He smiled at her comment about feeling like a princess.  "If I had to buy things for a lady for her to stay with me then I would be poorer than in money.  Getting things to make you and the children smile makes me richer than any man could be with or without money."  He winked.  "It does help to have the money to do it though.  Your smile makes me a very wealthy man."  He finished. 

Then nodding to the seamstresses.  "Thank you ladies for helping give her that smile.  I have a feeling she will be back often."  He chuckled.  "I don't think I will need your help myself of course."  He teased.  "I spent a bit of time at my tailor while you ladies were busy.  So, I will have a new proper suit as well and a nice little miniature suit for the young man back home."  He had asked about it from the tailor and found out there were such outfits that could be made, so of course, he had to get it.  He had a son now to take care of too.

"Speaking of, I've ne'er been this long without the bairns," she said softly. It was nice but it made her nervous. "Is there any more we will be doin' before we go home?" She was also FAMISHED. The whole trip made her hungry. "I am hungry, darlin' man," she murmured, wrapping her arm around his as people moved to place boxes where necessary. "Yer head will spin if ye see just how many new gowns they talked me inta. Nightgowns and daygowns and evenin' gowns and weddin gown... Ballgowns... Unmentionables..." She chuckled. "And then the children's clothes."

Thinking of the children, he nodded.  "I do not believe we have any further errands on this trip.  Though at the mention of food, well you know I can always eat, but yes, I believe I could eat a full cow myself right about now.  How about we find a restaurant and eat something before we have the drive back home?" 

He then looked to the Seamstress.  "Could you have those sent to the Vaughn property?"  He smiled at the boxes and having heard Karen list off the various items, his smile turned into a grin.  A wicked flirting wink at Karen.  "I look forward to seeing what you got."  It could be an innocent comment to anyone, but seeing his expression and mood, likely she would guess what he was intending that he wanted to see her wearing.

Making the arrangement for the box to be dealt with, and the bill being dealt with, Lorn opened the door to let Karen go first.  "I know of a place here that has a tasty shepherd's pie.  Or we can go to the steak place?"  He extended his arm to escort her once they were both outside the shop.

Oh, she saw it in his eyes. Hers hooded in response and she slowly bit her lower lip. Her belly clenched with a stab of need. Lord Almighty, she thought and nearly crossed herself. If her brother ever came back to town, which he would and she just didn't know it, he would have another fit on her and she finally started wondering in that moment why she cared about his approval so much when she knew what she wanted, whom she wanted, and why she wanted them. She was also a woman grown with two children and Lorn fit the bill for a good father figure for her children, he was respectable, and he was just a good man and she would be a fool to let him go. And the heat between them? Hell, Pony would never understand it. He was such a damned prude about women unless he was busy with a girl of ill repute that he just wouldn't ever get that a woman had needs too and she wasn't waiting a whole year for Lorn. Nay.

"Steak sounds delicious to me," she said, her mouth watering when her stomach remembered it was hungry. She took his arm and there was a collective sigh from a gaggle of old biddies, as the pair was handsome together. In the meantime, the boxes were off to the Vaughn residence where things would be arranged. The rest of the order would trickle in to her cottage so she could go through things.

Lorn nodded.  "That it shall be then."  He stood proud and straight walking tall next to his fiance.  It was only a few blocks away to the restaurant, and once again he opened the door for her before taking off his cowboy hat.  He glanced around seeing it was quite busy but there were several tables still open.  The host came to see them.

"Table for two, please."  He requested with that Texan accent.  The gentleman nodded and led the way over to the side back ways into the dining room. 

"Will this work, sir?" 

"Yes, sir.  Thank you."  Lorn answered.   The host pulled out the chair for Karen and Lorn waited until she was sat down to sit down himself.

She smiled after they made it to the restaurant. Her eyes met his when they sat and the host pushed her chair in. He seemed to stop to admire the young beauty that was Karen, sending an appreciative expression Lorn's way and a knowing nod. But he was a professional, handed the two menus, and then offered them a selection of wine.

"I'll have what ye'd recommend," she lilted and smiled. And then the man was off to relay said message about wine to the waiter standing by.

After the wine was recommended, Lorn nodded.  He then looked at the menu.  "They have the rump steak, lark, kidney and oyster pudding it seems for specials." He muttered thinking about the choices.  "I will have a steak." It wasn't one of the specials but he did like his steak.  "For the veg, I don't know..."  He glanced at Karen, what will you be having?"

"I'll have what ye're havin'," she said, smartly. The idea of eating organ meats repulsed her a little bit. Her eyes danced with humor as she gazed at him. She knew what she really wanted, but that would wait until they were married as they were doing it right. Her mouth curved into a smile and she reached across the table to squeeze his hand.

He grinned and turned his hand under her hand to take hold of hers with his own large rough-skinned hand.   "You would fit well in Texas with that kind of choice."  He winked.  "I sent telegraphs to my folks, Heidi's birth grandparents, and my late wife's family.  I hope you don't mind that but they are part of our family still, and like to keep up on how we are doing."

"If me brother ever comes back ta town, I'll share me news with him. But I doubt he'll like it, though I don't care this time if he likes it or not." She nodded firmly. Wine was soon poured and orders taken. She smiled at him, her face glowing a little more with the color in her cheeks. It was strange, she thought, being dressed as a lady instead of the pauper she had been. Was this the fairy tale ending she had been looking for? So far, she had been unlucky in love. And then he came along and he held her heart in his hands.

"Lorn?" she asked softly, squeezing his hand as it found hers. "It means so much ta me that ye'd do all o' these things, not just fer me but fer me bairns. I want ye ta know how much ye mean ta me."