Thank you kind people. I appreciate your continued kind support.

Standard disclaimer.

Will Shuester stared out of his office window and watched Mercedes Jones driving by in her car, headed for the train station.

Boy, had Sue Sylvester made a mess of things, by leaving that niece of hers, half the Texas Lily.

On the other hand, Mercedes seemed to be doing a thriving business, the last couple of weeks, using the big house as a hotel.

He wondered idly, as he ran a hand through his thick hair, if Sam had ever found that big box in the closet and done what Sue had requested.

He must remember to ask him, or Carmen, about it sometime.

At least, he no longer had the responsibility of sending money, to that Lima bank, like he'd been doing regularly for the last ten years.

Somewhere in the distance, he heard the fort band playing, but not too well.

He winced, as the music floated with the breeze.

The major should stick to growing roses, he thought.

Then, he heard the whistle of an incoming train.

He went to the door and looked out, watching Miss Jones alight from her car and step up on the platform.

She was no doubt, looking for passengers.

He peered down the street, at the majestic Texas Lily.

Yes, it was big enough to become a hotel.

It would make an even better mansion for a rich family, but of course, no one in town, except for some men, was eager enough, to use it as a private residence.

The train roared into town, chugging and blowing its whistle.

Will watched Miss Jones approach three people, who got off.

The three nodded, gathered their luggage and walked towards her car.

Will grinned.

She was a hard-headed little thing and she might turn the notorious bordello, into a respectable hotel, yet

. That, of course, would be over Sam Evans' dead body.

Later that morning, Will saw Sam driving into town.

He went to the door and signaled him.

"Come on in and visit with me." The taller man entered the office and asked,

"Have you seen any of the boys? I'd love a game of poker."

"She's not allowing that, either?"

Will tried to hide his grin, as they entered his disorganized office. He gestured for Sam to sit in a worn, but comfortable chair.

Mercedes Jones was the first woman he could remember, who had managed to deal with the stubborn gambler.

Sam flopped down in the chair and sighed. "

The Texas Lily is now so damned respectable, I can hardly stand it."

"Are you turning a profit?" Sam nodded grudgingly.

"Just barely, not like before. You know what she's got the girls doing?"

"Not bouncing on a mattress, that's for sure." Sam snorted.

"They're waiting tables. Waitresses, for God's sake!" Will laced his fingers together and grinned.

"I thought you were planning on charming her, to do anything you wanted?"

"Hell," Sam said scowling. And then, "She ain't…isn't, your average woman. I ain't…am not getting anywhere with her."

"That's unusual for you." Will leaned back in his chair and put one boot on his untidy desk. "Women usually fall on their backs for you."

"Well, it may have something to do, with what happened with Quinn, a couple days ago," Sam admitted.

"Quinn? I thought she'd moved to the Bucket O' Blood."

"She has. But the other morning, I let her into my room, about dawn and the prim Miss Jones caught her."

"Uh-oh. That'd be kind of hard to explain," he said and immediately thought,

'Only Sam could have women slipping into his room…lucky rascal.'

"I tried, but Mercy was really unreasonable about it."

"I imagine so."

"She caught Quinn with her arms around me, kissing me." Will threw back his head and laughed.

"In some ways, Sam, you haven't changed."

"It was really innocent," Sam insisted. "Quinn came to tell me, Lieutenant Fortenbury was the one who shot me, during our fake raid. He admitted it to her."

Will swore.

"That short, sneaky bastard. He'd steal the butter off a sick beggar's biscuit." Will sat upright in his chair. "You tell Miss Jones?"

"Yeah, but she wouldn't believe me."

Sam's thoughts drifted to the night of the wedding, when they'd kissed out on the porch.

She had raised his desire in a way, he'd never thought any woman could and he had wanted to sweep her up in his arms and carry her to his bed.

But he'd never admit that for the world.

