THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! I really mean it, from the bottom of my heart. You guys did such a great job with your reveiws, so here's the next chapter in record time!
Remember to review! How else do I know if people are enjoying this or what they would like added or changed if they don't tell me? See authors note at the bottom, cuz I know you are all eager to get the answers to that cliff hanger I left you with.
Disclaimer: If it's cool, neat, awesome, radical, fly, sweet, etc, it ain't mine.
She turned to face him. Her voice was low and seductive. "I had a good time tonight Cowboy. Let's do it again someday." She began to lean in to him. The smell of lilacs surrounded him. Without thinking his hands rose to her waist and drew her closer. Her mouth was lifted to his and her eyes had drifted closed. He let his eyelids fall and slowly lowered his head to hers.
At the last possible moment Faye tilted her head to the side. Her ruby lips grazed Spikes cheek in the barest of caresses. "Goodnight Cowboy." Before Spike could move she had slipped from his grasp and entered her room with the door closing firmly behind her.
A bewildered Spike was left standing there. What had just happened? He and Faye were about to kiss and then nothing? He touched the spot on his cheek where her lips had lain for such a brief time. Damn she's good. With a chuckle he shoved his hands in his pockets and sauntered back to his room whistling. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.
Morning dawned bright and clear. Faye leapt out of bed to check the weather herself. It had rained last night after Spike left her at her room. She smiled. The footing would be perfect. Not too dry and not so wet it was a soupy mess. Throwing on jeans and a shirt she almost ran to the livery barn.
Star was eating oats. Happily munching away she barely spared her mistress a glance. Food was much more important. Impatiently Faye glanced around for any of the stable help. Finding a boy about sixteen years old she put a smile on her face.
"Hey there. Would you like to do me a teensy-insy favor?" The boy's eyes got big. He jumped up from his spot on the hay and began nodding his head at Faye.
She pulled out a five-dollar bill. "Would you give my mare a bath and clean my tack? I need her spotless for the rodeo this afternoon." The money and Faye's big smile made up the boy's mind. He nodded eagerly and went to collect Star and everything he would need.
Faye wandered back to the hotel. It would take time to get herself ready as well.
Spike was walking trough the woods. Ahead there was a small lake sheltered from view by thick wild rose bushes. The pond its self was covered with yellow, pink and white water lilies. Orange day lilies lined the banks, nodding their bright plumage in the slight breeze. He was waiting for Julia. It had been a month since they had seen each other. This was their traditional meeting spot.
Arms snuck around his neck from behind. Warm soft hands covered his eyes. "One guess Cowboy." The voice was soft and soothing to his ear.
He smiled. "It must be Martha from the bakery. She said she had some buns to bring me." He reached his hands back to cup her bottom. "But I didn't know they were such nice buns."
Julia pulled her arms away at once. "Oh you!" She said in mock outrage. Laughing Spike pulled her into his arms. With kisses, they showed how much they had missed each other.
Later they lay on the soft grass exhausted and sated. Julia had her head pillowed on Spike's arm. Her silken hair spilled over his chest like a shirt of spun gold. She breathed in the scent of him, that unique scent that would never belong to another.
Eyes half-closed and drowsy she murmured to him. "Spike, I love you." She felt his breathing stop. His whole body had gone rigid.
He turned to face her. His deep red eyes probed hers, trying to see her soul. "Do you mean that Julia? You love only me?" His voice sounded desperate.
Puzzled, she looked at his face. "Of course I mean that. There's no other but you. Now here's the spot where you are supposed to say it back Mr. Speigel." She was being playful, trying to tease him out of his sudden serious mood.
He held a small box up. "How about it I say it with this?" In his hand was a diamond engagement ring. There were three stones on the white gold band. Two small stones flanked a much larger one in the middle. Light bounced and winked from the beautiful stones casting tiny rainbows on both their faces.
Her voice was disbelieving. "Is that...Spike...do you really...? You mean?" Her tear filled eyes lifted to his. He swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded.
"Julia, will you do me the honor making an honest man of me and becoming Mrs. Spike Speigel?" Spike's voice had cracked at the end. He loved this woman more than his own life.
"I'll marry you on one condition Spike. If you ever leave me for another, I'll never forgive you. Ever." Her voice was choked up now with barely restrained tears.
"I could never love another. I WILL never love another as long as I have you by my side."
"Yes, I'll marry you Spike!" She threw herself into his arms. More kissing ensued.
