While church was still a foreign territory to her, Lucy admitted to herself it was growing more pleasant to be there. She still stood in the back of the room (there wasn't enough room, and she was strong enough to stand on her own anyways) in order to allow the families and children of Colorado Springs their usual places. She still felt like she had to earn a seat. Maybe with time.

Timothy was speaking with particular passion that morning, discussing the tale of Esther and its proof that anyone could rise up to save a nation if they were called by God to do so. Lucy appreciated the story…after all, it was about a woman saving a nation!

Preston kept trying to find excuses to turn around in his seat to steal glimpses of her. Every time he did, it was more and more obvious, and Lucy felt more and more compelled to look away. It was getting embarrassing having his attention, and she still hadn't managed to fully put aside his prying into her love life. She may have been a 'modern' woman, but a woman still had a sense of modesty if she wanted one. Lucy knew that to earn respect here, she'd have to keep that sense of modesty. For now.

For some reason, the blonde woman from the coach hadn't appeared again. Lucy didn't think twice about her.

The Reverend had to linger in the chapel to greet his flock, so Lucy waited outside for him in the open air for their trip to the brook. Looking around her as people began to flow into the world again, she noticed how content these simple people were, with their families close by and their refreshed belief in God. They were nothing like the families in Hell's Kitchen. The tenements always overflowed with screams and arguments in three or four different languages. Men were annoyed of their offspring, and their wives grunted as they did housework. The hallways reeked of alcohol and poverty. Families coming out of churches on Sundays didn't stroll leisurely down the roads. Instead, they rushed to market to buy bread for supper before it went stale.

After a week, Lucy was beginning to grow fond of the fact that the town shut down at sunset (aside from the saloon). At first, her ears rang at night from the lack of noise. Now, she slept deeply and fully, and it was beginning to show in her attitude towards the morning. Now she awoke with a sense of encouragement, ready to face the sun. In New York, she was groggy and irritable until she'd drunk at least two mugs of cheap coffee, after which the day was tolerable at best.

"Lucy!"

Lucy turned to see Grace walking towards her. Robert E walked just behind her, carrying a sleeping Solomon.

"Hello, Grace," Lucy smiled.

"What on Earth were you standing in the back of church for?" she asked. Lucy shrugged silently.

"You know we can hold Solomon on my lap if you need the room," Robert E added.

"Well, thank you," Lucy said, honored. "But only if you'll be comfortable with it."

"Well, I know Mr. Lodge would be a bit more comfortable with it," Grace giggled. Lucy's smile dropped.

"He wasn't hiding it very well, was he?"

"It's not like him at all, so I can't imagine he knows how to hide it," Grace replied. "Last time he showed affections towards a woman…well…it was complicated anyway, but let's just say it didn't end well."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Lucy said quietly.

"Grace, the poor girl looks uncomfortable," Robert E mumbled. "Let's get home."

"Oh I'm sorry if I did make you feel uncomfortable, but I was coming over to ask if you were willing to take a few hours at the café by yourself tomorrow afternoon. I have an appointment with Dr. Mike," Grace admitted. Lucy shrugged.

"Of course."

"Not many people stop by on Monday afternoons. Our only regular is the Reverend. He'll take a cup of tea and make notes in his Bible for an hour if the day is nice," Grace continued.

At hearing 'the Reverend,' Lucy perked up like a puppy hearing his food bowl being filled. "Does he? Good!"

Grace raised an eyebrow and looked at her husband. This was a reaction she wasn't expecting.

"I can cover breakfast so you'll be rested," she said. "We're going to go home now, so we'll see you tomorrow?"

Lucy nodded. As the young family walked off, Lucy saw Preston out of the corner of her eye advancing on her with a prideful grin.

Oh for Pete's sake…

"Oh! My bonnet! I left it by the brook!" she quickly yelled (so that Preston could hear from the few yards away he was). Pretending she didn't see him, Lucy darted around him, knocking into his shoulder as she passed.

Running for the brook, Lucy began laughing as she caught glances behind her. Preston stood bewildered in her wake as her ruse sunk in.

The green afternoon flew past her as she found the brook again. Her hair became loose in the wind and fell out of the braid she'd tied it in. She finally stopped to catch her breath before sinking into the grass, still laughing. It was a schoolyard ruse she'd learned from her female classmates to use when she wanted to avoid a boy flirting with her. She'd initially thought the game a bit coquettish, but now that it had come in handy, she was thankful she'd learned it.

Lucy sat next to the creek and smiled to herself as she awaited Timothy's arrival.