"I'm beginning to think, no man can get the drawers off that strait-laced, stubborn woman," he said.

"Sounds like the lieutenant is planning to," Will offered.

That thought annoyed Sam to no end.

He didn't like the idea of losing his image as a lady-killer and worse yet, he hated the thought of his Mercy in bed with that nincompoop.

His Mercy. He caught himself after a few seconds.

'Yes, my Mercy.'

Buford couldn't handle her, anyway…he wasn't man enough.

"So, what should I do about the lieutenant, Will?"

"Legally, you can't prove anything. And no police officer, would take the word of a known whore like Quinn, over the lieutenant's. The best you can do, is watch your back and be ready, in case he tries something again."

"As a southerner, I'm yearning to beat the hell out of him," Sam said.

"If you hit him, Miss Jones will feel sorry for him and think you're a bigger savage, than she already does."

"I've got one more idea," Sam said smiling. "I could seduce Miss Jones and then tell that bastard, so he'll break the engagement. He's so proud and haughty, he won't take seconds from someone like me."

Will frowned and rubbed his forehead.

"Kissing and telling ain't your style, Sam and it's definitely not something a southerner would do to a lady."

"You're absolutely right, Will," Sam started and then smirked. "I'm gonna do more than kiss her. I'll do anything to keep Buford from ending up, owning half the Lily."

"But, your charm hasn't worked on her, so far," Will reminded him. That really annoyed Sam.

"I haven't fully put my mind to it, yet. Do you actually think, I couldn't get into her panties, if I set my mind to it?" He started for the door and stopped.

"She may be a tough cookie, but it's one of my favorite snacks." Will smiled and Sam asked.

"You think we could get the boys together, for a game of poker? I miss the old days."

"Where? At the Lily?"

"Are you joking? She's even outlawed the bar, except for a little wine and maybe some mint juleps. What kind of Texan drink wine?"

He made a face, snorted and turned towards the door.

"Will, I just wanted someone else to know about the lieutenant, in case you find me shot in the back, some night."

"Be careful, Sam. Fortenbury is yellow enough to do that. Maybe you should tell the major. He's hankering to deal with the person who shot you." Sam smiled.

"And tell him what? Nope, I think I'll have to deal with him myself. I think I'll go to Pug's and see if he's got anything that might please a lady."

"Quinn?"

"She ain't…she's not a lady. I mean Mercy. I got to stop her from marrying that damned snot-nose officer. He's as slick as calf slobber."

Sam left and walked down the sidewalk.

It was only after he'd gone, that Will remembered, he'd forgotten to ask Sam, if they'd found that mysterious box.

Oh, well, he'd mention it next time. After all, how important could it be?

Sam entered Pug's store.

"Hey there, hombre," he greeted. "Long time no see." Pug grinned and shook his hand.

"Are we ever gonna get together and play poker again?"

"Maybe in Will's office. Mercy doesn't like gambling at the place anymore."

"Are you letting a woman boss you around?" Pug asked, his bushy eyebrows going up.

"She just seems to have a knack, of getting her own way," Sam admitted with a shake of his head. "I tell her how it's gonna be and she just smiles and does it her way."

"That ain't like you, Sam," Pug said, swatting a fly.

"Well, she's not your average woman," Sam said. "And as a hotel, we're starting to make some profit. A good hotel will bring lots of new folk into town."

"So does a good whorehouse," Pug tossed in.

"I meant respectable people," Sam followed up.

"Now you're beginning to sound like her."

"I'll go along with it, until I change her mind," Sam assured him.

"She don't look like the type to be swayed easily."

"Well, I'm workin' on it, but she's as stubborn as an army mule. I need a nice fancy perfume…"

Pug blinked in disbelief.

"What's wrong? I want the fine stuff, not something the whores would wear," Sam said.

"Here's a dozen bottles on the counter you can take a sniff at."

"You can't really get the full scent, just sniffing the bottle," Sam complained.

