Chris led Rosalie down the boardwalk towards the clinic. "Mind telling me why we're going this way?" she asked him, her curiosity aroused.

"Because I'd like for you to meet someone." was his reply. "I think she could use a friend or two." He continued walking, with Rosalie by his side. "She's had it really rough lately and Nathan thought that maybe if she could meet some other folks it may help somehow."

Right away Rosalie knew who he was speaking of--Shannon. She had heard about the young woman's horrible experience and had wished she could do something to help. It seemed now as if she was going to get her chance. Hopefully, she could do some good. They mounted the stairs towards Nathan's clinic.

As they did, Chris said, "I ought to warn you--Nathan said that Shannon's been so scared by the whole thing that she barely talks, if at all, and even though I know you wouldn't hurt her, she may act as if you will." He paused when they reached the clinic door. "She's particularly afraid of men, so I'll wait out here." he added.

Rosalie put her hand on the doorknob and turned to Chris. "Wish me luck." she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

For answer, Chris leaned down and gave her something she did not expect--a soft kiss on the cheek. "Good luck." he murmured quietly, returning her smile. He sure admired her courage.

She turned the knob and went into the clinic. She hesitated a moment or two, letting her eyes adjust to the dimmer light. After that, she looked across the room. Shannon lay in the bed, propped up on two pillows. Her ash blonde hair, neatly braided, lay over one shoulder, and her lovely blue eyes looked at nothing in particular. Rosalie slowly walked over to the bed. "Hello, Miss Shannon. My name is Rosalie Daniels. Is it all right if I sit and visit with you a moment or two?" Shannon did not answer her, so Rosalie assumed that she did not. She pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and sat down. "I had heard about what happened to you and so I thought I would come and see...." she stopped as she saw Shannon's eyes widen in fear. "Oh, I'm sorry, dear." she said. "I didn't mean to frighten you. Maybe I should come back later."

Again, Shannon said nothing so Rosalie decided not to pursue the matter. She'd scared the poor girl enough for one day, although unintentionally. She stood up. "May I come back another time, perhaps when there's someone here that you trust?" she asked. Shannon's head barely moved as she nodded. "All right then." she said, smiling. She moved towards the door. "I'll do that." When she reached the door, she turned around. She added, "Try not to worry too much. There are people here who will keep you safe....and who care about you, very much." She opened the door and was gone.

Chris straightened his stance as she came out. "How did it go?" he asked, an anxious tone in his voice.

"Well, she didn't say anything, which I expected," was Rosalie's reply, "but...maybe next time, she will...I hope." She moved past Chris towards the stairs, a look of resignation and mild disappointment on her face.

Chris saw the look and went to her side. "You tried anyway." he said, his voice slightly husky. "That's the important part. To me, anyway." He reached out and curled his hand around hers, and they went back down the stairs.

Nathan finished examining Shannon with Drew’s help and smiled. “Well Miss Shannon I see no reason why you have to stay here any longer. Therefore, you can go back to your own room. But you still should take it easy.” Shannon just merely nodded and went to get up out of the bed. Nathan shook his head “why don’t you wait till we get you some decent clothes to wear.” He looked to Drew who went outside to Vin.

“Vin, could I ask you a small favor. Do you have a small shirt and pants that Shannon could borrow till she gets her own?”

Vin stood up and nodded “yes I do. How is she Miss Drew?”

“Shes doing okay just mighty scared of a lot of things. Give her time.”

Vin left to get the clothes for Shannon. On the way to the wagon he got to thinkin, so he turned and went into Potter’s Mercantile instead. Mrs. Potter looked up as he walked in “can I help you Mr. Tanner?” He fidgeted a minute then looked at the blue dresses she had on the rack. “Oh you need a dress for a lady friend?” She smiled at him.

“ Uhm… yeah… she needs one. I I don’t know what size she wears. But shes not that much shorter than I am, just skinnier.” He looked at the blue dresses again and frowned not sure if she would like them or not.

