A 'Mail Order Bride' company agrees pay a young ladies entire expenses if she will marry single men out west. With the help of a brothel owner, a young boy allows himself to be disguised as a woman and soon finds himself heading west on a train. His only intention is to escape the city, however, the boy in costume, meets up with a kindly old woman who exposes him unwittingly to the linking spell. A VERY slow transformation.

Chapter 16

Behind us drifted away the lights from the city, before us only darkness and the dim light of the passenger car. Cap and I both sat quietly until he slowly began to nod off again. I decided to take advantage the moment and gathered myself up to made my way back to the little closet privy. Gently moving the long skirt I wore aside, I slowly pulled the door closed behind me.

Under the great volumes of material hid the boy that set out on this odd journey, and it seemed so long ago since I actually had chance to wear 'normal' clothes, and I longed to be in them once again. I sat quietly upon the little stool; the tracks speeding by quickly below with a speed that caused a slight puff of cool air from the outside. It felt good to be able to relieve myself, even for the unfortunate way which I couldn't control my stream and still hold back the entire mountain of feminine finery around my waist and below.

I fought my way against the material, attempting a bit of hygiene but not knowing whether I succeeded or not would be left to God. By the time I had finished, I had given up my attempt. I was satisfied, I at least felt good that I had made the effort and there were no further bloody marks upon the cloth squares.

Carefully returning my bloomers to their position, I stood up and let the material fall to the floor where it just covered my tall feminine, button down shoes. I moved to the mirror, straightening the lay of the material of the dress. Yawning, I scratched my chest, and looking at my reflection, I smiled. In the distorted glass it looked as though my lips were fuller, and perhaps slightly redder. I scratched at the wig on my head; it would be good to be rid of that hot item. I turned sideways and admired my flat stomach where the corset pinched my waist just above the hips. The swell at my chest was surprising even to me, especially since I was so convincing. It was amazing to me, that my chest could be gathered enough to create the impression of a young woman's breasts and still be so believable.

I chuckled at the paranoia that enveloped the old woman, who was so sure that I would somehow miraculously turn into a full fledged female that it was highly laughable. I gave myself a wink in the mirror, pursed my lips and giggled. With a shake of my head, I turned and walked back out into the dimly lit hallway.

By 10:00 a.m. we were sitting in St. Paul, Minnesota, I had been told that the train would have a three-hour delay, Cap and I headed out onto the station's platform. For once, I could see no ‘Mail Order’ security people watching…if only I didn’t have the boy, I could make my escape here. I sighed and began to glance around; Cap was watching me and smiled brightly when our eyes met. I found myself return his utterly contagious smile.

"Well, where to first, Cap?" I said to the little boy holding my hand.

"Can we look around?" he asked, hardly above a whisper. Somehow I felt that deep within the boy there was a hope that if he was upon his very best behavior, I would find a way to keep him as my own son…but I knew that would be impossible.

It felt strange not having Grandma with us, and we were both in a slightly sad mood because of it. We began to stroll along a wooden path that followed the street, Cap clutching my slender fingers with his warm hand.

The scents of this city assailed our nostrils, some smelled heavenly like a fruit pie or a sweet hickory smell. Others were putrid smelling, causing us to wrinkle our noses and giggle, those were the smells of the heavy oil covered machinery and inks of a newspaper office that we passed. The worse smell of all was one of the several piles of horse waste that dotted the streets and caused us to redirect our chosen path.

Thankfully, a man pushed a small cart along and scooped those messy piles up, depositing them into his cart. Cap held his nose as we passed that particular man. "I wouldn't like his job," he whispered through his plugged nose, his comment causing me to giggle.

From one shop to another we traveled down that busy street, with Cap, always close beside my rustling skirt. We walked along, passing horses tethered to long rails at about three and a half feet off the ground. People walked past, men would touch the tip of their hats as we approached, smile, and step out of the way. It was strange and yet, exciting, having the attention that they paid the woman they thought approached. All the while, Cap happily held onto my hand and smiled up at me from time to time, each time his grin caused me to smile as well.

