The Promise

By Denise

Friday finally came and I packed a picnic lunch, from the leftovers from last night's supper. He was synching up his saddle as I walked into the barn. I stood there admiring his tight jeans, which seemed to make his butt pleasingly tight. I wanted to touch him, but he turned around and grinned as if he knew what I was thinking. He then asked, "Why are you wearing pants?"

"Well…I can't go riding in a dress. I tried riding sidesaddle once but it wasn't very comfortable. I felt like I was going to fall off. I am in more control when I wear pants. Why, does it bother you?"

"No…of course not."

"Good. I hoped that you wouldn't." I then filled the saddlebags with food. He gave me a boost so I could climb onto my horse and then mounted his and then we were off. We followed a trail through the forest, following the stream until we came across a meadow. We stopped and watched several doe's grazing in the grass as their fawns frolicked about. We continued until we came across several old buildings, scattered across this open meadow. It was the silver mining town of Ashcroft. It was now a ghost town, most of the buildings were barely standing, and some didn't have roofs while others were slowly caving in. It looked like it they had been vacant for decades. We decided this would be a good place to have our picnic. The horses were tied to a tree and then walked over to this small house that was surrounded with tall grass and wild flowers. Antonio brought a blanket and laid it on the ground.

"It's so beautiful here!"

"Yes it is."

We sat there watching rabbits, chipmunks, birds and other critters, as we enjoyed our lunch, of fried chicken, cornbread and beans.

We finished and then decided to go for a walk. He held my hand as we checked each of the buildings of the old forgotten town. Wondering when these people lived here and what forced them to leave. We came across a bridge that went over the small stream. We sat down on the bridge with our legs dangling off the edge watching the water flow around the rocks, down below.

"Tell me about you and Brett?" he asked as he threw a rock into the water.

I looked at him. "Why?"

"Are you dating him?" He continued throwing rocks turning it into a game, on how far he could throw them.

"No, not really. We have known each other since we were kids."

"I was wondering why he would attack you like that?"

"I really don't know," I responded and then I asked, "How old are you?"

"I am 24," he smiled. "Are you dating anyone?"

"Well…I was dating Steven during the school season, but he decided to join the Navy."

"Were you lovers?"

"Well Steven and I never got beyond kissing, I was hoping I could spend more time together this summer, but he had other plans."

"What about Brett?"

"Brett and I learned about life together…so I have been with Brett many times."

"Oh," he laughed.

"Why?"

"I was just curious."

"You saw the kiss Brett gave me, didn't you?"

"Yes," he smiled.

"That was on Tuesday…why are you bringing this up now?"

"I just had to ask."

"Well…after that kiss you gave me last night…I think I am over Brett."

"You liked it?"

"Oh yes!" I blushed. "So…what about you?"

"Yes, I enjoyed our first kiss."

"No. I want to know if…" I stopped wondering if I really wanted to know.

"Do you want to know if I have been with other women?"

"Yes."

"Yes, Cassie, I have had other women in my life."

"Yeah, Brett said that you had been around many woman."

"Cassie, most of them have been whores." He then faced me and looked deeply into my eyes as his hand gripped tightly around mine. "Cassandra. I am looking for someone to settle down with, I want to have kids."

"Oh," I sighed not knowing what to say.

He then touched my face with his hand as his lips touched mine giving me warm gentle kisses. I sighed heavily as his arm went around me pulling me closer to him. The kiss became more passionate, more controlling continuing to intensify. I felt his hand pulling on my shirt trying to yank it from my pants. I then felt his hand go under my shirt touching my skin and then touching my breasts. I began to panic. I became frightened of all these new sensations I was feeling. I couldn't let this continue. His mouth had left mine, kissing my neck driving me crazy with his mouth and tongue.

I finally had a chance to stop this, but the words wouldn't come out. Stop I continued saying to myself. "Stop!" It startled me as the words finally came out of my mouth. My body trembled as I looked at him. I could see the concern in his eyes as he released me from his embrace. My eyes filled with tears as I quickly got to my feet and started to walk away from him.

"Cassie?" I could hear his footsteps behind me. "Cassie, what's wrong?" I didn't answer him. I just kept walking as tears ran down my face. I didn't want him to see me cry. "Cassie wait! Cassie!"

"What?" I yelled as I finally turned around.

"Will you tell me what is wrong? Did I hurt you?"

"No," I said softly as my tears ran down my cheeks.

"Cassie…Why are you crying?"

I swallowed hard. "I'm afraid of you." I was feeling frustrated not knowing what else to say or do.

"Oh Cassie."

