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Standard disclaimer.

The meeting was in full swing at the Lily. The major was saying,

"Most of the businesses in town may close, including yours…" Sam snorted.

"Miss Jones is doing a pretty good job of shutting us down now," he said.

"I'm against making money off sin," she answered. The men all regarded her with a sigh.

"Miss Jones," Sam said. "You don't belong in this meeting, any more than the other ladies and Reverend Lovejoy." She ignored him.

"You two, stop quibbling," the major snapped. Both stopped, immediately.

"Sam and I have discussed the issues we're facing, and he's come up with an idea to get businesses noticed. Tell 'em about it, Sam," the major finished.

Mercedes began to get a feeling, that there was something crooked afoot. Of course, if Sam Evans was involved, she wouldn't be surprised.

"Well," Sam started, as he sipped his julep. "We could have a parade, with a band…"

"A parade? I like that," one of the men voiced.

"Tell 'em more, Sam," the major said.

Mercedes winced at his grammar and almost automatically corrected him, but she realized Sam was giving her a look, daring her to say something, so she didn't.

"We'll make it a grand affair. Sam will cook up some of his famous barbecue and all the ladies will bring their best dishes. It'll be a party and a dance for the whole town," the major finished.

"And we could also put on a show," Sam started, and all eyes turned to him. "Well, I'm sure you all know about a group of investors, who's been traveling through the neighboring towns, looking to buy up property and anything they could get their hands on. We could use this opportunity and entertain them, to snag their interest."

"What kind of show are you speaking about?" Mercedes asked.

"A little patience, Miss Jones. This is about a stagecoach at full gallop…" Sam was saying.

"We don't have a stage," Will said.

"I have one in the back of my barn. It's old and missing a wheel, though," a guy called Dimples said.

"Can you get it up and running by then," Sam asked. He nodded.

"I believe I could."

"Okay. So, here comes this stage galloping, with lady passengers inside screaming to be saved and the stage is being chased by war-painted savages. That's where you come in," he pointed to a man with obvious Indian ancestry.

The Indian bristled.

"My people were never into war-paint. That's an insult." Sam looked exasperated.

"Well, couldn't they? Just this once? To save our town?"

"I reckon. But they won't like it."

"Where were we? Oh, then the army…the guys staying at the old fort museum, comes riding to the rescue with bugles, sounding the charge, like General Custer…"

"Custer was annihilated," Mercedes pointed out dryly.

"Sounds thrilling," the major said. "I'll tell the guys to shoot up in the air. You think the investors will like that?"

"I think they'll be so scared, they'll wet their drawers," Sam snorted.

"I beg your pardon," Mercedes started. "It sounds dangerous. Where will you get ladies to ride in this galloping coach? They might get killed."

Sam looked at her and smiled.

"Are you volunteering?"

"No, way! No woman will consent to do that, not even to save the town."

"I wouldn't let them, anyway. No southern man would put a woman in harm's way. But we do need a lady in that coach, screaming her head off…gives it a good effect."

He looked at Dimples.

"Hey, do you remember that time you dressed up in your wife's clothes for Halloween?"

There was a long moment of silence, as all the men and Mercedes stared at Dimples.

"No!" Dimples said. "N-O. I ain't gonna be some prissy girl, riding in that coach."

"It would make it more realistic," Sam said. The other men murmured in agreement.

"You gotta to do it, Dimples. To save our town," Luke said. Dimples was defiant.

"I wanna be one of the cowboys or soldiers, who comes riding to the rescue," he said.

"We need a girl in that coach, more," Sam said and then, "When it's all over, I'll throw a party afterwards…free drinks on the house."

"Now, for that, I might do it," Dimples stated. Mercedes sighed with exasperation.

"I can't believe this. Are all of you in favor of subterfuge?" The others looked at Sam. One asked,

"Is that a dirty word?"

"She don't know any dirty words…she's a lady," another threw in.

"Don't mind Miss Jones, she used to teach Grammar along with music," Sam said.

"What I'm saying," Mercedes began, raising her voice. "Is, this is crooked and dishonest. Don't you upstanding men have anything to say to this…this sly rascal?"

There was another moment of silence, as all pondered her words.

Finally, they all turned and grinned at Sam.

"Thanks, Sam, old buddy. This is a plan that denotes a true Texan. Three cheers for Sam Evans!" Will said.

"I've had enough!" Mercedes got up and flounced away from the poker table. Behind her, the men shouted,

"Hip hip hurray! Hip hip hurray! Hip hip hurray!"

The meeting was just breaking up, as the girls entered the front door with little baskets of flowers in their hands. The men's eyes gleamed.

Mercedes rushed to meet them, escorting them passed the table. The men sighed longingly as the girls went by.

"Dang it," Pug muttered. "It's like dangling candy in front of a baby and then snatching it away." The others murmured in agreement. Sam looked at Mercedes.

