Gunsmoke!

[CaptainAnarchy]

Where to go from here, the saloon of course.

A home cooked meal. I could kill for one of them. I promptly accepted the offer. Now what to do from here. She bowed her head and I said my see ya laters and headed out and checked up on Colt my horse. He was content. I walked around the town briefly before realizing I had better get out of the main streets. I didn't know how the sheriff worked around here and I wasn't about to find out. I heard once again the commotion from the Saloon and mouthed to myself "What the hell".

The piano was playing hard and dance girls were everywhere. My spurs were rocking their usual clank as I walked in and I caught the usual looks. A quick flip of my jacket to reveal the six arms and everyone sorta turned their heads. I sat down at the bar and called for the tender.

"Bar keep. I'll take the strong stuff you got."

"Sure. Anything else?"

"Not right now. Anyone I should I know around here?"

I had made it a habit to know who was dangerous and who was around my surrondings. You never know when something could break out. I sat there drinking my drink sighing to myself. I had a hell of a long time to kill and I didn't have enough money to get any real food.

"Looks like its scotch for me until 7". I sat down lookng at the two empty bar stools next to me.

 

[Dillon]

Doc had a little more bounce in his step than usual as he approached the Long Branch, at least until he walked in. There at the end of the bar was the little flame who had earlier lit some desire, sitting with Ringo.

"Sam a quick one, I'm headed for the station. Since our local gentry seem to be otherwise occupied I suppose it's up to me to properly welcome the new schoolmarm."

As Doc threw back the whisky, welcoming the warm familiar burn, he couldn't help but feel the buzz in the air. There were some rough characters suddenly appearing, and not just Ringo. Gun fights seemed to do that in Dodge.

"Sam I am much obliged."

Doc dropped the coins on bar and cast a quick glance to the end of the bar where he thought he saw Caroline wink at him in the bar mirror.

Not an extinguished flame after all perhaps...

"I'm off for the train, do keep things quiet 'till the marshal gets back."

 

[White Queen]

Caroline

" Oh really, came back to Dodge just to see me... like I would believe that from you Ringo... Im sure youve got some other business to take care of... " .

Ringo stays quiet for a while... thinkink... at least thats what it looked like... then he suddenly says out loud... " Wheres Chester? ", the saloon went dead quiet for just a sec, practicaly everyone around knows whos been taking care of Lilys needs...

Caroline laughs to herself and wonders how this Chester - Lily - Ringo affair will turn out... Ringo forgets all about the matter just as fast and wonks and pinches Caroline " Now go on girl, show us your stuff."

" I believe you have seen my stuff Ringo... of course that, as I said before, was some time ago... you wouldnt believe the things Ive learned since... especially since I began working here... ", Caroline notices Doc entiering the saloon, having a quick drink and going out again turning at her on his way out... Caroline winks at him... not wanting to him go all dissapointed...

 

[Morwen]

Thelma

Thelma peered through the thick cloud of gunsmoke now wrapped around her position. Coughed a little, a pretty little cough, she couldn't help that. Reached for the hat on her head to fan the smoke away and remembered she was wearing some blamed fool bonnet. Confound it!

After a while though the man in the shack stopped firing and started shouting. It was the marshal all right, and he sounded like he was dying. But he had also said she was surrounded, and now he was saying she wasn't any such thing, now he was saying she was his only hope to see another sundown. Man's a born liar, she reckoned.

"Y'all ain't hurt," she hollered down the draw, punctuating her words with a couple more slugs through the gaps in the logs that passed for a window in these here parts. "And if you is, whyn't you get one of yer snake-skinned posse drunks to come help ye, ye two-faced carpet-bagging liar?" She waited for one of the aforementioned snake-skinned drunks to show himself, but none of them did. She was getting the feeling he really was alone.

