Red(Robin Joy Wirth) I

There she was again, the huntsman thought as he watched the flash of red out of the corner of his eye. He turned to her as always, approaching with the same chastisement.

"Little Miss, have I not told you many times it isn't safe to go through these woods?" he asked as he stepped out onto the path. "A wolf is sure to get you if you keep coming this way."

"Why do you keep treating me like a child, Zachary Hunter?" asked Melissa, trying to keep the pout out of her voice. "You know that I'm of age this year."

"It's not your age that concerns me, it's your safety," he insisted as he took his rifle harness off his shoulder and set the gun aside. "If my father, who knew these woods like the back of his hand, was felled by a wolf not two months past, what hope do you think there would be if that wolf decided to make a lunch of you?"

"Oh, Zach, I'm sorry, I hadn't heard about your father," she whispered, taking his hands in her own and giving them a consoling squeeze. His eyes became hooded as he watched her, and the urge to draw her near was quite strong. She must have sensed his mood, for a blush crept up into her cheeks as she looked down at her feet.

"It's not the same without him," he told her. "Seems strange to be the only one in that big old cabin."

"Maybe instead of holing yourself up all alone you should come into town and join in the dances or something," she suggested. "It can't be good for you to avoid people altogether."

Zach chuckled. "Are you asking me to dance, Miss? I've never learned how. I would probably step on my partner's toes."

"It's not that difficult," she said. "Let me show you."

Melissa put his hands at her shoulder and waist respectively and they started to dance together. Zach was stiff at first, but soon got the hang of it. She was beautiful in her innocence, he thought as he suddenly stopped, realizing their bodies were quite close together.

"Shouldn't you be going to Gran's?" he reminded her circumspectly as he stepped away.

"What is it?" she asked, seeing his face.

"Wolves aren't the only danger in these woods," he admitted, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. "Best you go now."

Melissa turned away and skipped quickly down the path. Zach took several deep breaths as he watched her go.


II

"Where have you been, child?" Gran asked as Melissa entered the cottage on the edge of the forest. She was panting from her efforts to hurry after taking so long with Zach along the way.

"I got a late start," she said, and produced the basket full of food. Gran took out the ham and cheese and bread, and grinned as she took out fresh strawberries as well.

"I'll make these into preserves straight away," she said with a satisfied smile.

"I was hoping you would," Melissa admitted.

"But where is your needlepoint, girl?" her grandmother chided. "Were you not planning to stay for a while?"

"Mother wants me back soon," she answered with a disappointed air. "We have laundry to do today."

"Then shall I expect to see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'll be back," she said. "I need you to help me make my dress for the dance on Friday night."

"And is there anyone in particular you hope to see at the dance?" Gran asked with a curious grin.

Melissa blushed, and turned toward the door.

"Come on, girl, don't keep me in suspense."

She sighed and said, "I doubt he will be there."

"He will be if he knows you are," Gran reassured her. "That's just the way it works in these matters. Don't you worry, you'll see. Your beau is bound to turn up."

"He's not my beau, Gran," she said, blushing even more.

“No? But he could be, my dear,” she replied, patting her arm. “We just have to add the polish. The rest you already have.”

“What do I have?” Melissa wanted to know, and she turned back around to hear it.

“Your sweet personality, for one thing,” Gran said. “Plus, you’re tiny. Men seem to like tiny little things like you. And you’re quite pretty, especially your red hair. Maybe what you need is a dress to match. I just happen to have a few yards of red velvet I never had a use for. Perhaps we can make your dress from that? It would match that hooded cape your mother made you for Christmas nicely.”

“I want to attract the man, not overwhelm him,” said Melissa with a laugh. “But I really do need to go. Mother will be furious.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, my dear,” Gran said as she kissed and hugged her good-bye.

Although it was her normal habit to return through the woods, Melissa thought better of it this time. Her emotions were still too fresh from her earlier encounter with Zach Hunter, and the dangers he had mentioned. Trouble was, she wasn’t at all certain if it was the wolf that concerned her, or if it was the man.


III

Melissa almost decided against going through the woods the next day, but thought better of it. If she didn’t tell Zach she would be going to the dance on Friday night, how would he know she was there? If Gran was going to spend her velvet on the dance, she wanted it to be for a good reason.

