Petra Swage

Petra came off the stage

A war she was expected to wage

Lou wrote how they laughed in her face

About the ad and women

who'd fallen from grace.

The forge was empty except for one man

She wondered if this was the infamous Buck

Whom Lou seemed to be having little luck

She winced as she watch him hammer a shoe

And he looks over and asks, "Can I help you?"

The words came out

They couldn't be stopped

"You know you're doing that wrong."

"Um... no. You know something of smithing?"

He examined the shoe...

he thought it was coming along.

Petra smile was as big as could be.

"You could say that."

She made a decision in 3 seconds flat.

She came up behind him slid her hand over his

Her other hand came to rest on his hip.

"First you need to loosen your grip."

She lifts Buck's arm and follows through.

"Think of the hammer as an extension of you."

Don't use your strength, use it's weight

You'll have more control, tire less

And you lines will come out straight."

Buck played with his collar and removed her hand

"I think, I...um understand."

Without even stopping to think

Petra unbuttoned his collar and gave him a wink.

I'd love a chance to show you what I can do?

Bucks face was priceless.

"I...um..." 

Petra grinned

"I meant with that shoe."

Buck nodded. "Oh, are you here about the ad?"

Petra, laughed just a bit, "Yes."

sort of... "Is that bad?"

"No, Hugh left the hiring up to me

but I'm a bit busy here you see.

How about tomorrow I'll meet you for

Breakfast at the café. 

We'll have more time to talk that way?"

Petra brightened immediately

What Lou found attractive was easy to see

But what she'd seen of his personality

With Lou's description did not agree.

"At the café?"

"Early."

Petra couldn't stop smiling.

"Okay."

She got up early at the hotel

"What was the commotion last night?"

She asked Satchel.

"Seems there was a fire at the forge

Dusty got to it right quick.

Unfortunately, he was right in the thick."

"Oh no! Was anyone else hurt?"

Petra worried over Buck.

"Nope, thanks to Dusty's quick thinking.

The animals and Buck got out before

Any real disaster struck."

"Well this Dusty fellow is lucky to be alive.

Forge fires are no joke, if it exploded,

No one would have survived."

Satchel saw the look on her face.

Her eyes filled with water

a smile not a trace.

He reached out and touched her hand.

He shook his head, "I understand."

Petra smiled. "Sorry, I lost my father that way.

It's been a while since I thought of that day."

Petra shook it off.

"Could you point me to the café ?

Buck was already seated.

"May I join you?"

His face immediately heated.

She thought it cute

That he looked just as

Nervous as before.

"Don't worry, Muscles. I don't bite."

Buck slid a chair out

For her across the floor.

"Muscles?" Buck grinned

that sounded all right.

"Ever try their noodles?"

"No?"

"It's on me."

Gyn brought them both a bowl.

And some muffins and coffee.

"Do you like smithing Buck?

I mean is it your life's goal?"

Buck shook his head, "No."

I needed a job. It was something to do.

What's your story? How about you?"

Petra reached out and took his hand

Something else she didn't have planned

Her thumb ran across his palm.

"Forgive me for saying this

but you have the hands of an artist

Why would you settle to smith?"

Buck looked down at his hands,

"Not many jobs for an artist."

"Oh really?" Suddenly Petra looked

Dampened and depressed.

"I had hoped things would be different here.

She suddenly brightens, "But you never know

until you try, I guess."

She looked at Buck and leaned in close,

Whispering "I'm and artist too."

She pulled out a rose

she obviously forged

Placing it on the table.

The craftsmanship was impeccable

As for the job, she was clearly able.

"It's what I love about my shop in Oh Aces.

Shoes and repairs pay the bills

But getting the metal to make

Something like this just gives me the chills."

Petra's excitement was easy to see.

And the realization dawned suddenly

"You were asked to come here by Lou?

You're here because she sent for you!"

"You seem surprised by that information

I thought you knew."

"I did... sort of... I didn't expect you to be so... nice."

Petra erupted in laughter and covered her lips.

"You think I'm nice?"

*Her heart fluttered. No, Petra get a grip*

Buck reddened just a bit.

"Well, you are nice.

Why do want this job?

Working for Hugh?

It doesn't sound like the thing

You should do?"

"Anyone ever tell you

you're adorable when you blush?"

Buck turned a deeper red

"Can't say I ever heard that said."

"Seriously? What a shame.

I have to think the people

You surround yourself with

Are to blame."

"It will take time before the forge is built

I thought before I go full tilt.

I'd work and ask to use the forge

to make more pieces for my stock.

But now with fire and damage, I guess not."

"You heard about that?"

"Hard not to hear the commotion at the hotel.

I expected to stay there a spell.

I originally thought at Lou's I'd stay

But with both Brody and Annie there.

Well... three's a crowd as they say."

"You know Brody and Annie too?"

"Can't know Lulu as long as I do

And not know something of those two.

Odd though could have sworn they

Had feeling for other people that I knew."

"Well Annie did have feelings for my twin?"

"You have a twin? Is he as good lookin'?

If so I can see why Annie may be in trouble."

"Bruce and I are Identical."

Petra waved her hand in front of her face.

"That much muscle in one place."

"Bruce isn't much for muscle he prefers

to work with his mind."

"So, then I find, I'm with the better looking twin."

Buck laughed nervously.

"Um... yes... I guess.

 Though Lou thinks Bruce has a better grin."

Buck frowned.

"I hope she doesn't get into any trouble with him."

"Lou is good at taking care of herself. She'll be fine."

"Yeah, I've discovered she can take care of herself...

multiple times."

"So, is that the only way to tell you two apart

You're muscles and his grin."

"No, I have a birthmark on my neck."

Petra thought what the heck.

She leaned in close, and moved his collar to see.

"You can be very distracting."

Petra pulled back. "Who me? I don't mean to be."

Petra grinned. "I guess then it's a good thing

I won't be working for you."

"Did I say, no?"

"Well you don't have a forge and

even if you did...

wouldn't want you losing a finger

or a toe."

Buck winced at the words,

So Petra obviously heard.

"What else did Lou say?"

"My lips are sealed. 

Lou is someone 

I could never betray."