Loving Willow

"Trent!" Willow giggled as she watch the adolescent boy attempting to roll out a pie crust. Some new folks were moving into town and Willow had decided that a pie would be just the thing to welcome them. Trent had agreed at first.. Now he wasn't so sure.

A frown creased Trent's brow as he again added water and went back to roll it.

"That crust is going to taste like leather if you don't leave it alone." Willow said laughing. Trent, a tall gangly fourteen year old had his mothers apron wrapped around his chest and flour on his face and in his dark blonde hair.

"What are you talking about, Willa?" He was clearly frustrated. They'd been at this dumb pie since breakfast. It was nearly lunch and the pie still wasn't finished.

"My name's not Willa." She scolded as she took the rolling pin from him. "Crust gets tougher the more you work with it, that's what my mama tells me."

"This was a dumb idea." Trent muttered as he watched Willow roll the crust to a thin flatness that he hadn't been able to achieve in the twenty minutes that he'd spent rolling it. "We should've just given them a basket of apples and let them make their own pie."

Willow smiled as she fitted the bottom crust into the pie plate. "It isn't as neighborly if you do it that way, besides its good for you to learn how to make pie. All men should know how to bake pie."

"You're confused, Willa, men need to know how to eat pie not bake it." He stuck a finger in Apple mixture and wiped it across Willow's cheek.

"Hey!" She protested, wiping her hand on her face. "Trent, I swear one of these days.."

Trent laughed and picked Willow up. He was nearly three years older than Willow and could carry her easily. All the time he spent working with his pa had helped him in this effect. "We've been in this kitchen way to long Willa- Girl. We need some air and sun."

"But the pie!" Willow protested as she wrapped her arms around Trent's neck. It wasn't uncommon to see Trent carrying Willow some place or another. The two of them had been friends since before Willow could walk. Trent acted as her protector and friend and he rather enjoyed her company despite the difference in their ages. Willow completely adored Trent. He was strong, handsome, gentlemanly, kind, and entirely wonderful to her. They found all sorts of mischief together and it wasn't long before her young heart began to beat for Trent and his friendship.

"The pie will wait. It's waited this long." Trent assured her as he carried her down to his family's pond. "We need a swim." He decided as he carried her right into the water.

"Trent!" Willow gasped. "My boots and dress! They'll be drenched."

"Doesn't your ma have a clothesline?" Trent asked as he walked waist deep into the deliciously cool water.

"Yeah-"

"Then there's nothing to fuss over." Trent smiled and winked at Willow as he sat her in her feet in the water. "You worry too blasted much, Willa."

"My names not Willa, and your mama would smack your mouth if she heard to say that word."

Trends eyes sparkled with mischief as he dived under the water and grabbed at Willow's ankle. Willow gasped in surprise as he pulled her under with him.

---

Lily stood from the garden and stretched. Digging up potatoes was simple work but it led to an aching back. "Do you think we should check on the Trent and Willow?" She asked the toddler boy that sat in the garden beside her. He was in his glory, playing with dirt and the wooden horses his pa had made for him.

"Come on, we could use a drink anyways." Lily said as she picked her youngest up and carried him to the house. "They should be ready to bake the pie soon anyhow."

"Pie!" Danny clapped his chubby hands together in delight at his favorite word.

Lily pushed open the door and stopped. Flour was everywhere. Apple peels littered the flour surrounding the table. Little bits of dough we're on every surface. And the children were no where to be seen. "That boy." Lily mumbled as she sat Danny on his feet. "He better have a good reason for leaving my kitchen in this mess. Oh Danny! No, honey." Bending lily quickly stopped her son from putting an apple peel that he found on the floor into his mouth. "Come on, sugar. Mama will get you some food."

Laughing announced Trent's arrival before he and Willow even entered the house.

Both of the children stopped when they came face to face with Trent's ma.

"Why are you dripping wet! Willow you're soaked clean through! What happened?" Lily asked surprised by their appearance.

Trent chuckled as he took the apple peel from his ma's hand and popped it into his mouth. "I don't think they've invented a dry way to go swimming yet." He answered with a grin and a wink at Willow.

"Oh?" Lily put her hands on her hips not at all amused by her sons retort. He was too much like his father. "And why were you swimming instead of cleaning my kitchen?"

"Don't be mad, ma." Trent said kissing his mothers cheek. "We just needed some of the fresh air God gives. It encourages cleaning."

Willow giggled as Lily's eyebrows raised. "Oh does it?"

