"You don't have to, Aingel."
Snapping her eyes open she stared at the man standing before her. He'd called her Aingel, no one but Kathy had ever called her that. "Why did you call me that?" she whispered.
For a moment Hank softened. "Because, you are." Moving closer he put his hands o her shoulders, thumbs moving back and forth over her neck. "You are an angel, to the girls, to Grace... to me." Pulling her to him he held Aingelina within his arms and felt her wrap her arms around him as well. "You don't have to go anywhere, no one will let him take you," he reminded her, his voice hardening once more.
Wishing it could be different she stepped out of his arms and took a few steps back. "I have to Hank. If I stay someone will get hurt or killed. I won't have their blood on my hands. I..." Fighting her tears she shook her head. "I can't stay. No matter how much I want to I can't stay!"
Turning she walked away from him and Hank knew if he didn't do something she was going to leave Colorado Springs, leave him, and with a sudden force Hank realized he didn't want that. Whatever it took he would make her stay and he would keep her safe, no matter what. Closing the growing gap between them he grabbed her arms and spun her around to face him, words flowing from his mouth before he realized that he was saying them. Aingelina stared at him, her eyes wide. "What!?!"
"Marry me," he repeated. The words felt strange coming from his mouth but he knew that he meant them. "Your Pa can't take you away from a husband bound by law. If you marry me there'd be no way he could take you back with him."
Aingelina trembled as she listened to him. Hank was asking her to marry him! Marriage, a family, home... everything that she wanted from life. And love. Oh how much she loved him, but did he love her? How could she be sure, she'd never heard him say anything, never even thought about it until his kiss that morning? Had he kissed her because he loved her or was it because he was trying to apologize for upsetting her? She needed to be sure; she could not marry a man who did not love her, no matter how much she loved him. "Why Hank? Why do you want to marry me?"
Hank looked at her, confusion written on his face. "I just told you. Your Pa can't take you if you're a married woman." It was a damn good reason in his mind.
Watching her eyes fill with tears Hank knew something wasn't right. When she stepped out of his arms he could only stare at her, speechless. "I ... I can't. Hank... I can't... not like that..." With a sob she turned and fled, leaving him to watch her run away into the woods. She'd said no. Hank had offered her the one thing he'd never given another woman and she'd told him no. Standing in the middle of the road he felt his heart beat once last time before his chest froze and it beat no more. His face blank Hank mounted his horse and rode back into town. He had a saloon to run.
From the moment he got into the saloon until late that night Hank drank, glass after glass of whiskey went into his system in a continuous stream. Bottle to glass, glass to mouth, bottle to glass. The girls watched, worried. Hank drank during the entire day, everyone knew that, but he never drank like he was trying to get drunk. They tiptoed around him all night, doing their best to keep things calm so he wouldn't loose that fiery temper of his. As she was 'entertaining' a customer Claire glanced out the window and saw Aingelina standing at the railing outside her room and was shocked at the tears shining in the moonlight. Hurrying the man along Claire sent him on his way and dressed, slipping out the back door and over to the clinic.
"Aingelina?" she called softly as she entered the room. Moving over to the doors she saw her friend standing in the same spot and now Claire would hear her crying. Stepping out onto the porch she looked at Aingelina as the woman turned at the sound of someone there with her. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her nose was red from crying. Claire put a soft hand on her shoulder and Aingelina looked down for a moment before she gasped and fled into the room, away from the night sky. Looking down Claire saw that Hank had stepped out onto the porch, bottle and glass still in hand, staring up at her, a scowl on his face.
Curious as to what had happened Claire went after Aingelina and found her lying on the bed, still crying, curled as tightly as she could into a ball. Sitting next to her Claire rubbed a hand over her hair, smoothing it back with a comforting hand. "Aingelina, what happened, honey? What's wrong?"
"He... he doesn't love me!" she sobbed. "He asked me to marry him but he doesn't love me! He was just being nice! Why? Why doesn't he love me? I thought... when he kissed me I though that..."
