A Royal Ryde

A/N Hello all you lovely readers! If you're looking for a neat sci fi story you should check out Purge The Stars! By BlackbirdsTudios. It's very sci fi but really neat, I liked it. The descriptions are amazing. So if you have a few minutes check it out! And now on to chapter one! Enjoy!! ??

Prologue

Slowly, very slowly, the black leather chair swiveled to face the large man standing opposite the desk. The man, normally bulky and menacing to most seemed to shrink several inches at the glare the man sitting in the chair leveled on him. His adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. It was sheer fear that kept him rooted to his spot. Fear of the powerful and lethal man who even now regarded him with cool, practiced eyes.

Dom knew what the man in the chair was doing. How many times had he watched his companion eye business associates. He was baiting him. He was purposely waiting, keeping him in suspense. The man in the chair would not speak until he was sure his opponent was cowed, frightened beyond reason. Until his opponent was almost insane with the desire to please him, the man in the chair would continue his silent torture. Even being familiar with the man's tactics, Dom couldn't help but feel fear. He knew this meeting would be different then most.

Dom had failed his companion. Sent out for a simple purpose and trophy, Dom returned empty handed. The man sitting in the chair was rich, powerful, privledged. He always got what he wanted. One way or another. This time, Dom feared, it would be another.

Dom had been working for his companion for twenty-two years. Since his companion had been a lad, Dom had been around. At first he had been a playmate and constant companion to the boy, in later years he had grown to be trusted confidant and friend. Now in most recent times, he was considered a persuading companion. Dom was the henchman so to speak. He carried out his companions orders without question and dealt with annoying people who bothered his master.

Never for a moment did Dom allow his long-time relationship with the man to cloud his thinking. He knew the truth. The man in the chair, Drake A. Ridry, was a very dangerous man with no outstanding qualities. Of all the qualities he lacked the most of was loyalty. Drake A. Ridry was loyal only unto himself. Nobody, nobody would stand in his way. Of this, Dom knew for certain. His recent assignment was proof enough of that.

Dom stood still under the cool gaze and did his best not to look inpatient or frightened. If his companion sensed any such emotions he would feel his kill and strike. The minutes continued to pass. The only sound in the room was the soft ticking of the clock on the mantle.

Finally, a pale hand extended. "Have a seat, Dominic." The carefully modulated voice pronounced each word with startling precision.

Dom stepped forward but did not sit. If he had any hope to live he must convince his companion of his worth. He must meet him head on. The little rat could sense fear and he played on it. Dom was a big man and he must play on that. Play on that and feel no fear. "I prefer to stand." He growled.

Dom flicked his hand toward the window. "Your brother is more conniving then you planned." He snorted and threw back his shoulders, trying for a confidence that he didn't really feel. "The road that-"

"I do not care about the road or my brother's mind set." Drake Ridry leaned forward in his chair, his long thin fingers were steepled in front of his chest. "What were your orders, Dominic?"

"You know as well as I." Dom hissed.

"For the walls sake, repeat them."

Dom barely held back the annoyed sigh. He was tired of his employers games and thrills. Tired of the man's evil desires. " I am to murder Stefon J. Ridry."

"Now, now Dominic." Drake clucked in disapproval. "Let's not call it murder. That sounds much too valgur."

"Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't. But let's not pussyfoot around, Mr. Ridry. We'll call things as they are." Dom's mind began to slowly count as his temper began to rise.

Suddenly, the chair flew back into the wall as the Drake jumped from the chair. He almost flew across the desk at Dom. Instead eyes flashing he pounded his fist on the desk. "We will call it what I want!" He shouted, an enraged pound accompanied each word.

Dom said not a word as he gazed with contempt at the man before him. "Murder is murder, Mr. Ridry. You wanted your inheritance, good-bye daddy. Now your older brother stands in your way. Good-bye brother. Is there nothing you will stop at?"

Drake Ridry's eyes narrowed to slits. He straightened to his full height and regarded Dom for a full minute before he spoke. "It is more then an inheritance. Much more. And I will not stop until I achieve my every goal." His head slowly tilted as he appraised Dominic. "On way or another."

