Romance The Blue Roan

Rachel's expression darkened briefly before she gave Christine a warm smile. "I appreciate your concern, but this matter's out of my hands. Blue is the one you need to speak with. I'd rather give up the ranch entirely than see my son hurt or killed, but he's very much like his father. Once Blue decides something, I've never seen anyone or thing change his mind."

"That's going to be kind of difficult since Christine won't even talk to Blue. She's the same way. Her mind is made up about him and nothing's going to change it," stated June.

"My decision isn't a matter of life and death," responded Christine. "I'm not being so stubborn that someone might die. I just don't want to be manhandled again."

"So you would talk to Blue if it might mean stopping a small range war and saving some lives?" countered June immediately.

Christine just stared at her friend. "Did you just set me up? I never said I'd talk to Blue."

"But you did insinuate that you'd never be that stubborn about a matter of life and death," reminded June. "Let me ask Blue to join us so that you can discuss it with him. I'll ask him to forego manhandling you until a later date."

Once she finished speaking, June got quickly to her feet and strode over to Blue's table. She leaned over his shoulder and spoke quietly into his ear. Christine didn't know whether to hope Blue returned with June, or refused her request.

Rachel Rhone split her attention between June trying to talk Blue into visiting their table and watching Christine fidget as she intently watched June and Blue in quiet conversation. When Blue stood and headed toward her table, Christine's face flushed noticeably.

"Blue, you never got to shake Christine's hand in a proper introduction," began June as Blue stood in front of the woman he had offended so badly the only time he was near her.

"No, it wasn't her hand," chuckled the laconic cowboy as he extended his hand to Christine.

Determined to not behave like the prissy woman June had called her after her last meeting with Blue, Christine pretended to study Blue's hand before extending her own.

"I just wanted to be certain I didn't bruise your hand permanently," quipped Christine as the two shook hands.

"Actually, it feels pretty good," replied Blue as he looked Christine in the eyes. "Of course I haven't washed it since that day. I'm trying to make that memory linger."

Rachel watched her son and the beautiful Easterner exchange banter and was struck how the two seemed so much alike in many ways and so different in so many others.

"It seems that once you latch onto something, you're reluctant to release it," observed Christine as Blue continued to slowly shake her hand.

"She's hinting that you can let go of her hand, Blue," pointed out June. "This is what got you in trouble the first time."

"I don't think it is," responded Blue as he slowly released his grip. "What do you think, Miss Hamilton?"

"I think June is right. You do have large hands."

"It's very helpful when shaking... hands with a lady like you," replied Blue, still maintaining a straight face.

"Do you still think that I'm a handful, Mr. Rhone? I believe that's the term you used. Please remember that your mother is listening to this conversation."

In response, Blue slowly moved his eyes over Christine's upper body, deliberately lingering on her bosom before finally gazing at her face. By the time their eyes met, Christine felt her face flush.

"I've no reason to change my opinion. In fact, all of the evidence points to the accuracy of my observation," replied Blue as he studied Christine's features.

Christine refused to be the first to look away. Although she could feel the heat in her face and throat from her increased blush, she continued to meet Blue's gaze. It was Blue's mother that finally broke the standoff.

"Please stop this repartee right now, or get a room upstairs," insisted Rachel as she shook her head in amazement. "Christine, you don't appear to find Blue all that offensive today. Thank you for that."

"Your son's manners have greatly improved," declared Christine as she pulled her eyes away from Blue. "He needs to work on his timing, but his handshake has greatly improved.

"He's still quite crude, but I've come to realize that he's representative of his environment and gender. I'm sure you did your best to instill proper manners in him as a child, but no mother can ever take the boy out of her son, no matter how old he is."

"No, that's true," agreed Rachel. "We leave that job to his wife."

Not wanting to continue that line of thought, Christine stated what was on her mind. "Blue, you can't be considering risking your life and the lives of others over a patch of grass. Your mother says that you can't be talked out of it, but I find that hard to believe. How can a few acres of land be worth your life?"

