Indulgence (159 page)

One afternoon, while Albert was repairing a lariat, Henry
began peppering him with questions.

“Albert,” Henry asked, “how come you and Anne are only
seeing each other? What about them other gals you were sweet on before she got
here?”

“Henry, I wasn’t sweet on any of those women, they were just
someone to pass the time with. I have no interest in anyone else but Anne.”

“Then does that mean if another fella asked Anne to go
somewhere with him, she’d turn him down?”

“Yes, I imagine so,” Albert responded. “What? What other man
is interested in asking Anne out?”

Henry shrugged and said, “Nobody I know, I was just
whatiffin’ with you.”

“Do Ben a favor, Henry,” Albert began, “tell him about Anne
and me. Then there will be no misunderstandings.”

“Albert, I wasn’t talking about Ben. I was just whatiffin’
with you,” Henry told him.

At his brother’s last remark, Albert went back to making his
repairs. That is until Ben joined them. “Hey, Albert,” Ben began, “I got a
question for you. I know you don’t like to talk about private things and such,
but remember that day when Anne was givin’ you all get out in the barn?”

Sighing, tired of hearing about being a Peeping Tom, Albert
answered, “Yes, Ben, I remember. Why?”

“I still can’t figure out why she was so mad about you
calling her a girl,” Ben said, shaking his head.

“That, Ben, is because Anne is a woman, and I mistakenly
referred to her as a girl,” Albert explained. It was enough for Albert to know
she did not like the term. He, for one, certainly wouldn’t call her that again.

After that day in the barn, Anne and Albert were
inseparable. They were openly affectionate with each other and did not care
what anyone thought. One evening, as Albert and Anne sat on the porch, looking
at a full moon, he leaned over and gently kissed her.

She gave him a curious look, to which he responded, “Because
I wanted to and because I told you, you need to be kissed a lot.”

Rising from her chair, she went and sat in his lap. Placing
her arms around his shoulders, she softly returned his kiss and said, “I love
your ideas.” His arms pulled her closer. As he kissed her, Henry and Ben walked
out onto the porch.

“Is that all you two do anymore?” Ben asked. “Every time I
see you two, you’re smooching. It’s kind of scary.”

“Why is it scary, Ben?” Albert laughed.

“It just isn’t natural for you to be acting that way. You
have never been that way with no other gal, ever,” Ben said.

Anne smiled at Albert then replied, “Good! It’s nice to know
I have no other competition.”

“You’ve never had any competition, Anne,” Albert told her,
pulling her back into his arms.

Not thinking, Henry added, “Why, I remember, when old Albert
used to be worse than Ben here. He had so many gals. . .” Henry never finished
his statement as Ben’s elbow found his ribs.

“Now why’d you go and do that, Ben?” Henry asked. Then,
after seeing the look on Albert’s face, added, “Sorry, Anne, I was just messin’
around.”

Anne rose from Albert’s lap and said, “That’s all right,
Henry. I really should be going in, if you all will excuse me.”

“Anne,” Albert said, taking her arm and leading her away
from the house.

“They aren’t going back to the barn to yell some more are
they?” Henry asked.

“And you say I don’t think before I run my mouth,” Ben said
walking away, shaking his head.

“Anne,” Albert said soothingly, “don’t pay any attention to
them. They’re just joking.” He led her to the far side of the courtyard, away
from the others, so they could talk.

She didn’t want to admit it, but Henry’s comments had
bothered her. She knew Albert had been with other women, but she didn’t want to
be told about it.

“I know you had a life before me, Albert, and I’m sure
you’re quite popular with the women in town,” she started.

“Anne, I haven’t seen anyone since the say you arrived.”

“Albert, really you don’t have to,” she started.

Albert pulled her to him and kissed her long and gently.
“Anne, hush. You know my heart, there is no one else, nor could there ever be.”

Plans were underway for a big celebration in Carson City the
following week to celebrate Independence Day. Albert and Anne planned to attend
along with the rest of the Stuart family, including George.

