"Nathaniel, don't!"

       "Look here follows, he has his woman here to back him up." Luka spat out.

         "I say, he is not much of a man, more of sissy," Another adds.

          "Boys, stop it will ya?"  

          "Nevermind us miss, this is our business, not yours."  A nasty man snarls at her.

           "I said leave her alone."

             Luka grabs up a barrel and is about to crash it onto Nathaniel's head.

               "Sorry, but there is no fighting in here.  If it is a fight you want then take it outside," The owner of the place tells them.

                Lila puts her hands over her cheeks in sheer horror.  

                    The young men are rather immature for their ages each gang up on her date.  One punches him with his fist. Another rolls the barrel towards him, and a third is about to throw him across the room when...

                 "I would hardly call it a fair fight when it is three against one," Someone blurts out.

                 Lila's father takes off his hat. He joins in on the action.

              Lila stands there unsure how to react. She says nothing.

                 The restaurant manger points to the door.

                     Lila's father, the nasty guys, and Nathaniel are all outside.  

                         Now, Lila's father beats up the whole lot of them . As they leave, Nathaniel turns to thank him despite the bruise around his left eye.

                        "Ooo, you better put some ice on that eye. It is one rather black one I hate to add."

                         "Thank you, Mr. Rossi."

                     "Nonsense boy, that is no way to treat the man whose daughter you are courting. Please call me Owen."

                   Owen Rossi walks off.

                   Nathaniel sits down.

                     Lila rushes outside. She gasps at the sight of him.

              She helps him back on his horse. She climbs on hers.

         As he protests she rides back towards the ranch where she lives.  He follows along behind her.

          Upon arrival, Nathaniel puts the horses in the stable.

            Lila, hands him some ice.  

           Nathaniel does not speak. He takes the ice. He places it on his eye.

              Lila kisses his cheek. She his blush.  She smirks.

      She  feeds the horses, then returns to the house.

             She washes her hands.

                   "We are just in time for dessert."

                "Dessert, what of it?"  He inquiries.

                "I want you to join us."

             "Yes, but your father." 

              "My father will understand. He knows you did your best to defend my honor. For that I am grateful."

                  Nathaniel nods his head.

              Owen Rossi grins.  "Ah, Nathaniel, good chap.  I see you have decided to stay for dessert after all."

           Lila sets the table. The three sit down.  As they enjoys some nice pie, Nathaniel holds the ice to his eye with one hand, and does his best to eat with the other one.

          Later, after the  pie, Nathaniel plays a game of cherades with Lila and her father.

           Soon, it is dark out.  It is time for Nathaniel to go home.

            "Father, I will see him to his horse."

         "Sure, Lila, that is fine.  He did you a favor, so he is a good boy, that man of yours."

               Lila blushes again at her father's compliment.  She does walk with Nathaniel to the stable.

                Nathaniel cups her chin. "My lady?"

                 Lila grasp his shirt collar, pulls him forward, and kisses him. She thinks he does not know how long I have wanted to do this. She feels him respond.

                 "I will miss you."

                   "I will miss you too, Lila. I will see you again."

                  Lila waves good bye to him as he rides away into the night.

          Find out more in Chapter 11

          bye, bye little owlets!

         Summer out!