Lucy sat by the fire with Stephanie and Therese talking. Patty-Mary came in and joined them. "What are we talking about?"

"Nothing Patty, go away."
"Why is it private?"
"No. You're just not invited."
Patty-Mary turned to Lucy. "So is he a good kisser?"
Lucy's heart jumped. She wasn't sure why.
"Get out Patty-Mary!" Stephanie said. She stood and dragged Patty- Mary behind her. She then came back and sat next to Lucy on the couch. "Where is Kevin anyway?"
"He's out getting presents. He's very generous." Therese said
"She knows that Therese. After all she is his girlfriend." Stephanie replied
Lucy's throat tightened. "I'm not his girlfriend. We've never gone out."
"Oh... I'm sorry. I just assumed that since..."
Therese grabbed a pillow and stuck it behind her head. "Anyway, Kevin is out shopping."
"I haven't thought about gifts." Lucy straightened her leg and massaged the muscle. "The rent took all the money I have."
"I've seen your drawings. They're really good, so why don't you make a picture. We're big on homemade gifts." Therese said
"You could do a portrait of everyone!" Stephanie said
Lucy's spirit rose. "You all would like that?"
"We would love it!" Therese replied
"Okay, but you have to act surprised."
"We can do that." Stephanie said. "Maybe you could ask Kevin to build you some frames. He's good with wood."
"That's a great idea! Remember this will be our little secret." Lucy said "I'm so excited. This will be the first Christmas I have celebrated since I was six."
Therese looked up surprised, "Really?"
"Yes. We haven't celebrated since my mom died. I guess it was just to hard for my dad." They sat in silence for a moment.
Kevin came in from outside. His cheeks were red and he looked cold. He unzipped his coat. "You girls telling secrets?"
"Of course," Therese replied.
Kevin smiled. "Then I'm taking Lucy." He went over and helped her up.
"There was something I wanted to ask you anyway." Lucy winked at Stephanie and Therese. Kevin led the way into the kitchen.
"Could you make me some frames Kevin?"
"Picture frames? You going to start painting?"
She smiled. "Maybe."
"All right. I'll see what I can do."
She hugged him. "Thank you."
Kevin reached into the cupboard, pulling out a glass. "But tonight, I thought we would go out."

Lucy hid her shock. Was Kevin asking her out?
He took a box from the table. "I know you didn't bring anything dressy, just jeans and sweaters. And the restaurant is... nice."
Her heart skipped a beat. What had he done. She stared at the box. She wouldn't accept it. She couldn't.
He took the lid off and she saw the snow white angora dress. The scoop neck was lined with synthetic pearls and the shoulders were gracefully gathered. It was beautiful, but she couldn't accept it.
She shifted her gaze from the dress to Kevin. He suddenly realized and closed the box. "I'm sorry Lucy. I didn't think." He pushed it away.
She sure wasn't expecting that. She thought he would coax and convince, until she gave in. "It's beautiful," her voice sounded tight.
"You don't have to wear it."
She reached for the box. She lifted the lid and slowly pulled the dress out. It was just as soft as it looked. She held it and closed her eyes. She had to choose.
Kevin wasn't Jeremy. He wouldn't force her to wear it. He wouldn't expect anything in return. She opened her eyes. "I'll try it on."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Walking down the hall, Lucy saw Kevin and stopped. She couldn't help but stare. He stood in a three piece suit. That couldn't be Kevin. Not the Kevin she knew. Not the one who was thrown from horses and built his ranch log by log. He looked amazing in a suit.
He turned and his eyes fell on her. She looked beautiful in the dress. "It fits."
She smiled and nodded. He held out his elbow, "Ready?"

Was she? Until now she could deny he was anything more than a friend. She knew his nature now, thanks to the bits she picked up from his sisters. He didn't date idly.
As they drove, Lucy was still trying to take in the 'new Kevin'. "You should dress up more often."