CHAPTER ONE

Bliss Starett leaned closer to the inside wall of the stage coach and away from the sleeping drunk who kept taking more and more of her space. She turned her face away from the coach's occupant's and thus away from the oder emanating from the man's open mouth. Surely she didn't have much longer to be on the coach.

Though the day proved to be beautiful and mild compared to some summer days in Colorado, it also made it difficult to view such beauty from the inside of a stuffy overcrowded stage coach.

Bliss longed to jump from the coach and run in the wide open Colorado land. She would run until her legs refused to move, then she would lay in the tall grass and gaze at the blue skies until they turned black with night. The stars would come out then; beautiful twinkling diamonds adorning the velvet black firmament. Bliss sighed wistfully. Not much longer and she would be free of the coach.

'I need to do something, something to take my mind off of my aching backside and my traveling companions.' She thought.

The plump woman sitting across from Bliss snorted in her sleep. Wrinkling her nose in distaste, Bliss couldn't help but associate the sound with that of a hog. Tilting her head, Bliss studied the woman with renewed interest. Yes, she decided, the woman could be related to the hog family. If only she wasn't wearing that outlandishly pink dress. On a stage coach west, no less!

'Stop!' Bliss ordered her mind. ' You cannot be unkind to the poor lady. Who knows the life she has been put upon to live. Find something to do.' Shifting to gain a bit more elbow room, Bliss opened her journal, licked the tip of her pencil and prepared to write.

Dear Mama, This is my last day on the stage coach. I know it is difficult to read my writing but I had to find some way to occupy my fidgety hands. I cannot wait until my feet are on solid ground. I know Aunt Mary Belle is eager to see me. Her reply to my letter was very enthusiastic, to say the least. I know she loves her freedom and living out here but I believe she is lonely. It cannot be easy to have your mate of forty-seven years suddenly gone. I hope my visit is just what she needs to get back on her feet again, literally.

I still cannot fathom Aunt Mary Belle having a riding accident. She was always so confidant on her mounts. I know if you were here Mama you would be scolding Auntie for such an un-ladylike display. Even though a part of my mind recognizes your words of rebuke I can't help but to side with Auntie Belle. Out here in the wild (I know wild is a strong word to use, Mama. But this is such uncivilized territory compared to home.) the rules are different for ladies. Everything seems to be geared more towards survival rather then propriety. To be honest I cannot disagree, I would rather be alive then proper any day! Oh, I'm sorry, Mama. I shouldn't have said that. I didn't mean it like that, truly I didn't. But it is very important to survive out here. So many things with which to endanger ones life. Take stage coaches for instance. I'm only teasing about the stage coach; though right now my body is wondering whether it will ever want to sit again.

I suppose I never truly realized just how far away Aunt Belle lived until I decided to cover the distance by stagecoach. If I feel this way just imagine how the poor horses feel. True, they do switch teams several times but even so, how would you feel after running so many miles to Colorado?

All survival conduct aside, Colorado is a beautiful land. It is simply stunning, Mama. The skies are a shade of blue that I have never seen before. The word blue doesn't even begin to describe their depth and potency. Cerulean to Lazuline. Mama, the combination is breath-taking; I know you would love to make a quilt with the skies colors and patterns. Oh, if only the sky could be contained in such a quilt to have with me always! It is simply impossible to have a bad day with the sky and grass as beautiful as it is. Unless you get scalped by Indians. I shouldn't have teased in that way, Mama. I'm sorry.

I haven't see or heard of Indians yet but I have been told that they do live in the area. While I think it would be very interesting and wonderful to meet with some Indians, I don't think that will be something that I will be trying anytime soon. To put it bluntly, I like my hair on top or my head although a gentleman at the last station informed me that not all Indians are as bad as all that. I suppose it's the case of the tale growing an extra leg everything it's told. Who can know what is true concerning Indians? I suppose it all depends on who you talk to. Even so, if I have to meet up with Indians I can only hope to get on their good side and not anger them into doing any of the things that I have heard they do when riled. Auntie Belle has most likely found a successful- and knowing her- unique way to keep the Indians at bay. I'm sure if I ask her she will teach me all that I need to know to protect myself in this wonderful but frightening wild land.

