Summary: What do a church bazaar, a kissing booth, and red roses have in common?
Rating: G, Word Count: 1797
The Kissing Booth
Adam wandered out from the barn and saw Hoss and Joe riding in. They had been in town enjoying a beer at the Bucket of Blood. Adam had enjoyed the solitude while they were gone. He was able to get things done without Joe bugging him.
“Howdy, Adam,” Hoss greeted.
Adam waved and leaned against the hitching post.
“How was it in town?”
“Well, Joe got himself into some trouble flirting with someone else’s gal.”
Adam looked at his youngest brother and saw a black eye forming and a scowl on his face. He tried not to smile. It wasn’t surprising to see Joe with some sort of injury.
“There’s going to be a church bazaar this weekend. We signed you up for the dunking booth,” Joe said.
“Oh really?” Adam’s eyebrows rose.
“Yup. We knew you’d be good for it and raise the most money. You are good with the ladies,” Hoss said with a big grin on his face.
Adam rolled his eyes and walked in the house. The other two followed.
They found Ben reading in the living room.
“Pa, there’s going to be a church bazaar and Adam is going to be in the dunking booth,” Joe said excitedly.
Ben looked up from his book and over at his oldest son. He saw the scowl on Adam’s face.
“I take it you’re not overjoyed by this news,” Ben said to Adam.
“Of course not. Remember when they got me in with Abigail Jones? I’m a little hesitant to help when they’re behind anything,” Adam said sitting in the blue chair.
Ben smothered a smile.
“Joe, Hoss, what will you two be doing?” Ben asked.
“We’ll be working some other games,” Hoss said.
“Well, that’s good. It’ll keep you out of trouble.”
“Well, we need to go do chores,” Joe said and shoved Hoss out the door.
Ben looked at Adam.
“They have something up their sleeves,” Ben said.
“Uh-huh,” Adam agreed.
The day of the bazaar came and people were bustling about when the Cartwrights rode into town. The four men helped to get booths set up and ready to go.
“Adam, there you are. Come with me to your booth,” Reverend Holland said.
Adam followed him.
“Here it is.”
Adam read the sign. “Kisses. Twenty-five Cents.”
“The kissing booth? I thought I was doing the dunking booth,” Adam asked in confusion.
“No, your brothers signed you up for the kissing booth. They thought it would bring in extra money. It was their idea. Well, you better get ready. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Joe and Hoss had tricked Adam into doing the kissing booth.
“Why am I surprised?” he muttered to himself.
Adam saw his brothers standing nearby and he glared at them.
People began coming through the different booths and games. Women brought in different items like quilts, jams, and other things for the judging contests. There were also skill games for the men, like knife throwing and target shooting. Hoss and Joe were correct; Adam’s was the most popular booth among the ladies. And he had never been more embarrassed in his life. Some of these ladies were even older than him. He promised he’d get even with his brothers after the bazaar was over.
The last girl in line before the bazaar ended was Eliza Bennion. Adam had always seen her around town but never went up to her. He had seen several men swarm around her like bees to honey. Her auburn hair and light blue eyes drove them to her. Adam always watched her from a distance and never saw her flirt shamelessly or lead the men on.
“Um, hi, Miss Bennion,” Adam stammered.
“Hi, Adam. Is your booth still open?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She put her money on the table, but Adam didn’t move. He still stared at her. Eliza smiled and leaned in. Adam finally got his bearings and kissed her. It was a sweet kiss. All too soon, she pulled away. Adam looked at her and smiled.
“Miss Bennion, may I take you to dinner some time?” he whispered so nobody else around could hear him.
“You may. I’m free tomorrow.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” Adam replied.
Eliza smiled and walked away.
“It wasn’t all that bad now was it?” a voice taunted.
Adam turned around and saw Hoss and Joe standing there smirking. Adam walked away from the booth.
Adam had heard that Eliza loved red roses. Before picking her up for their date, he had bought her a dozen roses. He walked up to the door and knocked. A few minutes later, the door opened revealing her father, George Bennion. He was the circuit judge. Adam had spoken with him a few times in passing but this time he felt nervous.
“Hello, Mr. Bennion,” Adam said formally.
“Come in, Adam. Eliza told me you’d be taking her to dinner,” George said cheerfully.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Oh, Adam, enough with the sir’s. You always call me George when you see me.”
“I know but this time it’s different.”
“Trying to make a good impression on a girl’s father, eh? Adam, you have my respect already. You’re a good man and I know you’ll treat my daughter right.”
George clapped Adam on the shoulder. All Adam could do was smile.
They heard the swishing of a dress and turned to see Eliza. Her auburn hair was pulled half up with soft curls framing her face. Adam stared at her.
