Minnie
It had been a long... Long morning. His mother was out of the house, and he'd promised her he'd clean up the yard, because really... It was the least he could do for her at this point. The woman was grieving, after all. If he could pull up weeds in her garden or move some things around for her, he could make it happen. 

He'd been sweating, despite it being a brisk February morning. The wind was crisp but he was hauling jugs of moonshine into storage, cleaning up the mess from pulling up weeds, and wiping the sweat off his brow. 

Maybe he was just very distracted, or maybe it was about time he got his ears checked by Doc Olander - because he didn't hear the great beast until it was almost directly behind him, breathing down his neck. When he turned, he gave a start. 

A massive horse stood behind him, it's nose almost on his neck and huffing like he'd done something wrong. Charlie put a hand on the horse's neck, rubbing and down as he observed it. It seemed friendly, if the way it knocked it's head against his indicated anything. 

"Well hello there," He said, amusement in his voice. "Now where in hell did you come from, huh? I reckon somebody's gotta be missin' you, ain't they?" Unfortunately, he wasn't exactly familiar with every horse, nor it's owner, in Briar Ridge... And it wasn't like the thing was outfitted with a giant dog collar. 

"Well, why don't ya come on over here," He said, trying to lead the damn thing over to the side. "I bet my ma would know exactly who ya are if she was here." He tutted and snickered. "Pretty thing, ain't ya?" The thing sniffed at him, nearly knocking off his glasses in the process. "Hey, watch the specs," He said, though it held no malice.
Lauralee
Tapshoe, despite all of Adrian's training, had one flaw: she liked to wander.

In most circumstances, it was easy to locate her: she was never too far off for Adrian to find her- a few minutes, at most. Today, unfortunately, was different.

Adrian had woken up like it was any other day, crawling out from her canvas tent to stretch out the kinks and aches in her back from sleeping on a thin bedroll. Normally, Tapshoe would be tied to a nearby tree and would snort upon seeing her rider emerge for the day. Adrian would rifle through her things, hold out some of her feed, and her morning would start in earnest.

Instead, Adrian had come out to an empty campsite.

After tugging on her boots and jacket, Adrian set out into the cold morning, intent on finding her damn horse.

...That had been half an hour ago.

"Stupid fuckin' weather... Cold as a witch's tit out here..." She grumbled, adjusting her coat around her cotton nightgown. "Never gonna wear this damn thing again til I see fuckin' flowers springin' outta the ground..."

*"Now where in the hell did you come from, huh?"*

The voice had her head jerk up, eyes wide as she searched the area. It was a tad faint, but not too far off, and Adrian shot off like a bolt in its direction.

Tapshoe, meanwhile, happily soaked up the attention Charlie gave her, sniffing any available part of him like a bloodhound, and snorting low whenever she got a pat.

"Tapshoe!" The horse snorted again and lifted its head lazily towards the approaching Adrian, who stormed towards the beast, only to slow once she spotted Charlie.

"Oh. Uh. Mornin'?"
Minnie
The horse was clearly not his only unexpected visitor today. He heard her before he saw her; all dark hair and fire in her eyes. He wasn't sure he'd ever become acquainted with this woman before, and he couldn't help but think how much of a shame that was. 

"Mornin' ma'am," He greeted her, tipping his head as she came fully into view. "I figure... This must be your missing Tapshoe, huh? Didn't give me much trouble, just came sniffing around ma's garden is all." 

His eyes flickered from the horse to the woman and he realized, belatedly, she was in little more than a cotton nightgown. He wasn't a prude by no means; he'd been lucky enough in his life to have seen a few women naked by now, but this was an entirely different situation. He wasn't sure he was supposed to be seeing her in her nightclothes, and he wasn't sure how she felt about a strange man seeing her like this. 

He tipped his head again and let his eyes fall away out of respect. "Charlie Cooper, ma'am, pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm not sure I've had the pleasure of knowin' you until now." He cleared his throat and leaned a little on the cane at his side.
Lauralee
"Of *Course* She did. You'd think I never feed her, with how much she focuses on fuckin' food." She snorted, rolling her eyes. "She woulda eaten this whole damn garden up if you hadn't been here."

Adrian didn't seem to mind Charlie's eye on her; she stood as though this was an everyday occurrence- to have an underdressed woman appear upon a man's doorstep with her wandering horse.

"You'll go and make me feel ancient by callin' me ma'am, Charlie. My name's Adrian O'Davoran, and it's a pleasure for both me and my silly little mare here to meet ya." She held out her hand to shake the hand Charlie wasn't using to hold his cane, a wide grin on her face.

