Is this Love?

On his way home, Scott walked by the field his father was tending to and saw him sitting on the low fence rail, taking a well-earned drink from his canteen. His father spotted the young man and waved and Scott returned it with one of his own. Feeling his mouth go dry, Scott walked across the field to his father. "Hey boy, how are you doing? Did your visit with the Carters go alright?"

"Yes sir, the visit was fine. Theresa and I sat on the porch swing, drank some lemonade Mrs. Carter made and we talked a lot…Pa…I was wondering…..uhm….could I borrow the surrey after church on Sunday?"

"For?"

"Uhm…well….I've asked Miss Theresa if she would like to go on a picnic….. with uhm me."

Scott's father smiled, "Oh really? You like this girl that much?"

Scott blushed bright red and his father laughed, "Don't be embarrassed boy, it's perfectly normal to like someone and want to get to know them a little more, by being alone with them. So tell me a little more about this young lady. Is she pretty?"

Scott stood in front of his father nodding his head, "Yeah, Pa she's real pretty and she's smart and funny too."

"She like you as much as you think you like her?"

"Aw Pa, it ain't like that yet. I only met her yesterday. Sure I like her and I think she likes me and I like being around her but…."

"You want to get to know her and be friends first?" finished his father.

"Well… yeah I guess. I mean I do have a funny feeling in my stomach when I see her, but I'm not sure what that is," admitted the young man as he toed the dirt with his right foot.

Oh I know exactly what that feeling is; my boy is in love already. The boy sure is growing up. I guess I better have another chat with him about being respectful of the girl. "So son, you like her and you want to take her on a picnic after church. What do her uncle and aunt think of that?"

"I don't know Pa. I gotta ask her Uncle. Pa….Mr. Carter scares me a little, what do I say to him? Theresa says she's only go with me if I ask her Uncle."

Scott's father passed the canteen to his son and Scott took a long pull whilst his father sat and thought about what advice he could offer. "Hmm, well if it were me I'd go talk to him when it was quiet see and I'd say something like, 'Mr. Carter, I was wondering if I might have your permission to take your niece out for a picnic on Sunday after church. I promise I will remain completely respectful of her and I'll have her home for whenever time you say."

"You think Mr. Carter will accept something like that Pa?"

"Maybe, I don't know him all that well but if you show him that you are a polite, honest and respectable young man, then I can't see as to how he can refuse. "

Scott took another long pull of the water in the canteen and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, "Thanks Pa I'll think try that. I gotta go get changed now. Mr Forrester only gave me the morning off."

"Alright son, go get changed…" Scott started across the field when his father jumped down from the fence, "Scott?"

The younger man stopped in his tracks and turned around, "Yes sir?"

"When you get home you and I need to have us a long talk about how to act properly around young ladies."

"Pa! You already gave me THAT talk when I was 12!" Scott said the flush growing into his cheeks again.

Scott's father chuckled, "Yes I remember, but it won't hurt to have a reminder and besides I was thinking more along the line of courting and just general behaviour around the young lady and her guardians. Go on son, go get changed for work and I'll see you tonight. Ask your mother to make an apple pie today will ya? 'cos I'm in the mood for something sweet."

"Yes sir, bye Pa," and with that, the embarrassed young man walked across the field to the house.

Scott's father watched his son trudge across the dusty field and he shook his head in merriment, 'Boy now I know exactly what my Pa meant when he told me how I looked when I first came home talking about meeting a girl. If that boy got any redder in the face he would have set the damn field alight! I wonder if I looked exactly like that? I sure hope this girl is worth it!

After giving the message to his mother, Scott washed and changed into his uniform and set off back to town. Passing by the mercantile he saw Theresa tidying the store front up and he waved and received a wave in return which caused his heart to beat faster. I don't know what this feeling is but I kinda like it. Feeling like he was walking taller, Scott made his way quickly to the International Hotel.

"Ah Scott, I'm glad you're here, get Mr. Prescott's bags will you please and take them up to room 12," said Mr Forrester the older porter.

"Yes sir," Scott picked up the key and the man's bags and he lead the way up the stairs to room 12. Unlocking and opening the door, he stood back to allow the gentleman to enter before following with the bags and depositing them on the bed.