Along one such street, Cap and I passed a set of huge windows, made up of tiny panes of glass, separated by thin strips of wood. As we passed, I noticed a garish purple writing that had been painted upon the inside of the window, it said 'Restaurant'. I looked down at the boy, "Are you hungry, Cap? We could eat lunch here before our train pulls out." Cap's eyes widened and he nodded vigorously.

We stepped inside the great room, where several tables were scattered around the area. In the front was a long bar. Stools stood high at intervals of three feet, and several older men were seated on them. I loosened my bonnet and directed Cap to wait for someone to show us to a seat. That person soon came by shortly and directed us to a table, still with dirty dishes on it.

"Morning ma'am," a slim man nodded, quickly gathering the dirty dishes and wiping the table. "Are you here to try our lunches?" Cap pushed a filthy cup toward the waiter in an attempt to assist the man. "We've been pretty busy this morning, lunch looks to be almost as busy. Would you care for a coffee, lemonade or sarsaparilla?"

I folded my hands at my waist, "Lemonade, thank you." I replied softly, attempting to appear the refined young woman.

He looked down at Cap, "How about you, Cowboy? Will it be coffee, lemonade or sarsaparilla?

"What's sarsaparilla?" Cap asked, "Can I have that?" He asked, directing his question at me. I raised my eyebrows and smiled, nodding to him that it would be alright.

The man gave me a wink, and then smiled at Cap. "You'll like it, haven't met a boy who doesn't." He grinned and crouched down next to the table, "It's made from tree roots, ice cold and oh so sweet." He waited; Cap gave me a glance and then he slowly nodded. "Okay, that’ll be one ice cold lemonade and one sarsaparilla…coming right up."

He rose to his feet and smiled, "Now, what would you like to eat for lunch?"

I looked over to the next table; two men were eating a hardy stew. "We'll have what they're having." The man nodded and hurried back behind the long counter bar. Before long, returned with our drinks and two steaming bowls of beef stew; with those was a small basket of four biscuits, all balanced upon one huge tray.

"Ladies first," he smiled as he placed a tall glass in front of me, "…and now for your son." In front of Cap was sat a tall cold glass of a dark liquid. Politely we waited for him to set down the bowls, two spoons, and small basket of biscuits. "Enjoy," he said, tucking the tray under his arm and hurrying to another table.

Cap started to reach for his drink, but I caught him with a gaze and he neatly folded his hands, bowing his head. As if on queue I felt my own head bowing and a prayer springing from my lips. "Bless us Oh Lord, for these thy gifts..." I continued on, my soft voice chiming in with Caps. As we finished and raised our heads, around us, the two men next to us had grown respectfully quiet. I smiled at them and they each nodded, and then continued eating their lunch.

Our meal was quite good; we sat eating quietly, enjoying each others company and our wonderful meal. We ate until we could eat no more. One thing was for sure, Cap had found that he LOVED the strange liquid with the funny name, and he even let me take a tiny sip. I had never tasted anything like it myself, even back in New York where I was a child. We both agreed that it was very tasty and would be a hit anywhere it was sold.

Finally, we were ready to go, I started to stand and one gentleman who was seated behind us rose quickly and slowly pulled the chair away. "Thank you," I said softly over my shoulder. He nodded and once again took his seat with his friend.

Slowly walking, toward the end of the long bar where the shining silver cash register stood, we made our way. "How was it, ma'am?" our waiter asked.

"Very good, thank you," I said raising my bag to the counter.

"That'll be one dollar and 15 cents." I handed him the coins, then another nickel for his tip.

"Thank you very much," he smiled, taking it from my soft hand. "Have a great day!" he called out as we began to leave and head back to the train. "Hey Cowboy…!" Cap stopped and turned, "Here!" The man shouted as he tossed something toward Cap.

Cap caught the item in his little hand and slowly opened it; he looked up toward me and smiled. In his hand was a piece of red and white striped ribbon candy which smelled heavy with mint. "Thanks, mister!" he said grinning, as he stuffed the entire piece into his mouth.