"Forgive me for trudgin' on in like I own the place, I've been searchin' for her for a good little bit now."

Tapshoe, once again, began sniffing Charlie.
Minnie
He lifted his eyes back to her hand and shifted his weight a bit, sticking out his hand to shake. Her hands were smaller than his, sure, but strong. He could feel the callouses, no doubt from the leather straps of riding a horse, paired with whatever she did for work. He couldn't imagine someone like this was puttering around a kitchen all day. 

"Then it's a good thing I was out here, ain't that right Miss Tapshoe?" He released Adrian's hand so he could pat the sniffing horse. "Don't you worry about it none, Adrian," He said her name, letting it roll around his tongue a moment. It was a nice name, he'd give it that. 

"Ain't often I get women comin' to the yard this early in the mornin' but it certainly ain't nothing to complain about." He cleared his throat afterward. "How far did this little lady walk then?" Charlie asked in curiosity. "Hopefully not too far."
Lauralee
"I'd reckon I'm one of the first, 'lest you got ladies chasin' you home all hours of the day." Adrian chuckled, stuffing her hands into her coat pockets. "Not too far for me- thirty minutes, I think, give or take. Longer than the *Other* Times she's gone an' wandered off, but at least she's still in town."

She grimaced suddenly, shuffling her feet as her teeth chattered. "Tapshoe coulda' gone and done this in more pleasant weather, mind ya, but once she went off an' trudged through a fuckin' river in the middle of December on me, so I can't complain unless I want her goin' and gettin' ideas."

Tapshoe's head lowered to Charlie's pockets, nudging at the fabric of his pants for a moment before Adrian clicked her tongue.

"I think she likes you, ya poor bastard- she won't ever leave you alone now."
Minnie
"Clearly she's got a whole lotta ideas on her own," He said, moving his arm up to allow the horse to nose at his pocket. "Are you after a treat?" He asked her, digging in his pocket where he'd stored a carrot. It was a runty thing, something that had clearly been pulled up to be discarded, but he held it flat in his hand to allow the horse to take it. 

"I'm not bothered by her none. And for the record— no, I ain't got no ladies followin' me home, so you'd be the first one to stumble here." He cracked a smile and rubbed Tapshoe's broad snout. 

"Where are my manners?" He said, clearing his throat as he realized how frigid Adrian had become. "Christ almighty, come inside and get warm. I can make you something warm to drink, keep the chill off..." He felt awful that she'd been walking around in just that damn nightgown, freezing half to death out there.
Lauralee
Tapshoe was quick to snatch the poor excuse of a carrot from Charlie's hand, slobbering all over him as she did so. Adrian, in response, only shook her head, muttering something about a mess under her breath.

"I'm mighty honored to be the first to bug ya like this, then." She curtsied with her nightgown, despite the chattering of her teeth. "May it start a long tradition of strange women showin' up on your mama's doorstep askin' after you."

"I appreciate the offer, as long as I'm not puttin' you out none. I've got a camp back the way I came from, so I won't stay in your hair long at all." Adrian shuffled closer, almost bumping into Charlie. "I hope your family don't mind."

She stopped, though, to turn toward Tapshoe. "You wouldn't have a post or somethin' I could hitch her to, would ya?"
Minnie
"I don't think I'll be getting many more in quite like you, Adrian," He said, a soft laugh following. "Not with a horse and all, nah, and that's half the fun ain't it?" He patted Tapshoe one more time before he wiped his hands off on his pants. 

"You ain't putting me out none by no means. Nobody else home— well, it's just Ma and me. Alma ain't livin' here no more and..." His words slowed and he cleared his throat. "I'm sure you know what went on and happened to my Pa." 

He tried not to think about it. God, he needed to push it down. "You can go on and tie her off to that post over there," He gestured towards the left the house. "Why don't you head on in after, I'll put a kettle on to make some tea." 

He turned on his heel and went inside, up the steps with his cane. He had filled a kettle with water from the pitcher and lit the stove, setting it to boil on there. It gave him a moment's reprieve; she was something else, wasn't she?
Lauralee
Adrian's brows furrowed at the mention of Charlie's father, his tone all too familiar to a woman in her line of work. How many times had she gone after a murderer for a weeping widow and her family? Too many times, but people were predictable- as long as there was money in it, men would die, and leave behind whatever they could. She hadn't been in town long enough to know exactly *What* Happened, really, but the pain was easy to spot all the same.

Tapshoe followed easily behind her with some simple coaxing, and a promise of a hefty breakfast seemed to placate the horse enough to allow Adrian to hitch her to the post. After a few pats and a few whispered words, she sprinted over to the door where Charlie had disappeared behind, shut the door, and shot up the stairs.