Mrs. Potter walked over to the rack. “What young lady is the dress for? If you tell me maybe I can figure out the dress size.”

Vin fumbles with his hat. “it’s uh for Shannon. Her clothes got ruined. I thought something nice would make her feel better.”

She smiled “well that’s right nice of you. I think this one would fit her fine.” She hands him a light blue dress with some nice embroidery on it. She takes it back and wraps it in brown paper handing it back to Vin. He fumbles in his pocket for the money and she shook her head. “ No charge and I Hope Miss Shannon feels better.” He took it and nodded his thanks then left. Mrs. Potter smiled to herself and went back to work humming softly.

Vin walked up the steps to the clinic and handed the small bundle to Drew. “I thought she would like something new instead of wearing my old clothes.” Drew took it and smiled going back into the clinic.

Drew walked over to Shannon and said “ Vin went and got you something nice to wear.” She opened the bundle and held out the pretty dress. “Oh Shannon it’s so pretty here let me help you.” Nathan walked out of the room to wait outside with Vin. Drew helped her into the pretty blue dress and put her long braid behind her. “Oh you look pretty in that. I was wondering if you would come and stay with me at Lissa’s.”

Shannon bit her lip “ I I don’t know Miss Drew. If if Th that would be a good idea. I I Just rather stay in my own room thank you.” She grabbed her long buckskin coat and got it on. “ Th thank you anyway.” She said softly.

Drew helped her put her coat on. “ I can’t stand the thought of you being alone and Vin would like you to stay with us. It be much nicer than being all alone in your room.” Drew tried to reason with her without saying it wouldn’t be safe for her to be alone.

Shannon hesitated then nodded slowly “Alright if its okay.” Drew smiled and hugged her gently startling the young girl. She tentatively hugged her back.

Nathan walked into the clinic again and smiled “Well you look mighty nice Miss Shannon.”

Shannon mumbled a thank you. Vin walked in behind him and nodded to Shannon. He still thought she looked too pale but if Nathan thought she was okay then she must be. “I am glad to see your feelin better Shannon. Had me plum worried.” He said softly as to not frighten her. He came a little closer and gave her a shy smile.

Drew turned to Vin “I asked her to stay with Lissa and I. Is that okay Vin?”

Vin nodded readily “Yeah I like that idea. I don’t like the idea of her stayin by herself in her room alone. This way she has someone with her at all times.” Shannon watched them both through hooded lids wondering why everyone seemed so dead set on her not being by herself. She decided not to worry about right now she would figure it out eventually. Vin smiled at her again “ Would you and Miss Drew like to accompany me to the dining room for some lunch. My treat.”

Drew smiled “I would like to but I have to work. But I am sure Shannon would like to.” Shannon shrugged but looked a little afraid of being alone with him. “I be there too just working.” She squeezed her hand in reassurance. They all left for the boarding house dinning room for lunch.

Wade Jenkins watched Drew as she worked. He had been in here daily and even walked her home a few times. He could tell she was reluctant to let him escort her but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He was determined to have the beautiful young waitress and he wasn't about to let anyone stand in his way, not even Buck Wilmington. Buck had approached him a few times threatening him to keep away from his lady but Wade had laughed him off. He rubbed the side of his face where Buck had punched him the day before. He would get even with the lawman if it were the last thing he did. No one made a fool out of Wade Jenkins, no one. The entire saloon had laughed as Buck hit him and threw him out the batwing doors. But the last laugh was going to be Wade's.

He watched as Drew walked back to the kitchen and quietly got up to follow her. He snuck in and watched as the other woman, Sandy, walked out the back door. "Good" he thought to himself "she's leaving, now's my chance to get Drew alone." He walked over to Drew and wrapped his arms around her "hello gorgeous."

Drew was startled she jumped and turned to look at Wade "you shouldn't be back here."

