1 comments/ 8158 views/ 0 favorites Longwood First Hunt Day 01-02 By: emap I put a passed out Balik back in his crib I can't help but just stare at him. He's so beautiful my second son, smiling at him when he gurgles in his sleep. I move away with a sigh, I need to get my shirt on and out to the stop I can hear the train. My belt rustles and creaks as I grab up my shirt and put it on groaning when the badge scratches my breast. Thinking I should get a shirt with pockets or perhaps a vest with the accursed poking badge on I move to the door. Chun is heading toward the stairs with a man ahead of her he nods to me as he passes his hat in his hands. Chun smiles and takes my arm as we head for the stairs she stops us at the head. "Janet my folks are wondering when you are coming in to eat." "Isaac's pies have a tendency of pulling you to them. I swear I'll stop in later today, I'm supposed to keep an eye on the town with Dan and Chad, not sure why they haven't made me do a walk yet." Chun giggles and leans in to me. "Because you are addicted to the books doc says for us every afternoon. I miss him coming in for breakfast and talking until it starts getting dark. I think we all miss you saying the book." I sigh, I can't after I got deputized with all of the people coming in and leaving town three badges don't seem enough. "I miss saying them to I say books to Balik some he prefers my songs." Chun smiles, Balik has become the darling of the whores even the Apache dote over him. We head down the stairs to Celeste, figuring Sally has decided to try for a man I smile at her as I pass. Exiting the saloon with the new fancy sign over it I find Sally sitting on the horse tie post. Grinning I go toward to push her over in the water trough, Sally drops down with a laugh. She falls in step with me as I head toward the stop. "So getting another whore in the train?" I ask as we turn to walk past the sheriff's toward the station. "Nope, better." Sally is giggling and smiling next to me I look over at her. "You bought a husband?" I had been rather shocked when I had been told of mail order brides, even more to find there was not a mail order husband I still say it's possible. "Oh good grief, no Janet my sister is coming. I haven't seen her in six years she was twelve the last time." I smile over at her before greeting two Apache men walking toward the store. "Does your sister have a name or did you forget it?" I ask with a giggle, Sally groans and slaps my back. "Gwendolyn, she's always preferred Gwen I just find it fun to say her whole name." At the station I see Chad leaning against the corner of the building. I move up quiet as I can behind him then reach out to touch his shoulder. "You should do that with a quieter belt." Chad says not even turning around, I sigh he's right this belt is just noisy right now. "The oil they sent isn't working, I guess I need to wear it as much as I can." Chad chuckles as the train comes in. Sally moves past us smiling excitedly looking at the passengers getting off. I look as well, none look threatening most don't have a gun on their hip. A few see me and Chad and talk to each other quietly. Two men about as tall as the sky are not as quiet talking about how Apache can even work as the law here, Chad goes and speaks to them with a rather sour expression. I sigh and look back over the passengers getting off, there are an awful lot of them today then I notice one. I have to look twice at this man he's taller than many around him with a wide whitish yellow hat. What really sets him apart is the broad shoulders and the marshal badge on his chest. Even more, he looks very familiar and I think back on it for a moment before it comes to me. This is the same fresh young marshal that had come to Dan and me to ask for help in finding a particularly tough target the trip before I started carrying Balik. His name comes to me after a moment, Martin. With his name issuing forth from me I charge him getting a grunt out of Chad behind me. Martin looks at me surprised and confused then he smiles as I get closer. Right before I leap up into his arms I notice he has a prisoner, a stocky little man that looks very familiar. Martin catches me with a grunt putting one hand on my backside to hold me up as I plant kisses on his cheeks and mouth. "Janet I thought you were with child." I giggle still held up by him Chad appears to keep the prisoner in hand. "Birth was last month, beautiful boy we named Balik. Took a lot of doing, Dan was all for naming him Benjamin. Finally I had to just put my foot down on his and make it clear my second child will have a proper name." Chad protests next to us getting Martin to look over at him confused. "I'm the first son and I do have a proper name. I'm Chad by the way, are you staying the night or moving on with the train?" Martin sets me back on the ground and straightens up. "Staying the night hoping his companions don't decide I delayed twice. He is for the next town, case of murder and banditry they have a judge waiting for him there." The prisoner groans and shakes his head looking at me he smiles. "Janet come on tell the marshal I ain't like that." I look at him confused for a second. His brown hair is wild and unkempt with a beard he's a little shorter than Chad. I look him over, rather on the scrawny side with bowlegs, his hands though remind me. He had bought time with me when I was getting large, he had spent plenty of time getting me to see stars before and during the time he was inside. "Oh Michael, I'm sorry I never knew you long enough to say either way. You were the last for me that night besides my Dan if it makes you feel any better." His face falls there is a small smile still there. "Martin if you wish I can accompany you to the next town tomorrow. I haven't had a chance to work with my new Winchester." Martin grins and nods with a chuckle. "I would like that, be nice to have the best tracker and shooter ever seen in Kansas City to help me deliver him. Michael you worry too much if you did not do it you will be found not guilty." I groan I always hated that label. "Janet do you have bullets for sale here, I would rather not find one box for my revolver is not enough." "Yes come on Andrew stocks more than you would expect in his store." I take Martin's arm in mine he chuckles then reverses so my arm is in his. Chad walks with us Michael being pulled along after him. We leave him at the sheriff's as we continue past for Andrew's store, expanded now with the wide path opened. He had talked the smaller farm supplies store to move his store to make the path wider than it would have been and expanded his store to fill the corner made by the two converging paths. Martin whistles as we go in, there