Catherine looked down at her very pregnant belly and sighed. She could barely manage to hoist herself up out of her bed and kept a hand on her aching back as she walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out a large cotton dress that Gretchen had given her. It was far too big but it allowed her belly plenty of room.

Catherine walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Bianca had all the windows thrown open and Catherine had to remind herself that yes it was January but that it was also Texas and the winters here were like the summers back east.

Catherine walked out to the barn and got her gardening gloves and a bucket of her manure fertilizer that Edward had ready and waiting for her. Edward saw her picking up the heavy bucket and he ran over.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded taking the bucket away from her. "You're about to pop and the last thing you need to be doing is carrying around something that heavy. If Emmett saw me letting you lift that he would have killed me."

"Well lead the way then, my hero." Catherine said. Edward shook his head and carried the bucket over to her flower gardens.

"Where is Bianca this morning?" Catherine asked as they walked.

"She insisted on going for a ride alone this morning." Edward replied looking out over the horizon. "I tried to tell her it's not safe but you cannot tell that woman anything." Catherine laughed and laid a hand on his arm.

"If you are worried about her why don't you just follow after her?" She asked. Edward sat the bucket down next to the flowers and wiped his sweaty brow with his shirtsleeve.

"Because I value my life too much and if I disobey her direct orders she's liable to kill me." he replied. "I'll let you get to work on your flowers, I'm going to go finish cleaning up the barn."

Catherine got busy on her flowers. Pulling up the small weeds and laying new fertilizer over the ground. She didn't know how much time passed before she finally looked up from what she was doing and nearly screamed when she saw Richard standing less than ten feet away watching her with an amused smile on his face.

"Catherine, that's just about one of the prettiest sights I've ever seen." he said. Catherine got back up on her feet, after a few minutes of a struggle with her pregnant belly and wiped her sweat and dirt covered brow with the sleeve of her dress.

"Richard…" Catherine started to scold him. He was always telling her how beautiful she was and how much he cared about her and she was constantly reminding him that they were only friends. Richard chuckled though his heart broke a little and he held up his hand.

"I know. I know." he said. "We're just friends. But since when can't one friend tell another one that watching them working in the dirt with a bunch of beautiful flowers is the prettiest thing he's ever seen." Just then Bianca came out of the barn having just got back from her horseback ride. She walked over to them.

"Hey lawman, what brings you out here again today?" she asked while tossing her dark curls over her shoulder. "Aren't you supposed to be catching bad guys and keeping us defenseless women safe?" Catherine rolled her eyes as she pulled off her gardening gloves. Her sister would never grow up.

"Done got all them locked up." Richard replied with a grin. "Rest of 'em are too scared of me to come around." Bianca turned on her heel and went back to the house irritated that she had not managed to get on Richard's nerves. She had always loved riling Emmett and desperately wanted that kind of relationship with someone else. Apparently Richard was a lost cause. She had already tried with Edward but he had even more patience with her than Richard.

"How do you always keep your patience with her?" Catherine asked Richard as she carried her gardening supplies back to the barn. Richard took the half empty bucket from her and matched her step.

"I grew up with three little sisters." he replied.

"I do not think I could manage three Biancas." Catherine said. Edward looked up from the stall he was cleaning.

"This world could not manage three Biancas, Catherine." he said matter-of-factly. "It can barely manage the one that it has."

"Actually Catherine, Bianca was right and I do have something I needed to handle a little further out of town. I was just passing by here so I wanted to stop in and see you."

"Richard, you really should not spend all your spare time here with me." Catherine said. Richard smiled and adjusted his hat on his head as they walked back toward the house.

"Ma'am, I can't really think of anywhere else I'd rather spend it." he replied. Catherine knew her heart would have broken if it wasn't already shattered in her chest. She knew that Richard loved her and he was an amazing man that she really did not want to hurt but no matter how hard she tried she could not return his feelings.

"Richard…." he could tell she was about to shoot him down again so he interrupted her before she got the chance.