As only low, guttural moans were emanating from the cabin, she began to feel a mite bit guilty. But only a mite. Desperadoes had to be tough. But she had a heart of gold. "All right ye snake, if ye're really hurt, done crawl outta there on yuir belly, and keep yuir cotton-picking hands UP!"

She propped herself up on the rock, both guns cocked and loaded and aimed at the door. Blasted marshal. Why'd he wanna go and ruin all her fun?

 

[afternooner]

Ringo

Ringo looks at Carries green flashing eyes and knows shes just funning him and when she winks at Doc who’s come and gone quicker than a fart in a windstorm, he sighs.

Ain’t like Doc’s any stiff competition what with his drinkin’ habits but why women fall for physicians he cant figure out though most he knows has long fine fingers which maybe gals get excited by.

Well it ain’t no concern of his and now that he’s got Miss Carrie to himself again he figures it’s time to turn on the charm.

“You learned some new stuff? Sure am anxious to see you do it. do you still wear those sexy black garters and french cut undies. wooho! bet you got the cowboys just droolin when you take it all off..” He sees her blush and reaches out to touch her shoulder softly.

“Don’t you never mind my blustery talk, Carrie you know I always had a soft spot in my heart for you....”.he grinned.....

“N’ a hard...”. his voice trailed off as she was looking directly at his crotch then he blushed too. “Awww, Carrie you know what I mean..shucks anyhow.

 

[Feelin' Naughty]

Lily

Lily watches Chester as he walks around the corner surrounded by a cloud of her perfume. that boy isn’t much in the way of grace, but he sure knows how to please a woman She returns to her room to get ready for work at the Long Branch.

She bathes quickly and is pinning her hair up into a French knot when with a soft rap on the door it opens to admit Genie.

Genie looks over at the bed, lying like a pile of kindling on the floor and then back to Lily, grinning, “Sugar I presume?”

Lily laughs around a mouthful of hairpins, “You presume correctly! You just missed him, but I bet you could smell his new scent lingering in the hall.”

Lily removes the hairpins from her mouth, “So what did you find out about the stranger, Jason…..right?”

Genie blushes crimson, “I didn’t find out much, but maybe I’ll learn more tonight. Oh Lily,” she says sounding distressed “I invited him for supper!”

“So what’s the trouble with that?” Lily steps toward Genie and takes her hand, “Honey, you’re husband has been gone for a very long time, I don’t mean to worry you, but you should have heard something from him by now. There is a lot that can happen out on those lonely trails. Besides, he always had an eye for the women, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he was holed up somewhere with some ole gal.”
Lily puts her arm around Genie’s shoulders and gives her a squeeze, “Just keep your ‘supper invitations’ discreet till you hear one way or the other.”

Genie looks at Lily and laughs, “You always have gone straight to the point haven’t you? But I’ll take your advice.”

Lily laughs back, “shortest distance between points is a straight line, I’ve got to get to work, but I expect to hear all about you’re supper when I get home.”

Lily walks into the Long Branch through the back door, making her way through the maze of whiskey crates in the storeroom. Stopping just inside the door she looks around the room. She sees Ringo sitting at the bar talking to Caroline, his hand on her shoulder and feels an unexpected twinge of jealousy. now why should I care what he’s up to….the way he just upped an left….it’s not like I still want him…..it’s not like I don’t have plenty of admirers….just keep on you ole goat…..
She walks quickly toward them and in a voice a bit louder than she intended, “Isn’t it time for your number Caroline? And by the way, where is Miss Kitty?”

 

[Ruse]

I stood in the alley near the Long Horn Saloon, the events that had passed inside going thru my mind.

The drunk inside was of no consequence, his actions were tolerable. Barely, but tolerable. The news of my beloveds location was more important and I was concerned at the leering smiles that accompanied the name mentioned where she stayed.

And when I asked of the location of the boarding house it drew only loud laughs and red faces as well.

The sound of multiple gunshots and the screams of a man had filled the air and I shook my head at the common disturbance. No wonder the town was so rowdy when the local law spent as much time in the saloons as did the riff raff they were to control.

