Oklahoma kiss

      
This book made available by the Internet Archive.

      
this book is dedicated with love to my two "Okie" brothers, Carl Dale, and Jerry Lee Eubanks; to my daughter, Kris Haught; and, as always, to Jim, and to a bottle of Old Spice aftershave.

      
The reader is specifically warned against using any of the plant or herbal medications mentioned herein. They are included only to give the authentic flavor of the times. Readers are implored to seek the advice of a doctor before undertaking any experiments in their use.

      
Chapter 1

      
April, 1889, Oklahoma Indian Nation

      
Blair clutched her hands tightly together and burrowed them within the folds of her skirt. Her mouth was dry, and the hard knot that had been in her stomach since she'd left the train had inched its way upward until it was now firmly lodged in the column of her throat, constricting each ragged breath. Her heart hammered wildly against her breast.

      
She stole a quick glance at the young man sitting beside her on the wagon seat, then focused her attention on the passing landscape that had burst into life after a harsh winter.

      
Strangely, the budding limbs of gnarled blackjack oaks and colorful array of new grass and wildflowers did not look nearly as inviting as she thought it would. But she was afraid, and fear often changed one's perspective. Only a person who had been the focus of her eldest brother's fury could know how she dreaded facing him under these circumstances. Although she loved Warren dearly, he was domineering, and at times could be so stubborn he was next to impossible. Of course, his temperament might have changed during the four years she had been gone, but it was doubtful; he seemed too firmly set in his ways.

      
If she had left Miss Pettibone's Preparatory for Young Ladies on her own accord, it might have been easier to face him, but she had been asked to leave— with good reason— and none too politely. Blair shuddered at the memory.

      
She supposed it all began weeks ago when Miss Pettibone promised the girls they could invite the young gentlemen from Bryan's Academy to the Preparatory for a dance, as a reward for everyone receiving an excellent score on an etiquette test. That came as no great surprise to anyone; the headmistress constantly schemed of ways to bring the two schools together socially and used any excuse to issue an invitation, but she was rarely successful. Miss Pettibone placed the blame for her failures on the rumors that the Academy's headmaster, and Constance Haggen, the owner of the Preparatory's rival school, were romantically involved.

      
Blair's classmates waited with bated breath after Miss Haggen's school was placed under quarantine when her girls were stricken with mumps. Squeals of joy fairly lifted the Preparatory from its foundation when the headmaster of the Academy accepted their invitation. Blair did not care a whit about the dance, but it provided the perfect opportunity to see Albert Farnsworth again since he was a teacher at the Academy, and would, in all likelihood, be a chaperone.

      
Blair had met Albert when her class attended a tea at his sister's home. He had been so charming, and was so devilishly handsome, she'd immediately lost her heart to him. Although it had been difficult to slip away from Miss Pettibone's watchful eyes, they had found a way to meet occasionally. It was on such an occasion that she experienced her first kiss and was sweetly introduced to her first embrace.

      
As soon as the date for the dance had been set, fashion magazines were painstakingly studied from front to back as each girl searched for the perfect gown and the most fashionable accessories. After endless hours of debate, final selections were made, new gowns were purchased, and the latest hairstyles were chosen.

      
Using only the slightest bit of imagination, Blair could still hear Miss Pettibone's whining, high-pitched voice as she launched into her favorite repertoire minutes before the young men arrived that night. "Ladies, always remember, the sons of the most wealthy and prestigious families in the country attend Bryan's Academy, and we must make a good impression. Anyone who is anybody is either presently enrolled or is on the Academy's long waiting list. The opportunity to meet the right young man must not be taken lightly. So, above all else, I caution you to remember your manners."

      
If only Judith and Darlene, Blair's two best friends at the school, had not smuggled in the whiskey — much to the young men's delight — perhaps the trouble would never have occurred. Although at the time, she, along with half the other girls, thought it was the most brilliant idea Judith and Darlene had ever concocted, and they had thought of plenty of mischief in the past. But most of the young women had never drunk any hard liquor before and they had no idea the effect it would have on them. To be completely fair though, what happened that evening was entirely her own fault.

      
However, Blair knew she would never have drunk any of the liquor if she had not learned Albert had been playing her for a fool. She still paled at the memory of slipping out to the garden to meet him and overhearing his boast to a circle of men that he would soon learn how passionate a half-breed was, that he intended to find out that night if savages had the same equipment under their skirts as white women did.

      
She had rushed, devastated, back to the party. There, after a countless number of drinks, she had performed her interpretation of an Indian war dance on top of a table. And Miss Pettibone had caught her in the act.

      
The following day, Miss Pettibone had shown no mercy whatsoever. Instead of addressing the situation privately, she called Blair and her entire class into her office, and without even giving her an opportunity to explain — although Blair would have died rather than reveal what had happened —the woman began screeching at the top of her lungs.

      
"I knew you would be nothing but trouble when your brother came crawling on bended knees, begging me to take you in. Against my better judgment, I finally agreed. Not because he begged, mind you, but because I considered it to be my Christian duty to take an uncivilized heathen into the bosom of my school and teach her the graces of a lady. Within a month's time, I realized that was an impossible task . . . yet, I suppose, pride prevented me from admitting failure. You have been a constant thorn in my side . . . always causing trouble . . . always disrupting classes, but last night you went too far!"

      
Her gaze swept Blair contemptuously. "Your behavior was atrocious, but I shouldn't have expected anything else from someone like you! They should lock all of you filthy Indians in a dungeon and throw away the key! I shudder to think of the dangers I have put my students in. Why, it's little wonder we were not all scalped in our beds!"

      
"But . . . there's no truth in . . ."

      
"Hold your tongue, I am not finished!" she raged.

      
"Not only have you annihilated my personal reputation, you have completely destroyed the Preparatory's as well. I shall never be able to live down this disgrace. I refuse to allow you to stay one more night under this roof. I demand that you go upstairs immediately and pack your trunks. Then I shall personally escort you to the depot where you will remain until your train leaves the station. You don't belong here with decent people; you are a savage and belong in the wilderness where such behavior is undoubtedly commonplace!"

      
Stunned by Miss Pettibone's accusations, Blair looked to Judith and Darlene for support. When they lowered their eyes and refused to look at her, she realized they would never acknowledge any responsibility for what had happened the previous night.

      
Swallowing hard, she then raised her chin and tossed her head proudly. "Miss Pettibone, you have every right to be angry with me for my behavior last night. I agree with you; it was atrocious, and for any damage to the school's reputation, I apologize."