"Sweet baby JESUS do I hate February." She shivered, rubbing her arms over her coat sleeves. "Thank you again, Charlie- I already feel a little bit better."

Adrian paused for a moment, still rubbing her arms, before speaking again.

"I don't rightly know what happened to your Pa, Charlie, but I could always go after 'em, if you wanted- I've got experience in the area."

It's said casually as she slid into a chair, crossing her legs to seal in whatever warmth she still had.
Minnie
Her words had caught him off guard as she entered the room. A promise to murder for a perfect stranger; Adrian certainly was unlike any woman he'd ever met. Then again, he supposed nearly none of the women in Briar Ridge were like the women back in the city. 

"Nah, nah, it's alright," He assured her quickly, his cheeks a bit flushed. He pushed up his glasses as he tried to think of a way to explain it to her. "I'm sure... You know, you've heard of the situation in town?" He said, raising an eyebrow. "With the werewolves?" 

He could hear the kettle begin to scream, and he poured two cups for them, the teabags nestled in the cups as the water shifted from clear to that deep, rich color. 

Charlie placed the cup in front of her and had a seat, racking his brain. "He was one of those beasts. And someone thought he was better off dead than facing trial." He grimaced and took a sip of his tea, though it was much too hot. 

"I didn't wanna say goodbye to my Pa, but things gotta be done." His eyes flickered to meet hers. "Sounds like you might understand that."
Lauralee
Adrian had heard of the werewolves, but none of it made sense to her. Sure, she had encountered odd things out east, but never something as... Intense as this.

"I have, though I hope nobody thinks too poorly of me for still bein' a little skeptical." She wrinkled her nose, cheeks flushing as warmth began to settle back into her. "Never seen or heard of somethin' like this, and I've been around."

The cup gave Adrian's hands much-needed warmth as she hovered her palms around it, careful not to burn her hands.

"I get it, but not about the part of 'things needin' to be done'. You're sayin' someone was keen on seein' him dead 'fore he could hang, but you ain't doin' much of a good job of a mournin' son, neither."

She took a sip of her drink, eyes trained on Charlie from under her lashes. "Sons wantin' their father's dead ain't nothin' new to me, though."
Minnie
His mouth felt very dry, and the way Adrian had him pinned with her eyes made him sweat. She knew, it seemed, and it wasn't a good idea to lie his way out of this one. 

"I didn't want him dead," He said, not breaking eye contact with her. "I ain't never want him dead. He was my Pa. But..." He grit his teeth. "He was a murderer. He ain't done anything to prevent himself or his kind from rippin' apart half the town. People were found out in the woods, yknow? Two young boys, ripped to shreds. I ain't know if it was him or another but he ain't givin' them up, neither." 

He paused and looked down into his cup. "I'd mighty appreciate you keepin' this bit o' information to yerself, Miss Adrian." He said, lifting his eyes to meet hers once more. "It ain't somethin' I'm proud of in the slightest. It was just somethin' that had to be done." 

He took a long sip of his tea. He felt like he was under a magnifying glass with her; like she could see right through him. It made his cheeks warm and he tugged slightly at his collar. Was it warm in here?
Lauralee
"Boys," She echoed, face stilling. Her fingers twitched around her cup, and she closed her eyes to take a deep breath. When she opened them again, they held an unsettling severity.

"Not any of my damn business if you killed a fella who was killin' others, Charlie, Pa or not. Sounds to me like you did the right thing, even- god knows I woulda done the same in your position." She shook her head. "You don't gotta be proud of doin' it, but you've saved folks, I reckon."

Adrian took another sip of her tea, ignoring the burn as it went down.

"How many of those monsters are here, or do none of ya know?"
Minnie
He was stunned that she seemed so incredibly... Calm about what he'd done. She didn't seem to care even a little bit. In fact, she seemed to approve, which... Charlie could not begin to wrap his brain around. 

He was glad for the slight switch in topics, and he shook his head. "Hard to say," He said after a second. "We ain't ever seen em all together at once. We done killed two— Pa and the sheriff." He grimaced. 

"Hard to say which of em was which. But I'd say... Four? Maybe more?" It was so hard to tell in the pale moonlight, especially when them creatures moved so damn fast. 

"You're awful calm, hearing about all this here murder and slaughter," He said to her curiously. "If I was you, I'd have been runnin' for the hills by now."
Lauralee
Adrian only grimaced at Charlie's offered number, nose crinkling in what was her clear sign of distaste. She'd seen poor odds before, even gone through several bounties when she'd drawn the short straw, but never an entire town on the edge of a horrible precipice.