Her tears began a new torrent and her words were cut off but Claire had heard enough. Hanks drinking, Aingelina's crying... it didn't take a genius to figure out the answer. Staying with her friend until she cried herself to sleep Claire pulled the covers over her and crept out of the room, down the stairs and back to the saloon. It was emptying out, only a few men remained. Hank wasn't in the main room. Searching for him she found him in his bedroom, holding a shirt in his hands. Shutting the door behind him she looked at the man sitting on the bed before her. "What did you do?" Not even bothering to look up he ordered her to leave. "I'm not going anywhere till you tell me, Hank Lawson. What did you do to Aingelina?"
"None of your damn business. Why don't you go ask her if you have to know so damn bad?"
"I tried. She was crying so bad I could hardly understand her." She saw Hank flinch but he didn't move so she kept pressing. "You asked her to marry you?"
"Get the hell out!" he roared, turning his back to her.
"What did she say, Hank? What did she say to you?"
He didn't respond so she kept pestering him, rubbing the proverbial salt into his wound until he finally answered her. "She said no, damn you! Is that what you wanted to hear? She said no!"
Claire had seen him like this before, when Myra left for Horace. He loved her. She didn't think he knew it himself, but Claire could see it in his eyes and in the pain in his voice. Hank loved Aingelina but he hadn't told her. Whether he didn't know how or he was too scared, it didn't matter. "If you don't tell her, you're gonna loose her for good Hank."
"You have no idea what you're talking about. Get the hell out and leave me alone."
Frustrated by his stupidity and ignorance Claire spelled it out for the man. "You never told her that you love her. That's why she said no. Whatever you said might have been true but you missed the most important reason! She doesn't know, Hank! She can't read a man just by looking at him; she's never known any men but her kin!" Crossing the room to his side she pulled on his arm until he faced her. "If you don't tell her you love her she's gonna leave town and you'll loose her forever."
Her message delivered Claire left the room to let him figure the rest out on his own. No doubt he was furious with her but if he had a lick of common sense that hadn't been soaked through with whiskey he'd do what she said before it was too late. Standing at the bar she was pouring a drink for a customer when he emerged from the hallway some time later. Meeting his eyes he nodded to her and she to him. As he passed her to go out the doors she couldn't keep a smile from her face. There was hope for them yet.
"Madam, Sir... I present to you, the soon to be new home of Chez Grace!" With a bow Aingelina opened the door to the part of the building she had just bought and stepped aside for Grace and Robert E to enter, following the couple in. "There's a lot of work to be done yet, but I think if we all work on it we can get everything transferred into here by the end of the week. Give me a day or two to get it cleaned up, maybe a little paint on the walls, a few decorations here and there and we'll be ready to move everything in in no time."
"I talked with Sully, he's going to make a sign to hang out front and help me with getting some tables and counters set up in the kitchen. After the café is closed one night we can transfer everything in here, take a day to set up, and we'll be set to open. What do you think?"
Turning to face her partner Aingelina saw the joyful tears sitting on the rim of Grace's eyes and the smile on Robert E's face. "I think we'd better get to work!"
While the couple had to get back to work Aingelina stayed in the building, cleaning it up so that the next day she and Sully could get started on the work in the kitchen. Working side by side through the morning, pouring over design ideas and blueprints they both were startled when Grace appeared with a tray of food. "Y'all have been working all morning. Come eat something."
Glancing out the window at the sky Aingelina was surprised to see how late it was. "I gotta go, I'll be back in an hour." Nodding to her Sully watched her leave, wondering where she was going, seeing her disappear around the corner.
