Jo woke up to a feeling that had, until now, been unknown to her. A deep sense of thrill and something... forbidden, stole a small smile from the  young female as she rolled onto her stomach and grinned with her face pressed into the pillow. Memories of last night were swirling around in her head, causing her heart to thump at a rapid speed until she could no longer lie still. Rolling onto her back again, she was quick to get up and stretch her lithe body, before tip toeing towards the small desk that held a bowl of clear water and a cloth, alongside a delicate looking mirror. After a brief cat-washing, she looked into the mirror and smiled again as a rosy color claimed her cheeks. Recalling how soft and warm Wade's lips had been against hers, she gently ran her index finger against her mouth with a hint of wonder to her expression. Who knew kissing could be so heavenly? That having a sweetheart would make her practically unable to sleep from pure joy. There was no denying the shadows under her eyes, proof that this late night activity had kept her up for a long while.  Before that mysterious cowboy had ridden into her life and literally caught her in his lasso, she'd never even entertained the thought of belonging to any man. Her independence and pride had always caused her to dig her heels in like a stubborn mule whenever her parents tried to get her to agree on the arranged set-up with her supposed fiance. At least now she knew she had not just been headstrong in order to be difficult on her parents... she had simply been waiting for the right man. And now she had met him, and she was not about to give him or these feelings up. Despite how difficult it would be to explain<b>that </b>to her father.<br/><br/>However, come to think of it, she'd neglected to ask Wade properly about his intentions towards her... because surely she had recognized the spark of love in his eyes? But he had never actually said that he would be asking her father for the permission to court her. He'd only claimed he wanted her, as his own. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she recalled the passion, the intensity, in his dark gaze. Oh golly, how was she supposed to even be around him for 5 minutes without dying from embarrassment?<br/><br/>A light knock on the door tore Jo from her thoughts. Her mother was clearly up and around, and had probably already made breakfast. Jo's parents were most likely about to leave and they'd want to eat together with their daughter (and Wade). After getting dressed in a pale blue dress and combing her hair before braiding it, she was running down the stairs to greet the people that were already up. Would Wade be at the table already, she'd blush prettily and send him a shy little smile before busying herself with sitting down and bidding her parents good day. It wasn't that she regretted what had happened, her cheerful and slightly bashful expression being evidence enough of that. But for some reason she was finding it hard to meet the cowboy's eyes without melting into a flustered puddle. How had she even been able to be so bold last night? To approach him in nothing but her night shift, and allowing him to kiss her! Good lord, she didn't know what to make of this. But she certainly was no loose woman, she knew already that she loved him. But... her gaze went meekly to his handsome face again. Did he truly love her?<br/><br/>"You sleep well, Josephine?"<br/><br/>Her father's rumbling voice had her tearing her gaze from her partner in 'crime'. Meeting her father's steely eyes, her lips curved in an automatic smile. Until she'd be clear on what the handsome cowboy really wanted, she'd need to keep her father out of it.<br/><br/>"Yes, papa. I slept well. I'm excited to visit the town and staying there for a bit."<br/><br/>"Hrrmpf."<br/><br/>The rest of the breakfast was spent mostly in silence. Many a glance was stolen towards Wade, but Jo was too nervous to really linger with her gaze on his face. Lest her father was watching her closely. So instead she stuffed her face, until she was sure she'd explode. As they left the table, Jo was wandering around behind her parents, fidgeting and pacing around until they'd finally left the house and were entering the carriage. She'd miss them, even if they were only gone for a short while. But she was pretty excited about spending the day riding with Wade, and she was also stoked she'd be going to town. There was lot to do there. People to sniff out. Hunting down information. But perhaps her father had seen through the extremely innocent expression on her face, for his brows lowered as he stared her down.<br/><br/>"You behave yerself, Josephine. Ya hear me?"<br/><br/>"Yes, papa."<br/><br/>"And you, cowboy. Watch out for her."<br/><br/>With a click of his tongue, he sent the horses on a slow trot, while Jo's mother waved merrily at the young couple that was left in the dust. A minute or two passed, before the dark haired female turned to face her companion for the day. He was greeted with yet another smile that hinted at all the feelings swirling within her. Her hands were held in front of her, fingers interlaced, her feet poked at the ground as her dark eyes scanned his beloved face, before she was staring down at the ground.<br/><br/>"Seems we could leave soon. Buzz is probably done preparin' our horses."