The Kissing Booth

By:   Teresa


Disclaimer: All characters from Bonanza are the property of someone else. No profit made and no offense intended.
To Wendy for your continuous support and guidance.





"Well boys, I hear we are in for something real special this weekend. I heard that Virginia City has pulled out all the stops for the first annual Virginia City Day."

"Yea, Pa, I heard there was going to be food booths and a pie eating contest. Um, just thinking about that steaming hot, just out of the oven apple pies makes my mouth water."
 
"What doesn't make your mouth water little brother," replied Adam.

"Hey, that's not fair. Now pass me some more of them there taters."

"I heard there is going to be target shooting, cattle roping, horse races and just about everything imaginable," said Joe.

"I heard there's going to be a group tug of war," replied Hoss.

"Yes, all they need to do is tie the rope around Mrs. Arah May Jenkins and use her as the anchor, nobody would be able to budge her."
 
"Now Joseph, didn't I teach you not to speak badly of someone's, uh..."

"Girth," supplied Adam dryly.

"Her what?" asked Hoss, confused.

"Her girth, you know circumference," Adam explained.

"Her what?" asked Hoss again.

"Her LARGENESS!" yelled Adam.

"Oh, why didn't you say that in the first place, Adam?"

"I thought I did."

"Boys, it's not polite to speak of a woman's size anyway. Understood?"

"Yes Pa," the boys replied in unison.

"Hey, where were you two this afternoon? I rode up to the west pen to help you with the fences
you were suppose to be fixing and couldn't find you", questioned Adam.

"Well Adam, we were you know, uh," stammered Hoss, looking to Little Joe to bail him out.

"Well you see Adam, we were most definitely there, repairing fences as we were instructed when we thought we heard a shot off in the distance, so we felt that we should check it out for safety reasons. We couldn't find anything wrong, so we promptly headed right back to our chores. We must have just missed you."

"Well, is that so? Seems to me that..." Adam started to say but was interrupted by Little Joe.

"Come on Hoss, we still have those few things left to do in the barn before we head into Virginia City tonight. If that's OK with you, Pa?"

"Sure boys, but don't be too late."

"Hey, wait a minute. I have been so busy, I haven't made it into Virginia City all week, maybe I would like to go."

"Oh, Adam, you ain't missing nuthin, the whole place is tore up, what with the people trying to get the booths and tables and such in place."

"Yea, Adam, you can barely make it through the streets. Now come on Hoss," Joe said as he practically drags Hoss through the door.

"Pa, you noticed something strange about those two this week?"

"Like what, Adam?"

"Like they're up to something."

"Oh Adam, they're just excited about the celebrations," replied Ben as he picked up his coffee cup and headed for his desk.

"Scheming, that's what they are up to," muttered Adam, as he stared at the recently vacated door.

"What did you say Adam?"

"Nothing Pa."

"Good, now come over here and help me look over these ledger books, I'm having a problem making this one column balance."

"Sure, Pa, just what I want to be doing on a Friday night, working over numbers with my father, when I would rather be laying out the final details of my plan to get Loralie alone at the big celebration."

"What did you say, son?"

"Nothing, Pa."

The next morning at breakfast, the two youngest Cartwrights were planning yet another quick retreat to Virginia City and luck was on their side. "Boys, I need you to go into town and pickup those supplies Hop Sing needs for the picnic he is preparing for us."

"I'll go, Pa," offered Adam, "I still need to stop by Loralie's house to decide on what time I'm going to pick her up."

"Now, Adam," stammered Hoss, "do you really thing that's a good idea, seeing how that them activities at the celebration might take up a good bit of your time."

"What?"

"What my big brother is trying to say is, we're going dateless because, it just wouldn't be right to escort a lovely lady to the celebration and then just leave her by herself as we take part in cattle roping and horse racing and such."

"Well you two can take each other as dates for all I care. But I'm definitely taking Loralie, I'm not going to leave her side for one moment. I'm still trying to get back on her good side from the last church picnic. Do I need to refresh your memory on that Little Joe?"

"No, no, definitely not, but if you are so sure fire set on escorting Loralie, Hoss and I can stop by her house on the way to town and deliver a message for you."