Entering the saloon she smiled when she saw the girls waiting for her, tables moved and 'class' assembled. Working on moves they already knew Aingelina tested them over and over, holding them in various holds until they could break them while Hank watched from the corner. They'd had little contact since that day in the woods, she having been busy with a project she wasn't telling anyone about, and he running the saloon. After working with each of the girls he watched her disappear into the building again. That night, after the entire town was shut down, though the saloon was still lively, he passed by the door and saw her trudging down the street and into the clinic. Her shoulders were drooped, her eyes half closed, she was exhausted. "What the hell are you up to?" he asked her softly, his words lost to the noise of the crowded saloon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Standing back the duo surveyed their work with satisfaction. It had taken three days of nonstop work but they were done, the kitchen was finished. All that remained was the main dining room, which Aingelina would have to do on her own, as Sully was needed out at the homestead. "Thanks so much for all of this Sully. I couldn't have done it without you."
"You were pretty good yourself. Once you got the hang of it you worked at a pretty good pace. I'll have the sign done by the end of the week, all ready for when you open on Friday."
Nodding to each other he left, leaving Aingelina to finish the work. Grabbing a paint can and brush she set to painting the main room white, leaving the wooden trim around the top and middle of the walls as well as the floors in their natural wood color. Needing to get this done by the end of the day she worked straight through supper and on into the night. By the time she was finished it was after midnight but Aingelina was too excited to sleep. Brushing off her pants she cleaning up, locked the door behind her, giving the place one last look, and headed over to the saloon.
"Whiskey," she said to the girl behind the bar. Turning to look around the room she spotted Hank supervising a poker game and smiled when he met her eyes. She was in a good mood tonight, weary but excited. Taking the glass of whiskey that was handed to her she knocked it back and slipped into a chair in the corner, propping her feet up on another, and watched the game. Her head propped on her hand Aingelina was asleep before the game was over.
Watching her as he moved to the bar Hank fought to keep a smile from his face. She was exhausted; working day and night one whatever it was she was doing in that building. He still had no clue; she was keeping a tighter lid on that than anything. All over town people were talking, coming up with heir own idea of what was going on. The only people who were allowed to enter were Sully, Robert E, Grace, and Dr Mike, and even they weren't talking. He had seen her face when she entered and knew she was excited about something, her dark eyes snapping and a grin that never left her face. To him, she was as easy to read as a sign.
"Hey, one of your girls is sleeping on the job!"
Looking around he saw a man lumbering towards Aingelina in the corner; Hank didn't like the look of him. Stepping out from behind the bar he moved to intercept him before he got too close. "Leave her be," Hank warned the man. Ignoring him the man moved closer, wanting to wake her up and have his fun, a whore as pretty as her was a rare one. When he reached out for her arm Hank moved closer, pulling the man back by his shoulder. "I said leave her be."
His tone was low, but filled with a message. There'd be trouble if the man continued. Again the man, brave with whiskey, ignored Hank and moved to grab Aingelina. Just as he reached for her, her wrist almost within his grasp, Hank put a hand around his throat, grabbed his shirt with the other, forcing him against the wall, a few feet from the floor. Leaning in close he whispered, "I told you to leave her alone." While the man choked in his grasp, struggling to get free, Hank looked to two of his girls that were standing nearby. "Get her out of here."
Moving quickly they each took an arm and walked the still half-asleep woman from the bar, going out the front doors and helping her up to her room in the clinic. Once the trio had left the saloon Hank dropped the man from his grasp and walked back to the bar, leaving the man gasping for air collapsed on the floor. Pouring a glass of whiskey for a waiting customer it took a few seconds for the men in the saloon to get back to their business, the girls enticing them as best they could. That night as he drifted off to sleep Hank's last thought was of how much he missed their afternoons in the meadow.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Softly she tiptoed into the room, saw the sleeping man in the bed and smiled. Leaning over him, her hair held back with one hand and the other keeping her balance by holding the wall, she blew a puff of air onto his face and smiled as he stirred but did not wake up. Struggling to keep from laughing she blew another puff. Stirring once more his eyes remained closed and again she struggled to keep her laughter within. Her eyes focused on his face she didn't see the hands creeping along the bedspread until it was too late. Taking another breath to release it into his face she never got the chance, swallowing the little puff of air in surprise when he grabbed her arms and tossed her onto the bed.