are toy wagons and other items for children hanging above us. He has an entire counter dedicated to sweets, jelly beans, candy sticks and licorice being the biggest part of it. "Janet and friend, so nice to see you both." Elan says with a smile, this is the other nice part of the new store he hired an Apache to help. "Elan how are you? This is Martin he's a marshal seeing a prisoner through to the next town." Elan looks confused for a moment then smiles. "Oh a big town sheriff, yes very nice of you to come to the store. Is there anything in particular you wish?" Andrew appears coming out of the back. "I think I know you wish to buy some bullets. Janet you really must stop buying Elan sweets, he's starting to expand." Elan looks at Andrew and sighs shaking his head. "Yes I need to get bullets for my revolver unless you have the new Colt if Janet wears them they must be good." Andrew smiles big and moves over to the gun counter, I move toward the sweets with Elan. "Fresh batch of licorice, I snuck one earlier, they are less sweet than the last." Elan says smiling pointing to a jar packed with licorice. "Oh I will have two pennies of licorice in that case, and a penny of the sticks. Bonita is on a sweeter than one can stand train, I do not know how she stands it. Isaac is joking about how he makes two pies, one with sugar and crust and a regular for everyone else." Elan laughs and nods. "Medicine man swears he had vision she has daughter." I giggle Mr. Johnson and most of the town say the same thing. "Janet, Colt finally came up with the solution on your belt, soak it in water. They did not prepare them correctly for the skin they used it came out dryer than it should have. If it still does not work I can order you another they swear the problem is fixed now." Andrew says coming over watching Elan, I sigh leather tends to shrink while drying. Elan hands over the wrapped package of licorice while he collects four of the candy sticks. While he is wrapping those I open the licorice and take one out. I take a bite and savor the flavor, Elan was right these are not very sweet and more like getting it from the plant. I offer some to Andrew he shakes his head I hold it out toward Martin who takes a bite then sighs. "These are kind of sour." I giggle and smile before taking another bite. "Janet for some odd reason prefers them that way, Elan as well I think." Andrew says holding out his hand for the three pennies I owe. "I am a duly appointed deputy I should get sweets for free." I hand over the pennies Andrew chuckling as he takes them. "I was there when it was decided you would be a deputy. Your only duly appointed for another two months so you can recover from birth and go back to whoring." I shake my head. "I'm a deputy until Dan decides we should move on, when I return to whoring I'll just not wear the badge." Martin looks at me confused. "I knew there was something different, your not after me for sex and your speaking better, I guess coming here was really good for you." I smile up at Martin noticing he has a new belt and Colt on his hip. "I ended the man that ended my tribe, had my first child returned to me and am expanding my tribe quickly. Bonita is Chad's wife and is with child, I also am not ready to share bed in that way." Martin smiles big at me. "That is great, where is Dan?" I shrug. "I don't know, usually he is at the station, perhaps eating at the eatery. I had to feed Balik and sing to him for the last three hours. Ishmael should know we shall go to saloon if you are finished buying guns." Martin nods at me. After exiting the store I look up and down both paths, no Dan. I head over to the sheriff's to see Bonita and Chad playing chess. Michael sitting in the cell looking depressed. Bonita squeaks in joy when I drop the package of candy sticks in her lap, neither know where Dan is. With a sigh we exit the sheriff's and head into the saloon, Ishmael puts a glass of water in front of me as we move up to the bar. "Ishmael we are looking for Dan, do you know where he went?" Ishmael chuckles. "I wish Sally's sister was looking for me, you should see her she's very pretty. Dan if he is not walking the town is very likely in the eatery still, he went that way to eat about ten minutes before you came down. Chun told me to remind you that you promised to eat there today." I giggle and nod. I take Martin with me he was staring at the poker table. At least it is a short walk to the eatery past the butcher shop and the laundry, the laundry is part of the eatery just two different doors to go in depending on which you want. Inside the eatery we find Dan sitting at a table eating still, Chun's dad hurrying over to us carrying a menu. Martin and I sit as I am handed the menu I look it over spotting something that sounds appetizing I order it. Martin does the same, we both watch him walk away backwards and bowing saying something in I assume Chinese. "Dan if you keep eating that much you will be larger than Mr. Johnson." I say with a giggle staring at the assortment of really odd looking food on his plate. "I need to swell up so you won't be jealous of me the next time your with child." Dan says with a grin, Martin chuckles next to me. "Is it good? I haven't had Chinese before, there is a chinamen in Kansas City making vittles but he does regular vittles." Dan nods and smiles. "Really tasty, they have a sauce on the meat that is almost sweet, I'm thinking I'll tell Chad to take Bonita here tonight and get her that, sweet and sour beef it's really good if a little odd looking." I make an icky face. "I don't know how she can stand it sweet like that. I got some new licorice it's not as sweet and really good. Martin got a new Colt to replace his old revolver and we have a prisoner for the night. He's due at the next town, Martin is hoping to avoid problems by staying over I said I'd go with him." Dan nods along until the go with him part. "How am I to feed Balik?" I sigh and shake my head. "Amanda has a solution, the milk can be heated up to be like from me and fed to him she has the things she needs for it. Isaac helped they did it before he came out after I admitted to being scared I would be unable to go on hunts." Martin looks over at me then looks at Dan. "Bonita possibly could feed him I've heard that women produce milk a bit before giving birth. Probably should ask your doc he would know it better." I shake my head. "Mr. Johnson learned dentistry more than doctoring, he just knows how to do that because we do not have a regular doctor. He is good enough to keep stampede victims alive sometimes he is always fast to say he is not an expert." Dan grins at me. "You missed the conversation he had with a new doctor that was considering staying