Paradise Falls (open)

[EroticLiteracy]

“A little bit” He admitted smoothing her hair before leaning in and giving her a soft kiss. He lingered the kiss and slid his tongue into her mouth sampling her before backing up. His eyes ran up and down her body for a second pleased and smiling as he watched the morning sun play with her hair.

“A guy could get used to this darling” He told her chuckling before gesturing at the fresh clothes he got from her bag and laid out for her.

“We can have some breakfast before we go back into town if you want” He said moving back into his small living room and then into the kitchen.
“Unless you need to back sooner rather than later” He called out.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….

“Okay…. Here we go”

To say Marston was nervous would be an understatement. His palms were sweaty and his heart was racing as he and his horse stood at the far end of the Campbell homestead. While he sat the farm hands worked helping with the day to day running of the Campbells admittedly bigger ranch. A few of the rach hands saw him and waved familiar with him as their bosses neighbor. He knew eventually they would come up to talk to him and see if he needed anything so with one final deep breath to gather his courage.

“Ha” He shouted nudging his horse forward. The beast took off kicking up dirt as he moved down the hill and towards the two-story ranch house in the center of the property. He reached the house in a matter of seconds and with a yank of his reigns slowed the black beast to a stop. He guided him towards the hitching post jumping off and landing on the tightly packed dirt as he tied his horse up.

Once he was sure shadow was secure he climbed up the wooden steps leading to the ranch. He raped his knuckles against the door and stepped back as he waited for the door to open.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle smiled at Andrew as he left the room, the taste of his kiss still lingering softly upon her lips as she stretched and rose from the bed. She had to admit, she could get used to this as well. She dressed herself in the clothes that he had so thoughtfully laid out for her that morning while she still slept and then went to join him in the other room.

"I can wait to go back until after we've had some breakfast," she told him.

She knew she'd been hesitant to leave the brothel for their date, but now that that she was here she found herself reluctant to end their time alone together and return.

--------------------------

Rose could barely contain her excitement as she sat in the parlor with her mother practicing her stitching as she waited for Marston to arrive. She did her best to sit demurely and focus on the floral pattern she was creating on the white linen handkerchief within her hands, but instead she found her foot tapping lightly with excess energy as her eyes kept wandering from the cloth and peeking over at the clock upon the mantel as it slowly ticked closer and closer to noon. Finally, she heard a rap upon the door.

"I've got it!" she announced, jumping up and discarding the needlework as she rushed out of the room.

"Rose! What on earth has gotten into you!" her mother scolded, but it barely registered as she hurried to the front door.

She paused for just a moment, taking a deep breath to settle herself and nervously smoothing a hand over her hair to make sure it was still in place before she reached for the doorknob and turned it, opening the door to reveal him standing there before her.

"Good morning, Marston," she greeted him.

She couldn't help but smile as she took him in, noting the nicer button down shirt he was wearing and his freshly shaven face.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

“Good” Andrew said smiling in pleasure when she said she could stay and have breakfast. He kissed her forehead running his hands down her back before straightening and taking a step back.

“Feel free to wash up before coming out” He said smiling at her before turning on his heel. He moved back into his small cabin going over to the kitchen and pulling out the things he needed from the cold box. He had a good friendship with one of the ranchers to the south of his property. The man was always willing to give him some fresh supplies in exchange for a conversation. He put those supplies to work now cooking her up a simple breakfast of bacon eggs and biscuits.

He was putting the finishing touches on breakfast when she finally came out of the bedroom.

“There you are” He said smiling “Come and sit my dear”

He pulled out a chair for her and waited for her to sit before scooting it in. He moved over to his own side pausing long enough to fix a plate for himself before sitting down across from her. He poured them both a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.

“Did you want to come back tonight?” He asked her casually as he dug into his food “Or are you staying at the brothel? I promised Charlie I would go out and see about those varmints he claims are stealing his crops but other than my schedule is pretty much free. I mean as long as those two idiot deputies I have didn’t burn the place down”
………………………………………………………..

The door flew open and there she was bright eyed and looking beautiful. He blinked and took her in noting that she seemed to have gotten gussied up like him for the occasion. He swallowed hard as he glanced back looking at the house and her mother who stood waiting.

