Summary: Kisses for Fun. February is the month of love. Write a fun romantic scene or add a fun romantic scene to a previous Sourdough.
Rating: G, Word Count: 4529
added a scene to this 2018 sourdough:
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
Not sure how to even approach him, Marcy decided on the direct approach. She served him the coffee and pie he had requested and stood at the table until he took notice that she wasn’t leaving. Usually he was one to banter with her so she was concerned that something might be wrong which is what he asked her.
“No, but I was wondering if something was wrong with you. You seem extra quiet.”
“Just my brothers. They’ve been giving me a harder time than usual.”
“What about this time?”
“No one has asked me to the dance. They’ve both had multiple offers to mull over, and I haven’t had even one. They both have theories about why, but most center on my faults. They claim its that I’m always too picky, too serious, too arrogant, and well, you can guess at the rest.”
“Well, there are those stories about you spanking a woman who was a guest in your home.”
“That was one time, and she destroyed my guitar, my brand new guitar that I sent away for all the way to New York.”
“That could be seen as a good reason, I suppose. Now there is the saloon girl you took up with who got killed, and you ended up in jail. You’ve ended up in jail charged with murder more than once. That could be offputting to a lady, don’t you think?”
“I’m sitting here free so nothing ever came of any of it.”
“No, you were always found to be innocent, but you do seem to get in a lot of messes. And the friends you pick! Now that could worry a woman. There was that Tom Wilson, and Howard Mead, Sam Bord, Sherman Clegg.”
“Clegg was no friend.”
“Well, you get the general idea though. And all the ladies you’ve been with, and not a one ever got a ring.”
“It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying.”
“You didn’t seem to try too hard with Laura Dayton.”
He smirked a little. “Do you blame me for that one?”
“All right, that one was smart. I’ll give you that. Aren’t you ever lonely?” She could see that hit home as his shoulders slumped a little even if his face gave away nothing.
With eyes that seemed to reflect a million miles of empty trails, Adam looked at her. “You’re good for me. I like talking with you. If it was within the rules, I’d ask you to the dance.”
“If I thought you weren’t toying with me, maybe I’d ask you to the dance.”
Adam Cartwright pushed the plate and cup of coffee away as he looked around the restaurant. It was two in the afternoon and all the other customers had left the small café. He stood and Marcy thought she might have offended him somehow so she expected he would drop some money on the table and leave. Instead, he took one of her hands and tugged to see if she would willingly step toward him. She did. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her close but not too forcefully. If she had resisted, she knew he would stop, and she didn’t want him to stop. As he moved his hand from her hand to her cheek caressing it softly, he leaned down and kissed the other cheek. Kissing her nose next, he moved to her lips and brushed his lips across hers before pressing his lips to hers which yielded under the pressure. She was grateful for that muscular arm around her waist. She wouldn’t have been able to stand without it. Pulling back a few inches then, he looked into her eyes, and she could still feel his warm breath as he asked her a question.
“Are you willing to ask me to the dance now?”
“Dance? What dance?” He smiled down at her in his arms as she shook her head slightly. “Oh, yes, the dance. Adam, would you please take me to the dance?”
“I would be most pleased to take you.”
Kissing her again and pulling her tight to him, he made it clear that there was a double meaning to that. She knew all she had to do was give him permission. There was enough talk for every woman to know the character of every man, and many had talked about him. He could be many things, but with a woman, he always asked even if he used everything he had to try to influence that answer.
Although she worried about what she might say to him if he asked her more directly, that quandary was postponed when customers came in the door followed by Adam’s brothers.
“Hey, older brother, does it take you longer to do everything these days? We been waiting on you.”
Both Hoss and Joe said nothing about Adam having her in his arms when they all came in the door although raised eyebrows and smirks promised there would likely be ribald comments and plenty of teasing later. Adam did his best to ignore that. Looking back at her, he had only one question to which she agreed.
“Marcy will you have dinner with me first, say about six and I’ll pick you up at your house?”
After Adam left the restaurant with his brothers, they were anxious to find out everything. After all, Adam hadn’t been smiling much lately nor much interested in any woman. Both had changed and they were happy about that and curious.
“She’s nice and I enjoy spending time with her. She didn’t have anyone to ask so she asked me.”
“From what we saw, it was a lot more than that.” Joe wasn’t about to accept such a sanitized version of events.
“Maybe, but that’s all you get to know.”