"Now wait a minute, I can deliver my own messages."

"No, Adam, I think Little Joe is right, you and I have to ride up to the mining camp today, I heard there was some kind of problem with one of the workers."

"Oh, Pa, can't you go alone?"

"No, Adam, business first, there will be plenty of time to tomorrow for relaxation."

Not happy, but not willing to push his father any further, Adam quickly wrote out a note for Little Joe to deliver to Loralie. "Just make sure you get this straight over to Loralie's house, boy."

"Whatever you say, Adam."

On their way into town Hoss asked Little Joe, "Now what are we going to do? If Loralie gets that there message all our plans will be for nothing."

"Now don't you worry about thing Hoss," replied Joe as they approached Loralie's House. He stopped Cochise, pulled Adam's neatly written note out of his pocket and carefully folded it into a airplane, and said, "I promised Adam that I would deliver this straight to Loralie's house," and with that said he drew back his arm and let it sail, straight into the rose bushes at the corner of the house. "Now hopefully she won't find that until after the celebration."

"I don't know Joe, I'm not sure if this is a good idea."

"What do you mean? It's too late now, the plans are set. And tomorrow our big brother is going to learn a lesson that's been too long in coming. Don't you remember how he rubbed our noses in the fact that he out danced us at the last church social? Even went so far as to dance with your Betsy Sue."

"Oh yea, I had to listen to her for over an hour talking about what a graceful dancer Adam was."

"Well, after tomorrow it will be our time to do some nose rubbing. Now let's get on into town to make sure everything is going according to plan. And besides I need to finish up with those gals at the Bucket of Blood. That research I've been doing with them has been quite an eye opener."

The next morning as everyone gathered downstairs after putting the finishing touches on their attire. Pa commented on how handsome everyone looked. Joe's eyes were shining brighter than ever with his freshly cleaned and pressed green corduroy jacket. Adam snuck up behind him and after taking a deep breath commented, " How much cologne you got on there Little Brother, half the bottle? And why are you so slickered up? Considering you planned on spending most of your time, cattle roping and horse racing."

"Big brother you can never look too good, no matter what you are doing," he replied as he flicked an imaginary piece of dust off of Adam's black jacket that he had casually flung of his shoulder.

"Don't you think you are a little over dressed for the occasion?" Joe asked as he pulled at Adam's black tie he wore over his good, new, white shirt, that he bought the last time he was in San Francisco.

"Little brother, I told you, I'm not leaving Loralie's side."

"Oh brother, I just thought you didn't want to get that sissy shirt dirty."

"Sissy shirt? I have you know that this shirt cost me a pretty penny, but the sales woman assured me that no lady could resist a man in silk." He sure hoped she was right. He could just imagine Loralie running her hands over him now.

"Now boys, let's not get started with that. Let's get on into town. Hoss get the wagon ready."

"Oh Pa, I'm taking the buggy, so I can stop by Loralie's and pick her up." He had already stashed his own private picnic basket and one of Pa's best bottles of wine under the seat.

"Oh Pa, Hoss and I plan on riding our horses into town."

"Very well, I guess we will meet up in town. Still, bring the wagon around and help load anything that Hop sings needs into it. I'm sure he can barely lift that basket he has prepared for you Hoss."

"Sure Pa, no problem."

Just as Adam was approaching Loralie's house, he noticed her about to leave with her parents.

"Loralie!" Adam yelled.

"She stepped off the buggy and turned to him. "Yes Adam. Is there something I can do for you."

Adam could barely speak. She was a vision of loveliness. Her wavy brown hair was pulled up in the back and she had tiny wisps of curls framing her entire face. Her dress was the deepest blue he had ever seen. Matching her eyes perfectly. It was just low enough cut to show off the very slightest hint of her breasts, and the waist was so tight he was sure he could he could place his hands there and they would fit perfectly. Reluctantly he tore his eyes away and looked back into her face. There was something there in her eyes. But what? Annoyance, that's what it was. But why? He was there exactly at the time he specified in the note. The Note? Adam was jerked back to reality.

"Loralie, you did receive my note?" Adam prayed that she had, but very much doubted it, considering her attitude.