"Thank you, son," said Mr. Prescott, tossing him a silver dollar as a tip.

Scott looked at the silver dollar in awe, "Thank you sir, if there's anything else I can get you just ask, my name is Scott."

"Thank you young fella, I might just take you up on that later. Now is there anywhere I can get a bath and a shave, it's been a long trip?"

"Yes sir, there's a bath house down the street a ways and a barbers right opposite. Or I can get you a bath here if you want but it will cost extra."

"Down the street is fine, I don't want to put you to any bother just now. Which way to the bath house?"

"Out the front door and to the right sir, it's clearly labelled, you can't miss it."

"Thank you I'll just put my things away and head there now." Replied Mr. Prescott and Scott left the room, pocketing the silver dollar on his way back down to reception.

A few hours later and Scott was manning the reception when a man came in with a sealed note, "It's for the man in room 12," he said handing the note over before he walked off. Scott put up the sign saying to ring the bell for service and quickly made his way up to room 12. He knocked softly on the door.

"Yes who is it?" came from behind the door.

"It's Scott from reception sir, I've a note here for you, it just got delivered."

Seconds later and the door was opened by the man that Scott had shown up to the room earlier. Scott handed him the note and went to walk away when, "Hold on there young fella, there might be a reply."

Scott stopped walking and turned and stood a respectful distance away, whilst the man opened and read his note. "Son, I've a very important meeting coming up tomorrow and this says that the stage is not bringing my things until tomorrow as there wasn't room for my luggage crate. I need a pair of dress pants and a shirt, is there somewhere round here I can purchase them?"

"Yes sir, the mercantile has a good selection."

"Very well, I don't suppose you'd collect them for me would you, I'm kind of tired and was just having a rest. Of course I'll pay you for going?"

"Yes sir I can collect them for you and you don't have to pay extra for that, Mr. Sanderson, expects us to look after his guests. If you write a note with your size on them I'll go to the store for you."

"You're a fine young man, you know that, here come in and I'll write a note." Scott followed the man into his room and waited whilst a note was written. Folding the note over with a 20 dollar bill, Mr Prescott gave it to Scott. "I want the finest dress pants and shirt the store has son and you may keep the change." The man said generously.

Scott mentally did the math in his head, Virginia City wasn't that expensive for clothing even the best of it, as being a kind of rough and ready town still, not many fine things were stocked. Oh you could order things in from San Francisco if you wanted but the store didn't stock anything too fine as they couldn't sell it. Even if Mr. Carter sold Scott the best pants and shirt he had Scott reason that there would probably be at least 5 dollars change.

"Ah sir, I'll get your things right away but I can't accept such a generous tip," replied the young man shyly.

"Nonsense boy, you'll be doing me a good service and anyway, don't you have a girl? Some kind of sweetheart or special someone," winked the high rolling man.

"Uhm, no sir….I like someone but I don't really know her all that well."

"Well then, you keep the change and you use it to get to know her a little better, buy her something with it, something nice for her to wear in her hair perhaps. Girl's like it when someone does that for them," and the man winked at Scott again.

Scott blushed but nodded, "Thank you sir, I will."

"Go on then young'un and ask them to wrap the clothes will you please as I don't want them getting dusty before tomorrow."

"Yes sir, I will," and then Scott turned and left the room.

"Nice young fella that, I might even think about giving him a job if this business deal works out." Muttered Mr. Prescott as he closed the door to his room and returned to his previous position of lying on the bed. Within minutes he was fast asleep dreaming of his upcoming deals to buy first The Bucket of Blood, then the bed and breakfast house down the street. The plan was to open up a new Casino in the Bucket of Blood and then the Bed and Breakfast house would be refurbished to look after the high rollers he wanted to attract into town now that the Silver mining was taking off.

Mr. Prescott had only just a year ago been a poor failed rancher. He was a good man who was prepared to work hard but for 3 years running his crop had failed and when his wife left him as she couldn't cope with his depressive nature, he decided to sell up and go mining. It was then that all his luck changed. James Prescott had only been mining for one week, taking over and following on from another miner who had given up on his dream when James hit pay dirt and he found one of the biggest silver veins in the whole of the territory.

