Jimmy sat across from Kate and sometimes forgot to eat for as intently as he watched her. She had apologized for the wine but he told her he liked wine. It was true. He didn't drink it often but he enjoyed it all the same. She went on to apologize for the food saying she didn't cook much but it was wonderful and he told her so. Then she grew silent and chewed her food thoughtfully, much the same as she had chewed the end of the pen earlier. He needed to stop thinking like that. She was not some woman in a saloon or brothel who could be had for a coin and a glance. She was a smart and learned woman who surely had no use for the likes of him.

"More wine?" she asked dragging his thoughts back to the meal at hand.

"Please," he croaked out. "So, how do you remember all them Latin names for things?"

She shrugged.

"I don't really know. They just make sense to me."

"Pretty sounding words," he remarked. "You said you knew more languages than that?"

She nodded.

"Greek and Latin, you know," she replied dabbing lightly at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. "I also speak French and Spanish. I've learned a smattering of German as well but not enough to purport myself an expert. Recently I've begun learning Russian. It takes a while to master since their alphabet is different."

Jimmy shook his head trying to figure what he was doing at the table with this woman. She was out of his class for sure. He wanted to ask more, maybe about the birds or butterflies or even the kinds of flowers she had. They were all so beautiful and interesting to him but her mouth was open to speak so he deferred.

"I'm really much more interested in hearing about you," she said, "I was led to believe that all who make your acquaintance call you Bill. Yet you told me that your real friends call you Jimmy. I find that interesting."

"It's really not all that interesting at all," he protested, "I just lived long enough to understand that not everyone who calls you friend is one of yours."

"Well, now I am even more intrigued," she said and he couldn't help but notice the way the candlelight sparkled in her eyes. "Are you suggesting that anyone has the gall to double cross, or even cross at all, the great Wild Bill Hickok?"

"Ain't so much that," he answered, "As people associating with me out of their own interests more than mine. Some people though…some of 'em are true friends."

"Those are the ones who call you Jimmy? I am honored then to be included after so brief an acquaintance."

She smiled at him then and while he tried to convince himself that she didn't know what she was doing, the smile was flirtatious all the same.

"I get tired of keeping up with Bill sometimes. He kind of wears me out. You got the idea here with them flowers out front. Sit and watch nature wander up."

"Oh it doesn't wander up without being given some encouragement," she replied with a slight lilt in her voice. It had to be the wine, he thought. But then she hadn't had much of it. Maybe he was drunk and imagining things but then he hadn't drunk that much either. "I make it want to come for a visit."

She stood then and took his plate from him and went into the kitchen. First she returned with two small plates and the next time with a cake.

"Gâteau au chocolat avec des amandes," she declared proudly setting the cake down and serving him a generous slice.

Jimmy was sure that what was in front of him was really just a chocolate cake with some almonds sprinkled on it. It was treat enough but how she had said it stirred things within him. He watched Kate as she took two brandy snifters from the sideboard and a decanter. Once the brandy was set before him, she took her seat and offered a smile.

"I'm sorry," she said with a modesty that felt false. It was the first thing she had said all day that felt dishonest to him. "I do like to show off. That just means chocolate cake with almonds. I am sure you've guessed as much already. You are in for a treat though. Tomas at the bakery is a magician. I swear he must be."

"What language was that?" he asked her. "It didn't sound the same as the names for birds."

"French," she replied, "Food always sounds better en français."

"It looks really good."

"I don't know what possessed me to buy it today. I walk past the bakery every day when I do my marketing but today I just couldn't walk past without getting a cake—a whole cake. I would rarely do such a thing for just me. It is really quite fortuitous that you stopped by."

As she spoke, her long, graceful fingers held her fork lightly as she slowly separated one bite sized piece of the confection and then lifted it deliberately to her lips. Her eyes fell closed in something resembling bliss and Jimmy's imagination wandered to ways he could replicate that expression. Surely she was not aware of the signals she was sending him.

He took a sip of the brandy and the warm feeling of it moving past his throat and into his chest didn't help his burgeoning desire. How he could have missed her graceful femininity when he first met her astounded him.

Kate was doing everything she could think of to bring him to her. Her words were tinged with double meaning. And while her interest in him and his past was genuine, she expressed it most fully in the hope it would make him want her as she did him. Every time she handed him something she made sure to brush her fingers along his. It was true she was inexperienced but her extensive reading had told her some of what men liked. Still she got no response from him. Perhaps she wasn't pretty. Others had told her she was but maybe they were wrong or maybe she just wasn't what he found pleasing. That would be the worst. She had finally found a man who filled her with desire and he didn't find her attractive.