In a way I almost wish I would have permitted Cullen to accompany me. He was quite upset when I persisted in going alone. To be honest, I am surprised he backed down and allowed me to journey all this way without him to look out for me and keep me safe. I love Cullen, really I do. But I worry that he is so busy playing papa and mama to me that he is missing his life. I am plenty old enough to look out for myself; and I told him so. But now, being in this breath-taking and scary land I want somebody to share it with. I want somebody to be able to see it and gasp and wonder about it with me.

It is so hard to capture something like scenery with only words. And even harder to put it down on paper for someone who will never read it or know of it.

Your faithful daughter, Bliss

Bliss closed her journal and leaned her head against the side of the coach. Closing her eyes and relaxing her mind, Bliss tried to convince her tired, aching body to rest. A jab in the ribs quickly disturbed her attempted slumber. Straightening quickly into a ladylike stance she turned to he offender. "Ma'am?" She inquired, carefully keeping her voice polite though the lady's action had been anything but.

"Look there!" The woman ordered. "Out the window, we have arrived at long last!"

Bliss quickly turned, directing her gaze out the window. Sure as the lady had spoken, just out the window rested Bliss' destination. Pollor Hills, Colorado. Bliss leaned towards the window, resting her hands on it edge she gained a better look of the town.

Though in most respects it was a small, unconventional town it also had all the charms that a city would never possess. A smile curved Bliss' lips as she watched several school boys playing baseball near the schoolhouse. School girls stood on the sidelines cheering the boys on as a particularly dusty red-haired boy 'slid' to home base. Home base being one of the children's lunch pail.

Bliss turned away from the school house and watched as the blacksmith pounded on some sort of metal. She could feel the horse's slowing, could hear the commands. Then the coach stopped directly in front of Pollor Hills telegraph office. A man in a crisply pressed shirt and black trousers exited the building. His pocket watch was in hand as he greeted the stage coach driver. "Hello. Need a hand?"

"Nah. Just step back. I gotta get to Misty Vagues before sundown." The driver climbed to the roof of the coach and proceeded to untie the luggage.

The telegraph operator instead opened the coach's door. He stuck his head in. "Is anybody here bound for Pollor Hills?" He asked gazing at the dusty group occupying the coaches insides.

"I am!" The plump woman dressed in the scandalously pink dress declared. "Be a gentleman and help me down, alright laddie?"

The telegraph operator quickly offered his arm. "A privlege, ma'am."

Wrapping her fingers around his rather skinny arm, Miss Pink Dress descended from the carriage and gasped. "Oh my! Quick! My salts, I think I'm going to faint!"

The operator attempted to brace her up as she leaned heavily on him. "Wha- What seems- seems to be the problem, ma'am?" The operator grunted.

"It's dreadful! Simply scandalous!" Miss Pink Dress whimpered in a wounded puppy fashion.

"What is?" Bliss asked as she descended the coach unassisted. She looked around the town, looking for something amiss. Everything seemed to be in proper order for a town with a nature such as this. The shierff sat in a chair outside the jail, his chair tipped back on two legs, his boots propped on the upright beam before him. Horses tied to the rail outside the Doggone saloon. Faint music drifted out the doors. Woman with packages were exiting the mercantile. No, nothing seemed to be wrong.

" What is so dreadful?" Bliss repeated, entirely unable to discover what this thing might be.

"The dust." Miss Pink Dress groaned. "So much dust! It's an utter horror!"

Bliss quickly glanced at the lady to be sure that she was in earnest. "Surely you are jesting. This is the west, ma'am. It is well known to be dusty!" Bliss wanted so badly to laugh, laugh long and loud in a most un- ladylike fashion. To imagine this woman was upset over the dust. Dust! Hadn't Miss Pink Dress noticed it getting dustier and dustier as the journey via stage coach continued. The passengers themselves were coated in a fine layer of dust. Bliss' blue traveling dress was no longer as blue as it had been. The layer of dust covering it muted the color. Realizing they weren't about to receive any assistance, the other passengers exited the coach, seeming to find their surroundings satisfactory.

Bliss decided to ignore the lady and her uncalled for drama. Hurrying over to the luggage the driver had tossed down, she quickly picked out her carpet bag and hat box. Picking both up she hurried away from the coach and in search of her aunt's house.

