The company was sponsoring an afternoon at an aquarium which interested Belinda and Elaine. It sounded pretty good to me. Bert looked interested, too.... The couple from Kansas would be going while the other two couples would stay at the hotel.The six of us left as a group and went on a tour bus for the trip. Refreshments were served but no one seemed to be imbibing that much in the way of alcoholic beverages. It seemed that the prospect of touring an aquarium didn’t appeal to the heavy drinkers. She was about to stand when his hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. ‘Not this time,’ he murmured, pulling her back to his side. ‘I have to go,’ she replied, trying to move away. ‘Stay with me, stay until morning,’ he asked earnestly, gently kissing her lips. ‘I can’t,’ she said. ‘I have to go home. I don’t want to be seen leaving here.’ Reluctantly, he let her go. ‘Alright, I can wait until we’re married to wake up to your beautiful face,’ he said casually. She turned to him with wide eyes.. ”Tommy stood and pushed his hand out to Bryce. “Hi, I’m Thom Hawk. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”Taking Tommy’s hand, Bryce smiled. “Good to meet you, Thom. I’m Bryce Adkins, Elizabeth’s ranch foreman, so to speak.”“Bryce,” Elizabeth said, “Thom came to see the office and visit with me, but I have a call coming in any minute from Daniel Sikes. Would you please show Thom around while I take care of a little business?”“Sure thing, boss,” Bryce said with a grin. “I’m always glad to give the. And being harassed by women was not at the top of his to-do list. She turned around and looked at him surprisingly. "What? Come on in, we'll chat girl to girl. Or are you not girl enough?" "Uhh, you know, I just remembered I have to--" John started confusingly, "Go--somewhere important." She stared at him with surprise, "What are you afraid or something? Look me in the eye, do I look like I'd ever hurt such a sweet girlie like you?" John looked into her oblong, narrow eyes, oozing.