She was beginning to think he wasn’t going to talk to her today after all, but then he was suddenly standing in the path with his hands placed firmly on his hips. The effect was spoiled by the fact his eyes were dancing, but she was willing to pretend she didn’t notice.

“What did I tell you yesterday about the dangers in these woods?” he asked as she reached him.

“I know, but I decided that a little bit of danger was not such a bad thing,” she admitted, trying to be bold. But then she had to go and blush as she looked away right when she tried to meet his gaze head on.

“You did?” he said, running a finger down the length of the arm she was using to hold her basket.

“I brought you some lunch,” she told him briskly as she took off her cape and spread it out on the ground. Zach watched her with a hunger in his eyes that had nothing to do with food, and Melissa swallowed hard in response.

She settled herself and the basket on the cape, then looked up at him expectantly. Zach sat down beside her and watched as she unpacked her offering.

“Strawberry pie?” he asked, suddenly interested in the food after all. “My favorite.”

“I remember,” she said softly. They both spared a thought for his mother, who used to make pies for the fair. She had won the blue ribbon four years in a row for her strawberry pies, and Zach had always been her taste tester.

Melissa handed one of the sandwiches to him and took the other for herself. They ate together in companionable silence until Zach finally asked, “So, what are you doing today?”

“Gran and I are making me a dress for Friday night’s dance,” she answered casually.

“You’re going to the dance Friday?” he asked as his hand brushed hers while he took the lemonade she had just poured for him. A spark passed between them and Melissa gasped in surprise. “Sorry,” he said.

“It’s okay,” she teased him. “Just another one of those dangers you keep talking about.”

Zach worked his jaw a moment, searching for a response. Instead of answering, he rubbed her hand again, then traced his fingers up her arm. “I guess I won’t do it again,” he said, grinning down at her.

“It is,” she answered, her voice coming out in a husky whisper. “You’d better eat your pie while I go to Gran’s. That dress isn’t going to make itself.”

“No, I suppose not,” he agreed, and stood up so she could go.

“See you later,” she said, and headed down the path.


IV

Melissa entered her grandmother’s door to find her hard at work on the dress. The fabric had already been cut, and she was sewing one of the sleeve seams. The other sleeve seam had already been finished.

“Goodness, Gran, did you even go to sleep last night?”

“Well, I tried to, but I just couldn’t,” she admitted. “Why don’t you do the hem on that sleeve and then start working on the bodice?”

“This fabric is truly beautiful,” Melissa said, almost feeling guilty for taking it.

“And on you it will be even more so,” Gran added with a satisfied smile. “I always knew it would come in handy one day.”

As Melissa settled herself on the sofa and began to sew her grandmother grew more serious. She cast her a curious stare, wondering what was wrong.

Gran finally said, “There have been an awful lot of wolf attacks lately. I worry about you taking that woodland path. My mind would be easier if you would steer clear of the forest entirely.”

“But Gran!” she protested, not sure if she should reveal her reason for preferring the route. “If I don’t go into the woods, the huntsman will have no one to talk to at all.”

“The huntsman, is it?” she scoffed. “And I’ll warrant you’re referring to the younger man, and not the elder.”

“Zach Hunter is all alone now,” Melissa answered softly. “His father passed away a couple months back. Surely I couldn’t abandon him completely and leave him with no company at all.”

“If that boy wants company so much he can come out of the woods to get it,” Gran insisted. “And I’m guessing he’ll be starting with that dance, if my eyes are seeing you correctly.”

“What do you mean?” Melissa asked, trying to stop the tide of heat that reddened her face as the old woman spoke. She hadn’t meant to become upset by her grandmother’s words, and now she tried to calm herself as quickly as possible.

Gran held a piece of the red velvet up to her face and pretended to compare the shades, which made Melissa blush even more. She took the fabric from her hand and laid it aside.

“All right, you’ve got me,” she admitted. “I’m hoping that he’ll like the dress.”

“You’re hoping that he’ll like the whole package,” Gran teased her. “Just be careful out there, will you?”

“I will, Gran,” she said. “I promise.”


V

Zach looked nervously into the old looking glass in his parents’ room. He had done a fairly decent job of shaving, and his father’s old suit fit him nicely. He looked like a new man, and he sincerely hoped that Miss would appreciate his efforts.