"Would it surprise you if I told you murder and slaughter are a part of my job?" Her head tilted. "That seein' fellas kill each other over less than turnin' into ravenous beasts was my daily?"

She scooted forward in her chair, and leaned over the table, her mouth quirking into a cheeky grin. "I've done things that'd make some men piss themselves, Charlie; this ain't nothin' to me. Not today, not tomorrow, not never. You'll have ta' go an' find another gal if you want her faintin' at your table over this shit."
Minnie
To say that Adrian O'Davoran was unlike any woman in Briar Ridge was perhaps an understatement. In fact, she was unlike any woman he'd ever met *Ever*. 

His eyes flickered down to where her nightgown's neckline had scooped lower as she leaned across the table, and like a polite man, his eyes jerked upward and made direct eye contact instead. That somehow felt more dangerous than looking at her exposed collarbone, but he stayed steady with his gaze. 

"I dunno if I'd say I'm surprised, Miss Adrian," He admitted, pushing up his glasses with his fingers. "Yer one hell of a woman." He cleared his throat and flashed her a smile as he leaned on the table more. "And I ain't interested in havin' no girls fainting at the dining room table."

Charlie shifted in his seat, still not breaking eye contact. To do so would be weak, he thought. "It seems like you done lived a life and a half. Am I wrong?"
Lauralee
"I'd reckon I have, but I wanna try to be a *Little* Humble around ya, Charlie. What would your mama go an' think if you went tellin' her about how I went on an' on about my achievements and shit? I'd be banned by the woman of the house!" She laughed, reaching over to nudge at his arm. "I ain't ever been banned from a house before- think about my reputation!"

Adrian tugged her coat tight around her, then crossed her legs under the table. "Again, none of that 'miss' or 'ma'am' shit- you're makin' me sound old."

She hadn't noticed the plunge in her neckline, though the sight was thankfully(?) covered by the re-adjusting of her coat. Color had returned to her fully at that point; her cheeks and the tip of her nose were rosy, and even the white streak in her hair seemed softer in the candlelight of the Cooper house.

"Tell me somethin', Charlie: say I wanted to go and help with yer wolf problem, that all I needed was help with somethin', maybe some pay. What would you do?"
Minnie
He cracked a smile, stretching more across his face before he laughed, shaking his head. "You ain't gotta be humble," He told her. "...'sides, my mama ain't gonna ban you none from the house." 

He was relieved that she'd leaned back, the coat keeping any bits and pieces out of sight. He couldn't help but think she was beautiful, but she was clearly a dangerous individual. In honesty, they needed more of those in Briar Ridge. 

"I'd say we can take all the help we can get," He said, pushing his glasses up again like it was a nervous habit. "And I figure a small price to pay for someone who sounds like a good shot." Charlie paused and leaned on the table now. "So, what kinda help are you lookin' for, then? I can rightly try my best," He cleared his throat. "And if I can't, I can prolly point you in the right direction'a somebody who can."
Lauralee
She waved a hand in the air. "It depends. I don't want you gettin' into any trouble for my sake, and what I need to do ain't exactly pleasant. I'm not gonna assume, but I reckon yer a smart man, Charlie, and you know what I do for a livin'."

Talking to Charlie had been the most open she'd been in... Months. Most of her time was spent traveling in search of bounties, and she rarely stayed in place for very long. It led to an isolated lifestyle, and aside from the occasional lawman or thankful person, Adrian didn't even have more than a handful of acquaintances. Friends were something that was even more far-fetched for her, but sitting here, laughing with him, her chest ached in *Want*.

"Bounty huntin' don't seem like your scene, neither, but I figure you can give me information on who I'm here for."

Adrian scooted her chair forward, placed her hands on the table, and leaned forward once again.

"Do you know a fella by the name of Eddie Bigby, by any chance?"
Minnie
"No, can't say bounty huntin' is my scene at all. But..." He averted his eyes as the woman leaned forward on the table. "Ain't surprised you mighta tracked someone down t' here. It's a good place to hide." He cleared his throat, using the window as an excuse to look anywhere else but at her exposed skin. 

"Eddie Bigby? Yeah, I sure do." He nodded, a grimace on his lips. "I reckon he's related to Mrs. Bigby— she got done in a few months ago by one of them werewolves." He shook his head. "Miss Charlene was a real nice lady, I'll say. I don't know much about her brother, but he didn't come on around until she passed. I don't know if I can give you much more'n that— but he is living with the Bigby's... Just in town." He gestured. "If ya need more than that, I can ask around for ya." 