"I do have to be going, Catherine, but I wanted to ask you if you had heard about the dance they're putting on in town tonight." he said. Catherine nodded. Bianca had talked of little else all week.

"I was hoping that maybe I could come pick you up tonight and take you." he added. Catherine bit her lip and shook her head.

"I was not going to go." she replied. She laid her hand on large belly. "I can barely waddle around let alone dance." Richard took his hat off and ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Don't make me beg you, Catherine." he said. "It would be good for you to get out for a while. You don't have to dance if you don't want to. Plus, pretty soon that baby will be here and then you won't get the chance to get out for a while." he added. Catherine sighed as they walked into the house and sat down on the sofa in the living room.

Catherine really did want to go but she hated to go as Richard's date. She knew his feelings toward her and she did not want him to feel as if she was leading him on. She also grew tired of the looks and whispers from some members of the town. Most people did not judge or scorn Catherine for her situation but there were those that still looked down on her.

"I don't know…." she said. Richard shook his head.

"You can't tell me no. You got this tough old cowboy begging for your company." he said. Catherine laughed lightly. She nodded.

"I will come with you Richard. But I want to make sure you understand…."

"We're just friends." he said cutting her off. He stood up and put his hat back on.

"Well ma'am I gotta be on my way if I'm gonna get back to town and cleaned up in time to come pick you up." Catherine didn't stand up… Though she knew it was rude to remain sitting her legs and feet refused to hoist her pregnant body up. Richard saw the look on her face and chuckled.

"Don't worry about getting up, Catherine. I can see myself out." he said. Catherine smiled gratefully.

"Thank you." she said. "Will there be room on your wagon for Bianca if she wishes to come?" Richard nodded.

"Yes of course." he said and Catherine was surprised that he did not seem bothered. She could imagine the look that would have crossed Emmett's face at that request and smiled.

"Well I'll be here about seven to pick you up." he said.

"See you then." Catherine replied and then Richard left. Catherine sat on sofa for a long while before finally hoisting herself up off of it and going into the kitchen to cook a meal for herself, Bianca and Edward.

Once Catherine had the soup and bread cooked and sitting on the table she rang the bell on the porch so that Edward and Bianca would both know it was ready. Bianca came bouncing down the stairs at the same time as Edward walked into the kitchen.

Catherine smiled when she saw the way Edward's eyes followed Bianca as she crossed the kitchen and sat down at the table. It was clear, to Catherine at least, that Edward had feelings for Bianca and it was also clear that Bianca had no idea.

"I am so excited about the dance tonight!" Bianca exclaimed as she began eating. "Too bad I have no date to take me but hopefully there will be plenty of handsome men there to choose from." she added as she licked her lip and winked. Catherine shook her head.

"Bianca, I thought you wanted to move west to build a new reputation for yourself. You can hardly do that if you continue to act the way you did back east. You are only building the same reputation for yourself but in a different place." she said. She knew her words were harsh but she had watched her sister continue to flaunt herself and act the same way she had back east the last few months and was tired of it. She wanted Bianca to be happy and she knew that living this way did no make Bianca happy.

Catherine noticed that Edward nodded at her words but said nothing.

"Not all of us can be so lucky as you Catherine." Bianca spat back.

"Oh yes Bianca, I am the luckiest woman alive!" Catherine said feeling tears fill her eyes. "The love of my life is dead and I am about to have his baby and his baby will never know what an amazing man he was! I never again get to see the look of love in Emmett's eyes as he looks at me or the look of love when he sees his baby!"

Bianca put her spoon down and glared over at her older sister. She had listened to Catherine carry on about Emmett for the last seven months and ignore the amazing man that was practically throwing himself at her feet every day. She was thoroughly pissed off that Catherine had good men throwing themselves at her left and right with Emmett, Peter Walsh and now Richard Helms, while Bianca had none. Not one decent man had ever showed the slightest interest in her.