My body trembled as he pulled me into his arms. "I have never felt like this before." I laid my head against his chest.

"You don't have to be afraid of me."

"I know." I pulled away from him. "I think we should be going." I turned around and I started to head back to where we had our picnic.

"Cassandra," he yelled as he followed me again. "Cassie stop!"

"What?"

He then grabbed my arm dragging me into his arms capturing my mouth with his. His kiss was sizzling hot. I returned his kiss with intensity of my own. My body was on fire as I threw my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me. He then paused, trying to catch his breath and then asked. "How old are you Cassie?"

I was feeling dizzy and wasn't sure if I could find the words. "I am 17."

He closed his eyes and said, "We shouldn't be doing this." He then backed away from me.

"Why?"

"When will you turn 18?"

"Later this year. Why?"

He didn't answer as he took my hand and we walked back to where we had our picnic. We then mounted our horses and rode back to the ranch in silence. Once we got back to the ranch Antonio took the horses into the barn, as I hurried into the house to help with supper.

"How was your day?" Mom asked as Leslie and Diana listened nearby.

"We went riding through the canyon and had a picnic." I put on my apron thinking about that kiss. "Mom, do you like Antonio?"

"Yes."

"How about Dad?"

"Why?"

"I was just wondering."

"I think your father is worried, Antonio will take you away from here."

"Oh." Then the door opened and the men came in for supper.

***

Sunday morning I woke with a smile on my face, dreaming about him all night. I got up out of bed and got dressed for church. Then Leslie and Diana came bursting into the room. "What do you guys want?"

"You should see him!" Leslie screamed

"Who?"

"Antonio!" they said at the same time.

"He's going to church with us!" Diana said.

"Oh yeah!" I smiled as I looked into the mirror and brushed my long blonde hair. "I will be down in a few minutes." They left as I pulled my hair from my face and tied a pink ribbon into a bow. I checked myself in the mirror, liking what I saw and hoped he would like this dress. It was white with a floral print. It was buttoned up the front with a pink collar and belt. I then sprayed myself with perfume. I then took a hat down out of the closet to wear into town. I was ready to go.

I opened the door and walked slowly towards the living room. It had been two days since I last saw him so I was nervous about seeing him. I came down the stairs and saw him sitting with my brothers in the living room. He saw me and stood up to greet me. He reached for my hand and kissed the back of my hand. My pulse raced with excitement as the warmth of his lips touched my skin. I then heard giggles coming from my sisters. I pulled my hand away as I looked him over. The gray suit he had on looked like it was tailored made just for him. Oh he looked beautiful!

He then offered his arm, "Are you ready to go to church?"

"Yes," I sighed. "I am ready."

He escorted me outside, there was a covered wagon sitting at the foot of the stairs. He helped up into the wagon then climbed in and sat next to me. "What are we waiting for?" I asked since we weren't moving yet.

"Your sisters."

"Oh." I was disappointed we couldn't go to church alone. "I sure missed seeing you yesterday."

"You did? I had some things to do, like buying this suit for today."

"It looks wonderful on you!"

"Thanks." He softly kissed my lips. "Oh…Cassie…you smell good!" he moaned as he kissed me again.

Then I heard a voice say, "We can't leave these two alone for a minute, can we Keith?"

"No we can't." They laughed as we both jumped up with embarrassment. I looked around and saw Brendan and Keith was standing next to the wagon, watching us.

"Brendan, what do you want?" I was annoyed.

"I just wanted to tell you that Leslie and Diana would be down in a minute."

"Why do we have to wait for them?" I pouted.

"Cassie…I think it will be a good idea if they did," Antonio replied.

Then my sisters came running up to the wagon and climbed in. They sat behind us as he started our trip into town.

***

We arrived at the church and found a place to park towards the backside of the church. My sisters climbed out and went running to the front of the church. We sat in the wagon for a moment, gazing into each other's eyes. He didn't say a word as he pulled me into his arms and our lips were drawn together. The energy between us was strong I thought nothing would separate us until I heard a woman gasp. I stopped but I didn't want to move. What if it was someone I knew?

Antonio then looked around and said, "They're gone…who ever it was". He then looked at his pocket watch and said. "We have to go."

"Go where?"

"To church."

"Oh, I forgot where we were."

"Yes, I know," he laughed.

We got out of the wagon. "Do I look okay?"

"Yes, you are fine."

He offered me his arm as we walked to the entrance of the church. Everyone seemed to be staring at us. I held my head up high as we walked into the church. I saw my parents talking to some friends as I walked up to them. Antonio stuck his hand out to my father, but my father turned away.

