Chapter 20

How much trouble could there be in teaching two men how to ride a bicycle?

As she watched in horror as Johnny and her bicycle cut right in front of the

oncoming black coach, Elizabeth realised that bicycle lessons were nothing

but trouble! Especially if she was the one doing the teaching!

"Oh damn! Don't reckon ya explained to Johnny how to stop, li'l one!"

Elizabeth paid no heed to Francis as she started to run down the sloping

hill toward the horses bucking wildly in front of the coach. The whole time

as she ran, she wondered how the lessons had gotten so carried away!

It had all began innocently enough. When she and Jason arrived back at the

saloon earlier in the afternoon, she had immediately been descended upon by

an eager Johnny and Francis. They wanted to begin their lessons as soon as

possible...both were quite sure by now that the earlier disastrous events had

simply been an aberration.

A still confused and suspicious Jason attempted to get out of the men what

was going on, but both men resolutely refused to discuss the matter.

However, they both swore that Elizabeth would be safe in their care. And

then before Jason could ask any further questions, Carly descended on him

for answers to where the newlyweds had been. Thus, the two cousins were

able to drag Elizabeth away without further ado.

The three retrieved the bicycle from the back of the saloon, and started to

walk towards the outskirts of town with Elizabeth guiding her bicycle

between the two men. A puzzled Elizabeth cautiously asked the men why they

were not having the lessons in town.

"'Cause we ain't wantin' any folks seein' us, Elizabeth," Johnny explained

as he glanced around anxiously. "Can ya be seein' what all 'em folks would

say if they saw Francis and me gettin' lessons from such a wee li'l thin'?"

Elizabeth shook her head in confusion. She simply couldn't understand why

these two large, imposing men would be so worried others would know they

wanted to learn to ride a bicycle. But she was learning men could be

quite...well, unusual. And even grown men could be afraid of some

things...

Wanting to avoid the frequently traveled trails, Johnny led them towards the

flat open field where the fair had been held, and then up a small hill.

Finally, they reached the bottom of the hill where the ground was again

even. The surrounding walnut trees provided enough covering to protect the

men's pride.

"'Right, Elizabeth," Johnny began as he turned around to Elizabeth and her

bicycle, "Now what ya wantin' me to do to learn to ride that thin'?"

Before she could even reply, Francis shook his head, "Naw, Johnny. Why ya

reckonin' ya get to go first? Ain't I the oldest?"

"What does age got to do with it?!" Johnny asked with a frown. "'Sides ya

know Mama said I was born first. Said ya were fussin' as usual and wouldna

come out of poor Aunt Rose."

Francis smirked. "Well, Ma said Aunt Ellen didna have ya 'til an hour after

I was kickin' and screamin' in this world. Ya were always the slow one,

Johnny me boy."

Elizabeth's eyebrows burrowed in confusion. Were Francis and Johnny

cousins...and were they born on the very same day?! How very strange...

Johnny's eyes narrowed at Francis's insult and he started to roll up his

sleeves. "Alright Francine that's it! We'll be decidin' who goes

first the good ol' fashion way."

To Elizabeth's growing shock, Francine...uh, no, Francis also started

to roll up his shirt sleeves. "I told ya what I'd do if ya called me that

'gain, Johnny." He fisted his hands, brought them up before him, and began

to shuffle his feet back and forth, side to side. "Ya know I could've been

State Champ."

Johnny let out a deep chuckle as he approached his cousin. "Ya?! State

Champ? Ya got to be jokin'. Ya couldna hit-"

Fearing the escalating situation, Elizabeth quickly stepped between the two

men, and said in a slightly unsteady voice, "Please, I-I don't think

violence will...um...resolve anything."

Francis and Johnny turned to the girl. Seeing her agitation, Francis

immediately put his hands down, and glared Johnny. "Now look what ya done!

Ya've upset the gal!"

"Me?!" exclaimed Johnny.

Quickly Elizabeth shook her head. "No, I-I'm not upset." Seeing their

continued concern, she continued quietly, "I just-I'm sure you wouldn't

really harm each other..."

Francis let out a loud chuckle. "'Course not, li'l one. We're just havin'

a bit of fun while we decide who gets to go first."

At Johnny's nod, Elizabeth let out a confused, "Oh..." But not quite convinced

there would be no violence, Elizabeth began, "Um...perhaps...I could demonstrate

how I ride while you both watch. Then we can decide who gets to ride first

by ..." She tilted her head slightly as she nibbled on her lower lip in

thought. After a moment, her eyes lit up and she suggested, "Oh, perhaps

whoever correctly guesses the month Burt was born rides first."