“It’s an all day event, Anne. There will be a rodeo with
bronco riding and calf roping, to name a few of the events. Throughout the day
there will also be field games, along with a picnic, followed that evening by a
dance. Not to mention the fireworks are spectacular,” Albert explained.

“It sounds like fun. Just promise me that you won’t do any
bronco riding,” she kidded him.

“Don’t worry, Anne, no more bronco riding for me, at least
not in front of you. Being embarrassed once was enough,” he laughed.

Anne slipped her hands around his neck, telling him, “Don’t
ever be embarrassed with me. There is no reason for you to be.”

On the fourth of July, the entire Stuart household was up
early and ready to go into town for the celebration. After breakfast, Albert
hitched up the carriage and loaded the picnic baskets George had prepared.

Arriving in town later than the rest of the family, Albert
found Ben had already secured a picnic table for the family. He and Anne
unloaded the baskets, putting them on the table and then made their way to the
heart of town. Thomas accompanied the young couple, explaining to Anne what
events Henry and Ben were to participate in at the rodeo.

“Albert promised me he wouldn’t enter any events this year,”
Anne told the elder Stuart. “I don’t want him to run the risk of being hurt.”

“You really shouldn’t worry about Albert, my dear,” Thomas
told her. “He’s participated in this rodeo for the last four years and come
away with nary a scratch.”

After lunch, Albert and Anne walked through the town, with
Albert introducing her to local townspeople.

“Albert,” she asked. “Who is that man staring at us?”

“What man, Anne?”

“The man over by the saloon, leaning against the building,”
she replied.

Looking to see whom she was referring to, Albert told her,
“That’s Joe Young. He use to work for us, but we fired him for stealing
cattle.”

He’s staring at me as though he’s seen me without my
clothes on,
Anne thought.

“Just stay away from him, Anne, and don’t ever come into
town alone. It really isn’t safe,” Albert told her.

“Albert, I’m not afraid to go into any town alone. I did it
for years back east and in England,” she reminded him.

“Anne, you don’t have to go anywhere alone anymore. I’ve
told you, if you need to come into town, I will bring you,” he said.

“Albert, I don’t understand.”

“This is the one matter where I know what’s best and won’t
change my mind about. It’s not safe in town for any woman alone. I would prefer
that you honor my request and wait until I can accompany you.”

“All right, Albert. I’ll do as you say, for now,” she
replied.

“Anne, I’m serious, it’s simply not safe. Not with the likes
of Joe Young lurking around town.”

After spending the afternoon watching Ben and Henry in their
rodeo events, Anne and Albert proceeded to the dance. Arriving there, a number
of people warmly greeted Albert as he introduced her to his friends. He
immediately saw the looks of disappointment on the faces of the other women
when he walked in with her.

As the music floated on the warm evening air, Albert took
her hand in his as he led her onto the dance floor. Taking her into his arms,
he was rewarded with the gentle scent of her perfume. With her nestled in his
arms, they moved around the dance floor talking quietly, oblivious to anyone
else around them.

When the musicians took a break, he asked her if she would
like some refreshments.

“Yes, thank you. Punch would be nice.”

Getting their drinks and returning to the dance, he had the
opportunity to observe her. As he watched her with his brothers, he smiled as
she began laughing with the two men. A feeling of contentment swept through him
as he watched her.

She took Henry’s arm when the music began, as he led her
onto the dance floor. Ben explained to Albert when he returned, “Henry asked
Anne to dance until you got back.”

“I guess I’m going to have to keep an eye on you two around
her,” he observed.

Ben, surprised by Albert’s remark, turned to look at him and
said, “Albert, I’ve never known you to care if we took an interest in any other
women you were seeing.”

“This one is different, little brother, this one is
definitely different,” Albert replied.

As the final chords of the song ended, Henry returned her to
Albert. Accepting her punch from him, her hand softly grazed his. Smiling at
him before sipping it, she listened to Ben, criticizing Henry’s dancing.

“Don’t you listen to him, Henry. I’ve never danced with a
man lighter on his feet than you,” she told him.

“Well, thank you Anne,” Henry said, blushing all the way to
his toes.