Laughing she rolled away from him and fell to the floor; they were both laughing now. "Cheater!" she cried, kneeling on the floor she peered at him from the edge of the bed. "You were awake."
"You're the one who didn't move fast enough. Don't blame me for that."
Aingelina grinned at him, he could see the barely contained excitement in her eyes and in the way she was biting the corner of her lower lip. "Come on, I want to show you something." Leaving so he could get dressed she was waiting impatiently for him to emerge. Grabbing his hands she led him through the gray, pre-dawn, morning streets, empty of people, as most were still in their beds asleep. Stopping in front of the door to the building she'd been working in she pulled a key from her pocket. "I know I haven't been around much lately so I wanted you to be the first to see this."
Unlocking the door she opened it and motioned for Hank to enter. Raising his eyebrows at her mood he hesitated before moving into the building. Though it was still somewhat dark there was enough light for him to see what the room contained. Tables. Chairs. Everywhere, they filled the entire room. The walls were white with wood trim and he could see a fireplace on the one wall and a door on the other. Aingelina pulled him towards it and they crossed the threshold into the kitchen. Cabinets and counters lined the walls, a stocked pantry in one corner, and a stove in the other corner. There was a table in the center, above which were hung pots and pans of every size.
"You're opening a café?"
"Sort of. Relocating is more like it. Chez Grace has moved into town. I used the money I had and bought these two rooms; Grace and I are going to run the café here year round. We're partners."
Hank looked down at her as she gripped his arm, looking around the kitchen with the excitement of a little girl getting ready for her first dance. "Partners," he repeated. "Does this mean you'll be staying in town for a while?" The instant the words left his mouth he wished they hadn't. Her excitement vanished and she moved away from him to stand by the counter, her face dejected. "I shouldn't have..."
"No, you're right." Aingelina interrupted him, meeting his eyes across the room. "You're right. I know I can't stay here. I guess I forgot for a little while. Getting all this done, working with Sully and Grace and Robert E to get it ready in time to open today..." Sighing she looked around. "At least I'll always know that a part of me will still be here even after I leave. Something to return to, if I ever get the chance to stop running."
Lifting herself up onto one of the counters, her legs hanging off the edge, Aingelina looked down at her feet hanging free above the floor. Suddenly another pair of feet appeared on the floor beneath her. A warm finger was placed under her chin and her face was brought up to see Hank peeing down at her. Without a word between them he leaned down and placed his lips to hers, his gentle hand moving to cup her cheek, thumb caressing ever so lightly as he kissed her. Her virgin lips, unsure, melted into the feel of his warm lips pressing into hers until, by their own volition, they began to move, picking up on the movement of his mouth, mimicking them as their lips danced over each other.
Under its own power Aingelina's hand moved up to his arm while the other lost itself in his hair. The scruff of his jaw brushing her face she wondered at the feelings bubbling up within her, the giddiness in her heart, the fluttering in her stomach, the trembling from within her very core. She felt his arm wrap around her, pulling her even closer to him, and she melded to him, feeling the warmth of his chest even through his shirt and her own, the racing beats of her heart as it pounded in her chest.
"Hello??"
Though the voice called from the outer room the couple jumped apart like two teens caught out behind the barn. With a final caress of her cheek Hank fled out the back door, shutting it quietly behind him, leaving Aingelina breathless in the kitchen, a shaking hand tracing her lips. Looking up she saw Grace enter the kitchen and smile at her partner sitting on the counter. "Today's the big day. Are you nervous?" Taking Aingelina's hands in her own Grace laughed. "Why you're so nervous you're trembling! It'll be okay, you'll see! We need to get started though. I'll get going in here, why don't you set up out in the dining room?"