He directed his gaze back to hers, keeping eye contact now. "That what you needed?"
Lauralee
Adrian hummed low, nodding her head along to his words. "I hadn't figured *Why* He was headin' this way, besides havin' a need to keep runnin' from the long arm of the law, but lookin' for family makes sense. Them takin' him in... Makes less sense, but I guess they don't know about all he's done."

"I'd appreciate you askin' around, but you'd have to..." Her words trailed off, brows furrowing as she looked at Charlie.

"...You feelin' alright, Charlie? I can stop talkin' about this if it's goin' and makin' you nervous, I don't mind at all."
Minnie
Ah, well. He hadn't expected her to confront him with it, had he? Nah, he thought he'd been so careful to not look suspicious and awkward, and yet here he was. 

"Nah, it don't make me nervous none," He promised her, tapping his knuckle on the wooden table. He figured it wouldn't be right to lie to her in this instance. 

"Yer a mighty beautiful woman, Adrian, I'm sure ya know that; and I'm just tryin' to be respectful is all," He explained to her, keeping his eyes on her face now. "And when you done leaned forward, I see a lot... More of ya than I think you want me to see," He leaned his elbow on the table. 

"And right as I'll say, I'm not complainin' none, I'm also a gentleman, and I don't think I oughta be takin' peeks when I ain't been offered one." He huffed out a laugh. "So I'm sorry if I was actin' odd, I ain't mean to." He apologized quickly and nodded his head in her direction.
Lauralee
What followed wasn't the same joviality that Adrian had shown before, nor the sudden seriousness. Instead, she shrunk in on herself and wrapped her jacket tighter around her form, finally hiding the bare skin of her chest.

"Now, you don't gotta go and lie to me like that, Charlie." She chuckled, but the sound was forced. "If I'm goin' on and on and flashin' you the whole time, all you gotta do is go and tell me, alright?"

Gone now was her previous confidence and bravado, now replaced by something... Smaller, more timid- sorrowful, even. Charlie Cooper was a handsome man, she would be a fool not to see that, but that thought had been squirreled away in the back of her mind, never to see the light of day. People's interest was something she received on the job more times than she could count; crass and insincere, meant to guide her into a bed for a quick jaunt than anything meaningful.

This felt... Different, and Charlie seemed to be a good man, but to be called beautiful?

Adrian wasn't able to find it in herself to believe him.

"Still, thank you fer tellin' me- god knows I'd be run outta town if I flashed my bits at other people." Again she chuckled, easier this time, but still small.
Minnie
He hadn't known what to expect when it came to an Adrian's reactions; she seemed far different than any woman he'd ever met before. He'd expected maybe she'd be angry, call him a pervert and slap him across the face. Maybe she'd get bashful and huff. Maybe she'd leave his house, never to return. 

The last thing he'd ever imagined in this situation was for her to look so damned small. Like he was poking fun at her— he couldn't imagine this look appearing on her face, and here it was. 

"Why do I got any reason to lie to ya?" He questioned her curiously, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, I don't just go 'round saying women are beautiful willy-nilly, but you ain't got reference for that, s'pose." He scratched his jaw a moment, contemplating his next words carefully. 

"But I promise I done mean it honest. No jokes, no lies, no teasin'." He shrugged a shoulder, pushing his glasses up on his nose a little. "Like I said, it ain't everyday I have a beautiful lady walkin' up on my lawn." 

He looked down to the table and tapped his fingers on it. "But I ain't gonna push ya to accept none of my compliments if yer uncomfortable, Adrian, I ain't wanna make ya feel some type of way bout it."
Lauralee
"No, no, it ain't that, Charlie." Adrian shifted in her chair, eyes drifting closed as she sighed. "I just... People normally want somethin' outta me when they say somethin' like that, you know? It's never a compliment, just them tryin' a chance to see my bits."

"I don't... Got a lot of experience with people *Meanin'* It, and since yer sayin' you do, I don't rightly know what to do?" Her nose crinkled. "Again, it's not somethin' I'm used to, especially by someone as... Well. You know."

Slowly, a bright flush spread on her cheeks, and crept to the tips of her ears.

"Handsome," Her voice cracked, "I mean handsome."
Minnie
He couldn't help but laugh. *Handsome?* She thought he was handsome? Well, how about that? His cheeks did tinge slightly red, and he observed her a moment. She truly was unlike anyone he'd ever met, but he appreciated that. 

"Well that's mighty kind of ya," He said to her smoothly. "I promise, I ain't sayin' it t' see yer *Bits*," He drummed his fingertips on the table. "You done showed me some of yer bits enough, I don't think I'd need t' make stuff up t'see em." He teased her flirtatiously. 