Blue had listened politely to Christine's words and considered them carefully before he spoke. "A man's life has to have meaning and purpose. He has to stand for something and be willing to fight for it, or he isn't really a man. If I did as you suggested, Bar M and others would see it as weakness or fear, and within a year or two they'd be pushing for more. Some smaller ranches on our other boundaries may want some of our grazing, too. Where would it stop? Everyone's watching to see how the Lazy R responds to this land grab. If I show any weakness, our ranch will be torn apart within ten years. That won't happen while I can still draw a breath."

Christine was unable to form a suitable response immediately. As she mulled over Blue's reply, she grudgingly admitted to herself that he was acting as a man should. She had thought he was just being stubborn, or even proud. Instead, he was fighting for the survival of his ranch and his way of life. That was what she would expect a man to do.

"Would you be open to at least discussing the situation with the Bar M? Isn't it possible that there could be a way out without fighting and bloodshed?" was Christine's next question.

"You're new to the area. It's pretty well known that I don't socialize with Luke Winters or his father. I have no respect for them and no reason to think that they'd keep their end of any agreement. But to answer your question, I'd be willing to meet with them to try to settle this."

"Thank you for being so reasonable," stated Christine with some relief.

"Now that Christine's solved the looming range war, let me ask Blue a question," insisted June. "Will you be racing Deuce on July Fourth?"

"You already know the answer to that," chuckled Blue. "We haven't missed a race in ten years and we aren't going to start now."

June noticed Christine's confusion. "Blue has a blue roan stallion that his dad bought as a colt. Since the colt was a blue roan and they already had a kid named Blue Rhone, the ranch hands started calling the horse 'The Second', but pretty soon they knocked it down to 'Deuce'.

"July Fourth is just a week away. Every year the town has a big celebration even though we're not a state, yet. Nevada is a territory of the United States and we're Americans, so we celebrate it. We have all kinds of games for the kids, a basket lunch auction, and a dance that evening, but the highlight is the horse race at noon.

"All the riders line up at the south end of town and race a quarter mile to the finish line at the upper end of town by the livery stables. Blue's ridden Deuce in the race every year since the horse turned two."

"Let me guess," chimed in Christine. "Blue and his protégée have won the race every year!"

"That would be the fairy tale ending. The simple truth is that the blue roan just isn't very fast," laughed June. "They usually come in dead last."

"Really? Why do you keep racing him then?" asked a surprised Christine.

"It's become a tradition," replied June before Blue could respond. "The whole town makes jokes about it all year long. People can bet ten dollars. If their horse and rider win, they get fifteen dollars' worth of goods from the mercantile. If their horse loses, the wager goes into a fund to support the local school. More people bet on Blue than all of the other horses combined. It's for a good cause and they know Blue won't win!"

Christine was smiling as she listened to her friend recount the history of Blue and Deuce. She glanced at Blue to find him watching her. His blue eyes seemed to smile back at her. She had to admit to herself that he was very good looking man, in a very masculine way.

"I'm going to try to get Luke and his father to agree to talk with you about this range problem sometime after the race. It sounds like everyone will be in town, so let's take advantage of the situation," reasoned Christine.

"As you know, I'm all for taking advantage of a situation," quipped Blue.

"That's true. I'm acutely aware of how much you enjoy taking advantage," replied Christine as she once again looked into Blue's eyes. "You probably recall my reaction to that decision. It'll happen every time a man makes unwelcome advances toward me."

"How about welcome advances?" asked Blue immediately.

"I can't answer that as I've never welcomed an advance like that. It would be uncharted territory," retorted Christine.

"So it's possible?" shot back Blue.

"About as likely as you allowing the Bar M to graze cattle all the way up to Jennings Creek," answered Christine with a smirk.

"So we're negotiating already?" asked Blue with a smirk of his own. "That would be one way to keep face in the community. We may be able to reach an agreement."

"I find it difficult to believe that such a popular man about town would give up so much for so little," was Christine's immediate response.

"I think we've already determined that the word 'little' does not apply. Most would..."

"Please! Would you two not do this in front of me?" requested Rachel. "Some conversations should remain private and certainly not be held in front of the mother of a participant. I've never heard so many double entendres and innuendos in a conversation in my life."