here last week. Kept asking questions of the poor lad, knew the answer to everything he asked. The prospective town doctor left the next day." Martin chuckles as our food comes out. We eat for a while, Dan was right this food is good. The rice is strange for me, I'm to used to eating potatoes and biscuits. "Dan, Colt finally figured out why my belt is noisy, it's overly dry and needs to be soaked in water." Dan chuckles looking up at me. "Are you doing it in the laundry or in the saloon?" "In the saloon I can take a pail upstairs and keep an eye on the belt and Balik. Perhaps move him into the kitchen tonight and see if the regular milk idea of Amanda's works. She swears it's perfectly quiet in there except for Isaac singing." "Who are Isaac and Amada?" Martin asks looking at me curiously. "Isaac and Amanda are our cooks Amanda is a very nice woman who likes women and cleans whores after a man has time with her. Isaac was a slave freed early into the war he has a talent for fried chicken and pies. Amanda is a very good cook as well she makes a very tasty chili and does good things with deer I shoot sometimes." Martin nods with a grin. "So tell me about this new Winchester." I grin at him it is a very nice little story. "My new Winchester is the ones they just started making I liked them because they were strong guns, just to long for me. We sent a letter to Winchester asking them to make one with a shorter stock I could use. They went a little above what I figured. I have a gold plated special carved Winchester with a plaque on it apparently I am very well liked in Kansas City." Martin chuckles and grins at me. "Dan hasn't told you most of it I suspect, told you at least some considering what is on your holsters. Dan shared tales on things you two did with the marshals, they are teaching the new marshals how to track like you do, speaking nice to the people asked about the target and of course how to track with sign. Being able to ask you for help on a target is considered the smartest idea. I took over on that after you two left since I did ask and you showed me better than the teacher did. There is talk of sending new marshals here for you to teach, not just from Kansas City." I kick Dan under the table, he jumps. "What was that for?" I sigh and shake my head. "For not telling me that before and not calling me pretty today." Dan and Martin call me pretty I smile at both before kicking them. "I'm not supposed to need to ask." They both groan. Dan pays for our vittles Chun's dad smiling at me the whole time. I get a hug and a thank you from him before we leave. I shrug at Dan and Martin I have no idea what Chun told them about me. We find the butcher sitting out front of his shop with a wet cloth. "It was really warm out today." Dan chuckles Martin looks confused, I kick Dan to get him to shush. "I don't know why you came all this way Bartholomew. It will get warmer before it cools again. I find it cooler here than where I was, do not travel farther it gets worse." He chuckles and smiles at me. "I came this far because I was unable to find anywhere in Maine, Vermont or New York seeking a butcher. I've been told the first summer in a new area is the hardest I admit if it gets warmer I'll be out here more often. Kansas City is working on increasing the supply of ice, perhaps I can get ice sent out to me here and keep the meat cooler and me in the process." Martin chuckles next to me. "It is too far to here for ice from Kansas City. They are building the machines for it closer, two towns over I think it was." I squeak in surprise. "That must be why Amanda and Isaac were talking recipes on ice cream. Nobody tells me anything, I'm sure I'd be the last to know the saloon was on fire." "You never ask either Janet, come on it's getting toward evening, we should get into the saloon and you need to soak your belt." Dan takes my arm and on we go. The saloon is really quite active it seems everyone on the train is staying here. Ishmael is not at the bar it seems he is the night watch tonight Albelin is behind the bar he waves at us and gets a glass of water for me in our stools. Dan and Martin head for the three stools set aside for law. I head into the kitchen and collect a pail of water, Isaac and Amanda hard at work making up meals. I find Sally and a new woman in our room holding Balik playing with him Sally hands him to the new woman and comes over to me. "Janet this is my sister Gwendolyn she's staying with us for a month or two. I might be able to talk her into whoring, with your poison there's no reason to worry on it." "It's Gwen I am very pleased to meet you. Your son is beautiful, I'm not sure I'd want to not carry a child I get. Don't think I'll whore I'm of the mind to wait until marriage." Sally groans, I just giggle and tickle Balik's chin. "You must be following the round eye god I've not found another religion that says no bed sharing until bonded." I say while taking my belt off and getting my bullets out of it. "To Cherokee it is one of the things one does before bonding get to know each other share bed and see if can stand each other in all ways then bond. Not often this is not done unless two warring tribes wish to make peace, send daughters to each other for bonding." Sally is grinning until I put my emptied belt into the pail. "What are you doing?" I look over at Sally and smile. "Colt said to put in water will make quiet they made wrong." Balik starts to fuss a little I collect him from Gwen and sing to him. "What were you singing?" Gwen asks sitting on the bed next to us when I finish the song. "I was singing of the great spirit, coyote and the good creatures of the world." Sally giggles making Gwen look at her. "Everything alive is a good creature to Janet, flies, bandits you name it it's a good creature." Gwen looks lost. "Life is a circle, everything has a place within the circle everything you do is part of your place in the circle. Killing is part of the circle creating life is part of the circle. Sharing bed is a very nice part of the circle you should try it before bonding we get many bonded men." Gwen turns pink then looks over at Sally. "I need to think about this, if I didn't know better I'd think you both were in cahoots to get me whoring." Sally shakes her head, I just giggle waking Balik. Longwood First Hunt Day 01-02 I hand Balik to Gwen then pull my shirt off, Gwen stares at me as I collect Balik and offer him a breast to suckle. I only get halfway through my song when he stops and stares up at me sleepily. I burp him over my shoulder hoping he does not have extra to exit, after a little burp I put him in the carry basket. I sing softly to him of rest and beautiful flowers until his eyes close then put the leather