A flash of red among the green grass alerted Timothy to where Lucy waited for him. There she sat, looking blankly forward, as pretty as he'd yet seen her. Her face was red from the sun.

"You should mind your bonnet," he called as he came near enough to speak. Lucy turned to him and sighed peacefully.

"I don't own one," she admitted. "A sun rash won't kill me, and I'm already plain as it is, so a red face won't make any difference."

Timothy clicked his tongue and offered out his hand as he approached her. "All of God's creatures have beauty in them. Don't criticize His great work or suggest it is worth less than it is."

"I must have been the practice template, then," Lucy replied, taking his hand. Timothy helped her to her feet, and let his hand linger on hers for a moment before dropping it again. Her hand felt soft and cool in his.

"I enjoyed your message today," she added. Timothy smiled.

"I must admit, you inspired me in its conception," he said with humility. Lucy's eyes grew wide. If her cheeks weren't already sunburned, they would've begun blushing, adding to her loveliness.

"How?" she asked, smiling.

Timothy didn't want to convey the entire story. The story of how, after she'd left last night, he'd spent the next several hours day dreaming like a schoolboy over her. How some of those daydreams weren't completely honorable, either. He had dreamed of having her under the night sky of some remote forest after their wedding and how her kisses would give him renewed energy with every passing hour to continue to enjoy their carnal pleasures. Then, after he'd come to and prayed for forgiveness from God for the lustful thoughts, he'd opened his Bible to the story of the woman that Lucy had most reminded Timothy of: that of the courageous and independent Esther, who stood up for herself, her people, and her beliefs in the face of death. Then, as he climbed into bed at two in the morning, he'd had another dream of Lucy, felt another arousal developing, and quickly put himself to sleep before more could happen.

"Esther had the resolve to save an entire people from the wrath of one. You've faced adversity too in your life in New York. I had hoped you would've felt that I was speaking of you today," Timothy abridged.

"I…I…oh," was all Lucy could get out. "I never imagined you thought so highly of me."

"Are you embarrassed?"

Lucy shook her head vigorously. "No! No! No! Just the opposite! I'm…I didn't think I'd ever arouse the admiration of a clergyman. I'm not the type to do that, really."

Timothy leaned in and closed the gap between them. "If I make you feel humiliated, please let me know, and I will leave you alone, I promise."

"I kissed you last night, not the other way around," Lucy sighed. "I should think I was making you feel awkward."

"Not at all," Timothy whispered.

"I'm not worth your attention. I'm just a wanderer from Brooklyn," Lucy said. "And an agnostic at that."

"God doesn't care if a Reverend spends his time with a princess or a beggar. As long as His will is done," Timothy added. "You're a wonderful woman, Lucy. Beautiful, brave, and smart."

"I've never met a man like you," Lucy said. "How can a man who's had women let him down before be yet so gentle and admirable around a nobody like me?"

"A nobody?" Timothy whispered. "Lucy, you're everything…"

"…you talk as if we're courting…"

The tension was solid as the space between them closed. He knew he wanted her lips on his again. Lucy gazed up at him and held her breath.

"How fast has this happened between us…" she whispered. "It's crazy."

"Lucy, do you think we should—"

Just before Timothy kissed her, a rude interruption halted the tender interaction.

"Did you find your bonnet, Lucile?"

Timothy and Lucy looked behind them, where Preston Lodge III stood a few feet off, looking indignant.

Timothy's shoulders dropped. Lucy cleared her throat and clenched her fists.

"I should say you've forgotten about it, seeing as the Reverend here distracted you. You're as red as an apple."

"Have you been looking for me, then?" Lucy said deeply.

"No," he said quickly. "I was actually showing off the land to a new arrival. The lady came in on the stage this morning and I was being a good host to Ms. Chambers—"

"—who?!" Timothy's reaction to the name uttered was reflexive, and enough to startle both himself and Lucy.

Preston gestured behind him to a woman just now catching up, working her way through the tall grass. It was the pretty woman in the rust dress from the hotel that morning. Lucy looked curiously at the stranger. But the new woman only had eyes for Timothy.

Preston gave a curt not to the woman and introduced her with a gentleman's grace. "This is Ms. Louise Chambers. She lived here some time ago and is just returning now. Ms. Chambers, this is our Reverend Timothy Johnson and Ms. Lucile Greene, who I've been getting to know quite well over the past week."

Ms. Louise Chambers looked at Timothy without the least hint of surprise or embarrassment. Timothy began to sweat.

"Wait…this is…?" Lucy mumbled.

"Yes. Ms. Greene, this is my…my FORMER…fiancée."

Dear Lord, why do you try me again?