Getting lost in the set up for their first morning Aingelina didn't have a chance to think about the events of that morning and before she knew it, it was time to open the doors. Word had been spread that today was the day and a crowd had gathered in front of the building to await the opening, rumors still flying in speculation. Standing in front of the crowd, a few feet above them on the porch Aingelina grinned, unable to keep the excitement from her face.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming today!" she began, raising her voice so everyone could hear her. "I know you've all been wondering just what it is that's been going on and that's why I've asked you all to come be with me on this chilly morning. I won't keep you too long but there are a few things I want to say. First off I'd like to thank Sully for his beautiful woodwork. I think you'll agree his work is exquisite. I also want to thank my partner for all the work that has been put into this." Aingelina could see the crowds whispering among themselves. Partner?
"I'm sure you'll all enjoy, as I know you did before." Scanning the crowd her smile faltered for a moment when she met Hanks eyes, her mind and body remembering their time in the kitchen. With a small shake of her head she smiled once more and continued. "So with out any further delay, ladies and gentlemen I welcome you to the new home..." with a small nod of her head Robert E and Sully tugged on the cover of the sign, releasing it for all to see. "... of Chez Grace!"
Together Grace and Aingelina opened the double doors of the café and people streamed in to look around. After satisfying their curiosity some left to get on with their day but others sat down to enjoy a breakfast. Making rounds with the coffeepot Aingelina listened to the comments people made, remarking on how pretty this was or how nicely that was done and how wonderful the other looked. Taking orders she brought them back into the kitchen for Grace, both of them unable to remove the smiles from their faces. Delivering breakfast to a table of four Aingelina listened as Preston praised her good business sense.
"And taking Grace on as your minority partner was a wise decisions. You and I should talk some time about my spa, we could arrange to..."
Aingelina cut him off. "I'm sorry Mr. Lodge, you've got it wrong. I am the minority partner in this deal, Grace runs the café; I just help out." Wanting to laugh at the look of disbelief that passed over his face Aingelina left their table before she did laugh aloud. 'Wait till that one gets around!' she thought to herself. Approaching Michaela's table she chuckled to herself ad got ready to pour their coffee. "Morning!"
"Good morning, Aingelina. The café looks wonderful! It really pulled together."
"Thanks, but you should see the woodwork in the kitchen, it's beautiful. Thanks again Sully!"
Laughing at her excitement he nodded to her, a silent acceptance of her praise.
"When you're finished here, Aingelina, stop on by the clinic. It's time to remove your stitches."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Will it hurt?"
"No, you'll feel some tugging and maybe a little discomfort but nothing to bad."
On the operating table, the screens drawn for some privacy Aingelina stripped her shirt and lay back so the doctor could work. She could feel the tugging as Michaela had said but it wasn't anything painful and her thoughts soon drifted off to the morning, her first kiss. Unknown to Aingelina a small smile tugged at her lips as she remembered. It had felt strange and yet at the same time it felt so right. Her back ached to feel his arm around her again and her cheek still tingled from the feel of his hand caressing it. Was this how it felt to be in love? Were these the feelings Kathy had told her about? If they were then being in love was more wonderful than she had ever dreamed.
"There, all done."
Glancing down at her chest she saw the black lines had disappeared and, though the skin was still red and angry, she could see that the wound was healing. There was sure to be a scar. "Thank you Dr Mike. For everything."
"Do you think you'll be leaving soon?" she asked as she cleaned and sterilized the equipment before putting it away.
"Yeah, I need to be leaving soon. The longer I stay the closer they get."
Stopping her work Michaela turned to face Aingelina, her eyes serious and concerned. "You don't have to leave. There are people here who'd protect you."
Buttoning her last button Aingelina stared at it while she thought her response over. "My Pa will kill anyone who stands in his way, Dr Mike. He's done it before and he'll do it again. If something were to happen to anyone in Colorado Springs, I'd never be able to live with that." Shaking her head she looked out the window across the street to the saloon where Hank was sitting on the porch talking with one of his customers. "It's best for everyone if I leave now before it becomes too difficult for me to leave."
