Chapter 6

Belle rode off into the horizon, going faster than Vin anticipated. He was thinking she would keep a moderate pace, maybe go a little past town. But she went to the bluff, overlooking the valley several miles from town. Larrabee's horse was gasping for breath as she stepped down and observed the view.

Vin pulled up beside her, sliding down off the saddle. He always loved coming out here and observing the country. It made him think of his mistakes, and his opportunities. He looked at Belle when she let out a low sigh.

"Something the matter, Miss Belle?" He looked at her in concern.

"Hmm?" She looked over at Vin. She smiled in content. "No, everything is perfect. Look at that landscape." She returned her attention to the view. "I wish I had brought my watercolors. This would have made such a lovely painting."

Vin's eyebrow raised in shock. "You paint? Where do you find the time with all the flirting and schoolwork?" He smiled quietly.

Belle whirled on him. "Excuse me? I did more than just flirt, Mr. Tanner." She approached him and stopped so she was only a foot away from him, facing him. "I am a very accomplished woman. I can cook, keep house, balance finances, and have all the accomplishments I learned at school." She stuck her tongue out childishly. "So there."

Vin laughed out loud. "I believe it, Miss Belle."

She threw her hands up in indignation. "Why are you calling me 'Miss Belle'? Can't you decide between being familiar and being proper?"

Vin laughed quickly. "I guess so. I'm used to being very proper with every woman except your sister. I can't decide if since she's your sister, it's right for me to I call you by your first name or not."

Isabelle closed the gap between them, placing her hands on Vin's shoulders. It was a very forward move, but she felt as if she already knew him, so it wasn't awkward. "What about what I think is proper? It's okay for you to call me 'Belle'."

Vin pulled away uncomfortably. He shifted under her steady gaze and returned his attention to the valley. There was something about how comfortable Belle felt with him that made him feel nervous. How was he supposed to react? If he accepted her forwardness, it might make it seem as if they were more familiar than they were. If he acted awkwardly with her, she may resent him and ride off, leaving herself vulnerable to Connelly and making it hard for her to trust him in the future. He settled on a smile and a tip of the hat.

Isabelle understood the look. She could sense his awkwardness and could tell he wanted only to be as close as a bodyguard and possible friend. She smiled in return and felt her heart break silently. This beautiful sensitive man that she wanted everything in the world from only wanted to protect her from Connelly and be on his way. Isabelle was used to moving on from men, but to have one want to leave her was devastating. Thank God a distraction made its presence known in the shape of Ezra Standish.

"Good morning, Mr. Tanner. Miss Manning." He tipped his head in her direction. "May I inquire as to what you two are doing so far from our fair town?"

Belle smiled a thousand-watt smile. "Why, Mr. Standish, we were just admiring the view."

"Yes, it is quite breathtaking." Ezra looked straight into Belle's eyes as he made the comment, causing her to blush deeply out of habit. "May I escort you back to town, Miss Manning?"

Belle climbed back onto Larrabee's horse. "That would be lovely, Mr. Standish."

"Please, call me 'Ezra,' my dear girl." He turned his horse around and started in the direction of the town.

"Only on the condition that you call me 'Belle.'" Her smile brightened as she rode her horse in stride with Ezra's.

"Why, with pleasure Belle."

Vin shook his head in disgust. Ezra was laying it on thick and he didn't know if it was genuine or for her money. He climbed hastily onto his horse and sauntered beside them. "I'm going to ride on ahead and check the paths. See if Connelly has tried anything."

Ezra nodded his head in Vin's direction. "Just give a holler if you require any assistance."

"Good day, Mr. Tanner." Belle's voice was pleasant, but her eyes were cold. Vin looked directly into them and could almost sense her disappointment in him. That caused him to become deeply saddened.

"Miss Belle." He tipped his hat, a typical Vin maneuver. "Until we meet again." Then he winked, almost involuntarily, as if his instincts had taken over and rode off into the distance.

"My, my. It's seems as if we finally have some time alone. How wonderful." Ezra smiled his sneaky smile.

"Ezra, if you have any intentions of trying to lure some money out of me, I'm afraid I have none to give." Belle said this matter-of-factly.

"Actually, I just wished to get to know the most beautiful girl to come to Clarion in quite some time. Would this bother you, Isabelle?" He looked at her, genuine concern for her comfort in his eyes.

Belle smiled at him. "No, of course not. Please forgive me for my rudeness."

"Why not at all. I know that I come off as an entrepreneur and thief to most. However, I cannot help but be attracted to other things once in a while."

Isabelle blushed. It wasn't like her to get flustered by flirtations. But Ezra was seriously laying it on thick and it was making her quite happy. She very rarely felt anything for men who were attracted to her. And while Ezra wasn't Vin, he wasn't the worst possible companion either. Besides, he might work to her advantage.

"Would you like to meet at the hotel this evening, Isabelle, to talk some more?" Ezra had taken her blushing as a way to continue in his flirtations.

"I would like that very much, Ezra." Isabelle pulled on her horse's reins. "Until we meet again." She smiled sweetly and took off up the road toward Clarion.

Ezra smiled and choked on the swell of dust that appeared in her wake. It had been a long time since he had been accompanied by a woman for dinner. The night should be a very interesting affair. He noticed Vin, staring after Belle's disappearing form, a difficult to read expression on his face. "A very interesting affair," he whispered as he picked up speed and headed back to town.