Bliss stood gazing at the small white house before her. Her Aunt's house. This is where her beloved Auntie Belle had lived for so much of Bliss' childhood. It was charming. Bliss' mouth turned up in pure delight. The house was simply alluring. Once painted white it was now rather faded now, though it retained a lost sort of beauty that was often forgotten in the world. Blue moon wisteria covered the front and side of the house. Hanging down in beautiful, sweet smelling blossoms, the house looked like the proper home of a flower princess in a little girl's fantasy. Swept away in a magical world where all was right, Bliss at once fell in love with the little fairy-tale house.

" The only thing this house needs is a white fence and a pie cooling in the window." She murmured to herself as she stepped up the three steps that led to the wide front porch. Pausing at the door to inhale the sweet blossoms she turned to view the town from her flowery point of view. The town itself was exactly what you would expect from a small western town. It had everything needed to survive. But it still contained the wild quality that she had wrote her mother about. Maybe it was the dust that made it seem so untamed. Stifling a giggle, Bliss tested the door handle. It turned easily, so she wiped her boots carefully on the mat and then entered.

"I hear 'ya!" A female voice called from somewhere in the back of the house. "You best show yourself before I get my gun!"

Bliss grinned at her Aunt's threatening words even for being confined to her bed. Still, she didn't wish to frighten her dear aunt (if such a thing were possible), so Bliss called to her Aunt as she followed the direction her Aunt's voice had come from. "It's just me, Auntie dear. I know Doc said you are to stay in bed, so I let myself in." Bliss rapped softly on the closed bedroom door. "May I come in, Aunt Belle?"

"Child! Oh, child, your here! Course! Come on in. Come see your old bed-ridden aunt."

Bliss pushed open the door and entered her Auntie's room. "Aunt Belle, don't you even think of yourself as old. And you won't be bed-ridden forever." She walked over to her Aunt's bed and bent, placing a quick kiss on the sweet lady's check. Bliss knelt beside the bed so she could see her Aunt's face more easily. "I've missed you, Aunt Belle." She whispered, tears of loss gathering in her eyes as she looked at her mother's oldest sister.

Aunt Belle was one of the few who had eternal beauty. Her hair was a beautiful, a soft clean white. Bliss knew her Aunt's hair had once been auburn, like her mother's but time and experience had changed it to match the color of just fallen snow. Her brown eyes still sparkled and snapped with the same excitement and vigor that she had always had toward life. Her cheeks were still rosy, indicating good health despite her recent mishap with her horse. She wore a white nightgown tied at the neck with a small blue ribbon. "Now, now dear. Let's not have tears. Come, let your Auntie hold you for a bit. You can draw from my strength." Belle drew her niece into her arms holding her as the girl wept softly on her shoulder. Despite her words, the elderly lady let the girl cry. The poor child had been through so much the last few years. She knew that it hadn't been easy for her. The poor dear. "Now then." Her aunt said. "Tell me how Cullen is. Has he been behaving?"

Bliss drew away from her aunt wiping a few tears away with her hand. "He hasn't had time for misbehaving, Auntie. He's much to busy trying to raise me."

"Oh, fiddlesticks!" Her aunt declared. "You look plenty 'raised' to me. Just look at you girl! Pretty as a picture, you are! And full grown too. Cullen needs to get on with his own life now, he's gotta start seein' to his own dreams."

"I know. That's why I refused to let him come with me." Bliss sighed, thinking of the morning Cullen had seen her off. "He let me go, but he was not pleased."

Aunt Belle's eyes twinkled merrily. "I get the feeling that you have a stubborn streak a country mile when you have a mind to." She chuckled.

Bliss' solemn expression broke into a soft smile. "I do, Auntie. I know it's awful and I try to control it but when I make my mind up about something I get it."

"I'm surprised he didn't hire you an escort."

"He tried to."

Bliss said nothing more and Belle had the idea that she didn't want to discuss 'that' matter.

"How has business been since you fell off your horse."

Aunt Belle sat up straight. "Let's get one thing straight, young lady." She scolded shaking her finger at Bliss. " I did not 'fall' off my horse. I have never 'fallen' off a horse. He threw me."

Bliss giggled. "Is there a difference?" She teased.

"Sure! Spend some time on a horse and you'll learn. 'Falling' is cause you did something wrong. Now if a horse throws you it is his fault not yours."