At this Francis and Johnny exchanged incredulous glances. "Ya want us to go

guessin' a hog's birth date?" Johnny asked in astonishment.

Elizabeth nodded slightly. "Uh...well, I-I thought it would be a fair means

of deciding who gets to go first, but if you have a sounder suggestion..."

After a moment, Francis said reluctantly to Johnny, "'Suppose it's fair..."

With a long-suffering sigh, Johnny nodded in agreement. Both men were very

disappointed they couldn't resolve the whole thing the fun way. But

they wanted to please the girl.

So a few moments later, the cousins carefully watched as Elizabeth proceeded

to show them how she got onto the bicycle, pushed off with one foot to get

the bicycle going, and then started peddling with the other one. Only then

did she place the push off foot on the other peddle. The men looked on for

only a few more minutes as she rode the bicycle, before they started to

randomly shout out names of months.

"July?!"

"September?!"

As each month was rapidly fired off at her, Elizabeth shook her head, until

finally, Francis guessed correctly. With a smug glance at Johnny, Francis

got on the bicycle, and turned expectantly to Elizabeth. A little hesitant

at first, Elizabeth began calling out directions. Having seen Elizabeth's

technique, Francis was able to get the bicycle going but only a few moments

later he lost his balance and fell. Johnny immediately demanded his turn,

but he too only made it to a few strokes before falling. And so it went for

the next hour, with the two men taking turns riding the bicycle, getting a

little farther each time before losing their balance.

Finally after both men had obtained numerous bumps and bruises, and

Elizabeth's voice had become hoarse from yelling out instructions, Francis

was able to ride the bicycle without incident around the small field. An

excited Elizabeth shouted out encouragement to the new rider, and as he came

to a stop in front of them, she exclaimed with a voice full of pride, "Oh

that was well done, Francis!"

The man jumped off the bicycle, and in his exuberance, pulled Elizabeth into

a huge bear hug, swinging her around off the ground. Shocked at first, soon

Elizabeth's laughter rang out. When Francis finally placed Elizabeth down

at an irritated Johnny's urging, he said smugly, "Johnny me boy, reckon ya

be owin' me that hat. And I wants one of those fancy ones from Topeka!"

With arms folded across his chest, Johnny stood sullenly quiet for a moment

before his eyes landed on the nearby hill. "Yep, I reckon ya can ride on

level ground...but what ya wager I could ride e'en better up that there hill?"

Francis glanced at the hill. It wasn't too steep, but still...Johnny could

hardly ride on the level ground. Chuckling, Francis nodded, "I'd wager my

new hat, and the finest bottle of whiskey, ya can't reach the top!"

Before an uneasy Elizabeth could even attempt to intervene, Johnny had

gotten on the red bicycle, and had started to peddle. He was a little

unsteady at first, but soon was peddling smoothly and picking up speed

towards the hill.

"Oh Lord..." Elizabeth exclaimed softly as her eyes followed Johnny making his

way up the hill.

Taking Elizabeth by the hand, Francis began to run after the bicycle. "Come

on, li'l one!" As he watched Johnny approaching the top of the hill, he

cursed, "Damn! He's goin' to make it!"

And Johnny did make it. As they reached the foot of the small hill,

Elizabeth watched as the bicycle took Johnny to the top and then...then he

disappeared.

Francis frowned when he too no longer could see his cousin. "Where the hell

did he go?!" he muttered to himself as they climbed the slope.

And then they heard the shout.

"God damn it! How do ya stop this thin'?!"

Francis and Elizabeth looked at each other for the briefest of seconds

before they broke out into a run up the hill. And it was then as she

reached the top of the hill, that Elizabeth saw Johnny heading towards the

coach and she realised just how much trouble showing two men how to ride

bicycles could be. Especially if you don't show them how to stop!

And now nearing the bottom of the hill to where the coach was located on the

trail, Elizabeth could hear shouts and screams fill the air. Her straw hat

had been blown off her head during her run, so she placed her hand over her

eyes to ward off the early evening sunlight in an attempt to locate Johnny

and her bicycle. But she couldn't see them anywhere, and soon her attention

was turned back to the coach. The driver was desperately struggling for

control of the horses. Afraid Johnny could be somewhere near the agitated

animals, she moved in closer.

"Wait Elizabeth!" Francis shouted as he ran after the girl. Those horses

were bucking wildly, and she was running right into their path.

Elizabeth turned around and waving toward the horses, she cried out,

"Francis, what should we do?!"