I would find my beloved, if it meant opening every door and questioning each person I met on the street.

"I will find you and return you to the love we once shared, my love" I promised out loud to the stars and the noise of the night.

 

[casper3110]

Genie

Seeing the the sun was setting, Genie closed up the store.

As she walked back through the store, she straightened this and that... her mind not really on her work. She was thinking about Jason and what might happen tonight. Just dreaming about the possibilites were making her excited.

The store cleaned up and ready for business the next day, Genie made her way up the stairs to her living area.

She went to the kitchen and stoked the fire, adding more wood to the old cookstove. She mixed the ingredients together for biscuits and set them to rise. The chicken, she put in the oven with some carrots and potatoes. While the meal was cooking
Genie decided to wash up and get ready for the evening. She had already taken a bath that morning so she set about washing her face and other areas. She brushed off her 2nd best dress, the blue one with the lower cut bodice and put it on.
Good, it still fits. I haven't worn this in several months. Not that I had any place or reason to wear it !

Glancing at the clock, Genie notice that is was almost time. She went back to the kitchen and put the biscuits in the oven and then set the table with her mother's china and best tablecloth.

Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, her heart started pounding. Then there was a soft knock at the door. She went to it, her hand shaking and opened it....

 

[Dillon]

Doc arrived at the train station almost too late. He spotted Kitty right away and made his way to her. As he got closer he could see a look on her face he hadn't seen in a while. It was the look some people get when they are only physically present while their mind is elsewhere.

"Miss Kitty he knows what he's doing...he's fine." Wasn't anything he hadn't said hundreds of times before but this time it was as if his lips had moved but no sound came. Her focus on the scene around her was blank, a facade. And the scene around them was a Dodge kind of chaos, people chattering and the kids everywhere.

Funny how it seems like I never see the kids around Dodge, unless it's for a scrape or a broken bone....they don't play on the streets here that's for sure....

No one knew what the new teach looked like so some had made signs welcoming her, signs which indicated the need for such a person in town. Then she appeared, and Doc became as frozen as ice. Praying it wasn't, but knowing in his heart it was indeed the new educator. Her late husband died on the table in front of him, back in Boston. In his mind he saw the grief stricken face of that young woman, newly with child. Would she remember him?


Some days there just isn't enough whisky

Lost now in a world of his own, he wrestled with his inner ghosts as the welcoming festivities began.....

 

[soliloquy]

Nell poutily marched her way through the streets to the saloon. She thought of all Mrs. Green's suppositions, the saloon was the most likely place for her father to be.

Mrs. Green was truly a twit. Whoever heard something as outrageous as a woman outlaw?

Lawd almighty, how the common folk believed ever little thing they heard.

Nell came into the the saloon like a blaze of thunder and lightening, the pout never leaving her lips.

Her face was flushed as she scanned the few drunkards and fools at the bar. He was nowhere.

And then she saw him. Not her father, mind you, but Randall Crabb. "Buck", people called him. He was a grizzly gambling man, and he often taunted Nell for her haughty behavior.

She hated the man with every breath in her.

He turned and looked at her, a snide smile and wink causing her to turn her head away, lest he see the blush on her cheek.

She raised her honeyed voice. "Have any of ya'll seen my Pa?"

People grumbled drunken messages uncertainly.

Nell began to storm out.

"Ma'am, I could help you find your dear Pa, iff'n that's what you really came here lookin' fer." Even the use of the word "Ma'am" was mocking, coming from Buck's filthy mouth.

But still, she certainly didn't want to spend the whole day searching Dodge for her father. The dust of the roads had already dirtied her shoes and the hem of her dress.

"Well, out with it then, Mr. Crabb." Her hands on her hips, her toe tapping the ground below, she looked the picture of indignation.

