The game of Monopoly finally ceased at eight o’clock, rendering Michelle the glorious victor and champion of two years. While she was busy putting the game back in its box, Danny side tackled his sister, throwing paper money everywhere. After much squirming and squealing, Michelle and Danny were reduced to two balls of endless laughter and stomachaches. They were laughing so hard that their eyes leaked happy tears. After a short spell, Michelle had managed to compose herself enough to sit up and wipe the salty droplets from her eyes. Yet it was futile, for the moment that the two siblings even glanced at each other they would go off again into uncontrollable giggles.

Once the brother and sister were wheezing for air, the laughter subsided to giggles, the giggles subsided to slight intakes of breath, and that part of the night was finished. Michelle began to pick up the widely scattered fake money and little red and green houses and hotels, carefully putting them away in their allotted spaces. She kept a wary eye on Danny, not trusting him to know when enough is enough, but soon he followed his big sister’s lead and began to help; a guilty smile playing across his young face.

Working together, the mess was quickly righted. When the last dollar was placed in the box and the lid was put on, Michelle gathered up the other games and motioned for Danny to follow her.

The young boy stuck his tongue out at his sister but when he glanced at his parents to see if they had caught his impertinent act and noticed that their attention was elsewhere, he obligingly trudged up the stairs behind the young woman.

When the children were out of sight, Tallia and Dylan released the laughter that had been building up during Michelle and Danny’s antics.

"What would we do without them?" murmured Tallia, her heart in her eyes. She rested her sun haired head on her husband’s strong shoulder. She closed her large blue eyes, the same eyes that she had used to snare this man of rock that she now called her love, and sighed in complete bliss.

"I don’t know, sweetheart," replied Dylan truthfully. He pulled Tallia closer and gently rested his lips on her forehead. He breathed in her sweet scent and laid his head on hers. Man and wife stayed this way, wrapped in each other’s undying love as in a quilt.

Upstairs, Michelle was putting the games away and saying good night to Danny. Once her brother was dancing with dreams, Michelle peeked down the stairs. The young girl couldn’t help smiling when she saw her parents, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Some of Michelle’s fondest memories were watching her parents when they thought that they were alone. Her mom and dad still acted like the high school sweethearts that they used to be. She realized how fortunate she was to have a complete family. Many of her friends at school came from broken homes of either only a mother or only a father.

Michelle quietly moved away from the banister and tip toed into her room, leaving her parents to themselves. Yet, something stopped her in the doorway. Michelle looked around the simple room.

Against the far right wall, lay her bed. Its rich, red wood shone beneath the double ceiling light. The mattress was two feet above the ground and filled with soft down. The star patterned comforter had been hand-made by her grandmother before Michelle had been born. The young woman loved this antique that she slept in.

The other remarkable piece of furniture was the large cherry wood dresser setting next to the bed. It was the last thing that Michelle’s grandfather had made. Originally the bureau had been meant for Sorean, Michelle’s grandmother, but then Sorean had passed away so Michelle’s grandfather had passed it on to his daughter-in-law, telling her to save it for his eldest granddaughter. Tallia had been saving it for Michelle until she was old enough to appreciate and take care of it.

In spite of these two family antiques, the room was very simple. Only three pictures graced Michelle’s walls: one of her on Fancy before a show, another of Michelle and her family, and one last picture of her and Alex.

Then there was the connecting door to the guestroom - Alex’s room. Only now did Michelle enter her room. She walked to the closed door opposite her bed and opened it slowly.

As the girl looked into the room, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. No one had slept in the guestroom since Alex and the room had not changed. Tallia Valentine still changed the sheets every other week but every other detail was the same.

Michelle walked to the chair beside the bed and carefully sat down. Many a night she had sat just like this, Alex sitting on the bed. Michelle’s breath caught in her throat at the intensity of her memories. She and Alex would talk for hours, opening their hearts and baring them fearlessly.

The young woman fell into a trance-like state, her mind replaying last summer’s events in a movie format. Soon she fell even deeper and her breathing eased into the slow cadence of that of a sleeper. Michelle slumbered slumped in the chair, a plain smile creasing her fair face. The clock read 10:05 PM.

After the Montana moon had already set, a red jeep quietly pulled through the ‘Fancy V’ gate and parked beside the Valentine’s truck. The jeep’s lone driver opened his door and stepped out; hauled his bags from the back seat, then walked to the kitchen door.