"No Adam, I received or heard nothing from you this entire week. So I assumed that our date was off and I was planning to ride in with my parents."

Adam jumped out of the buggy and grabbed her arm just as she was turning away. "Loralie, please wait. Can I talk to you for a few seconds in private?"

"Well, I don't see how that would do any good, but I suppose it's all right."

Adam gently steered her over to the side of the house behind the rose bushes, out of the view of her parents. "Loralie you have to believe me, my father has come up with one thing after another all week. It has been impossible to get away. That's why I sent you a note yesterday to confirm our plans."

"Adam I received no such note. Now really I can't keep my parents waiting." with that said she started to pull away.

Adam pulled her back into his arms very tightly. Close enough so he could whisper in her ear, "Loralie this is all I've dreamed about for a month. You and I spending the day together. Leisurely strolling the streets, taking in the entertainment and then slipping away to enjoy the picnic I have packed."

"I don't know, Adam," she replied as she tried to put some room between her and him. It was becoming difficult to breath and to think with him so close. All she wanted was to have him claim her lips as his own and to run her hands over his chest. But she still owed him for that little stunt at the last church picnic. Make him suffer. That's why she had chosen this particular dress. She was sure he would show up at the celebration today and she had planned on flirting outrageously with anyone in sight, just to torment him.

"Well Adam, I don't know," she said as she tilted her head to the side and bit slightly on her lip as she twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. With that all combined it almost sent Adam over the edge. He could feel his entire body increase in temperature. He had to make her agree to accompany him and he had to do it now. Not thinking, he just instinctively pulled her back into his arms and lowered his lips to hers. Stopping within an inch of her lips, just close enough for her to feel his breath. He waited for her to stop him. When this didn't happen he slowly lowered his lips to hers, applying slight pressure at first until he felt her relax in his arms. Then he started nibbling on her bottom lip until her mouth was open for him to explore and explore he did, until they were both breathless. She reluctantly pulled away and stuttered, "I, I, I guess, I will, I can, I'll tell my parents to go ahead."

Adam didn't turn around, he needed a moment to compose himself. As he was standing there he noticed a very familiar piece of paper stuck in the rose bushes. He delicately retrieved it and noticed it was folded into a paper airplane. As he unfolded the paper and realized it was his note to Loralie, he screamed to himself, JOSEPH! Whatever you have planned it's not going to turn out the way you expected today. He crushed the paper in his hand and stuffed it into his pocket. And quickly turned to find Loralie waiting patiently beside the buggy. He helped her in and they headed for town.

Every once in awhile when the buggy hit a rut in the road, Loralie clutched his leg for support. Adam was not sure at all if he was going to make it to town. Things just had to work out as he planned. He needed to make an appearance in town and sweep Loralie off to a very secluded spot and he needed to do it quickly. It had been a long hard winter snowed in with just his brothers and father as company. Adam had some frustrations to relieve and he needed to have it done quickly. They finally found a spot to park the buggy and Adam rushed around to help Loralie down. She held on just the slightest bit longer than necessary, sending Adam's temperature soaring again. She broke the tension by saying,

"Oh Adam look at all the booths. There's one for everything. Look pie eating, even a dunking booth. Oh my, what's that? A Kissing Booth. Now who would you suppose would be so desperate as to publicly humiliate themselves at a Kissing Booth? Really."

"I don't know dear, but it must be a couple of real losers." About that time he spotted Hoss and Little Joe coming around the corner. He grabbed Joe's shoulder and practically dislocated it while dragging him behind a booth. "Boy, you are in big trouble! Thanks for nothing. I will deliver the message for you, no problem. I don't know what you two are up to, but believe me I know it's no good. You were lucky I was able to sweet talk my way around Loralie. But this isn't forgotten. You are going to get what is coming to you later on tonight. I'll make sure of that." Just as Adam was ending up his sermon, they were spotted by Sam the bartender. "Hey folks there's a our two eligible contestants for the Kissing Booth."

"KISSING BOOTH?" exclaimed Adam.

"Kissing booth," calmly stated Joe. "You got a problem with that?

"DO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?" screamed Adam. "You're crazy, little brother and I'm leaving now."