 

[StarXChyld]

Susan Shirley

Their fingertips merely skimmed over each other as the train lurched to a halt in Dodge City. The conductor announced the stop in a deep baritone voice, "Dodge City! All those for Dodge City!"

She smiled apologetically at Mr. Crabb as the train stewart arrived and grabbed her bags. Taking Jessica's hand in hers, she glanced back over her shoulder at the man in black. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Crabb but it appears that duty has been handled." She turned her attention back to Jessica, leading her to the door of the train and lifting her into the waiting arms of the stewart.

The harsh sunlight almost blinded her and the intensity of the afternoon sun sizzled through her heavy linens. Blinking a few times, her eyes finally focused on all the townsfolk and the signs they were waving.

WELLCUM! MIZ SURELY!

WELKOM 2 DODGE!

Jessica was dancing impatiently at her side. "Mother! I have to go potty!"

Susan winced. She felt overwhelmed. With the brightness. With the heat. With her daughter. With the town. Was she expected to teach everyone in this place how to read and write?

She fainted dead away in the dust of Dodge.

 

[White Queen]

Caroline

" Well I do have my share of admirers Ringo... and I havent worked here for long. ", Caroline smiles at Ringo when he turns to his crotch... " Yeah Ringo... youll never change, Im used to that darling... ".

A pretty loud voice interrupts Caroline´s and Ringo´s conversation... It was Lily... “ Isn’t it time for your number Caroline? And by the way, where is Miss Kitty? ”

Caroline to face Lily, " Well no I still got some time before my number is up... and Miss Kitty, well she left to attend some business... recieve someone at the train station, although I dont remember who it was... ", Caroline grins at Lily... " I hope everything went well at Genies place dear... did it? ".

 

[Lady_Kit]

Kitty

"Mama!" The small girl screamed as she watched her mother crumple.

Good Lord! The new teacher has fainted! You there, fetch a wagon, we'll take her to the hotel.

Kitty shouted orders at the shocked station master. She looked at Doc, expecting some move from the physician, but he stood silent and still, looking as if he'd seen a ghost.

Kneeling next to the fallen woman, Kitty offers a smile to the frightened little girl. Speaking quietly, Kitty tries to sound reassuring enough to stop the flow of tears.

Hello, Sweetheart. My name is Mrs. Russell, but my friends call me Miss Kitty. Whats your name?

"Jess...Jessica..Is Mother all right? What's wrong with her?"

I expect your mother just had a bit too much excitement, Jessica. We'll get her into a nice clean bed and she'll be fine.

Lets get her on the wagon, boys. Doc? Where've you gone? Blast the man!!

Kitty muttered curses at the absent physician as they load the unconcious teacher onto the bed of the wagon. Then, sending a boy ahead to warn the hotel manager, and taking Jessica by the hand, she leads them back to town. They make quite a parade as they move, and though everyone in town has turned out to watch the display, Doc is no where to be seen.

 

[Guest]

"I'm tossin' out my gun Thelma...
I can't do no better than that.
Ya clipped me in the leg bad...real bad."

He hoped he sounded pitiful enough to wring some sort of compassion from the flinty heart of the notorious bandita.
He kissed the handle of 'Old Dave' the Navy Colt, and sent it flying through the window.

Silence...only the pararie wind.

"WHERE'S THE OTHER ONE!"

*Shit!*

"Okay here it comes."
With a tear forming in his eye, he tossed the pearl handled custom Buntline 'Miss Daisey' into the dust as well, then scuried back into the shadows and commenced to whimper and moan most convincingly.

*That bitch is gonna pay for those sixguns, if I have to take it out of her hide personaly!*

He grinned in anticipation.

 

[ariosto]

WOW!...havn't done that in along time...
The above post from Marshal Dillon was mine.

