One Step Closer

By Donna and Toni

As she straightened the merchandise on the shelves at the Mercantile, Mercy hummed a merry little tune. The impromptu party for Faith had been a roaring success as far as she was concerned. But it had been even more pleasurable to her by the surprise arrival of Rob Roy. She had half expected him to have returned already to Camelot, so when she saw him through the window walking towards the store, she couldn't resist smiling.  "Mornin' lass!" he said as he walked in. "How are ye this grand, glorious day?"  

"Just fine, kind sir. How can I be of service to you this morning?" She wondered if he thought the way she looked admiringly at him was forward, then thought that she really didn't care. He was a handsome man, and that was what God had given him those good looks for! 

"I just came to give you these," he said, bringing out a sprig of wildflowers he had picked. "Won't it look nice in your bonny hair?" He reached out and tucked it into her tidy bun, his hand lingering just a second more than absolutely necessary. "And to ask if ye wa' consider gangin' back with me to Camelot to have a look at me land there."  

She hadn't expected that, and told him gently, "Oh, Rob....I couldn't do that! Bogy needs me here at the store, I can't be takin' away time from my job! It wouldn't be fair to him. If it didn't take so long to get there, I would consider it, but it's just too far a trip to make quickly." Before he could look too downcast, she added, "Maybe....maybe on my day off, only a few days from now. Could Joy come along too? I know she'd love to see Camelot." She looked hopefully at him. 

"Tha' wa be grand!" he said brightly. "Ye can come out on the coach then!" 

She was relieved to see him look happy again, and smiled, "I'd like that very much. What should we bring with us? Joy is a wonderful cook, especially with fruit pastries. They're so delicate you'd swear they're melting in your mouth!" She was already getting excited and making plans, though she of course tried to remain calm to outward appearances. 

"Just yer lovely self," he said. "But in the meantime, wa' ye do me the honor of suppin' with me at the hotel tonight? I will be leaving for Camelot come morn, and I wa' like to ha' some time with ye 'for I gang."  

She knew she was blushing slightly, but she didn't care; she looked at his hopeful face and smiled softly, "I'd love to; thank you for askin'. Bogy usually lets me go about an hour after sunset, we figure not too many people are going to come shopping after dark." 

She looked thoughtful. Joy could use a night out too. And so could Bogy!  

Looking up at him, she asked, "Would you mind very much if my sister and Bogy joined us at dinner? I'd like them to get to  know you better too." She hoped he wouldn't mind. 

"I dinna mind," he said happily. She had agreed to go out with him! That alone was reason to celebrate. He made arrangements for the time he would pick her up, and left with a smile and a song on his heart.  

That night, he came by to meet with his little group, and the four set out for the saloon and their dinner. Mercy couldn't help being proud of the man at her side, and as things progressed, he seemed genuinely happy to have them there, unlike some who would have thought of them as "cramping his style." 

He had a talent for teasing that made Joy blush and giggle throughout the meal. Bogy was delighted to have the opportunity to go out with them. He liked Mercy, as he had liked Katherine, but neither one of them wanted to be anything more than friends with him. Perhaps Joy, who was actually several years younger than him would be!  

She seemed to enjoy listening to him talk, as her sister did the tall Scot; as the meal neared its end, none of the diners seemed to want it to end! 

The two men walked the ladies home, both of the men pleased to have spent the evening in such pleasurable company!