Fury's Love. Tess Mathews

love looking at the stars."

       "So do I, and it's a perfect night for stargazing."

       "Do you know much about stars?"

       "Well, I know that's the big dipper." Travis pointed at the group of stars.

       "Oh, yes, I see it. My father taught me the constellations when I was younger. Oh, look, Travis," her finger jutted toward the sky, "it's a falling star. Travis?"

       "What is it, honey? You look worried."

       "I know it's silly, but I heard seeing a falling start means something bad will happen."

       "I don't think so." He smiled at her. "I think they are lucky."

       "How are they lucky?"

       "I feel like I'm lucky tonight."

       "You do?"

       Travis leaned his face closer to hers, and she fought the urge to scoot away.

       "Yes, I found you tonight."

       Belle felt the soft touch of his rough hands as he cupped her face. Her heart hammered in her chest as he drew closer. She closed her eyes and felt the tender, warm caress of his lips on hers.

       "Belle? Belle, honey, open your eyes."

       "W-what?" She floated in a dream of bliss.

       "Open your eyes, darlin'."

       Belle fluttered her eyes open, to see Travis smiling at her.

      Oh, I'm such an idiot. He's going to think I'm such a little girl, mooning over her first kiss. Or maybe he will think I'm a loose woman, letting him kiss me; after all, we just met.

       "First kiss. I'm honored." Travis gently traced his thumb across her jaw, stopping to tuck a stray lock of her chestnut hair behind her ear. "And you could never be a loose woman."

       "I did it again, didn't I? I said that out loud," she murmured, but this time she felt no embarrassment as she gazed into his warm eyes.

       "Please," Belle whispered, "do that again."

       "Gladly," Travis said as he leaned toward her.

       The church hall door flung open. The twanging sounds of banjos, mixed with the whines of a fiddle and the nasal voice of the dance caller, spilled out into the night, ruining Belle's romantic moment.

       "Belle!" The booming voice of Mr. Pendergrass made Belle jump and Travis retreat to his side of the bench.

       "Yes, sir, Mr. Pendergrass, I'm out here."

       She gave Travis an apologetic glance as she stood.

       "Oh, Belle, here you are." Mr. Pendergrass stood with his wife and daughter in tow. "It's time to go home, Belle. Come along."

       The trio walked past Belle and Travis. Darcy smiled at Belle.

       With a weak smile and gentle wave, Belle said goodbye to Travis and turned to walk away.

       Travis jumped to his feet and reached out, grabbing her arm. "Please, Belle, may I see you again?"

       "Yes, please do," she replied, beaming. "My father is Judge Alston, and we live outside of town. Ask anyone. They will tell you how to get to the Alston place."

       "Good, honey." He placed a quick kiss on her forehead and released her arm. "You can expect me soon, Miss Alston."

      "Belle, Belle," Darcy's voice broke through Belle's reminiscing." Well, how was it, the kiss? Oh, Belle?"

      "Y-yes…the kiss…it was…" She sighed and let her shoulders drop. "…wonderful."

      "Oh, oh, Mr. Pendergrass." Belle suddenly realized they were near her home. "Please drop me at the path to our house. I can walk the rest of the way."

      "I don't think I should, Belle. I need to see you safely to your home."

      Belle did not want an abrupt end to her night. She craved time alone to think about Travis and to moon over her first kiss.

      "I'll be safe, Mr. Pendergrass. It's not that far, and besides, Mama's been sick. You know that's why they couldn't take me to the dance, and, oh, I am so grateful you took me, but, Mr. Pendergrass, we could wake Mama with the sound of the carriage."

      "Well," he croaked," I suppose you are right, but you hurry along home."

      "Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Pendergrass."

      Darcy grabbed Belle's arm as she stepped off the carriage. "I want more details next time I see you, Belle Alston."

      "I promise," Belle said.

      Darcy released her grip and Belle waved and turned up the well-worn path to her home.

      Belle twirled her way down the path to her home as her parents lay dying in the parlor.

       The best night of my life. Travis and my first kiss. I will remember tonight for the rest of my life.

      As she continued to dance, her blue satin dress shimmered in the twilight, giving her an angelic appearance. The joy of the night and her bright future filled her heart, then she heard a horse whinny. Strange?

      Belle's dance came to a stumbling stop. A horse? I'm too far from the barn to hear the horses. Papa's never careless with the team. It couldn't be one of them

      Careful steps led her to the sound. There, off the main path, she spied the dark outline of two horses. Who do they belong too? Belle cringed. Oh, come on, Belle; they are probably someone's lost horses. I need to go tell Papa.

      Her eyes darted left, then right, as she crept to her house. The cringe in her stomach tightened as her home came into view. Something's wrong.

      Her throat thickened. The lamp Mama lit in the foyer burned its usual warm glow, but upstairs, an eerie light shone. Not a light from someone's nightstand, but from a lamp someone held. Belle's heart thudded as the lamp moved from room to room, casting odd shadows and, at times, the outline of a person.

      The night air, crisp and clean just moments ago, became hot and thin. Belle struggled to take a breath. I must go in. I must find Mama and Papa. Belle found her way to the back porch. She removed her shoes and opened the door, careful not to allow a creak. The kitchen was dark, except for a shaft of light from the foyer. Belle heard the creaking groan of footsteps above her.

      She froze. Were they her parent's footsteps she heard or someone else's? Then she heard a pained whimper.

      With gentle footsteps, she made her way to the parlor where she believed the sound originated. A sense of foreboding washed over her as her chest cinched tighter with every step. An odd copper scent drifted in the air; Belle refused to accept the smell of blood.

      The parlor also benefited from the foyer light. Her eyes struggled to accustom themselves to the dim lighting. Shapes formed then outlines of objects, tables and chairs, but something lay on the floor; she could not make it out. The feeble sound of gasping breaths coaxed her to what lay near her feet, but icy trepidation fought to pull her back.

      "Belle," she heard a weak whisper of her name.

      "Papa?"

      The voice confirmed her fear.

      Her body shuddered as she drew close.

      "Papa!"