He raised his hand as if to knock but, instead, walked over to the stables. The mountain air left him breathless but feeling pure. Even at night a light, cool breeze played with the young man’s brown hair. The gravel crunched beneath his boots as he briskly walked to the stables.

As he neared the dual doors, his city nose began to pick out the distinct odor of horses. Hay, horse, leather; it was like smelling flowers to the boy - only better.

The large double doors opened soundlessly and he stepped inside, closing them behind him. He groped blindly with his right hand, finally flicking the light switch. As the barn was flooded with yellow light, the boy’s eyes painfully adjusted. As soon as the new comer could see, he searched for the gray gelding that was named for the west winds. Quickly the hungry, brown eyes found Tharo.

The gray gelding had poked his head out of the sixth stall. The young man dropped his bags and jogged to his horse. When Tharo recognized this old friend, he blew quietly through his nose and began to whicker. Yet the boy had anticipated this and shrewdly stuffed the gelding’s nose beneath his arm to stifle the sound.

When the boy was sure that it was safe, he released the horse and lovingly caressed the elegant head. Tharo’s large, violet eyes closed and the visitor could see the horse visibly relax.

Once the young man had thoroughly scratched the eager gray, he clucked a few times then walked to the doors. The boy grabbed his bags, opened the doors and then walked out into the night air, closing the double doors behind him. He stood for a moment in the cool darkness, eyes closed. He breathed in deeply, night flowers overpoweringly strong in his nostrils.

Alex Rave opened his eyes and continued towards the ranch house, boldly guided by a muted white light. This time when he reached the door, his fist did not hesitate to knock on the wood.

The young man strained his ears for any sounds coming from the interior of the large building. When he heard nothing, Alex knocked again; louder this time, and more insistent. This time he heard soft footsteps coming from - it seemed- the living room.

The steps grew closer and finally Alex heard the lock click out of place. When the door opened, he was looking at Dylan Valentine. The man looked wary for an instant and then recognition dawned in his eyes. The older man’s smile was broad and welcoming, his grip strong and firm.

Alex immediately felt at home. Michelle’s father moved from the door and Alex slipped past into the comfortable house. Dylan shut and re-locked the small door then took Alex into the living room.

"Alex! It’s wonderful to see you again. I assume you had a safe trip here?" Tallia had stood up and pulled the young man to her. Alex returned the hug gratefully.

"The drive was beautiful, as usual. It’s nice to be back. There’s no possible way that the city can even begin to compare to your place." Alex’s sincerity was so genuine that both adults laughed.

"Your room should be ready and you know your way, I believe," Dylan said. The couple said goodnight to their guest and watched as he made his way up the stairs. Then man and woman turned off the lights one by one and slipped into their room.

Upstairs, Alex’s feet strode unerringly to their destination. As the boy approached his room and realized that his light was on, he also noticed that Michelle’s light was burning.

She waited up for me, thought a very happy Alex. He hurried to his room, but was caught by surprise by what he saw.

Sitting in the chair by the bed was a deeply sleeping Michelle. The clock now read 11:46 PM. Alex sighed in resignation, knowing that he would have to wait for the morn to hear Michelle’s voice.

Alex silently put his bags in front of the dresser and eased Michelle’s limp body into his arms. As he lifted her he was amazed at how light she was. The admiring friend cradled the girl in his arms and walked through the connecting door into Michelle’s room. He laid the girl softly on her bed and gently untied her laced boots. As he tugged off the fitted boots, Michelle stirred; Alex froze, wishing his girl awake. Despite his fervent wishing, though, she drifted into sleep again.

Alex placed the ropers in the closet and pulled the thick comforter over Michelle. As he looked down at her, Alex felt very near to completely happy. He leaned down and kissed the smooth forehead, reveling in the girl’s scent again.

The boy straightened and turned off the light. He walked back into his room, easing the door shut behind him, all the while keeping his eyes locked on the slight form in the bed until the edge of the door blocked his view. Alex quickly unpacked his bags and filled his dresser. As he worked around the room, he realized that it was exactly as he had left it a year ago. It occurred to him that he felt more at home among the Montana mountains than the blinding city lights that drew you in and then stranded you in the morning.

