Blood in the Dust

[Sweetp4u]

Rebecca

I said nothing and turned to leave him be. I was in no mood for his shit tonight, espeically not his lies.
moving back towards camp, I laid out on the bed roll for a moment, then sat up and got myself something to eat. Pouring some coffee for Rein and setting by him, I handed him a plate of food as well.
Ignoring his arguements and hateful glares, I sat back down and ate in silence. Where would I hide the gun? I chuckled and shook my head.
"I will just make use of his if the need arises.." It was all I could do, no where on this dress was there room for a gun! It barely held me inside.
Maybe I had been wrong, and perhaps just maybe my sister had lied to me.... I wasnt sure if that was truth or fiction.. Hell I didn't know what was reality anymore either.
Sighing, I got up and rinsed both our plates, put them away and laid back down.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I watched her lay on her bedroll, wondering if she would ever know the truth about her sister and the part I played in it all. One thing was for sure, she wouldn't hear it from me as I had promised her father.

"I bought a garter belt for you as well at the mercantile" I told her prone form and watched her tense "A black, silk one with a wide band"

Rebecca rolled and stared at me in the dying firelight, her eyes reflecting the red light at me as she waited for me to shoot my mouth off.

"It will hold the 25 caliber derringer I bought for you as well" I continued "The two shots will kill a man if you get close enough, and knowing Bull, he'll want you close"

I pulled a stick from the fire and used it to light a nickel cigar I had bought off the counter, leaning back against the saddle I had pulled from my horse.

"I'm sorry it ended up this way, Becky, But glad we got to ride together on the same side of the fence one more time"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rebecca

"Thanks.." I didn't know what else to say to his thoughtfulness. It did catch me off guard though that he thought about me.
Shifting in the bedroll, I nodded, "Yeah even if we have our differences, it is kind of nice isnt it?" I paused, what made me say something like that?!
I rolled to my back and stared at the night sky, I couldnt believe I said that! Closing my eyes, I fought back the old anger that rose up inside me once again. He betrayed me! With my own sister! I could never forgive that!
I struggled harder to keep silent, not think about it, nor that fact that he was right here with me for the first time in years... He was still ruggedly handsome and still too attractive for his own good.
"G'nite Rein..." I figured it was best just to go to sleep, not even think about the past or the present.. I just hoped the future wasn't so gloomy...

 

[Garras Agudas]

.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

It was all I would get. "Kinda nice" But then I didn't deserve anymore than that, did I?

Snagging a burning twig from the dying fire I let a nickel cigar then pulled my saddle and bedroll away from the dim firelight and spread it out.

What else could I expect? After all I was what I wanted to be, the outlaw riding on the wrong side and she was the Marshall, responsible for everyone. It was what her father pointed out and her own words reinforced each time Rebecca looked at me.

I smoked the cigar into nothing, the butt burning my fingers before I crushed it out and rolled over myself.

By the end of tomorrow with luck the two sisters would be safely reunited and I would be back on my own trails.

"G'Nite Beck" I said softly "It was a whole lot more than nice"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

I spent most of the night tossing and turning, over and over. Nothing would shut up my mind! I was about to shoot myself somewhere just to have a reason to be awake!
God almighty, I hated this! Too close for comfort and too tired to do much about it. Too tired of all the bullshit! I was tempted to leave for home, let him rescue his lady love and leave me in peace! If it wasn't for the fact she was my sister, I would have left by now!
Sighing, I got up rather early and started some eggs and coffee. Rein slept deeply I would guess for he was lightly snoring, but I couldn't stop thinking about that night...