“Good morning Ma’am” He said tipping his hat to her mother before regarding Rose “And you miss”

“It’s a pleasure to see you Mr. Jones” Her mother said smiling and placing her hands on her hip “Are you the reason why Rose has been acting peculiar?”

“You mean more so than normal?” He asked raising an eyebrow and coming in “I think I might have something to do with that. Course before we get down to that I do have a gift for you”

He brought out a bouquet of some of the wild flowers growing on his property and handed it to her. Her mother fawned over them bringing them to show her father before going to get them a vase.

“Go with her” He said nodding before stepping into the living room. He shod her away and then cleared his throat to speak to her father.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle smiled at Andrew as she watched him go to get breakfast prepared for the two of them before turning and making her way over to the water and toiletries he had gathered for her and placed in the bedroom that morning while she still slept. She took the time to wash up and then style her hair before joining him in the other room, the smile returning to her face in response to his warm greeting. She thanked him as he held the chair out for her and took her seat, fixing herself a plate.

She paused for a moment at his question about her coming back that night. Two nights in a row away from the brothel? She was about to tell him that she didn't think it was a good idea when she stopped herself. Evening was obviously when most of the brothel's business took place and she liked the peace of mind that being at the brothel to keep an eye on the girls and see to all of the business matters herself gave her, but she knew there was no need for her to actually be there in person in the evenings so long as she oversaw the necessary preparations during the day. She had others now that had worked there long enough that she could trust them to keep an eye on things for her while she was gone.

"Actually...I think I would like that very much," she replied with a smile, "I'll need to make sure that everything is in order for this evening, but after that I should be free as well."

--------------------

Rose could feel a blush forming in her cheeks at her mother's accusation of Marston being the reason for the change in her behavior. She couldn't help but smile a bit at his reply however as she closed the door behind him as he stepped into the house.

She watched as he presented her mother with the bouquet of wildflowers. She'd spotted him holding them as he'd walked in and thought they might have been for her, but realized now that giving them to her mother was a much wiser idea as she watched how her mother ooed and awed over the gift. She was tempted to try and eavesdrop when he stepped into the living room to speak with her father but relented when he shooed her away and went to join her mother in the kitchen. As curious as she was to hear what the two men night have to say to one another she could tell he was nervous and understood his want for privacy.

"Here Ma, let me go get you some water for those," she offered as she grabbed the pale and went to go fetch some water from the pump out back.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

When she answered he smiled at her clearly pleased at her answer.

“Sounds good to me” He said reaching out to take her hand he held it the entire time he ate chatting with her about the town and the upcoming preparations for the towns festival. Eventually the pair finished breakfast and with some reluctance the veteran gunslinger turned sheriff rose from the seat.

“Time to go back” Andrew said sighing softly at the thought. He reached out helping her up with one strong calloused hand. He laced their fingers together and after pausing to kiss her fingers led her outside and to the horses.

“If I may darling” He said pressing his free hand against the small of her back. With one strong firm push he brought her up helping her settle on the horse and get situated. Once she was all set he moved to his own horse climbing up with a grunt and sliding his boots into the stir ups.

“Ha!” He said nudging his spurs into the horse and sending it galloping down the dirt road. He looked back to make sure she was following him before continuing to move towards town.

……………………………………………………….
“Rose can you come in here?!”

Her father’s voice called out from the parlor beckoning her back in a mere thirty minutes later. Her mother looked up from her spot by the sink giving young Rose a questioning look as soap spuds fell off her hand like snow.

“Better get in there” She said shrugging “what in gods name did you do this time little miss?”

They were both waiting for her in the parlor Marston and her pa. The expression on her pa face was one of resignation and sadness.

“Give us a minute Mr. Marston” Her pa said with a nod of his head.

“Of course” He replied nodding his head. He came over to her pausing to give her hand a squeeze.

“See you in a minute” He said to her smiling and moving to the door. He pushed through it joining her mother in the kitchen as her pa gestured for her to sit.

“So Marston wants to marry you” He said leaning back and regarding her “Says you and him have talked about it and your agreeable to the whole thing. I have to say it kind of surprised me sweet heart. I thought you wanted to leave the town not become a rancher’s wife. Marston is a fine man and all but are you sure about this?”

