ikissdhimbck | OOM: Green Lake, Fourth of July

Entry tags:

OOM: Green Lake, Fourth of July

There's a cacophony of noise in Green Lake today. Music is playing, people are shouting, children are laughing and singing, and all about there are the sounds of firecrackers and sparklers and foods simmering and games being played.

It's Green Lake's annual Fourth of July picnic.

Katherine is carrying a basket of spiced peaches over one arm as she makes her way to the Hawthorn residence, where she'll meet up with Doc and a few others before heading over to the festivities.

She looks stunning in a fine white dress, hair done up off her neck, with a single white daisy behind one ear.

But the smile on her face is what really makes her radiant.

.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"So Jack is your older brother, hmm?" Doc asks of James once the rest of the children have left them alone and run off to go find food and games to entertain themselves with.

"Yeah."

"Well," he begins, as he tips that derby hat back so he can look James in the eyes as he tells this story. "I have an older brother too, and when I was your age, he liked to hack on me just like Jack seems to like teasin' you sometimes. Callin' me names and sayin' I couldn't do things that the older children could do just 'cause I was small."

A beat.

"And it never seemed like he liked me very much, the way he was always teasin', but you know what? There was a time when I was first startin' to learn to ride a horse, back on our farm, and we were out in the pasture and I got thrown off. Didn't hurt myself too bad, just scared myself a bit, and it wasn't my ma who came running first when I hollered. It was Daniel. And he didn't tease me 'bout fallin' or make jokes about the fact that I was cryin' because I was scared, he was just worried that I was hurt. Even if he was hackin' on me just a few moments before, he was more worried that I'd hurt myself when it mattered most."

He smiles a little.

"So you gotta remember that he don't really mean it when he says stuff like that, alright? He's just tryin' to show off for the other boys."

"I know," comes the boy's quiet reply, eyes cast downward and fingers playing at Doc's fine vest.

It warmed Katherine's heart to see Doc interact with her young students, his words kind and warm as he spoke to them. She sat quietly while he told his tale, listening carefully as she continued to stroke the sleeping girl's hair. "Do you have other siblings, Doc?" she interjects, head cocked to the side in curiosity.

"I did have an older brother," he says. "He was with the 1st Alabama Cavalry unit at Athens in '64. Michael was older than both Daniel and myself."

The past tense of the subject explains all that she needs to know about how that turned out, but he doesn't dwell on it. Instead, he smiles. "I got a sister, too, though. Younger than I am by a year and a couple months. She was studyin' up in Memphis last I heard. Daniel works for a company that runs steamboats up the river, now."

By that, he means The River.

"I saw him a few years back."

Katherine understands his discretion, what with the young children about, so she doesn't say much; she simply nods her head, sympathy in her eyes.

She wonders if his meeting with Daniel came after his departure from school--after he became an outlaw.

"Was it a good meeting?" she asks, wincing slightly.

"It was, yes," he nods a bit and smiles more. "It was while I was still at Tulane, he stopped by on the way from Mississippi back to Alabama."

And then he had left Tulane, stolen a horse, a rifle, a few hundred dollars, and a new pair of boots and headed west to Liberty, Missouri. But he leaves that part out of the story.

Wouldn't do to inspire young boys to become outlaws, after all.

She smiles with quiet relief. "I'm glad.

"I never had siblings to tease me or look out for me when I was growing up," she laments, brushing a strand of hair behind one ear. Then she turns her attention to James.

"You're lucky to have an older brother, even if he does torment you a bit. Think of how boring it would be without him."

James looks about ready to whine about something in reply, when his mother starts calling to him from the square. He puts his hand to his hat and darts off, like a puppy rushing to a meal, and Katherine can't help but laugh at the abrupt departure--

--And look out into the crowd for the first time in a while, where she notices several onlookers whispering and pointing.

"Perhaps I should get this little one to her mama," she tells Doc, carefully scooping MaryAnne into her arms. She smiles easily. "She might be looking for her, after all."

"Most likely," Doc admits, as he stands up from the place on the grass where they had settled and then offers her a hand up from the ground where she's sitting.