She had a few more things to try before she gave up. It was worth continuing to try. The graceful way he moved, how soft his voice was when speaking to her, the way he looked at her in wonder when she rattled off some stupid Latin phrase or term. She had thought that her use of French scattered throughout their meal and dessert was having an effect but now it seemed not. At last she stood.

"Would you like to see the back yard?"

Jimmy nodded at her question not even allowing himself to speak. What would he say anyway? He did want to after all but what he really wanted to say was that he would much rather see her bedroom or even just become better acquainted with the small couch in her front parlor.

She took a light hold of his arm and he could tell from her face that this was a bold move for her. She had to be intoxicated from the wine and brandy.

"Everything in the house and the yards has a purpose," she was saying. "The weigela are there to bring butterflies and hummingbirds. But the back yard is my place of comfort."

He was dutifully led along. She didn't sound even the slightest bit tipsy. The door opened in front of him and he nearly gasped at the space revealed. It was more garden than yard, he supposed. There were paths carving the expanse. They passed through a rose arbor not five feet from the back of the house. Beyond that a small bench sat in the shade of a flowering crab apple tree with branches twisted like the work worn fingers of an old woman. In the far corner of the space rose a gazebo. It was small but lovely.

"No matter my mood, there is a place here for me. The flowers here bloom at different times so from the first snow melting rays of spring sunshine to autumn's first gasp, I have flowers."

"It's very beautiful," he said nearly losing his voice as her hand trailed down his arm and her fingers grazed over the back of his hand. He wanted to add, 'just like you' but didn't dare.

"Jimmy," she began and for a moment there was a hint of insecurity that he watched her push aside through sheer determination. "Have we moved from colleagues to friends?"

"I'd like to think we have," he said plainly.

"Then may I ask you a question? I would like an honest answer."

He nodded his agreement.

"Am I an attractive woman?"

"What?"

"Am I pretty?"

Her green eyes bored into him in the light cast on her by the nearly full moon. She had long ago dispensed with her glasses saying she only needed them for reading. Now she reached up behind her head and pulled away the comb that had held her hair up. With a shake her tresses fell in waves around her shoulders. Those tresses were at once rolling wheat fields swayed by the winds and honey falling in ripples over fresh baked bread and even the lightly toasted almonds that had been on the cake they had just eaten. They were at once exotic and comforting. He wanted to reach and touch them but her eyes still stared expectantly at him, waiting for an answer.

"Yes," he said. She wanted honest and he wouldn't lie to a woman about something like this anyway. "Yes you are pretty…well, no…pretty don't cover it. You're beautiful."

"Then why don't you want to engage in coitus with me?"

His brow furrowed. He wasn't even sure what all of those words meant.

"Sexual intercourse," she explained, "Making love. Why don't you want to do that with me?"

"I-I…I don't…I mean…I do but…"

"Maybe I didn't do the right things to let you know I was interested," she mused. "I am interested. Perhaps not all beautiful women are attractive to you in this way. Just because someone or something is beautiful, perhaps it does not mean you desire it."

"Now just stop right there," he said and looked after her to where she had wandered as she thought aloud. "Get back over to me."

"Why?"

"Because I need to kiss you."

"Oh," she said a moment before his lips descended on hers. He could feel her desire for him burning and also her timidity. When the kiss broke apart he stroked her jaw line gently.

"We're talking about something you ain't never done, ain't we?"

She nodded almost embarrassed.

"Are you sure about this?"

She nodded holding his eyes.

"I have read a great deal…I just hadn't met a man…not one I wanted to…until you," she half stammered. "I know by some standards that makes me terrible but I don't care. Carpe Diem after all."

"What does that mean?"

"Seize the day," she explained. "It means living with no regrets and grabbing everyday and living it for all it's worth. Right now it means not ignoring the feelings you conjure in me."

"Well then carpe diem it is," he said, "I kind of like that. I think an old friend of mine would love to have use of that phrase. Would you do me a favor?"

She nodded uncertainly.

"Tell me how to ask someone to do what we're about to do…in French."

"Voulez-vouz coucher avec moi?"

"It ain't only food that sounds better in French. I don't want to make assumptions as to what you want but I think you'll be more comfortable in your room. I'll be right behind."