"I see." Bliss managed around her giggles. Aunt Belle was just the same as always. Fiery to a fault and just as entertaining.

Belle settled back on her pillows. "You just go get yourself settled in and eat a bit if you have a mind to. Come back to me when you're finished and we'll take business and life."

Bliss nodded and rose gracefully from beside the bed. "Did you want anything?"

"I'm fine 'til supper. Don't believe in eating between meals, never did. So don't get in habit of snackin' cause I'll break 'ya of it fore too long. Now run off. I'll just do some knittin' and pretend you're not eating between dinner and supper."

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

Bliss opened the door next to her aunt's room. It was decorated in soft pinks and yellows, with a window that overlooked the road leading to a mountain in the distance.

Bliss lost herself in the beauty that awaited her out her window. "Great Jehoshaphat! I've got a mountain outside my window." Great adventurer that she was, Bliss was already imagining what it would be like to climb that beautiful creation of God's.

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

Aunt Mary Belle sat in her bed wearing a smile like a cat that just stole the cream. Bliss was perfect. So young and pretty. Enthusiasm for life and people fairly floated about her like fairy dust. It lit up everything she said and did.

"She's perfect." Belle whispered to the empty room. "It'll take some doin' but that girl is gonna be a savin' grace." Sitting in her bed, Mary Belle felt very proud of herself. This accident couldn't have come at a better time!

Bliss smiled when she saw her aunt's tidy, practical kitchen. It resembled her aunt's personality to a tee. From the polished wood floors to the soft orange curtains gracing the windows."Orange curtains." She shook her head with a smile. Her dear aunt, mostly a regular sweet lady, had a small wild side that she wasn't ashamed to show. She had spunk. Bliss admired her aunt greatly. To come out west and start over without anybodys help or support. It took spunk, something her dear aunt had always had plenty of. Going to the indoor pump she filled a glass full of refreshing water.

Truth be told, she was weary. Weary of the boring life she had led back home. She looked everything like her dear mother but Bliss had her Aunt Belle's heart. She longed for everyday life to be an endless quest of adventure. No, she wasn't the type to case after the gold rumored of in California. That was not the adventure she yearned for. She wanted to live each day to the fullest. She needed to know each morning that she was alive! Bliss' favorite quote was from Mark Twain. She quoted it often, determined to live it every minute she was alive. '"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.'

"Sail away from the safe harbor." She whispered fervently to the orange curtained window. "Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover!" Closing her eyes to the sun coming through the window, Bliss thrilled at the feel of the light on her face.

Eyes shining with the light of life, Bliss decided that she needed a good adventurous walk more then she needed a snack and a nap. Putting her glass of water on the counter beside the pump, Bliss hurried outside. It was a beautiful day. Surely nothing could ruin such a day like this! Gathering her skirt, Bliss hurried down the porch stairs and onto the dusty sidewalk. "Flowers." She said catching sight of the beautiful blossoms gracing her auntie's gardening beds. "Auntie's kitchen is missing flowers!"

She skipped over to her aunt's flower beds and began selecting the most beautiful blossoms. Humming a sweet tune she gathered as many flowers as her dainty hands could hold. Aunt Belle would surely be cheered to have some flowers in her room as well. Bliss rose up with her handful of flowers and surveyed the town. This was a perfect place to settle. A place that showed nature's beauty freely. A place where Bliss could feel perfectly happy. A place where she was free to dream to the imaginations limit. A place where she could pursue her dreams. This small western town represented all of those things to the young hopeful Bliss.And she wouldn't let life let her down. Her future held great things just waiting to be uncovered by time. She would find her future here, she was sure of it.

"Auntie, don't you worry one bit!" Bliss smiled at her beloved aunt. "Mama taught me how to be a good seamstress. I don't mean to sound boastful, Auntie dear, but I do have excellent skills with a needle. Besides, " she cheerfully added, "most your customers are men anyways, as long as their shirts don't fall off they won't know if they were beautifully sewn or not!"

Aunt Belle attempted a scowl at her cheerful niece. "Bliss, this is my livlihood! I ain't have'n it fall to the wayside-"

"Exactly, Auntie." Bliss interrupted, " And that's why I'm here." Leaning down, she pressed a soft kiss to her aunt's cheek. "Set your worries at ease, Dear. I won't do your business harm. But the shop has been closed for almost a week. It's time someone start sewing for the folks in this town again. Besides, that is why I came out here."