"As long as your son leaves my double entendres alone, there'll be no problems," assured Christine as both June and her father groaned.

Rachel looked at Christine sternly before suddenly breaking into a hearty laugh. "I can't promise you that's going to happen, and don't make any jokes about innuendo, either!"

"Holy Cow! Look at that guy that just came through the door!" whispered June far too loudly. "I saw him first, so don't get any ideas, Christine."

Christine allowed her gaze to leave Blue's face long enough to take in the man June had just raved about. "Actually, I saw him long before you did. That's my brother, Will!"

With that, Christine rose to her feet and hurried across the room to greet her brother with a warm hug and a quiet warning. "Don't mention anything about me owning the Bar M. No one in town knows it and I want to keep it that way for a while."

Will winked at his sister as he released her from their embrace. Christine couldn't help but think that her brother was even better looking than she remembered.

"Come with me, there's someone I'd like you to meet," insisted Christine as she led Will to her table. "June, this is my brother, Will. Rachel, meet my brother. Ben and Blue, this guy is my brother, Will."

Will extended his hand to the pretty blonde girl first. She gave him a dazzling smile as she firmly gripped his hand. Will became a bit uncomfortable when she didn't release his hand.

"Blue, you need to show Will how Western men greet women when they first meet them," laughed June as she clung to Will's hand.

"Okay, but you'll have to let go of his hand and come over and fall next to me," responded Blue easily.

"Christine, you remember how it all works. Would you demonstrate with Blue so Will can see it once before we try it?" asked June.

"I was unaware that it's actually a custom," admitted Christine. "Regardless, my brother was raised as a gentleman and would have no interest in manhandling you for any reason."

His curiosity piqued, Will joined the conversation. "Just a minute, Sis. I'm not averse to learning local customs, especially if it involves manhandling this lovely lady. I certainly wouldn't want to appear uncouth, or unfriendly."

"Even it meant the manhandling of your little sister first?" asked Christine.

"That would depend on which sister. You know how I love Becky and would never allow any harm to come to her, but I suspect you're the sister about to be manhandled. If that's the case, I want to watch because I've never seen the man that could manage that feat and live."

"I did have a bruise for a few days, but it's gone now," admitted Blue as he pointed to his cheek.

Will looked at the blue-eyed cowboy with new respect. "The fact that you're sitting at the same table as my sister would indicate that you've both come to terms with the situation. Should I expect a bruised cheek from this experience?"

"I'm not one to overreact like your sister does. Dad is here, so I'll have to put up some sort of struggle, but only for appearances," grinned June.

"What's happened to the youth of today?" lamented Rachel as she looked to Ben for support.

"For one thing, they've apparently developed an interesting new method for greeting ladies, known as manhandling," pointed out Judge Lane. "To think I always felt lucky to get a handshake."

Other diners were smiling as they listened to the bantering taking place at Judge Lane's table. It seemed that the beautiful Christine Hamilton had an equally handsome brother who was visiting Bonnet. It also appeared that brother and sister shared the same type of humor as June and Blue. Those two had been trading funny remarks since they were kids in school.

Christine excused herself as soon as dinner was finished so she could accompany Ben to his hotel room. "So what's going on, Sis? Why the secrecy about owning the Bar M, and what's with you and that blue-eyed cowboy? June seems like a really nice girl."

"One question at a time," answered Christine. "I'm learning a lot about the local politics by seeming like an interested visitor. There's some trouble possibly brewing between the Bar M and the Lazy R, which is owned by Blue Rhone and his mother, Rachel. I'm trying to convince Blue to settle the dispute without bloodshed. He's reluctant to give up some of his best grazing land to Bar M."

"So that's it. You're using your feminine charms to gain more grazing land for Bar M! I actually thought you were interested in the guy when you introduced us, but now I see there's a method to your madness."

"I'm not trying to gain anything for Bar M. I'm just hoping to talk everyone out of a range war," insisted Christine.

"Really? If you wanted to stop a range war, all you'd have to do is assume control of the ranch. Why don't you just do that?"

"I'm trying to determine if my ranch manager is doing a good job or not. He hasn't exactly filled the coffers with profits from the Bar M operation. The manager's son told me that they expect to buy the owner out. I was wondering what their offer would be," replied Christine.