Walking into the barn to Check on the new foal Ginger had dropped, I named him Blacky. Beautiful horse and promised to be a large one as well. Thats when I heard the noises from up in the hay loft. Giggling and moans of pleasure... If only I hadn't been curious! If only I had left as my mind told me too!
Turning I climbed part way up the ladder, wondering who snuck into the barn?
"Hello?"
I heard a sharp intake of breath and some scrambling around. "Alright! Who is up there!?"
"B-Becky?" I heard my sister call out.
"Christine?"
"Oh shit!" I heard her exclaim.
"Ahh.. just a minute!"
"Who's up there with you!?" I called out, wondering what was up?
"I'm coming up there Christy.."
"NO! Wait!" I heard a muffled foot falls of some boots across the wooden floor and a quick zip of our pully zipping. Someone just used the rope to escape the loft??
"That's it!" I went storming up there. That little hussy! I was going to strangle her! Making it up to the top of the loft, I spotted her struggling to get her clothing on.
"Oh good lord! Don't tell me you were doing what I think you were doing?!"
"Becky! Don't you ever listen!" Christy was huffin' with her anger and dissapointment.
"Thank god I stopped this!" I mumbled, "Get dressed right now, Pa is going to tan your ass somethin' fierce when he finds out what a trollop you are!"
"Oh? What about you and Rein? Think he won't punish you for that?!"
"That's different.."
"How so?" She placed her hands on her hips and glared defiantely at me.
"Rein will marry me as promised where as you are yet to announce a betrothal!"
"Rein Rein Rein! All I ever hear from you!" She stormed up to me, a wicked gleam in her eye as she held up a shirt I at first did not recognize.
"And who do you think this belongs too?"
"I dont know.." I muttered not caring in the slightest who she was sleeping with.
"Really?" She waved it before my face, the faint scent of my perfume on the shirt. "And where is your beloved Rein tonight?"
"Working! Like a normal decent man!"
"HA! It's his shirt! Who do you think was up here with me?" She smirked again, her eyes hard and cold.
"NO....." I backed up a little, anger rising as I denied it.
"YES! it is his and he was here with me, why do you think he fled Miss know-it-all!?"
"NO! He wouldn't do that to me! He can barely stand to be in the same room with you! This is absurd!" I yanked the shirt from her hand and glared at her. "Rein wouldn't sleep with you!"
"He did sister dear.. and that's not all.. I carry his babe.." I lost it then I lunged for her, my hands around her throat choking the life from her body.
"Let.....*gasp* ..GO!" She yanked away from me as I stood there panting, hurt and confused, I kept shaking my head in denial.
"No.. You lie! You are nothing to me but a DISGRACE! You are a worthless little tramp who can't do anything but spread her legs for ANY man in town!"
She recoiled back, hurt and angry once again.
"Not Any man sister dear... just Rein..." I turned, heading towards the ladder, her laughter rising up behind me.
Crying I ran to the house and into my Father's study. Sobbing and haltingly I told him what Christy had said to me.
His eyes darkened, patting my back as he spoke.
"I know.... I knew about them awhile now.. I was hoping he would not hurt you this way.." I gaped astonished.
"No? He wouldnt!?"
"I am sorry becky... truely I am.." He paused once again, trying to comfort me but I could not be comforted any longer..
"I have.. to go..." I could barely speak through the halting sobs, barely see past the pain.
"Go to grand daddy's cabin for a few days... Rein doesn't know where it is.. I will handle this sweetie.." He stood up and kissed my forehead, pain clearly in his eyes. "I have greater plans for you... this is for the best.." I ignored his words, not caring his plans or what they were, I just wanted out of here..
I left without a backwards glance and did not return for three months time. By then Christy and Rein were both gone from town.. Burying myself in work, I began working for my father as his deputy..


Breaking away from the memory, I realized I had tears running down my face and the ache in my heart was back once again. Rising I quickly walked to Blacky and stood there. Away from camp and away from Rein. One of these days, I would find out the truth.. I had hoped. But as far as I was told, by a father who never lied to me, Rein and christy were an item and Rein was her baby's father... trembling a little, I cuddled to my horse's neck, trying to stop the flow of tears. Silently as possible, I got composure over myself. I did not need this!
Moving to the stream, I bottled it up and shut it away, leaving it to gather dust and leave me be..... Washing my face, I felt some what better, but the words kept repeating in my head.. The damned shirt! He should have been more careful or had the balls to tell me it was over... Sighing, I sat in Silence.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I had overslept, it was obvious when I woke and smelled the coffee, and for some odd reason reassuring. Rolling up my bedroll I moved to the bushes and took care of the pressure in my bladder, then carried the roll and saddle to the horses, checking them over before allowing myself to give into hunger.


I helped myself to the coffee and squatted on my haunches waiting for the Marshall to arrive, thinking she was cleaning herself up by the stream.

The brush crackled under the weight of a footstep and I knew she was coming back and complimented her coffee as I drained the last of my cup.

"It's good coffee, Becky. Thanks, with luck we'll be at Bull's camp and sleep in real beds tonight"

Rebecca nodded and I knew instinctively there was more brooding in her then just rescuing her sister and that with just the right push it would rise to the surface. Possibly it was what was left unsaid between us those years ago, but then did it really matter? It had been her choice, after all.

Rebecca poured the rest of the unwanted coffee over the fire, extinguishing it in a hiss of steam and we broke camp, packing the small amount of pots and pans used in a gunnysack. She was all business this morning, her manner stern, her motions brusque as she moved about, her face rigid and cold to everything except her horse.

"Is that the colt that was born the evening your sister fell in the creek" I asked out loud, remembering the markings on the face and hooves. "I never laughed so loud in my life when she realized she had torn her shirt falling in"

Thet were old and good memories, the last I had before her father rode into town and gave me the unexpected news and demanded I should leave. But it was the only point the old man and I ever agreed on and it would work out for the best he assured me.

I mounted and waited for Rebecca to do the same, hoping the last day of riding together would be more pleasant and we might talk, but as she swung gracefully into her own saddle I knew by her face I was going to face another rebuttal.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

"Thanks" I mumbled as I walked past him. Rolling up my bed roll and putting out the fire, I walked right by again to rinse out the coffee pot in the stream. Filling both canteens with water, I washed off my face and neck and sat for a moment.
Once certain I could handle this once again, I saddled up Blacky and put the items away on the pack horses.

Climbing up he made one comment he shouldn't had made..

"Is that the colt that was born the evening your sister fell in the creek? I never laughed so loud in my life when she realized she had torn her shirt falling in"

"Yeah, this is the colt.." It stung it really did and he knew it would!

"Funny.. I don't recall her mentioning falling in the creek.. But I do recall the hay loft rather well.."

Ignoring him I kicked Blacky into action and started riding, tugging the pack horse behind me as well as Christy's mare. Asshole! Fucking snake! Couldn't believe he would bring up that night! He must really be shallow. that or dim witted!