"You want I should dab some on?"

"Well, yes, There's no one around. Put a little behind each ear and let me sniff it." Pug shook his head.

"I don't know about that."

"Do you want to sell some expensive perfume, or not?"

"Alright. But if I go home smelling of perfume, what's my wife gonna say?"

"Tell her you were with Quinn, at the Bucket O' Blood." Pug snorted.

"You tryin' to get me killed?"

He dabbed a little from the first bottle. Sam closed his eyes and sniffed.

"What's that called?"

"Dior Pure Poison." Sam shook his head.

"The name is appealing, but that don't smell like Mercy. Try another one." Pug splashed some on his bulldoggish face.

"This one is called Amber Musc." Sam leaned in and sniffed. Just then, some of the Beautification Committee walked in.

"Well, well. What are you boys doing?" Dimples asked. They were all grinning like polecats.

"This place smells better than a whorehouse," Luke threw in.

"Nothing smells better than a whorehouse," Dimples added. Sam sighed wistfully.

"The Texas Lily used to smell great. Now, it smells like soap, furniture polish and apple pie. Pug, you have anything else?"

"I have one bottle left of some expensive type, I let the drummer talked me into ordering."

He reached into the display case and withdrew a fancy looking bottle.

"Here boys, take a whiff of this. It's called Scandalous by Victoria's Secret." Sam shook his head.

"Even if it smells good, I don't think Miss Jones would be caught dead, wearing a scent with a name like that."

Pug scratched his head and dug into the display case again.

"Here's something just as expensive, or more, called Mademoiselle by Coco Chanel."

"Now that sounds more like her and it's pretty too."

Sam grabbed it and took a sniff. It smelled heavenly. Bergamot, Jasmine and other lovely scents inflamed his nostrils and his thoughts went straight to Mercedes.

"I think this will do." Luke grinned.

"You giving perfume to another man's fiancee? He ain't gonna like that."

"Good!" Sam snapped. "Maybe he'll call me out. I'd like nothing better, than for Mercy to see me whup his ass, like a big dog on a mangy pup."

"Mercy?" Dimples asked. "You call her Mercy?"

"Shut up!" Sam shouted. He laid out the money for the perfume and pocketed it. Luke patted him on the back and said,

"We've still got faith in you, Sam."

"Nobody can beat a southerner, when he really goes after something," Sam said. He nodded and finished off with, "Wish me luck," and started for the door.

"You're gonna need it, with that stubborn woman," Pug said.

"Aw, women are all the same," Sam said, as he left.

But he wasn't quite sure, he believed that any more. Mercy was different, in a good sort of way, even if she wasn't a southerner.

Sam returned to the Lily.

Mercedes Jones was bustling about, setting tables.

"Where have you been?" she asked and she didn't smile. "I've got three new guests, besides the two we already have. Carmen is fixing something to eat, but I promised them your barbecue for tomorrow."

He gave her his warmest smile and said,

"I'll be happy to do that. I believe you've got a good idea here, Mercy. I mean, about the hotel and all." For once she smiled back.

"Thank you. Doesn't it feel good, to be respectable for a change?" she asked.

"I don't know. I've never been respectable."

"Well, you're about to find out. We're showing a profit already. Soon, you won't have to stay up late, drinking and gambling, you can go to bed at nine o'clock, like any respectable person."

'Why in the hell would anyone want to go to bed at nine o'clock?' He asked himself, as he watched Mercedes' ample behind in that blue dress waggle, as she walked away from him.

Suddenly, he could think of one reason, for going to bed that early.

The last two girls, Elaine and Eva, came downstairs, dressed in plain purple tops and black skirts, with little black aprons and black flats on their feet.

They wore no make-up and looked as respectable as choir girls.

Mercedes gave them orders and they bustled about, setting tables, folding napkins and adding little flower arrangements, to make the place look classy.