We turned and slowly walked out of the restaurant, once again making our way back toward the train.

It was still sitting where we had left it, and Cap and I climbed the stairs to the platform. The ticket master stood waiting for us at the top, "Some fella' is looking for you if your name is Miss Charity August."

I looked around as a man slowly approached, "I was afraid you had given us the slip." I frowned as he continued, "It's my job to make sure you arrive in Webster safe and sound." He looked from me to Cap. "Is this your son? It says on my telegraph that you were traveling alone."

"I'm watching him for the railroad; he's to be adopted once we arrive at Webster." I felt myself defensively pulled Cap closer to me.

The man smiled slowly, giving me the once over. "That farmer your meeting is going to be a lucky man...yes sir…a lucky man indeed." I pushed my way past him and boarded the train. Once we had seated ourselves, the man took a position near the platform, making sure I didn't climb off again.

I frowned and looked away, "I should have made my escape when I had the chance." I sighed.

"What did you say?" Cap said, looking up.

I smiled at him, knowing that I couldn’t have left the boy alone and caressed his soft cheek, "Nothing, Cap. It was nothing."

Chapter 17

Eventually, the train began to fill with passengers until it was once again full. Cap moved to the seat beside me and allowed two men to take his place on the opposite seat. One was quiet and slept most of the way; he kept to himself and never said a thing. The other man watched me thumb through Grandmas' Bible; he had a look on his face which showed his contempt for my choice of reading material. I said nothing to him; however, both Cap and I could hear his rude comments as he muttered under his breath which smelled of alcohol. It was proving to be a very long and uncomfortable day.

As the late afternoon rolled past and we neared the early evening hours, our train neared Appleton, Minnesota. Here Cap and I were to take a stage into the little town of Webster, just inside the Dakota Territories.

As I opened the Holy book, I felt tears well in my eyes as I located an inscription that Grandma had written, ‘Miss Charity Ann August, May you always find the love which you are looking for.’ I smiled at her heart-felt note and began to turn the pages to pass the time.

I had been reading the annotations along the edging that Grandma had left, missing her pleasant company greatly. As I turned one page at the very back of the bible, I saw where she had written her address in Eau Claire. I smiled; perhaps someday I could write her. I’d like that, to once again feel the connection with the old dear, I smiled at such a pleasant thought and closed my Bible placing it into the bag at my side, Cap busied himself, watching out the window.

The younger man was watching me, I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. "You married?" The sneering man asked.

I glanced at him, "No, not yet," I answered politely, giving this stranger the only answer I felt he needed to hear. There was something about him that rose a red flag up in my mind, I wasn’t sure what it was, but I didn’t care in the least to talk to him

His eyes drifted toward Cap, "That your boy?" He hissed, showing his contempt toward the both of us once again. I knew that he didn't like either of us, nor the Bible that was in my bag.

“Sir, I am not accustomed to speaking to strangers. I don’t want any trouble.” I replied demurely.

“The way I figure it, you look too young to have a kid as old as him…if he’s yours, you must’ve had him when you were still in grammar school.” He smiled at his attempt to insult me.

I steeled myself, "And if he is? What business is it of yours?" I blurted out before I could curtail my words.

"I’m figuring that makes you some sort of hypocrite. Unmarried and having a son, makes you nothing more than a common whore." Before I realized what I was doing, my hand shot out like lightning, striking him hard on his cheek.

Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes at his comment, "That was uncalled for sir!" I tried to hide the emotion in my voice and still protect both Cap and my dignity.

He laughed and showed his yellow teeth, his smile sickened me. He slowly pushed his hat back on his stringy hair. "You’re nothing but a Bible-thumping whore, traipsing around with her bastard child." I again struck at him and he caught my wrist, "You need to be taught some manners, lady. It ain’t proper like for a woman to strike a man!"