"Well, I can help you with that. This letter came for you not long after you left. I decided to see how you're doing and to drop it off. It's from your manager, Les Winters."

Christine quickly opened the letter and scanned its contents. "He's offering ten thousand dollars! How could he think I'd sell for so little? I heard it has a nice ranch house, a bunkhouse, and a barn, along with cattle, horses, and land!"

"You know how buyers always start out low. He loses nothing by making that offer. He knows he hasn't made any profits to speak of, so you might be happy to get rid of it," offered Will.

"I've been talking to people. Beef prices have been high the last few years and Bar M is the second biggest ranch in the area. The only one bigger is Rhone's Lazy R, and they've made profits. June told me that they've been investing in other interests lately, like mines and timber tracts. Why would Blue's ranch make a profit and the Bar M barely break even?"

"That's a reasonable question," replied Will. "I think I'll spend some time in Bonnet researching it and see what I can find out."

"If you're thinking of making June another notch on your belt, then please don't hang around. I really like her. She's not like those girls back east that you ran around with, and besides, her father's the judge," cautioned Christine.

"I could tell as soon as I met her that she's not like the girls back home. She reminded me of you, or at least her sense of humor and her good looks did. What about you and that cowboy? Aren't you using him to improve Bar M's position?" asked Will.

"I hardly know him. We didn't start off on the best foot. I almost fell into some mud and he caught me and stood me back up, but his hand was on my breast, so I slapped him. This evening was the first time I've spoken to him since the day I arrived. He thinks I'm a prissy cold woman with no sense of humor," admitted Christine.

"You could have fooled me," chuckled Will. "Guys don't usually drool like that around women they find repulsive."

"Do you think he likes me?" asked Christine too quickly. "I mean do you think he seemed interested?"

"You like him? You finally found a guy that meets your high standards?" quizzed Will. "Of course he's interested in you! My little sister is beautiful, smart and single. How could he not be interested?"

"What happens when he finds out that I own the Bar M? The two ranches are at odds over some pretty good grazing land. I don't know if I want to give up the opportunity to improve my profit margin and add some prime land to the ranch. He has enough money to let it go, but he's real stubborn, especially when he thinks he's right."

"Do you hear yourself? You just described your perfect man. He's successful, but scrupulous, good looking, but not soft, and he's fallen for you in a big way. All you have to do is be honest with him... ah, that's the problem.

"You've always complained about men being self-centered and selfish. Now you're looking at the situation from the other side. If you don't tell him that you own the Bar M, but take advantage of his feelings for you, he'll not likely ever forgive you. If you tell him that you own it, you believe that you'll be giving up any advantage you may have.

"Any relationship concerns come second to making sure that the ranch is successful. Are you going to stay around and help me sort this out?" asked Christine.

"I'll spend some time here to be sure things are going well for you. I may even look around and see if there's any need for a lawyer. June's dad is the local judge? He seemed like an upstanding sort of man."

"He's very well respected in these parts, as they say here in the West. June is very popular and if you hurt her you're going to really pay for it. Blue thinks of her as a sister, one that he loves dearly."

"That's interesting. They aren't related and she's absolutely beautiful, so why would he love her like a sister? You really don't think they're romantically involved?" asked Will.

"I'm sure of it. June's admitted that she loves Blue, but he doesn't feel the same way about her."

"A beautiful girl like June loves him and he hasn't taken advantage of the situation in any way? Sis, this cowboy's either the best liar you've ever seen or he's one of the best men you've ever met. Not many guys would turn down a chance with a girl like June," declared Will. "She's a beauty!"

Word quickly spread through Bonnet that Christine's brother was in town. He was pleasantly surprised at how friendly people were to him. When he escorted Christine and June around the small town, the residents were extremely warm to the two beautiful girls. Two days before the big July Fourth celebration, Christine found Blue waiting for her as she left the mercantile.

"Would you mind if I walk with you for a ways? I have something I'd like to ask you," explained Blue.

