The boys were shifting uncomfortably in their seats. It wasn’t often that they were invited into Emma’s parlor. None of them understood why she insisted they be there today, dressed nicely in their Sunday best. Kid ran a finger along his collar, feeling stifled. Jimmy ran a hand over his slicked back hair, making sure no stray strands had escaped. *Why does Emma want us here?* Ike asked Buck who looked as uncomfortable as a chicken in a fox’s den. He was out of his element in the white man’s world when it came to social teas and such. Looking at his friend, Buck was unable to answer his question so he shrugged. “Sure hope Emma’s got some of the cookies I like,” Cody piped up, looking over the platter of scrumptious delights the housemother had arranged on the table in front of them. Cody’s hand reached out to take one of the treats he had spied under a ginger snap when Emma’s voice called out from the kitchen. “Don’t you dare take one of those yet, William!” “How does she do that?” he whispered to the others, letting his hand fall back into his lap, face crestfallen with disappointment. Just then, they heard Emma call out, “You ready Lulabell?” “I think so,” drifted down from the upstairs as Emma came to stand at the bottom of them. With a big grin, she looked to the young men sitting in her parlor. What a treat they were in for. Like a child in a candy store, her eyes lit up when she caught sight of Lou at the top of the steps. “Oh, my,” she cried, clapping her hands. Smiling with pride, she turned to the boys and announced, “Boys, I would like to introduce you to Miss Louise McCloud.” All eyes were focused upon the vision slowly descending the stairs. Lou was dressed in an enchanting dress of pink and white. Her hair was combed so that it framed her delicate face. Her eyes were twinkling merrily as she caught sight of all the boys’ expressions. With a little laugh, she told them they’d best not tease her for wearing a dress. All of them hurriedly assured her that they wouldn’t dream of it. Kid sat awestruck at the vision she made in her feminine garb. ‘A beauty, just like I imagined,’ he told himself wondering how he would ever see her as anything but ever again. Buck blushed as he told her, “You sure look pretty Lou.” With a smile of satisfaction, Lou sat in the chair Emma steered her towards. “Thank you Buck. You and the others look very nice too.” Ike signed something, but was to fast for her to grasp what he was telling her. He tucked his head to his chest shyly when she asked him to repeat himself, shaking his head no. Cody, never one known for his tact, grinned cockily as he stated matter of fact, “You sure clean up nice Lou.” Jimmy let out a groan at the blond riders statement and slapped him in the head before any of the others had a chance to do so. “What?” Cody asked loudly. “Well, she does you know!” “Shut up,” Jimmy growled, his eyes never leaving the vision seated across from him. He’d been half in love with Lou before, but was a goner as soon as he seen her dressed as the lady she could be. “Well, now,” Emma said gleefully. “Lou, would you like to pour the tea?” Lou did as Emma bid with shaking hands. At first she had protested when Emma suggested having the boys over for tea for a ‘little coming out’ as she had put it. But the temptation of wearing a dress and acting like a lady, even if it was only for a few hours was to great and she readily agreed. She was afraid of how the boys would treat her when the saw her in a dress, but they were true gentlemen. Even Cody, though he could use a lesson in tact, she told herself as she handed him his cup of tea. A pleasant afternoon was spent in Emma’s parlor with grumbles of complaints when Emma shooed them out her front door, reminding them that Teaspoon would be back shortly and he couldn’t catch Lou in her dress. As Emma set the last teacup in the sink, she turned to Lou with a smile. “I think that went well, don’t you Lulabell? I must say, you sure enchanted each of them by the looks upon their faces.” At the memory, both women laughed as Lou headed upstairs to change back into her male garb. Hanging up the dress in Emma’s guest closet, Lou smiled slyly whispering, “As long as he was enchanted, that’s all that matters.” Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!