"Proper? You need to be shot! As for striking a man, I see many here who are men, you sir, are not." I growled, suddenly jerking my hand away from his strong grasp. “Why are you bothering us so? What have we ever done to you?” The little man who had been sleeping suddenly was awakened by the sound of my raised voice.

"Here, here! Leave the lady alone." He sat up and motioned for the brakeman as he was already approaching to diffuse the situation. Between the two, they convinced the disgusting man to move somewhere else. I was struck by the similarity of my earlier confrontation with the man back near Indiana; both were in my opinion, scum.

Thankfully, the last half hour went by smoothly once he had been moved and we chugged our way into Appleton with no further trouble. At the station I gathered my bag and Cap, and we sat near the station waiting for our belongings to be unloaded from the train. A tall thin man carried my trunk up toward us; he had it resting on his shoulder. In his free hand he carried a bag that I assumed was Caps. "Here you go, ma'am. This is you and your son's belongings."

I nodded as he sat them down on the platform, "Can you tell me where the stage lines are in town?"
He pointed down the street, "Give me a minute and I'll carry your stuff down that-a-way, I have to unload more things from the train."

"Thank you," I said, watching him turn and slowly shuffle his way back into the luggage car.

We sat quietly waiting, the sneering man from earlier stood close by and watched for his luggage to be unloaded as well. All about me were others milling around, either arriving to pick up someone or waiting to embark on points out of Appleton. A tall, strapping man stepped onto the far end of the platform and studied the people as they were leaving. I admired his build, from his broad, strong looking shoulders to his flat stomach and trim waist. It was obvious he was disappointed, for whomever he had come to meet was not on the train. He folded his arms and looked up and down the street from his higher vantage.

Cap and I were trying to find something to do, and we settled on studying the colorful Lithographs in the back of my Bible. We had been talking calmly to ourselves when suddenly the holy book was jerked from my hand.

"I’ll learn you a lesson you whore! Hey everyone," He shouted, "We got us a Bible toting hypocrite whore and her bastard son here!" He laughed at our expense; I was too small to do much to prevent him from doing anything.

"Go away!" An elderly woman growled at him as she shouldered passed, "You should be ashamed of yourself!" She rolled her eyes and continued away.

A little, older gentleman tried to get my Bible back from my adversary and was pushed backward into several crates that were on the dock. The big man, who had been studying the crowd, slowly turned his head and began to watch in our direction.

The stringy haired man closed his eyes in mock prayer and shouted to the top of his lungs, "God if you're real, which you ain’t, then I’ll give you a chance to knock me from this platform. I'll give you three minutes!" He spoke defiantly. I looked from one of the older men standing close by, to another. None seemed ready or willing to help me.

The man did a mocking dance around the dock in front of Cap and I, all the while he acted as though he was about to do harm to the gift of Grandma’s. I held on to Cap, for almost twice the youngster rose in anger from his seat only to have me hold him back. Pride swelled in my heart at a young boy who shows he is more of a man that most on this platform.

two more long and excruciating minutes went by. He kept taunting aloud, saying, "Here I am God, I'm waiting for you to make me a believer!" His voice was loud as he was trying to sound like a revival preacher in his mocking tone. Several people had paused and watched, wondering what would happen. He was larger and heavier than I was so I just sat, red faced and quiet holding onto Cap.

He pulled his watch out of his pocket and smiled, wickedly at me showing the face of it. "Your God's running out of time, whore!" He opened my Bible and held it in both hands; his suggestive movement looked as though he would tear the binding in two. I felt myself rising in my seat, a futile attempt to get my book back before he ruined it.

Just as I stood, the big man began to take a slow step toward us; he walked up and stopped, his jaw was flexing and his steely eyes calculated. “Excuse me…” He softly said, as the stringy haired man turned, the man who looked as though he was carved from a mountain struck him hard, hitting the sneering vile man full force, sending him flying off the platform and rolling into the dusty street below.

The man sat up, his hat rolling into the street, his hair flailing about his head in disarray. He frowned and spat blood, dusting himself off and practically beside himself with rage, "Where did you come from...what the hell did you do that for?"