over the top of him. Noticing Gwen staring at me nervously I hand the basket to Sally and send her to the kitchen with Balik. "Gwen, why do you stare at me like that?" I make sure to get the badge off the shirt before putting it on. "I... I find a desire within myself to share my bed with you." I smile at her and sit on the bed. "There are times I wish I shared the sentiment, Dan does not always voice the opinion of me being pretty. Especially hard near when Balik decided to come from me. Speak with Chun the next time she comes down the stairs or go with her into the kitchen, she shares the sentiment with you, Amanda as well they know who else better than I. Ever since I got this ring the whores speak a little less freely to me, I am still the one they come to with questions on everything else." Gwen gasps at my ring when I show it to her. Dan was very loving in the selection it is of a red flower the stone is red at least. The leaves are golden really quite well done perched atop the ring itself with corn etched into it. Dan tells me he got not quite happy looks from the married men after we were married the ladies gushed and adored the ring. I love it myself I don't take it off very often except when I take a bath or when cutting up the deer. "Thank you Janet, I am not sure I will like it but best to try." I smile at Gwen as I put the badge back on careful to pull the shirt away. We go down the stairs where Celeste is sitting swelled up and looking tired. She grabs my hand and pulls it to her middle where I can feel her child kicking. I smile at Celeste then get out of the way of Sally going up with a smiling man. I see Dan at the bar with a beer, Martin is not there. Dan noticing me points toward the poker table, I look to see Martin sitting there playing poker. I walk toward him then loom over him as much as I can. Not much even when sitting, Martin's head is almost level with mine. "Martin I know you cheat I'm keeping my eyes on you." I can't help but grin saying it, he looks over at me and chuckles. "Janet works better when you're wearing a gun, not that I'm going to cheat." I giggle looking around most of the other players are from town or the surrounding farms. "They did not say how long to soak I'm going back up and check in a little while. Henderson I'm not forgetting the last time you were in town." I point my finger at him he sighs and shakes his head. "I was playing poker with him and Balik decided he wanted out right then." Martin chuckles and goes back to his cards. I leave them to their game, on the way to the bar I get asked to kiss the dice for luck. Never understanding this I do and move on hearing cheering behind me, he rolled well. Hoping it is not Coyote with his fun at my expense I sit with Dan. We sit and watch the fun for a little while before I go back upstairs to check on my belt. It looks fuller than it had before so I pull it out of the pail and twist it about it drips water and mostly silently moves. Happy with the result and hoping it stays this way I drop it in the towel Manuel provides for us. I dry it as best as I can then put it on one hole extra to allow for shrink. Not really trusting Colt's assurance the bullets do not react as poorly to water I only grab up my revolvers and put them in the holsters. My guns sitting a little lower than I like I exit our room to find Chad and Bonita heading for their room. "Prisoner is fed Bonita is fed and bed ready so I'm taking her to bed." Chad says as they stop to talk to me. "Colt had a solution soak in water, seems to work I just hope it is not big shrink later." Bonita giggles and groans her hands going to her middle. "This one will come soon I hope. Keeps kicking like tired of small space inside." I smile big looking at Chad. "Your brother did same thing soon before deciding was time. Stay with Bonita I will check on prisoner later." Chad looks at me nervous then sighs and takes Bonita to their bedroom. Going down the stairs I smile at Mr. Johnson and the medicine man. They have become friends and speak on things they do for illness often. Ever since tribes have moved closer to town, railroad was quite happy the men took up building path for trains, there have been many friendships. It is sometimes suggested the town becomes part of reservation the Apache are here so often. "Mr. Johnson, Mohin I am glad to see you both, Bonita seems ready to let child out." They trade glances and smile back. "Is Bonita in their room?" Mr. Johnson asks I nod. "Yes she was bed ready, child was kicking as I spoke to them, told Chad to stay with her." "This good, had vision last night that child born this night would be good sign. There are only two women close to letting child out, both here." Mohin and Mr. Johnson go up the stairs smiling while Mr. Johnson works on his Apache. I go sit with Dan at the bar he smiles big when I share the news on Bonita. Martin is still playing poker he seems to be doing well with a good number of chips before him. Sally had decided on getting chips so there is not money just lying around on the tables. There is an argument at the roulette table I go asking what the trouble is. "This dealer is cheating me, not that you would understand being some damn injun. Show me an honest injun and I'll show you a dead injun." The newcomer a rather tall man says, I look him up and down then poke my right hand Colt in his belly. "For that comment you are staying the night in a cell, take your revolver out slowly and put it on the table." He reaches for it with a leer down at me. "Like the sheriff would let you carry a loaded gun." I cock the Colt in my hand then pull the other out and point it at his face. "Do you want to see if both are loaded or just the one pointed at your face?" He gulps and takes his belt off dropping it on the table messing up a number of bets. "Here I'll take him, I think we should have your first arrest live long enough to see the next day." Dan says putting cuffs on the man. "Your lucky you know, the last time someone made disparaging remarks about injuns she shot him, died three days later in extreme pain. I took pity on him and just finished the job." "Janet did you really?" Silvia asks at my shoulder looking a little relieved at how the events unfolded. "Almost, the man made disparaging remarks as he ran away, I let him there was a boar in the area, he was mauled something awful." Dan is almost at the door pulling the prisoner behind him when there is a shotgun blast nearby. I rush to the door as Dan pushes the prisoner toward the stairs and pulls out his own revolver. Dan looks out then ducks back as rifle shooting erupts, he looks at me worried. "There are at least two on horseback at the sheriff's I think they blew the door