"Yes indeedy." Trent assured her. "I feel like cleaning already. What about you, Willa?"

"I feel like finishing the pie first."

"The pie isn't done yet?"

When Trent refused to answer Willow smiled at Lily and said, "Trent ran into some trouble with the crust."

"Oh?"

"It's more fun to eat a pie anyhow." Trent mumbled.

Several hours later found the kitchen spotless and the pie cooling on the table. Trent couldn't help the smile from spreading across his face. "We did it, Willa. We made a good pie and clean my ma's kitchen."

"I just hope it tastes good." Willow said as she took off her apron.

"Course it will, " Treng assured her. "I added some extra sugar just to be sure."

"Trent! You shouldn't have done that." Willow scolded. "What if it's too sweet now. The neighbor might think we're trying to kill them."

"You worry too much." Trent responded with his normal dimpled grin. "Do I have to dump you in the pond again to settle you down? Besides pie doesn't kill people."

"Not yet, because our pie will be the first!"

Trent chuckled. "Come on, you put the pie in that pretty basket you brought for it while I change my shirt and then we'll deliver it."

"What are their names again?" Trent asked as he walked back into the kitchen buttoning his shirt.

"Grace and Vance. I don't know their last name." Willow said as she tied a pretty ribbon to the basket.

"Come on, it's girly enough." Trent said with a laugh as he took the basket in one hand and offered his other arm to Willow.

"Why thank you, kind sir." Willow exclaimed dramatically. Giggling, she and Trent went to deliver their pie.

"Trent!" Lily frowned as she shielded her eyes from the midday sun. "That boy was supposed to be mending the fence." She grumbled under her breathe. Trent was a man now, but he hadn't changed at all, Lily thought to herself. A sneaking suspicion entered her mind. Turning she marched to the pond, she was absolutely certain of what she would find. "Mmhmm." She said nodding to herself as she came upon two people splashing in the water. "Trent."

Willow and Trent turned toward Lily. "Coming for a swim, Ma?" Trent asked with a grin.

"You two will never grow up will you?" Lily asked fighting a smile. It had been nearly five years since they had abandoned their pie for a swim. And here Trent was again. He was forever and always abandoning some necessary task to spend time with River and Zane's daughter. Willow was seventeen now, Trent was just past twenty and both River and Zane and Micah and Lily were wondering just how long until the couple decided to make things a little more permanent. Willow and Trent had been nearly inseparable since they were infants. They enjoyed each other's company and friendship. The knew exactly what the other was thinking and had private jokes that their parents would never understand. Lily and River had know since Williw was ten that she had a crush on her best friend. Trouble was, nobody was exactly sure how Trent felt. Oh he was always laughing and teasing, skipping off with Willow for some fun. He protected her with his life and would fight anyone who made Willow cry. But he didn't declare himself.. Lily was certain he'd never even tried to kiss her.

River and Lily had fully expected something to occur when Willow turned sixteen. Most girls in their area were married by fifteen. They were left wondering however as Willow and Trent's friendship continued exactly as it always had- as a friendship.

Now, Willow was seventeen and with her beautiful auburn hair and violet eyes, she was a rare beauty. She was tall and slender, she moved with a grace that a person could never learn. Fellows in town were taking notice and would come to her at the drop of her kerchief. But she never dropped it, and she paid them no mind at all. River and Lily knew why and as time wore on they were becoming worried- what if Trent broke her heart? "Trent you have work to do. That is if you expect to go to the town social tomorrow night." Lily said. Without waiting for a reply, Lily went back to the house she paused in going in however. She was worried. Willow was such a sweet girl and men could be so blind sometimes. Making up her mind, Lily fetched her sewing basket and walked to River's house.

River was sitting on the front porch, her mending in her lap. Lacy was sitting with her along with Lacey's twin girls, Sara and Mara. The girls were each working on their knitting while they listened to the older women chat.

"Hello." Lily greeted the group. "Thought I might join you after all." She said as she took a seat next to Mara and pulled out her own mending.

"What's troubling you?" Lacy asked, she knew the look on her sisters face all too well. Normally Lily didn't join their mending group. Lily preferred to work hard during the day and mend at night in front of the fire. She though mending during the day was a waste of sunlight.

"Is it Trent and Willow?" River asked.

"They're at the pond again." Lily sighed. "They act as if they're ten years old again."

"Is he going to break Willow's heart?" Sara asked with a frown of her own. She adored her cousin Trent and his playfulness but she also loved Willow dearly.

Nobody answered her question. No one had an answer.

