"Do you regret it ?" she asked turning to look at him, taking in the hint of shadow along his strong jaw, his icy blue eyes that moments before had held immense passion, and now held affection. His choppy brown hair, with the slight hint of premature grey fell over his forehead..

" No, do you ?" he said, looking her in her gentle green eyes.

A smile played on her full soft lips, and she leaned close and gave him a short, sweet kiss.

" I'll take that as a no then?" he said, slightly husky, as they broke apart.

She smiled, and got up, wrapping a sheet round her slender body.

" Ive got to get to work, I'll be back later" she whispered, and walked into the small room adjoining holding a jug of water and several other items to wash and clean with.

John leaned back on the slightly lumpy feather pillow. What happened last night was not a mistake, he told himself, it was magical. I better be carefull, if I didnt know better, I'd say I was falling in love. He smiled.

Mary walked into the room, tying her long wavy dark brown hair into a small bun at the nape of her neck. Her long coarse blue skirt swished about her ankles, and her blouse sat comfortably around her waist. She smelled of soap.

" I shouldnt be too long, maybe an hour or so, its a short shift. Make yourself at home, and I'll be back soon," she said sweetly. She walked over and gave him one last kiss, demurely averting her eyes from the naked toned man lying on her bed, looking instead at his kind eyes.

Then she was gone, her long skirts swishing behind her.

" Hi love, what would you like ?" she said to a customer behind the bar. Not just any customer, it was the towns Mayor, Mike.

" You know what I want Mary, but seeing as you made it clear you didnt want the same thing, I'll take the usual please." he said, his deep voice almost a growl in his throat.

" The usual ? Sarcasm and a little menace ?" She quipped, turning to pour a shot of whiskey.

" Ah, getting feisty in your old age Mary ?" said Graeme, the Mayor's son, walking into the saloon.

Mary was hardly older than him, at 25, she was about 2 years older, but this apparetly made her senior and old.

" I guess I am Graeme, what can I get you ?" she said, placing down Mike's glass in front of him.

" You can make me the happiest guy in town, and escort me to the County Ball ?" he said, a charming smile on his lips and a boyish twinkle in his eyes.

" Sorry, cant do that, for one, if I actually could afford to go, I'd make sure it wasn't with you, and secondly I dont even have anything to wear, so its a bad idea, sorry..." she said, determindly looking him in the eye.

" Oh Mary, you hurt me so !" he said, mockingly placing his hand on his heart.

" Thats my job !" she said tartly, and turned on her heel to retrieve his drink.

Walking in the door, she pulled off her shawl and coat.

She walked into the small cottage living room of her home, and was immediently swept up in two strong arms.

" Hmm, I missed you," John whispered in her ear.

" Ive only been gone an hour!" she said laughingly. She pried him away and looked at him. He was fresh shaven, smartly dressed, and was looking at her with a boyish grin.

" What ?" she asked, and he looked at her, smiling secretively.

He produced from behind his back two pink tickets. She recognised them immedienly.

" You got tickets to the ball ?!" she asked incedulous.

" Yup, one for me, and one for..." he said, looking at her, not needing to say who the other was for.

She jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs round his waist, and kissing him as deeply and passionately as she could. They stayed like that for a while, and then a sudden thought struck Mary, and she broke away.

" Whats wrong " said John, concern on his face.

" I, well its stupid, but i dont have anything to go in..." she finished, her eyes glancing to the floor, an embarassed flush creeping up her neck.

" Well, that was my second surprise, go upstairs, ask no questions, just go !" he said excitedly.

She glanced at him suspiciously, then bounded up the stairs, skirts flying behind her, like a school girl.

She got to her room, and pushed open the door. Then her breath caught in her throat.

On the bed lay the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. Finest silk and satin, of the palest pink, adorned with small pearly beads. The tp was a bodice, fitted, and laced up the back with white ribbon. The skirt was full and flowing, coming out from the waist and flowing, like water, or smoke.

" Its beautiful, isnt it ?" John said quietly behind her. She jumped, she didnt know he was there.

" Its, its, well, its just simply amazing..." she whispered, " how did you know what size to get ?"

He grinned sheepishly, " Well, I sorta had to look at the size of your common dress, and judge from that".

" So you went into my wardrobe ?" she asked, mock seriousness in her voice.

" Yes ma'am, I did !" he laughed, lifting her in the air and twirling her round and round.

John had came to town late one evening on a disgruntled horse. Walking behind him was the rogue fellon every one was talking about, rope around his hands, the loose end in Johns weathered hand. A reward was up for the return of this particularly dangerous individual, and no one was shocked when the bounty hunter returned him.
He'd came into the saloon in a cheerful mood, having received his payment, ready to buy a round of drinks for everyone.
However, it was made blatantly clear he wasnt welcome. Mary had taken pity when the others showed blatant hostility. It was this quality, showing kindness to any person, big or small, smart or dumb, rich or poor, that made guys interested, that made her stand out in a crowd. It was this sweet quality that made made John want to know her, mind, body, and soul.
He'd spent several weeks in town, doing odd jobs to bulk up his money bag, to set him up for the next long journey west, to another town, another fellon, another bounty.
During this time, he took every chance to visit the saloon. To visit Mary.
Their friendship grew, and Mary saw in him what no others took the time to see. A good, honest man. His job made him somewhat of an outsider, dangerous, not to be trusted. But Mary knew otherwise. She'd seen it in the beginning.
It was one particular meeting that he persuaded her to go a ride with him. She'd never had an offer like it before, most guys asking her dancing or blatantly back to their house or room above the saloon. She never accepted. So Johns offer intrigued her, and it was with a curious answer she told him yes.
They went riding by moonlight, and she savoured the wind in her hair, as the stars twinkled above her. They came to a clearing near the creek. There, John lifted her off the horse, taking her hand and placing another on her waist. They slowly swayed round the clearing, the moonlight their candle, the moss covered ground their dancefloor, the calls of the insects their music. That was the night Mary took control, and lead him back to her own little cottage.