At Christine's nod, Blue walked down the boardwalk next to her. He was unusually nervous and kept running his hands over his jeans. As they approached the hotel Blue stopped walking and Christine swung around to face him.

"I'm kind of nervous about this, but here it goes. Would you go to the dance with me Saturday night?" blurted Blue before inhaling deeply, as though he were holding his breath.

"Thank you for asking, Blue. It's quite a compliment and I truly appreciate it. Luke Winters asked me yesterday. I think that ..."

"I understand," interrupted Blue as he quickly turned away from Christine and walked across the street.

June had watched Christine walk down the boardwalk with Blue and was more than a little curious about their conversation. When Blue abruptly turned and walked away, June hustled over to the hotel to find out what was going on with Christine and Blue.

Christine seemed confused as June drew close. "I saw Blue walking with you before he rushed off. Care to tell me what it was about, or is it too personal?"

"He asked me to go to the dance with him Saturday night. I started to tell him that Luke Winters had asked me yesterday but he practically ran away. I think he's upset with me," confided Christine.

"No big surprise there!" announced June. "You know how he dislikes Luke Winters. The one girl he's ever been sweet on told just him that she's going to the social event of the season with his least favorite person in the world. Of course he's upset."

"I hardly know him! We've never been out together and we certainly don't have an understanding of any kind. He's only spoken to me a couple of times. How can he assume that I'd wait for him to work up the nerve to ask me to the dance?" demanded Christine. "He really needs to grow up. He's like a spoiled kid."

"He's not used to competing for a girl's affections. You certainly couldn't have known that he was going to ask you, but enough about your romances. Will finally asked me to go to the dance with him! I flat out told him that I had put three other men on hold while I was waiting for him to ask me. I made sure that he knew how much I was in demand, and he jumped at the opportunity to take me," boasted June.

"That actually worked?" marveled Christine. "Why didn't you tell me this brilliant idea sooner?"

"Would you have used it?" asked June.

"No, probably not," admitted Christine. "It's way too straightforward for me."

Christine never saw Blue again until the race on July Fourth. Most spectators gathered at the end of town where they could watch the finish. Christine was standing with Will and June waiting for the race to begin when Luke Winters suddenly appeared next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Christine felt annoyed immediately. She had only talked to him a couple of times and he was already acting possessive!

Christine casually lifted his hand from her shoulder as she asked, "Aren't you going to be in the race? They're going to be starting it pretty soon."

"There's no prize money, so why bother?" answered Luke. "Everything goes to the school and I don't have any kids. There's no sense tiring out a good horse for a meaningless race."

As Luke finished speaking, Christine heard a shot signaling the start of the race. It was exciting to watch as three young men jumped in front of the pack and pushed for the finish line. Judge Lane declared Billy Thomas the winner so he circled his horse back to receive a bright blue ribbon which he immediately pinned to his saddle blanket.

Meanwhile locals were pouring insults and sarcastic remarks in Blue's direction. Christine watched as he sat proudly on a beautiful blue roan and pretended to make excuses for his poor performance.

"I know you expected me to win this year, but I think Deuce might have thrown a shoe. He's been off his feed lately and he was too busy watching that little mare of Mrs. Williams' to concentrate. We'll win it next year!" promised Blue to the dozen or so people that had gathered around him.

"You've been promising that for the last ten years," groused an older man not far from Christine. "Every damn year I lose ten dollars on you and that nag. You'd better win next year, because I'm going to be betting on you again!"

"The barn's on fire!" suddenly yelled a loud male voice. People stopped laughing as the man's words sank in.

There was a rambling old barn behind the livery stable. The owner of the stable had used it for storage for a number of years. A young man had recently started working in the livery. He had cleaned out a section of the barn and created a small living area. He was married to a pretty young girl that appeared to be at least part Indian, and they had a small child.

As one, the large crowd moved around the livery to see that the old barn was already fully engulfed in flames. Then a gut wrenching scream ripped through Christine's heart as the young woman realized that her child was in the burning structure. It was obvious to all that the building could not be saved. The heat from the flames shooting up the outside of the building made it impossible to approach closer than twenty feet.

Christine clearly heard Luke Winters tell those around him, "The kid's a half breed. There's no sense risking our lives for it. The father had no business sleeping with a squaw. It's not our problem."