---

"That reminds me, " Trent said after his ma left them to their swimming.

"Of what?" Willow asked as she wrung the water from her hair and twisted it into a long braid.

"You going to the social with anyone?" Trent asked casually.

"I was thinking of asking you." Willow said, she ran her hands lightly over the surface of the water.

"Why? Nobody catch your fancy?" Trent teased with a wink.

"Too many. I simply can't decide." Willow teased with a shrug. "Since I can't chose I've decided to go with now of them." She sighed. "I guess you'll have to do for anther year."

"It's a shame I'm always your second choice." Trent smiled, "I'd rather be your first."

"What?" Willow gasped. Was he serious? Her heart nearly paused in beating. Did he really want to be her first choice when it came to men?

Trent nodded, his smile growing. "After all, I kill spiders for you."

"Oh you!" Her heart plummeting somewhat, Willow stuck her tongue out. Naturally, he wasn't serious. Willow was beginning to lose hope that he'd ever see her as anything except his first friend.

Trent's smile slipped from his face as he saw Willow stick her little pink tongue out at him. "Willa." He mumbled as he moved closer to her. "You should know better."

"What?" Willow's brow furrowed.

"You remember was old Mr. Coris told us about that." Trent was directly in front of her now, he was so close that Willow had to tilt her head back just to see his face. "You remember what it means when a girl sticks her tongue out at a fella, don't you?" Trent brushed the back of his hand gently over her soft freckled cheek.

"Oh Trent, you know he was just teasing. It doesn't really mean that." Willow breathlessly answered. He couldn't be serious! He couldn't be!

"I think it does. So does Mr. Coris. And if that's true..." He tapped her nose with his index finger as he tilted her head upward a bit more. "You just dared me to kiss you."

"Trent." Willow whimpered. Her heart was going to break! She knew it would! Why did he have to tease her so? Didn't he know how much she longed for his kiss?

"It won't be bad, you know." Trent mumbled as he brushed his lips over her left cheek and then her right. "It might not change your life exactly, but it won't be a bad experience." He paused in softly kissing her cheeks and forehead, "haven't you ever wanted to taste my kiss, Willa? Haven't you ever wondered?"

"What do you mean, taste?" Willow asked, she was sure she would pass out. How could she not! The man she had dreamed of her whole life was even now standing in front of her- teasing her with a kiss.

"You've never been kissed before." Trent stated. "Not properly of course." He kissed the corner of her lips. "Remember, Willa, you asked for it." Trent whispered against her lips. Then he pressed his lips to hers ever so softly.

Willow felt goose flesh break out the nomen his lips pressed to hers. Trent pressed his lips against hers twice more before he pulled back slightly. "You ready?" He murmured.

"For what?" Willow could hardly speak, could hardly think. Trent had kissed her!

"Ready to taste my kiss." He mumbled against her lips, "Remember, baby, you dared me." He crushed his lips to hers then in such a kiss that made Willie gasp. Trent took advantage of her gasp and it wasn't long before the sweet moisture if her mouth was mingling with his. There they stood in their favorite swimming hole swapping kiss, tasting each other. Trent groaned against her lips. He had wanted to kiss his best friend for years, oh how he wanted to. And now! And now here he was kissing her and he didn't want to stop! Trent felt her trembling against him, felt her slender arms slip around his neck as she pressed closer to him. Her fingers caressing his scalp, running her fingers through his hair. Heaven help him! He didn't want to stop, he wanted Willow in his arms for the rest of his life.

Trent, Willow thought. She smiled to herself as she walked home from the pond. She could hardly believe what had happened today. Her smile broke into a grin as she began to skip, swinging the boots that she carried in her right hand. Her skip broke into a twirl as she spun around with her head tipped back to face the heavens. "He kissed me. He kissed me!" Unable to contain her excitement, Willow dashed home. The smile never left her face until she arrived breathless to see her porch occupied by five women.

All five eyes looked up in surprise as Willow dashed up the steps and dropped a kiss on her mothers forehead. "What is that for?" Willow asked in surprise. Her daughters appearance was nothing short of scandalous. Her dress was damp and clung to her slender form. Her boots were in her hand, her hair was in a braid that was barely staying together. What concerned River most however we the bright pink blush that graced her daughters cheeks. Her eyes were sparkling- fairly dancing with delight.

"It's just a beautiful day!" Willow giggled as she disappeared inside the house, leaving five very confused women.

"What is that all about?" Sara mused as she stared after her friend.

"I don't know." River answered, "But I think we may be in for trouble."

