ikissdhimbck | OOM: Green Lake, Fourth of July

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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.

.

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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.

Katherine's heart skips a beat.

Her body is warm even after he moves away to stand at her side. The butterflies in her stomach are now moving so fast they've created a small typhoon, and she places a heavy hand over her tummy in an attempt to quell the sensation.

She can still feel his lips on her skin, and she needs no mirror to know her cheeks are scarlet.

Somewhere she finds the presence of mind to start breathing again. She glances out into the crowd to see if anyone had been watching them, but all eyes are turned toward the fireworks display.

So she turns to Doc, hazy eyes looking up at his face through heavy eyelashes. She isn't sure what to say, so she doesn't say anything.

But when his fingertips brush her hand, she stretches her own fingers out in response, to touch him right back.

There's nothing really to say.

So he doesn't say anything, just lets his fingertips brush lightly against hers while the fireworks explode over the lake. His heart is somewhere up against his ribs, caught high in his throat.

He catches glimpse of some of the children peering up skywards, eyes wide and lit by the colors.

But he can't hide the content little smile on his face. It's almost a smirk. Almost.

On Katherine's face is a smile to match it. Her heart is still pounding in her chest, but she feels oddly calm with Doc at her shoulder.

They can't stay like that forever, though, and before long the town is moving about through the square again, dancing and talking and, of course, keeping their noses in everybody else's business.

Doc is a perfect gentleman the rest of the night, willing to give his undivided attention to anyone who approaches. But he doesn't wander too far from Katherine's side.

They part ways in the square, not wanting to cause any undue attention. People are already talking; better them to see Doc leave with the Hawthorn's and Katherine head on home by herself, than see the four--chaperones with the two lovebirds--together.

But tomorrow is a new day. Katherine is excited to have Doc in her classroom.

With her.

And her children.

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OOM: Green Lake, Fourth of July

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