"You miserable bastard!" was Christine's immediate reply as she screamed at the man who planned to accompany her to the dance. "That's a young child! We have to help it."

"Look! Blue's got that roan headed for the barn!" shouted another man near Christine. She turned in time to glimpse Blue Rhone racing his horse directly into the large front entrance of the burning structure. Horse and rider disappeared into the flames!

Suddenly the only sound heard was made by the flames licking at the dry wooden boards of the building. Everyone watched and waited in stunned silence for what seemed like an eternity. The roof of the barn began sagging as the fire raced up the walls and across the peak.

"It's going to collapse!" yelled a man to Christine's left. "Everybody needs to back up!"

At that moment, the blue roan suddenly broke through the thick smoke billowing from the doorway. Both horse and rider appeared to have smoke curling up from their bodies! Blue used one hand to guide the stallion while he clutched a saddle blanket to his chest with his other hand. He stopped the stallion near a water trough and quickly dismounted. Men were already using their hats to scoop water and pour it on the roan's mane and tail, which was burned down to less than half its original length.

Once Blue stepped down, several men tossed water on his back where his shirt was smoldering. Blue immediately searched the crowd before settling his eyes on the grieving mother. He strode over to her and gently unwrapped the blanket. The mother's continued cries of anguish brought tears to the eyes of even the most hardened men watching.

Then the baby began to cry! The mother took the baby from the blanket, clutched it to her bosom, and dropped to her knees as tears of relief ran down her face. Her husband had been at her side. He was a powerfully built young man and in his joy, he wrapped his arms around Blue, lifted him off his feet, and swung him around. Tears turned to laughter as Blue struggled to get the grateful man to loosen his grip.

"Jesus!" muttered another man close to Christine. "Do you believe this? That's some horse and rider. Getting an animal to run into a burning building is no small feat. Look at the barn now. It's completely collapsed. They came within seconds of being burned to death!"

"The horse's tail was burned off. Even his mane was on fire. Look at Blue's back. His shirt looks like it burned. I've never seen its like!" added another man.

By this time, the jubilant father had released Blue. Rachel Roan, overcome with emotion, was now sobbing into her son's chest. The strain of seeing her son disappear into the burning building, and the waiting for him to re-emerge had shaken her badly. That was when Christine noticed that front of her own blouse was wet from the tears that she had shed.

June moved in next to Rachel and hugged Blue as best she could while he held his mother. She kissed his cheek even as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Christine's thoughts quickly returned to Luke Winters. He had once again placed a hand on her shoulder and attempted to pull her closer.

"Don't you ever touch me, you coward!" shouted Christine as the gathered crowd turned its attention to her situation. "You were too lazy to participate in a fund raising event for the school. Then you just stood by while a child was stranded alone inside a burning building. To top that off, you insinuated that baby's heritage meant its life wasn't even important enough to worry about!

"You just saw how a man conducts himself, but I doubt that you learned anything from it," raged Christine. "That adorable baby is alive and well, no thanks to you."

Luke Winters turned a bright red as Christine berated him in a very public manner. As she finished her rant, he gave a curt nod and stalked off. Only then did Christine realize that everyone had heard what she said and they were still watching her.

"I'm sorry, everyone. My emotions got the better of me. I shouldn't have said all of those things," mumbled Christine in the way of an apology.

"My dear girl, you were spot on and had every right to tell young Winters off," responded the gray haired lady that owned the town's mercantile. "That boy's got no sand. He never has, and he never will."

"Wow!" was all June could think to say as she came over and hugged her friend. "You really got your red up with Luke, but no one blames you. He's an ass."

Christine was depressed over the recent events. She had foolishly agreed to allow Luke Winters to accompany her to dance. Once he revealed his character in such damning fashion, she felt embarrassment and shame for ever agreeing to go anywhere with him.

If she had held to her standards, she'd be enjoying the afternoon and evening with Blue at her side. She considered her past romances as June dragged her to the hotel for the lunch basket auction. Men always failed to measure up to her standards once she got to know them. Maybe she was drawn to that type of man. When she met someone with some integrity, such as Blue, she did everything possible to prevent any type of friendship.