To keep his mind off just how much effort he wished he could waste on her, he set off briskly through the forest and into town. As he approached the hall where the dance was in full swing he caught the eye of more than one young lady, and tipped his hat to each of them politely, choosing not to stop and talk as they all headed the same way.

“Zachie Hunter, is that you?” cooed one of them. “I haven’t seen you in five years or more. Not since we all finished school. I declare, my sister would surely be pleased with the transformation.”

“Thanks, Elizabeth Pruett, but I’ve already got someone in mind.”

“Courting someone already, eh?” she teased.

“About to be, ma’am,” he answered, then tilted his hat as he left her behind.

Just as he reached the building he heard a burst of laughter from several young men who had gathered outside. One of them was obviously saying something that had their attention, so he decided to listen in.

“Why dress up so fine just to be a little wallflower?” he was saying. “I tell you, she’s got her cap set on somebody, and whoever he is he must not have come here yet.”

“Or maybe he has,” said another young man as he glanced at the nicely decked out huntsman who had just entered their midst. “She does seem to favor the forest quite a bit more than most girls.”

“Anyone seen the little Miss?” Zach asked, pretending he had not heard them.

“We’ve all seen her,” Ian Hanson assured him. “Prettiest girl in the hall tonight. Go on in and see if she warms up to you, since the rest of us can’t seem to strike her fancy.”

Zach laughed as he stepped inside. He spotted Miss immediately and his heart thudded in his chest at the sight. He stood right where he was and drank in the sight of the little red beauty, unable to trust himself to speak past his constricting throat. When had her hair grown so long? And when exactly was it that she’d grown—those? If he didn’t stop watching her soon he might just embarrass himself.

Melissa spotted him from across the room, and she came to greet him with a pleased smile. He smiled back, and took her hand in his as she arrived.


VI

“Ian Hanson was outside telling the other gents you’ve set your cap at someone,” Zach whispered in Miss’s ear as they started to walk together toward the dance floor.

Melissa giggled, and found herself blushing a deep shade of red.

“They were all trying to figure out who the lucky fellow was,” he continued, raising an innocent brow.

Melissa glanced up at him, the smile still touching her lips. Zach truly wished he could taste them. Then he realized that the look on his face was clearly telling everyone in the room exactly what he was thinking. Damn, he thought uncomfortably, he really wasn’t used to being in a crowded room anymore, not since his schoolroom days.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted the other young men whispering among themselves as they watched him and Miss start to dance, and he dismissed them and their nonsense completely from his mind. He gave all his attention to Miss instead—she was far more interesting than any of them.

“Did you catch any game today?” she inquired, obviously trying to ease the tension building between them that always seemed to crop up when they touched each other.

“Yeah,” he answered. “Nothing too thrilling, but I’ll probably make a few dollars off the pelts.”

They kept dancing through several songs, and grew more and more warm as the evening progressed. When Miss started to fan herself he slowed down and brought her with him to fetch some lemonade.

“It’s so warm in here,” she commented, and Zach nodded in agreement. Finished with their drinks, they strolled outside onto the veranda, arm in arm, and found the place completely deserted.

“So, let’s see, if you’re actually throwing your cap at me, isn’t this the part where you let me kiss you?” Zach asked hopefully.

“Stop!” Melissa chastised him, but when he pulled her close she did nothing to prevent the embrace. However, just as he was about to take a taste, another four people stepped through the door. The two quickly stepped apart and kept strolling as if nothing had happened.

“I’m going to have to walk you home, I can see,” Zach said when even more people appeared.

“We could leave now, if you like,” she offered. “There are only three more songs before the dance is over anyway.”

“We’ll go get your cape then,” he agreed, and took her hand in his as they headed for the door. Her heart was pounding so hard he could feel it in her hand, and then he realized his own heart was pounding just the same.


VII

Somewhere along the way during their walk Zach’s hand had let go of hers and found its way to the small of Melissa’s back. The sensation was quite pleasant, if somewhat forward, and she welcomed it even though she knew she shouldn’t. They had taken the long way through town, and they were only about half way to her mother’s cottage when he stopped and drew her behind the general store.