It felt nice to do something so normal like *Flirting* For once. Maybe he didn't have all the time in the world to flirt and court, but... To pretend for a moment that maybe she'd be interested, that would be enough. 

"But y'don't gotta do nothin' if yer not wanting to. But if yer at all interested, I'd love t' see ya more often. But from the sounds of it, if yer lookin' to kill some werewolves and all, we might be seein' a whole lot more of each other."
Lauralee
"Wh- you-" She sputtered, lips quirking downwards into a pout. "Now, that ain't f-fair, Charlie! I just told you I ain't used to this s-sorta thing, and yer teasin' me for it!"

Even with her protest, her cheeks only darkened further. She wasn't refuting anything Charlie said, either, but what sort of respectable woman would she be if she didn't put up *Some* Sort of fuss?

"Maybe we will, maybe we won't, Charlie. Depends on how much e-effort you put in, hm?" Adrian coughed into her sleeve, then nodded once. "I may be goin' after those wolves soon enough, but you may not get a chance to see... These bits again."

She coughed again, then turned her head to the side. "I should charge ya for what little you *Did* See."
Minnie
He couldn't help but to laugh; it was a real, full-bodied laugh that made his shoulders shake and his glasses slid down his nose a bit. "Charge me?" He repeated her words, resting an elbow on the table. "Why, Miss Adrian..." He nearly *Crooned* Her name. "I don't think a lady like you can be *Bought*, and if ya could... You'd be mighty expensive, I'll tell ya that." 

And the bastard *Winked*, because Charlie Cooper might've seemed like a polite man with a kind smile, but his secret was that the man could flirt til the cows came home. "But if it'll please ya, I can gift ya some 'shine and maybe we'll be even?" 

Charlie sat up a little straighter in his seat then. "Maybe two, make it more fair."
Lauralee
Adrian's head whipped back to face Charlie, eyes as wide as saucers. She remained silent, yet the corners of her mouth quirked up and down repeatedly- she couldn't decide whether to smile or to continue to pout.

"...I don't know whether I should melt or bolt out yer damn door, mister." She rubbed at her cheeks, only to deepen her pout when she noticed that her *Hands* Were now also flushed. "Too smooth for yer own damn good."

"Start with flowers, maybe- I ain't too sure if this town's got any shine that don't taste like swill."
Minnie
He wasn't about to wipe that sly smile off his face anytime soon; not with her reacting like that, all flushed and pretty like. "I'd prefer the former than the latter, if you'd be so kind," He said. 

Charlie took a moment to observe her; how she truly looked so flustered. Had she never received compliments like this before? Been truly flirted with for no other reason than to see her face flush? 

"Flowers? I think I can make that happen, thank God above for spring comin', Miss Adrian," He flashed her another smile. "But hey, don't knock the Cooper shine! I stand on it that my family makes the best shine in Briar Ridge," He told her, taking a slow stand and leaning on the table. He didn't want to look weak in front of her; forgoing the cane by the table as he made his way to the shelf, taking down a jar. "I know it's right early, but y'might as well start the day off right, yeah?"
Lauralee
"Now you just hold on there-" Adrian nearly bolted out of her chair as she rushed over to Charlie's side, and unthinkingly reached out to place a hand on his free arm to steady him.

"I've already come in, takin' up yer time with me and my silly little mare- you don't gotta go and give me none of yer shine, Charlie." She paused, eyes flickering to her hand on his arm and then back to his face. "I wouldn't... Have no way to repay you fer it, neither."

Another pause, though it only served to make Adrian fidget at Charlie's side. "Less you want... Somethin' silly like a kiss. Or flowers. Or anythin' else that'll make me stop runnin' my damn mouth."
Minnie
The sudden movement at his side did take him by surprise; her hands were warm on his skin, and he shifted his weight more to his good foot. "Ain't gotta repay me for nothin'," He told her. "I'm being hospitable, Miss Adrian," He couldn't help but chuckle. "But I'll say, if yer wantin' to repay me with a kiss, I ain't 'bout to say no." 

He chuckled a little, hand coming to touch hers. "Awful bold for a lady who's actin' a minute ago like she ain't interested." But now she wanted a kiss? How cute. 

"I kinda like it when yer runnin' yer damn mouth," He admitted.
Lauralee
Adrian didn't fully realize the trap she'd set for herself until Charlie jumped for it. All she could do was stand there and gape at him; unable to defend herself but unwilling to actually *Leave*.