The big man stood between the prone man and me, "God was busy; he sent me!"

Chapter 18

Those around us began laughing, and I even found a slow smile spread across my face. Cap was giggling almost as much a result of the crowd's laughter as he was at what happened to the evil man.

He started to crawl back onto the platform, so to ‘help’ his progress; the big fellow latched onto his collar and began dragging him toward Cap and me. "I believe you owe the lady an apology." He yanked him to his feet as though he might have a rag-doll and gave him a severe shake, sending his arms and legs flailing.

"S..sorry." As soon as the words came from his mouth, the big fellow pushed him away, folding his powerful arms over his chest and watched until he scrambled down the street.

He took a step over and picked my Bible up from where it fell, it fell open as he began to hand it to me, straightening a page which had bent. He paused, reading some writing just inside the cover that I had only noticed earlier today.

"Thank...thank you. I really appreciate what you just did for me." I replied honestly.

"The pleasure was all mine, ma'am...uh...are you, Miss Charity Ann August?" His brown face looked down toward mine, smiling. "If I may be so forward to you ma'am, I believe you're the one I'm looking for!" He pointed at my name inscribed on the inside cover in Grandma’s handwriting.

I sighed, slowly settling back into my seat. "Another man from the Mail Order Bride Company...coming to spy on me?"

He shook his head slowly and grinned. "Nope, the name's Joshua Martin." He slowly held out a huge hand. I could tell he was a hard working man as I touched it lightly with my own, his large fingers closed around my hand and he gently took it to his lips and kissed it.

"And you are?" I asked, still unsure of my white knight's identity.

"I’m your future husband." His words settled into my ear as a strange feeling overwhelmed me. I felt a slow smile pulling at the corners of my mouth and an odd tingle surge through my body!

"I...I was supposed to take a Stage into Webster." I stammered, my heart creating flip-flops in my chest. "I was to meet you there."

He shrugged, "Once I got the telegram, I pulled out and headed here." He quickly jerked his hat from his head, "I wanted to be here when you arrived."

I found myself smiling at him, and that made me perplexed! I would never have a chance to escape the confinement of this disguise; yet still, I was smiling at him nevertheless! He lifted up the chest and placed it on his shoulder, I picked up Cap's little bag and my own. He offered me his arm; I gently threaded my own through his, though not knowing why I did it without concern. Cap followed, taking the bags from my free hand and carrying them for me.

He led us to a long buckboard with a narrow bench for a seat, and he eased the trunk into the bed of that wagon. He took the bags from Cap and dropped it into the back, beside the trunk. He glanced down at the little boy, then at me, "Yours?"

I took Cap gently by his shoulder, pulling him toward me protectively. "I'm taking him to Webster; he's supposed to be adopted there." The handsome man gave a slow nod.

"Did they give you tickets for the stage?" I opened up my bag and held them out, and then he smiled and took them from me, saying "I'll be right back." Cap and I waited beside the buckboard and watched Joshua enter into a building, and he returned after about five minutes. "Here's your stage money, they had me sign a paper telling them that I was the man you were marrying." He handed me several silver dollars, "The boy's is there too." He added as he hoisted Cap into the back of the wagon.

He led me to the right side and gently grasped me by the waist; in one move, he hoisted me to the seat as if I were nothing more than a sack of flour! He leapt to my side and pulled back the hand brake, with a quick snap of the reins we were jerked into motion.

I rode along beside him quietly, not sure of what exactly I should say. It gave me time to study his face; it was kind and interesting to look at. He had light gray eyes that twinkled when he grinned and dark thick hair, each set off his rugged features quite well. Under his trimmed mustache, he had a very pleasant and attractive smile. His hands were large and brown, matching what I could see of his neck and face. I glanced back toward Cap who was smiling; I’m sure to him we looked just like a family heading home from a long trip. I pushed a stray blond hair from my face and tucked it inside my bonnet; he glanced toward my tiny shoes and then let his eyes wander back to my face. Our eyes met and he smiled, ‘God, what was happening to me?’ I thought as I could scarcely pull myself away from looking at his handsome face.