By this time, Francis had made his way to Elizabeth's side, but before he

could reply, there was another outcry. This one coming from the inside of

the coach.

"Oh, what is happening?!"

Both Elizabeth and Francis turned to the window of the coach and saw a young

lady's pale face framed by golden ringlets. Her green eyes were wide with

panic, and her hands were tightly gripping the lower edge of the open

window.

The coach jerked again violently as the horses bucked, and the girl went

flying back out of view. The two onlookers glanced back toward the driver,

and saw he had been thrown from his seat!

Immediately Francis sprung into action. As he shouted to Elizabeth, "Stay

here," he ran towards the front of the coach and grabbed onto the driver's

seat just as the coach started to move.

And to Elizabeth's astonishment, Francis kept hold of the seat as the coach

picked up speed. She could see he was desperately trying to get up onto the

moving vehicle. Oh Lord! It looked to be an almost impossible task.

Francis kept trying to lift his foot high enough to place it on the

footrest, but with each attempt, his foot slipped off. As she watched

Francis fail once again and the resulting bang of his body against the side

of coach, Elizabeth started to pray fervently for some divine intervention.

And then, just when she thought he was sure to lose his grip, amazingly his

foot finally reached the footrest and he was able to pull himself up onto

the moving vehicle.

Elizabeth was about to run slightly up the hill for a better view of the

coach's progress, when her attention was caught by a muddy figure slowly

limping towards the trail in her direction. If it weren't for the bicycle

at his side she would never have known it was him. "Johnny?! Are you

alright?"

As he looked up in the direction of Elizabeth's voice, Johnny wiped a trail

of mud from his eyes, muttering, "That's the last time I'm ridin' this

thin'!" As he stepped onto the trail, he looked around and asked, "Where

the hell is that coach that was a whisker 'way from hittin' me!? I wanna

word with that idiot driver." At the sound of a moan, his eyes moved to the

driver on the ground. "What happened to him?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she looked at the driver. She wondered if he

was seriously injured...

"And where the hell is Francis?! Why isn't he watching ya?"

"Oh no! Francis!" She started to run up the slope, and searched down the

trail in the direction where she had last seen the coach. But the coach was

no where in sight!

"Where's Francis, Elizabeth?" Johnny repeated as he let go of the bicycle

and ran after the girl.

With eyes still frantically searching down the trail and the surrounding

trees, Elizabeth replied agitatedly, "He-the coach-it ran off, and he

grabbed onto it-I think, he made it on-but I-I can't see it anywhere!"

"What?!" Johnny asked in confusion, "Do ya mean he went grabbin' onto a

run'way coach?! Why'd he go and do a foolish thin' like that?!"

Elizabeth nodded in agitation, about to respond when she caught sight of

something...

"Elizabeth? Ya've got to tell me where that coach went!" shouted Johnny as

Elizabeth remained silent.

Shaking her head, Elizabeth pointed down the trail. "I think-I think it's

coming back, Johnny!" She hadn't even finished her sentence before she

started to run down the hill to meet the coach.

Johnny looked down the trail and made out the black coach coming towards

them. Cursing to himself as he felt the slimy wetness soaking through his

socks, he followed Elizabeth. When he made it to her side, he could now

make out the driver of the coach was indeed Francis.

After a few more minutes, the coach finally came to a stop in front of them.

As Elizabeth cried out, "Are you alright, Francis?", Johnny shouted, "What

the hell were ya thinkin'?!"

Francis leapt down from the coach, and said gently to Elizabeth, "Yep, all

in one piece li'l one." Then as he made his way to the coach door, he

glared at Johnny, and growled, "Reckon I was tryin' to stop this coach 'fore

the li'l lady got hurt." He opened the door, and in a lower tone asked,

"Are ya alright, miss?"

As Elizabeth made her way towards the opened coach door, she could see that

the young lady in question was sitting at the far end of the coach away from

the door. She stared up at them fearfully clutching her reticule tightly in

her trembling hands. When she didn't answer Francis' question, he explained

kindly, "It's alright now, miss. This here coach won't be runnin' 'way

'gain. Yore safe."

When the girl still didn't reply, Elizabeth moved closer toward the open

door and said hesitantly, "My name is Elizabeth, and these are...uh...my

friends, Francis and Johnny. I'm afraid we caused all this...I'm terribly

sorry. Please, are you harmed?"

The green-eyed lady shook her blue bonnet covered head as she made her way

out of the coach. "No. W-what happened miss?"

Elizabeth smiled apologetically. "I am afraid, we spooked the horses with

our riding, and they took off. Unfortunately the driver was thrown, but,"

she paused as she waved at the stocky man, "Francis, here, jumped on to take

control of the horses."