"Let's go spread the good news." Spike held out a hand and helped Julia from the ground. Together they walked back to town to share the news with their neighbors.
Spike awoke with a groan. His hair was sweat soaked and matted to his head. His body was covered in goose bumps. Why do these dreams get worse every time I have them? He thought about the dream. This one had been the day he proposed to Julia. It had only been six months later that she had burned in that hellacious fire. They hadn't even gotten married before she was gone.
Spike remembered his night out with Faye. He had had a good time. He remembered their almost kiss. Was he feeling guilty? If you ever leave me for another, I'll never forgive you. Ever. The words rung in his ears like church bells. I have feelings for that obnoxious woman. Does that mean I'm betraying Julia?
Climbing out of bed and pulling jeans, he decided to think about it later. He had to get his horse and equipment ready for the rodeo this after noon. Fame and glory were going to be his- no guilty conscience or Shrew Woman was going to stand in his way.
Faye Valentine stepped on to the boardwalk. Every male head in the vicinity turned in her direction. Not only was she mentally ready to win this competition, she was dressed for success.
Indigo jeans were skin tight from her waist to her knees. There they flared slightly creating a 'stack'. Her shirt was green silk. It clung to her body but was loose and flowing through the sleeves. A cream colored hat adorned with a silver studded hatband topped her head. Every bit of sliver she wore shone like a tiny sun.
Ignoring the looks she was receiving, she sauntered down the street to the livery stable, silver spurs twinkling and jangling with every step. She had a horse to collect and a rodeo to sign up for.
The man was adamant. "But you're a woman. You can't possibly want to compete in the rodeo. Women just aren't cut out for such rough treatment. Not to mention women can't ride as well as men."
Don't get mad Valentine. Don't kill the sexist pig. With those words bouncing in her head, she decided to try another tactic. Making her face innocent and eyes big, she launched her attack. "Mister sign up man," She looked at his belt buckle that said Roy. He looks like a Roy, she thought with disgust. "Roy is it? Tell ya what. I know a big strong man like you has to be one of the best cowboys around in this town. Wanna have a little tiny competition?" She made sure to keep her voice wheedling and her eyes big. She was the epitome of innocence.
Roy ate the act up. "Wall, sure little lady. What did you have in mind?"
"Can you use a bullwhip?" Her eyes glittered. She was going to get her way with this if it killed her.
"Sure I can. Any cowboy worth his salt can use a bullwhip." What did this girl have in mind? He wondered.
"Tell ya what, see that beer bottle on that fence over there?" Faye motioned her head to the left of them. She had known there would be problems with her entries and had placed the beer there before trying to sign up.
"Yeah." Roy looked unimpressed.
"Well, I'll let you have a crack at retrieving it. Then I get to go. If I can get it and you can't, I get to enter. For free."
"I'll humor ya. Let me see that whip." He motioned his head to the bullwhip Faye held. This was going to be a piece of cake. This girl was green from the city and it took considerable skill to do what she was suggesting. He didn't think he could get on the first try, but he'd get a hell of a lot closer than she would. After all, she was just a girl.
Roy took the proffered whip and shook it out. He popped it a few times, getting the feel of the whip. It was a ten-foot whip and the bottle was only eight feet away. He flipped his arm back and with a snap of the elbow sent the lash end flying. He missed the bottle, but caught the fence about three inches from it. With a twitch of the wrist he unwrapped the whip from the fence and handed it to Faye.
Smugly he said, "Let's see you do that well missy."
Palming the butt of the whip Faye stepped aside. She sent the lash hissing to the fence. With a yank she shook the pole the bottle rested on. Roy smirked. He knew this girl was still wet behind the ears. Before he could open his mouth to tell her sorry, the lash end came alive again. Before the bottle hit the ground Faye had the lash wrapped around the bottle. Another yank had it flying back to her open hand.
"By the way, Roy, my name is Faye Valentine. Make sure you spell it right on the entry forms." With a wink over her shoulder she opened the bottle and took a deep drink
Roy's jaw dropped open. The Faye Valentine? He'd been had.
The strains of 'Oh Susannah' filled the air. A band was playing next to the grand stand. Brightly colored flags fluttered in the breeze. Parents escorted children carrying balloons. Vendors hawked peanuts and cotton candy. By the size of the crowd, it seemed that the whole town plus the three neighboring ones were in attendance. They probably were. Opportunities for outings like this were few and far between when there was so much work to be done and your nearest neighbor was miles away.