One year on and James had the finest of everything. He had used the first few claims to get himself cleaned up and into nice clothes. Then decided that mining was far too risky and now he had the wealth he wanted to get his wife back so he sold his mine to a large mining company and was now set up for life. Unfortunately Martha had remarried by the time he found her and so James had wished her well and decided to try and make a new life for himself. A contact had said that Virginia City was up and coming and so here he was with big ideas.

Adam and Alistair had finished their lunch and were in the hotel lounge when Adam decided that they should take a stroll. "Alistair we have a while before Jake joins us, do you want to take a stroll around town to see the changes that have happened whilst you have been gone?"

"Actually Adam I think that is a very good idea, it will stop me from falling asleep too. My that was a fine steak wasn't it?"

"Yep it sure was. I told you the chef here is French and he cooks a great steak. What did you think of that sauce he put on the steak?"

"Rich and hearty and it made the steak taste just fantastic, even better than in San Francisco's finest restaurant."

Adam laughed, "Well where do you think the owner poached him from?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, pays him handsomely too but it keeps people coming back to the hotel, so I guess it's a good deal for both of them. Come on, let's go take that stroll and work off some of that meal."

Alistair finished the last of his glass of wine and lighting a cigar up he offered one to Adam who refused. "Suit yourself, it's a good brand."

"Never cared for them myself, but Pa might like to try one when you come out to the house."

Adam opened the hotel door and stepped out onto the porch with Alistair following him closely. "Alright Mr. Tour Guide, which way first?" asked Alistair smirking before he stepped down from the porch and bowed.

"Hey! I'll give you, tour guide," cried Adam stepping down to slap his friend on the arm.

Just then Adam was bowled over from behind. He fell forwards onto Alistair and they both ended up on the floor.

"Hey, watch where you are going?" Adam yelled and he turned to see a teenage boy dressed in the hotel's porter uniform.

"I'm sorry, really I am, Mr. Cartwright." said Scott immediately hurrying forwards to help Adam and Alistair up.

"Well so you should be, boy," said Alistair angrily, "you need to slow down and watch where you are going young man or someone is going to get hurt."

Scott stood in front of the two men and put his hat in his hands, "Yes sir, I'm sorry. I was thinking about something else and wasn't paying attention to the step. Please accept my profuse apologies."

"It's Scott isn't it," said Adam recognising the boy.

Scott nodded his head quickly, "Yes sir, Mr. Cartwright. I'm really sorry, honest I am. Please don't ask Mr. Forrester to fire me."

"Hey now, it was an accident, right? Where were you rushing off to anyway?"

"To the mercantile sir, I have an errand to run for a customer."

"Alright, Scott, go on and slow down and watch where you are going and, if you see Jake my ranch hand heading this way tell him, Mr McCrawley and I have gone for a tour of the town and will meet him at the hotel like I told him earlier."

"Yes sir, I will Mr. Cartwright, thank you for not reporting me. Sorry Mister, if you are staying at the hotel tonight, I'll personally clean your boots and coat for you."

"Alright young'un go on and don't let me see you running around without looking again." Replied Alistair, staring down at the young man in front of him.

Scott inclined his head, "No sir, I won't. Thanks for everything, Mr. Cartwright."

Scott put his hat back on his head and turned towards the mercantile. Shit that was close, I gotta get my head on straight or never mind Mr. Carter, Mr. Forrester will have my head.

Taking several deep breaths to calm himself, Scott walked down the street to the mercantile, his mind returning to thinking about how he was going to try and get the mercantile owner on his own so that he could ask his question. Although this time he made sure to pay attention to the boardwalk and managed to not collide with anyone else on the way.

Lucy Carter had returned home by the time that Scott had made his way to the store, but Theresa was in the store serving a customer when Scott entered. He smile and raised his hand a little when he realised her uncle's attention was elsewhere and received a small nod in response.

Searching amongst the shirts, Scott tried to find the best quality and was startled by Sam Carter coming up behind him, "What are you looking for, son?"

