PART 4

 

A week before Christmas, Bess wandered over to the sheriff’s office.  She knocked on the door.

 

“Come in,” she heard Dan yell, and she opened the door and walked inside.

 

“Bess, hi.”

 

“Hi, Dan.”

 

“Please, sit down.” Dan pulled over a chair for Bess to sit on.

 

“Thank you,” she glanced over at the jail cell.  “I see the town’s been pretty peaceful.  Nobody in jail.”

 

Dan laughed, “Nope, haven’t put anybody in jail in months.”

 

“That’s good, I guess.”

 

Dan turned serious, “What brought you here today, Bess?”

 

“I just thought that if you weren’t busy we could talk.  You know, catch up on things.”

 

“I guess we could do that,” Dan sat back in his chair.  “So, how was college?’

 

“No, let’s start with you.”  Bess said quickly.

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes.  Where all did you go out west?”

 

“Everywhere, I guess,” he smiled as he thought of his adventures. “Let’s see.  I got chased by a bear in California, gunned down by outlaws in Oregon, even saw that huge canyon that everyone’s been talking about: The Grand Canyon.  The most breathtaking site I’ve ever seen.”

 

“Gunned down by outlaws?”

 

“Oh, uh.  Long story,” he smiled.  “I healed up just fine.”

 

“My, that sounds exciting,” she said, somewhat intrigued, somewhat sarcastic.

 

“Now, about you, Bess? How was college?”

 

Bess shifted uncomfortably in her chair, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Dan.  “College went fine.  Learned a lot of good things there,” she said nervously.

 

Dan could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t want to pressure her.  Instead he asked, “How was London?  I heard you went to visit London while you were in Europe.”

 

Dan didn’t know what he said wrong, but Bess started crying.  He pulled his chair over by hers and put his arms around her to comfort her.  “Bess, what’s wrong?  What happened?” he asked gently.

 

As soon as her cries subsided, she began, “I went out with a guy at college.  His name was Geoffrey.”   She paused to find out what Dan’s reaction would be.

 

Dan wasn’t surprised, “I had heard you had a beau,” he said somewhat stiffly.

 

“Yeah, he seemed really nice.  We courted for about a year.”  Bess started to choke up again.

 

Dan continued to hold her tightly.  “Shhh, it’s ok.  You don’t have to tell me.”

 

“Yes, I do.” She said firmly and then continued.  “We did everything together.  We even had most of our college classes together.  Then one day he told me he was getting married.”

 

“Married?  I take it that it wasn’t you.”

 

“No.  He had been going behind by back and having a very improper relationship with another woman.”  Bess’ sadness was turning into anger.

 

“How improper?” Dan didn’t know why he asked.

 

“She’s having his baby.” She immediately saw Dan’s startled reaction.  “I never went that far, Dan. You know me better than that.”

 

Dan breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“I don’t think I can ever trust anybody again.”  Again the tears came.

 

Dan pulled her back into his arms.  “Of course you will.”  He stopped speaking.

 

Bess looked up at him.  “Dan, you’re the only one I could ever trust.  You’re the only one who’s never done anything to hurt me.  You’ve always been there for me, and I walked out on you.”

 

Dan wasn’t sure what to say, but then his heart took over.  “Bess, I’ve never gotten over you, you know.” He paused.  “I’ve tried to, but I couldn’t.  I guess because I never wanted to.”

 

“Dan,” she said thoughtfully.  “Don’t you know why I decided to come to visit here?”

 

“Why?”

 

“To see you.”  Dan looked surprised.  Bess continued speaking, “After that happened, all I knew was that I needed to talk to you about it.  I needed to tell you what happened, and I needed you to listen.  I didn’t think I would ever see you again, Dan, but when I found out Aunt Jo was coming to visit you, I asked if I could come.”

 

“You didn’t come to see Nat and Nan?” he smiled.

 

“Well, it is nice to see them again too.”

 

“But you came to see me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I suppose you’ll be leaving after the holidays.”  Dan asked, not looking at her.

 

“I don’t have too.”

 

Dan looked back up at her.

 

“If it’s OK with you, Dan, I’d like to stay here for awhile.  Get to know what it’s like in the ‘real west!’  I missed out on it before.  I want to find out what intrigued you.”  She saw the huge smiled form on Dan’s face.  “Maybe we could get to know each other again.  Would you like that?” she asked cautiously.

 

“Yes,” he said excitedly.  “I’d love that.”