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I spurred my own horse after hers and found out the difference between good horse flesh and GOOD horse flesh. Without running my own mount into the ground I couldn't catch up to her and each time I tried she spurred hers ahead of me. Finally I gave up and resigned myself to eating her dust. The trail grew narrower and steeper as we rode, the trees thicker and taller as well. The sun had passed overhead and across us and the cliffs of the butte reared thier ragged heads as I pulled my own mount to a stop and slid from it.

As if sensing it the Marshall slowed and turned in a clearing then came back to me, sitting on her horse and looking down at me with little patience in her eyes.

"We're about a quarter mile out of rifle range" I informed her, refusing to look UP at her as she sat her horse.

"I think we call a truce until this is over and to start you should dismount and let me tell you how Bull works"

There were SOME things she didn't know the truth about and how Bull's camp worked was information she needed to know to keep us both alive.

Still she sat on her horse glaring at me and I raised my hands in disgust, turning my back on her and her stubborness, ready to wash my hands of the entire situation and just ride off. After all, it was what I did best, wasn't it?

"The hell with you and your sister then" I spoke over my shoulder "You can ride in there and take your chances with the whole lot of them, only thing is Bull only allows men in who work for him, or he can't outdraw and women in if they're whores"

I pulled the saddle off my lathered horse and then it's blanket, tossing it over a branch to air dry before I transferred it to the spare mount.

"You don't give a damn about the truth from me, so why should I keep caring about you?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rebecca, Marshall Williams

"Oh do stop with the self pity Rein, I have no time for it what so ever. Just because I am not kneeling down and kissing your ass, you're going to be uppity! I don't have to help you and you don't have to help me, but we both need to help the spoiled little bitch he is holding.. Now don't we?" I growled, sliding from the horse and tying him off.
"If you didn't want to deal with my anger, you should have saved her rotten ass yourself and left me alone about this whole mess!" I stormed now, fully blowing and against him. He was the only one of the two betraying assholes I could vent at right this moment and so I let him have what had been brewing since he showed up.
"If you had been faithful and hadn't FUCKED my sister, none of this I am betting would have happend as I see it!" I turned around and yanked the dress out of the nap sack, my back to him I ignored him until my temper calmed a little.
It was useless really, I couldn't calm down at all with him standing so close. Sighing, I bit back my pride and spoke slowly, "Let's just forget the fucking past alright? We have a job to do.."

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

"FUCKED HER SISTER!"???

I stood flat footed and stunned, the words soaking into my mind and suddenly it all made sense!

Her attitude towards me as a woman scorned!

Her hatred for me sleeping with another woman!!

Her thinking that woman was her very own sister!!!

It all fitted somehow, the speech I got from her father about how she had made the decision to leave town and me until I was gone for good. The offer he made to me in cold hard cash to do so and how worried and upset he seemed when I threw it in his face. And the triumphant look on her own sisters face when she boarded the same stage coach I did two months later, her belly swollen and no ring on her finger, yet her head held high.

I reached into my pocket and found the small, worn circle of soft metal, rolling it in the palm of my hand as I had countless times to consider it's value before refusing to pawn it and accepting a hungry stomach in instead.

"All the money in the county couldn't buy this" I told her back side as she faced Blacky. "But now you can have it, IT doesn't have any value to me, anymore"

I tossed it at her and watched it bounce off her back and to the dust at her feet, then turned and moved to my saddlebags for a fresh shirt, bandages and both gunbelts.

The Marshall was still standing there stubbornly as I moved off and into the woods to tend to my wound and dress.

"I'll leave you to dress and when we come back we'll go get your sister, you DESERVE each other"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

Turning to watch his retreating back, I cared not what he had to say, I had heard enough to last me a life time.. and at this moment, I felt like I had lived three lifetimes.

Stopping, I turned and glanced down, looking at a gold band laying in the ground. What was this all about anyway? I squatted down and picked it up, looking it over. It look old and worn, slightly tarnished from wear. Was it his mother's or grandmother's? Was it a ring he wore? I lifted it between my fingers and realized it was too small for his hand, it was a woman's ring... A wedding ring?!
I glanced back over the direction he went, wondering again why he threw this at me?
"God I am so..." Stupid.. I left it unsaid. It was the wedding ring he had purchased for me all those years ago. Why had he kept it? I recalled telling my father to tell him the whole thing was off.. So why did he have the ring still?
Standing I stuffed it into my pocket. I would return it to the jeweler and get his money back for him. If not pay him the value of the ring later. I wanted no debt owed to him. Shaking a little, I resisted the urge to go to him and rant and rave.. Resisted the urge to cry and ask him WHY?
My father knew, Christy was pregnant and it was his shirt.. what more was there to proove? Sighing, I stripped down and put on the garter and dress. handling the small deringer, I could not believe he bought me something else? Wonders never cease...
stiffening a little, that night kept playing over and over in my mind, all of it...
"....It doesn't matter Beck.. I have better plans for you...... You are better off without low life scum like him...." I had argued with my father over that! Rein was working towards a cattle ranch and saving everything he had, buying an acre at a time when ever he had the cash on hand and what he won gambling as well. Sure it wasn't all honest with the gambling but he was working.. It was never good enough for my father.....
I gasped a little, my hands tightening on the dress into fists.
"No. Nah.. Not possible!" I mumbled, shaking my head in denial. Rein just wants me to think I was lied too.. He would use trickery like that... No, actually he wouldn't!
"God Dammit!" I swore loud enough to startle Blacky. I had to know the whole story, but there just wasn't time! Gritting my teeth, I tugged on the dress and waited for Rein to return, I needed it done up once again..
After a few minutes and he hadn't returned I called out for him, "Rein? ya there?! I need some help!" Falling silent, i waited to see if he rode off without me, or if he would indeed come back?