"T-There's a difference between bein' hospitable and given' away somethin' that makes yer family money, Charlie! I'm not-" She stopped, the rest of her sentence weighing heavily on her tongue. 

*I'm not worth that.*

It's chased away quickly, all the same, but its remnants leave a sour taste on her tongue.

"I never said I wasn't *Interested*, I told ya that I don't know how to deal with... Genuine things. I can't say I'm a very good flirt past tryin' to get someone off my tail, neither."

Her cheeks puffed up, followed by a few more mumbled words, though the word 'kiss' could be made out.
Minnie
Adrian was such an interesting woman; he couldn't help but be taken by her nature. She was complicated and *Difficult* In a way that made her so fascinating. He could see emotions pass over her face at times that puzzled him; raw and vulnerable things that didn't sit right on her beautiful face. 

"Now Miss Adrian," He said, their proximity quite close as she gripped his arm tight to keep his balance. "I think my family can miss a jar of shine, and if they throw a fit, I'll pay with my own money," He insisted. 

"So you are interested?" He asked her, pulling open the cabinet and reaching into the back to grab a jar of the moonshine. "Good, because otherwise this whole thing would be awful embarrassing for me," He sat down the jar of shine and turned more towards her. "Can't quite hear ya, darlin'. Mind speaking up for me?" He asked her. "You keep talkin' about this kiss you want? I'm more than happy to be kissed by a lovely lady like yourself but I ain't in the business of pressuring women, y'know?"
Lauralee
"I ain't pressured, you big ol' worrywart." She huffed again, though her face was very obviously flushed. "I said I... I don't know *How* To. I ain't ever kissed no one before."

In her time traveling, trustworthy companions were few and far between. She never allowed herself to partake in frivolous things like romance, despite people's wandering eyes, and the absence of intimacy drained her. The last time Adrian could recall a purposeful touch beyond a simple handshake or pat on the back was... Before her mother passed.

However, holding onto Charlie's arm was different, even if she initiated it. He was solid and *Real*, almost dizzyingly so, and Adrian found herself wanting to hold onto him longer than she should.

"...I don't want you feelin' disappointed, is all."
Minnie
His eyebrows shot up. "Yer kidding," He said, no amusement in him but genuine surprise. "A pretty specimen like you ain't kissed nobody?" His hand came up and caught her upper waist real gentle like; fingertips just barely brushing the fabric of her nightgown. 

"Disappointed?" He couldn't help but laugh. "Why in hell would I be disappointed?" He asked her. "My question bein', you sure you want a fella like me taking a first kiss?" He asked her. "That's real important I'd say. Shouldn't I be askin' you to have dinner first before I'm kissin' those pretty lips? Though I'll admit, it's a hard thing to resist."
Lauralee
The ghosting of Charlie's fingers was easily transferred into the light cotton of her nightgown, the feeling making her eyebrows shoot up on her forehead and crimson to bloom even deeper on her cheeks.

"I-I don't know? I ain't got much of a clue what's good and proper here, Charlie." Her eyes darted down. "I feel like most fellas wouldn't be too keen on kissin' a woman who doesn't know what she's doin'."

She shrugged and scooted just the tiniest bit closer to him.
Minnie
"I guess I ain't most fellas, just like you're not most ladies," He pointed out. "Don't think I know too many ladies who's runnin' round outside in her nightie, lookin' for her horse." Charlie pointed out, chuckling to himself in amusement. 

He steadied himself on the cupboard a bit, his hand braver now to cup her upper back. Was this insane? Maybe. He just met this woman today, but she was entirely too magnetic. He was taken with her; she was complicated and for some reason, he wanted to smooth the wrinkle between her troubled brows and make her realize she was beautiful. 

He took her closeness as a positive sign; they were nearly chest to chest now, and he did have to lean down a bit to come nose to nose with her. 

"If you don't want me t' kiss ya, I'd suggest tellin' me now before I done get my hopes up." He told her softly.
Lauralee
A small shiver ran through Adrian as Charlie pressed his hand to her back. The sensation was grounding but set her heart at a jackhammer's pace all the same, surely able to be felt as Charlie came closer.

"I'd like ya to kiss me, Charlie." She looked up at him from under her eyelashes, a small, nervous smile making its way onto her face. "As long as you don't regret it none. I know this is... Fast, so I won't be upset if you change yer mind at all."

She took in a breath. "If you don't, I wouldn't mind you teachin' me how to k-kiss..."
Minnie
Christ almighty, how was he ever supposed to cope when she was lookin' up at him through her lashes like that? How was he ever supposed to deny a lady who asked him so shyly, so sweetly, to teach her how to kiss? 

