Dev stepped out of Destiny’s bathhouse and smoothed her hair again. She hated wearing dresses. She always felt so uncomfortable and out of place in the delicate garments, more than happy to wear the thick trousers and homespun shirts that she wore while driving her stage. But she had her heart set on going to the Valentines dance and she wasn’t gonna let the chance get away from her.

She self-consciously lifted the hem of the skirt and moved quickly down the steps onto the dusty street moving quickly, and with a purpose that only she knew, toward the sheriff’s office. Standing outside his door, she wiped her damp palms on the dusky pink print of the dress that Destiny had loaned her just for this occasion.

She shook her head in wonder as she remembered telling her friend what she wanted to do, smiling as she remembered the search for a dress that would fit her so that she could make her best impression. Her unfamiliar corset and bloomers feeling like they were strangling her, not like her comfortable familiar long johns. But she did have to admit that she was feeling more feminine, if a little silly, then she had felt in a long time.

Knowing that she was procrastinating, she flicked her long black braid over her shoulder and plastered a friendly smile on her pretty tanned face, her green eyes glistening with excitement and a little trepidation.

"Sheriff Hunter," she spoke with a voice sounding foreign even to her own ears.

"Miss Deveraux," Teaspoon nodded tipping his hat to her, wondering what the local stage driver could be visiting him for, and dressed right prettily, too. He had never seen her looking so pretty, almost ladylike in fact.

"I was wondering Mr Hunter," she spoke softly, "I was wondering if . . ." She paused breaking off nervously.

"It can’t be that bad, Miss Deveraux." He smiled wondering what had made this usually self assured woman so nervous. "You’re like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs," he chuckled to himself at the analogy

"Well," she murmured determined to get it out, "I heard about the Valentines Dance, and I was wondering if you would like to attend the dance as my partner?" Her eyes met Teaspoon’s for a fraction of an instant, before her green eyes filled with tears and she became even more flustered than she had already been. "I’m sorry," she murmured. "I shouldn’t have even come here," she murmured. "Please forget I even asked that," she looked pointedly at her feet, before she turned to leave the room, forgetting she was wearing the voluminous skirts and tripped in her own vanity. A deep blush flooding her cheeks as she scrambled to her feet and almost ran from the room, desperate to get away from the source of her embarrassment.