She led, he followed.

"So, you know all them languages but then you seem like more of a scientist with how you study birds and bugs and all that."

"I have many interests, Jimmy," she said. "You sound like perhaps you're nervous."

"Not exactly," he answered, "I was more worried that you was getting nervous."

They had reached the doorway of her bedroom and she turned to him with a smile.

"I am," she confessed, "But nervousness and timidity are enemies to those who wish to do as Thoreau suggested and 'live deep and suck out all the marrow of life'."

"We don't have to do this," he reminded her. "I mean, I surely want to but it don't have to be tonight."

She looked up at him and her clinical affect fell away.

"I think maybe it does," she whispered. "I look in your eyes and I feel shivery and yet too warm all at once. I need…I need something from you and I fear my body might fall right apart if I don't get it."

Jimmy said nothing. He wasn't even sure what should be said in response to something like what she had just said. He simply ran his fingers lightly over her silky hair. He noticed Kate looking around as if uncertain.

"I should get undressed?"

She reached for the fasteners at the front of her dress but Jimmy just placed his hands gently over hers and bent to press his lips tenderly to hers. Then he leaned just a bit further and whispered very softly in her ear.

"For one thing, I'd rather do that for you. It's kind of like unwrapping a present. And for another, I think I need to kiss you more. Have you ever been kissed before?"

"Not like how you do it," she replied, "Just, you know, under the mistletoe at Christmas parties."

He smirked at her and saw her reaction to his expression. It further aroused him and he'd been nearly painfully erect when he'd come up the stairs. He traced her features with the barest touch of his fingertips saving her plump, pink lips for last. When his fingers ghosted over those reddening lips, she gave a gasp and he brought his mouth to her open and waiting one.

She tensed a moment and tried to bring her lips together but his tongue was in her mouth before she could and it caused her to relax. She opened her mouth further to his, encouraging his explorations. She tasted sweet and his mind drifted to thoughts of tasting every bit of her. He would. If she had known nothing of a man, he would make damned sure he took his time and allowed her to fully know what this experience was all about. She wanted to live life and suck the marrow from it. He could help her with that and he gladly would.

He felt more than heard her moan into his mouth as her tongue joined his in exploration. Their tongues battled for a while but then he gave in and let her do as she pleased. This was hers more than his. Although he was certain he would get his.

She was panting and still frantically trying to kiss him more, deeper. It was time. His hands moved to the front of her dress and slowly, deliberately he one by one undid the fasteners holding her dress closed. She acted as if she might move away from him but then he moved one hand to tangle in her long hair and held her tighter to him. He kissed his way across her cheek and ended at her ear tugging lightly on her earlobe with his teeth before speaking in a soft growl.

"I ain't saying you can't change your mind but let's not stop before we even start."

He had her dress unfastened almost to her naval and he slipped the hand not tangled into her hair under the fabric that had previously covered most of her neck. Pushing it aside, he lowered his lips to her long graceful neck.

"Beautiful Kate, just beautiful," he sighed into her creamy skin.

Her breath was coming even faster and he worried she would faint if not rid of her corset soon. He pulled back to whimpers from her. He shot her a half of a smile.

"Now maybe you'll let me finish getting that dress off'n you."

She simply nodded and stood with her arms at her sides as he finished unhooking the last of the fasteners and slid the dress off from her shoulders allowing it to fall in a puddle at her feet. He could see her bosom rising and falling in a desperate attempt to escape the confines of her corset. He finally rid her of the garment and saw her obvious relief.

"That's better now ain't it?"

She nodded as she stood before him in pantaloons, chemise, stockings and shoes. He sat her down on the chair at her dressing table. His first thought at been to set her on the edge of the bed but he wasn't ready to go there just yet and doubted she was either.

Kneeling he unlaced her tiny-heeled boots and pulled them gently from her dainty feet. He let his fingers walk up first one leg and then the other to just above the knee, just under the lace hem of her pantaloons. He gripped her stockings lighting and bunched them down one by one until he could pull them off easily. Then he stood and looked at her.

Kate lifted her eyes uncertainly to meet his. She was nearly naked before this powerful man and part of her wanted to grab her clothing or at least the robe from the back of the chair in which she sat and cover herself and order him out but then, something inside her, in her belly, in her loins, in…well, maybe even in her heart, told her not to. Told her to follow his lead. Told her this was right and would be fine, just fine.