Just as Adam and Loralie were safely back in the buggy and on the verge of making an easy get away. Mrs. Arah May Jenkins ran directly into the path of the horses. OK maybe not ran, considering she's well over 250 pounds and only five feet tall. Adam got the horses under control and sweetly said. "Mrs. Jenkins can I help you with something? We were just leaving."

"Oh Adam, you can't leave", groaned Mrs. Jenkins.

"Why in heavens not?" Adam became quite frustrated as his well laid plans were being tested at every chance.

"Well Adam, seeing how I am the Preacher's wife, I wouldn't normally condone such outlandish activities as a Kissing Booth. BUT, half the proceeds from all contests, food booths, entry fees, just about everything will be donated to the church to help replace that back section that was burnt out last month."

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose before he replied, "well Mrs. Jenkins that's just wonderful, and you know the Ponderosa is always willing to donate time or material to such causes, but really now, I don't think this Kissing Booth thing is really a big deal and will not add that much to your cause." By this time Hoss and Little Joe had managed to sneak around the other side of the wagon to see how Mrs. Jenkins was doing with her argument with older brother.

"That's where you're wrong, Adam. With all the flyers Little Joseph has been posting this past week, you have quite a line forming." explained Mrs. Jenkins. "And please convey to your father that the Reverend and myself commend the unselfish commitment your brother has made to help those scarlets at the Bucket of Blood realize the error of their ways," rambled Mrs. Jenkins.

"My brother?" questioned Adam.

"Yes".

"My brother Hoss?"

"No".

"You can't possible mean my brother Joe?"

"Well yes, of course. He has been like a man on a mission. He has been over to the Bucket of Blood every night until closing. Hounding those geezabelles. Chasing them around, scribbling down notes, probably to perfect his sermon to them. Sam had to run him off a couple of times, but he never gave up. What devotion!" squealed Mrs. Jenkins.

"Yes, what devotion", Adam replied dryly. Adam finally noticed Hoss and Little Joe and gestured impatiently for them to come to him as he stepped down from the buggy. With the three forming a line just in front of Mrs. jenkins. Hoss quietly asked, Uh, Mrs. Jenkins, uh, pretty near how many tickets you figured to have sold so far?"

"100 to be exact, and the contest hasn't even started yet," exclaimed Mrs. Jenkins proudly.

"100 tickets?" asked Hoss in shock.

"100 tickets?" asked Joe proudly.

"100 tickets?" asked Adam in disbelief.

"100 tickets?" asked Loralie right before she fainted.

Back at Doc Martin's office Loralie is coming back to through the swirl of conversation around her. "No Joe, I don't have to do anything," screamed Adam.

"Oh come on, Adam, think of all the money we will raise."

"NO, Joe."

"Oh come, Adam, they're up to 225 tickets," pleaded Hoss.

"HOW MANY?" Adam asked in disbelief.

"HOW MANY?", Joe asked proudly.

"To be exact they're up to 250 tickets," Ben calmly announced as he enters the Doctor's office.

"Pa, thank goodness your here. Will you talk some reason into these two thick heads?"

"Well Adam, it's entirely up to you, but they have already taken the 250 dollars, and they would have to refund it all, and all the ladies out there already standing in line might just be a tad bit upset."

"WHAT? Don't tell me Pa, that you are on their side?"

"Normally no, but seeing as how it's all ready going on, and everything is set, well, like I said Adam it's entirely up to you."

"PA!" Adam cried.

Seeing his older brother starting to cave, Joe added with a smile, "What's wrong Adam? Age and experience having doubts when youth and enthusiasm is standing ready?"

"Now you just look here..." Adam started, but Joe interrupted with,

"That's OK, Adam, really at your age, it's probably not a good idea for you to have too much excitement." Joe tapped at his chest while he winked at Hoss.

"My heart is in fine condition, thank you very much for the concern."

"No really, it might be too embarrassing for you, when they tally the votes. You would just never live it down. You know how people talk. "Yea, that Adam Cartwright was once considered a catch, but now at his age, maybe he should take up knitting. And it a real shame that Adam Cartwright never married and gave Ben those well deserved grandchildren."