 

[Morwen]

ooc: oh that font is unmistakeable


First the one revolver then the other skittered out into the dust. They were thrown pretty well, that was not -- Thelma reckoned -- the throw of no dying man. "Now the rifle!" she hollered down at the shack. You didn't get far in this biz if you didn't know what the other side liked to take to work. "Then ye crawl yuir shot ass outta there, like I done told ya to do, y'a hear?"

Goddamn, but she just might get outta this alive. But she had to plan what she'd do next. What would that be? A ruthless bandit leader like the kind who taught her would just shoot the marshal dead. And would brag about if afterwards. But Thelma already knew she couldn't do that. For all her bluster, she weren't no killer, and the barber, that was an accident. She started to get scared, finally realizing what she had done.

 

[Turk-Rakker]

He loved to tease the girl. He remembered her well from his previous visits to Dodge. The years had been real good to her.
She was a fiesty little firecracker at 15, one he badly wanted to take to bed but the law had intervened.
Now she was just plain damned pretty and he still wanted to bed her down...damned right.

"I saw the old man, walking into the whore house."
He swallowed his whisky.
'Pearl still run it?"

"How would I know that!?"

Buck flashed a smile at her,
"It's a small town darlin'. You can't hide a place like Pearls."

He walked over to her.
"Come on, I'll take ya over...I just might get my ashes hauled...it's been a long damn time...sorry ma'am didn't mean to curse."

He tried to slip his arm around her waist to guide her out the door but she slipped away.
"I think I can make it myself!...Thank you very much!"

"Well Sweet Thing, you go right ahead but I'll be right behind you.
I got a ramrod in my pants that ain't gonna wait much longer."

 

[ariosto]

"Goddam...christallmighty"
He muttered under his breath.
The girl was no fool.

"M'rifles still on my saddle!...I can't get to it."

Silence...

Damn she could just sneak on outta here...how'd I know!?

"Okay Thelma, I'm gonna try to crawl out...I just hope I don't bleed to death on the way."

She watched the dusty, broken, bloody man, scrape his way painfully out of the ruined cabin. It was a sight that would have melted the heart of a stone cold statue which Thelma, (in spite of her evil reputation), was not.

"I can't...go...
no..
farther."
Dillon fell face down in the dirt.

He heard the whisper of her boots in the sage brush and cocked back the hammer on the derringer he was clutching to his belly.

 

[Ruse]

Miguel Diego

I stood at the steps of "Pearls" and knew it was all wrong. I had watched the doors for 20 minutes and in that time a total of 7 men had walked thru the doors, all leaving with a grin on their faces and a barely dressed woman giving them a kiss goodbye.

Pearls was definately NOT a boarding house, in my lands we referred to it as a bordello, and to make the consequences worse it was a RUN DOWN bordello.

Opening the sagging door it was confirmed, the carpet was torn and ragged, the walls flyspecked and cracked, the light fixtures either missing or broken and crudely tied together with barb wire.

A large woman approached me and belched, then pulled at the bloomers that were sliding down her more than ampmle hips.

"What kin ah do fer ya, stranger?" She bellowed, the words reminding me of a certain grass eating animal. In fact her entire appearance and SMELL reminded me of the furry, four legged animal and I wrinkled my nose.

"Ya like mah new perfume? It's called Odeur Le Skahnky" She bellowed proudly, showing the broken stubs of her front teeth "Ah jist bought it from that ther travelin salesman, we made a trade!"

The wink she gave me was almost comical, the salesman hanging his head and hustling out behind her, trying to leave unnoticed. A feat that failed as the large woman spun quickly and slapped him on his sagging trousers as he tried to pull them up, nearly knocking him over.

"I am Don Miguel Diego and I have come here looking for a lady" I told softly, trying to forgo the usual courtesy of taking her hand and kissing it "I wish to speak to the proprietor"

"Aren't they all" The woman laughed, the action causing her breasts to nearly fall out of the thread worn corset, jiggling dangerously at the precipice and then sagging back inward. "Though most don't say it so fancy or want a lady, just a whore. As for the pro whassherface, I don't know her, But my name is Pearl"

"I'm looking for my fiance, She was to be staying here" I clarified my nose catching another whiff of her "Odor of Skunk" and wrinkling.