"Uh…Mercy, have you got a minute?" Sam asked. He felt the perfume box in his pocket.

"I told you I was busy." Her voice and expression were cold. It appeared she hadn't forgotten about catching Quinn in his arms.

"Alright, it can wait until this evening, or maybe after dinner."

"Good." She smiled. And then, "Now, Sam, go wash up and be charming to our customers. If they like our place, they'll spread the word to other travelers.

'Sam? Did she really call me 'Sam'?' he asked himself. He liked the way she said his name.

"Sure. I'll be charming," he said, giving her his best smile.

And he was charming indeed.

He was so charming, two ladies were almost swooning in their soup, to catch his every word.

The next morning, he caught Mercedes walking through the main room, at a fairly brisk pace. He caught up to her in no time.

"Was I charming enough for you yesterday?" She frowned at him.

"You didn't have to be that charming. Those women were ready to pull off their undies for you."

'Wait! Is she jealous? Mercy? Nah.' He tried to look contrite.

"I was just doing what you told me to do. I think you're still angry about Quinn."

"Now, why would I be?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I heard a noise downstairs and found a slut in your arms." Sam whistled at her tone and at her words.

"I thought such language was beneath you, Miss Jones." She gave him a frosty stare. "Look, I'm sorry about that…and about what happened with Quinn. But you know, men are just weak, vile creatures, whose thoughts seldom go above their belts. Quinn was there to tempt me."

"If you've got to have her, go down to the Bucket, or somewhere else."

"I don't have to have her, and I don't want her. Besides, she ain't the one that tempts me, no matter how much she throws herself at me."

"It didn't look like you were fighting her off."

"She…she caught me by surprise."

"Uh-huh." Her mind seemed to be elsewhere. "You know, perhaps the hotel needs a little gentlemen's lounge, where we serve liquor and the men could smoke,' she offered.

Sam went speechless for a moment. He stared and blinked at her.

"Y-you mean that?" he asked, finding his voice.

"Certainly. You could stock some fine brandy, of course some mint juleps would be nice…and anything else you could think of, that a man would drink. And I could serve some Sherry…"

"Sherry? That's a lady's drink." He laughed.

"I'll have you know, Buford says he prefers Sherry."

"I rest my case," he said and then realized he was off on the wrong foot again.

"I'm sorry, Mercy. I shouldn't have said that. When I'm around you, I act like a damned fool."

"I won't argue with that," she said.

'Touche.'

A growing suspicion gnawed at his mind, like a rat on a corn crib.

"Uh…Mercy…just where did you intend, to set up this gentlemen's lounge?" She brought her hand to her chin and leaned on it thoughtfully.

"Your office."

"My office?" Sam almost shouted.

"You needn't squawk, like a turkey gobbler being chased with an axe," she complained. "After dinner, we'll discuss some other changes I have in mind," she finished.

Sam was exasperated.

He had to put a stop to this, before it got out of hand.

"Perhaps, this afternoon we could take a drive," he offered.

"Where?" She looked at him with suspicion.

"We could drive out and see some land I own on the edge of town."

"Hmm. Maybe we could sell it and use the money to improve the Texas Lily."

"Sell my land?"

"You're squawking again, Evans."

"Miss Mercy," he started, forcing himself to smile, although he wanted to shake her. "The land under discussion, does not belong to the partnership. It solely belongs to me."

"Oh? Well, we'll look at it anyway, now that we are in agreement."

She marched to the kitchen, leaving Sam standing there, with his mouth hanging open and a strong urge to strangle her.

'Agreement? I didn't agree to anything…or had I? When I'm around that woman, she confuses me.'

Sam grinned to himself.

This headstrong woman, thinks she could just wrap him around her little finger.

'Hell, she'll soon find out I'm nothing like that piece of work Fortenbury.'

They had a delicious early dinner, complete with a huge beef roast, corn on the cob, apple pie and homemade ice cream.