"Of course, there are some sour lemons drops in the bunch. Well, let's break it up fellows. It's time for the regulars to start drifting in. We'll work on our plan and talk some more, later. Dimples, get that stage coach running. I'll be the driver and Will can ride shotgun. Get word around to all the ranches, guys."

"And I'll get the dance scheduled and the band practicing," the major promised.

Mercedes took the girls upstairs and then watched over the balcony, as the men left.

It was a crazy and unprincipled plan and only that southern rascal could have dreamed it up.

It couldn't possibly work…could it?

The investors and surprisingly a few congressmen, were due in town on Saturday morning, which gave the major a perfect opportunity to stage the parade and have a band performing on the platform at the train station.

Most of the town-folk and the outlaying ranchers, came out to see the activities and welcome the visitors.

Mercedes had dug around in her closet and found a dress she didn't remember she'd had. It wasn't exactly her type of dress, but this was a special occasion for this old town, and she decided to throw caution to the wind.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she was speechless, as she took in her appearance.

Who was this woman? She wondered.

The girls had given her the thumbs up and told her she looked beautiful.

Even Sam looked startled, as she came down the front steps, where he waited by his car.

She was wearing a pink wave dot printed, mini wrap-around dress, with a sexy V-neck and half flare sleeve.

Sam blinked, as he watched Mercedes come down the steps. Not only did she remind him of her aunt, she looked pretty.

Pretty? Was he going crazy? She was only appealing because he'd been without a woman for a long time, he told himself.

"Y-you look nice," he stammered and then rested his hand on her lower back, to help her into the car. "You did something different with your hair."

"Yes. The girls decided to pull my hair back in ringlets." She seemed pleased he'd noticed.

The twins came down the steps carrying suitcases, chattering like jaybirds. Sam helped them in.

"Where are you two going?" he asked.

"Didn't Miss Jones tell you? We're leaving for New Mexico. We're getting married!" He frowned at Mercedes.

"Miss Mercy doesn't tell me much of anything," he grumbled.

"Will is doing the honors of bringing the other girls, to the station," Mercedes said.

"So now we'll only have four girls." Sam said. She nodded and smiled, as he snapped his seat belt on and drove off.

"Soon, the other girls will be gone…" she trailed off. Sam seemed to be gritting his teeth.

"I hope you know what you're doing. My business is still sliding."

"Since you're such a great cook, maybe you should be offering barbecue and other foods, along with your whiskey and gambling."

"I'm not running a cafe."

"It's not a bad idea," she said.

As usual, Sherwin was out on the front lawn, next to the big bird bath, munching lilies. He raised his head and shook his curled horns at them, as the car passed.

If she could just get through today, maybe everything would be alright, Mercedes told herself. She had no faith in the shenanigans planned.

She turned towards the twins in the backseat.

"You both look lovely…very respectable. I hope you'll be very happy." They giggled with pleasure. Fern said,

"I'm gonna name my first little girl after you, Miss Jones."

"Well, thank you. I'm honored."

"And Sam, I'm gonna name my first little boy after you," Faith said.

"You might want to reconsider that, my dear," Mercedes said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam snapped.

"Nothing." She looked back at the girls again. "I'm only sorry you two are going to miss the dance tonight."

"The girls from the Lily are invited to that?" Sam asked.

"Everyone is invited," she reminded him. "And our girls are now ladies. Some rancher at the party might take a liking to one of them."

Sam snorted, but Mercedes decided she wouldn't take the bait.

They arrived in town and he helped her and the girls from the car.

The twins were going by train, and Mercedes said,

"Come along ladies, I'll help you get your tickets. Mr. Evans will bring the luggage."

Sam was about to say something, but he sighed and got the luggage, wending his way through the crowd behind her.

Ahead of him, her ass waggled enticingly, and he couldn't take his eyes off it, as he pushed through the crowd.

Will met him and smiled.

"Well, if it isn't Romeo, carrying suitcases like a hired hand." Sam glared at him.

"Watch it! The twins are leaving," he snapped.

"And someone's got to carry their stuff."

He ignored the grinning men and followed the three women, his eyes going right back to Mercedes' behind.

After the twins had left, Mercedes and Sam began to mingle with the boisterous crowd.

The mayor began to speak and Mercedes leaned over and whispered to Sam.

"Are you guys still planning that silly…"

"Hush," he commanded. "You're interrupting the mayor's speech."

"I take that as a yes?" Sam didn't answer.

The speech went on, as well as the important hand shaking and introductions.

Luke and a few of the men found Sam and Mercedes and began to talk about their plan.

They'd decided it was best staged when the important people were leaving town.

"We're gonna put on a show that makes one of those Wild West shows look like kids' play," Sam said. Mercedes frowned.

"This is deceptive and will have ruinous results. I heartily disapprove." The men looked from her to Sam.

"Does she ever speak English?" one asked.

"She's a Lima schoolteacher, you can't expect too much."

Mercedes turned away from them. She was miffed at the way they were speaking about her. She saw the lieutenant hand his tuba over to another band member and began walking towards her.

He bowed low.

