| �And sometimes ya just don�t get what you want.� I shook my head at her and gazed out over the hills. �Jane could be right Rachel.� �Why I agree with Rachel, Annie. I mean, they want to stay, we at least have to know who they are.� �We have names Christina.� �That�s not enough Jane! They have jobs, like every other man, and I want to know, I mean, I�m gonna demand to know.� I glanced at Christina and started laughing. �What?� �We�re arguin� over men. We don�t need to be doin� that.� They glanced at me and they too started laughing. I wiped the table clean and glanced up as the door opened. �Howdy ma�am.� I nodded my head at Kevin as he sat down at the table. �Would you like something sugar?� �Just some tea ma�am.� �Kevin, darlin�, ya ain�t gotta call us ma�am. We have names, those will be just fine.� I smiled as I poured him a glass. He nodded his head as I handed it to him and went back to cleaning. �Rachel, what can you tell me about the Cowboys.� I frowned up at him and stopped cleaning. �Why, that all depends on what you want to know. Why?� �Just askin�. You know them pretty well?� I thought for a moment. �Well, not good enough I suppose. They�re just customers. But I know a thing or two about Ringo. And Annie knows a thing or two about Curly Bill. As for other gals, I�m not to sure.� �They ever mention their plans?� I glanced at him and narrowed my eyes. �I�ll answer that if you answer mine Kevin. Why are you askin� me these questions?� �Just curious. I don�t like them.� �Not too many men do.� I put the last of the dishes away and walked over to Kevin. I leaned down and looked him in the eye. �But that ain�t the right answer, you and I both know it. I might be a lousy whore Kevin, but I ain�t stupid. I can read people pretty damn well and that piss ant answer won�t work. You�re gonna ask questions, we�re gonna ask you some too. Tell your boys that.� I winked at him and walked out of the room, bumping into Annie as she walked in. �You okay Rachel?� �Don�t tell him anything hon, without askin� him somethin� first. They have questions and want to know somethin�. But damnit, so do we and we�ll find our answers just as well.� She nodded her head and I went on my way. �Jane?� She quickly turned around and smiled at Brian. �Hey there mister.� He blushed and gazed up at the stars. �Like it out here, don�t ya?� She shrugged but went on looking. He took the chance and looked her over, thinking that she would fit quite snug against his body. He took a breath and smiled at her. �The other girls, are they all older?� �Yeah. Annie is the oldest by a year. Than Christina, followed by Rachel, than by Mary. Christina is a year younger, Rachel is about six months. Um, I believe Mary is about six months off from Rachel and I�m nine months exactly.� �Not bad, a knit family.� She smiled at him and nodded her head. He took another breath. �Jane, how well do you know the Cowboys?� She shrugged but didn�t answer him. He waited for a few more moments before he touched her arm. �Brian, what do you want me to tell you? Why are you, and every other man askin� about them. They ain�t down nothin� to ya�ll so, give, what�s goin� on?� �We said no questions.� �And you told me you�d bear you�ll soul. So was that just a line sir?� Jane turned her attention to him and rose an eyebrow. He sighed and shook his head. �We ain�t gonna sell out some customers for some higher payin� men. Keep that in mind sir.� She flicked her hair across her shoulder and marched back into the house, slamming the door behind her. �I need to send a telegram.� The young man behind the desk nodded his head. �Go on sir.� �To the President�s secretary sir.� The young man only nodded his head and grabbed the pen and paper. �Say the job is proving to be rather hard and are sufferin� some delays. Howie�.� �No problem sir. That�s gonna be $4.50, sir.� Howie smiled and handed him the money. He walked out the doors and nodded at his men. �Sent.� �Why are they so tough to break?� Four pair of eyes turned and looked at Nick. �My guess, they don�t trust anyone,� Alex said, catching his bottom lip between his teeth. �They know they�re in a business that�s rather difficult.� �And anyone can come in and smoke them out, make them not trust anyone,� Brian added. �You think they know anythin� about these men?� �They have to know somethin� Nick. Those men are regulars.� �Doesn�t really mean they know anythin� though. I mean, you get a guy near a whore, what you think that man is thinkin� about?� �What�s buggin� me is they ain�t sayin� nothin�.� �With all due understandin� Kevin. We walked into that place askin� for a hot meal and no questions. Yet we askin� like all kinds. Surely, that�s got to get to them.� Kevin nodded his head, agreeing with what Brian had stated. Howie took in the small town, seeing a wagon pulling up and seeing a few actors getting out. �What if we used them?� The four other heads turned and glanced at him, seeing his gaze and following it. �What are you sayin� Howie?� �I mean Nick, what if we show them what true ladies they are. We all know we wouldn�t mind seeing them out of this business. But if we can prove we�re true gentlemen, they would trust us with any information.� �And if they find out just how�� �They won�t find out Kevin, they just can�t find out. But I remember someone mention that stage of actors was comin�, let�s treat them tonight.� The five guys finally agreed, yet reluctant. I felt the small shawl removed from my shoulders and smiled back at Howie. He smiled and held the seat out for me. �Thank you sir,� I said, claiming the seat. �Welcome ma�am.� �Well, hello there Ms. Rachel.� I turned around in my seat and saw a longtime old friend. �Why, Doc Holliday. Just what are you doin� in Tombstone?� I asked, holding out my hand. He took it and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it. �Stayin�, seein� if helps any.� �Well, I can pray it does. Kate, lookin� lovely darlin�.� |
| Journey Of The Heart By: Resa Dorough (thanks to Terri for the title) |
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