They had three hotel guests, plus five who had come for dinner.

The girls managed to set the table and serve the meal, only spilling soup in a gentleman's lap once.

The guests all leaned back with happy sighs.

"Honestly," said one, "That was the best apple pie I ever had and the coffee was hot, just the way I like it."

"Gentlemen," Sam started, pushing back his chair. "Would you like to adjourn to the gentlemen's lounge for cigars and brandy?" All the men at the table, eyes lit up.

"This is a first-rate hotel. I'd love to," one piped up. Mercedes gave Sam a triumphant nod that made him want to shake her, but he smiled and said,

"Certainly. The Texas Lily is the best hotel in Town."

Later that evening, Sam had Josiah bring his car around the front.

He turned to Mercedes, bowed with a flourish and said,

"Miss Mercy, I promised you an afternoon ride." Mercedes hesitated, yet yearned to go.

"I'm not sure what Buford would think…"

"You don't trust your own partner?"

He looked hurt.

Her common sense told her, she shouldn't trust him, any farther than she could throw Sherwin the goat, but she didn't want to be rude and say no.

"Thank you, for allowing your office to be used as a lounge," she said. Sam appeared to be gritting his teeth, but managed a smile.

"My pleasure, dear lady." Mercedes warmed to him.

"I'm looking forward to the drive," she kindly said. And she meant it, even though, she sensed, she was playing with fire.

They advanced to the porch and down the steps.

Sam placed his big hand on the small of her back, to help her into the car.

For just a moment, he hesitated, his hand warm, and now on her arm, as he looked deeply into her eyes.

Immediately, Mercedes remembered the way he had kissed her.

She took a deep breath, knowing she should never allow herself to be alone with Sam Evans.

Then, he helped her buckle the seatbelt and went around to the driver's side.

Inside the car, she said to him,

"I know how to drive…"

"Maybe so, but I'm drivin'." Her heart fluttered at his accent, but his tone brokered no argument. He was definitely in charge.

"Alright. It's a nice evening, isn't it?"

"The weather in Texas is always perfect."

"I don't think so," she disputed. "I hear the summers are hot as hell and the winters sometimes have blue northers, that freeze people in their tracks."

"For a Texan, that's perfect," he said.

She decided, she wouldn't argue with him. He was stubborn and determined, but they had that in common.

The weather was warm, and the lilies were in the last stages of bloom.

"I don't know why Aunt Sue only planted common orange day lilies," she complained. And then, "They're so ordinary."

"Sue was just plain folk…nothing snooty about her," Sam said, as they went down the drive.

Sherwin glanced up, then returned to eating the flowers around the birdbath. It was almost as if, he protected the rusty thing.

"So, you think I'm pretentious?" she asked, glaring at him. He grinned and she was reminded of how white and straight his teeth are, in his handsome face.

"Miss Mercy, I don't know that big word. And let's not fight, like two coyotes over a carcass. Let's just enjoy the ride, shall we?"

"You have a way with words, Mr. Evans." He grinned and winked.

"Call me Sam." She was already regretting coming on this drive. He real fear was being alone with Sam Evans.

"Nonsense," she said aloud, and Sam asked,

"What?"

"Nothing," she replied, internally berating herself for her outburst.

Sam decided to let it slide.

He made small talk about the town, but Mercedes hardly listened, as she grew more and more ill at ease, sitting next to him.

He took a narrow dirt road, but still within sight of town and came to a stop.

"Here it is. It's only about five acres, but it's beautiful here." Mercedes looked around.

"It's more than beautiful, with all these big, live oak trees trailing Spanish moss. This would make a lovely town park."

"Park? Lady, this is where I plan to build a bigger and better saloon."

He flew from the car with an incredulous look on his face. He came around and helped her, from the car.

When he brought her out, he didn't remove his hands from her fingers or her back. He just stood there looking down at her.

There were so close, she could feel the heat from his muscular body.