"OK OK! That's enough, you barely shaving Romeo. It's about time you learned what real women want. Let's go." In his haste to defend his manhood, he forgot all about his date. Who was still playing unconscious and absorbing every word.

"Well, I never. Two can play at this game," she muttered.

Sheriff Coffee safety escorted Joe and Adam through the mob into the booths, each were appointed a body guard in case some lovely young lady got carried away with time allotment. Ben over saw Adam and Hoss over saw Joe. With Mrs. Arah May Jenkins very neatly marking the tally. While dreaming of the extra hymn books she will now be able to purchase with the extra money these two were making for her. Sam the bartender stood in front of the booths that held Adam and Joe and explained the rules, each woman who bought a ticket would first kiss Joe or Adam their choice, then kiss the other and then proceed to Mrs. Jenkins who would then record her vote. At the end of the event Mrs. Jenkins would tally the votes. Half the money raised goes to the church the other to Adam and Joe. The winner taking the losers money and keeping it or also donating it to the church, their choice. That got Mrs. Jenkins thinking again, more money, maybe enough to get some nice curtains for the church.

"OK, as for the contestants, they may have a five minute break every half hour as needed. With that said, lets begin," explained Sam. Sheriff Coffee shot his gun into the air to begin the event.
Twenty or thirty girls later, "Pa, I have this nagging feeling, I forgot something?" questioned Adam.

"Come on, son, pay attention to the contest."

"But, Pa."

"Adam don't I always tell you if you're going to do something, then it's worth doing well."

"Yes, Pa."

"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but a snuck a peak over Mrs. Jenkins shoulder and you're behind son, way behind."

"WHAT? I can't lose to Joe, I will never hear the end of it!" cried Adam.

The next six ladies chose Adam to kiss first and after he got done with them they barely stumbled past Joe for a quick peck. Smiling to himself with smug satisfaction, he looked out over the group and there was Abigail Jones with at least a dozen tickets clutched in her hand.

"NO, NOT ABIGAIL JONES!" screamed both Adam and Joe at the same time. Hoss grabbed Sam the bartender by the shirt and said, "Hey ain't there a limit on the amount of tickets one person can buy?"

"Nope, the only limit is their wallet and of course there is a time limit, have to keep this line moving, boys."

As Adam tried to swallow the large lump forming in his throat, he also rose from his seat, "Pa, I can't go on."

Ben forcefully shoved Adam back down and said." Adam look at me," forcing Adam to meet his eyes he said, "Adam you must uphold the Cartwright name, don't let me down now boy."

"But Pa! It's ABIGAIL JONES!"

"I know, son, I know."

Well after Adam's chair collapsed on the ground from the force of Abigail Jones' weight, she ended up half hanging out of the booth. Legs flying in the air, petticoats showing. Sam was able to extract her from Adam and set her back down on the ground. Adam reemerged, hair a mess, shirt buttons missing, lipstick smeared all over his face. Clawing his way up, grasping, begging for a five minute break and a bottle of rotgut whiskey.

Never to make a display in public, Abigail straightened the wrinkles in her dress, smoothed her few stray hairs and with her head held high, proceeded straight toward Joe's booth.
Joe, in shock of what he just witnessed, started reciting every prayer he could remember in hopes of her passing him by. With luck on his side again this day. Abigail simply said, "Little Joseph" and extended her hand to Little Joe for him to kiss. Joe apprehensively accepted her claw as if it was the hand of death and came as close to her hand as possible without actually touching it and let out a small smooch as if he kissed it. By this time Ben had returned with a bottle of whiskey that he had bought at the Bucket of Blood. He quickly handed it to Adam, while apologizing.

"Oh my son, what have I done to you? Upholding the family name is not that important. Oh son, please forgive me. Will you every be OK?"

With that said, Adam pulls out the cork with his teeth and spit it through the opening of the booth, hitting Sheriff Coffee in the back of the head. Who was trying to hold back the stampede of women that were in fear of the contest ending without them getting their turn. After Adam used the first fourth of the whiskey as mouthwash. Swirling, gargling and spitting, he then downed the entire rest of the bottle in one shot.

"Pa, I can go on. I must. My last memory can not be of ABIGAIL JONES!"