Alex undressed for bed then opened the window above the oak headrest. The pungent fragrance of night flowers and pine flowed through the open shutters. The young man flipped the light switch and stumbled in the darkness for his bed. He bit off the curse that jumped to his lips as his toe came into direct contact with a chair.

Finally he fell onto his soft bed and wasted no time in falling asleep.

Alex awoke to two large, blue eyes gazing down on him. He didn’t know how he could have ever have been intimidated by those azure depths. The face that went with those eyes was flawless and unchanged - and in Alex’s mind as beautiful as a Montana sunrise.

"Come on, sleepy head! The sun’s almost completely topped the hill." Michelle’s voice grew high with excitement at the thought of riding with Alex again.

"I’m on vacation!" groaned Alex jokingly. He swiftly slipped the pillow from beneath his head and brought it across Michelle’s head. But Michelle expertly ducked beneath the harmless bag of feathers and launched herself onto the bed beside Alex. The girl knocked the pillow from her friend’s hands and then assaulted the boy’s sensitive sides with itchy fingers.

Soon the two companions were nothing but a tangle of sheets and laughter. The only reason that they weren’t reduced to hysterical bundles was the arrival of Michelle’s little brother, Danny.

"Shut up! Don’t you know it’s Sunday, Michelle. No WORK! Morning, Alex. . ." Danny had managed to deliver his reprimand without opening his eyes and with minimal lip movement. The end product was a sleepy boy that seemed half dead and already back in his bead with his last words.

A sisterly smile lit up Michelle’s already beautiful face; Alex restrained the hand that yearned to feel the soft skin of his girl’s cheek. He satisfied his hunger by drinking in Michelle’s perfection with his eyes.

Then Michelle faced Alex and his breath was whisked away again. Her sky blue eyes shone and Alex loved her. All his old feelings for this tall, woman-like girl were resurrected tenfold. Michelle looked back, her full lips pulled into a smile.

In the young woman’s eyes, Alex hadn’t changed. His strong, bold features made Alex look ruggedly handsome. His gentle brown eyes shone with unfeigned adoration and open love. Words had not been spoken for they would have been completely useless in the couple’s dreamed of reunion. Finally Alex could stand it no longer.

"So were we going to ride or just sit here all day?" Alex asked dryly. His voice was deep and calming, smooth as silk.

"Ride? Oh, yah. Sure! Come on!" Michelle grabbed Alex’s arm and bodily pulled the boy off the bed. She continued to hold on to his arm and guided him to the closet. Only now did Michelle release Alex’s arm for she had to go to the very back of the closet to find what she was looking for.

When the lanky girl emerged, she was holding all of Alex’s riding clothes. The shirts were neatly folded on top of the multiple pairs of Wrangler jeans.

"Wow! I didn’t expect to see these when I came back. As you can see I’ve still got the boots." Alex pointed to the scuffed up, faded, and dusty Ropers lying beside the bed. "And the hat’s on the wall." True to his word, Alex’s cowboy hat hung on a peg by the door.

Michelle smiled happily. A dangerous glint sparkled in her eyes. "Good. I was hoping that you wouldn’t revert back to that uncivilized, uncouth young city boy." The smile tweaked the girl’s mouth into a half moon.

Alex dramatically clutched at his heart and fell to his knees. Mock pain scrunched his fine features. "Ohhhh, Michelle. . . direct hit. . . In pain. . . You little red neck; be nice. A lot of my friends are those ‘uncivilized, uncouth’ city folk you were just insulting," said a fairly serious Alex. He had risen from his knees and stood looking down at Michelle. He gazed into her large, disarmingly innocent eyes and got lost in them.

Michelle leaned back a little and a line of consternation drew her brows together. Then she decided. Michelle reached up and lightly pressed her lips to Alex’s forehead. Then she quickly slipped her arms around him and squeezed him gently. When Alex returned the embrace, Michelle rested her head against the boy’s solid shoulder. Both sighed and relaxed against each other.

They pulled apart reluctantly, reveling in the mutual feelings that passed between them despite the silence. Michelle picked up the clothes off the dresser where she had laid them and shoved them into Alex’s large hands. Her face was that of an imp and Alex knew that he was about to be embarrassed.

"These might come in handy when riding," Michelle observed while gesturing toward the shirts and jeans. "I’ve found that they are more. . . comfortable than those." This time Michelle gestured at Alex’s boxer shorts. She wore a smug smile and turned to make the bed before Alex could retort.