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle could hear the sigh in Andrew's voice when he announced that it was time to go back, and to her surprise she found that she was just as reluctant to leave as he was. She did her best to remind herself that she would be coming back again with him that evening. In the meantime they both had work that needed seeing to.

She couldn't help but smile however when he laced his fingers and kissed her hand before walking with her out to the horses. The smile remained on her face as she felt his hand on the small of her back and she thanked him as he helped her up onto her mount. She watched as he mounted his own horse, laughing lightly when he suddenly spurred the horse into a gallop and went speeding down the dirt road.

"Ha!" she cried out, doing the same and speeding after him in the direction of the town.

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It may have only been half an hour since Marston had joined her father in the parlor, but to Rose it had felt like an eternity as she anxiously tried to keep herself busy in the kitchen helping her mother, all the while wondering what exactly the two men might be saying to one another. Though she wasn't too worried. Knowing how well her father thought of Marston she assumed he'd be pleased about him asking to court her.

At the sound of her father's voice she quickly set down the dish that she had been drying and hurried into the parlor, surprised by the sad look she saw on her father's face. Her excited expression turned to one of worry as he asked to speak with her alone for a minute. Had he told Marston no for some reason? No that couldn't be the case she realized as Marston came and gave her hand a squeeze and smiled at her, making a smile appear on her own face again in the process. He would surely be more upset if her father had told him no.

She moved over to her Pa and sat down next to him when he gestured for her to sit. She breathed a little sigh of relief and smiled slightly when she realized that her father's only reservations about the match seemed to be that marrying Marston may not be the kind of life that she actually wanted for herself.

"I'm sure Pa," she told him as the smile on her face grew, "I know I've always shied away from the idea of marriage and talked about wanting to leave the town, to find some kind of an adventure somewhere that I could be a part of. I've always been so afraid of some one trying to reign me in an tie me down."

She reached over and grasped her father's hand gently with her own.

"But Marston's not like that Pa, he loves me as I am, and I... well... I'm starting to think that loving him might be its own kind of adventure."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Andrew heard her shout behind him and he laughed in pleasure. Seconds later she rushed past him causing his laugh to deepen.

“A race huh” He said smiling at the thought. He dug his spurs in deeper and urged his horse on kicking up small dust clouds as he raced after her. He urged his horse forward leaning his body forward as they got closer and closer to town. Eventually they were neck and neck riding together in synch as they moved into the border of the town. A few men riding into town moved back as they rushed by shouting at them in anger.

Andrew pulled on the reigns of his horse bringing the massive beast to a slow trot. He circled the square turning towards the sheriff office as he regarded her.

“I’ll be seeing you a little later right?” He asked her ignoring the long looks some of the people in the square were giving them. Instead his eyes remained on her shinning with love and warmth that would surely get the ladies in the town talking. He didn’t make any move to kiss her but did nudge his horse closer to hers as they danced in the square.

…………………………………………………..

“Marriage certainly is an adventure” Her pa said looking somewhat more happy at the idea after her words.

“You’re a bright young lady” He told her his voice serious “wild like a horse and every bit the spirit of the west. It’s been my greatest pleasure to see you grow up. Marston is a good man and I don’t think there is anyone in this town who could match you better. Don’t ever let him put you in the side lines and don’t ever lose that fire and you will be fine”

He nodded at her and rose up. He came over kissing her hair and gesturing at the door.

“Go on and give Marston the good news” He said patting her shoulder “Your mother and I will speak later about the arrangements and let him know.”

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle had been momentarily distracted by the looks she noticed on the town people's faces after she and the sheriff had slowed their horses after suddenly barreling into the square together. Heaven only knew what they must be thinking. Her attention quickly returned to Andrew however when he spoke, asking her for confirmation again that she would be seeing him later that day. Thoughts of any onlookers disappeared as she noticed the look in his eyes as he regarded her, her heart swelling and a smile spreading across her full lips in response.

"Of course," she replied with a nod, her voice lowering as he moved his horse closer, "Just come and find me at the brothel once you're done with work for the day."

--------------------------

A bright smile appeared on Rose's face as her father patted her shoulder and officially gave his blessing for her and Marston to be married.

"Oh Pa!" she let out as she leaped up from her seat in happy excitement and wrapped her arms around him tightly in a warm hug.

