The Pony Express

Chapter Six

We arrived at the resturaunt. I could see why Dane liked it so much. It was very cozy and homey. It reminded me of the dining room in the hotel. I felt a tear forming at the corner of my eye. Brushing it away, I followed Dane to a table.

I scanned the menu. "If you don't have any money, I have a little bit so I can pay for your dinner if you want."

"Trust me. If there's the same waitress as there was when I worked here, we won't be paying." Just then, a young girl, about my age, walked over. She had dark hair and a sweet smile.

"Dane! It's been like forever!" Dane stood up and hugged her.

"Shay, this is Austin. Austin, this is Shay. Her dad is the owner here. Shay was the one who got me the job here."

Shay held out her hand. I shook it, quickly. "Nice to meet you," I grunted.

She looked me up and down, then moved her eyes back to Dane, her smile reappearing. "So I assume you got the job? I knew you would!"

"Yep. So did Austin. We've been working for about a week and a half already. It's going great."

I bet she knows I'm a girl. Shay clearly doesn't like me. I don't like her either. Now that I got a better look at her, I noticed that her skirt is really short. Thomas and Mary would never have let me wear a dress that short. Heck, I wouldn't even let myself wear that short of a dress.

"Oh, well, would you guys like to order anything? It's on the house," she pulled a pen and a piece of paper out of her skirt pocket.

"I'll take a steak. Austin?"

"The same," I replied. Shay will be doing work for us. Ha.

"So, what do you think of her?" Dane asked after she left.

"I don't know. Are you two a thing or something?"

"Nah, I could never be with her. She's not my type."

"Really? So what is your 'type'?" I leaned forward on my elbows.

"Well, I really like the kind of girls who aren't afraid to go on an adventure, and follow their dreams. A girl who will stand up for herself. One who isn't afraid." Wow. That's exactly like me, I think. Why does he do this to me?

Shay comes back soon with the steaks. "Sorry, Austin, yours got a little overcooked." Of course.

"That's okay, we can trade. I don't like underdone meat anyway." Dane took my plate and replaced it with his. So sweet.

Shay looked mad. She spun on her heel, and walked away. Dane and I ate in silence.

"So, do you want to go to a bar? Not to drink, I mean, but just to meet some people." Dane broke the silence. Pony Express riders weren't allowed to drink, anyway.

"Sure."

Shay took our empty plates, wished us a safe trip. Safe for Dane, anyway.

We walked out together, and crossed the road. By now, it was pretty dark outside. There weren't many people outside, most of them were probably already asleep.

The bar was pretty crowded. Drunk men were making bets, women in scandalous dresses were serving drinks.

I scanned the room to see if maybe I knew anyone here. Uh oh.

Sitting in the corner are the same guys that I saw in Lawrence. The same guys who called me "sweetheart."

What if they recognize me? I don't want Dane to find out this way. He would hate me.

"Long time, no see, eh, sweetheart?" The tallest one walked over to me. Please, help me.

"Sweetheart? He's a man!" Dane butted in.

"No, Dane, it's the truth. But you can't tell anyone." I pulled my hat off, my braid falling down at my shoulder.

Dane looked like he couldn't breath.

"Now that there's no where to hide, won't you come along with me? I can show you what a real man can be like." The guy started pulling on my shoulder. He was too strong for me.

"Dane!" I yelped. To my relief, he pulled me away for the man. With my hand in his, he dragged me out.the door, and over to our horses. He got on, pausing to make sure I was okay, and he began riding. I followed behind.

"Dane, I can explain everything. Please." I attempted. Either Dane couldn't hear me, or he was ignoring me. Either way, he didn't respond.

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"Dane, just hear me out. Please." I stood by his door.

Clearly, he wasn't going to answer me. I slid down and put my head between my knees. I didn't stop my tears when they came.

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