Aunt Belle smiled at her niece. "At least bring me some sew'n so I can help ya."

"Nonsense!" Bliss declared. "You are recuperating! You must do things you enjoy, not work. Ah!" She held up a hand to halt her aunt's protest. "You will most likely not get another chance to have such relaxation without work. Take it while you can! Auntie, I won't hear of you doing

Otherwise!"

"You are a bossy thing, young lady!"

Bliss giggled, knowing that she had won this argument for the time being. "I am."

Aunt Belle scowled at her. "Fine." She admitted with little grace. " I will rest, but only for two days. Then, my dear niece, I'm gettin' up and help you work and there ain't a thing ya can do about it!"

Bliss smiled at her aunt. Always the fighter even when she was down. Bliss had won this argument and she had lived with an over-protective brother long enough to know that you had to pick your battles... and the time you wished to wage them. "Auntie dear, we will discuss that in two days. In the meantime, I am late for opening." Bliss moved to the bedroom door. "I will see you at lunch, dearest. Now relax!" Turning, she gracefully exited her aunt's bedroom.

"You are the one who should be relaxin'!" Her aunt called after her.

Bliss hurried down the stairs and out the front door. For a few seconds, she stood on the porch gazing at the small town. Her future may be here, but right now, she needed to focus on the present. And men's shirts. Hurrying down the stone walk, Bliss walked the short distance to her aunt's shop.

"Sir, please hold still!" Bliss was growing more then a little irritated with the small, slender man. "If you keep moving my measurements will be wrong and the shirt won't fit properly!"

" Ain't used to a purty female taken my numbers, Miss." The small man mumbled. " 'Sides, I got an itch and yer jest taken' to much time."

Bliss sighed and chewed her bottom lip as she watched the man fidget. This was impossible! Sewing a dress and doing embroidery was one thing. This was pure torture! How could her aunt do this everyday? Bliss was sure if she had to spend ten more minutes with the man she would say no to the shirt and he could go along without it. Wouldn't that be a sight? One shirt-less man. Of course, folks may not think much of it in the fine weather. But the weather didn't stay this warm all year 'round. "Will you give me just one minute of complete stillness? Then I promise you can go."

The man reluctantly nodded. "Hurry it up. Cain't waste too much time on a dumb ol' shirt."

And that was the only customer Bliss had all day. Oh, many folks came into the shop, but only to ogle Mary Belle's 'city' niece. After several long, tiring hours, Bliss walked back to her auntie's house to prepare the noon meal. This adventure wasn't turning out as she expected it.

A/N- THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT MY STORY! IF YOU LIKED IT PLEASE VOTE!

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HAVE A GREAT DAY<

Bliss opened her bedroom window and got back into bed. It was too warm to be covered up so she lay on top of the blankets wishing a breeze would come through the window. Her mama would be horrified if she knew that her daughter was letting night air into her room, but Bliss was so miserable that she just didn't care.

One week. Bliss had been in this adorable little town for one week. In that time, Bliss had worked hard for her Auntie. She cleaned the house, prepared the meals, and did the wash. Every day she went to her Auntie's seamstress shop and sewed, measured, and repaired. She was earning herself quite a reputation of being a fast and reliable seamstress. That was all that mattered to these fellows. Secretly, Bliss wished she had a real challenge, a ladies fancy dress perhaps. Or maybe a daintily embroidered table cloth for a new bride.

Bliss was tired of lying in bed trying to sleep. Tonight, her mind ran wild. During the short time that she had been in town, she hadn't really made any friends. Really, the only females in town were married with family's. Or little girls who spent their time helping their mothers or in school.

Impatient for the sleep that wouldn't come, Bliss retrieved her journal from the small shelf above her bed. Licking the tip of her pencil she began another entry to her dear mother.

'Dear Mama.