Chapter 19

We rode on; the only sound coming was the steady clop, clop of the horses. Behind us, Cap was humming the song we heard the quartet singing at the station. Joshua had placed his feet on the front edge of the buckboard, his boot strap dangling from the top of his tucked in jeans. His legs were long and slender, the jeans were dusty blue and hiding the strength that I was sure he possessed just under its surface. His shoulders were broad and covered with a dark blue shirt that ended in his sleeves which had been rolled up at his thickly muscled forearms. A light dusting of hair covered his arms and from what I could tell, he had a sparse amount on his chest. This observation caused me to smile, though I could think of no reason why.

On and on we moved west, until at last he pointed toward a line of trees. "We'll camp there tonight. By this time tomorrow, we'll be in Webster. As the evening approached, Joshua pulled to a stop beside a secluded stream, then set the brake and climbed down. Waiting for me, he stood smiling. "They told me that you were 18. You look like you're closer to 20."

I smiled, "Is that bad?" Inwardly I was trying to figure out why I even commented to him on his observation. The more I thought about it, I couldn’t understand why he would even think I looked as old as 20.

“No, it’s not bad at all.” He smiled, “Honestly, I’m pretty happy.”

“Oh? And why is that?” I replied softly, afraid of where the conversation was taking me.

“Of all the women out there that I could have gotten back, I think I got the one who’s most beautiful...I could just look into your eyes all day.” He said as a smile danced across his face.

I couldn’t tell if he was teasing or not, “How about it if you just help me down first?” I said as he stood gazing at me with a stupid grin on his face. Behind me, I heard Cap giggle.

I moved toward the edge of the wagon; he suddenly placed his hands on my waist and lowered me effortlessly to the ground. "I'll see to the horses." That was all he said, and then walked up to the front and around the horses.

I began to search for sticks to build a fire, for it would be a chilly evening and a fire would feel good. Cap busied himself with me, by helping search for sticks. As soon as we had enough, he disappeared and began to help Mr. Martin picket his horses close by the water.

I found several matches in a long box under the seat of the wagon. With them, I lit our pile of sticks. As the fire crackled and popped to life, I began to dig through the long box. Also inside was a little bag of flower, a skillet, a medium sized pan and a few odds and ends. Almost as if I was unable to control my actions, I began to mix a small portion of flour with water until it became soft and doughy. I then rolled these into a ball, placing them into a deep skillet, which I covered and sat in the fire.

As the biscuits were baking, I mixed a small pan of water with flour making a thick broth. In this, I cut up two old dried carrots, a misshapen onion and a few strips of jerky that I had found in the bottom of the box. These were all set next to the deep skillet where they simmered in the water slowly. I brushed the flour from my hands and cleaned up the area. As I began to sweep the flour dust from my long skirt, I could hear Joshua talking quietly with Cap.

I stood silently behind the bushes and watched as the tall man and the little boy brushed the horses down. Cap paused and looked behind him, "Do you like her?"

The man hesitated with his brushing, "I think so, and she is a very pretty gal." He drew the brush down a few strokes, stopping again. "She has the yellowest hair I ever saw." I heard him laugh, "Never knew a yellowed haired girl before." I felt tingles running up my spine, I should be running but my feet were firmly planted, my ears wanting to hear more. But Why?

The little boy stepped around the horse that Joshua was working on, "You going to marry her?"

Joshua laughed, "Why are you so interested in whether I marry up with that female or not? Are you fixen' to ask her yourself?"

From where I stood I could see Cap's broad smile, "Nah, she's too old for me." I stifled a laugh that caused Joshua to study the dark shadows where I was hiding.

He held his finger to his lips and grinned, "I'm thinking that we have Indians here about, because one of them is listening to the men folk talk." I could no longer control my giggling. "I thought so, show yourself woman." He laughed as I stepped out into the bright moonlight.