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I washed quickly and inspected the rapidly healing hole in my side, it still twinged but would be good enough for one last fast pull of the pistol. I pulled on the solid black shirt, snapping the mother of pearl buttons in place and then tucking it inside my faded jeans. The old shirt served as a rag with which I cleaned each matched pistol carefully and then reloaded with fresh cartridges before tying into the holsters.

I was ready, ready to die and ready to fight like hell to live. The attitude had kept me cool enough in the past to fight out of many corners when I had to. It also had given me a reputation that Bull respected and had yet to try to cross, one of a cold, ruthless killer.

I walked back to the horses and saw Rebecca struggling with her dress, trying and failing to reach the lowest buttons on the back side.

"I'll do these for you and want you to listen" I told her softly, my voice gone hard and monotone.

"Bull will steal or take anything he can and has many times in the past. If he sees you as my whore he will leave you alone. If he sees you resist or refuse me he'll horn in and take you to his cabin, and if you're not careful enough, his bed. If I see you go to his cabin with him I'll know it's because you want to as part of your plan. But the moment Bull comes out of that cabin alone, I'll kill him. Regardless of what else might have happened, he'll die. And regardless of how his men take his death I'll give you the time to free your sister and ride out of the camp with her. You'll agree to this or you'll have to draw on me here and now"

And I wouldn't draw on her, I knew. I'd stand there and provoke her to pull the trigger and let her do it.

I had finished the last button and stepped back as she turned, amazed at the full bodied woman that stood before me and how beautiful she actually was.

"That dress shows you as the lady you are, Rebecca" I complimented softly as I took all of her in. "That's why I wanted you to wear it"

I stepped forward and placed my hands around her trim waist, lifting her to the saddle of Blacky, then gathered the clothes she had worn as well as her belt and gun and placed them in her saddle bag for her.

"Just remember this for me" I looked up at her not minding this time. "After I was shot I could have rode back to Bull's camp and been tended, but I didn't...I rode for your town"

Swinging into my own saddle I slid my feet into the stirrups and straightened myself, pushing my hat back in a cocky angle as I gigged my horse to the side of hers.

"Lets go get your sister back"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

Nodding I said nothing as I felt his fingers trailing up my spine as he buttoned the dress. A shiver passed over me but was soon gone as I focused on the work at hand.

Freeing that ungrateful good for nothing tart of a sister! I was betting she was pregnant right about now as well! and I was betting by Bull! What a moronic name, Bull? Sheesh. Shaking my head a little, I nodded to indicate I understood.

I was slightly nervous but not overly much. Besides I worked better nervous and alert. His hands came down and took my hips, easily lifting me up into the saddle. Taking the reins, I had to fight to sit on this horse the side style. I glanced down at Rein once again and nodded, my head swimming with everything that was happening around us and what could possibly come before the night was through.

"Wait Rein.." I whispered softly an idea coming to me, "We should take it slowly and carefully as well.. We can't get her out of there tonight, I am betting we'll be watched for a time." He gave me a look, he had already thought of that as well. "Well alright, I am ready. Is my sister in a room somewhere imprisoned? I had to know before I went riding in there, Christy might recognize me and give us away?

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I slowed my mount but didn't stop it, knowing we were already seen by the flash of sunlight on top of the butte. I had wanted to talk to her, tell her more during the previous day, and prepare her for what Christy had turned into. But now we had very little time.

I pulled my revolver from my right holster and thumbed back the hammer, firing it into the air, then another quickly and a third following slower.

"Christy will recognize you but I doubt she'll admit who you are" I warned as we trotted slowly towards the buttes. "She knew who I was but didn't show it and there is no avoiding her seeing you, she stays with Bull"

We were with in range of the rifles and two forms appeared on the top off the buttes, rifles waving in greeting to us. We were being ushered in as they recognized me and the prearranged shots I had fired.

"Much as it will stick in your craw you're going to have to trust me now"

We rounded the curve of the buttes and the trees suddenly ended, having been cleared for the dozen cabins staggered around the creek. Men and women were moving about, the sound of wood being chopped echoing to us and the smell of smoke wafting from the crude chimneys sticking up from each cabin.

"The one set back in the woods is ours, lets ride by and let the current inhabitants know I'm back before we swing over to pay our respects to Bull"

I took the time to begin pointing out each inhabitant as we passed by them, waving as I named them and giving Rebecca a fast run down of each and their remarkable history.

"Johnny Blue, don't let his boyish looks fool you, he's killed 23 men, half of them in fair fights."

"Swinging Charlie, called that because he was hunt for stealing horses and the hanging attempt failed as the rope broke"

"Whiskey Kate, She can drink more than two men and walk away smiling"

Pulling up to a cabin that resembled all the rest I pointed out a pair of feet resting on the half broken rail and the man behind them.

"And this is Sleepy Joe, he only gets excited when he's killing someone or robbing a bank. How's business Joe?"

I grinned as he slid his sombrero back and looked at us with his gray eyes, recognition coming into them as he gave us a lazy smile.