And that was all that Adam told anyone including his father. He did as he promised and picked Marcy up for dinner and took her to the dance. She noticed that some of that faraway look was back. As they rode back to her house in the carriage, she thanked him for a wonderful evening and then because being direct seemed to work best with him, she tried again.
“Would it be too much to expect that there might be another evening together?”
The long pause before answering sank her hopes.
“I’m afraid it won’t be possible. I’m planning on leaving. I haven’t told my family yet though I’m sure my father and Hoss have guessed and Joe too although he likely wouldn’t admit that even to himself. So please don’t say anything to anyone.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“I do trust you. I don’t know why, but I do. You’re that kind of person.”
“At least that part makes me feel better.” She paused then as he pulled the carriage up in front of her house. Normally this would be when a couple would steal a kiss, but the mood had changed dramatically during the ride.
“Are you going alone?”
“Yes. It wouldn’t be fair to ask someone to join me on a journey with so many question marks.”
“No, it wouldn’t be fair to ask.”
Adam felt vaguely disappointed by her statement though he had no expectation that she had any commitment to him. Then she surprised him.
“But, what would you do if someone volunteered to go with you and share your adventure because they had the same feeling of being unfulfilled and unhappy?”
Stunned, he did the only thing he could think to do. He kissed her as passionately as he knew how to do.
Adding onto the original 2018 Sourdough, let’s see what happens with Ben and Clementine at the Harvest Dance. This part will take place between this 2018 October Sourdough and the 2019 December Sourdough.
Clementine Hawkins’ niece, Millicent O’Connor had recently moved to Virginia City from Liverpool, England. With her aunt’s help, Millie settled in quickly and was smitten almost immediately with one of the handsome Cartwrights. The problem was Clementine couldn’t tell which one, until one day…
The ladies left the sweet shop and were heading home when they spied the four Cartwrights across the street. Millie began to get all fluttery as she had said she wanted to ask one of them to the Harvest Dance but couldn’t get up her nerve. Ben and Hoss headed their way so Clemmie came up with an idea.
“Look dearie, let me show you how to ask a gentleman to the dance, then you can do the same for your gentleman.” She patted Millie’s hand and stepped toward Ben as the men stopped to greet them.
“Coo Benjamin, what a lovely day it is.” She smiled at Ben and continued. “Might I ask if you would like to accompany me to the Harvest Dance at the end of the month?”
Hoss missed his pa’s nervous swallow as his own eyes were on the lovely red-haired Miss Millie.
“Why, I’d be delighted to accompany you to the dance, Clementine.”
Clemmie turned to Millie to say how easy that was but suddenly Mille burst into tears and ran home.
Apologizing to the men, Clemmie followed her. Ben and Hoss shrugged at each other and moved on.
At the house, Clemmie got Millie to calm down and was shocked as the problem was revealed.
“Oh, Aunt Clemmie, it’s all ruined. Couldn’t you see that I wanted to ask Mister Cartwright to the dance and now it’s impossible.”
Clemmie thought fast. “My dear Millie, Benjamin is much too old for you an’ besides didn’t you see how Hoss was smilin’ at ye so happily? He’s the one ye need to be askin’ to the dance, luv.”
Millie looked at her aunt with wet, puppy-dog eyes. “Really, but he’s so….so…..”
“Smitten with ye. Oh my dear, let’s go find him and you can see for yourself.”
The ladies caught up to Hoss outside the general store. Clementine nudged Millie forward with a wink.
Millie rolled her sea blue eyes up to Hoss. “Uh, Mister…I mean Hoss, would you like to go to the Harvest Dance with me?”
“Woo-hoo, darlin’! I’d be mighty glad to.” Hoss picked her up and swung her around.
Across the road, three more Cartwrights tipped their hats to Clementine Hawkins who gave them a big smile and a wink.
Good Friends?
The Harvest Dance was in full swing at the town hall. Keeping time with the music by tapping his fingers on the table by the punch bowl, Ben Cartwright watched his oldest and youngest sons dance the night away. Their ladies had asked them at the last minute and all four seemed to be having a grand time. Ben sipped his punch as he looked around the barn for his middle son.
“My dear Benjamin, would you be so kind as to pour me a cup of punch?” Clementine Hawkins had silently appeared by Ben’s side, as she had a talent to do. Ben set his cup down and did as she asked. “Coo, ‘tis hard work keepin’ a watchful eye on the young folk. I found a couple sneakin’ a kiss in the kitchen. Imagine their surprise when I appeared behind them.”