She is so thoughtful of other’s feelings,
Albert
thought.
I have never known a woman like her.

After finishing their drinks, the musicians took a break.
Albert asked her if she would like to step outside for some fresh air.

“That would be wonderful,” she replied, taking his hand.

As they walked outside, Albert’s arm slipped around her
waist as he asked, “Are you enjoying yourself, Anne?”

“I’m having a wonderful time, Albert. Thank you for inviting
me.” Pausing she looked into his eyes as a feeling of exhilaration swept
through her. “It’s so beautiful out here tonight; will you just look at the
moon?”

He put his arms around her waist. Drawing her to him, he
started to kiss her, as Ben burst out the door calling to them, “Albert, Anne,
come on, the music is starting.”

“I definitely have to talk to that young man about his
timing,” Albert said, smiling at her. Disappointed he had missed the
opportunity to savor those soft lips, he led her back inside.

Ben met them intending to ask Anne to dance, but Albert told
his brother, “Her dance card is full, Ben.” Taking her securely into his arms,
he looked deeply into her eyes as they glided across the floor.

All too soon, the evening was over. As he led her off the
dance floor, she whispered to Albert, “I wish this evening would never end.”

“I’ll get your wrap, Anne,” Albert told her, smiling.

Returning shortly, he placed it around her shoulders, his
fingers lingering on the softness of her skin. Placing his arm around her, he
led her to their carriage. As he helped her in, he realized that he, too,
wished the evening would go on forever.

After leaving the dance, during the ride back to Sky Valley,
they made a date to go riding the next day. He wanted to show her a very
special place.

The next morning, following breakfast, they headed out. He
was again amazed to see how well she handled a horse. She was quite comfortable
in the saddle as they talked as they rode. “Your father is right; you are quite
adept at riding,” he told her.

“Thank you. I’ve been on a horse since before I could walk.
My grandfather had me riding before I was two.”

Before long, they arrived at the place Albert wanted to
share with her, a place special to him. An area located on Lake Tahoe that
afforded a panoramic view of not only the lake, but the Sierra Mountains behind
it.

Overwhelmed by the beauty before her, Anne was speechless
for a moment then told him, “Albert, it’s beautiful! This is the most beautiful
place I have ever seen. You’re so fortunate to possess this; you can come here
whenever you wish just to enjoy the beauty of it.”

Taking his hands in hers, she remarked, “I wish I could stay
here forever. I love it here.”

“I believe we could arrange that,” he said as he took her in
his arms, kissing her.

Responding to the kiss, Anne put her slender arms around his
neck, kissing him back with more ardor. When they parted, she smiled at him
saying, “That was nice.”

Looking into her eyes, he told her, “I’ve never known anyone
like you, Anne. You enjoy life so much; those around you can’t help but feel
the same. You’re so very different from any woman I’ve ever known,” Albert
pointed out, surprising himself with his openness.

Taking his hands, entwining her fingers in his, she said,
“I’ve never met a man like you either, Albert. You’re strong in so many ways,
yet gentle and kind, even though you try to hide it. I’ve never had a man make
me feel the way you do.”

Albert thought,
Anne is such an enigma. One moment so
outspoken, the only woman who ever yelled at me and got away with it, and the
next, soft and gentle. She already knows more about me in the short period of
time she has been her, than people I have known for years.

As they stood by the lake, Albert placed his arm around her
and said, “I’ve never shared this place with anyone until you, Anne. It will
always be ours.”

“Albert, I thought you were leaving for New York?”

Knowing he had all but forgotten those plans. Taking his
hand, she led him to a blanket she had put on the ground as they sat, side by
side.

“I don’t believe New York holds the same interest for me as
it once did. You’re here now; I know I could be content staying right here with
you,” Albert told her as he reclined on one arm, his long legs stretched out
before him.

They spoke of many things, asking and answering questions
about each other and their lives. Both of them confided a number of personal
details about their lives that they had never shared with anyone else.

“Albert,” she began, “tell me the truth, what was your first
impression of me? I’m curious.”