Four heads nodded in agreement as they returned their attention back to their mending.

"Maybe she ate a bad apple." Mara suggested.

"Hog wash!" Lacey exclaimed. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was swapping kisses with a fella."

"What?" River and Lily exclaimed at the same time.

"Why do you say that, mama?" Mara asked in interest. If her friend was out swapping kisses with a fella- boy of boy did she want to know about it!

"Oh come on!" Lacey exclaimed with a pointed look at Lily and River. "Haven't you felt that exact same was whenever your husbands kiss you?"

"You mean with a constant smile, a dance in my step?"

"Maybe that's why the area around her mouth was so red. Looked like she rubbed it on Daddy's wool sweater." Mara innocently offered.

Lily, Lacey, and River shared a glance before they burst into delighted giggles.

"I wonder who kissed her?" Lily said when she finally caught her breath.

"I wish it was Trent." Sara said with a soft sigh. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if he swept her up into his arms and carried her off into the sunset?"

---

Willow dressed carefully in her best dress. It was a mint green color that looked truly magnificent against her auburn hair. The dress was beautifully fitted and flared into a full skirt. She had twisted her hair into a long braid and wrapped it around her head like a crown. She decorated it with a few daisies that she picked grin the field. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright with excitement. Trent told her that he'd call for her at six thirty. The clock in the mantle read six twenty five and Willow could feel butterflies taking flight in her belly. Sure, it was just Trent, her best friend. But somehow, this was different. Trent had kissed her, he flirted with her and invited her to go to the social with him. Somehow this felt different from his usual friendly invitations.

Willow walked out of the house and sat down on the porch swing. Smoothing the fabric of her skirt, she focused in keeping calm. She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Trent. Of course, Trent knew her every secret- well, every secret except one. Willow kept that one secret cached close to her heart. Still, Trent knew her. He knew her fears and hopes. He knew her embarrassing moments and held her while she cried. He taught her how to whistle and she taught him to bake a pie.

"The lady looks like an angel that walked among the humans to spread beauty and hope where they needed it most. The women adored her and flocked to her, they felt enchanted in her presence. The men desired her and fight dragons to see the lovely curve of her smile. She sits regally, her words themselves are joy. Her beauty is unmatched by even the brightest of stars."

Willow burst into giggles as Trent knelt before her, his hat in his hands. "What are you about, Trent?" She laughed.

"I'm seducing an angel. "Trent said placing a kiss to the back of her hand.

"Oh?" With a raised eyebrow, Willow looked around. "I thought it was just the two of us."

Trent smirked. "It is just the two of us, isn't it?" Taking her hands in his, he tugged a little harder then he needed to causing her to thump against his chest. "Are you ready to go dancing, Angel?"

"Trent, why are you acting so funny? You've never called me angel before."

"I've never kissed your before either."

"Why did you?"

"You dared me." Trent ran his finger over Willows lips. Her lips were so soft, he wanted nothing more than to gather her in his arms and rain kisses all over this wonderful girl.

"Is that the truth?"

"No." Trent smiled, "it's just what I tell the public."

An impish grin tickled Willows lips. Tilting her head to the side, she stuck her tongue out at Trent.

"You vixen." Trent mumbled as he turned and pulled her to his wagon. "You're gonna pay for that." He promised as he lifted her up into the wagon.

"Am I?" Willow asked as Trent climbed into the wagon and began moving the team away from town.

"Yup, and what's more, you and I will not be attending tonight social."

"What?" Willow gasped in surprise. "Why?"

"Because you'll be wrapped in my arms under our oak by the pond!"

"Trent! We can't do that!" Willow was visibly shaken by him implications. Oh she wouldn't have bothered if he appeared to be joking, but he wasn't. Instead of taking the team to the social in town, Trent drove away from town in the direction of their favorite pond.

"You've no choice in the matter now, Willa. You already stuck your tongue out at me. I wouldn't be much of a man if I turned down a dare as great as that one. Besides, since when does a man refuse to give a girl a kiss when she asks for one."

"But I didn't-"

"Relax, Willa. Kissing me isn't all bad. After a while you may even grow to like it!"

A/N so.... This is the first three chapters of my new story. What do you think? Anything you want to happen or hoping will happen?Leave a comment and let me know. Kinda neat having all the characters in one story. You'll learn more about them as the story progresses... As long as I don't run out of ideas for writing in which case long waits for chapters may ensue... Lol any how thanks for reading! Vote and comment and if you have a suggestion or idea let me know! Cheers!