Ben joined Clementine in a good laugh over what both of them had been through that evening as official chaperones of the dance.
“Well, Clementine, you did volunteer us for this job.”
“Coo, I know that dearie. But just between you an’ me,” she elbowed his arm and winked, “‘tis somethin’ I regret, an’ I won’t be doin’ it again, mind you.”
Ben smiled and raised his glass. “Neither will I. By the way have you seen Hoss and Millie?”
“Oh, aye. They’ve been sittin’ over by the door for the last couple o’ dances. I checked on ‘em. They’re havin’ a good time but I think they’re a bit too shy with each other to do much dancin’.”
Ben nodded in agreement. “When Millie finally asked Hoss to the dance, it seemed that was all either could talk about but now when the pair are together all they do is get tongue-tied.”
Clementine tilted her head as she reached up to twist Ben’s black tie strings around her index finger. “Ye know, Benjamin, they may be choosin’ not to dance but that doesn’t mean we have to be that way.”
Ben took the punch cup from Clementine and set it beside his. “You’re absolutely right. Miss Hawkins, may I have this dance?”
Clementine fanned her face, smiled and batted her eyes. “Why Mister Cartwright I’d be delighted.”
Ben slipped her hand through his arm and led her onto the dance floor. His sons smiled at the couple as they passed.
After the last dance, and everyone had gone home, Ben helped Clementine move the last of the food and punch into the kitchen. His sons had already left to escort their girls home and would return eventually for their horses. Putting out the last of the lights, and closing the doors to the town hall, Ben started to lead Clementine to her home down the street. Pulling him around to the side of the building she glanced up into his handsome face.
“Benjamin, I know you an’ I have had our differences over the years, but we’ve become good friends, ain’t that so?”
Ben gave her a charming smile. “Yes, Clementine, we have.”
Silence passed between them for a moment, until Clementine stepped a bit closer to Ben and he stepped a bit closer to her. Both shared warm smiles just before their lips touched. Separating, Ben drew Clementine into a hug.
“Indeed, Clementine, the best of friends.”
Smiling and laughing, the couple strolled arm and arm down the street, unaware that three pairs of eyes had unintentionally seen the stolen kiss.
Hoss had fallen in love many times in his life and was close to being married once but it all fell apart. After that, he was afraid to love again. But one day, it had hit him out of nowhere when he saw Maggie Larson at the church social. Music played as people danced or stood to the side and talked. She walked in with her older brothers, Lucas and Will. Maggie was practically untouchable because her brothers were protective of their little sister. Their parents had died when Maggie was twelve. Lucas was old enough to take care of both siblings. Maggie and Hoss had gone to school together and had been friends. To Hoss, Maggie was just a friend and nothing more. But something had hit him when she walked in the social hall in her light-yellow dress with ruffles. Her dark hair pulled up and ringlets hung on the side of her face. Hoss had been standing near Adam when Maggie walked in.
“Adam, has Maggie always looked that beautiful?” Hoss asked in surprise.
Adam smiled at his brother.
“Yes, Hoss, she has.”
“I can’t believe I’ve never noticed,” Hoss replied
Adam chuckled. “That’s what happens when she goes away to school, and you only have contact through letters.”
Hoss walked up to her and asked her to dance.
“I’d love to, Hoss,” she said.
Hoss led her to the dance floor.
After the song was over, they walked outside. They talked about Maggie’s schooling and what she had done back east. She had talked about the classes she took and even the friends she spent time with. They found a seat to sit down and talked more.
“Do you have a beau?” Hoss asked.
Maggie laughed and shook her head.
“No, I don’t. That doesn’t mean the men didn’t try.”
“Really? Did you go on any dates with them?”
“Yes, but they were shallow.”
“How so?”
“They never asked about me. They were only looking for a beautiful wife to help their careers,” Maggie explained.
“I’m sorry they were like that.”
He reached for her hand but then they heard someone shouting.
“Maggie!”
They both turned around and saw Lucas walking up to them.
“Here you are. We’re leaving.”
“But we haven’t been here long.”
“A brawl just broke out and Roy ended the social,” Lucas explained.
“Fine,” Maggie said.
“Maggie, wait. May I see you again?” Hoss asked.
“Yes. How about tomorrow?” Maggie turned and followed her brother as Hoss watched.