“Hello, Adam. Father, I hope you’re not scaring Adam,” Eliza teased.
“No, we’re just talking and waiting for you,” George said.
“These are for you,” Adam finally found his voice, handing Eliza the flowers.
“Thank you, Adam. They’re beautiful. Let me go put these roses in water,” Eliza said and quickly went to the kitchen and put the flowers in a vase.
When she came back in, they headed to dinner.
They enjoyed dinner and talked about their likes and dislikes. Adam enjoyed getting to know Eliza. They walked down the street still talking and Adam laughed at something she said. They passed near the saloon when someone flew through the doors, one of them smacking Eliza. Adam held her and looked her over.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, just a bit dazed. Who was thrown out?” Eliza asked.
They looked to see who was lying in the street.
“Joe. Not surprising,” Adam muttered.
He turned to Eliza.
“You should go check on him.”
“Yeah. Do you mind waiting for a minute?”
“I don’t mind at all,” Eliza said and sat on the bench near them.
Adam walked over to his brother and knelt by Joe. He was unconscious and bruised. Hoss then came out and joined them. Adam stood to face Hoss.
“What happened?”
“Oh, you know, the usual. Joe got drunk and someone egged him on, and they got into a fight. As you can see Joe lost,” Hoss explained.
Adam sighed.
“Eliza is over there waiting for me. She was hit by the door when he came flying out. Could you take Joe home please?” Adam whispered.
“Is she all right?” Hoss asked.
“She said she’s a bit dazed but fine.”
Joe stirred before Hoss could answer. Hoss picked Joe up and held onto him until he got his bearings. Joe started to head back to the saloon but Hoss held tight.
“Oh no you don’t, little brother.”
“Hoss is taking you home and you’re going to tell Pa what happened. I need to take care of Eliza,” Adam said angrily pointing a finger at Joe’s chest.
Joe looked at Adam in confusion. Hoss grabbed Joe’s arm and led him to their horses.
Adam went back to Eliza.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Just fine. How’s Joe?”
Adam snorted. “He’s fine. Just causing problems as usual.”
Eliza smiled.
“I’m sorry that happened and you got hurt,” Adam apologized.
“It’s alright. It’s not like you planned it,” Eliza replied smiling.
Adam looked at her and started to lean in for a kiss. Just then someone came out of the saloon. The couple pulled away. Adam silently cursed the drunk walking out for interrupting them. The drunk saw them and walked over to him. Adam recognized him. It was Andrew Pike.
“Why, Adam Cartwright, who ya got there? She’s purty. Give us a kiss,” he leaned over Eliza.
Adam stood in front of Eliza protecting her.
“Leave her alone, Andrew,” Adam said firmly.
Andrew was a big man and shoved Adam out of the way and grabbed Eliza’s arms tight and pulled her to him for a kiss. Eliza pulled away and tried pushing him away. She then kicked him hard in the shins. Andrew howled in pain holding his leg. He shoved her away and she fell to the ground. Sheriff Roy Coffee walked up to them and took
Andrew by the arm.
“Roy, I’m glad you’re here. Will you put Andrew in jail until he’s dry?” Adam then told Roy what happened.
Roy took Andrew and Adam turned back to Eliza. She was standing up by this time and bushing dirt from her dress.
“I am really sorry, Eliza. You’ve had a bit of a rough half hour. Andrew didn’t hurt you did he?”
“Just a little shaky.”
Adam held her until she stopped shaking.
“I’ll take you home,” he whispered.
Eliza nodded. They walked to the buggy, got in and left.
Pulling up to Eliza’s house Adam helped her out and they walked to the door.
“I enjoyed dinner, and walking around town with you, but I’m sorry the rest of the evening didn’t end well,” Adam apologized.
“No, it didn’t, but the beginning was still enjoyable. I hope Joe won’t get into too much trouble,” Eliza replied.
“He’ll probably be stuck on the ranch for a while.” Adam smiled. “May I take you out again?”
“Yes you may. I feel I should tell you that I have had a few other dates with some of the men from town. I’m sure I sound like a big flirt to you. They even asked me after the dates to choose between them,” she said in embarrassment.
“Not a bit. I understand. You are beautiful.”
Eliza blushed a deep shade of red and looked down. Adam lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her gently.
“I’ll let you go inside. Let me know when you want to go on another date,” Adam said.
“I will. Oh, Adam, if I have to choose between any of the men it would be you,” she said smiling.
Adam leaned in to kiss her once more before she entered the house and closed the door. He went to the buggy and headed home, a soft smile gracing his face all the way.
From the Brandsters. The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site. Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.