The girl's eyes glanced shyly towards Francis. "You saved my life, sir?"

"Naw," Francis was quick to deny this as his face went red, "I-I didna do

anythin'."

Elizabeth stared at the stocky man in astonishment. "What do you mean,

Francis? You were almost thrown off that coach a number of times. You

could have been killed! It was quite heroic."

The young lady's green eyes turned to look at Francis in amazement, but

Francis continued to shake his head. However, before he could say anything,

a voice behind them shouted, "What's goin' on here?!"

They all turned around to see the dishevelled driver walking towards them.

Johnny quickly approached the coachman, and explained to him what had

happened, promising to reimburse him for any damages to the coach or horses.

The driver was none too please with all the trouble and was about to make

his displeasure known, when Johnny explained to him where he could find them

to obtain his money. The man's eyes widened with fear as he glanced quickly

from the young lady in blue to the three from the saloon. And without

another word except that they must be going, he ushered the young lady into

the coach and got onto the driver's seat.

Exchanging confused glances with her two friends, Elizabeth watched as the

coach began to move. The golden haired beauty stuck her head out the

window, and called out to Francis, "Thank you sir, for saving my life. I am

sure my father will reward you once he hears about this." And with that the

coach picked up speed and they were gone.

After a moment, Johnny muttered, "Now that there feller was a strange one,

ain't he? Couldn't get out of here fast enough."

"Perhaps," Elizabeth suggested, "He was just worried that it is getting

late. The sun's going down."

Johnny looked up and saw that the sun was indeed setting! "Damn! We'd

better get goin' 'fore Jase comes lookin' for us," he paused before cursing

again, "And he's goin' to be mighty angry once he finds out 'bout this all!

We promised to keep 'way from trouble."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in worry. Oh dear...of course Jason would be angry

when he found out about all the trouble she had caused...yet again. Only one

full day of being his wife and she'd already landed his friends in near

disaster! But at least no one had been hurt...

Johnny had started to head toward the bicycle he had dropped onto the

ground. "Well we better get goin'. And ya better think of somethin' to

tell, Jase, Francis." When Francis didn't respond, Johnny turned to look at

his cousin. "Francis?" There was a strange statement on Francis's face as

he stared off into the direction the coach had disappeared.

"Francis!"

Shaking his head, Francis growled, "What, Johnny?!"

"Stop moonin' over that gal and start thinkin' of a way to explain to Jase

what happened so he won't be killin' us!"

Francis's face reddened as he blustered, "I-I wasn't moonin' over no one!"

Johnny rolled his eyes toward Elizabeth, and mumbled, "Sure ya weren't..."

And so the argument went as the three made their way back to town.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

When they arrived at the rowdy saloon, all three quickly made their way to

the back. The two men had convinced Elizabeth that it would be best not to

mention anything about the whole incident unless they were directly asked.

The two men didn't want to face Jason's wrath, and to be honest, neither did

Elizabeth. She didn't want to ruin the friendlier...well...at least less

strained relationship she and Jason were just developing.

Thus, the three all hoped that by going in through the back, no one would

notice them in the saloon's crowd. If they went in the front, Johnny's

appearance would be sure to garner all sorts of attention. Falling into

that puddle of mud had left its mark on both him and the bicycle, and both

needed a good cleaning. The large wooden barrel of water near the small

stable in the back was just what they needed.

A few moments later, while Elizabeth wiped down her bicycle with a rag,

Johnny went about cleaning off some of the now dried mud from himself, and

after some prompting by Johnny, Francis went to fetch some more water from

the nearby town well.

Johnny had just finished rinsing his hands and face when he looked over to

find Elizabeth guiding her bicycle toward the stable, where her hog was

held. "Elizabeth, we should be gettin' inside, and lettin' Jase know we're

back."

She turned around to look Johnny over, before she said timidly, "You still

have mud all over your clothes, Johnny."

Glancing down at himself, Johnny grimaced, "Yep, I sure look a sight.

Reckon Jase and Sonny'll know somethin' happened if I don't change."

"Yes," Elizabeth said softly as she looked back towards the fencing which

held her beloved friend, "Perhaps...perhaps I can stay out here while you go

and get changed. Then we'll go in together. I would like to spend some

time with Burt."

Johnny shook his head. "Jase'd skin me 'live if I left ya out here alone,

Elizabeth!"

"Oh but Francis will be returning any minute now, Johnny. Please, you must

be dreadfully uncomfortable in those clothes."