"Better now I think, now that you are here Senor Rein"

I nodded and swung down, untying my bedroll and keeping the horses between myself and the open windows of the cabin.

"Tell your boys inside whom I am and that I've come back for MY cabin, Joe" I told the lanky man as he stood up "And it better be as clean as when I left"

Instead of taking offense Joe grinned another toothy smile and nodded, banging on the door to the men inside.

"I will have my senorita sweep it before she comes to my tent, Senor Rein. It will be ready for you when you come back"

I tossed the bedroll over the hitch rail and then nodded to Rebecca sitting on Blacky and waiting for her cue.

"You can dismount now Violet, and we'll let the horses go in the corral behind the cabin"

I stood beside her and caught her as she slid from the saddle, pulling her to me and giving her a huge kiss before setting her down.

"This is Violet and she is with me" I announced loud enough to wake the dead, smiling at Rebecca's surprised eyes and blushing cheeks.

We led the animals around the corner as a group of men came out of the front door grinning, no resentment on their faces at being evicted so suddenly.

"Violet? You called me Violet?" Rebecca threw at me her face unreadable as we pulled the saddles and packs off each and slapped their rumps to push them into the corral.

"You could have had your pick of names if you didn't keep out running me yesterday" I reminded her with a soft smile "You gave me little choice"

The saddles hung over the fresh and sturdy top pole we left the saddlebags and packs dangling there as well with my explanation.

"I'll send one of the young boys after them to carry them into the cabin after it's cleaned. It will give us a chance to talk with Bull and report in. No one will bother our belongings here"

We moved towards the largest cabin as we talked and Rebecca questioned my comment.

"Why? Or you'll shoot them?"

I grinned at her accurate summary, pulling a cigar from my pocket and lighting it before replying.

"Nope, I did that last time and guaranteed I wouldn't be bothered again"

"Who did you shoot to guarantee that?" Rebecca asked stopping and I followed suit to allow me to answer in private.

"Bulls first gun and lieutenant, Red Williams"

The name meant something to Rebecca as her eyebrows raised and I looked over her shoulder, interrupting.

"Our host waits for us Violet, lets not make him walk over"

I pasted on a wide, cocky grin, letting my stride become arrogant as I strutted towards the immense man standing on the one and only wooden porch in the small collection of cabins.

"Just as I promised, Bull" I boomed loudly and confidently. "The Marshall is gone and her deputy sent off on a wild goose chase. The town is open to us when ever we want"

The man standing on the porch was enormous, his shoulders and arms almost twice that of a normal man, his legs looking like small trees as he grinned and then laughed in a high, shrill voice.

Narrow eyes looked us both over and I could feel them resting on Rebecca's figure so well wrapped and presented in the red dress she wore and I introduced them as I handed him the bag I had carried with me from the corral.

"Four bottles of rye and a box of dollar cigars. It ought to hold you until we get to town and get more. I'd like to introduce you to Violet, Bull. A gorgeous young creature I picked up in town and thought would warm my bed"

Still grinning I watched Bull undress Rebecca with his eyes, clenching and unclenching his massive hands as he drank in her figure for long minutes. Finally running a hand over his short-cropped hair and speaking.

"Maybe you'll let her warm mine a couple of nights before we ride in" He suggested with a leer that made my stomach turn. And yet I kept my smile on my face as I answered.

"Only if I lose in a game of poker and it comes down to my share of the take or her, Bull"

Bull laughed in his queer, high pitched laugh and turned, waving us into the immense cabin he entered. Looking sideways I cringed again, seeing the glare in Rebecca's eyes as we followed the bandit leader. She was going to kill me for my actions and comments when we got out of this, and if she knew I had charged the gifts to her office?

I grinned, then laughed and moved into the bar like interior. It might a short life ahead of me but it would be damn interesting!

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

Hearing their banter, I said nothing as I knew it would only anger Bull to back sass the man. but I studied everything, including where his guns rested on his hips. I studied the compound, those in it, without seeming to stare at the men. I counted their numbers and their horses, I paid attention to all details I could take in, including Bull's arrogant behavior.
He was not used to a capable woman, I had an advantage over him now. One I knew that would pay off. The poker and bed warming comments bristled a little but I said nothing but smiled at Rein and clamped my hands on his upper arm. Walking in, I gave him a smart little pinch where no one could see it and smiled sweetly, "Oh I'm so flattered Mr. Rein.." I batted my eyes and grinned a little flirty, but the pinch let him know I was going to hurt him for this whole 'whore' thing! He could have lied and said I was his sister for pete's sake! But I held my tongue and kept silent, just watching the men interact.
"Christy! Get in here!" Bull bellowed out. I hid my startled gaze with a look of boredom, and my surprised gasp as she came out from the back. Wearing little to nothing, she was bruised from beatings but still painted like a cheap whore.
"Yeah? Whaddya need?!" she barked back, then seeing his face reddened and bowed her head. I wasn't sure if I wanted to shoot Bull dead for that and my sister's defeated look, or laugh! Blood's thicker than water.. But I swear she was still not worth this hassle.
Her eyes landed on Rein and her gaze softened a little before hardening. "Your man here lookin' fer a good time?" She sounded too hopeful but Bull shook his head, "Damned sluts, always wantin' somethin' betwixt their legs!" He said this to Rein. To her he said, "Get your fat lazy ass up and fetch My whiskey!" She jumped at being yelled at, Bull turned to eye me and her gaze at his back was deadly. I was betting Christy would kill him sooner than I would if given the chance.
"Yeah, anything ya want Bull.." She moved over to the bar and fetched some glasses and the bottle, her hips swaying seductively as possible as she strolled past Rein. Her eyes landed on me but she didn't even bat an eye? I wondered if she knew who I was? Then I got my answer..
"That opium girl is gonna get to ya..." He shook his head, Christy just ignored him and brought the bottle over. I felt a sadness for Christy come over me and wondered why I cared?
Meeting Christy's eyes, they were blood shot and the circles underneath were black. She looked paper thin, like her skin was stretched tightly over her bones and the over all appearence wasn't very pleasing at all. even her dress hung on her frame, like it was meant for someone three times Christy's size.
I sat down next to Rein and said nothing, just let the men talk. I was hoping it would give me some information to help me out and Rein out of here?