Melissa laughed as she gazed up into his eyes, but the laugh quickly turned into a naughty smile when she realized what he was up to. Zach’s lips found hers for not just one, but many kisses, and her heart fluttered with excitement as she willingly joined him in the endeavor. Their breathing was strained by the time he let her go.

“We better get you home,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m starting to think it wasn’t just the forest that was dangerous.”

“I’m starting to think it’s you who are dangerous,” she whispered back. He drew her even closer then, his lips finding the pulse in her throat and kissing her there. She sensed his desire to explore even further and pulled away gently.

“It is late, Zach.”

He let her go then, but she could see how much of an effort it was for him to do so. Perhaps she had allowed this to go on longer than was seemly, she thought as they headed back out onto the main road. They were just holding hands again now, and trying desperately to pretend they weren’t ready to go right back behind yet another building at the slightest provocation. They reached Melissa’s home without any more deviations, however, and he kissed her lightly on the forehead before he let her go inside.

“You sure took your time coming home,” her mother commented.

“It’s such a lovely evening,” she excused herself. Her mother looked out the window and spied Zach’s retreating form. He was dancing all the way down the street.

Smiling, the woman asked, “Who’d you walk back with?”

“Just Zach Hunter,” Melissa said nonchalantly.

“Best you get off to bed, child. We have more laundry to do tomorrow, and your grandmother will be wanting some of Bessy’s milk in the morning, I have no doubt.”

“Yes’m,” Melissa agreed, and did as she was told.

She had a dream that night of wolves chasing her through the trees. There were three or four of them, howling as if they had never eaten in their lives and she was the only source of food. She woke with beads of sweat on her brow, and lay awake for a time, afraid to return to her slumber.

Zach was on her mind as she lay awake in her bed. The taste of him, the feel of him, wondering how much more he would have done if she would have let him. She knew better than to have let him, but she had wanted him as desperately as he wanted her. She didn’t know if she was intrigued, or terrified. But either way, it would be interesting to see where they would go from here.


VIII

Melissa skipped slowly along the path the next morning. She was nearing the exit to the woods and felt a surge of disappointment that Zach had not yet appeared. Suddenly, she felt an arm snake around her waist from behind, and turned expecting to see the face she was longing for. It wasn’t his.

“Let me go!” she screamed as she looked up at the ugly, filthy man who had ahold of her. She had no idea who he was, but he looked like a beggar or thief or something.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out in these woods?” he asked, his breath stinking of liquor and tobacco.

“Throwing up all over you if you don’t get your smelly mouth away from me,” she told him, trying not to put action to the words.

“Sassy little thing, aren’t you?” he asked, trying to kiss her. Melissa slapped him across the face, and he slapped her right back. She fell to the ground and turned to look up when she realized the man was not right behind her.

Zach had his huge hunting knife against the man’s throat and a murderous look in his eyes.

“Let him go, Zach,” she said. “He’s not worth it.”

“Don’t you ever touch her again!” Zach said as he shoved the man away from him. Then he leaned over to help Melissa to her feet. The man glared at both of them and ran away with a pronounced limp. Zach didn’t take his eyes off him until he was gone.

“Where were you?” she asked him.

“Cleaning a deer,” he said. “That’s why I’m still sticky.” He took his hand away and wiped it on his leg, but she took the hand to have a look.

“You don’t look so bad,” she said.

“I’d better walk you over to Gran’s,” Zach said. “Don’t know where that guy went.”

Before he took another step, though, he pulled her against him and kissed her. Melissa clung to him, and didn’t let go even when he released her. He laughed and kissed her a few more times, then started walking anyway.

Melissa giggled and threw her arms around his waist, but their difference in height prevented her from kissing him anymore without his bending down a bit. He laughed and chose to do so.

When they reached the clearing their antics stopped immediately. Someone was lying out in the field, and two wolves were circling the body.

“Gran?” Melissa gasped, trying to see if it was her.

“Wait,” Zach told her. “Move toward the cabin as slowly as you can. Don’t let them see us.”

“Where’s your gun?” she asked him as she noticed he didn’t have it.

“Next to the deer,” he admitted. “I came running when I heard you scream.”

They were only a few yards from the cabin when the sound they were dreading resonated their way. One of the wolves had spotted them, and was starting to run in their direction.