"Give it up, Catherine." Bianca said. "Yes Emmett is dead. He's been dead for a long time now! Get over it! We all miss him but not all of us have given up on life completely just because he's gone! You are fat, pregnant and unmarried so can I ask why you haven't taken Richard up on his many offers to be with you? Do you actually think that you can do better? Do you actually think that someone better than him is going to come along?" Catherine stared in shock at her sister and felt tears streaming down her face.

The kitchen was silent for several long moments and then Edward pushed his bowl away and shoved out his chair. He stood up quickly and strode angrily around the table toward Bianca. Bianca jumped to her feet and began to back away from him.

"What are you doing?" she demanded with fear in her voice. Edward had always been a very calm, patient man who did not speak much other than when it was required. He had grown up with Emmett and therefore had always been around but Bianca had never paid him much attention unless she needed his help with something.

"I'm gonna do what your father should have done more of back when he was alive." Edward replied calmly. Bianca's eyes widened.

"What exactly is that?" she asked. Edward grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He pulled out a chair with his free hand and sat down. He laid Bianca, yelling and fighting against him, over his knee and spanked her soundly several times while Catherine watched on in amused shock.

Edward let go of Bianca and she jumped away from him red faced and sputtering.

"How dare you!" she screamed. Edward stood up and started toward her. She backed up until her back was against the counter and he was standing less than a foot from her glaring down at her.

"I have watched you for the last few years make a complete fool out of yourself. You run your mouth, insult your sister, chase after men who are no good for you. Why? Why do you do all those things?" he demanded. Bianca felt a delicious little shiver pass through her at the feel of his breath on her skin and his body pressed so close to hers. Then she wondered what in the world her body was thinking.

Edward had always been around but Bianca had never really realized just how tall and strong he was. She had never before noticed how bright blue his eyes were or how his chiseled cheeks were covered with a light dusting of blond stubble. He had also never lost his temper with her before and she found herself enjoying the fire in his eyes, though her backside was still burning from the beating he had given her.

"Answer me, Bianca. Why do you do all those things!" he said again. Bianca shook her head to try to clear her thoughts. There was no way she should be thinking those things about Edward. He was not the type of man she normally would have been interested in and he was certainly not the type of man to ever be interested in a woman like her.

"I don't have to explain anything to you, Edward!" she replied squaring her shoulders and glaring back at him. Her cheeks were flushed with both embarrassment and passion but she was determined to stand her ground with him. Catherine was forgotten as the two of them stared each other down.

"Why are you so jealous of your sister?" he asked. Bianca rolled her eyes and looked up at him. She hoped that the tears she felt trying to form would stay hidden from him.

"Because every decent man in the country seems to want to marry her and take care of her forever! Meanwhile there is not a single decent man in this whole world who gives a damn about me!" she replied angrily. She regretted her words instantly but could not take them back. She did not want anyone knowing the pain that she felt inside.

She looked at Edward wondering what he was thinking behind those blue eyes. He still looked angry but there was something else in his eyes. Disbelief, maybe even a little bit of hurt. She wondered why he would feel hurt by what she had said.

"You are even more blind than your sister was for all those years with Emmett." he said quietly and then turned and left the kitchen without finishing his meal. The door slammed signaling that he had left the house.

Bianca stood and watched the kitchen doorway for several long silent seconds. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she could still feel the heat where his body had been all but pressed against hers. Finally the sound of Catherine clearing the table reached Bianca's ears and snapped her out of her daze. She looked over at her sisters tear stained face and instantly felt guilt for the harsh words she had said to her.

"Catherine, I'm sorry for what I said." she said as she walked toward her sister. "I never should have said those things. I know how much you loved Emmett and I know how hard losing him as been for you." Catherine simply nodded. She didn't' speak because she knew that if she tried to speak about Emmett she would break down in tears again.

The sisters went about cleaning the kitchen in silence. When they were done Bianca turned to Catherine.

"What in the world do you think got into Edward?" she asked. Catherine shrugged. She knew it was not her place to tell her sister her suspicions that Edward had very strong feelings toward her. But at the same time Bianca had sounded so lonely and hurt when she had said that no decent man wanted her.

