Thunder Rolls Chapter Twelve

The music rang through Virginia City's social hall. Ben and Callie moved across the floor as if they'd been dancing together their whole lives. It was actually the third dance they'd been to since Ben asked her to stay on and cover for Hop Sing. He'd also taken her on numerous horseback rides and picnics. They had spent some wonderful afternoon's touring the scenic beauty of the Ponderosa, and then spent hours by the lake laughing as each told stories of the sea…his from experience, hers from the stories told to her by her father, but mostly they talked about family. Ben was surprised at the stories Callie told of her father, along with some with her sister and ones about her late brother, who was much like his father.

While Ben and Callie were reminiscent of the eccentric nature of her father and brother, the stories were revealed and described by Callie with much love and respect. Ben was pleased that Callie had two good male role models, in her brother and father. Ones she could compare base her judgments of honorable men. Ben hoped that she saw him as such a man also. He felt the pull of the woman's warmth, but quickly made excuses to return to work, fearing that he may scare her.

Now that Hop Sing was back and taken over the cooking, Ben had convinced Callie to stay on as housekeeper. He and his sons had built a small two bedroom home not too far from the main house for her. They knew there would always be people who would talk, but the house had made it so the only talk that was going around was how soon Callie would be giving up her new home to move into the main house as Ben's wife, a murmuring that Ben silently mused on. Only the gossiping mongers with their small minds and little respect dared hint at any impropriety going on behind closed doors.

Tired of dancing and wanting some quiet, Ben led Callie outside. There were others mingling and talking but they were two feet away and were talking low. Ben led her to down the street and to the apple tree that Dr. Martin's niece had insisted on planting nearby. Personally, Ben thought she was a bit crazy for doing so. After all there were no other trees in our around Virginia City, but at least she was taking care of it and had a bench that sat underneath it. Ben and Callie sat down. It was a nice place to watch the stars while listening to the music; a lot softer as wafted down the quiet street.

Ben took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. When she started to turn her head away, he let go of her hands and turned her face back to him. He could see the emotions in her eyes. "I heard you tell Little Joe you were thinking to go back east. May I ask why? You hate the crowds."

Callie fought to hide what she was feeling. There was a good twenty years between them; still she found herself wondering. However, he'd never been anything but a gentleman with her. He'd never shown her he had any interest in her but that of a dear friend. When she did not answer, Ben spoke again. "Callie, why? What has happened that would drive you back to a place that you don't want to be?"

"Nothing, Ben." Callie stood up, his hands on her face was stirring up emotions she wasn't sure she was ready to handle. "I…I just need to go." She had her back turned to him as she was afraid of her eyes would betray her.

However, the action triggered a thought and flicked on a light in Ben's mind. He gently turned her around. "What are you afraid of Callie? I'm not going to hurt you, none of my boys would ever dream of hurting you either. What are you running from?" He took of her shoulders, making it so she couldn't turn away from him, and hoping that she would feel his protectiveness.

"I…I'm afraid Ben. I'm afraid and I don't know why." Tears started pouring out and falling to the ground.

"Don't go, Callie." He took a hold of her face again. "I can't stand the thought of you leaving. You've got nothing to be afraid of." For a moment their eyes locked, neither one able move. In that moment, Ben knew she was afraid of being hurt again…even by him. "I'd never do what Mitchell did, Callie. I'd never do that to anyone. I will never let anyone hurt you."

"My head tells me that every day I see you," Callie looked up at his as she rested her hands against his arms, "but, my heart is terrified. Oh Ben, I don't want to be afraid anymore. My word, you're different than any man I've ever met. You're everything a woman could want. Why can't I get rid of this fear?" She desperately wanted to. Heavens knew she could tell Ben was an exceptional man and she didn't want him slipping away from her because of her fear.

Ben smiled and lowered his head. "You don't have to live in fear Callie, especially when it comes to me. Like I said, I have never, nor will I ever, do anything if you tell me not to." He kissed her gently, making sure she knew she had nothing to fear, had no cause to wonder 'what was coming', making sure it was slow and warm.

Callie wrapped her arms around his chest and slid her hands up his back. She'd never been kissed like this. For a moment, the world stopped turning and then a shot rang out.

Both Ben and Callie dove into a nearby alley that ran alongside of a nearby building. Ben had his gun out faster than she thought possible. Adam and Hoss ran out of the social hall, Little Joe had left with his date just a half hour before. Roy Coffee had been surveying the parameters of the town Hall, suspecting a few of the youngsters, having spiked the punch. He ran as soon as he heard the shots in Vicinity of the street Ben and Callie were on, but whoever the shooter had been was nowhere to be seen and no more shots were fired.

"Mitchell." Callie said the name and sounded as if she'd just bit into a lemon as she spoke. "It's him, I just know it." She held onto Ben tighter than she had before; the memory of her attack flooding through her entire being and the tormenting fear was back.

"Get her home," Ben said as he pushed Callie gently towards Adam and his other sons, "to the big house. If it's Mitchell, he'll be going to her cottage first. Do not let her out of your sight." ordered Ben.

Adam and Hoss did not stop to deliberate or discuss options. Now was not the time for hypothesizing. Both Hoss and Adam knew their fathers gifted instincts. They had them too. Their guts told to go and go fast.

The only objection could be heard from Callie herself. "Roy, I want to help look! I'm sure it's…it's that man."

Ben turned to Roy who had already sent his deputy and another man to search the town, a few of the private citizens had also joined in. "No Callie, please do as I asked. Roy I'll head down past the livery."

"Ben," Callie reached out and grabbed his arm, "do you have to go?" Her eyes begged him to stay. If it wasn't for the fact that he knew it was either get Mitchell or have Callie living in fear of the man the rest of her life, he might have given in and let Roy and the other men deal with the shooter who he was sure was the wanted man.

He removed her arm and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, "Take her to the house and guard her." He looked at Adam and Hoss. "And keep an eye on her!"

"Sure thing, Pa." Adam led a reluctant Callie to the buggy Ben and she had rode into town and helped her up inside. Once she was settled, Adam climbed in and headed home with Hoss riding beside the buggy.

Callie never took her eyes off the diminishing sight of Ben and Roy, as they headed down the dark street.