open for the prisoner." I groan this is bad, Martin comes over looking worried his revolver out. "What do we do?" I look at him and giggle. "If you can shoot left handed get their attention while I go get behind the trough. If they try to go south I can hit a few, north we are tracking them." Martin nods and switches hands on his revolver. Dan moves out of the way looking a bit envious, we've tried to get him to shoot left, his fingers are not willing. Martin looks and shoots twice before ducking back, two shots ring out then he goes back to shoot more. I go out the entrance with my revolvers out and move fast as I can to the back of the trough and duck low. I can hear them talking to each other about one got behind a trough and to hurry up. I lean out just a little to the side, aim and shoot his horse rears up then falls over trapping him under it in my view. The other one curses and gets out of my vision leaving the one lying there trapped by his horse. I can't help but grin when I notice his rifle was dropped there is a shout then the sound of horses galloping away. The one under his horse shouting for them to get him away with them, he groans when they don't come back. Martin and Dan come out then follow me toward the sheriff's. I'm out in the street watching to see if there is anyone to shoot, Dan and Martin are watching our new prisoner. There is no one there, all of the men that were here to get Michael out are gone besides one. I turn to him and walk closer, he watches me come with a look of derision. "Don't even waste your breath injun I ain't telling you shit." I jump on the horse then put a knee on his leg not under the horse. "Dan get my knife, we shall see if Mohin can get any good things out of this man's scalp." Dan grins and goes, Martin comes closer and hunkers down. "Well this is exciting I've never watched an injun take a scalp before. Course I don't think it will end there Janet here is Cherokee she related what Cherokee do to prisoners. I hope you're not attached to your equipment she takes that the scalp will be for the Apache here." The man turns ghostly and looks at me then Martin. "Dear god marshal you can't let that happen, it's not legal." I giggle and get lower. "The marshal is out of his area, what I say is the law. The sheriff let's me do what I want, he's long since given up trying to change me. I suggest you talk and perhaps we will just put you in a cell." The horse trembles beneath me I shoot it then sing a song of sorrow. Dan returns while I'm singing, he hands over the knife while I get to the part about returning to the land. The man is staring up at me holding the knife singing his eyes about as wide as they can be. "You really should answer the questions, she will only ask once before she uses the knife." Dan says to him as I am finishing the song. "Now, where are the prisoner thieves going?" I lean over to look at him he's deathly white and trembling. "God's truth I don't know, that part was never shared. There was talk of a devil's hand but I don't know where it is." I lean closer holding the knife out, he groans then his eyes turn white before closing and he relaxes. "Dan I do not know where this is either, I guess we are going to leave tomorrow after asking the captain." Dan sighs then holds his hand out to me. "Well come on your helping us get him out from under the horse." I grab up the man's shoulders while Dan and Martin get his free foot out of the saddle. With that accomplished they both strain up against the horse and free him a little from the horse. I drag on him pulling him free, I just can't get him far enough, I ponder cutting his foot off. I am about to suggest it when Bartholomew comes over undoes the saddle completely then helps Dan and Martin pull the horse up again. I pull on the man and get him to come out from under the dead horse. They put the horse back down then stand up looking at it. "Do we bury the horse?" Martin asks getting a groan from Bartholomew. "This horse weighs at least five hundred pounds, take at least ten men to get it into a wagon and I won't even mention how long to dig a grave." I groan and shake my head at them. "No grave, this horse needs to feed the predators, cut it up drag the pieces out and drop them off, the birds and wolves will have their fill and leave the rest for the crawly things." Martin opens his mouth to argue perhaps instead he shuts his mouth and nods agreement. Chad comes over looking at the prisoner on the ground then the horse. "I think I'm glad I missed it, especially glad Bonita got tired when she did, we would have been in there. I checked the door can be locked still, but from the inside only, the bolt has no key. The cells are fine, they used the key hanging inside we need to order a new door and I think get a plated door. We are also getting a child tonight, just like you said it is time." I squeak and grab up my son in a hug, at least until Dan reminds me I am a grandmother. "Dan, there are times when I want to like only women, shush on that." I kick him, hard not the soft little darn you tap but a real kick. "I think I'm going to listen to the tribe chief and take this prisoner to a cell." Dan grabs up the man and drags him toward the sheriff's limping a little. "Janet you're the tribe chief?" Martin asks looking a little confused I shake my head and point after Dan. "Dan is the chief I only have final say in what happens in our room. I ask permission or plead for everything else I would like. The Colt's for example, if Dan said just one I would have just one. Why I let him hold my money, why I cook when he let's me on hunts. Dan let's me do what I want so far I've not crossed a line he has, I may need to explain our tribe to him a little better." Chad chuckles and shakes his head. "I don't think Dan would care, he's Christian it is similar and not. To Dan as your husband he gets final say but like you said you have not crossed him. I think it helps when he says something you do it, to Christian's marriage is give and take not places in a ring." Martin chuckles then ushers me toward the saloon, Bartholomew coming back with a meat saw. "Go on in the saloon and mind it Janet, I'll handle the horse with Bartholomew." Chad stays with Martin I sigh and walk toward the saloon hoping nothing else happens today. Something else does happen the rude man we were arresting when things went bad is still in the saloon. I take hold of the cuff chain and take him out of the saloon to walk to the sheriff's. I am thankful this time he does not offer up any further insults he just walks along behind me. Dan is coming out of the sheriff's when I turn the corner. He looks at us and sighs then holds the door open, the man we pulled from under the