Once the room was again in order, Michelle trooped out of the room and firmly shut the door behind her. Only now did Alex change, the old familiar clothes feeling just that - old and familiar. Alex grinned as he plopped down onto the bed and began to put on his boots. The door across from his bed opened and a freshened up Michelle walked through. Her chestnut brown hair was once again pulled back into a tight braid, severely baring her beautiful face. The girl’s attire had not changed; Michelle still wore Wrangler jeans, her father’s shirts, and Ropers. Her natural beauty was refreshing to Alex, who was used to the city girls with their mask of make-up. As far as Alex knew Michelle didn’t even own, much less use, the superficial paint. Besides, in Alex’s love-prejudiced eyes nothing, especially make-up, could make Michelle look any better than she already did.

"How did you know I was finished dressing? You’ve done that before you know. Someone needs to teach you manners, young lady." Alex shook his finger at Michelle and tried to put a condescending lilt in his voice. He failed miserably. Michelle just lifted her chin and put on an indignant air. Though the slight flush that darkened the girl’s neck and face was evidence enough for Alex that he had scored a point. Michelle sniffed in feigned disdain at Alex’s ignorance and acted like she was being very generous in taking the time to answer such a rudely stated question.

"Well, maybe it’s just a sixth sense I have. Or maybe - " Michelle paused and flashed Alex a grin. She was getting a kick now. Her chin lowered as she continued. "Or maybe I heard your bedsprings squeak and the thud of your boots hitting the floor." Michelle shrugged at her own cleverness and grinned. "It’s not my fault that you weigh so much that the bed moans every time you sit on it."

"I think you need to learn to respect other people’s privacy and not listen through doors." Alex looked at Michelle as a father to a daughter during a lecture. Michelle rolled her eyes, trying to convey to her older friend that he had taken it too far. When Michelle looked back at Alex, he had a disgusted look on his face. Michelle desperately tried to curb her giggles but they overwhelmed her and flowed out like little a silver stream.

"What can I say?" was Michelle’s only reply.

Alex stood up and adjusted his belt, completely giving up on ever winning a woman. "I can’t believe that everything still fits! So, you ready to ride?" He slapped his hands together then vigorously rubbed them back and forth, anxious to get going.

Michelle gave him a mollified smile. She walked to her room, grabbed her hat and then continued down the stairs. Alex slipped his own hat off the peg - waiting to put it on until outside the house - and followed after Michelle.

The girl was waiting at the foot of the stairs. When Alex caught up with her, they moved into the kitchen.

"Let’s go ahead and eat now so we can stay out as long as you want. We have cereal, toast, eggs, fruit, bagels. . . what do you want?

"I’ll just have a bagel. Got any orange juice? Great! I’ll have some of that too!" Alex seated himself at the table.

"I guess I’ll have the same. Toasted with cream cheese? Okay." Michelle busied herself making breakfast. Alex usually would have helped but now he kept out of the girl’s way. He took the time to openly stare at Michelle. He had no idea that his potential enemy had done the same thing merely a day before.

The lanky yet graceful limbs belied the girl’s true strength. Her movements were as smooth and refined as any southern debutante. Even while doing the simple acts of putting breakfast together, Michelle’s supple body moved in fluid, eye-pleasing movements.

But the one thing that made Alex so in awe of this young woman was the fact that she was so much more than a pretty package. Michelle was intellectual and intelligent, sweet and understanding, patient and kind. Now that is not to say that Michelle was perfect but to Alex her pluses more than outweighed the minuses.

Alex was forced to quickly avert his gaze to some less satisfactory object as Michelle put the warm bagels on the table. She sat in the chair next to her friend and began to hurriedly eat. Alex did the same. His orange juice was downed in three gulps. Once they had finished eating, Alex did his part and cleaned up the kitchen.

Once Alex’s back was turned, Michelle smiled to herself, at Alex’s expense. Did they think that she couldn’t feel them staring at her? They, for she noticed Johnny doing it too. It wasn’t a critical stare, though, and for that she was grateful. It was an appreciative look, one that Michelle didn’t mind every now and then. Yet, that didn’t keep her from the enjoyment of turning when they least expected it and catching them trying to quickly look like they weren’t looking at her.