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

It kept me busy, watching all the players in the game as we faced Bull. I moved my eyes casually back and forth, watching Rebecca's face as she found out why her sister was so compliant and then swallowed the glib insults about her in bed with Bull. She was cool, her own eyes studying the interior, the men around us and the conversation that focused on her town and the sacking of it.

Eventually Bull tired of it, every detail of how the town was laid out and the merchants there operated, right down to the time they closed and where they lived. He looked every bit the part of the pit bull he was named after, from the way he sat at the table, the way his eyes stared at Rebecca's bare shoulders and exposed bosom and her lean, long neck. I knew what was coming and averted it, draining my drink and flipping the glass over on the scratched tabletop.

"You're going to have to excuse us Bull" I announced and stood slowly to my feet "After 20 hours in the saddle I need to clean up and get some rest"

Bulls eyes went from my face to Rebecca as she rose and spoke her thanks, his face falling and then going dark as the chance of getting to know Rebecca was fading before his eyes.

"And after that rest and some fun with my woman" I continued, thinking quickly as to how to get both of us out of his place alive "I'm going to show her a new meaning as to what "saddle broke" means..."

The crude joke brought a huge laugh from the men gathered around the table and Bulls eyes lit up, his mouth opening to show broken teeth as he joined them.

"You do that, Rein" He guffawed and then suddenly went sober, the smile in his eyes turning cold and deadly "But make sure you bring the filly back tomorrow evening and a clean deck of cards"

I tipped my hat and moved from the smoky interior, Rebecca at my side as we walked into the fresh air.

"Now I think it's time you and I had that talk" I spoke thru the side of my mouth as we moved back towards our cabin. "And we came to an understanding"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

I stayed close to Rein as possible, not giving anything away. Bull kept staring and staring and I knew his small brain was working double time to try and figure out how to nail me.
I had better plans and a few ideas on how to avoid that at all costs! I'd rather be dead than that man's sexual toy. I followed Rein out quietly, my arm hooked in his and laughing with the rest of the men. Once outside, I did not stop the pretenses and quickly followed him to his cabin.
"Let's get inside, please!" I whispered hurriedly, I needed out of their line of sight before something sickening happened to me here. I knew the dangers when I came, it didn't mean I was welcoming it.
Once inside the cabin and the door shut, I asked softly, "can you bolt that door?" I had a strange feeling breaking in here in the middle of the night would be something Bull or any of his men would gladly do. They acted like they hadn't seen a damned woman in months!
"Good lord Rein! Are they desperate for sex that they fall over themselves near females? And Bull.. good lord! He wouldn't stop staring!" I whispered harshly, worried someone might be attempting to listen outside the door.
We needed to get into bed and some how convince those outside that we were having a grand 'ol time in here. How in the hell were we going to pull that one off? I was nervous being locked up in this tiny cabin with him. The temptation was just too much and the urges prominent in my mind.
"Help me with this dress please? I dont want to get it wrinkled.." I glanced around seeing my saddle bags inside and still shut, that was a bonus. But knowing the men, they were searched. It is was I left my badge and anything with my name on it at home. Safety measures.. One can never be too careful.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I looked around the cabin with satisfaction, noting the swept floors, the wood stacked in the cookstove for the next fire and the pots and pans sitting on the crude counter drying. I had to give the old woman of Sleepy Joes credit, she wasn't much to look at but she could clean a cabin quick and thorough.

Moving to the corner I picked up a rough plank and dropped it in the grooves, effectively barring the door, then moved to the rear and did the same to it as I listened to Becky's words.

"Good lord Rein! Are they desperate for sex that they fall over themselves near females? And Bull.. good lord! He wouldn't stop staring!"

She had summed up the attitude of the camp in those sentences and I nodded, moving to undo the buttons she had requested.

"The life expenctancy of a woman in this camp is four months, Two if Bull gets bored with her.and serves her to the boys,after that they are sold off to the traders for a few bottles of whiskey"

Our bags were in one corner of the main room and I moved to them, lifting them and judging the weight of each, nodding as they each felt the same as when I had loaded them.