"Oh and why not?" Wade said pinning her against the counter. He was unaware that Sandy had come back in. She stood quietly in the corner unseen.

Drew tried to push him back "because I'm working and I have customers to see too, if you don't mind."

"Oh I do mind and the only person you need to worry about right now is me." He bent down and roughly started to kiss her holding her arms behind her as she tried to struggle to get free.

"Please stop" Drew pleaded "you're hurting me."

Wade continued to kiss and grope Drew ignoring her pleas for him to stop. He was caught off guard by Sandy who had grabbed a frying pan and swung and hit him over the head. Wade fell to the ground at Drew's feet.

Sandy stood over him still holding the frying pan; she nervously looked to Drew "are you all right?"

Drew just nodded and inched away from him.

Sandy took her arm with one hand and held onto the frying pan with another, she led Drew over to the door leading out to the dining area. She saw Buck walk in with JD and hollered to them "Buck, JD come here, please!"

Buck heard the panic in Sandy's voice and looked to Drew who looked like she'd seen a ghost. He quickly ran over followed by JD. He took Drew in his arms "Sunshine? Sunshine what's wrong?" Sandy looked to JD who had walked over and was starring at her "That Wade fella, he snuck back into the kitchen and was trying too...Well I saw Drew struggling and I hit him over the head with this." She held the frying pan forward.

JD nodded and walked back to the kitchen with his gun drawn and over to Wade. "He's still breathing. I'll go get Nathan. You all right here Buck?"

Buck was still holding onto to Drew and nodded then looked to JD "too bad the son of a bitch ain't dead because he is going to wish he were after I get through with him."

JD looked to Sandy " I'll be right back. You did what you had to do" he kissed her cheek then ran out of the Boarding House and to the clinic.

A half-hour later Buck was sitting at a table in the Boarding House with Drew holding her hand. "You're safe now he's locked up and I promise I won't let him hurt you again."

Drew nodded and looked to Buck "you are so kind to me, too kind."

"I love you Sunshine, I really do. I just don't understand why you keep pushing me away."

She shook her head "I can't tell you. And I don't want to hurt you Buck, but you're better off forgetting about me."

He pulled her over to his lap and turned her face to his "Sunshine, I can't forget about you." He smiled set her down and got down on his knee and took her hand "I want to protect you from all that is bad for the rest of our lives. Sunshine?" Buck looked up into her eyes "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Drew felt like the wind had been knocked out of her, she loved Buck so much and this was the last thing she expected. But she couldn't say yes, he didn't even know the truth and if he did he wouldn't want to marry her. She looked at him and stood up "I can't, I love you too Buck but if you knew who I really was you wouldn't want to marry me."

"Sunshine you can tell me anything I know you've been hiding something and I want to help you, please tell me."

Drew shook her head and blurted out "my brothers are Dylan and Griffen Parker, you know of the Dalton gang? See it could never work!" She lifted her skirts and ran out of the Boarding House.

"Drew!!" Buck jumped up and ran after her he caught up with her outside and pulled her to him. "That's it? That's what you've been hiding? Why were you scared to tell me? Sunshine I can't blame you for who your brothers are."

She looked up at him "because they raised me, Randy too; I lived with The Dalton gang for years. But Randy and I never took part in the bank robberies."

Buck led her over to a bench and sat down placing her on his lap "don't run from me this time, okay?"

Drew nodded.

"Now tell me the rest."

Drew for the first time realized she could trust Buck and opened up to him telling him all about how her parents died and why Griffen had wanted her and Randy away from the gang.

"I don't blame your brothers for wanting you two away, but Sunshine they are criminals even if they want out they still have done some bad things. It would be dangerous for you or Randy to try and contact them. You can trust me, but I will do what it takes to protect you."

"They are my brothers Buck."

"Yes I know but.... Look at me." He turned Drew's face to his "even knowing all of this I still want to marry you, I told you it wouldn't matter. Does Lissa know?"