"OK, son, if your sure. I will tell Sam you will continue."

Hoss and Joe witnessed this whole exchange. As they wiped the tears from their eyes, Joe remarked, "I don't care how this competition ends, Hoss. I just hope someday to be half the man Adam is. I'm not sure I would have been able to entire what he just experienced."
The next thirty or fifty women were just a blur to Adam. The rotgut working its magic. Then as if someone had pulled the curtain open on a bright sunny day, it smacked Adam right in the face with what had been nagging at his conscious. There at the very end of the line stood the final ticket purchaser. The one and only LORALIE. Looking even more seductive. How is that possible Adam wondered, that dress seemed even lower cut than before. It looked as though those delicious breasts would spill out at any time, and he surely wanted to be there to catch them. As he dragged his eyes to her face he noticed she was wearing the most dazzling smile. Wow, he must be the luckiest man in the world. She wasn't mad at him for deserting her in
the Doc's office. He could put this contest behind him and move on with his plans. But before he knew what hit him, she walked straight over to Joe's booth and grabbed onto his collar and drug him over and out of the booth. She bent him over backwards and made sure she made good use of her allotted time. With that done, she merely dropped him in the dirt, stuck her nose up at Adam and proceeded to Mrs. Jenkins to cast her vote. Meanwhile Joe who had no feeling in his lower extremities, well maybe in some areas. Just laid there babbling, " I'm sorry, Adam, really I am."

Adam vaulted over the booth counter and lifted Joe to his feet and then off the ground, yelling,

"Do you see what you have done? I ought to..."

Hoss intervened, "Adam, ADAM, let him go, let him go now!!!"

"Whatever you say," in which he dumped Joe on the ground. Joe, now coming back to his senses, lay there giggling, "Adam, I'm sorry brother, but what a hot kisser. You don't know what you are missing out on." With that said, it took Ben, Hoss and Sam the bartender to hold Adam back from killing Joe.

"OK, Joe, that's enough, you go on over to the Bucket of Blood and get a beer, while they tally the votes and we will calm Adam down."

A few minutes later Mrs. Jenkins told Ben, "You better go fetch Little Joe, we have the results."

"Sure thing. Hoss, go get Little Joe."

After Joe, Adam, Ben, Hoss, Sheriff Coffee, Sam and the rest of the entire population of Virginia City was assembled, Mrs. Jenkins announced her results. "Well we have an unusual turn of events here. There seems to be tie."

"A tie?", asked Hoss in shock.

"A tie?", asked Joe proudly.

"A tie?", asked Adam in disbelief.

"A tie?," asked Ben wondering if he will live long enough to get these three out of his house.

"How is that possibly? How many votes were there?"

"All together there was 305 votes, " stated Mrs. Jenkins calmly.

"Well OK, there must be a mistake. That number doesn't divide evenly. So you must have figured wrong," said Ben.

Now Mrs. Jenkin's nose was out of joint. "No, Mr. Cartwright, I figured just fine, 152 for Little Joe and 152 for Adam and..."

"Well you see," interrupted Ben, " that only comes to 304 votes."

"Well Mr. Cartwright if you would let me finish, as I was saying 152 votes for Little Joe and 152 votes for Adam and one vote for neither."

"NEITHER, there's no such person as neither," explained Hoss. Joe, Ben and Adam rolled their eyes and then Ben asked "What are we going to do?"

Sam intervened and suggested, "We could hold the contest all over again."

"NO!'" screamed Ben, Adam, Joe and Hoss.

"OK, OK. What do you suggest?" stammered Sam.

Everyone shook their heads and murmured when Hop Sing, who had remained quiet throughout this whole ordeal, stated the obvious, "If you no want to do contest over, both contestants should be allowed to persuade the NEITHER vote in their favor. Therefore get winner and we eat my picnic before spoil and I return to China."

"OK, Hop Sing, great idear, and no please you can't return to China, I wouldn't be fit to do a days work, without your great cooking," pleaded Hoss.

Hop Sing, only wanting a little praise, promised to stay.

"Now where is that NEITHER voter?" asked Hoss.

As the crowd parts Joe and Adam spot her at the same time. The one and only Loralie.

"NOOOOOO!" they both yelled at the same time.