Johnny was quiet for a moment as he watched the girl kneel down beside the

fencing as the hog made its way towards her. It couldn't hurt to leave her

out here a few minutes could it? With a warning to give him a shout at the

first sign of any trouble, Johnny quickly ran up the back stairs to his

room.

Elizabeth smiled slightly as she felt the cool, wetness of Burt's nozzle on

her palm. "Hello, my friend. How are you faring back here? I haven't had

a chance to speak to you today," she paused as she stroked the plump pig

right behind his left ear, "Did you know I went back to the farm today? I

saw all your friends. I think they miss you dreadfully...do you miss them?"

Burt gave a little snort, and Elizabeth nodded sadly, "I'm so sorry, you

can't go back to see them..." For a moment, an overwhelming sense of sadness

overcame her. How she wished things had gone differently with her

grandmother and sister. It would have been nice to be able to go back to

visit them sometimes.

With a small shake of her head, Elizabeth forced herself to concentrate on

happier thoughts, "Oh Burt, I have something to tell you. Do you know where

Jason took me today? To see this piece of land...Oh you should see it, Burt.

It's a beautiful place...a perfect place for Rebecca. And it has plenty of

room for you, lots of fencing that will be just as good as new with some

mending, and it has this grand house." She paused as she once again saw the

house in her mind's eye, and then whispered to her dear friend, "To tell you

the truth it is a little frightening to think it'll be our home, Burt. It's

so grand. I don't know how I'll manage the place, but...but I will. I want

it to be perfect for Rebecca."

"What the hell are ya doin' there?!"

Startled, Elizabeth stood up and turned around to see a stunning

raven-haired woman clad scantily in a forest green gown standing just behind

her. She began shyly, "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't realise someone else was

out here. I...I was just visiting my friend." As she watched the woman's

exotic dark eyes narrow, a sense of familiarity overcame her. Where had she

seen her before?

"Your friend?!" the dark beauty exclaimed in disbelief as she stared at

Burt, then back to Elizabeth. "So it's true! That scruffy hog's yours!

You're Jase's new wife, aren't ya?"

Elizabeth nodded hesitantly not quite sure what to make of this striking,

taller woman. Her dark skin was a beautiful golden brown in the fading

sunlight, and her dark curls were arranged artfully around that flawless

oval face.

The woman's perfectly painted ruby red lips smirked as she looked down at

Elizabeth. "Would've never thought Jase would marry someone so..." she paused

as she gave a small laugh, "...so well...little."

As the woman finished in her sultry voice, Elizabeth finally remembered when

she had last seen her. She was one of Carly's girls...hadn't she been among

the girls in the saloon yesterday before the wedding? What was her name

again?

When Elizabeth didn't immediately reply, the woman continued, "And you're a

shy one at that!" Another round of husky laughter. "Now that must be a

change for Jase..."

Elizabeth blinked. There was something decidedly unpleasant about

this woman, but perhaps that was only her imagination... "Oh...you know Jason?"

Elizabeth asked politely.

Another smirk appeared, as the woman's eyes fell on Elizabeth. "Oh, yes, I

know Jase real well...We're mighty friendly."

As she took note how the woman's eyes watched her expectantly, Elizabeth had

the strange feeling, she was expecting some sort of reaction. Yes, there

was something wrong about this woman. Elizabeth forced the thought away, and

replied pleasantly, "That is nice, ma'am."

Her response caused the woman's dark eyes to widened slightly in anger, but

before she could reply, Francis's voice rang out, "Alright, I've got more

water, but next time, Johnny yore gettin' it yoreself!"

Both women turned towards Francis who stood by the stable, carrying two

large pals overflowing with water. Francis's eyes immediately fell upon the

saloon girl. "Gia?! What are ya doin' out here? Ain't ya suppose to be

inside for the show?"

"Aren't ya suppose to be playin' the piano by now, Francis? Where have ya

been?" Gia shot back angrily.

Francis glared at the woman. "None of yore business. Go in."

Gia didn't have the chance to answer as the back door to the saloon opened

at that moment..."If she ain't out here, I'll see she don't set foot back in

the place. If that girlie be thinkin' she's the only one that can sing,

she's got another th-" Carly, dressed in a stunning velvet blue gown came

to abrupt stop in the doorway as her eyes took in the three folks in front

of her. "Elizabeth! Francis! Lordie, when y'all get back?!"

Elizabeth and Francis exchanged guilty looks. Francis mumbled, "We just got

back..."

"Just got back?! Do ya be knowin' how late it's gettin'?! Jase and Sonny

are just 'bout to go out lookin' for y'all!"