"Good day, Miss Mercedes. How did you like the concert?"

"It…it was wonderful, Lieutenant." She was trying to be polite.

"Call me Buford." He smiled at her and his wispy moustache wiggled. "Are you going to the dance tonight?"

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it."

"Then I shall monopolize your entire dance time," he promised. And then, "Ta ta, I must be off." He wobbled a little as he walked away.

Sam strode up to them scowling.

"Is it my imagination, or is that prissy officer getting taller?"

"Don't be rude," she scolded. "He's going to be my dance partner tonight."

"You'll be looking down at the top of his head all night," Sam snorted. Luke walked up before she could say anything.

"Did you hear him? What kind of a man says 'ta ta'?"

"We all know he's not from around here, that's for sure," Sam said. Will joined them.

"If a Texan had said 'ta ta,' the boys would rope him and drag him through cow lot."

"He's a gentleman," Mercedes offered. "And you're all just jealous. I'll be more than happy, to save him dances tonight. I'll be waiting by the car."

She turned her nose up and marched away.

The men stared after her.

Her voluptuous behind rolled enticingly as she walked, and Sam was mesmerized by the sight. Luke sighed.

"Damn! Is it my imagination, or is she getting prettier than a speckled pup in a red wagon?"

The way the men were staring after her, like hungry hounds after a rabbit, annoyed Sam for some reason.

"Y'all quit gawking after Mercy that way. She's a lady." The others had gathered now and Will nodded in agreement.

"She's a lady alright. She's saving dances for that prissy lieutenant? Our Romeo has definitely lost his charm."

"When hell freezes over," Sam said. "I just haven't had time to turn my charm on her yet."

"She's a big challenge," one said. "Hell, yes. The contrariest woman I've ever met. She doesn't seem to notice how charming I am," Sam said, with a grin.

"Let us know when you get her drawers off," Luke grinned.

"No contest," Sam snapped and headed for the car.

His reputation was at stake, as well as his business.

Tonight, at the dance, he'd have to out-do that prissy officer.

He strode over, helped her into the car and climbed in.

"If I was you, I wouldn't promise all my dances to that prissy officer."

"I will not listen to this. He's a gentleman," she defended the officer gallantly.

"I'm sure his blood runs as red as anyone's, if he ever got cut or got into a fight."

"Fight? I'm sure Buford's not a low-class saloon brawler."

"Like me?" he asked.

"I didn't say that."

"So, it's Buford now, is it? You two are getting mighty friendly."

"That's hardly your concern. He's asked to call on me."

"If that nancy-boy comes into the Lily, I'll throw him down the steps," Sam glowered at her.

"You wouldn't," she challenged.

"Try me." She held his gaze for a few moments. Something told her he was definitely up for the challenge. She looked away.

"Besides, he's too respectable to come to our place, as long as it's a low-class saloon."

"Maybe, because, he's been told he ain't welcome, since he cheats at cards and welsh on bets."

"How dare you? The lieutenant is a high-class gentleman."

"How would you know? That high-class gentleman is after your share of the Lily." She turned and glared at him.

"And you're afraid I might marry him and he'd get it," she snapped, brown eyes blazing. "We've had this conversation before, Mr. Evans. I know you don't think it's possible, a man could ever want to marry this old-maid schoolteacher, but maybe, the lieutenant is different."

Tears came to her eyes and she blinked rapidly.

The moment Sam pulled up to the Lily, she hopped out, and made a beeline up the steps.

Sam just sat in the car looking at her. He could've sworn she was sobbing, as she jumped out of the car and he felt bad about that.

"You stupid ass, you didn't help your cause the way you behaved just now. Bed her? You'll be lucky if she doesn't throw rocks at you tonight," he said aloud to himself.

Will brought the other girls home, as he sat there.

They waved and went in.

Will hooted a friendly horn and drove off.

After a while, Sam exited the car and went to sit on the porch swing.

The Lily wouldn't be opening tonight, because of the big dance at the fort.

Dance. In his mind, he saw the snooty lieutenant dancing with Mercedes, holding her close, while he entertained her with sophisticated conversation, about his society back east.

Sam had always charmed women, but now, he felt at a distinct advantage. What did a hard-scrabble Texan immigrant know abut behaving like a gentleman?

With the picture of the two still in his mind, the pair waltzed and laughed. Then, the lieutenant whirled her out the doors of the big ballroom, and into the darkness.

Out there, he'd kiss her.

That thought upset Sam so much, he found himself clenching and un-clenching his fists.

It was only because he had a bet on with the boys, he told himself, and he fully intended to seduce the naïve girl before the lieutenant gets a chance to.

Yes, that was what was bothering him. If the lieutenant kissed her…he might get her undies off and…that picture really upset Sam.

Mercedes was a lady and how dare a nancy-boy like that try to take advantage of her?

Well, tonight, he promised himself, he'd out-charm the officer, and if anyone was going to kiss her, it was going to be him...Sam Evans

Thank you for your kind remarks, I appreciate it. Much love to you.