Summary: What do a church bazaar, a kissing booth, and red roses have in common?
\nRating: G, Word Count: 1797<\/p>\n
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The Kissing Booth<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, Adam,\u201d Hoss greeted.<\/p>\n Adam waved and leaned against the hitching post.<\/p>\n \u201cHow was it in town?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Joe got himself into some trouble flirting with someone else\u2019s gal.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019t surprising to see Joe with some sort of injury.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s going to be a church bazaar this weekend. We signed you up for the dunking booth,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n \u201cOh really?\u201d Adam\u2019s eyebrows rose.<\/p>\n \u201cYup. We knew you\u2019d be good for it and raise the most money. You are good with the ladies,\u201d Hoss said with a big grin on his face.<\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes and walked in the house. The other two followed.<\/p>\n They found Ben reading in the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, there\u2019s going to be a church bazaar and Adam is going to be in the dunking booth,\u201d Joe said excitedly.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his book and over at his oldest son. He saw the scowl on Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it you\u2019re not overjoyed by this news,\u201d Ben said to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not. Remember when they got me in with Abigail Jones? I\u2019m a little hesitant to help when they\u2019re behind anything,\u201d Adam said sitting in the blue chair.<\/p>\n Ben smothered a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, Hoss, what will you two be doing?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be working some other games,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s good. It\u2019ll keep you out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we need to go do chores,\u201d Joe said and shoved Hoss out the door.<\/p>\n Ben looked at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have something up their sleeves,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cUh-huh,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, there you are. Come with me to your booth,\u201d Reverend Holland said.<\/p>\n Adam followed him.<\/p>\n \u201cHere it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam read the sign. \u201cKisses. Twenty-five Cents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe kissing booth? I thought I was doing the dunking booth,\u201d Adam asked in confusion.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, 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\u2019ll be back in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss had tricked Adam into doing the kissing booth.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy am I surprised?\u201d he muttered to himself.<\/p>\n Adam saw his brothers standing nearby and he glared at them.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019d get even with his brothers after the bazaar was over.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, hi, Miss Bennion,\u201d Adam stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Adam. Is your booth still open?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n She put her money on the table, but Adam didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Bennion, may I take you to dinner some time?\u201d he whispered so nobody else around could hear him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may. I\u2019m free tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll pick you up at seven,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n Eliza smiled and walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that bad now was it?\u201d a voice taunted.<\/p>\n Adam turned around and saw Hoss and Joe standing there smirking. Adam walked away from the booth.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Mr. Bennion,\u201d Adam said formally.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in, Adam. Eliza told me you\u2019d be taking her to dinner,\u201d George said cheerfully.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Adam, enough with the sir\u2019s. You always call me George when you see me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know but this time it\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrying to make a good impression on a girl\u2019s father, eh? Adam, you have my respect already. You\u2019re a good man and I know you\u2019ll treat my daughter right.\u201d<\/p>\n George clapped Adam on the shoulder. All Adam could do was smile.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Adam. Father, I hope you\u2019re not scaring Adam,\u201d Eliza teased.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019re just talking and waiting for you,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are for you,\u201d Adam finally found his voice, handing Eliza the flowers.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Adam. They\u2019re beautiful. Let me go put these roses in water,\u201d Eliza said and quickly went to the kitchen and put the flowers in a vase.<\/p>\n When she came back in, they headed to dinner.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, just a bit dazed. Who was thrown out?” Eliza asked.<\/p>\n They looked to see who was lying in the street.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe. Not surprising,\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n He turned to Eliza.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should go check on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Do you mind waiting for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t mind at all,\u201d Eliza said and sat on the bench near them.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you know, the usual. Joe got drunk and someone egged him on, and they got into a fight. As you can see Joe lost,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n Adam sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cEliza is over there waiting for me. She was hit by the door when he came flying out. Could you take Joe home please?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cIs she all right?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe said she\u2019s a bit dazed but fine.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is taking you home and you\u2019re going to tell Pa what happened. I need to take care of Eliza,\u201d Adam said angrily pointing a finger at Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n Joe looked at Adam in confusion. Hoss grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and led him to their horses.<\/p>\n Adam went back to Eliza.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. Just fine. How\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam snorted. \u201cHe\u2019s fine. Just causing problems as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n Eliza smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry that happened and you got hurt,\u201d Adam apologized.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright. It\u2019s not like you planned it,\u201d Eliza replied smiling.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, Adam Cartwright, who ya got there? She\u2019s purty. Give us a kiss,\u201d he leaned over Eliza.<\/p>\n Adam stood in front of Eliza protecting her.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave her alone, Andrew,\u201d Adam said firmly.<\/p>\n Andrew was a big man and shoved Adam out of the way and grabbed Eliza\u2019s 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 \u201cRoy, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here. Will you put Andrew in jail until he\u2019s dry?\u201d Adam then told Roy what happened.<\/p>\n Roy took Andrew and Adam turned back to Eliza. She was standing up by this time and bushing dirt from her dress.<\/p>\n \u201cI am really sorry, Eliza. You\u2019ve had a bit of a rough half hour. Andrew didn\u2019t hurt you did he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a little shaky.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam held her until she stopped shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take you home,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n Eliza nodded. They walked to the buggy, got in and left.<\/p>\n Pulling up to Eliza\u2019s house Adam helped her out and they walked to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoyed dinner, and walking around town with you, but I\u2019m sorry the rest of the evening didn\u2019t end well,\u201d Adam apologized.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it didn\u2019t, but the beginning was still enjoyable. I hope Joe won\u2019t get into too much trouble,\u201d Eliza replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll probably be stuck on the ranch for a while.\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cMay I take you out again?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes you may. I feel I should tell you that I have had a few other dates with some of the men from town. I\u2019m sure I sound like a big flirt to you. They even asked me after the dates to choose between them,\u201d she said in embarrassment.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a bit. I understand. You are beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n Eliza blushed a deep shade of red and looked down. Adam lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her gently.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll let you go inside. Let me know when you want to go on another date,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n \u201cI will. Oh, Adam, if I have to choose between any of the men it would be you,\u201d she said smiling.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Brandsters.\u00a0 The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.\u00a0 Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAndrew by the arm.<\/p>\n
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