Spike was worried. Here he was, ready to win this thing, but he couldn't find Faye anywhere. The opening parade was about to begin and he didn't know where she was. Once the show started he couldn't look for her. Had she skipped out on their deal? Had she run away in the night or this morning when he was getting Whisky cleaned up? Star was not in the stable. A flash of emerald silk caught his eye.
Oh dear gods no.
It couldn't be.
It was.
At the head of the parade was a vision. Star's hide gleamed chestnut, her flaxen colored mane and tail shining like satin in the bright sunlight. The silver on her saddle and bridle winked with every movement of the little mare. Astride her was none other than Faye Valentine. Ignoring the protests of other riders as he pushed by, he moved Whisky through the crowd to her side.
Faye looked around in wonder. This had to be the biggest rodeo she had ever ridden in. Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for a certain lanky green haired cowboy. Her breath caught in her throat when she spotted him near the gate. Whisky was a gorgeous animal when Spike cleaned him up. His pinkish hide shone with health. With his neck arched, it was almost as if he knew he was on display. His rider doesn't look too bad either.
The blue and white plaid that encased Spike's torso was spotless and creased in all the right places. His jeans and blue bandanna matched his saddle pad perfectly. Spike sat his horse as though he had been born to the saddle. Faye resisted the urge to drool over him like he was a krispy kreme donut. Seeing him head over to she grinned. She had a feeling he wasn't coming over to chat about the beautiful day.
His voice was mild, belying the barely contained anger underneath. "And what do you think you're doing here? Shouldn't you be riding a chair and be cheering me to victory?" Faye raised an eyebrow at his question.
"What's the matter Cowboy, afraid I'll beat ya?" She sniped at him. She was a worthy partner in a fight, but let it be a competition and he wanted her on the sidelines? I don't think so.
"You said you wouldn't give me any problems. I see this as a problem." His eyebrow was beginning to twitch.
"I see this as an answer to a problem. This way I won't be out of your sight. Except when you're eating my dust of course." Faye's face had grown hard. He was not talking her out of this.
Spike had just opened his mouth to make a sarcastic comment back at her when the music changed. The parade moved out. The rodeo had started and Faye Valentine was entered.
Not even Spike Speigel could keep her from competing.
I know, not what you were all hoping, don't kill me for that cliff hanger!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! Tell me if you love it, hate it, or want to own it. Though I would like to own Spike in a pair of cowboy cut wranglers! Make that cowboy cut wranglers and the infamous black tank top! Everyone keep reviewing! If you are reading this but not reviewing, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? REVIEW! :P
I know they didn't have Krispy Kreme Donuts in the west. They are just a personal weakness of mine, especially when they are hot! Had to add it!
Sanima- I AGREE COMPLETELY!!
Bunny breath - Glad you are enjoying it so thoroughly!
Birdychick- sorry, I'm not sorry about the cliff hanger! I think this story warranted one. heehee. I am soo sorry if you have never been to a rodeo. They are the highlight of my summer. Did I mention that I have rode in a few? :P Get TNN or a country TV station. You should be able to find one there. God knows my dad does every night when we want to watch something else! Don't worry about your reviews being too long. I LOVE THEM!
Could you do me one insy favor? when you review, make sure you are under the right story. I don't know, it could have been a fanfic error. Your last review showed up under On My Own. Anyways, I love your reviews! Keep it up!
Mikey- I'm flattered that you can't think of any constructive criticism for me! I'm working on longer chapters per request. I know the rodeo oughta be in this chapter, but that would just be TOO long. Next chapter!
Lots of people have commented on my horse knowledge. Check my profile, it'll give you a bit of my horsey background.
Tack- all the gear that a horse wears when you ride it. This includes saddle, bridle, blanket, and any kind of protective boots (though I doubt they had those in the West) or riding aids, which I won't get into here.
Bullwhip- Usually come in 8' or 10' varieties. Normally, there is a handle and then a 8'or 10' length made of rope, rawhide, or some similar material. Think Indiana Jones.
Trust me, they are not nearly as easy to use as they look. I remember the day I tried to learn. My back, legs, and large rear were covered in tiny red welts. Very painful!
Stack- when your jeans are of a western cut and fit properly, they are fitted through the hip and thigh. From the knee to the ankle they kind of bunch a bit and they flare slightly. This bunch is called a stack. For pictures, visit Rodswesternpalace.com. Check out the clothes there. I do not own Rodswesternpalace.com or any associations with it.
Remember, REVIEW!!