“Run!” he shouted, pushing Melissa toward the door. He pulled out his knife as he ran behind her, jumping on the wolf before it could get to her. It yelped in pain as he stabbed its throat, and then he dropped the carcass as he went inside and slammed the door shut.

“She’s not in here,” Melissa said in a small voice.

“There are still three wolves,” Zach announced as he looked out the window. "She may not be in here, but we won’t be going anywhere ourselves anytime soon.”

“Can you—can you see the body? Is it her?”

“Miss, it’s too far to tell,” he said apologetically. He looked around the room, which was no longer warmed by a fire. She couldn’t have been in here all morning, he thought glumly. “Why don’t you start a fire, we’re going to need to stay warm.”

“All right,” she agreed, and did as he suggested.


IX

Zach pulled the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around Miss’s shoulders as he noticed she had not come away from the fire. He grabbed a second one for himself and joined her there. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he drew her close and just held her against his chest.

“It might not be her,” he offered after a while.

“Where would she be if not here?” Melissa pointed out. “She hangs her laundry over there.”

“But there was no laundry out there,” he said.

“Was there a basket?” she asked, trying to go to the window to look. Zach pulled her back against him.

“Those wolves won’t be forgetting about us if you go drawing their attention,” he mentioned. “We need to just sit quiet and wait for them to go away.”

“They won’t be leaving until they pick that body out there clean,” she said, and then realized she may well be talking about Gran and started to cry again.

Zach kissed her then, and they forgot about everything but the taste of each other. She clung to him as he brought her over to the bed and curled up with her there.

“We can’t—“ Melissa protested.

“I’ll be good,” he told her. “I just want to hold you.”

They lay together for what seemed like hours, touching and kissing and worrying about the wolves and the body and what they were going to tell everyone when they finally were able to get out of there.

“The fire is getting low,” Miss said, and he let her put more wood on it. She went into the kitchen and found some leftovers, which she brought back with her. “Do you think we’re going to have to spend the night here?”

Zach looked out the window. Five wolves were picking at the body now, and as he watched another female arrived with her three cubs.

“It’s a safe bet,” he said, though he didn’t tell her why.

“You know what folks will say about that,” she asked him shyly.

“Aw, shucks,” Zach grinned, drawing her against him. “I wanted to marry you anyway.”

Melissa sighed. “How will I ever be sure of that after this?”

Zach turned her face up and kissed her. “Did you like that?”

“Of course,” she answered, confused.

“Then what difference does anything else make?”

She giggled and let him pull her back into the bed. This time he was much more ardent than he had been before. His hands roamed to places they shouldn’t, and Melissa didn’t protest at all.

“What’s this, no maidenly modesty now?” he teased her.

“Well, if they’re going to say it anyway…” she began. Zach didn’t need to hear it twice.


X

Melissa was never happier in her life than when the door opened and Gran came in. The woman must have fled the wolves when they came and waited for them to leave in the neighboring cabin, she thought. Of course, Gran looked quite surprised to find the pair asleep in her bed as she stepped inside.

“Gran? You’re alive!” Melissa shouted, and Zach gave the old woman a hug as well.

“What are you two doing here?” Gran asked, pretending not to notice when her granddaughter realized her dress was still undone and blushed a deep crimson.

“We were on the way to see you, but almost got ate ourselves,” Zach told her.

“You’re a huntsman,” Gran said, confused. “What did you do with your gun?”

Zach blushed. “I left it in the woods,” he told her. “I didn’t think I needed it to come here. I’ll know better in future.”

“Well, is it to be a wedding dress next, then?” Gran inquired of Melissa.

“Yes, Gran,” she said with a happy smile.

“Let me buy the fabric,” Zach said with a smile. “I want her to have something extra special. Although it could never be as special as the velvet.”

“Just you wait, Zachary Hunter, I’ll make sure it’s a dress you’ll always remember,” Gran told him. “Let’s all go tell your Mother, girl. I’m sure she’s worried sick about you.”

“Oh, no!” Melissa groaned, and they both looked at her.

“She’s still waiting for me to help her do the laundry,” she explained. “Now I’m never going to hear the end of it.”

Gran laughed.

“I’m sure that she’ll be lenient this time, all things considered,” Zach said.

At that, both of the women burst out laughing even harder, and after a moment of reflection, Zach joined them full force. After all, he knew the woman better than that as well.

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