He doesn't offer his arm (as she's got a young, sleepy child in hers) but he does follow alongside her as they move to rejoin the picnic and the crowd.

They can talk all they want, for all he cares.

Of course he would never say that. It's just not proper.

The hand is gratefully accepted as she steadies herself on the lawn, nestling MaryAnne against a shoulder.

It doesn't take long to locate the parents and settle the sleepy child down on the quilt they're using. When she wakes up there will be a picnic waiting for her.

After some brief conversation, Doc and Katherine are able to move on and head back to the crowd, where they'll stick out a little less.

Even if they're not sticking out, there are still plenty of brief conversations shared with the townspeople as they move through the crowd.

(Doc, to his credit, actually does eat.)

As the afternoon progresses further towards the evening, Doc finds himself wondering on more than on occasion if this is what it might have been like if he'd never left Tulane.

And silently, Katherine is glad to see Doc eat.

There were only half a dozen women trying to get him to try their cobblers, pies, jams, breads, and so forth when they made their way to the contests, after all. Katherine graciously accepted her special ribbon, and having her out of the way afforded several other women the opportunity to win a few of their own.

As the evening sets in, the lamps around town are lit one by one. In the gray dusk hours most people clear the square, and dancing commences. There's a band playing, and the music is lighthearted and festive: guitars, banjos, flutes and drums, a violin and even a man playing the spoons.

The people about town are joyful and laughing, and it puts Katherine in fine spirits. "Are you enjoying the shindig?" she asks Doc, smiling.

This reminds him of Lincoln on New Year's Eve.

It's a good memory, the night before his world all went to hell.

Doc smiles, and nods a bit. "Yes," he answers honestly, quietly. "This...all this, it reminds me of Lincoln before the war," he adds. "It means a lot to me t'think about that again."

He spots a group of her young students, the girls in particular, looking at them and when he glances over, they giggle a bit and glance away.

Lincoln. Before the war.

She looks up at him with an unassuming little smile, wondering what kind of memories are going through his mind. "I'm glad," she says quietly.

Not really thinking about it, she lifts her hand slowly, crossing the few inches between them with the intent of gently brushing his hand with her knuckles.

"Pardon me, Miss Katherine?" a young voice disturbs, making her jump only slightly and retract her hand before she can make contact.

"Oh, Thomas. Good eve," she breathes, nodding her head. The boy before her is wearing a tie and a fine jacket, hair combed back perfectly. He could be no more than thirteen.

"I was wondering if I might request the honor of your company for a dance?"

She smiles at the boy. "Of course." She doesn't particularly think she needs to ask Doc's permission, but she does turn to him and politely asks for him to excuse her just a moment.

The young man leads her to the "dance floor" and assumes the proper stance, left hand in Katherine's, right lightly at her waist, and about a clean foot of space between them. Katherine is a small woman, only standing at about 5'1, so there's only about six inches difference in height between them.

They're doing the box-step, and they're doing it rather well, actually. Katherine is beaming.

Doc watches for a moment as Miss Katherine and Thomas move around the dance floor, and then he remembers his promise to the young girls in her class about dancing with them, later.

He runs a hand quickly over his hair to ensure that none of it is too out of place, and then approaches the young redheaded girl and offers his hand.

"Miss, I was wondering if you would give me the honor of a dance?"

Katherine peers over Thomas' head for a brief moment as Doc leads Linda out onto the floor. The young girl's cheeks are nearly as red as her glossy hair, and it forces Katherine to bite her lip to keep from chuckling.

Thomas is actually quite the dancer, and it's easy for her to follow his lead. But when the song ends, Doc may or may not be distressed to see a long line of young men--not only boys--lined up for the opportunity to have the next dance with the beautiful young schoolteacher.

She is, after all, Green Lake's most eligible woman.

Doc's always been a very patient man. After all, when you're one of the most wanted outlaws in the territories, you spend a lot of time waiting for things.

Waiting for men to walk out of doorways.

Waiting in taverns and in bars.

Waiting for the right moment to make a run for it.

Waiting for the moment to make his move.