Getting off the table she straightened her shirt and walked out of the clinic. Heading toward Charlie's pen she wiped a stray tear from her cheek and, with her back to him, didn't see Hank watching her. He knew she was going to see Charlie, she always did when she was upset, what he didn't know was why she was upset. This morning she'd been so excited when the café had opened, her smile never left her face and her dark eyes had never stopped snapping with her joy. 'So what happened?' he thought to himself. A few moments later she rode past on Charlie, her eyes barely meeting his as she passed and his heart stopped. She was leaving!?! Now!?!
Hank stood up from his seat and passed through the saloon, out the back door, to the stable where he saddled his horse and was out of town before his mind was able to remind him that she hadn't had her saddlebags with her. Once he was far enough out of town he kicked his mount into a gallop and raced after Aingelina. While in his mind he knew she wasn't leaving yet, his heart was too caught up in the image of her eyes as she had rode past, black orbs that were filled with pain and sadness. He saw her in the distance, racing Charlie as fast as she could, her hair flying out behind her as she urged him to go faster and faster. Eventually Hank closed the distance between them, getting closer and closer to her.
Worn down Charlie slowed down and, realizing how hard she had ridden him, Aingelina brought them to a stop. Dismounting she saw Hank pull his horse to a stop and jump off, coming towards her with long powerful strides, his eyes refusing to let her look away. His eyes were clouded over with anger but she could see some fear in them as well, turning the orbs from sky blue to the color of midnight. "What the hell are you doing?" he yelled as he approached.
"What are you talking about? I was just going for a ride," she answered, her tone defensive against his anger. Why was he yelling at her?
"You're gonna leave aren't you?"
Aingelina closed her eyes and wished this wasn't happening. She didn't want to go through this. "Yes. I have to."
"You don't have to, Aingel."
Snapping her eyes open she stared at the man standing before her. He'd called her Aingel, no one but Kathy had ever called her that. "Why did you call me that?" she whispered.
For a moment Hank softened. "Because, you are." Moving closer he put his hands o her shoulders, thumbs moving back and forth over her neck. "You are an angel, to the girls, to Grace... to me." Pulling her to him he held Aingelina within his arms and felt her wrap her arms around him as well. "You don't have to go anywhere, no one will let him take you," he reminded her, his voice hardening once more.
Wishing it could be different she stepped out of his arms and took a few steps back. "I have to Hank. If I stay someone will get hurt or killed. I won't have their blood on my hands. I..." Fighting her tears she shook her head. "I can't stay. No matter how much I want to I can't stay!"
Turning she walked away from him and Hank knew if he didn't do something she was going to leave Colorado Springs, leave him, and with a sudden force Hank realized he didn't want that. Whatever it took he would make her stay and he would keep her safe, no matter what. Closing the growing gap between them he grabbed her arms and spun her around to face him, words flowing from his mouth before he realized that he was saying them. Aingelina stared at him, her eyes wide. "What!?!"
"Marry me," he repeated. The words felt strange coming from his mouth but he knew that he meant them. "Your Pa can't take you away from a husband bound by law. If you marry me there'd be no way he could take you back with him."
Aingelina trembled as she listened to him. Hank was asking her to marry him! Marriage, a family, home... everything that she wanted from life. And love. Oh how much she loved him, but did he love her? How could she be sure, she'd never heard him say anything, never even thought about it until his kiss that morning? Had he kissed her because he loved her or was it because he was trying to apologize for upsetting her? She needed to be sure; she could not marry a man who did not love her, no matter how much she loved him. "Why Hank? Why do you want to marry me?"
Hank looked at her, confusion written on his face. "I just told you. Your Pa can't take you if you're a married woman." It was a damn good reason in his mind.
Watching her eyes fill with tears Hank knew something wasn't right. When she stepped out of his arms he could only stare at her, speechless. "I ... I can't. Hank... I can't... not like that..." With a sob she turned and fled, leaving him to watch her run away into the woods. She'd said no. Hank had offered her the one thing he'd never given another woman and she'd told him no. Standing in the middle of the road he felt his heart beat once last time before his chest froze and it beat no more. His face blank Hank mounted his horse and rode back into town. He had a saloon to run.
