Summary:\u00a0 Written in Response to the May 2023 – Double Drabble Prompts:\u00a0 “Will he kiss me?” and “Metamorphosis!” \nRating:\u00a0 Teen\u00a0 (Words: 600)<\/p>\n
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Longings<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Part 1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Dressed in black with a few top buttons of his shirt undone, revealing that oh so enticing V; he stood there, stoically waiting at the bottom of the staircase.\u00a0 A slight lean, his left arm casually rested on the newel with a book in his other hand.\u00a0 At my footfall he looked up; dark brown eyes began at my kid boots, but I know in his mind\u2019s eye he was seeing a daintily turned ankle or two, next were my legs hidden by my long dress.\u00a0 Each part of me came alive as those smoldering eyes continued their upward trek.\u00a0 Ever so slowly he smiled, taking in the fit of my dress, and appreciating my own enticing neckline.\u00a0 Something I\u2019d not normally be so daring in wearing, but tonight was a very special occasion.<\/p>\n
Stopped at the landing, running my hands nervously across the skirt fabric, straightening away a wrinkle that wasn\u2019t, inhaling as deeply as my corset would allow; I smiled.<\/p>\n
Closing his book and setting it aside, he extended a hand towards me. Adam Cartwright, ever the gallant gentleman, ensuring my safety until I stood before him.\u00a0 But what I need to know is, will he kiss me?<\/p>\n
Part 2<\/strong><\/p>\n
Rolling my eyes at my brothers talking about a new hand Pa had hired, it was difficult to ignore their excitement regarding just how good Tab could rope, shoot, and ride!\u00a0 Crossing out another wrong entry, I fervently wished they\u2019d just leave, and no longer be a distraction.<\/p>\n
Later, needing a mindless diversion from balancing the books, I decided to watch the action at the corrals.\u00a0 The new kid did a good job keeping up with Joe and Andy, the three alternating in breaking horses\u2026. until the red roan.\u00a0 The horse stood calmly in the chute; too calmly.\u00a0 The ride started bad, and went downhill from there.<\/p>\n
Joe, Hoss, and the others worked to get the horse up and out of the corral while I jumped down, yelling for someone to get Paul Martin.\u00a0 Imagine my shock, while running my hands over Tab\u2019s ribs.<\/p>\n
That was over a month ago.\u00a0 The last few weeks, after completing my days\u2019 work, were pleasantly spent discussing Shakespeare and far-away lands.\u00a0 Tonight, Tarynn Aileen Brophy (Tab) would be presented to Virginia City, and reunited with her family.<\/p>\n
Waiting at the bottom of the staircase, imagine my surprise at looking up.\u00a0 What a metamorphosis!<\/p>\n
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Epilogue<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
I wish I could be as happy; Pa told me how ecstatic her family was after being reunited with their sister.\u00a0\u00a0I guess I can understand why she ran away; having six much older brothers and feeling lost in the shuffle, especially after their parents had passed away of influenza.\u00a0\u00a0But to cross the Atlantic and head west on her own, all the while taking on the persona of an American cowboy?\u00a0\u00a0That was a shock, checking Tab over for injuries after witnessing the nasty fall while breaking a horse, only to realize we\u2019d been misled.<\/p>\n
During her recovery we\u2019d spent hours discussing anything and everything.\u00a0\u00a0When she was finally well enough to come downstairs, Pa insisted on the truth.\u00a0\u00a0As she spoke of growing up and her life in Europe, I could tell Tab, or rather Tarynn, was growing homesick.\u00a0\u00a0Well, that set into motion events that culminated in last night\u2019s cotillion.\u00a0\u00a0Wires and special envoys came and went before the Lord and Lady Brophy, and his five brothers arrived in Viriginia City.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t attend, I couldn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0Seeing her at the top of the stairs, my image of her as my wife was shattered, irrevocably.\u00a0\u00a0A chaste kiss goodbye paled against what I wanted.<\/p>\n
~The End<\/p>\n
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End Note:\u00a0 Parts 1 and 2 were inspired by the left screencap from Woman of Fire.\u00a0 The epilogue was inspired by the right screencap from A Song in the Dark.<\/p>\n