He could feel her heart thudding as he pressed the flat of his palm to her back. This felt nearly wrong, kissing a lady he just met in her *Nightgown* In his kitchen, but damn it all— if it ain't felt so right. 

"You got lovely eyes, Miss Adrian," He told her politely, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a little nervous too. He didn't want to disappoint her, let her down... 

Charlie craned his head down and pressed his lips to hers; it was real soft, real gentle. There was no pressure behind it, no insistence. Just a soft kiss, no rushing into anything. He could feel her heart pick up more and he held her there for a long moment before he finally pulled back. 

"That ain't too terrible now, is it?" He asked her, voice soft and a bit embarrassed.
Lauralee
*You got lovely eyes, Miss Adrian.*

The words echoed through her head as Charlie pressed his lips to hers, her eyes widening for only a moment before slipping shut. Everything felt warm and comfortable like a blanket had been thrown over her shoulders, and it was surprising how much it simply felt... Right.

Adrian brought her hand up to rest against his chest, curling her fingers into the fabric of his shirt gently. Again, she was reminded of how solid he was, and how... Safe this felt, how safe *He* Felt. She melted into him easily, entranced by the moment they shared.

Even after Charlie pulled away, Adrian's eyes remained closed, lips slightly pursed. Slowly, she reopened her eyes, though her expression was somewhat dazed.

"That was... Really nice."
Minnie
He let her grip onto him, her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt like she might just float away on the tide if she were to let go. In response, his arm held her tighter; his hand slid across her back until the entirety of his arm was wrapped around her, keeping her snugly against his chest. 

They were a breath apart, their respective cheeks flushed. "I'd say it was real nice," He agreed with her, a chuckle on his lips. This was nice; a reprieve from the chaos of Briar Ridge and finding some kind of oasis in Adrian O'Davoran's eyes. 

"Would it be awfully impolite if I kissed you again?" He asked her. "You got every right to slap me for even askin' that."
Lauralee
There was still a voice in the back of Adrian's mind, screaming about the impropriety of it all; that she didn't even know Charlie beyond some small talk and the murder of his own *Father*, practically throwing herself at him because of a few honeyed words and sweet gestures.

Yet, the rest of her didn't really *Mind*. Even with her limited knowledge, Charlie seemed to be a kind man- assuring her at every turn, and holding her with a gentleness she'd all but forgotten.

"I think I'd be more upset if you didn't offer in the first place," She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand to muffle the sound. "Don't want to mark up that pretty face of yer's, neither."

"Alls this to say that yes, you can." The idea sent her nerves alight once again. "...Unless you got better things to do than kissin' a strange woman."
Minnie
"You think my face is pretty, Adrian?" He winked at her, his voice smooth like molasses. It really was so indecent of him, he was sure his mama would absolutely have his hide if she saw him holdin' a lady in their kitchen in just her nightie. Not even a bouquet of flowers or dinner before he was kissin' up on her lips like that! But alas, he couldn't help himself - Adrian was as pretty as a flower in the spring and he was not shying away from the idea of holding her waist closer and laying a kiss on those lips. 

"I got absolutely nothin' at all that I'd rather do right now," He assured her. He should probably be pullin' up weeds or something, but alas... 

Charlie took that as an open invitation to lay another kiss on her smiling lips. She had a real pretty smile, and her giggle was about as sweet as honeysuckle too. It was almost a shame that he was covering it all up with his own, but he supposed if things went well, maybe he'd get to see her smile a little more often. 

His hand came up, splaying his fingertips across her upper back, keeping her steady in his arms as he kissed her for a real long moment. When he broke it finally, he made absolutely no move to release her quite yet. "I figure... When yer not all busy with yer *Business*, I'd really like the pleasure of takin' you out for an evenin'... If you'll have me, o'course."
Lauralee
Adrian only managed a quick playful roll of her eyes before Charlie kissed her again, reigniting the warmth in her chest. She hadn't come out here to find someone like him, yet she stumbled upon Charlie all the same- be it coincidence or fate. Adrian had never believed in the latter, but being here with him settled a long-buried loneliness deep in her chest and got her thinking that maybe it *Was*.

"I think I'd like that, Charlie- but I'd havta disappoint ya and wear somethin' *Proper*." She smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt. "A nice little dress I got tucked away, maybe. Do my hair all nice, maybe ask a housewife for some makeup..."

Adrian leaned up, just a hair's width away from Charlie's lips. "I like yellow flowers, by the way. Somethin' I could put behind my ear."

Her next kiss came without thinking, and the thoughts of her original purpose in town drifted off alongside them.

For now.