"Was you spying on us, hopen' to find us in our breeches?" He patted the horse on the flank, "The boy and I was conversing about things important to us." He gave Cap a wink.

"I see," I smirked, "I was just on my way over to tell you that I have some supper on...if you're interested." I turned and quickly disappeared into the dark, laughing all the way back to the fire.

Using the bottom of my skirt I took the lid from the hot deep skillet, the biscuits were golden brown on the top. I pulled it from the fire and let the bottom of the pan, cool against the bare earth. I walked back to the little box and pulled out two flat pie tins that we could use for our plates and found two forks. Using one fork I stirred my concoction in the pan, and it actually smelled very good.

"Well...she's pretty AND she can cook," came the deep voice from behind, I glanced over my shoulder as he continued, "You have been busy as well, I see." He sniffed the air and smiled.

I lifted out two hot biscuits and dished him up a helping of the poor man's stew; he smiled and took the plate. I filled up the other one and handed it to Cap, he sat down on a log. I cleared my throat and Cap placed his plate on his lap, removing his hat.

Mr. Martin sat chewing his biscuit and paused, "Oh...sorry." He too removed his hat as we all prayed, and once we were finished he pointed at his plate with his fork. "Fine fixens’, Charity. For a meal on the road, it's very good." He glanced at me and smiled, then realized that I wasn't eating, "Why aren't you having anything?"

"You only packed two tins," I said. He smiled and nodded, "I can wait, I'll wash up one when you're through," I added, smiling. He started to hand me his plate, I smiled and pushed it back toward him. "I'll be okay."

I watched the two hungry males eat what I had cooked with my own two hands. Still, I couldn't figure out where in the world I had ever learned to cook anything, let alone biscuits and stew. From time to time, Joshua would look up and smile, his contented glances sent chills racing throughout my entire body. I contemplated the prayers, I wasn't that religious, and yet, why have I taken to praying before a meal? Or, even caring that anyone around me do the same. I shrugged it off and continued to watch them enjoy the meal I had prepared.

Cap was done first, he climbed into the back of the wagon and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. I ate quietly as Joshua hummed to himself. It was still, the moon was shining brightly. Here or there a few crickets chirped out softly their melody as we sat alone, on this bright evening.

I stood up and calmly took his plate, he watched me as I quietly headed toward the water. At the edge I washed the few dishes that we had, then got myself a drink of the cool, refreshing water. I washed my hands, the wetness fell away. I scooped a small handful of water and dabbed at my neck, allowing it to trickle down below the corset. I stood up and looked back toward the fire, Joshua was now studying the stars, still humming quietly to himself.

I quietly made my way back down. I wanted to wash the travel dust from my body and the water looked inviting. I thought to myself, "If I could only strip down to my corset, I could at least wash my arms, face, legs, and neck...besides, it would feel refreshing to be finally clean." I glanced back to see if he had moved, he didn't. I wanted relief, the water would be good to my hot and parched skin after being confined to women's garments for so long. For a third time, I looked back to see where Joshua was, but he was still humming and tossing little sticks into the fire.

I quickly removed the little lace tie from around my neck, then began to unbutton my blouse. Tossing them aside, I unbuttoned my skirt and dropped it to the ground bedside me, fingers tugging at the buttons of the shoes, finally throwing them into the pile with my clothes. I fumbled with the little stays holding up the long stockings, and soon they too lay in the pile with the rest of my costume. Finally done, I stood in the dark, dressed only in the feminine bloomers and corset that Rose had given me, seemingly, so long ago. I knelt down at the waters edge and quietly washed myself off, when I noticed that Joshua had stopped humming.

I spun around and stood, facing him, he had been standing there watching me. "You sure are a sight," he smiled, looking up and down my body.

I could say nothing, part of me was screaming to flee, part wanted to stay and see what would happen. A strange little thrill skipped through my chest as he took a step toward me. "You look like an angel standing there under this moon light."

"Th..thanks." I stammered as he stopped only a foot from me.