It seemed like she sought out men that would fail her. Was she doomed to never have a relationship with a man that she could trust, a man that would willingly share his life, a man that that loved her and considered her an equal?

"You've got to stop brooding! This is a holiday. We're young and attractive women. All of the men will want what's in our baskets, if you get my drift. I think your brother's going to be nibbling on some of my goodies before the day's over. There's lot of guys around that are way nicer than Luke Winters," insisted June.

"Do... do you think Blue will be at the auction?" asked Christine softly.

"So that's it? Now you're the one in love with him? Maybe I was wrong about you breaking his heart. He might break yours!"

"I hardly know him. I'm certainly not in love with him," denied Christine. "It's just that he was trying to ask me to the dance, but I'd already agreed to go with that idiot, Luke Winters. I screwed that up badly."

"Now you're wondering if he'll mind being your back-up option?" asked June. "That's not very flattering and he has a lot of pride. On the other hand, he's pretty sweet on you, so who knows?"

Rachel was inside the hotel with June's father when the two lovely young women entered the dining room. Christine admired the way Rachel Rhone seemed to hold court as she chatted with the locals. It was effortless and her interest in others was obviously sincere. She would be a woman to emulate.

"Rachel offered the use of her hotel room if we wanted to freshen up. It's room 204, upstairs and on the left. Why don't you get spruced up before the bidding begins?" suggested June. "I'm going to find Will before I go up."

Realizing that she did indeed need to brush her hair and regain her composure, Christine nodded and moved toward the stairway. She easily found room 204 and quietly let herself in.

The room was large by local standards and featured an alcove that extended under a dormer window. Hearing a soft groan, Christine stepped further into the room to enable her to see the area where the moan had originated. To her surprise, Blue stood shirtless with his back to her. His arm was twisted awkwardly as he struggled to reach several small red blisters in the middle of his back. He held some sort of ointment on his fingers, but try as he would, he simply couldn't reach the painful looking skin.

"Can I help you with that?" asked Christine as she moved closer to the surprised man. "Give me the ointment and I'll put some on these blisters and then bandage them. They must hurt."

Blue's face and neck colored briefly as he gazed into Christine's eyes. He swallowed hard before giving her his little boy grin, which she had come to greatly enjoy.

"I'd sure appreciate it," admitted Blue as he handed Christine a jar with a white substance in it. If you could just rub a little on the red spots, I'll be able to do the rest."

Christine had Blue straddle a straight backed chair near the window. It kept him steady and provided the light she needed to clearly see the burns. As she carefully smoothed the ointment over the area, she couldn't help but notice how broad his back was. The muscles seemed to ripple across his shoulders. Neither of them spoke as Christine treated Blue's back.

"I brought some bandages up," came a voice from behind them. "June told me that you had come up to freshen up, Christine, so I thought I'd give you two a few minutes to work on any lingering issues you might have. I was quite surprised to come into a silent room."

Christine had been startled when she heard Rachel speak behind her. She had been concentrating on Blue's back and never heard her enter the room. For some reason she felt guilty, and she blushed as she turned to face Blue's mother.

"I was just helping out. The burns are in the middle of his back and he couldn't reach them."

"I can see that," replied Rachel with a knowing smile. "I was going to wrap this around his chest and over the bandages on the burns. I'm wondering if you'd be willing to do that for me. Ben's waiting for me. Governor Nye's going to stop in Bonnet today, and Ben wants to introduce me. Ben thinks that Nevada will become the next state in the Union."

"I'll be glad to take care of Blue," responded Christine as she immediately thought to herself, "I probably sounded too eager!"

"I thought you would," laughed Rachel as she stepped into the hallway and closed the door.

Christine had just returned to her ministrations when Blue broke the silence. "Christine, I was rude to walk away from you the other day. I was upset, but it was my fault and not yours. I seem to play the fool whenever I'm around you."

"You were quite abrupt, but I understand why you were upset. I must have seemed like the shallowest woman in the world when I told you that I was going to the dance with Luke Winters," replied Christine as she completed the bandaging of Blue's burned skin.