"Uh I've been sent here by a customer from the hotel, Mr. Carter. He sent me with a note and asked me to make sure that I brought back the best you have," replied Scott uneasily as he handed over the sealed note.

Sam accepted the note and opened it and after reading it quickly, he started looking for the sizes quoted. Finding a white cotton shirt that had a small embroidered border on the collar he handed it to Scott, "This is the best quality I have in this size, wait one moment whilst I search for the pants."

"Yes sir," replied Scott and he stood there holding the good quality shirt whilst the store keeper searched amongst the pants on the shelf. "Theresa, where are the black pants, the good quality ones that I had here yesterday?"

"In the back I think Uncle Sam, you asked me to sort things out and keep the most used items in the store and put the rest away, as we were running out of space," yelled Theresa from the back of the store where she was serving a customer some flour.

Sam muttered under his breath but he left Scott and hurried into the back store room and returned moments later. "Found them, these are the best I have young man, I hope that they are OK for your customer."

"I'm sure that they will be Mr. Carter, the man said to get the best you had, he also asked if you could wrap them rather than box them, if that's ok? Says he needs them for tomorrow and doesn't want to get any dust on them."

"Come to the front then, son and I'll wrap them for you." Sam walked to the front of the store and folded and wrapped the black dress pants and then did the same with the dress shirt. "That will be 12.75 please."

Scott handed over the 20 dollar bill and Sam handed over the change, as Scott reached out to accept the brown paper packages he took a deep breath, "Mr. Carter, may I speak with you, uhm…privately?"

Sam Carter passed the young man the packages and reared back on his heels, "About what young man?" he asked suspiciously.

Scott sneaked a look at Theresa who had finished serving her customer and she stood behind the dry goods counter, "Uhm, well… it's about your niece, sir."

Sam looked across the store at Theresa and then back at the young man in front of him. "Are you the young man who came calling on my niece this morning?"

"Yes sir," replied Scott, trying to maintain his focus of the man in front of him although feeling desperately like he wanted to turn tail and run.

Sam waited a few minutes, looking from his niece to the young man in front of him. The wait for an answer only served to make Scott feel even more nervous and his mouth and throat became dry and his hands started to sweat.

"Alright…Theresa, mind the store for a few minutes will you please. Let's go out back and talk then young man."

Sam Carter led the way around to the back of the store and then pointing to a couple of barrels, "Take a seat, young man."

Scott sat down on a barrel and placed his packages on the next one and Sam Carter sat on another, "Alright then, young man, say your piece."

Scott's mouth and lips suddenly felt dry and is throat started closing up as his heart pounded in his chest. "Uhm," (cough, cough), "well sir," (cough), "I (cough)…."

"It's alright, son, calm down. Do you need a drink of water?" Sam asked kindly as he could see the boy becoming pale.

Cough, cough, "Yes…" cough, "please." Scott managed to stutter in between coughs.

Sam stood up and walked to the water pump, pumped a ladle full of water and brought it back to the young man. "Sip it son," he suggested.

Scott took the ladle gratefully and sipped at the cold water in between coughs and slowly the coughing bout eased and his throat muscles relaxed. Sam Carter stood by watching the young man carefully in case he was needed to help out with a pat or two on the back. Seeing the colour appear in the boys cheeks, he relaxed and took at seat back on the barrel, "You alright, now?" he asked.

"Yes… thank…you," Scott managed to croak out.

Sam let the boy breathe deeply and encouraged him to drink a little more water for a few minutes. When Scott finished the water he handed the ladle back to Sam, "Thank you, sir."

"Better?" enquired Sam.

"Yes, sir."

"Good, now what was it you were trying to say?"

"Uhm….well sir, I'd like you permission to talk Miss Theresa on a picnic after church on Sunday."

"A picnic?"

"Yes sir, just a picnic, Mr. Carter, I promise and I'll obey any rules you set, sir. Like bringing her home by a certain time and respecting her as a young lady too."

"Hmm…..and if I agreed to this picnic, just where would you be thinking of taking her?"

"To a meadow just outside of town. It has a nice little creek running through it and it's a pleasant place to picnic." Replied Scott, trying to maintain eye contact and not fidget too much at Sam's enquiring gaze.