He grinned. "It'd be real practical when I'm getting thrown from a horse."
Ah, that was the Kevin she knew. Kevin Kinkirk, always sensible. She laughed. "I guess you're right."
He parked at a restaurant on the edge of town. She looked at the white stucco walls with arched windows, the red tiled roof. Italian maybe. It was a very formal restaurant for such a small town.
They were seated at a table for two. A small candle was set in the middle of the table next to a single red rose. She looked across the table at Kevin. He seemed gently. His face wasn't hard and strong like she had seen him before. Perhaps she had only seen the surface before. Maybe he, like Ben, wore a mask.
He returned her gaze, and then took her hand in his. "You're beautiful Lucy."
Her heart skipped. She heard those words before, but this time it was different. He was being honest. He wasn't trying to score or impress. His hands on hers were strong and sure.
He released her when the waiter came. They ordered their soup, salad, and entrees. She ordered minestrone soup and scallops in lemon angel hair. He ordered steak skillet fried with mushrooms and Kalamata olives and minestrone soup.
The waiter returned with their soup. She lifted her spoon, but Kevin caught her fingers and bowed his head. "Praise the Lord, O my soul. Thank you for your providence. Amen."
She glanced around as he blessed their meal. He did it even in public. "Why do you do that?"
"Pray? Everything I have is God's gift. I'd be nothing without His grace."
"You built the ranch. You train the horses-."
"He created them."
"Do you really believe that?"

His eyes came up, serious and challenging. "Why do you think my beliefs are wrong?"
Although she never said that, it could seem that way.
"Have you studied Christianity? Or Christ? Studied him?" Kevin's voice was low.
"No." She met his eyes
"Afraid you'll find something you'll have to believe?"
"I don't have to believe anything. And I'm not afraid." The truth was, it did scare her. She didn't want to believe. An image flashed into her mind. Someone grabbing her from behind. Someone so big he lifted her off her feet. A hand clamped over her mouth. Her lungs seized, as if the hand covered her now.
Kevin's expression changed. He took her hand. "I'm sorry." He apologized more than anyone she ever knew. She couldn't answer. "Lucy?"
She fought the panic. Why now? The shakes started and Kevin tightened his grip on her hand.
"Please forgive me." Kevin's voice was so gentle it hurt.
"It's not you."

"What then?" She shook her head. Tears formed in her eyes. "I don't know. I fell like I should remember, but I can't." The waiter brought their salad and left. Kevin still held her hand. The terror passed and the image left. She pulled her hand away. "It's gone." She pushed her soup away.
He nudged it back. "Try it."

She dipped her spoon. It tasted good, even when it wasn't hot. They ate their soup in silence. Then she began on her salad.
Kevin looked up. "Are you all right?"

"Fine."

"Want to talk about it?" He wasn't pushing, just offering.
She took a bite. "Salad is good. It's better with bleu cheese."
"Lucy-."
"Have you been here before?"
"Nope."
"Oh."
The waiter brought their entrees. Kevin eyes her scallops. He would take hi steak any day.
"Would you like one?" She held a creamy scallop up.
He took a bite of his steak. "No thanks."

"It's a night of firsts." Her eyes actually teased.
He smiled and passed her his side plate. She placed the scallop in the middle and passed it back. He nudged it with his fork.
"It's dead." She almost giggled.
He ate it and finally swallowed.
"Well?"
He looked into her eyes. "Edible. Just. Ever had Rocky Mountain oysters?"
She raised her brows. "How can you have oysters from the Rocky Mountains?"
"They aren't exactly oysters."
"I'm not sure I want to know."
"Acquired taste."
She laughed. Their eyes met and held. He was falling in love. There was no other way to describe it.
They finished their meal. He rested his fingertips on the small of her back on the way out. He could feel her bones. She was still to thin. He couldn't afford Antonio's every night. Mom's cooking would have to do.
He parked in the driveway and helped her out of the car. His loafers crunched the snow. Loafers. How far would he go? They walked to the door and he stopped her.
She sparkled in the porch light. "Thank you for the wonderful evening."
He leaned his palm against the wall and thought about kissing her. His heart raced. "I'd really like to kiss you." He would back off if she shied at all.
"Well I would have an answer for Patty-Mary."
"What?"
"She wants to know if her big brother is a good kisser."
"Oh. Great."
She started to laugh and he pulled her into his arms. "Here's what you tell her." He pecked her lips. "And here's what keep to yourself." He kissed her deeply. He couldn't help it.
Lucy kissed him with joy. They parted, but he seemed reluctant to let her go. She almost hoped he wouldn't. But he opened the door and turned on the light. They hung their coats and without warning Kevin kissed her again. He turned out the light with his elbow. He pulled her tightly to his chest and whispered "Good night."
"Good night" she whispered back. But he didn't let go. They stood a long time, not moving and not speaking. They just held each other.

A/N: The chapters are getting longer so the take me longer to write. I probably won't be able to update daily. But I will update as often as possible. Please review cause I love reading them!