"I think that maybe you and Edward need to sit down and talk to one another." Catherine said. "Perhaps you would find out that you are not as alone as you think."

"You think Edward…..and I…?" Bianca never finished the question as her eyes got a far away and starry quality. Catherine covered her mouth with her hand to hide her amusement.

"Perhaps. But then again I'm just a heartbroken, pregnant, hopeless romantic." she said. "You should talk to Edward about it. As for me, I am going to go up and get a small nap before the dance tonight." Catherine walked away leaving Bianca standing there looking very confused.

888

Catherine walked back downstairs that evening dressed for the dance. She enjoyed the simple cotton dresses that were acceptable to wear to dances out here. She would never have comfortably stuffed her large pregnant belly into one of those satiny dresses from back east.

Catherine found Bianca down in the sitting room. Bianca, who had always enjoyed dressing up, was wearing a light blue satin dress with matching gloves. Catherine was surprised to see that the neckline of this dress was much more modest than that of the dresses she had worn to dances back east.

"Are you riding into town with Richard and I?" Catherine asked. Bianca shook her head and opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything a throat cleared in the doorway.

Catherine turned and saw Edward standing there wearing a clean black button down shirt and grey trousers. He had his blond hair slicked back and his face was clean shaven. His eyes seemed to light up when they fell on Bianca.

"You look lovely." he said to her. Catherine was shocked when her normally self-absorbed and overly confident sister blushed at his compliment.

"Thank you, Edward. You look nice too." Bianca said. Catherine was even more shocked to see the blush that colored Edward's cheeks.

"Are you ready?" he asked. Bianca nodded.

"Could you give me just a moment to talk to my sister?" she asked. Edward nodded.

"Of course. I'll wait outside." he said and walked back out. Catherine looked at Bianca with surprise.

"I take it you took my advice for once in your life and talked to Edward?" she asked. Bianca bit her lip and nodded.

"Would you believe the man has had feelings for me for years?" she asked. Her eyes seemed to be full of stars as she talked about him. "He just never told me because he didn't think I'd be interested in a man that had nothing to offer. Can you believe he thought he had nothing to offer? He's so handsome and kind and he defended me and fought for me against Gregory…" Bianca stopped talking as Catherine's laughter filled the air.

"I'm happy for you, Bianca." she said. She had never seen her little sister carry on so about a man or look so thoroughly smitten.

"Who would have thought that I would end up with Edward?" Bianca said her voice full of disbelief. "Or that he would be such a good kisser." she added pressing her finger against her bottom lip.

"You've kissed him already?" Catherine demanded. Bianca nodded happily.

"Yes. But don't worry Catherine. I waited until after he asked me to marry him." Catherine nearly choked on her shock.

"You two are not wasting any time are you?" she asked. Bianca shook her head.

"I've wasted years on worthless men Catherine. Now that I know such a good man wants to be with me I am not going to let him get away." Catherine nodded and hugged her sister tightly.

"I truly am happy for you and for Edward." she said. Bianca bit her lip as she pulled away.

"Are you certain? I feel almost guilty to be happy because you…." Catherine cut her off by laying a comforting hand on Bianca's arm.

"Of course I'm certain. I want you to have the happiness that I had with Emmett. Everyone deserves to feel that once in their lives." Bianca nodded and then looked out the door. The sun was starting to set.

"Shouldn't Richard have been here by now?" she asked. Catherine had been thinking the same thing but she shrugged.

"He said he had some business to take care of outside of town today. It might of taken him longer than he thought it would."

"Do you want Edward and I to wait until he gets here?" Bianca asked. Catherine shook her head.

"No of course not." she said matter-of-factly. "You two go and have fun. He'll be here soon." Bianca nodded and walked out.

Catherine sat down on the sofa and propped her feet up on the small table. She knew it was unladylike but since there was no one around she was more worried about her own comfort and right now her feet were swollen and killing her.