He slowly reached out his hand and touched a lock of the wig that Rose had placed upon my head, his fingers slid through a few of the dangling curls as he gently touched my cheek. My eyes closed as a smile played upon my lips, I was somehow getting a strange thrill from his light caress!

His hand drifted down my neck and across my bare shoulder, and I was suddenly aware of being very warm. He let his hands lightly touch the lacy material that hid my chest, and I felt a strange warm need as he lightly brushed across the area where my small nipple was, causing it to become tight and hard. His smile was intoxicating, and I found myself wanting to see it more and more.

I couldn't remove my eyes from his gaze, however, my peripheral vision could make out his left hand as it slowly moved toward the narrow waist he thought I possessed. Gently he drew me closer, his right hand snaking back up to my neck as he pulled me toward his lips. Try as I might, I couldn't break the spell he had over me, for it was as though I wanted him to kiss me.

His left hand encircled my waist as his head tilted ever so slightly, with his right hand firmly holding the back of my head, we eased our faces together. As our lips touched, I felt a great swell envelope my chest, as breathing became near impossible. It was as though he was pulling my soul completely from my body with that one kiss. I realized that I could feel his hair as my hands had found their way around his neck.

We broke that strange kiss; he smiled and drew me in again, but this time I was more eager! I found myself pressing my body into his, the slight swell behind the corset top brushing against his broad chest hungrily. "Why am I behaving this way?" My mind pleaded as his lips parted slightly, our tongues touching with abandon.

Joshua slowly pulled his lips away, I felt mine yearning to follow his. "Hey, we better hold off and make us legal first," he whispered softly, I nodded, my heaving chest laboring to catch my breath. "We'll marry first thing when we get to Webster, if that's what you want."

I wasn't sure what I wanted as I let my hands slide off his shoulders and linger down his thick chest. He smiled and bent down, still holding his large hand upon the silky material of my corset. He handed me the blouse."You'd better put these back on or..." I took them, my hand touching his slightly, seeming to purposefully linger longer than it needed.

He turned and let his arms drop away from me, but my body seemed to want them to stay. "Uh...I'll see to the horses. Go ahead and get dressed, it'll be cool tonight." I nodded obediently and put my blouse back on as he walked into the darkness.

I straightened up the collar and began to button slowly, my mind reflecting on the way I had been feeling only moments earlier, I paused at the top, before fastening the last three buttons. My whole body was still tingling with a strange want, a need that I couldn't understand. Gently, I took the front edge of the corset and pulled it out, trying to loosen up the overly confined feeling that I was having from being so long in this costume.

I pulled on the petticoats and stepped into the long blue skirt, bending down I carefully retrieved the lacy tie from the ground and pushed it into the little blue jacket pocket, and laid it onto the grass next to me. I sat back down on a rock and pulled the stockings up my slender thighs, hooking the stays into the thick top material. I gently slid my little feet into the feminine boots that I had been wearing, and hooked each button and eye. I stood slowly and looked behind me, I could see Joshua making his bed on the ground.

I picked up the skillet, pan, forks, and tins, carrying them back to the camp with me. I walked into the firelight where Joshua was sitting. "I made a bed for you to sleep on." He pointed to the thick blanket laying on the ground, near the fire.

I said in a soft voice, "Where will you sleep?"

He pointed to a spot under the wagon, "I guess over there."

I tucked a stray ringlet of blonde hair behind my ear as a slow chill ran up my spine, "You could sleep near the fire...with me." Almost as soon as the words escaped my lips, I wanted them back. "What the heck are you thinking?" I shouted in my mind!

He smiled and picked up his extra bed roll, "Sure. That'd be fine. We can use my bedroll as our blanket."

I slowly sank into the bedding, tucking my skirt under me in one motion. Joshua removed his boots and stood them up, I followed as if unable to control my own actions and did the same. He eased himself onto the bedding and flipped his blanket over us both. As I laid down, he placed his hand at the small of my back and directed my head to his chest, causing my blonde hair to fall softly into his cheek. I felt my body warming slowly, his nearness creating a strange inner peace deep within my soul.