She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do next. Reading had only gotten her so far. Really she read very little of what some would refer to as romance books and instead trusted that knowing the mechanics of the process would suffice. As it turned out, there was more to it than that. Her look questioned him and she saw a smile cross his face. For a moment she thought he might laugh at her inexperience but he didn't. He simply stroked his fingers through her hair. It was such a caring gesture she thought she might weep.

Still she did not know what was expected of her.

"I-I don't know what you want me to do," she said almost meekly. It was a tone that surprised even her.

"I want you to do what you feel," came his gentle reply. "I want you to do what you want. The question ain't what you're supposed to do for me but what do you want me to do?"

She began to protest and say she didn't know but she did. She'd been thinking about it all afternoon. Slowly she stood to face him and let her hands rest on his chest. Her fingers traced the musculature through his shirt. She cautiously slipped one button through its hole and looked up at him for reassurance. He nodded to her with a grin. She unbuttoned another button and could begin to see the skin of his torso come into her view.

Her hands went up and rid him of his jacket and then his vest allowing her to focus her attention once again on the buttons of his shirt. She quickly tugged his shirttails from the waist of his britches and finished with the buttons pushing his shirt off of his shoulders where a shrug later it rested on the floor. He was more glorious than she had allowed in her imaginings. His muscles rippled tight under the taut covering of skin. She traced and studied his now exposed torso stopping when she reached a welted area of scar tissue. It was round and unmistakable in how it must've gotten there. Tears sprang to her eyes. She knew, of course, the stories. She knew there had to be at least some truth to them. But to see such evidence, to see where lead had pierced his beautiful body, to think of the blood that had flowed from the wound and the horrible scenarios where he wouldn't have even lived to stand before her how…she could not hold the tears at bay.

Jimmy thought things were going well until her shoulders began to shake and he saw the tears fall from her usually playful green eyes. Without thinking he pulled her to him and held her tightly. His fingers rubbed random patterns on her back and he kissed her head.

"Hey, there," he nearly cooed to her, "It's alright. I told you once you can change your mind."

She shook her head.

"That's not the problem…I'm being terribly silly, I suppose. I mean, I guess I should've known…it just wasn't real before. Everything was just stories in a dime novel."

Everything crystallized for him right then. He understood. Men in her circles probably weren't sporting scars from bullet holes.

"It's alright, Katie darlin'," he said, "I'm alright. It's in the past. Hardly ever happens anymore."

"Hardly?" she whimpered. "That's not reassuring. Not that I have a right to expect you to reassure me. I mean…this is just tonight, right?"

"I don't think it is," he said softly into her hair. "I don't think so at all."

Her head shot up and her eyes searched his for a hint of deception. Seeing none, for there was none to see, her brow furrowed.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are when you're thinking hard on something?" he asked her.

"I-I don't understand…I thought…well, you're who you are and I'm well…me. Surely you don't really mean…"

"I ain't proposing marriage or nothing yet," he clarified. "But I ain't ruling it out for someday either. What I do know is that even if you hadn't asked me up to your room, I would've asked to see you again. I like spending time with you Katie."

"Katie…" she absently repeated.

"Shouldn't I call you that?" he asked suddenly somehow worried.

"No one has in a very long time. I think from you I prefer it."

Jimmy remembered what they had been doing and fully realized their respective states of undress. He was unsure how to proceed. His erection from earlier had left with the arrival of her tears. But he knew it could be resurrected if she so desired. Of course he no longer knew what she desired and was afraid to voice the question.

"I'm sorry," she whispered into his chest, "I ruined the mood, didn't I?"

"Took it down a notch or two," he replied, "But far from ruined. Is it what you still want?"

Her fingers ran lightly over his torso as he felt her nod against him. His skin pricked with gooseflesh and his heart raced. Her hands ran down his sides and then stopped abruptly and returned to the middle of his chest. Looking down, he saw the problem. It took less than a minute to rid his hips of the hardware he was so accustomed to that he often forgot it was there.

"Better?" he asked and she nodded.

"Sho-should we move to the bed?" she asked.

"I think that might be awful nice, Katie darlin'."

I told you things would get steamy. Oh I just love Kate...I hope you all like Kate too. I can tell you Jimmy is awful fond of Kate.

Oh...it might make some of you happy to know I have begun chapter 91 of Livin' for the City. So that is good too. I've been putting it off and when you read it, you'll understand why.-J