"Sayyyy, You aren't one of them uppity greasers, are ya?" She asked, Pearls face suddenly going cockeyed as she looked at me. "This place ain't much. Lord knows I'd sell it for a hunerd dollars gold in a heartbeat. But it's mahn, all mahn"

"I am not "uppity" I assured her "I just wish to see a lady of spanish descent who may go by the name of Marisol Santiago. I would be willing to pay for this privalege?"

"Thas good, cause ah dohn like uppity. An of course ya'll pay. Everybody pays! I aint goht a Marisol buht ah goht a Marie ahn she's a greaser and new here. No offense"

"None taken Miss Pearl" I assured her again "I would like to meet this Marie"

Money exchanged hands and I was given directions to "the second floor, second door on the left, best room in dah house"

I climbed the creaking, spur scarred steps and ignored the shaking rail, also bound with more barbwire.

"If yah stays over an hour I gotta charge ya anudder four bits extra"

 

[Dillon]

The faint of the new 'marm was enough, and he couldn't stand to be called upon. Though they hadn't met eyes, Doc had to walk away....he couldn't be the face she came awake to...and her little girl, such a sweet little thing. Just when Dodge seemed a nice little town it went and unravelled itself. Doc found himself seeking his private asylum and partly wishing he wasn't alone, that such solace could come from the warmth of another aside from himself.

The sound of a hand slapping a face startled Doc out of his thoughts...by the very righteous tone of the smack Doc bet himself it was Nell.

I knew it!! Ok, you owe me...and you'll pay up or else!!

Doc often talked to himself, sometimes out loud...occasionally after such an event saying it was the only intelligent conversation he could get. Apparently this was one of those out loud moments 'cause Nell headed directly in Doc's direction with a dim bulb in tow....

"Oh Doc...Doc?"

Doc knew he had to act fast, Nell only asked for help when she was looking for her "pa"

Asking into the twilight, "Chester, where is the Marshall??"

There was no Chester in sight but Doc hoped it would work...

"Sorry Nell but we have some items requiring immediate attention, I might need my horse...."

 

[afternooner]

Ringo

Ringo sat there speechless of what seemed like three days but which in reality was probably the total of three minutes. Neither Lily or Caroline were paying the least bit of attention to him carrying on a conversation that although it seemed a little sarcastic on both their parts didn’t include him at all.

He was still horney as hell and wondering how he could convince on of these fine woman to assist him in taking care of his needs. Lily of course was the obvious first choice but she was still angry with him and Ringo also noticed that she had a certain flush about her that only meant that somehow she had taken care of her needs just recently. either she had found her sugar or she had taken care of herself in her room this afternoon. knowing how Lily liked a hard cock in her pussy rather than fingers he decided that the former were more than likely true.. Some how this didn’t deture him from wanting her maybe even a little bit more just to prove maybe he could do better than this sugar and knowing Lily was the kind of woman who just couldn’t seem to get enough he knew she would be willing if he could just convince her.


Now Caroline, that was another matter. she was a high class dance girl still in her prime. Drunken cowboys bent over backwards just to see her strip and the way she loved to dance she put on a show.

Ringo grinned thinkin’ how horney it made her too when she was doing on stage all those motions that imitate passion in the bed. He was sure enough sure that when she was done with her dance she be more than ready to finish satisfying that need that she had built up with him. If he played his cards right that is.

Another thought entered his head if one or the other didn’t work out for him he’d just get good and drunk and sleep it off. then early in the morning he’d head for Genies with the pretext of needing his new hat but knowing shed have a fine breakfast cooking and maybe a little taste of something else afterwards.