From the moment he got into the saloon until late that night Hank drank, glass after glass of whiskey went into his system in a continuous stream. Bottle to glass, glass to mouth, bottle to glass. The girls watched, worried. Hank drank during the entire day, everyone knew that, but he never drank like he was trying to get drunk. They tiptoed around him all night, doing their best to keep things calm so he wouldn't loose that fiery temper of his. As she was 'entertaining' a customer Claire glanced out the window and saw Aingelina standing at the railing outside her room and was shocked at the tears shining in the moonlight. Hurrying the man along Claire sent him on his way and dressed, slipping out the back door and over to the clinic.
"Aingelina?" she called softly as she entered the room. Moving over to the doors she saw her friend standing in the same spot and now Claire would hear her crying. Stepping out onto the porch she looked at Aingelina as the woman turned at the sound of someone there with her. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her nose was red from crying. Claire put a soft hand on her shoulder and Aingelina looked down for a moment before she gasped and fled into the room, away from the night sky. Looking down Claire saw that Hank had stepped out onto the porch, bottle and glass still in hand, staring up at her, a scowl on his face.
Curious as to what had happened Claire went after Aingelina and found her lying on the bed, still crying, curled as tightly as she could into a ball. Sitting next to her Claire rubbed a hand over her hair, smoothing it back with a comforting hand. "Aingelina, what happened, honey? What's wrong?"
"He... he doesn't love me!" she sobbed. "He asked me to marry him but he doesn't love me! He was just being nice! Why? Why doesn't he love me? I thought... when he kissed me I though that..."
Her tears began a new torrent and her words were cut off but Claire had heard enough. Hanks drinking, Aingelina's crying... it didn't take a genius to figure out the answer. Staying with her friend until she cried herself to sleep Claire pulled the covers over her and crept out of the room, down the stairs and back to the saloon. It was emptying out, only a few men remained. Hank wasn't in the main room. Searching for him she found him in his bedroom, holding a shirt in his hands. Shutting the door behind him she looked at the man sitting on the bed before her. "What did you do?" Not even bothering to look up he ordered her to leave. "I'm not going anywhere till you tell me, Hank Lawson. What did you do to Aingelina?"
"None of your damn business. Why don't you go ask her if you have to know so damn bad?"
"I tried. She was crying so bad I could hardly understand her." She saw Hank flinch but he didn't move so she kept pressing. "You asked her to marry you?"
"Get the hell out!" he roared, turning his back to her.
"What did she say, Hank? What did she say to you?"
He didn't respond so she kept pestering him, rubbing the proverbial salt into his wound until he finally answered her. "She said no, damn you! Is that what you wanted to hear? She said no!"
Claire had seen him like this before, when Myra left for Horace. He loved her. She didn't think he knew it himself, but Claire could see it in his eyes and in the pain in his voice. Hank loved Aingelina but he hadn't told her. Whether he didn't know how or he was too scared, it didn't matter. "If you don't tell her, you're gonna loose her for good Hank."
"You have no idea what you're talking about. Get the hell out and leave me alone."
Frustrated by his stupidity and ignorance Claire spelled it out for the man. "You never told her that you love her. That's why she said no. Whatever you said might have been true but you missed the most important reason! She doesn't know, Hank! She can't read a man just by looking at him; she's never known any men but her kin!" Crossing the room to his side she pulled on his arm until he faced her. "If you don't tell her you love her she's gonna leave town and you'll loose her forever."
Her message delivered Claire left the room to let him figure the rest out on his own. No doubt he was furious with her but if he had a lick of common sense that hadn't been soaked through with whiskey he'd do what she said before it was too late. Standing at the bar she was pouring a drink for a customer when he emerged from the hallway some time later. Meeting his eyes he nodded to her and she to him. As he passed her to go out the doors she couldn't keep a smile from her face. There was hope for them yet.