"Don't worry Pa I won't, and thank you! I'll go and tell him right now!" she told him before giving him a parting kiss on the cheek and then hurrying back into the other room to find Marston.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"Sounds good darling" Andrew said a large smile crossing his weathered old features as he reached out and gently cupped her face. He held that position for a few seconds before turning his horse around and heading towards the sheriff office.

He spent the day reading reports of a murder five towns over and letting his deputies know what was happening. The word was that it was nothing more than one man who fancied himself a hard stone killer but Andrew wasnt as convinced. Large town murders were usually the result of a large gang. It wasnt entirely IMPOSSIBLE that it was only man but it was rare.

"Might need to ask the mayor for some more manpower" Andrew murmured leaning back and scratching at his rough salt and pepper five o clock shadow. He glanced up waving at one of the deputies to come over.

"Where is the mayor at today?" He asked rising up.

"visiting the brothel today Sheriff" The deputy said a wry smile on his face "he has his annual "meeting" with Lucy Lu"

"I see" Andrew said shaking his head "That fools going to get caught one day"

Andrew grabbed his coat and hat and moved to the door leaving after telling his two deputies to take stock of their armaments.

FIVE MINUTES LATER

The brothel was somewhat busy for mid afternoon. A small gang of what looked like traders were situated over in the poker room buying girls and drinks in excess. A few of the girls who knew him came over batting their eyelashes and asking what he was in for. He declined them all politely going over to the large ebony skinned man who worked as the second to the madam and the bouncer when needed.

"The mayor in?" Andrew asked leaning in to whisper.

"Yes" Tobias said chuckling "Upstairs with the darling Lucy. Why?"

"Need to talk to him when he is done" Andrew explained clapping the mans shoulder "let him know for me please?"

"Of course sheriff"

.......................

He was waiting with her mom chatting amongst each other about hte current crop projections and the light bit of trading the two farmsteads did together. He turned and caught her face grinning like an idiot and rushing to her just as her father called her mother in.

"Well now that makes sense" Her ma said passing by her and shaking her head "Congrats you two"

"Thank you Ma'am" He said to her beaming as he took her into his arms. He brought her closer in a big warm hug before finally letting her go.

"I never thought I would meet a woman that makes me as happy as you do" He told her entirely serious.

"Want to come back to my farm? If your going to be living on there might want to see what your marrying into" He said laughing as his heart soared.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle emerged from a short hallway that lead down to her office. She'd been taking care of some book work, but had come back out after she was done to keep an eye on things since the brothel was a little busier than usual that day. She'd taken the time upon her arrival back that morning to rearrange her hair after the frenzied ride into town with the him, but otherwise looked the same as when he'd last seen her. A smile spread across her face when she spotted Andrew, making her way over to join him.

"Good afternoon, Sheriff," she said, greeting him a little more formally since they were in mixed company, though her eyes shone with obvious pleasure at his presence.

"Are you already finished with your work for the day then?"

-------------------------

Her heart overjoyed after her father's blessing with the knowledge that soon she would be Marston's wife Rose smiled as he pulled her into his arms, her entire body growing warm from the embrace. Her heart swelled in response to his confession of how happy she made him and the sincerity in which he'd said it. She laughed along with him, nodding in response to his suggestion of her going with him to see his farm.

"You make it sound like there might be something out there that would scare me off," she replied with a teasing smile.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Andrew turned when he saw her coming up and a large smile broke over his weathered face. He tipped his hat at her making sure to stay professional even as some of the girls who werent taken lingered and giggled at them.

"Fraid not darling" He said draining his shot and nodding his head at the upstairs.

"Just waiting on the mayor to finish his meeting" He explained "Turns out a few of the towns are being attacked and I wanted to ask him for more manpower. It pays to be prepared instead of getting new blood and them not knowing how to take orders"

"We're still on for tonight?" He asked dropping his voice downlow and leaning in "Werent to much trouble while you were away was there?"

......................

"Well you and your family are the premiere farmers in the area" Marston remarked taking her hand and bringing her over to their horses.

"I'm just the city boy who thought he could make it as a rancher remember?" He said more than comfortable with the lie after having told people for so long. There was only one person in the town who knew his true backstory. The same person who hunted he and his brother before retiring himself. It was Landon himself that told him about the town and the ranch for sale.