Elizabeth paled as a small exclamation escaped her, "Oh no!"

Seeing the girl's distress, Carly put her arm around her and said

reassuringly, "Don't ya worry, honey, I talked them into waitin' 'bit longer

inside. 'Sides I reckon I can guess why yore late. I'm sure them boys got

arguin' 'bout ridin' and lost track of time." Carly glared at Francis,

"Ya'd better have a good explanation for Jase. He's none too please with ya

two." She looked around and asked, "Where's Johnny?"

"Up here!" Johnny shouted as he ran down the back stairs. He'd overheard

Carly's words, and was not too sure they could avoid telling Jason

everything. As he reached the ground, he was about to ask just how

angry Jason was when he noticed Gia for the first time. "What are ya doin'

out here, Gia?"

Remembering why she had come out back in the first place, Carly glared at

the dark beauty. "The gurls been waitin' ages for ya, Gia! Ya know

ev'ryone's only 'spose to be takin' a break for half hour!"

Gia shrugged her shoulders. "I needed more time. 'Sides it's not like they

can start without me..."

Making her way towards the woman, Carly began in a dangerously quiet voice,

"Now ya listen to me, Gia. I ain't gonna be sayin' this 'gain. All them

gurls have been practicin' that number for days, and they're all been

waitin' for ya in there. Yore goin' to go in and do yore part, ya hear? Or

ya can just find yoreself 'nother job!"

Gia let out a throaty chuckle, as she walked past Carly towards the door.

"Ya know ya can't do that! I'm the only one out of the lot of ya that can

carry a tune!" And with that she strolled through the door.

"Don't be too sure of that, missie! I'll sing meself, if I have to!"

shouted an enraged Carly as she made to follow Gia.

Placing a restraining hand on Carly's arm, Johnny groaned, "I don't reckon,

Sonny's goin' to like that at all, Carly."

Carly pulled her arm away from her friend, and gave him a menacing look.

"Ya reckon wrong, Johnny! If I want to be singin', Sonny wouldn't be

stopin' me!"

Taking a quick step back to avoid being within Carly's angry reach, Johnny

replied, "Don't I know it! No one could stop ya. But I tell ya, once ya

chase all the patrons 'way with yore sweet voice, Sonny's not goin' to be

too happy."

Francis started to chuckle at this, until Carly's angry glare was soon

focused on him. "And what are ya laughin' 'bout?"

Elizabeth watched as Francis' laughter died. Wanting peace, she spoke

softly to Carly, "I'm sure you have a lovely voice, Carly."

Turning in surprise to the girl, Carly paused for a moment before breaking

out into a wide grin. "Oh Lord, no! Not at all, Elizabeth! Sound like a

frog's croakin', I do," She laughed, but then glaring at the two men

continued, "But I don't have to be likin' it when others point it out!" The

quickly changing the subject, she said quickly, "Now, y'all better come on

in, and see Jase and Sonny! Lord, for yore sakes, I hope ya have a good

story to be tellin'!"

The two men and Elizabeth exchanged worried glances behind Carly as she made

her way towards the door. It looked like they would have to tell Jason the

whole story after all. And they were sure he wasn't going like it.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Jase?" Johnny asked worriedly for the second time in the silence that

filled the kitchen following their explanation of the evening's events.

They had tried to get away with relating as little as possible of what

happened, but Sonny and Carly's probing questions left them no recourse but

to spill the whole story.

Seated in the kitchen table across from Jason, Elizabeth held her breath as

she watched the slight tick on his forehead. It was the only visible sign

that he was not at all happy with their adventure. However, judging by the

way he and Sonny had curtly ordered Johnny and Francis to explain their

lateness in returning to the saloon, she knew they had been extremely

worried.

Shaking his head in exasperation, Sonny asked angrily, "What the hell were

you two thinkin' goin' that far out of town, and then pullin' a stunt like

that?!"

"Sonny, ya know they didn't mean any harm. They got carried 'way," Carly

added with a slight chuckle, "'Sides no harm's been done."

Sonny was about to reply, when Jason asked Francis in a deceptively calm

voice, "Am I to understand, you left Elizabeth unguarded?"

Swallowing, Francis began uneasily, "Uh...yes...but ya see Jase that coach was

out of control with that gal in it..."

"Damn it, ya both know that Moreno and Sorel are just itchin' for a way to

get to Jase. Somethin' could've happened to Elizabeth in all that

confusion!" hollered Sonny.

