Dressed in her finest about town clothes Kimber was at the stables bright
and early. "Shane? Can you do me a favor?"
Shane came out from the back, "Of
course."
"Get the wagon ready so I can go to town please."
"The wagon? Wouldn't the carriage be more comfy?"
"Probably but I want the wagon and Mark to drive it." Shane was about to comment on that but thought better of it. Kimber waited patiently by the main house twirling her parasol over her head when Mark came up with a look on his face.
"What are you doing? Kimber, I'm serious."
"Deadly I can tell. I need a ride and I thought we were still friends. I can use a good friend, they aren't exactly lining up."
Mark sighed, guilt him to death. "Okay but I smell like cow."
"Then put on a clean shirt." She deliberately showed an indecent amount of leg to him when he helped her into the wagon, causing him to flush. The seat was really only made for one so they had to sit right next to each other. The ride was a long one for Mark even though it was only 10 minutes down the road, did she have to press up against him like that? Kimber had packages from home waiting for her so she really did need to come to town but the main reason was to spend time with him. If he wanted to be just business then that's how she'd do it.
They had just entered the general store when an excited female came rushing over, "Mark! Can I tell you how much I love you?"
Kimber glanced over with a look of disdain, who is she? "Hey Kimmy. Why do you love me?"
She linked arms with him and gushed, "You brought me Shane. We must have talked for hours the other night, and he kissed me. It was heaven and it's all because of you. Thank you." She was obviously over the moon about Shane but it still made Kimber roll her eyes. She had no reason to be jealous of the closeness Mark seemed to share with this Kimmy but it irked her. This was noted by Mark who played it up for what it was worth. "This is my good friend Kimmy who is the singer at the saloon. You should hear her, she's like an angel."
"Really."
"I'll see you later tonight. I've got to help my boss with her errands." and kissed her on the cheek.
Damn him! "Good friend hmm." she said as they walked down the street.
"Hey sweetie!" a voice called from above and Kimber was horrified to find Mark smiled back at the woman above. "I'm bored, you want to come up and keep me company?"
"Sorry Sherry, I'm working."
"Glad one of us is." and she stuck her underdressed self back in the window.
Mark could feel a chill in the air that had nothing to do with the weather on the ride home. "Alright, what's the matter?"
Kimber crossed her arms, "Don't tell me she's a friend."
"As a matter of fact she is my friend."
"She sells herself"
"To support a younger sister who depends on her. Have you ever wanted for anything in your life?"
"Yes I have. I want to be with someone who can love me for me, not how I've been raised. I've been waiting my whole life for you and you push me away. Well, you can be with whoever you want, it won't mean a thing to me." She hopped off the wagon before it even stopped. "You've made me feel worthless."
"Wait Kimber, don't go. I'm sorry. Why don't you join us tonight at the saloon? Just a group of friends having a laugh."
"I'll think about it."