"In my defense, I didn't know him very well and I certainly didn't know what a lazy, inconsiderate, selfish person he is. I've been meaning to tell you that I was wrong to slap you that day you saved me from falling into the mud," added Christine. "You were a gentleman and I reacted like a prissy stuck-up old maid. I'm sorry that I accused you of holding my breast too long. I'm sure you let go of me as soon as you were certain that I was back on my feet."

Blue had walked over to the bed to pull a clean shirt out of his bag. He turned to face Christine as he pulled the shirt over his broad shoulders. The muscles of his chest flexed smoothly as he slid his arms into the sleeves. Christine touched her tongue to her lips as she admired the raw masculinity of the man.

"As long as we're being truthful, I could have let go a little sooner than I did. I deserved that slap and I knew it. I took advantage of the situation," revealed Blue as he watched Christine closely for her reaction.

"Do you mean that you actually held my breast in your hand for no reason other than because you're a typical male? You enjoyed embarrassing and humiliating me?" demanded an obviously disappointed Christine.

"It was never my intention to humiliate you! I tried to catch your arm when you were falling but wound up holding your breast. When I stood you back on your feet, I couldn't believe how beautiful you were. I've never seen a woman like you, never mind touched one. If you hadn't looked down at my hand and gotten so angry, I'd probably still be standing there with my hand on you."

"You're claiming temporary insanity?" marveled Christine. "Do you grab every pretty girl you meet? Men are supposed to be in control of their emotions as well as their actions."

"It's never happened to me before. I really doubt that it will again. It was wrong. I admit it."

"You're standing there talking to me with your shirt unbuttoned and feel perfectly safe. Women don't have that luxury. We can be covered from head to toe and still feel threatened because men ogle us and make crude comments. They're usually bigger and stronger. Women like me need a man that makes them feel safe, a man they can trust. It's always nice to be desired and appreciated by that special man, but only after he convinces the woman that she can trust him with everything she has and everything she could ever be. I've yet to meet a man that measures up."

"You're looking at the guy," broke in June from the open door. "You just need to get to know him better. You won't be disappointed. Now, let's concentrate on my love life for a few minutes. What color do I look better in, green or the yellow?"

"That's my cue to head downstairs," replied Blue as he headed for the door.

"It might be a good idea to button up your shirt," observed June as Blue walked by her. "You don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about you and Christine. Make sure you're there to bid on her basket. You don't want her eating lunch with old man Simmons!"

"Did you have to tell him that?" asked Christine. "Now he thinks I'm desperate and he'll be doing me a huge favor by bidding on my lunch."

"You seem to dislike the direct approach, but it works most of the time," responded a nonplused June. "Just don't tell a man that you love him if you aren't sure that he loves you back. That's what I call embarrassing!"

Christine tried not to show it, but she was delighted when Blue was the high bidder on her lunch basket. She and Blue sat with Will and June and enjoyed the conversation and the many jokes that flowed around the table.

"Blue, will you escort Christine to the dance since Luke seems to have disappeared after Christine's assessment of his character," asked June.

"June!"cried Christine. "You shouldn't put Blue on the spot like that. It's not fair!"

"All's fair in love and war," retorted June. "I can't stand watching you two dance around every issue. What I'd love to see is you two dance to the music tonight."

"Miss Hamilton, may I serve as your escort at the dance this evening?" asked Blue with a flourish.

"Why, Mr. Rhone, I'd be delighted!" managed Christine before she broke into laughter.

"See how easy this stuff is if you just say what you think?" pressed June.

Blue was the butt of numerous comments as he escorted Christine into the hotel's main room for the dance. He simply smiled and nodded happily when asked about the race, the baby's rescue, and especially the lovely woman at his side.

The men that played the music were not professionals, but they performed a handful of songs quite well. Blue danced with Christine most of the time, but also shared a few with June and even managed one with his mother. During an intermission, Christine mentioned Blue's surprising abilities on the dance floor.

Rachel smiled at Christine before telling her, "If you only knew how many times I had to threaten that boy with bodily harm to get him to learn a few dances! I'll bet he's plenty glad I made him now."​