"Oh but nothing did, Sonny!" Elizabeth cried out in distress over her

friends' predicament. As four pairs of eyes turned towards her, Elizabeth

felt a deep flush rise to her face. Oh dear...these outbursts of hers seemed

to be happening quite frequently lately! But she felt she had to defend

Francis and Johnny. Turning toward Jason, she continued in a lower tone,

"They didn't do anything wrong. I was safe the whole time...it was that poor

girl who could've been hurt. Francis was quite right to help her. In fact,

he was quite heroic."

Jason shook his head. "The whole incident wouldn't have happened if they

had been more careful. And they left you wide open to danger by suggesting

this whole damn scheme."

Johnny attempted to reply to this, but Elizabeth was quick to say, "But I

agreed to help them, Jason. I wanted to teach them to ride." She paused

before continuing in a remorseful tone, "And I am really to blame. I didn't

show Johnny how to stop. I-If I had, Johnny wouldn't have run into that

coach. Please don't be angry with them." Not quite able to meet his eyes,

she lowered her head.

Jason didn't reply as he stared at the top of Elizabeth's head. After a

moment of thought, he eyed at Francis and Johnny and found them staring at

the girl with slightly astonished expressions.

At Jason's glance, Francis moved to Elizabeth's side, and said, "The li'l

one's in no way to blame here. It was all my doin'. I'm sorry, Jase. I'd

never want anythin' to happen to the Elizabeth. It won't happen 'gain."

Johnny shook his head as he made his way to the other side of Elizabeth's

small frame, "No, no. It was all my doin'. I was the one who almost

ran into the coach. I'm sorry."

Glancing from the three in front of him to Sonny's now amused face, Jason

let out a sigh. "It doesn't matter who's to blame. I don't want something

like this happening again. If you're going to have riding lessons, do it

near town, and for God's sake don't run over anything!" He glared at his

two friends, and finished, "And when I ask that you keep an eye on

Elizabeth, I mean you do it at all times, do you two understand?"

The men in front of him were quick to nod, relieved that Jason's anger

seemed to have lessened.

Carly's chuckle filled the room as she declared, "Well that's all settled

then." Glancing at Elizabeth's smudged face, and hair in disarray, she

suggested, "Why don't ya eat, honey and then clean up 'fore retirin'?"

Elizabeth blinked at the suggestion. She realised she must look quite the

sight! As Elizabeth reached a hand to her wild curls, Carly laughed, "It's

not that awful, honey, but after that there adventure, a nice bath wouldn't

be uncalled for! Them boys will be haulin' up the bathtub and hot water,

won't ya boys?" She glared at Francis and Johnny daring them to refuse.

Surprisingly the two men were quick to agree, and went immediately to

prepare Elizabeth's bath. Through narrowed eyes, Carly muttered to Sonny,

"They's never that fast to be haulin' that tub 'fore!"

Sonny laughed as he winked at Elizabeth, "As much as they love ya, Carly, I

reckon, Elizabeth's just got herself two new admirers."

Elizabeth was only vaguely aware of the conversation around her as she was

terribly conscious of Jason silent scrutiny of her. Still surprised he had

let the whole riding incident go, she wondered if he was still angry.

Unable to stem the impulse she turned her head to meet his eyes. But as she

had so often found, the man's thoughts and feelings were hidden behind those

icy blue eyes. As she nervously broke their held gazes and returned her

attention back to Carly and Sonny, she wondered if time would ever solve the

mystery that was Jason Morgan.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Later that night after the beautiful porcelin bathtub had been removed from

Jason's room, Elizabeth stood by herself dressed in her new rose night gown

and robe. As she stared at her still unwashed wild curls in the mirror, she

promised herself to give it a good cleaning in the morning when it would dry

more quickly in the warm sun.

Picking up the silver brush Carly had given her, Elizabeth nervously began

to run it through her hair, but her gaze wandered towards the bed.

It had been such a busy day, she had been able to push aside the thought of

how she had woken up that morning. For the most part. It was rather

difficult to forget finding yourself pressed up against a man...her husband.

A blush crept up to her face as the thought came to her. Her hand shook

slightly as she yanked it through a particularly tangled section of hair.

She couldn't help but be uneasy about tonight's sleeping arrangements.

Pulling at the brush again, she realised it was stuck. As she struggled to

untangle the strands of hair, a knock rang out. After a slight start, she

turned wide eyes toward the door, took a deep breath, and called out, "Come

in."

The door opened to reveal Jason standing there holding extra blankets in his

arms. Elizabeth quickly glanced back to the mirror as she continued to work

her curls out of the brush's thistles. Biting on her lower lip, she

desperately tried to concentrate on the task and not the man whose presence

seemed to fill the whole room.