Now she remembered why she didn't want to be alone with him.

The kiss came to mind…that all consuming kiss and suddenly, she was afraid…but of what? She couldn't decide, if she was afraid he'd kiss her again, or that he wouldn't.

'Mercedes Jones, are you out of your mind? You are a respectable, engaged woman,' she scolded herself internally. She managed to pull out of his grasp.

"It's a lovely piece of land. Right over in that meadow, would be a good place for flowers and a grass lawn."

"It's perfect ain't…isn't it?" She felt him step up close behind her. "I bought it last year, when Sue and I was talking of expanding." His arms slipped around her waist. "I brought you a gift," he softly said.

She looked down at his big hands, trying to decide, whether to make an issue of him touching her. While she hesitated, he pulled her back against him, flush onto to his front.

"Uh…Mr. Evans…"

"Call me Sam." His face was so close to the back of her head, his warm breath stirred her hair and raised goose bumps on her neck.

"Remember, I'm an engaged woman." Sam rolled his eyes.

"How could I forget?" His big hands seemed to encircle her waist so possessively. "I got you some perfume."

"You…you shouldn't have done that." Her heart was beating so fast.

"I wanted to. When I smelled it, it reminded me of you." He put his face against her hair, sniffing it.

"Umm…Mr. Evans, I don't think you should…"

"Sam…call me Sam," he whispered.

She turned in his arms, meaning to protest, that this wasn't proper. Then she looked up at him, into his intense gorgeous eyes and his mouth looked so sensual and so inviting.

"Mercy?" he whispered, as if asking permission.

"I must not give in. I must not surrender. I must not lose control of my carefully planned life,' she chanted in her head.

"Mercy?"

He kept looking down at her, all wide shoulders, handsome features and virile body.

His big hands came up and took her head between them, very gently tilting her face up to his.

'I must not do this,' she screamed inside of her head, but she couldn't control herself, as his lips came down to cover hers in a mind-blowing kiss.

Her lips automatically opened and her eyes closed, as she lost herself in the kiss.

She gasped and moaned, ever so slightly, angling her head, surrendering to the tantalizing, paralyzing feel of his tongue, as it danced and dueled with hers.

She found herself returning his kiss with ardor, as it deepened and grew passionate. Her small hands went to the back of his neck, as his arms pulled her closer, until she could feel the heat and the power of him, all the way down her body.

His lips felt soft and full and now the tip of his tongue was teasing hers, and driving her crazy.

She opened her mouth wider and his tongue slipped back inside.

Mercedes trembled, clinging to him, wanting more, so much more. She wasn't sure if it was her heart, or his that pounded so hard, but it didn't matter at this point.

She felt the cords of his neck, under her fingertips and the softness of his blonde hair, that curled in her hands.

His manhood was hard and throbbing, against the softness of her sheer dress.

When she took a deep breath, he smelled of Polo Red and she tasted the sweetness of his mouth.

After a while, Mercedes pulled away and Sam looked as shocked, as she felt.

"Mercy…God Mercy," he whispered and she started to protest, what they were doing wasn't right, but his mouth covered hers again and she forgot all of that.

He drew her up in his arms and kissed her with everything in him.

He started trailing kisses over her cheek and down her neck.

"Mercy…what are you doing to me?" he moaned, as he leaned over and sat her against the trunk of a big tree.

The grass was soft, as he sat down beside her, took her hand in his and kissed the back of it very gently.

The evening sunlight dappled his face, through the shade of the leaves and she became faintly aware, that somewhere, a bird was singing.

She saw her hands tremble, as she reached out, to run one through his tousled hair.

"I…I think we shouldn't be here…alone. I'm an engaged woman." Sam lay his head in her lap and looked up at her earnestly.

"If you want to go, we will," he said and waited…

I know, I've asked myself the same thing...why did you end this here? Silly woman. :) The next chapter will begin where this ended, promise.