He was lucky the sheriff believed in second chances.

"Come on darling" He said helping her up. He clambered onto his own horse and with a nudge of his spurs led the horse down the road to his farm.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle's eyes shifted knowingly towards the staircase for a moment when Andrew announced that he'd come searching for the mayor and was waiting for the other man to finish his usual "meeting" with one of her girls, Lucy. Her gaze quickly darted back to him though at the mention of other towns being attacked. Before she could say anything about it however he was leaning in towards her, asking her quietly about their plans for that night and making her smile slightly in spite of herself.

"No, no trouble," she assured him with a slight shake of her head, "Just the usual unruly drunk or two, but Tobias said he was able to handle it fine."

A look of worry came over her face as she added, "But with the other towns being attacked are you sure me coming tonight is still a good idea? How bad were the attacks? Should I look into getting extra security for the brothel?"

-------------------

Rose thanked Marston as he helped her mount her horse, a smile on her face as she watched him climb atop his own stallion and spur him forward. She followed suit, nudging her horse until it came up beside his.

"Well for being just a city boy you seem to be doing well enough as a rancher," she commented with another smile as she glanced over at him, "Pa says our homestead wasn't any bigger than yours when he and ma first got started. Everyone's got to start somewhere."

She turned her attention back to the road ahead, riding in comfortable silence with him for a little bit before speaking up again.

"Do you ever miss it, your life from before?" she asked him curiously, "Our little town must seem awfully quiet and dull in comparison to city life."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

He heard the worry in her voice and moved to touch her hand. He leaned in dropping his voice as his eyes looked behind her to see if anyone was listening.

“I’m not sure how bad the damage was” He admitted “A lot of the stuff sounds to crazy to be entirely true. There have been attacks yet but the extent of the damage isn’t clear. I’m just asking for more man power as a precaution.”

He saw a couple moving toward them and backed away before continuing. He did his best to respect her desire to keep their relationship quiet.

Even if he didn’t always agree with it.

“Its up to you about tonight and buying more protection” Andrew said shrugging “I would hate not seeing you tonight but I understand if you want to stay here and look over the property”

……………………………………………..

“Miss what?” Marston said a scowl on his face as he shook his head “the constant traveling? The hard riding?”

And that was only the things he could tell her about. He didn’t dare mention the running from the law or even the gun fighting lest he cause her to run away. No one but Andrew knew about his history and that was EXACTLY how he wanted to keep it.

“Trust me I couldn’t be happier with this life” He told her as his ranch came into view “And with you… I just hope this is enough for you darling. I know how smart you are. I know what your capable of. I don’t want you to regret this later in your life”

He couldn’t look at her so instead spurred his horse on faster and moved toward the boundary of his property. He pulled up on the reigns slowing himself to a stop on the road and sliding off of his horse.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Belle nodded slightly in understanding and cut her eyes sideways at the couple as they passed by herself and Andrew for a moment before returning her gaze to his. She was quite for a moment, thinking over what he had told her before she finally replied.

"Maybe I could just hire you on as my extra protection for tonight and then I can look into a more permanent solution in the morning?" she suggested, her voice soft so that only he could hear as she cut her eyes up at him hopefully.

It was the perfect solution in her eyes, killing two birds with one stone. They could still spend the evening together, and she would also feel better knowing that there was extra security on hand to protect the brothel just in case something should happen.

-------------------------

Rose frowned in response when Marston kept his gaze from her and then hurried ahead of her before he'd even given her a chance to respond to what he had said. Her brow furrowing she clicked her tongue at her mount and quickly followed after him, pulling up just a bit after he did.

"You sound like my father," she told him as she came to a stop, "You know, for two men who claim to think so highly of me neither of you seems to trust my own judgment about how I should live my life very well."

She easily dismounted her horse and strode over to him, all pretense of not being able to do so on her own gone now unlike the day before when she'd waited on him to help her down.

"Now you listen to me Marston Jones," she told him, her hands planting themselves on her hips as she looked up at him, "Don't you ever let me catch you implying that you aren't enough for me ever again, do you understand?"

Her expression softened slightly as she added, "I'll admit that in the past I've had my reservations about staying in Paradise Falls... but If there's one thing in this world that I know I could never regret in my life it's the way I feel about you."