Horrified Vera realized just what Xui-Li had in store for her."Please, please, Madam Hong!" she exclaimed. "Please don't make me wear that. Please lea...e me some dignity." Silence, little Jun-Nui, for that is what I am going to call you. You begged for admittance, you agreed my terms. How very British to break your word now, to make such a fuss when things aren't quite what you want." Xui-Li spoke as if to a little child, with patience but an undertone that patience had its limits. Vera was. But ice cream?The rumble of my Peterbilt's Caterpillar 3126 made asking her the question something of an exercise in futility, and with it being cold as it was, there was no way I was going to shut the thing off until I was done with my liftgate. This was no day to risk a less then full battery for trying to start 7.2 liters of America's finest yellow iron.A few hours later, I was done, and I went to the drivers door, climbed my way up to the cab, and shut her down. The truck's engine shuttered. I changed the pattern so it could be worn either as a walking dress or evening dress, as needed.’ Taking her hand and raising it to lightly kiss it with his lips, he looked at her with a serious expression and said, ‘It is truly beautiful Julie, but I must ask you not to ever wear it in public.’ ‘Oh? Why would you say that?’ ‘Portland is a rough, wild town full of unmarried men. Why, it could cause a stampede!’ he answered with a chuckle and a twinkle in his bright blue eyes. ‘What great fibs. It feels like, I don’t know. Just full and wonderful and I’m all confused.” “It’s all right, Elizabeth,” he whispered. “Do you believe that?” “I was so frightened.” “Of me?” “No, no. I knew you would never do anything to hurt me. No. I was afraid I would like it too much.” “And do you?” “Mmmm,” she hummed and smiled. “I like it. I like how you feel inside me. But I’m not afraid anymore.” “Because?” “Because, in spite of everything I’ve heard, everything I’ve thought, this is more wonderful than.