Blackwell Bounty

Chapter Ten

When their eyes met, Edith wanted to forget that he'd been about to leave for good just a few short days ago. She wanted to honestly say that she could let it go and move on, whether she moved on with Cal or without him.

But she could see it in his eyes. Maybe he had regrets, but planning to leave her without so much as a 'goodbye' was not one of those regrets. That bothered her.

Still, she couldn't deny the fact that her heart picked up speed when he stepped off the opposite boardwalk and began weaving his way around the crowd of people like he was following a trail that had already been laid out. Briefly, Edith considered turning away and retreating to her home at the edge of town as fast as her legs would possibly carry her in the heavy blue dress she wore, regardless of the fact that her quick exit would raise questions. However, the option wasn't really open, even if she was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! Running wouldn't solve anything.

Up until now, Edith and Caroline had been having an enjoyable time. Their spat several days ago seemed to be forgotten and the two sisters had laughed throughout the evening. It was like they were young and carefree children growing up together again. Actually spending this time with Caroline was helpful to Edith. Caroline might not have known her little sister was nearly on the edge of having her heart broken in what seemed to be a school girl's crush, but still she was somehow able to draw Edith's mind away from whatever was bothering her.

As Cal approached, Edith stood completely motionless, unable to gather coherent thoughts or words as he neared her. Did he realize that even now - after he'd wounded her, after she suspected he didn't want her in the same way she wanted him - she still desired that he pursue her for no other reason than her own selfishness? Even though she felt angry and hurt and betrayed, there was still a faint glowing hope that Cal was coming to apologize.

However, when he stopped before her and stared down into her eyes, she knew that was not the reason for the current visit he was paying to her. Perhaps, Edith thought, I am as naive as he believes.

"Would you... like to dance?" Cal asked quietly, reluctantly extending a rough and calloused palm for her to take. He set his jaw and glanced away, dark eyes avoiding her scrutinizing blue ones. Oddly enough, it was as if he wanted her to say no...

"Why?" Edith asked, thankful that her voice sounded steadier than she currently felt. She was vaguely aware of Caroline chattering away to someone to the left.

Edith wasn't sure if she wanted her sister to notice this confrontation with Cal or not. It would certainly cause problems and confusion, but it would make it easier for Edith to spill her secrets to Caroline before she left on the morning train. If Caroline asked the right questions, it would be awfully hard for Edith to conjure an indifferent expression.

"Why?" Cal repeated, instantly turning his head to look down at Edith. He drew his brows together, as if confused with her question. Swiftly turning his head, Calvin glanced back, but before Edith could look around the broad-shouldered outlaw to catch a glimpse of who he might be seeking out, Cal had turned back to her again. "Because... Because I want to dance with you." He didn't sound so sure, yet their was a fortitude that she didn't understand hidden behind the obsidian.

"Fine," Edith murmured, aware that she might not get another chance to draw the stubborn dark eyed man into a conversation. She was still upset with him, but she wanted answers. Almost hesitantly, Edith rested her hand in his, noticing briefly that her delicate palm was half the size of his, and then he was tightening his grip, tugging her out into the crowd so quickly she had to stumble to keep up.

Finally, Cal stopped walking and turned to her, but only when he seemed to be satisfied that they were surrounded by a vast sea of other townsfolk, all looking much more cheerful than Edith felt after being dragged along behind her dance partner like a horse on a tether! Drawing in an irritable huff of breath, Edith glared up at him as she felt her flustered agitation take control over her mouth. She ran a worrying hand over her hair to make certain the style was still in place that Caroline had so graciously conjured a few hours prior, hissing her remark as she did, "Well, thank you so very much, Mr. McClain, for considering the fact that my legs aren't a mile long and I'm wearing a strangling dress besides! 'Course I'm sure it would be of no trouble to you if I happened to trip and suffer a trampling of dancin' feet!"