You step down from the Overland Stage and are greeted by a man who is helping passengers from the stage onto the main street. You tentatively reach for his arm. Only when you have a secure grip do you glance up to meet the hazel eyes of the man. Your eyes lock for a second before you focus on getting your footing.

You look around as you wait for your luggage to be unloaded from the back of the stage. The first thing you notice is the intense sun shining down on the street. You’re caught off guard as you thought that a mountain town would be blanketed in clouds and cold, even in the height of summer.

Receiving your luggage, you place a tight grip around one of the handles, then look around to see where that handsome man that helped you down headed off to. It took a few moments to spot him, as you weren’t really paying attention to what he was wearing, just those deep eyes that seemed to draw you into his soul.

There, about a hundred feet away, you spot him standing with three other men. From your distance, it is hard to tell if they are brothers or not. You can confidently conclude, though, that the eldest man has to be the father. Whether it was to all three or just one, was a mystery.

It was then that you feel a tickle in your nose. You let out the daintiest of sneezes, not wanting to make a scene right there in the middle of the boardwalk. You never had this happen before, but then again, you’ve never traveled across the country on a stage before. You decide it has to be the trail dust and all you need to do is freshen up.

However, you aren’t sure which direction your hotel is located and look around to find someone to ask. Most of the people who had been there when you arrived had dispersed. The only people still in the vicinity were those four men. Gathering up your courage, you head straight for them.

You reach them just as you feel another sneeze coming on. You try to conceal it the best you can, but it only makes the sneeze louder. All four men turn in your direction. This isn’t the introduction or first impression that you want.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” The handsome man looks directly at you, genuine concern etched across his face.

“Y-yes. It’s just the trail dust. Can you point me to the International Hotel?”

This time it was the youngest who spoke up. “It’s just down this way. Me, my two brothers, and father are actually heading there ourselves for an early supper. We’d be honored if you would join us, Miss…”

“Miss Emma Brown.” Your eyes dart up at the tall, dark-haired handsome fellow, relieved he is a brother to this younger man. You hadn’t been expecting an invitation like this, but if it means you can get to know that man a little better, you’d welcome the opportunity.

“That’d be most generous of you.”

As you reach down for your bag, you feel another sneeze coming, this one promising to be bigger than the last two. The sneeze propels you forward straight into the younger brother.

You hear an unfamiliar voice from behind, probably the middle brother. “You sure are sneezin’ a lot for just trail dust. Sounds more like allergies. We have lots of unique grasses out here. It takes some time for people who didn’t grow up here to get used to it.”

“Miss, since you’re already in my arms, I’ll let my older brother Adam get your bag while I escort you to the hotel.”

You glance at the youngest who has put on the best smile he can for you before you turn your attention behind you to the handsome eldest brother. Stupid allergies. Why couldn’t they force you into his arms instead? At least you found out the handsome man’s name and that will do for now.