"How will you get to this meadow, son?"

"My, Pa said I could borrow the surrey, sir."

"A surrey, so Theresa could sit in the back whilst you steer the horses?"

"Uhm, yes sir, if that is what you want," replied Scott, feeling a little disappointed that this condition was being imposed, but he remained hopeful that it meant that he would gain permission to take Theresa out.

Sam Carter stared into the young boys eyes for a few minutes and seeing that the frightened young man held his gaze without too much squirming. He decided that the boy was brave enough to ask and therefore he would be someone who could be trusted to obey the conditions set. "I take it you have already asked my niece?"

"Y..yes, s..sir, but Theresa…I mean Miss Theresa, only agreed if you granted permission sir."

"Alright, young man, you have my permission, with these conditions. 1. I expect my niece to ride in the back of the surrey whilst you drive. 2. You will respect her virtue at all times. 3. I wish her to return by supper. That is 6 o'clock, young man and not a minute later. Do you agree to my conditions?"

"Absolutely sir," replied Scott with conviction.

Sam smiled at the young man, "I believe you will, son. Well, I suspect that you want to be the one to give Theresa the good news, won't you?"

"Yes, sir! Thank you for placing your trust in me, Mr. Carter," replied Scott warmly as he stood and held out his hand.

Sam grasped the younger man's hand and shook it, "See that you don't let me down, son."

"No sir, I won't. May I go and speak to Miss Theresa, now?"

"Yes, go on."

Scott turned and ran back around the front of the store and ran up the steps. Theresa was just inside straightening the display of dress pants her Uncle had been rummaging through. Scott burst through the open doorway with a wide grin on his face.

"Uncle Sam, said yes?" Theresa asked hopefully.

Scott nodded, "Yes he did, he's set some conditions but it's nothing I can't agree with. I have to go back to the hotel now, before my boss sends a search party out for me as I was only running an errand. So if I don't see you again, this week, I'll see you at church on Sunday, yes?"

"Yes, Oh, yes, thank you, so much for being brave enough to face Uncle Sam," Theresa replied, giving him a quick peck on the cheek and making him blush.

"I hope that there will be none of that going on at this picnic," Sam Carter growled from behind Scott.

Both Scott and Theresa jumped at Sam's words.

"Uhm, Uncle Sam….I …er….uhm, I didn't see you there," Theresa stuttered.

"Obviously not! Perhaps I should be rethinking my decision to allow this picnic," he continued.

"Oh, Uncle Sam, please don't. It was my fault not Scott's, he didn't encourage anything, I just got a little excited. Please Uncle Sam, please can I go?"

Sam looked at the red faced young man who looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him. Sam turned back to his niece who was clearly embarrassed and he sighed deeply, "Alright, you may go, but…you and I will being going over some ground rules when we get home later, young lady."

"Yes, sir. Thank you for agreeing to the picnic, Uncle Sam." Theresa replied looking up at him shyly.

Sam turned to Scott, "You forgot your packages, son in your haste."

"Uhm, Oh….thank you sir….Huh hmm…...Well, if you excuse me, Mr. Carter, Miss Theresa, I have to get back to work."

"Yes…and Theresa, you need to finish tidying that display," Sam said sternly reminding his niece that the conversation was now over.

"Bye Scott, see you Sunday at church."

"Goodbye, Miss Theresa, I look forwards to it," replied Scott and turning he left the store with the packages securely tucked under his arm. As soon as he was out of sight the young boy tuned into an alley and leant up against the wall. Phew…that was hard work and scary. Mr. carter is a good and fair man but I don't want to get on the wrong side of him….Still that kiss must mean that she likes me almost as much as I like her. And with that thought, he dusted down his uniform and setting his shoulders straight and his head held high, the young man left the safety of the alley and headed back to the hotel, whistling a tune his father had taught him.

Authors Note: Thank you all so much for your kind reviews, I'm sorry that I've not been able to reply to them all personally but I do read them all and appreciate everyone's comments. If anyone has any suggestions on how I might improve the story or something they would like to see then please feel free to PM me.

Ulls