Hoss and Maggie went for a ride the next day.
“How about a race?” Maggie suggested.
“To that tree?”
Maggie nodded and they raced. Maggie was ahead and laughed as she made it to the tree beating Hoss. She dismounted and faced him as he dismounted.
“Looks like I beat the great Hoss Cartwright.”
She laughed and leaned against the tree and looked at the open plains then at Hoss who was looking at her. Maggie nervously tucked a stray hair behind her ear as she blushed. Hoss put a hand around her waist and pulled her to him and kissed her.
“Sorry, I wanted to do that since last night. I never realized how beautiful you were until last night,” Hoss apologized.
“No need to apologize. I wanted to kiss you last night. I didn’t mention that I told the men back east I had a man in the west. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember,” Maggie said softly.
“I think I have been in love with you too but just now realizing it.”
They kissed again.
This was a Pinecone from Brand and was already expanded a bit but I have added more which is noted by the asterisks.
Disquiet Spirit
Joe abruptly left the breakfast table with Jamie following close behind. Though he had arrived downstairs in an upbeat mood, the frustration and helplessness caused by his blindness had made Joe end the breakfast conversation and take up Jamie’s offer for a ride in the new buggy. Hoss and his father remained behind at the table, conflicted and unsettled, as they mulled over Ben’s decision to bring a teacher from the school for the blind in San Francisco to the ranch, counter to Joe’s wishes.
A little while later, Joe and Jamie sat together in a pleasant, grassy knoll listening to the birds sing.
“Hey, Jamie, what kind of day is it?”
“Oh — uh — real nice.” Jamie gave an emphatic nod that Joe could not see.
“Any clouds?” Joe’s eyes remained fixed forward.
Jamie looked up to examine the sky. “Yeah, there’s a couple up there. Not rain clouds, though, they’re just the white fluffy kind.”
“Were you ever afraid of the dark when you were a kid?”
“Yeah, a little, I guess.”
“I wasn’t. I kinda liked it. Something kinda quiet and warm about it.” Joe chuckled and then went on. “You know — you know my brother, Hoss, was afraid of the dark when he was little.”
Jamie laughed. You’re kiddin’?”
“Yeah! Pa said he wouldn’t go to bed without a candle burnin’ in the room every night.”
Jamie grinned and giggled.
“Kinda funny a guy that big bein’ afraid of the dark and I wasn’t.” Joe became serious and his voice went soft. “Sure afraid of it now, though.”
There was sadness in Jamie’s eyes that went unseen. The two sat without speaking for a time.
“Funny — the other day I remembered something that happened years ago, back when Adam was still around.”
“Yeah, what was that?”
“We had just sold a bunch of cattle in Placerville and were eating at the saloon when this blind man stormed in with his hired man following him. The blind guy was spoiling for a fight and told his man to hit him, but the hired man wouldn’t do it, of course. The blind man’s name was Raine and this Raine fella just kept after his hired man and slapped the guy. When the hired hand refused to fight back, Raine took a swing and missed and then yelled, Hit me! Hit me!”
“Really?”
“Yeah, kinda crazy, huh?” Joe let out a nervous laugh. “That Raine guy begged to be hit. And then the strangest thing happened.”
“What?”
“Pa got up from the table, walked over and slapped Raine on the face.”
“You’re kiddin’! Mr. Cartwright hit a blind man?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it. I think our jaws hit the floor — Adam, Hoss, and me. But that’s exactly what happened. Everyone in the place was shocked. In fact, I remember one of the barmaids even screamed.”
“So what did that Raine fella do then?”
“Funny thing — Raine didn’t act surprised or anything. He wasn’t even mad. Pa gave Raine the chance to hit him back. He had Raine grab onto his left arm, you know Indian style, like they do when they wrestle.”
“Yeah?”
“Pa said he wouldn’t duck away and would take whatever came his way, but that he was gonna hit back. Raine reached out and touched Pa’s face to measure the distance and then reared back and nailed Pa square on the cheek. Pa’s head flew back but he didn’t let go of Raine’s arm.” Joe took a long, deep breath as he remembered how difficult it was to watch the scene unfold.
Jamie squirmed and shook his head imagining what it would have felt like to be hit that hard.. “Then what? Go on!”
“Pa tapped Raine on the arm to let him know what was coming and hauled of and hit him hard enough that Raine lost his grip and flew back onto a table.”
