Philip Masons sighed and raked his hand through unkempt hair. Emotions he didn’t dare dwell upon settled uneasily in his stomach. He had to leave, m...ke something of himself so he could finally win her heart. ‘I’m leaving this afternoon,’ he said hoarsely, looking into chocolate brown eyes. He quickly stared down at the puppy, the pain in Toni’s eyes was too much for him. ‘I’ve got everything ready. I’m not sure where I’ll go, but there isn’t anything here for me.’ ME! Her heart cried out. What. Most of the boys hadn’t.”Her hand drifted south. I was out of commission for the night. But maybe not, I’d been wrong about that one before.“What did you do at Fort Laramie? When you weren’t out on patrol?”
“The Oregon Trail wagon trains on their way west still stopped by for supplies and repairs. Didn’t need much protection by then, the Indian Wars were about played out. Captain McIntyre said he’d seen the plains change over the years. The settlers, homesteaders. Open-range cattle. ”“What should I do then?” I asked.“Everyone’s different. Some men just grab her by the wrist, or the hair even. Sometimes it’s a turn on when the man is a little aggressive, just watch closely to be sure it’s appreciated. Other guys go slow; just reach out and take my hand. That’s a safer approach, if she doesn’t want you she’ll simply pull her hand away.”She lectured on the subtleties of seduction for a while, words which sank in and were great help to me in the years that followed.“You have a. Okay, I'll put her on." I handed the phone to Jolene."She wants to talk to you." Hey, Aunt Lucy....yes, we had a great time. I cooked us a fish dinner and wewatched movies on cable until midnight. Yes, I did....I thought we could go tothe park this afternoon with the weather so nice and all....what? No it's mytreat.....really. Okay, we will see you on Monday, thanks Aunt Lucy." AndJolene hung up the phone."Your mom says you can stay until Monday," I blew out the smoke I hadinhaled and took.