"Your sister was lucky, when it slipped out who she was Bull put her up in his place and kept the other men off her. He's kept her supplied with that damn chinese poppy weed, but otherwise she has had to only deal with him"

Turning around I watched the silky material slide off her shoulderblades and to her trim waist, turning and averting my gaze as I growled

"God Damn it, Beck. Do that in the bedroom where you can change in private"

Turning so I could see if she had listened I jerked my head back again as she bent over and slid the dress off her rounded hips and down her long, trim legs giving me a good veiw of her tight buttocks clad only in pantaloons.

"I need a drink" I announced and moving to the kitchen area in hopes of finding a bottle of anything. "The once your dressed we can sit down and have that talk"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

Smiling to myself, I stripped off the gown and moved to the bed room to grab a shirt to pull on. Walking back into the main room I sat at the table and eyed him for a moment.
"Alright, whats this we need to talk about?"

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

I had found a bottle of Old Turkey nearly full and brought it and a pair of tin cups to the table. For a second I was back in the old cabin where I had hoped to make a home and Rebecca was the young woman that I had hoped to do it with, and for. The way her shirt let her proud breasts shape it and barely cover her abdomen reminded me of the better times we used to share...and enjoy so much.

"I've been waiting five years to get you in a situation like this" I began, watching her face grow wary as I poured a generous cup full for her and slid it over. "Five years where I could get you alone, helpless and defenseless. Away from that damned town and the people in it and in a place where you can't walk away from me"

I paused and let the raw liqour slide down my throat as the words hit her,watching for her reaction, knowing she truly didn't have anywhere to run.

"Then just get it over with Rein, have your fun and try to kill me, but make sure you don't fail 'cause if you do, I'll kill ya"

I laughed, the sound echoing cruelly in the confines of the wooden cabin and replied.

"Hell, Beck. You did that four and a half years ago when you told your Dad you realized I was a mistake and let him try to buy me off. And when I finally gave up after two months of waiting for you to return and took the money he offered for your sisters operation, he sicced the law on me when I tried to come back with her and bring her home"

The look on her face told me everything, how she condemned me and hated me, stopped believing in our dreams and turned them into mine, then turned her back on them as they crumbled around me.

"Only problem in his plans was I lived and so did Christine. He only sent three of them curs after us and the third ran when I downed the first two"

"You were lucky Dad gave you money to take care of YOUR problem, after all it was your baby"

Becky retorted, her face dark as she tossed her own drink back and down her throat, not blinking as she swallowed.

I shook my head at her words, clenching my teeth and hunching my shoulders as I watched her condemn me again and hate me.

"Damn you Becky, I came back to save Christine and your precious town, took a slug from your doped up sister when I threatened to tell you the truth and still walked to the jail I knew you put me in. And you still won't listen to the truth thru all the hate!"

I poured another cup full for myself, not bothering to offer her as I glared at her, knowing I wouldn't, couldn't...tell her the one final fact of information she was naive to all these years, even if I could prove it without her sister backing me up.

"What the hell do I have to do to prove myself to you?" I growled "What do you want from me?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Becky

Pausing a moment, a sinking feeling came into the pit of my stomach again. I did not want to admit what I was thinking. I did not want to believe my father would hurt me the way he had intentionally!
"Look Rein. It's over and done with alright? I want no more pain from all of this! Do you get that?! Is it sinking into your addled brain yet?!" I stood up and began to pace the room, threatening to blow at any moment. I felt shaken and confused to all of it.
"My F-Father gave you money in hopes you would make an honest woman out of Christy after you... you.. Oh HELL! After you knocked her up the night Blacky was born! You knew! knew what the money was for... Father said you agreed and left with her.. When will you stop this charade?! I saw you two that night, in the hay loft! Your shirt she wore, her own lips told me the details! Even down to the.. s-scar on your back side!" I was fuming, he wouldn't leave wounds alone and let them heal! DAMN HIM!
I was shaking with the anger and pain all over again. He looked pale for a moment there but I wasn't paying much attention.
"I need sleep Rein.." I held up a hand, "Please, no more tonight.. Ok? Just let it be... You betrayed me, you left me and used me. If you can't admit it, then by damned just let it drop!" I turned and went into the one bedroom, shutting the door tightly behind me. Throwing myself down on the bed, I cuddled into the pillow and buried my face. I was NOT going to cry! I fought bravely, fighting it all down, swallowing it again! like sour ale... I cried enough over that man! Why can't he let it be!?

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

And that's what hurt the most. How she turned her back on me and condemned me, not willing to face me when I wanted her to look me in the eyes and call me a liar. NOT wanting to face the truth and cross the bridge she was burning between us.

I let her go, the door slamming as she went inside and I heard her sobs thru the thin wood. Let her go as I grabbed the bottle and ignored the now empty cup, not needing it now for sake of manners to share with someone who was no longer my friend.

I kicked the plank off the door and then did the same to the door, stalking thru it as I drained the bottle eagerly, wanting to drink myself into it and the pain out of me. I ended up by the small creek, the bottle empty and floating in the calm water as I damned myself, damned her and damned her old man.

I had agreed to take Christy to the territories with the money all right, agreed to take her there and have the “problem” taken care of in return for a final chance to talk to Rebecca and set things right. But when we returned on the stage, Christine sick and ill from the effects of the ruthless horse doctors actions, I found out just how determined the “Sheriff” was we both never made it home.

Christine had confessed as I stood over the dead bodies, told me who the father of the now dead child was and her role in making sure Rebecca thought it was me, confessed knowing I would never return and tell Rebecca the truth that would destroy the one man who she loved and who was the true lover of Christine.