Jamie’s mouth dropped open. “Your pa really did that?”
“Yeah, he sure did. Well, Raine got up and Pa stepped forward and reset their grip. Raine measured his reach to Pa’s face again, swung and landed another punch. This went on for a few minutes, back and forth, hanging on with their left arms and throwing hard punches with their right fists until both conceded they had had enough.”
“Wow! That sure woulda been somethin’ to see!”
“Yeah, it sure was, but the most amazing thing was that when it was all over, Raine was grateful to Pa for doing it. In fact, he shook Pa’s hand and invited him for coffee at his house.”
“No kiddin’?”
“Pa, ended up staying at Raine’s place for a few days. Matthew Raine. That was his name. He was a famous artist — known around the world. Did you ever notice that painting in Pa’s room, the one of the seaside?”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful!”
“Raine painted that before he went blind. Sent it to Pa to thank him for helping him, you know, kinda find his way again.”
“Gosh, no wonder that Raine fella was mad at the world. Can’t imagine bein’ that good at somethin’ and then goin’ bli -” Jamie stopped short, suddenly realizing the gravity of what he was saying. “I mean — uh –”
“It’s ok. I thought I understood how Raine felt back then. Now — now — well there are days that I’d like to beat the tar out of anyone and anything. I hate just sitting around feeling useless.”
Jamie’s mouth opened, but then he closed it, uncertain what he could say that would be of any comfort to the man that he had grown to love over the past months. “Sorry, Joe”, was all he could get out.
“Thanks. You know Doc thinks I could get better anytime now. Any — time…..”
*************************************************************
Much to the family’s joy and relief, “anytime” came about two weeks later. Joe fully regained his sight and life quickly returned to normal. However, the time prior to the restoration of his sight had been filled with considerable turmoil as he had grappled with the prospect of being permanently blind. Joe had been embarrassed by his disability and made had it abundantly clear to his family that Sally Morris, the woman he had been dating for a while, should not come to visit him. Regardless of his wishes, Sally had shown up unexpectedly at the ranch. When it became obvious to her he was unable to see the gift she had brought him, Joe rudely dismissed her.
“You gotta look at the blind man. What else do you want? Why’d you come here anyway, to ask me to the dance Saturday night? How about a party? I’m great at parties. Blind Man’s Bluff — Pin The Tail On The Donkey — you name it. Get outta here, will ya!”
At the time, Joe was unable to see the pain that his cynical, self-pitying words had brought, causing her to flee in tears. Now he wished that he could take those words back and knew that he must apologize for the way he had treated her. Regaining his sight had given him a fresh outlook despite his fear of rejection by Sally. He saddled Cochise and rode into town to speak with her and hopefully make amends. When he reached Virginia City, he tied up Cochise in front of the mercantile where Sally worked. Joe swiped off his hat and ran his fingers through his graying hair, checking his reflection in the large window of the store. He was able to see Sally standing behind the counter. Her back was toward him as she retrieved something for a waiting customer.
Joe took a deep breath and entered the mercantile. Though the bell on the door announced his entry, Sally was occupied counting change and completing the transaction. Joe nodded to the customer as he passed and moved up to the counter. An uncomfortable silence ensued when Sally and Joe’s eyes met.
“Hi.” Joe whispered.
“Joe — I — uh I heard that -. It’s just so good to see –.” Sally struggled to find the right words.
“Thanks. It’s good to be out and about. I — uh — was wondering if you would — uh — want to go get a cup of coffee?” Joe proceeded cautiously. “I — uh — I need –”
Sally’s brown eyes sparkled and she interjected. “I’d like that.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I just have a few things to take care of first. Can you come back in about fifteen minutes?”
He felt like the smile on his face radiated all the way down to his toes. “You bet! See you in a few minutes!”
Soon they were seated at a quiet corner table in the cafe silently sipping coffee. Joe rotated his coffee cup and gave Sally nervous smiles.
“Thanks for agreeing to have coffee with me. I wasn’t sure you would want to after the way I treated you. Just seeing you today –”
“Joe — it’s alright — I “
“No, Sally, it’s not. I mean, yes, it was a horrible experience, but that was no excuse. You were just being kind. I’m truly sorry for the way I acted.”
Sally tentatively reached out and touched Joe’s hand. “I’m just so thankful you’re ok.”
Joe took a deep breath. “There’s a dance Saturday night? Would you go with me?”
“I’d love to!”