horse is on the floor of the cell we had Michael in. "I hope I'm not eating horse in the morning." I look back and giggle. "Depends Dan do we have to give him vittles?" I look over at Dan he gives me a strange look then shakes his head. "If we are only holding him overnight and he gets on a train or otherwise leaves no we don't have to." I smile at Dan then the new prisoner. "You are not getting horse, it is for the predators and you are not one much as you wish to act like." We leave him there, Dan turns the lights down then we shut the door behind us. He might have said something at our backs I was not paying attention I am much more interested in my husband. Dan looks at me with a raised eyebrow, I nod then shrug. He smiles at me as we go in the saloon, our unspoken conversation on a roll tonight or not leaving him smiling even as he heads for another argument. Knowing it is just a couple cowboys letting off steam I signal Ishmael over and get a beer. I only get a half beer half water out of him it is enough for me, deadens pain enough I can do things. Three days after Balik came out I was still mostly in bed and tired of it, I asked Dan and he agreed so I got a glass of half beer and water. Balik got his first look outside and was not all that pleased at first, he warmed up to the clouds and birds some before I had to retreat inside and sit. "I don't know Janet if you need a beer for a roll it's too early." I look over at Dan and shake my head. "I need this at least some when we get shot at I need my roll. I will sit on you if it makes you feel better." Dan sighs and nods. "It does, I know how you feel I also know you just finished carrying our son. It's something of a battle for me, I want to get a roll, and I want to just get your bleeding time relief." I smile at him and pull him to me for a hug and a kiss. "Chances are good you will get the bleeding time relief more than the roll, for Chad it was three months with no rolls. Claire tells me it gets easier to recover after the first. They have three sons did you know that?" Dan chuckles and nods at me. "Andrew told me, they lost one to the war, one went back east for West Point and the third is in one of the farms around here." This is a surprise to me. "I thought the wife moved in with the husband not the husband with the wife." Dan grins at me. "Depends on who wishes to move, Andrew told me he was never happy at the store, she was the only child of her folks, seems to have been an easy decision all the way around." I giggle at that, I'm not sure why it just strikes me funny, another argument happens at the poker table. I stand up to go see to it and almost fall over, Dan sighs and tells me to stay on the stool then goes to the argument. When Dan comes back Ishmael has come over and taken a sip of my beer, perhaps half of it gone and groans. I look at him and giggle again he looks a bit worried Dan does to when he sits down. "Ishmael are you sure it is half beer and half water? Janet looks to have drunk four or five glasses of whiskey." I giggle again, something about Dan saying whiskey is funny. "Well it is half beer and water, it is also whiskey. I was supposed to give a man a glass of beer with whiskey, I seem to have put the whiskey in the wrong glass, he complained why I came over to take a sip." Dan groans looking at me then back at Ishmael. "Make sure Janet stays here I'm going to get Chad back in here and take her upstairs before she does anything beyond giggle at everything." Ishmael nods and takes my beer away. I watch Dan go out the entrance to the saloon then look at Ishmael as he puts a glass of water in front of me. Feeling thirsty I take a drink spilling some down me which I giggle at. Sally comes over talking to me I can't figure what she is saying I just nod from time to time. Sally looks at me confused, I giggle at that. Ishmael leans over and says something to Sally that has her looking at me worried. I reach over to get my glass of water to take another drink Dan helps me then picks me up. I think I pledge my undying love of Dan on the way up the stairs it's hard to tell everything is fuzzy now. I wake up a little when I am put on the bed, dropped is closer I think. At least my head rolls around and I feel like I bounced. I help Dan get my belt off at least I think I helped for all I can tell I was trying to keep my belt on. I giggle at the thunk the belt and guns make hitting the floor. Dan is getting my clothes off when I remember Balik is in the kitchen. I try and say that Balik is in the kitchen, judging by the look Dan gives me I said something not quite that. With my pants and shirt off one moccasin still on something I find giggle worthy, a different thought comes to me and I grab Dan's hand. He looks back at me a little mystified when I get the word to come out at least somewhat right, I want a roll and I want it now. I pull Dan back at me he comes not resisting much I pulled a gun on him. I don't have a gun but he must have thought it was funny because he came. Perhaps he's wanting something more than the bleeding time relief I can't tell at least he is coming to me. Dan gets his boots and pants on the floor and climbs above me. I try and pull him to me Dan resists and puts a finger to me instead. I'm aware of a little pain but not very much and say so I think my tongue isn't working very well. I do manage to get my hand to him, he is ready and I'm enjoying more than not, his finger. I look up at him and say as well as I can for him to come to me. I say it twice to be sure he understands and I said it right. He comes to me he is a little more pain than his finger, bearable and I want my roll we were shot at. Dan moves on me, slow and tender and just what I want. I think I pledge my undying love for him again. Dan is smiling at me as he moves within me. I'm smiling back enjoying him a little more with each passing moment. I start moving with him, not much just a little. I tried more and it was not pleasant so stopped moving so much and found it is bearable. He just keeps moving with me, I moan a little when he puts his hands to me, his fingers working me over in his special way. Longwood First Hunt Day 01-02 Dan speeds up a little I grin and bear it my after being shot at rolls are not for my stars, they are for his. Nothing gets me to peace again quite like Dan moving atop me and putting his warmth in me. I think I beg for his warmth, in the graphic way that's not said, I am not terribly there and just want it. Dan stares at me surprised a little as he moves I smile at him when I find I am warming up to him with me. Dan speeds up a little more getting a groan out of me followed by his groan. I moan feeling his warmth in me, right where I need it. When