No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan Page A

She heard footsteps approaching
again and steeled herself for his taunting.
    The door opened and Kurt stuck his head in. "Mornin', Miss
Crystal:' Crystal straightened up, smoothed back her hair, and
wiped her hands on her apron.
    "Hello. I was just cleaning the floor. Seems I had a minor accident and burned my hand. Is there something I can do for
you?"

    Kurt looked at her with a twinkle in his eye and said, "Smells
too good in here. Let me see your hand. What happened?" He
reached for her hand, and she protested.
    "It's nothing, I guess. Just a little burn" Ignoring her protest,
he unwrapped her hand gingerly to see it anyway.
    At least it's not very big, but I've got just the thing for it. I'll go
get it. You stay put" He guided her to a kitchen chair and eased
her into it.

    Luke emptied the slop bucket and remembered the reason he
went to the house in the first place. He made his way back across
the yard to the kitchen door. He paused as he saw Kurt's head bent
over Crystal's. She was smiling up at him and laughed as he held
her hand and brushed her fingertips with a slight kiss.
    Luke cleared his throat. "Don't let me interrupt. These are for
you, Miss Clark:" He tossed a small brown bag that landed in
Crystal's lap.
    "What's this?" Her brows knitted together with skepticism.
    "It's peppermint. Suck on it for that dry throat of yours."
    "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to be nice for a
change" Crystal peered inside the bag and withdrew a piece of
peppermint.
    "Even a cow needs a salt lick"
    Crystal sputtered, "So now you are comparing me to a cow?"
She jumped out of her chair and tapped her toe, her arms crossed
defiantly.

    Luke ignored her outburst and turned to Kurt. "Did you mend
the fence I told you about?"
    `Already done:' Kurt stuck his hands in his pants pockets and
rocked back on his heels.
    When Luke continued to stare at him, Kurt said, "Just going
to run and get a little salve to put on that burn:"
    "Don't bother. I have something to put on it, but thank you,
Kurt. You are most kind:" Crystal's eyes rested on his dark ones.
    Luke started back out. "You comin', Kurt?"
    "I'm right behind you;' he answered. He backed out of the
room, still smiling at Crystal.

    By the time Friday afternoon rolled around, everyone was
filled with the excitement of having a good time just seeing their
neighbors and catching up on the latest gossip. Carmen had hams
slowly roasting on the spits and had explained to Crystal that
they must cook for several hours. Curly had set up a few crude
tables on one side of the barn and reserved the largest area for
the dancing that would come later on.
    Crystal walked down to Kate's room to ask if there were any
details they might have overlooked before getting dressed. After a
thoughtful look, Kate shook her head no, but she wanted Crystal's
opinion on which dress to wear.
    "I don't wear too many dresses, so the pickin' is slim." She
laughed, her eyes twinkling.
    Crystal nudged her aunt aside to peer into the big wardrobe.
After rummaging around, she came up with a blue gown trimmed
in cream lace at the throat and wrists.

    "This is pretty and would bring out the blue in your eyes, Aunt
Kate."
    "Funny, Rusty said as much the other day." She took the dress
off its hanger. "It's been a long time since a man complimented
me, and a long time since I even cared:" Her voice became softer,
and Crystal followed her eyes to a framed daguerreotype of her
uncle on top of the dresser.
    Sensing the sadness that came over her aunt, Crystal remarked, "And about time too! It's been more than six years
since Uncle John's death. You're still a fine-looking woman with
a lot of zip left in your step. Now slip this dress on and let me
do your hair"
    Crystal prattled on and fussed over Kate's thick hair. She pulled
it into a soft bun at the top of her head, leaving a few curls dangling from her temples and the nape of her neck. Standing back
to admire her