I wish you were here with me. I miss you so much, Mama. Today while I was pulling the weeds in the garden, I stopped and looked up at my mountain ( that's the mountain I see from my window, Mama). I sat there completely forgetting my task and just looked at my mountain and wondering what stories it had to tell. That beautiful mountain stands so tall and proud. It has been standing straight for so long. It has seen so much of this world from it's lofty height. It was then that I remembered you. I remembered how you would take Cullen and I to the park and the lending libraries. I remembered you brushing me hair in the mornings and tying my sashes. I remember when Cullen fell out of the tree in our yard. You didn't get upset that he fell trying to spy on Emiline in the next yard. You kissed his head and bandaged his scratches. I remember how you looked in the mornings. You loved your yellow gown. It was the one Papa gave you on your thirteenth wedding anniversary. You would wear that beautiful gown and sit in the drawing room right beside the window. I used to always think of it as your morning chair, Mama. Every morning you would be sitting by that window drinking your tea. You were right, life passes us by if we don't take time out everyday to just enjoy on simple things about it. Like the mornings. I remember the morning I came downstairs and you weren't there. Oh, mama! I miss you so much!'

Tears fell on the page as Bliss broke down. She couldn't stay in this room a moment longer. She needed to be outside, where she could be free. Outside, where she could heal. Leaving her journal on the bed, Bliss dashed her tears away with her hand. She opened her bedroom door praying that it wouldn't squeak and wake Aunt Belle. Carefully, she eased her way down the hall. Her tears continued to blind her as she shut the house door behind her and hurried down the walk.

She didn't have to decide where she was going, she knew. Turning toward the mountain, Bliss allowed her feet to lead her away from the town and into the dark, mysterious night.

She didn't make it to the base of the mountain, it was much to far. But she found a peaceful grove of trees with a river that flowed. Bliss took off her boots and walked toward the river. There is something so peaceful about running water, she thought as she stepped into the water. A twig snapped. Bliss turned toward the sound. A small inkling of fear crawling up her back. Several times as she had been walking towards the mountain, she had thought she heard something. Like someone following her. Each time she would stop and there would be nothing. Twice she had called out urging the unknown person to step forward and make themselves known. Each time she was met with complete silence. This time was the same. "If you're there, come out." She waited several fear-filled seconds.

"I've heard you following me. Hiding will do you no good. Come out so we can talk." Again, nothing.

Bliss sighed and walked deeper into the water, she held her white nightgown up a bit to keep it from becoming wet. Bliss closed her eyes and let the cool water run gently over her bare feet. Softly, the breeze teasing her curls, she sang the song that was in her heart. Her voice was soft, a melodious sound that joined and blended with nature's own music.

"Beautiful dreamer out on the sea

Mermaids are chanting the wild lorelie

Over the streamlet vapors are born

Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn

Beautiful dreamer beam on --"

The sound of movement interrupted Bliss' song. Eyes widened, she turned toward the sound. She was weary with this person, if it was a person. Why couldn't they come out when she called to them? Why did they stay hidden? For that matter, why did they follow her at all? All she wanted was peace. Peace to flow through her mind and body. Peace to wash away the tiredness that had been pulling her down the last several days. Again, movement came from a band of trees a few feet from the river. This time though, Bliss could see the moon shining on the pale skin of a face. It was past ten o'clock. Why wasn't this person in their bed sleeping?

"Come out." She called in a soft voice. There was no sound, no movement. The person appeared to be staring at her, not so much as a breath coming from their still form. "I can see your face." She called softly, not wanting to frighten them. "Come out."

A long silence elapsed. Bliss remained perfectly still trying to make eye contact with the unknow person. It was hard to make anything out. She could see that it was obviously a man. He looked tall, wearing dark pants and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up exposing muscular forearms.

"You shouldn't be out after dark." The words were spoken in a deep, husky voice. "It's dangerous.

Bliss felt her breath freeze at the sound of his voice. In that moment, she knew she had never met this man. She would have remembered him if she had. "Who are you?" She whispered.

Silence followed her question. A gentle breeze made his dark hair dance around his shirt collar. Still he made no motion to come forward or to answer her question.

Bliss' mind was spinning in circles. Who was this man? She didn't know him, had she ever seen him before? What was he doing out so far away from town? Why had he followed her? " Please, who are you?"

"Someone you don't want to know in the daylight."

Bliss stared in surprise as he turned and disappeared into the trees. As quickly as he had appeared, he was gone.

Leaving the cool comfort of the water, Bliss gathered her boots and stockings and walked the distance back to her Aunt's little wisteria covered house.

---

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