"Oh! Mr. Larabee, you startled me!" Mary Travis' hand flew to her mouth in surprise. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't seen the figure leaning against the porch post until he detached himself from the shadows. He could wear lighter-colored clothing once in a while, she thought to herself.
Chris Larabee touched the brim of his hat as he stepped from the shadows. "I apologize, Miz Travis. Didn't mean to surprise you. Y'shouldn't be out alone this late at night. Never know who's hanging around the corners. I'll walk you home." Woman, you need to watch yourself. How'd it look to the Judge if you got yourself in trouble when he asked us - me - to keep an eye on things?
Mary nodded, her mind racing. Tell him he needn't worry about you, you are a big girl, and her thoughts ran through all the reasons she should stop and have it out with this man now, but something inside made her hold back. The festivities of the evening had been very enjoyable and she wasn't about to let this dark stranger turn it sour.
Only a few moments ago, she had breathed a deep sigh, happy that everything had turned out so well, and relieved that she was finally alone. The last of the townspeople had gone home and she reveled in the quiet.
Not that she hadn't enjoyed herself. It was a good feeling to know that she had been instrumental in getting the town to where it was today. And this social gathering had been a good idea. She could not remember the last time some of these people had truly taken the time to have some fun.
Even the men her father-in-law had hired to keep the peace had come and seemingly enjoyed themselves. All, that is, but one.
Mary had enjoyed several dances with both Ezra Standish, the charming gambler, and Buck Wilmington, who had turned many a lady's head that evening. Buck looked terrific in the suit he chose to wear, and could really handle himself on the dance floor. Ezra's talent was no surprise - the man moved with a feline grace.
Young JD Dunne had been enamored with Nettie Wells' niece, Casey. They spent the evening laughing and talking and dancing. Mary smiled. With Buck's help, of all things, young Casey was turning into quite a lady, and she and JD made quite a pair. She doubted that Casey's skills on the ranch would bother JD any more.
Josiah Sanchez and Nathan Jackson had made appearances, having drinks with the locals, and occasionally taking a turn on the dance floor. Even the loner Vin Tanner had stopped by. Mary could not get over the shyness of the man - she figured it had taken a good deal of encouragement from his friends for him to actually ask her for a dance. She would cherish that short time on the dance floor with him. He held her like fine china, and moved with infinite care on the floor. But he had enjoyed himself, of that Mary was sure. Later she had seen him in the company of Nettie Wells, escorting the older woman during a waltz.
Only Chris Larabee remained conspicuously absent. Mary had tried talking to Buck about it, but he had tactfully evaded her questions. She hadn't pursued the issue, sensing that while these two men often depended on each other in life and death situations, there was an invisible wall between them, one that Buck was loathe to leap.
So the evening had passed and Mary found herself playing the part of hostess. She moved among the townsfolk, chatting, laughing, getting caught up on everyone's daily lives. It had been a very pleasant and successful evening.
She suddenly found herself among the last to get ready to leave the barn that the women of the town had miraculously turned into a banquet and dance hall. She went around putting out the hurricane lamps that had provided light for the company. She gathered her shawl and gave the place one last glance. One lamp remained lit and she moved to put it out.
In her mind she heard the waltz that she and Stephen had been so fond of. It hardly seemed that almost two years had passed since his death. Mary sighed, remembering the dances they had had together, almost able to see and feel her husband guiding her around the dance floor. The waltz played and she swayed to its tune.
Chris Larabee watched as the lights went out in the old barn. The gathering was over. He breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that Mary Travis had specifically invited him and his friends. His friends had attended. He had opted not to. Company was not what he sought.
It surprised him that Vin Tanner had chosen to make an appearance. Vin was comfortable with the life of a loner, too, and Chris would have bet his presence would have been lacking. But Nettie Wells and her niece had come to town for just this purpose and Chris supposed Vin attended because of them. Vin did have a special fondness for that older woman.
Chris paused in the shadows outside the barn. One lamp remained lit, casting a glow to the outside. He peered in the doorway and saw Mary, alone and slowly moving to some unheard tune. Lamplight softly illuminated her figure and Chris suddenly found himself fighting the desire to join her. She was who she was, and he was not in her class. Nothing good could ever come from any relationship they would try to have.
He watched as Mary put out the last lamp, then turn and come to the doorway. He knew his presence startled her, and he apologized, but he preferred to remain invisible in the darkness.
The moon was rising slowly, but as yet hadn't provided much light. Chris and Mary walked along the boardwalk in silence. Chris was uncomfortable, anxious to get Mary escorted home safely and get on with his night. They came to a stop in front of the building that she owned.