Dan collapses atop me I can't reach up to hold him, my arms don't want to work. I whimper as he gets off me then pulls me over to him. I let him curl me up against him, I'm not sure I could resist if I wanted. With my head resting on his shirt I make another attempt to get Balik here. Dan understands this one he promises he will be here when I wake. I am pulled to Dan and covered up, the light disappears and my eyes shut trusting Dan. I wake with Balik fussing for milk, he's not yet crying just fussing. I open my eyes and shut them with a groan the light is blinding and painful. My head feels like it's a railroad spike being hammered with men singing loud songs over me. Balik is fussing louder, getting to the verge of outright crying, you can tell by the muffled whelps he is making. I move to get up and feel the way by sound and my hands before me until I stand up. The pain is sudden and rather intense making me crash to the floor with a loud bang. My bang gets Balik to just cry, yelling and desperate for his singing milk vessel that holds him and rocks him. I want to go to him ever fiber of my being is screaming that I go to him. Every fiber is screaming at me that I was very bad to myself. I yell for Dan my head is screaming, the hammers are even more insistent and I don't know if I can stand. We are found by Ujjwala she does not ask simply gets Balik and puts him in my arms. After a little fumbling and confused groaning out of Balik I get him to a breast. Ujjwala stays with me helping me sing my song I had been surprised the Apache sang a very similar song the first time one had sat with me singing while I let Balik suckle. Balik drinks for a while, I'm starting to wonder if he means to drain me before stopping when he does. Ujjwala takes him from me to burp, she giggles when he burps I just groan. She puts him back in the crib then pulls me up ignoring my protests of that. Finding I can stand with small movement only I chance opening my eyes, the light is painful but bearable. I grab up my shirt and put it on groaning twice when the badge pricks me, once at the prick and once at the groan. My head is still being hammered like a railroad spike. Somehow Ujjwala does not giggle, looking at her I can tell she wants to. With her help I make my slow way to the stairs and down them, I sigh when Dan is not to be found. Sally comes over to help Ujjwala get me to the table where a glass of milk and food is put before me. Before I eat I need to ask for help to the outhouse, Ishmael picks me up and practically runs me out. I giggle a little as I sit, he must have thought I was going to exit out the top. My head still screaming I sit and drink the milk it feels good to me, so good I drink it all then ask for more. I eat the vittles sitting before me, eggs and hash browns and sausage, with some biscuits. I look around to find everyone is staring at me intently, I don't know why my head and everything else hurt. "What happened to me last night?" Everyone looks at Sally she sits next to me with a sigh. "After the cell break last night you came in and asked for a half beer, Dan said you needed to give him a roll. Ishmael made an honest mistake and gave you a half beer with whiskey. That is why your head felt like that when you woke up, also why it's nine and not six. It was almost a nice reprieve from your waking up with the sky habit, Ujjwala did it this morning." I look at Sally lost for a moment then remember the attack, and why I needed a roll. "Dan got his roll, judging by the soreness he won't get another for a month. Where is Dan, and Martin and what about Bonita?" "Dan and Martin are visiting the fort to find this devil's hand, we don't know it either. Possible somewhere near the next town, the train will be here in four hours if so. Bonita had a daughter about four this morning both are doing fine and likely resting." I smile, I remember right after all you want to do is rest it's draining letting your child out. "Why are you all here? There are people here after all." I can hear people playing poker and roulette. "We were worried about you, you don't drink usually and you were deep in the drink last night. We are all glad you were just giggling about everything. You are not getting another beer for a while, if ever. Course you are right, go on gals see to our customers there's enough time for a roll try and get one." Everybody goes off leaving me with Ishmael and Sally. I watch Celeste make her way up the stairs the little way to the landing. She sits in the chair panting a little, she's going to let her child out soon you can tell. Sally sits next to me on one side, Ishmael on the other. "Janet, Balik didn't mind the bottle Amanda fed to him last night. You can go on your hunt, I don't want you to but you can. Dan said that Chad will stay here and keep an eye on the town, Bonita, his daughter, and brother while you and Dan help Martin." Sally says looking at my eyes with a strange expression. "I can see fine, my headache is going away. Where is Gwen?" Sally smiles at me and then looks down. "She was not in my room last night I almost think she got with one of the whores." I giggle getting Sally to look at me. "She confessed to wanting me, I told her to speak with Chun and Amanda, I'm not spoken to on that matter much anymore. Perhaps Silvia has a gal now." Sally sighs and looks down, Silvia has an attraction to women, none of the other new whores share it and the other four are seeing each other. "Sally, Gwen did flirt with me last night, Albelin as well if his face told the truth. Whatever you got Janet to tell her worked well, she was flirting with everyone. I'm sure she will whore tonight, I think she told a few men she would." Ishmael says getting Sally and I to look at him. "You know Janet, if we weren't stretched for rooms to use for whores I'd send you to Kansas City to recruit some." Sally says with a grin, I shake my head. "Wouldn't work, brothels pay better so any woman willing would work in brothel, if anything we need more Apache. Most men come here to have time with Apache I've been called one more times than I want to admit." Sally nods and smiles. "I know if my sister does whore she will need to use the bartender room. I'd like to get some of the men in to work here, but I can't, most people won't trust an Apache dealer I can't have them tending bar and I really don't think they would bring food out." I grin at Sally getting a curious look from her. "Craps, he doesn't do much besides hand over dice and hand out or collect coins. Need to train him, Silvia can do that with the man we have and they can rotate. Dan and I can keep a close eye on the craps, it's close to bar." Ishmael chuckles and points toward the blackjack