After he's danced with all the girls he made promises to, and a few extras, Doc decides it's time to make his move. Once the song he's currently dancing with ends, he makes his way over and lightly touches the gentleman who's thinking (mistakenly) that he can have two dances with the teacher on the shoulder.

"Do you mind if I cut in?"

The man shakes his head and steps back (even if he does mind, you just don't say 'yes' to a question like that) and then Doc takes her hand lightly in his and settles his hand on her waist.

Katherine smiles as her eyes meet his, but then his hand is on her waist and despite all the dancing she's done up to this point, it makes her cheeks warm. She glances away shyly.

Carefully she wraps her fingertips around his hand.

And settles her other on his shoulder.

"I'm surprised you were able to tear yourself away from your adoring public," she smirks, but her eyes are still on their feet.

"I'm sure they'll be back shortly to drag me off again," he teases. "After all, I believe I saw Mrs. Parker plotting something over with the other ladies," he adds, just low enough so that she can hear it.

He does keep a respectable distance between the two of them, of course.

Doc smirks just a little.

"And besides," he drawls, softly. "What sort of rugged outlaw would I be if I didn't rescue the fine young Miss at some point in the evenin'?"

She laughs quietly, finally meeting his eyes. They're the color of the lake, even in the fading light.

"Did you, now?" she whispers in reply. "That could mean some rather serious business, Doc. Perhaps you should stay close the rest of the evening, just for precaution's sake."

That may or may not be a mischievous spark in her blue eyes.

"And I'm very glad for the rescue," she adds after some time with a smile.

Perhaps you should just stay close the rest of the evening...

Doc feels the blush at the tip of his ears and he grins.

"Well then if the lady wishes for my company then I don't think I can stay away and keep a clear conscience," he explains. Because really. That's his reason.

It's certainly not that he enjoys her company, or dancing with her, or anything like that. Of course not. It's all about defending the lady from unwanted attention, of course.

Or protecting himself from whatever the townsfolk may be planning.

Her fingers twitch against his shoulder, the blush creeping to her ears as well.

"A wise choice, indeed," she manages behind her shy smile, though her throat is a little tight.

Doc is a wonderful dancer.

For an ~~rugged~~ outlaw.

John Tunstall taught him well. Very well, and even after everything he's been through in the last two years since the Lincoln County War, those things haven't left him.

He may not be as smooth as Billy is, but he's got his moments.

This is one of them.

"You look beautiful," he says quietly, after another moment.

Rugged outlaw indeed.

She looks up at him through her eyelashes, her doe-eyes large and surprised.

"I..."

Her face is hot. There are a thousand butterflies beating their wings in her stomach. Her heart is beating so fast...

Her jaw works soundlessly for a moment. She lets out a nervous little chuckle that's barely a breath.

"Thank you."

It's all she can think to say around the tightness in her throat.

But her fingertips do close around his hand more securely, and as she dips her head in embarrassment to hide her reddened face, she might move just a fraction closer to him.

Doc's a little embarrassed himself for being so forward.

"I...I shouldn't be so forward," he says softly, almost apologetic. "But I just can't..."

Can't help it. Can't keep quiet. She's absolutely radiant.

"I can't help but speak the truth," he murmurs quietly, ducking his head a little, but since he's taller all it does is put him a little bit closer to her.

There are some things he'll lie about, but this isn't one of them.

"No, don't apologize," she murmurs, and not realizing he's gotten a little closer she raises her head to look at him.

She's close enough she can smell his shaving soap--lime.

It's uncertain how long she might have stood there, quiet inches from his face, had not the fireworks started going off over the lake as the final vestiges of dusk melted into a dark blue night.

She backs up instinctually, peering over his shoulder at the brilliant lights.

At least the town isn't looking at them, for once.

Doc can hear the fireworks behind him, over the lake, but he doesn't turn his head to look at them.

Instead, he does something he would definitely think was a bit too forward in any other situation.

He turns his head ever so slightly and presses his lips against her cheek. It's a very brief kiss, but it is a kiss nonetheless. He doesn't linger -- he'd be stupid to linger -- but he does turn and stand beside her to look over the lake at the fireworks, his fingertips lightly brushing her hand in the process.

OOM: Green Lake, Fourth of July

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)