There she stood in all her beauty, with the biggest cat ate the canary smile.

"OK, boys, you will have five minutes alone with her, to try and persuade her as to who is the better kisser, may the best man win," declared Sam.

Joe went first. Piece of cake, he thought to himself. They went into his booth and closed the door. He mustered up every ounce of charm he has and dazzled her, he hoped with his charm. "Well Loralie, I know you are kind of partial to my brother, and I sure don't want to do anything to jeopardize that, but do you realize how completely impossible it will be to live with him, if he wins."

"Is that so?" Loralie responded quietly.

Little Joe saw that this was not going well, decided to turn the tables.

"Well, Loralie think of the advantage you could hold over him, if you declare me the better kisser, he would be falling at your feet, trying to change your mind.. He would be at your beck and call, so to speak."

"Interesting," Loralie responded quietly.

"So you see how this could work to both our advantages? Now to seal the deal with a kiss," stated Joe.

He was met with a hand to his chest.

"That won't be necessary," responded Loralie.

"OK, if you're sure?" gulped Joe.

As they opened the door, people were falling over each other to try and back up from being caught eavesdropping. Adam not liking the smug expression on little brother's face, grabbed Loralie's arm and half drug, half shoved her through his booth door and slamed the door with enough force to shake the booth. He proceeded to turn on her.

"Now Adam, don't be like that," pleaded Loralie.

Adam stepped forward, she stepped back.

"You really did bring this all on yourself," cried Lorlie.

Adam stepped forward, she stepped back.

"I think you are being unreasonable," exclaimed Loralie.

Adam stepped forward, she stepped back.

"I was just having a little fun with you," teased Loralie.

Adam stepped forward, she stepped back. Now she was pressed against the
wall.

"Adam, I'm not going to stand for this sort of treatment. It's you and your male ego that had things end this way. We could have been at the secluded spot overlooking the lake, tasting Hop Sings treats, sipping your father's delicious wine right now." With that remark, Adam raised one eyebrow, but still did not speak. "Adam, Adam please say something." She reached out and brushed his chest with her hands. "Oh Adam, oh Adam is this shirt made out of silk.?"
Now the real caressing started. Adam's scowl quickly changed to a smile. As he crushed her chest to his, he completely devoured her mouth, leaving no room for objection. He reluctantly released her mouth to nibble on her ear and to work his way down her neck and throat, where he placed barely caressing kisses along the hollow of her throat. Her legs were threatening to give out and he supported her body with his arms. He raised his head slightly, he enjoyed watching her struggle to breath and her heart beating rapidly. He bent in close to her ear and whispered softly, "does my brother make you feel this way?"

Barely able to speak, she replied, "No Adam, never."

Adam abruptly released her and said, "OK then, let's get this contest over and move on to the rest of afternoon."

"Yes Adam, whatever you say, Adam," she responded groggily.

Now it was Adam's turn to emerge from the booth with the canary ate the cat expression. "I think this contest is over folks. You will all have to find other things to amuse yourself with."

"OK now Miss Loralie, what is you final vote?" asked Sam impatiently.

"It goes to...Adam of course, " answered Loralie, still breathless.

"Adam?" Ben asked in relief.

"Adam? Hoss asked in shock.

"Adam? " Joe asked in disbelief.

"OK, Older Brother, what's your secret?" questioned Little Joe.

"Why not ask the lady?" Adam replied smuckly.

"OK, Laura Lee, what is it?" asked Joe impatiently.

"Well I would have to say, the silk shirt played a major part in my
decision," answered Loralie.

"You mean to tell me that sissy shirt swayed your vote?" asked Hoss.

"Well...that and other things," answered Loralie.

"What 'other things'?" questioned Joe.

"OK, folks, we are definitely leaving. Thanks for coming. Pa don't wait up for me." explained Adam, as he quickly drug Loralie toward the waiting buggy.

Hoss trailed after Joe who was making his way to the Bucket of Blood to hopefully drown his sorrows in no less than a dozen beers. "Hey Joe, wait up. Hey Joe, you think them there sissy silk shirts come in my size?" questioned Hoss.

"Hoss, just shut up, will you?"

The End


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