Blue LilyHeart
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The train had reached the station and was now slowing to a stop.
“Here we are, Mr. Hale,” said the conductor. “This is your stop.”
Hale climbed down from his seat. He hadn’t been able to sleep on the train. The noise of the wheels on the tracks kept him awake. There was no way he could have slept. The last thing he wanted was to be caught napping in the middle of a railroad crossing.
He reached the platform and looked out at the town. It was only a few blocks away from the train station.
“How do you like it so far?” asked Hale.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Mary. “It’s so different.”
They stepped off the train and headed for the hotel. It was the largest building in the town. It had three stories and two wings. The sign out front read: The Blue Heart Hotel.
Hale led Mary up the steps and through the double doors. The lobby was large with a high ceiling and lots of windows. The floor was hardwood. There were two couches that faced each other. A clerk stood behind the desk. He smiled as they entered.
“Can I help you gentlemen?” he asked.
“Yes, we have reservations,” said Hale. “We’re staying here for several days.”
“Would you like me to check you in?” he asked.
“That would be nice,” said Hale.
“Follow me,” he said.
He took them to their room on the second floor.
“Here you are,” he said. “Your rooms are right next to each other.”
“Thank you,” said Hale.
Mary reached for her bag.
“There’s no need for that,” said Hale. “You can leave it here. I’ll bring it up later.”
“Oh, thank you,” she said.
Hale followed Mary up the stairs and down the hall. They opened the door to their room and entered.
“I’ll leave you to unpack,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.”
He closed the door and left Mary alone. She opened the door to the connecting room and saw Mary sitting on the bed.
“What are you doing?” asked Mary.
“I’m unpacking,” said Mary. “I thought we might share a bath.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” said Mary.
She put her bag on the chair and went into the bathroom. She turned on the water and waited for it to heat.
Mary took off her dress and hung it in the closet. Then she stepped into the tub.
“What are you waiting for?” asked Mary.
“For you to get undressed,” said Mary.
Mary reached for the soap and began to wash her body.
“Do you like my dress?” she asked.
“It’s beautiful,” said Mary. “You look very pretty in it.”
“I know,” said Mary. “Come here.”
Mary turned around and let Mary wash her back. She felt Mary’s hands on her shoulders.
“Would you like to kiss me?” she asked.
“Yes,” said Mary.
They kissed gently at first. It grew more passionate as they become aroused.
“I want you so badly,” said Mary. “I’ve never been with anyone before.”
“Me neither,” said Mary. “But I feel like this is right.”
“So do I,” said Mary.
She reached for Mary’s breasts and caressed them.
“Do you want to make love?” asked Mary.
“I think we should wait until tomorrow,” said Mary. “It’s too soon.”
“We can use the nightstand,” said Mary. “There’s a lock on it.”
“Are you sure?” asked Mary.
“Yes,” said Mary. “I don’t want to be caught by the wrong man.”
“Good idea,” said Mary.
They opened the drawer and pulled out the nightstand. Mary took the top sheet and put it on the floor. Mary pulled the bottom sheet over the bed and lay down on it.
“Lie down beside me,” she said.
Mary slipped under the covers and rested her head on Mary’s shoulder.
“Do you want to hold me?” asked Mary.
“I do,” said Mary. “Hold me tightly.”
Mary held Mary close to her. They kissed tenderly. Mary wrapped her arms around Mary.
“Do you feel better now?” asked Mary.
“Yes, I do,” said Mary. “I feel better about myself.”
“Good,” said Mary. “Now tell me what happened today.”
Mary told Mary about the bank robbery and how she had saved Hale.
“You’re a brave girl,” said Mary. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you,” said Mary. “I’m proud of myself too.”
Mary kissed Mary tenderly.
“Let’s sleep now,” said Mary. “I feel like I could fall asleep at any minute.”
“I’ll put out the light,” said Mary.
“Good night, Mary,” said Mary.
“Good night, Mary,” said Mary.
***
Mary awoke in the middle of the night. She was startled to find Hale standing in the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” asked Mary.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he said. “I heard you breathing.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know you were awake.”
“It’s all right,” he said. “I got up to go to the bathroom and saw you lying there. I thought you might be cold so I brought you a blanket.”
He handed her the blanket and sat next to her on the bed.
“Did you have bad dreams?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “I dreamed about being trapped in a dark room.”
“Was it scary?” he asked.
“Yes, it was,” she said. “I was alone and afraid.”
“I’m glad I was there for you,” said Hale.
“Me too,” she said. “But I wish you hadn’t seen me like that.”
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said. “We’ve been sharing a room for almost two weeks now.”
“I suppose,” she said. “I just didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It was very nice of you to bring me a blanket.”
