Barlow drove his truck more slowly the closer he got to town. He was determined but a little nervous too. It had been several days since he had been in to the drugstore. In fact, he hadn't gone to see Martha since the night he watched that pain-in-the-ass Walter Longmire walk her home. It had taken Barlow that long to calm down and talk himself out of doing something stupid. Unfortunately, when the anger dissipated it left fear behind. Fear was not an emotion to which Barlow was accustomed and he didn't have any good ways to cope with it. Seeing Martha with Walt had been a shock to Barlow. It was the first time he had even considered that she wasn't waiting for him like he had been waiting for her. He wanted to make it perfectly clear to Walt that he wasn't just going to be able to ride off into the sunset with his girl but he also knew he had to be careful how he went about it. Martha was the sensitive sort and likely wouldn't respond well to an ultimatum from him. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn't like it if she thought a man was trying to control her. It's not that he wanted to dominate her, but he definitely wouldn't share her with anyone else. He wanted her to be his and his alone. By avoiding her, he was able to hold on to the belief that he had a chance to make that happen. He didn't want to face the possibility that by waiting for Martha to get a little older he may have lost her. Still he knew that putting off the inevitable now wouldn't make it any easier. He had heard through the grapevine that Walt had gone back to California taking away any excuses Barlow may have had. He had to find out how Martha felt. He had to go see her.

Martha was busy helping someone with a purchase when he walked in so he went and sat on a stool at the end of the counter farthest away from the register. When the other customer left she made a beeline straight for him, "Barlow, are you okay?"

He was a surprised at her question, "Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Well you haven't been in or placed any orders for over a week. That's not like you. I was concerned maybe you were sick."

He smiled feeling a bit relieved. She had been worried about him. Maybe Longmire wasn't such a threat after all, especially since he was gone again.

"I'm sorry I worried you Martha. Things have just been kind of hectic the last several days but they are getting back to normal now."

"Good." She smiled, "I've missed our talks you know."

"I have too Martha."

"Next time you have to stay away longer than a few days, please let me know so I won't have to wonder about you and think the worst."

Barlow smiled and nodded, "I can do that."

Not being around Martha for a week had nearly destroyed him and he never wanted to go that long without seeing her again. Besides, she missed him. She wanted to keep seeing him. He felt that had answered the question that was burning him up inside. He slipped back into his pattern of regular orders and visits to the drugstore and things were as comfortable between Martha and he as they had always been. He stopped being concerned about Martha and Walt and began brainstorming different ideas for her birthday. He pre-ordered her favorite flowers to be delivered to her at work and picked up a 24 k gold and emerald necklace while on a brief business trip to Cheyenne. He wanted to buy her diamonds but knew as sentimental as Martha was she would probably prefer her birthstone. Besides, he would have plenty of time to find the perfect diamond for her to wear on her finger when he asked her to marry him. He didn't want to rush into that, thinking it might be best to wait until she finished nursing school, which he would pay for of course. He wanted her to not have to worry about money but be able to focus on her studies.

Martha said that her parents were planning a family party for her birthday so he knew he wouldn't be able to take her out that night. Her friends were throwing a celebration for her the next night which was Friday so Barlow would have to wait until Saturday to surprise her with the necklace. He thought that would be perfect because it was the night of the annual Spring Dance sponsored by the Durant Chamber of Commerce. This was not the kind of event Barlow typically attended, however, Martha had mentioned weeks ago how much she loved to dance so he knew she would want to go. He was going to purchase a new shirt, tie and sport coat for the dance after he found out the color of her dress so they could match. He didn't want to put too much pressure on the evening but it would be their public debut as a couple and in his mind it would set the tone for how the community viewed them. He wanted to discuss Martha's thoughts about it with her but there never seemed to be a good time. In fact, it was becoming more and more difficult to find time to talk. She seemed distracted and somewhat distant. He wrote it off as the business of her senior year catching up with her. There was so much for her to do that she had even cut back on her hours at work. That wasn't really a problem for Barlow. Once Martha graduated he wouldn't have to rely on her working to get a chance to spend time with her. They could date and have an official relationship. When the dance was just a week away he realized he had never offered her her a proper invitation to accompany him. He thought it a formality, but something with which he needed to follow through anyway. He went into the drugstore later than usual that Friday. He didn't want to talk to her about it while she was on duty, so he thought he would offer to walk her home after work and ask her then. He also thought if the time were right, he could speak with her parents about his intentions toward their daughter. After all, she was less than a week from turning 18 and he didn't want to waste any time once she was.

He found Martha wiping down the counters at the drugstore as part of her closing duties.

"Barlow, it's a little late for you to be coming. Were you busy this afternoon?"

"Not really, but it's a beautiful evening outside and I came in later than usual to see if I may walk you home tonight."

"That is very sweet of you Barlow, but I already have plans. Lisa and Tammy are coming to pick me up as soon as I am finished here. We're going to a bonfire. The entire senior class will be there. You understand don't you?"

"Of course. I wouldn't want you to miss that. Well then, I was going to speak with you about this on the way home, but since you already have plans I guess I will have to ask you now. Martha, I wanted to know if you would do me the honor of accompanying me to the Spring Dance next weekend."

Martha stopped what she was doing, "Oh!" She was a little taken aback. She hadn't expected that Barlow would ask her to the dance. She didn't want to hurt his feelings but she had to be honest with him, "I'm sorry Barlow but I already have a date for the dance."

It was Barlow's turn to be quiet, "I see."