Jason placed the blankets down at the foot of the bed, before making his way

up to Elizabeth. Standing behind her, he waited a moment for her attention.

Meeting her eyes in the mirror, he stated in his straightforward way, "I'll

sleep on the floor tonight."

She swallowed, feeling grateful that he was willing to sleep on the floor

but also guilty that he should be kicked out of his own bed. "I-I will take

the floor, Jason."

"No," Jason's reply was curt to leave no room for argument.

However, apparently Elizabeth didn't understand this as she continued, "But

I can't-"

"We aren't going through this argument again, Elizabeth. You are not

sleeping on the floor, and I don't think it's a good idea for us to share

the bed again. I'm sleeping on the floor." When he had finished, he waited

for another protest. He was getting to know Elizabeth. Despite her usual

timid nature, if she felt some injustice had occurred, the girl would put up

quite the fight. It was one of the things about her he found so out of the

ordinary.

At the mention of their sharing the bed the previous night, Elizabeth's face

turned bright red, and she suddenly couldn't find her voice.

At her silence, Jason said more gently, "I've slept on harder surfaces than

this carpeted floor, Elizabeth. And I don't think you're ready for us to

share a bed yet. I want you to be comfortable." Recalling their earlier

conversations in the day, he knew he was playing dirty, but if it meant she

would take the bed without further argument, he was willing to pull out the

big guns. "And I wouldn't feel comfortable with you sleeping on the floor.

So will you let me take the floor, Elizabeth?"

After giving his request some thought, Elizabeth reluctantly nodded. After

all, she did not wish to upset him. However, soon thoughts of their

sleeping arrangement were set aside as she felt a strange ache in her right

arm. Oh dear! She realised she was still holding the brush in her hair!

Resuming her task of untangling the curls from the brush, Elizabeth almost

forgot Jason was still in the room, until she felt a warm hand cover hers on

the brush handle.

Looking down at her startled eyes in the mirror, Jason replied, "I think

you're making it worse. Here, give it to me." Gently he lifted her hand

away, and started to make quick work of unravelling the knots of hair.

As she her breath caught in her throat, Elizabeth was keenly aware of the

large warm body standing behind her, and the strange sight in the mirror of

Jason Morgan's large hands untangling a brush from her hair. An odd

fluttering was beginning in her stomach when she heard a deep, "There you

go."

Turning around, Elizabeth saw the silver brush held out to her. Hesitantly,

she reached for the brush, and looked up into Jason's face. His intense

blue gaze wandered over her face as if...as if he was searching her for

something there...Giving herself a mental shake, she quickly dismissed the

foolish notion and whispered, "Thank you."

Then without daring to look at him again, she placed the brush on the

bureau, and quickly made her way over to the bed. As she pulled the bedding

back, she heard the sound of footsteps moving around the room. In the next

instant, without taking off her robe, she quickly slipped into the bed,

pulled the covers up to her chin, and closed her eyes.

Shaking his head slightly at her peculiar behaviour, Jason doused the

lantern, and made his way toward the blankets he had placed over the floor.

He was just laying down, when he heard a small squeak, "Oh dear!"

Pausing with his head just a few inches above the blankets, he asked,

"What?"

Elizabeth sat up, upset by her own thoughtlessness. Reaching over to the

other side of the bed, she replied, "I do not believe you have a pillow,

Jason."

Shaking his head in the darkness, he muttered, "Don't worry about it. Go to

sleep, Elizabeth."

"But your head will be terribly sore." This statement was followed by the

sound of soft ruffling. "Here."

"Will you just-omph!" The next thing Jason new, a big fluffy object hit him

square in the face.

Peering into the darkness, Elizabeth whispered, "I threw you the other

pillow, Jason."

"So I gathered," Jason commented dryly as he placed the pillow under his

head. "Thank you. Now go to sleep."

Letting out a relieved sigh, Elizabeth laid her head back down and attempted

to sleep. However, one concern remained on her mind... "Jason?"

Jason grunted, "What now?" He was beginning to realise Elizabeth did not

simply fall to sleep like other people.

"You are not still terribly angry with Johnny and Francis, are you?"

"No."

"...because they meant no harm..."

"I know. We've already settled this, Elizabeth. Sleep." His firm tone

left no room for further conversation.

Satisfied that Jason was no longer angry with her friends, Elizabeth soon

gave into the promises of her dreams and allowed her eyes to flutter close.

But not before wondering where Jason had learned to untangle hair so

expertly...