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When they finally came up for air, she backed away with a puzzled look, "What was that all about?" She tried to get her breath, putting her hand on her breast.
"That was a thank you, for the welcome…" He smiled.
Swallowing hard, Lilly turned her attention to the casket. She looked at his mother, then him.
He watched her expression change, her hands shake a little, and a tear slid down the side of her cheek.
"She looks pretty doesn't she?" Lilly finally said moments later when she could control her breathing better.
"And almost happy…" Cord said huskily.
"She was happy. I'm not sure why, but she was. I can tell you that much. I used to come out here and talk to her every now and
then. Your Ma was a good listener. I think she grew to like me through the years. She knew what I was, but it didn't seem to matter. I never met anyone like her in my life." Lilly said breathlessly. "She didn't approve of my line of work, but she never said a word about it. She was too much a lady to say anything about it. And she befriended me, just like you."
"Thanks for coming out to see her. The way Doc talked, no one else did." Cord said quietly.
"Old Mrs. Pettigrew came too. That is until she died. We both came out."
"Mrs. Pettigrew is dead?"
"Yeah, last year."
"I asked Doc who sent me the letter." Cord glanced at her again. "He didn't know."
"I did." She admitted, and looked away once more.
"How did you find me?" His brows knitted.
"Your Ma said you were either in Ft. Worth or Waco most of the time. Said I could reach you from the Sheriff's office. So I sent letters to both. Glad you got the letter. I was worried it might not reach you in time for the funeral." Lilly smiled down at his mother.
"Thanks Lilly." He stared at her once more, marveling at the beauty of her. Something inside him wanted to reach out to her. Lilly was a good person, perhaps the best in Doubtful. He'd known her a long time, but that kiss had thrown him. He'd never kissed her, even though the thought had occurred to him a few times. But growing up they had been best friends. He never wanted to lose that. But that kiss put them at a crossroad, and he knew she knew it.
He'd liked Lilly as a kid, but now…
"I did her hair…do you like it?" Lilly asked looking up at him once more. "It's the way she usually wore it. Said it was too hot to wear down."
"It looks fine, just fine." Cord answered.
"Well, I guess I should go…I guess I'll see you tomorrow, huh?" Lilly asked.
"Do you have to go?" He looked up at her and came to stand in front of her once more. "I'd like to visit with you and tomorrow won't be a good day for visiting."
She drew breath and put her hand on her chest, "Alright…I'll stay a while…"
She took her gloves off and walked around the room.
"So…Tell me, how are you doing? What have you been doing?" He asked watching her every move.
She hesitated. "Fine, Cord, just fine."
"You still working for Sam Donaldson?" Cord asked his eyes narrowing on her.
"Uh…no. Sam got married and moved off. Married an Eastern lady from Boston who came in on the stage one day. One of them mail order brides I think."
"Who owns the saloon now?"
"I do!" She answered.
