Author's note: Big thanks to Avis Minter for all the brainstorming and to Wilma Dueck for all the talk about chocolate! Lucas, did you hear us?
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After the talk with Minnie Grace felt so much better. She knew that Bill and Henry were there for her in case she had any kind of trouble, but having Minnie by her side was so comforting. She reminded Grace of her sister Lillian; she was a calm, understanding and no-nonsense kind of woman.
Grace sighed as she reached the saloon. She missed Lillian so much. Everything would be easier if her sister was here.
She stopped at the porch and turned around, watching as the shades of purple and orange painted the sky as the Sun slowly started to go behind the hills.
How many evenings did he stood like this, relaxing with a cup of tea in his hands?
Grace's heart clenched, yearning for her love to be here, beside her.
Two more days.
She inhaled deeply, reveling in the fresh winter air as she put her glowed hands in her pockets and snuggled to her collar to get some more warmth.
Cold wind blew gently, playing with Grace's hair as she closed her eyes, remembering their stroll after their first date and his loving words.
Well, just in case, stay close so I can keep you warm.
Grace looked at a pillar where one of the flyers was posted, taking in his handsome face that she adored.
"Hello", a female voice was heard and Grace flinched, startled.
Looking up she recognized the kind pharmacist.
Grace softly smiled.
"Hello…It's Mei Sue, right?", she asked.
The pharmacist nodded, offering a kind smile.
"Yes."
Grace offered her hand.
"I am Grace. So nice to meet you", she said and added conspiratory "And thank you for trying to help me today"
Mei Sue nodded as she shook Grace's hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Grace. And you are welcome. Are you feeling better now?", she asked.
Grace nodded.
"Much better, thank you", she took a deep breath in "I had a terrible headache, probably from being on the road for quite some time".
"And Rosemary just wouldn't stop", Mei Sue chuckled gently.
Grace shook her head.
"No, she wouldn't'", she took another deep breath in "Oh, the sky is breathtakingly beautiful tonight".
Mei Sue looked up and smiled.
"You're right. It is beautiful", she said.
Grace could feel her toes getting cold from standing too long in one place on such a cold evening.
Snuggling her head deeper in her collar, she looked at Mei Sue.
"Are you up for some hot chocolate? I am freeeeeeeziiiing!", she made two little jumps in the air, making Mei Sue laugh.
"Yeah, why not? Thank you", they hurried inside the saloon and Mei Sue added with a smile "I never say no to the Queen of Hearts hot chocolate!"
Grace found them a seat and smiled curiously.
"Really?"
Mei Sue nodded.
"Yes. It's probably the best hot chocolate I ever tasted. A secret recipe by the Queen of Hearts owner", she replied.
Grace felt her heart skip a beat and she couldn't stop a wide smile that brightened her face as she remembered the makings of that VERY unique hot chocolate.
Well, if you are saying NO to my hot chocolate and to me looking hot wearing an apron…
She grinned widely and looking up, she saw Mei Sue ordering two hot chocolates. When she looked back at her, Grace took a chance.
"It's that good?", she asked with a smile.
Mei Sue let out a breath.
"Pure heaven! Just wait until you try it", she said.
Grace nodded.
"Alright. And you said it's a secret recipe?", she asked.
"Yes, the owner of the saloon, who is also our Governor now, Lucas Bouchard, said he's got the recipe from a chef in Belgium. And he said that he would only ever share that recipe with someone very special", said Mei Sue and looked up as the waiter brought them two cups "Thank you".
Grace could feel her entire body tingling as she remembered Lucas telling her exactly what ingredients to use and how much of each of them.
Oh, my Lucas.
Unaware of Grace's inner battle, Mei Sue continued to talk.
"He is a great guy. Didn't have it easy, but he bore everything like a hero. I am really looking forward to seeing him again. He's a good man, good friend", she clinked her cup against Grace's and smiled "Go on, try it!"
Grace felt her heart warm up at Mei Sue's praise of Lucas. She liked the pharmacist already this morning, but now she was sure that Mei Sue was a friend.
Taking a sip, Grace closed her eyes, losing herself in the memories.
Oh dear.
She licked her lips and looked down at her cup filled with a glorious hot chocolate… dark and warm, just like his eyes.
"See? I told you it was delicious", smiled Mei Sue.
Grace took another sip and licked her lips.
"Oh, it is VERY DELICIOUS!", she said, her lips curling up as she remembered her talk with Lillian.
"How did the meeting go?"
"Good. It was good".
"Good. And how was the food?"
"Good. Very good. Delicious".
"Mmm. And how was our Governor?",
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, you know… Was he good? Was he very good? Or…was he delicious?"
"Lillian!"
Snapping back to present, Grace brought a cup back to her lips and lazily smiled as she looked up at Mei Sue.
"The most delicious thing I ever tasted", she said, her heart singing.
Her mood was so much improved that when Bill came in looking for her she jumped up and rushed to get the stack of Queen of Hearts cards, telling him to sit with them.
Mei Sue watched her go and smiled.
"She is such a sweet girl", she said.
Bill snorted.
"Looks can be deceiving", he quipped as Grace came back "And this sweet girl as you call her is actually a real card shark".
Grace giggled as she sat down and shuffled her cards.
Mei Sue's eyes went wide open.
"Oh, my! Where did you learn to do that?!", she gasped.
Before Grace could reply Bill's voice was heard again.
"This is NOTHING. Wait until she starts to play", looking across the saloon, Bill hollered "Hey, Henry! Wanna help me get some of our money back?"
Grace laughed, shaking her head.
Mei Sue watched as not only Henry, but Mike, Lee and Joseph pulled the chairs to join them.
Mei Sue chuckled in surprise.
"Wow, Grace! You must be really good!", she commented as Grace started to deal the cards.
Henry looked at his cards with a critical eye and couldn't help not to stir things up.
"Oh, I'd like to see her play against Lucas! That would burn up the saloon!", he grinned and watched as Grace's lips twitched, trying to hold back a grin.
Grace huffed, deciding that it was a payback time.
She waited until Henry took his drink and then said nonchalantly:
"Well, I'm a game. Your Mr. Bouchard won't know what has hit him!", she quipped, smiling like a Chesire cat as Henry choked on his drink, losing it through both his nose and mouth and sending everybody else to the fits of laughter.