They held hands as they lay on the bed. Mary put her head on his shoulder and felt safe in his arms.
“Do you love me?” asked Mary.
“Yes,” he said. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” said Mary.
“I think we should get married,” he said. “I want to make a life with you.”
“I would like that,” she said. “When do you want to get married?”
“Today,” he said.
“You mean today?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said. “If you’re willing.”
“I am,” she said. “But what about your family?”
“They won’t mind,” he said. “I’ll tell them the truth. I’ll tell them I met a woman and fell in love.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” said Mary. “I hope my mother will accept you.”
“I’m sure she will,” said Hale. “She’s a very good judge of character.”
“So am I,” said Mary.
They kissed tenderly.
“Let’s get married right away,” he said. “I want to show you how much I love you.”
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s do it.”
***
Hale went into the kitchen and took the morning paper from the rack. He read the headlines: “BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT CAPTURED.”
“Is this about us?” asked Mary.
“Yes,” he said. “It says you saved a bank clerk who was shot in the back.”
“That’s not true,” she said. “I only pretended to shoot him.”
“You did shoot him,” he said. “You were very brave.”
“I just wanted to keep him alive until the sheriff arrived,” she said. “I didn’t know they would arrest me for it.”
“What do you mean?” he asked. “Why would they arrest you?”
“I’m an outlaw,” she said. “The newspaper thinks I was involved in the robbery.”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll make sure they know the truth.”
“How?” she asked. “I don’t think the newspaper is going to change its story.”
“I’ll tell them,” he said. “And I’ll ask them to print a retraction.”
“That might work,” she said. “I just hope the sheriff doesn’t arrest me.”
“He won’t,” he said. “If the sheriff is smart, he’ll know that you’re innocent.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said. “But I still feel guilty.”
“I don’t blame you,” he said. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I wish I could take all the blame.”
“You can’t,” he said. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”
“Me too,” she said. “I hate being arrested. It’s humiliating.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s over now.”
They read the rest of the paper together. There was no mention of the bank robbery.
“We did a good deed,” said Mary. “I’m glad we were able to help the sheriff catch the bank robber.”
“I’m glad too,” said Hale. “It would have been awful if the robber had gotten away.”
“I suppose you’re right,” she said. “But I’m still feeling guilty.”
“Don’t be,” he said. “I understand how you feel.”
“Do you?” she asked. “I’m not sure you do.”
“Yes,” he said. “I do.”
Mary lay on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. She felt safe in his arms.
“You’re a good man,” she said. “I hope you’re right about me being a good judge of character.”
“I am,” he said. “I knew it from the first time I saw you.”
***
Hale took a cup of coffee into the kitchen and told his family the story of how he met Mary. He made her sound like a saint, but he didn’t mention that she was an outlaw.
“I’m so happy for you,” said Mary’s mother. “You deserve happiness after all you’ve been through.”
“I know,” said Hale. “I never thought I’d find someone as wonderful as you.”
“Thank you,” said Mary’s mother. “I’m very proud of my daughter. I know she’ll make you very happy.”
“So am I,” said Hale. “I can’t wait to get married.”
“We’ll have to celebrate,” said Mary’s mother. “Let’s invite our friends over for a reception.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” said Hale. “I’ll see if I can talk Mary into wearing a wedding dress.”
“She will wear one,” said Mary’s mother. “She promised to let me pick out her wedding gown.”
“I’m sure she will,” said Hale. “I know how much you love shopping.”
“I do,” said Mary’s mother. “I want to buy her the fanciest wedding dress in town.”
“I hope you don’t mind if I go along with you,” said Hale. “I’d like to help.”
“It would be a pleasure,” said Mary’s mother. “I’d like to get her something really special.”
“Me too,” said Hale.
“I think I’ll invite everyone in town,” said Mary’s mother. “It would be nice for them to meet you.”
“I’d like that,” said Hale. “I can’t wait until we’re married.”
“Me neither,” said Mary.
“I’ll talk to the sheriff,” said Mary’s mother. “He can marry us at the courthouse.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” said Hale.
“I’ll send for your marriage license,” said Mary’s mother. “And I’ll ask your family to come to the reception.”
“I’d like that,” said Hale.
“I’ll give you a ring when I get it,” said Mary’s mother. “You can take it to the jeweler and have it sized.”
“I can’t wait until we’re married,” said Hale.
“Neither can I,” said Mary.
Mary’s mother gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m glad you two found each other,” she said. “I hope you’ll always be happy.”
“We will,” said Hale. “I promise.”
“Good luck to you both,” said Mary’s mother. “I know you’ll make a wonderful couple.”
The End