| Chapter 7 |
| "Don�t ya sometimes wonder about life?" Christina glanced at the other girl sitting next to her. "Whatever are you talkin� about Miss Jane?" "Oh, just talkin�. I mean, you think God wanted us to have this life?" "I�m sure he didn�t, but sometimes I don�t think He understands what all can happen in life. I mean, our family was takin� by a fire. What else could we have done to have survived? And as for you?" "Oh, there were other options. Cleanin� houses, or doing little stuff. But it didn�t offer the money fast enough. My pa needed his money now." "His debts are paid off, why you still doin� this?" Jane looked out over the desert and than looked up at the endless sky. "I�m not sure. The pay is nice but I know it ain�t the best job. I guess because I know I have friends who are in it as well. Maybe cause I can do whatever I want and sorta get away with it. And because I can be innocent and yet be the devil in disguise." "Now, ma�am, I don�t believe you could ever be like that." The ladies jumped as they heard the male voice from the doorway. "Oh, I�m sorry sir, I didn�t hear the door open." "I�m the one who should be saying sorry. Didn�t mean to intrude." "You�re quite welcome to come join us if you wish sir," Christina said, making her way out of the chair. "I think I had my bit of fresh air." She smiled at Jane and went back inside. "Do you mind ma�am?" "Have a seat stranger." "Wonderful night, isn�t it?" "Oh, I love these desert nights. Especially when no one is about." "Where is everyone?" |
| "Probably gamblin� away their money. Though, I do believe some acts or other are makin� their way through town. You like watchin� the actors Mr. Brian?" "Please ma�am, ya don�t have to include the Mister." "And you don�t have to call ma�am. Hardly anyone around here does." Brian smiled at her and she turned her gaze back to the moon. "Is it hard?" She got out of the chair and leaned against the railing. "What do you mean?" "Being, well, what you are?" "No, it�s rather easy. Take care of yourself, by the far the biggest issue. But it�s a business that we run, one we take care of quite nicely." "A business?" "Yes. We have licenses to prove it too. Go to the doctor, once every three months to make sure we�re healthy. And at the first sight we�re not, we go back. Than if there�s something wrong, he simply says we�re not fit to work. Than there�s hell and damnation." Brian laughed and leaned back in his chair, crossing his booted feet at the ankle. "If you don�t mind my sayin�, it�s rather rude that you can ask questions, yet we can�t ask any." "If it�s an angel like you askin� darlin�, I wouldn�t mind bearin� my soul." Jane turned around and glanced at the horizon, praying he didn�t see the blush that rose upon her cheeks. "Ya know Mary, I think you should go over to that Oriental and play for them. They�ll pay you good money to play darlin�." "Will you come sing Christina?" Mary kept running her fingers over the piano keys, humming to the beat. "I can�t sing nearly as good as you can Mary, and you know that. Ma always said she loved to her you sing." |
| "No, she loved to hear my play darlin�. But you, she loved to hear sing." Christina rolled her eyes at her younger sister. "You lie sister. A terrible liar at that. I think I feel like dancin�. Play me something I can dance to, please?" "Only if I can have this dance ma�am." Christina jumped at the voice and stared at the young man who just entered the small room. "Why, of you course you may stranger." "No extra charge I hope." Christina smiled and tapped her fan against his arm. "I decide who I want to charge. Believe it or not, some men actually might get some things free." He gently kissed her hand as he held it within his. "I do believe it." Within moments, his hands were upon her waist, her arms around his shoulders and he was leading her into a majestic dance. His brown eyes locked with hers, his arms holding her tightly. And as the dance drew to an end, he lead her to the near by love seat. She smiled at him as he took the seat next to her. "Quite the dancer you are." "Thank you. Your rather lovely yourself madam." "Oh, years of practice has paid off." "For someone who hold as much as poise and self confidence as you do, I don�t think it�s practice. I do rather think it�s just a natural act." She smiled and tapped her fan open, letting the cool breeze fan her hot cheeks. Mary watched her sister dancing and smiled to herself, letting the music flow. "You look Heavenly when you play." Mary jumped at the voice and smiled as the young man sat down next to her. "I�m glad you like the music." "Is that what I said I liked?" "Were you referring to the song, or to myself sir?" "I thought I was implying that about you." Mary smiled and turned to watch the couple dance. "Your sister?" "Yes, her and Annie." "A family business?" "So to speak. Our family died in a fire and we had no way to make it on our own." "I�m sorry to hear that." Mary shrugged and threw a smile at the blonde man sitting next to her. "I come to understand that life is what you make it. Sometimes it�s bad, sometimes it�s good, but you can�t have one and not have the other. Sure, we lost our family, but we had each other. And sure, we�re not the best of Tombstone, but there�s two other friends with us and together we make a family who love and care for each other very much." "So I�ve come to notice." "We�ll all we have." Mary stopped playing and turned her attention to the young man. "And you Mr. Nick? What brought you to Tombstone?" "Remember, no questions." "Oh, so you can pry into our private lives yet we are not allowed to do the same?" "Business." Mary smiled, knowing when she should just give up. "Though, keep smilin� darlin�, and I might just tell you anythin� you want to know." Mary smiled even wider and turned her attention back to the ivory keys. |
|