GOD DAMN YOU MARSHALL WILLIAMS!!! I screamed to the night, drawing both pistols and destroying the bobbing bottle, firing until both pistols dry fired, the pieces of glass falling around me as the horses and mule whinnied in terror.

I wasn’t cursing Becky, I knew…I was cursing the man who set me up and destroyed my dream, making me the outlaw so he could remain the hero in her eyes.



Habit returned and I reloaded both pistols, six shells to each, no dry hole with my safe money in it anymore. The next time I used the guns I would kill my problem, then move on, and if I didn’t? Then it wouldn’t be my problems anymore, I reflected wryly and rolled a cigarette, walking back to the cabin and closing the door.

I perched my feet up on the table and smoked, thinking out my next moves tomorrow and the different choices I had to make. Smoked and rethought each option and still came up with the same conclusion as the night passed and the dawn crept up thru the windows.

Lighting the cook stove I tossed a handful of fresh grounds into the quickly boiling water, unpacking my clothes and taking out the black suit pants and shirt I had charged to the city as well in my shopping spree. I would play that game of cards with Bull, and when he demanded he had won as he always did, I would give him his reward in lead.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Marshall Williams

Becky:

I faintly heard the shots sometime later and jerked awake. Hopping up, I was dressing and carrying my guns in record time. As I stepped out of the bedroom, wearily checking around, I spotted Rein at the table.
"What was that?" I whispered, gun still drawn and watching the dark corners.
I had been thinking the whole time he was gone, mulling over all I knew and what he had said and again I knew deep down I was being lied to. Only this time there was no one to say differently to me. No one to tell me differently.
Seeing everything was fine, I relaxed a little and set the gun down on a chest. Walking towards the table, I sat down facing Rein.
"Tell me." A simple order, more of a request than anything. I wanted to know, I had to know and I was more than ready to hear all the lies told to me by those who shouldn't have been lying in the first place.
My fingers threaded together, I sat watching him and waiting. I knew he would be skeptical, thinking I would not listen and I would once again not believe him, but I was ready.
He had never lied to me before that night, he had never hurt me nor gave me a reason to not trust him either. I was so upset I never stopped to think about what was said to me and confronting Rein myself, if I had none of this would have happened. That man could never lie right to my face, he always had to look away or behind me. He could lie to others easily, but never to me..
I wanted to scream in anger, kick, curse and shoot everything in sight the more and more I thought about it. The many times Rein dislodged himself from my wanton sister and pushed her away. The many times he pushed me away, insisting on waiting. He wanted no bastard children, and so he would not give in to me either.. Not until the night before Blacky was born and then the next night all hell broke loose.
"Tell me Rein." I knew he was balking with the idea and my tantrums were famous, but I promised myself I would not blow up on him again.

 

[LongWalkHome]

Reinhardt

What could I say? I pulled my feet of the scarred table top and swung them to the ground, moving easily to the cookstove and bringing the boiling coffee and two cups back with me. I had told her the truth from the beginning and was ignored, now what could she possibly want from me?

Pouring the coffee and sliding a cup to her I sat before pouring my own, then rolled the last of my fixings into a paper and formed it into a tight smoke.

"What else CAN I tell you, Rebecca?" I asked her back in a voice slightly hoarse from the old Turkey and too many home rolleds.

"That I never betrayed you and only left town after it became apparent you weren't returning until I did? That I've never lied to you about any of this and the only reason I came back was to help you save your sister, little as you do care for her she is your only family?Or that the man you knew who was trying to make a future for you both is now gone, replaced by the image of what you accused him to be."

The words weren't spoken in a tone to hurt but I could see they did and regretted it, something inside of me telling me that this was the last day I'd see her. I drank the scalding coffee and winced at it as it burned down my throat, then finished.

"The rest you'll have to find out from your sister, after we've finished with Bull and his men, after you've gotten her back to your ranch and she's shaken off the effects of that opium. Then you'll have what remains of your family back and can decide what the truth is."

The sun had risen and the sounds of men moving among the animals was becoming louder, the day had come to us even if we didn't want it to.

"Bull wants us both back at his cabin this evening. And it's obvious he wants you and will stoop at nothing to get you. I intend to lose the big pot tonight and give you up for collateral, taking Christy as the consolation prize. But before Bull can get a taste of his new girl I'll have stashed Christine and returned to help you and clean up as many of his men as I can in the process. I gave you my word on that earlier and you're going to have to trust me this one final time"

There was no more to say. It would just turn into a shouting match as it had in town, then escalate and deter us from why we came here. I knew that and rose, not hungry though my stomach was churning, and grabbed the clothes I had set out earlier and the soap bar and towel left by the sink.

"I'm going to go to the creek and take a swim, and when I return I'll get the horses and mule repacked and ready to go for when you need them tonight"

It had all been said as I moved to the back door again, Rebecca still staring into her untouched cup...

"I'm sure you wanted your life to turn out different, Beck" The door slowly closing behind me. "So did I"

Yeah, I had other dreams but they didn't happen. And I had become a wanted man, a criminal and a harder man inside as well. Otherwise why would I leave a woman like that behind in the cabin?

I took those thoughts and others with me to the edge of the water, tossing my worn clothes onto the bank and setting one pistol on top of them before diving into the water.