"No she doesn't, I can't tell her please don't tell anyone Buck please."

"It's not my place to tell anyone but I think it would be best if you did. No one is going to hold it against you and neither will Lissa. She cares for you and Randy a great deal. You still haven't answered my question." Buck reached in his pocket and pulled out a small diamond ring and held it up to her "this ring was my mother's and I want you, my future bride, to wear it as an engagement ring." Buck bit his lip and looked to her "well?"

Drew started to cry and nodded her head "Yes; I'll marry you. I can't say no to you I love you too much."

Buck smiled took her hand and placed the ring on her finger, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it "I love you Sunshine with all my heart and soul." Buck leaned forward and met his lips with Drew's kissing her passionately. A few minutes later he broke off the kiss and stood up with her in his arms. He carried her out to the middle of the street and spun her around "Wooo-hooo! We're getting married!!" He smiled down to her "I don't want to rush you so I won't make you go over to see Josiah tonight we can have however long of an engagement you want but I do hope you won't make me wait too long to make you Mrs. Buck Wilmington. I'm so happy." Buck spun her around again and held her close.

Later that night Drew lie awake in bed, held out her hand, and looked to her ring. Randy didn't seem disappointed she was marrying Buck in fact he had even smiled when they told him the news but she knew by her accepting Buck's proposal that she would have to shut her other brothers out of her life. She didn't think Randy was aware of that fact. A few days ago she was trying to avoid Buck but after today she knew that he was her destiny. He would love and protect her for the rest of their lives. She smiled looked at the ring again and drifted off to sleep.

When JD entered the boarding house with Buck and heard Sandy call him, he knew something was wrong before he even glanced in her direction. Seeing her pale faced holding an equally pale Drew, he rushed over.

When he got to her she glanced toward the kitchen," That Wade fella, he snuck back into the kitchen and was trying too...Well I saw Drew struggling and I hit him over the head with this." She held up the frying pan.

She watched as he drew his gun and went back into the kitchen. She sighed in relief when she heard him say that he was still breathing. As much as she hated Wade for what he tried to do to Drew she was glad that he would live to be punished.

JD was at her side again," I'll be right back. You did what you had to do" he kissed her cheek then ran out to get Nathan.

A few minutes later JD came back with Nathan. JD went over to Sandy who still held the frying pan watching the kitchen door. He took the frying pan from her and set it aside.

"He's not getting up anytime soon." he grinned.

Sandy smiled back," I did get him good didn't I?"

"Yes you did. You saved Drew's life."

They then heard Nathan calling JD into the kitchen. Squeezing her hand he stood," I'll be right back." He walked into the kitchen a few minutes later she saw him and Nathan come out, an unconscious Wade between them. JD looked over at Sandy," Let me help Nathan get him to jail then I'll come back." Sandy nodded and watched as they made their way to the jail.

When JD came back he found Sandy cleaning the kitchen.

"Hey there. You doing alright?" JD said coming to stand behind her.

Sandy turned around and laid her head on his shoulder, "I was so scared he was going to hurt Drew, so I picked up the frying pan and hit him. When he didn't move I thought he was dead."

JD held her close," Nathan said that he will be fine just going to have a big headache when he wakes up. Why don't you sit down and I'll fix you some tea." He lead her to the table and pulled out her chair.

Sandy sat and watched as JD went through the kitchen looking in every cupboard. She couldn't help but giggle. She stood up.

"Why don't you sit down and I'll fix the tea."

JD looked back at her and smiled," Why don't I help you."

She smiled and nodded, "Alright the tea is in that container behind you." She reached under the cabinet and got out the tea pot. Turning she accepted the container from JD and went about making the tea.

They sat and talked about some of the gossip around town until they realized how late it was. JD escorted her to her room and made sure she was safe inside before he went to his own room.

Contact the Web mistress at hynd@superior.net This page was last updated on 03/26/01 01:22:43 PM.