He took a slug out of his bottle and taking his hand from Carolines shoulder ran a finger tip along the top of her dress tracing an arcing line along the delightful hills and valleys created by the tops of her creamy breasts. That should get both of their attentions real quick he thought.

 

[Feelin' Naughty]

Lily regretted the harsh tone in which she asked the question. Someday I’ll learn to control my mouth She really cared about young Caroline, she was a beautiful little thing, shame what happened to her folks and that she had to dance for a living.
Caroline turned to face Lily, " Well no I still got some time before my number is up... and Miss Kitty, well she left to attend some business... receive someone at the train station, although I don’t remember who it was... ", Caroline grins at Lily... " I hope everything went well at Genies place dear... did it? ".
Lily blushed, “well yes dear, I had a very nice morning.” Damn, does everyone in this town know my business?

Ringo’s hand dropped from Caroline’s shoulder to her breast, teasing a trail across the exposed flesh. so that’s the way it’s gonna be huh?
Shooting Ringo a look that would drop a man with any amount of good sense, “I guess I had better go and get the Faro table open” Lily retreats to the back of the saloon to do some thinking.

 

[BigDawg69]

Chester wandered out into the street still buckling his gun belt about his waist. He stopped in the middle of the reather barren street and glanced around. He looked down to see a rather strange lookin Mexican venture into the "boarding" house. He looked up the street and saw that there was some commotion about the train station.

Chester figured that the Marshall had left already to round up Thelma, or at least try to. Chester knew that getting Thelma meant more than just tossing her behind bars for Dillon. He laughed to himself and thought it would be nice to see her again.

Chester decided to head up to the train station and check on the crowd that had gathered there. He had just made his way to the platform when he heard Doc ask him where Marshall was.

"Out gettin' Thelma, I reckon." Chester stated plainly as he walked around the corner. "Howdy miss Nell."

The Doc's jaw dropped and he nearly fainted at the sight of Chester. "Damn it boy, don't sneak up on a man like that!"

Chester took a double take and started to respond but was quickly cut off, by Nell. "Where's my pa, Chester?" She snapped.

Chester's head turned quickly to Nell and for a moment he was dumbstruck by her peircing eyes.

"That boy don't know where he is, Nell." The Doc laughed.

Chester, was struck by Nell's beauty. The commotion around him seemed to fade away.

 

[soliloquy]

Nell was getting a mite riled up with the lack of know around these parts. She had the gamblin' man telling her the vilest things, which she would NOT begin to tolerate, Doc seemed to run away from her every time he heard her voice, and then there was that dimwitted Chester.

She had to admit he was attractive enough to stare at mindlessly, and she had even indulged in some silly fantasies of them, but Nell was Nell. There was no moving her to show any interest in any of the men who surrounded her.

And they seemed so blase about her father.

"Neither does anybody else, Doc," she said, though looking at Chester and thoroughly aware of Buck behind her. A shiver ran down her spine. "Anybody know if my pa is alive? And what's this bout a woman shootin' him? That's hogwash if I ever heard it."

The flush in her cheeks burned brighter as she looked on at Chester. Foolish, daffy, gorgeous Chester.

She felt Buck creep up behind her, breaking her trance. She spun around, the hem of her dress flaring up just enough to show some calf. "Don't you touch me, Buck Crabb!" Her voice was high pitched and tense.

He chuckled.

Nell stamped her foot like a five year old, and crossed her arms under her breasts. Her face flamed red with anger. "And just what do you think is so funny here?"

 

[Morwen]

Thelma

Thelma watched as the marshal crawled out of the shack like the snake he was, his belly skittering around on the ground. That boy with his big ole belly didn't crawl so good, and he weren't leaving no blood on the ground behind him, either. And he was keeping one hand under him, maybe clutching a wound, or maybe hiding something.

She looked down at the dying man -- the presumably dying man -- and gave his shoulder a nudge with her boot. "How bad's ye shot?" She kept her Colts aimed at him, though. "Roll over and lemmee see."