We sat together holding hands during the service. When we stood up to sing he would place arm around my waist. I was hoping my dad didn't see this, I knew he would disapprove of my behavior in church. I enjoyed listened to his voice as we sang the hymns. He had such an incredible voice.

After church we stayed in town and went to the carnival over at the fair grounds. We played some games. Antonio won me a stuffed bear, by throwing a baseball at some milk bottles and then he won prizes for my sisters. He then bought some ice cream that we shared.

Later in the evening there was a western band playing, so we decided to stay in town and dance. I was glad my sisters went back home with my parents so we could stay and enjoy the music.

We were on our way back to the wagon when I heard my name "Cassie," a voice said as I turned around to see who called my name. It was Brett.

"Hello, Brett."

"Cassandra, it's good to see you." He looked at me and then at Antonio. "Hello Antonio," Brett said as he offered his hand to Antonio.

"Hello Brett," Antonio said as returned the handshake.

"Cassandra. I wanted to know if we could get together sometime and…"

"No, Brett."

"Please…I need to see you," he begged.

"I said no!"

"Why not?"

Antonio spoke up. "Brett…weren't you listening? She doesn't want to see you."

Brett pointed his finger at Antonio. "This isn't any of your fucking business!"

"Brett! Watch your language!" Antonio warned.

"Oh…now you are telling me what to do."

"No…I don't want you talking like that around a lady."

"What lady?" Brett asked.

"I am talking about Cassandra."

"She isn't a lady," Brett looked at me with a wicked grin.

"Oh yes she is. When we are out in public she is a lady."

I stood there listening them fight over me. I had to stop this before something happens to both of my men. Even though I was with Antonio now, I still had some feelings for Brett. "Stop! Please stop fighting over me."

"Cassandra…let's go home," Antonio suggested.

"Yes. I want to go home," I looked at Brett. "Goodbye Brett."

"I am not giving up on you, Cassandra. One day you will discover I am the right man for you," he yelled as Antonio and I walked back to the wagon. I climbed in and he sat next to me. We rode home in silence, thinking about everything that had happened during the day.

***

Several hours later, I was up into my bedroom getting ready for bed, I peeked out the window and saw him sitting outside. I had to go see him and I wouldn't be able to sleep until I do. I was shaking as I approached him. He stood up and suddenly I become aware of that he was naked.

"Oh my, I'm sorry." I felt embarrassed as I turned away from him. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." My pulse quickened as I wondered what I should do.

"Why? What's wrong?"

I then turned around and I looked over his body. "I couldn't sleep and so I decided to come see you," I said as I finally looked into his eyes. "And I am glad I did." I shyly smiled.

"Oh." He looked down at himself. "It was too hot to have clothes on." He then went back inside then returned with his jeans on and then sat down on the steps. "I was hoping you would come down here we need to talk. I have been thinking about what happened today…well the past several days."

"Me too!" I sighed as I sat down next to him. "I loved the way you touched me in church." I laughed.

"Yes I enjoyed that too," he laughed and then looked at me more seriously. "Cassie, it was a mistake…I shouldn't have kissed you."

"No! It wasn't a mistake." I moved closer. "You enjoyed it as much as I did."

"Cassandra, my love, I want to kiss you…I want to make love to you."

I touched his face. "I want you too!" I softly kissed his lips.

"No Cassandra!" he said firmly as he got up and moved away from me.

"Why? What is wrong?"

"Your father came to see me after we got home and we had a talk."

"He did?"

"He asked me what my plans were towards you."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that I liked you and I hoped one day we could be together."

"So what did he say to that?"

"He warned me to should stay away from you and that you were too young."

"Oh. Why is everyone is telling me this?"

"Because you are." He sat down next to me. "Cassie." He looked into my eyes. "I told him that we were friends and I think we should keep it that way for a while." He then kissed me softly. "Why don't you go back to bed and I will see you at breakfast, okay."

"Before I leave I want to thank you for today."

He thought for a moment. "Oh…you mean with Brett."

"Yes."

"Well…I feel you should be respected when we are in public and I will treat you that way."

"Thank you. Good night," I said as I kissed his lips and then I got up from the steps slowly walking back to the house. I opened the door and found my father, in his chair waiting for me.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

"I went to see Antonio."

"I want you to stay away from him."

"He told me that you two had a talk."

"He is older then you and I don't like his kind."

"What kind?"

"Well…he has dark skin."

"I didn't know you were prejudiced."

"I'm not."

"Antonio is my friend. I enjoy spending time with him. He tells me about places I can only dream about." I kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Daddy."