Mary took out her key and unlocked the door to the Clarion office. Her rooms were at the back. She was going to tell Mr. Larabee that she would be fine now but different words passed her lips, "Won't you please join me for a cup of tea, Mr. Larabee?" She instantly regretted making the invitation, and was grateful that darkness hid her blushing cheeks.
Every instinct, every fiber of Chris Larabee screamed NO! "I suppose I could, ma'am. Just for a few moments." Both Chris and Mary were taken aback by their actions, but each became stubbornly determined to see it through. The invitation had been made and accepted. Chris was the first to draw lines. "I'll meet you on your back porch," he said as he turned to go around the building.
Mary entered the darkened office, hands trembling as she closed the door behind her. Now what? Okay, light a light. Make tea. Act as normal as you possibly can, as if this is an everyday occurrence.
As she moved about her small kitchen, she kept glancing out the window for some sign of Mr. Larabee. The night was still quite dark, and he was never an easy person to spot, blending in almost too well with his surroundings.
After what seemed an eternity, the water came to a boil and Mary poured liquid into two cups, allowing the tea to steep in the hot water. She placed the cups on a tray, and as an afterthought, added a small silver box to the tray. Then she opened the door and carried the tray outside.
She half expected Chris Larabee to be absent, having changed his mind at the last moment. But there he was, sitting on the bottom step, waiting.
"Cream or sugar in your tea, Mr. Larabee?"
"What? Oh, no, thank-you, Ma'am, I -- I like it just fine plain," he stammered. Mary guessed she interrupted some train of thought that carried Chris Larabee miles away on occasion.
Mary placed the tray on the porch floor and handed one of the cups to Chris. They sipped in an awkward silence.
"Miz Travis, I…" "Mr. Larabee, I…" they began at the same time. Mary smiled. Chris nodded, "Ladies first. And - please - name's Chris."
"Thank-you, Mr. Lar… Chris." This will take some getting used to, she thought. "Only if you return the favor. My friends call me Mary."
"Yes, ma'am. Mary."
Mary Travis was torn - torn between her desire to know more about this man, and her common sense that told her she was sitting next to a dangerous man. "I – that is, we – missed you – tonight – at the social." It sounded so lame in her ears. She wanted to tell him that she had really looked forward to spending time – with him.
"Not my style, ma'am – uh – Mary. Prefer to be – on my own," he had started to say 'alone' but thought better of it. He did not wish to hurt Mary's feelings.
"Do you dance, Mr. Larabee?" Mary blurted out the question before she could stop herself.
Chris Larabee sat on the step on the back porch of Mary Travis' place, drinking tea from a china cup, wondering what in the hell he was doing. Dance? No, ma'am. Don't. Say it. Say it and bid her good night and get out. Don't take a chance. The little voice in his head was talking to him, but he was having trouble listening.
Mary took his silence for embarrassment. Why had she posed that question? Truth be told, she had hoped for a dance with this dark stranger.
She lifted the small silver box she had brought outside, fingering its delicate intricate carvings. She opened the lid and the music box began to play a waltz, one she and Stephen had danced to not that long ago. She set the music box back on the tray, listening to the familiar melody.
"That's beautiful." It was barely a whisper. Mary could hardly believe her ears. This came from the man who seemed as stoic as the rimrock. At that moment she resolved to see this through. She set her cup on the tray, stood and walked down the steps, coming to a stop in front of Chris.
"I was really looking forward to the pleasure of a dance with you tonight, Chris. Please don't think me too bold. Will you dance with me?" Mary tentatively held out her hand.
Chris looked up at her, standing there in the moonlight, silvery blond hair falling down around her shoulders. A tiny crack appeared in the armor he so carefully kept in place. He set his cup down - and reached up to take her hand. She gave a gentle tug and he stood up, his free hand coming to rest on her waist.
Mary let her arm rest lightly on Chris' shoulder. Chris was about the same height as Stephen. She had to tilt her head back only a little to look into his eyes.
Part of Chris Larabee wanted to bolt, to run from this woman and all she represented. Another part, the part that was slowly growing stronger, was pleased with his actions. He swayed in rhythm to the notes coming from the music box, guiding Mary in a small circle as they danced together in the light of the moon.
He liked the feel of Mary's soft hand in his. Her touch was gentle and tentative, almost as if she were afraid she would scare him away. He smiled at the thought.
"Is that a smile I see, Mr. L- Chris?" Mary's own smile lit up her face in a way that made her more beautiful that Chris could imagine.
"MmmmHmmmm," Chris mumbled his answer. Slowly, ever so slowly, Chris pulled Mary closer, until their bodies were separated only by the fabric of their clothes. She did not resist.
Several minutes later the music box stopped. Neither Chris nor Mary noticed.
The End