tables, there are two and it has ended up being more popular than we thought. "Get one for blackjack, can't cheat at blackjack and would leave Albelin at the bar with me. It gets hard to do by yourself after seven when they are getting full of drink and can't wait." I grin at Ishmael then whistle and say the one Apache word I will use. "Yes Janet you called?" Inayat says moments later, I still don't understand why they always move so fast at my call. "Inayat, Sally is looking to hire two men, one for craps dealer and one for blackjack. Do you know of any that would be interested?" Inayat smiles and nods at me. "Of course, craps is popular in tribes we buy dice and have our own games. Poker is more popular the soldiers play us, not go over well here. Perhaps can find a man willing, may I go look?" Sally nods and Inayat runs out of the saloon. "I still don't understand why they always react so fast to me." I say with a sigh before finishing off my vittles. "Do you want the nice answer or the truth?" Ishmael asks getting me to sigh. "Both, I get the feeling they are separate." "The nice answer, because the chiefs got together and declared you a friend to the tribes. I think elevated you to chief status amongst the Apache. The truth is they are scared of making you mad, Silvia has helped me learn some Apache you are spoken of as a servant of the Great Spirit and coyote. Does not sit well with the Christian side of the tribes, Benjamin is making rather remarkable strides on turning them Christian." I sigh then giggle. "They are turning Christian because captain told us about motion on congress to take children away to teach round eye way and only round eye way. This is not looked on kindly we like our way we learn round eye way and have blended them." Sally sighs then shakes her head. "Not a motion yet, just a push for it from some. The papers are not nice about injuns in the civilized section." Sally giggles. "Civilized is their term for it, New York has more violence in one day than we have had since I put up my saloon. Why Celeste and I decided to go west, it can't be worse like the papers say." "It is bad the farther you go, many towns are lawless or the sheriff is not good man. Dan and I hunted a man he was no problem, we did kill men on the way to catch him in Colorado I think it was. Our first bounty in Kansas City, middle of war he was deserter from New York. Only time I ever had to be mean chasing him, pulled guns and pointed at many men in bad towns. Got answers and shot at in most." Sally is just staring at me her mouth hanging open a little. "I guess it's a good thing I only came this far because Longwood was just forming into a town and I had enough to set up a saloon. Hi Doc, you're early today." Sally says smiling over my head I turn about in the chair. I see Mr. Johnson in his suit standing next to him is a shorter man, young with spectacles. He looks young, perhaps twenty summers holding on to a medical bag like Mr. Johnson has. He is dressed in a suit like Mr. Johnson, this suit is strange with white and brown spots on the jacket the pants are brown with a brown bowtie and a white shirt. "Janet I wanted to see you, or rather we wanted to see you. This is Mr. Gladstone he is a medical doctor and seems to know his business. He has an interest in women who have given birth recently, seems your nether regions are of special interest to him." Mr. Johnson says smiling at me, I look at Mr. Gladstone not sure how special his interest is. "I assure it is for medical reasons, I wish to look at your privates and assure you, Mr. Johnson and myself that you are recovering well." I sigh and stand up. "Well I suppose it would be good to check, come on I need to finish getting dressed we are hunting today, might take a while." They follow me up to our room, Balik is asleep. "Handsome boy you got, may I check him out before I look to you? I assure just to be sure he sounds well." I nod so down the medical bag goes. Mr. Gladstone pulls the strange listening device out of the bag then breaths on it and rubs on his hand. Balik just moves a little when it is put to him, Mr. Gladstone listens for a few moments then smiles at me. "He sounds perfectly healthy. Now if you could lie on the bed and remove your pants I need to look and feel a little, I swear it will only hurt a little bit." With a sigh I pull my pants off, Mr. Johnson is watching with a grin to his lips. I shake my finger at him getting him to turn a little pink and look away. Mr. Gladstone gets out a little mirror then a very strange metal thing. I sit up looking at it and him he glances up and smiles nervously. "Do not worry this will only spread you a little so I can see farther in." I sigh and relax back. When he puts it to me it is cold, I hiss in surprise getting apologetic noises out of him. He does something and I feel myself opening, he looks about moving the mirror around then puts a finger in me. This is slightly painful when I groan he closes up the metal thing and pulls it free of me. "Janet you are healing up perfectly well, and fast you should be more sensitive than you are. I noticed you were slightly red inside, did you perhaps have relations in the recent past?" I have to puzzle over relations for a moment then it occurs to me. "Yes I gave Dan a roll last night I have a need for them after being shot at. I assumed it did not hurt to bad because of the whisky in my half beer glass. I guess Claire was right it gets easier after your first." Mr. Gladstone looks at me puzzled. "I do not see any children running around the saloon, your not old enough to have a child older than say ten." Mr. Johnson opens his mouth I get up and poke him. "What Mr. Johnson has not told you is I have a sordid past. I was taken from my tribe at eleven summers by the man supposed to be in charge of the meat supplies. He took me as his bride before I was twelve summers and continued to do so I did not have my first bleeding time until after having my Chad come out. He is the other deputy in Longwood." Mr. Gladstone crosses himself. "Yes he did neglect to say that. Well you and your second son are perfectly healthy I am going to caution you against strenuous relations for another two to four weeks." I look at Mr. Gladstone confused as I get my pants on. "Apologies I forget I'm not speaking to my teachers. Strenuous means with gusto, moving quickly. If Dan moves slow you can enjoy in perhaps a week." I sit on the bed to get my moccasins on. I stand up to get my belt on smiling when I notice it is not squeaking. I get my Bowie out of the dresser, my tomahawk and two throwing knives. Next I grab my Winchester out, the boxes of bullets for revolvers and rifle and grab the carrying basket. Everything on the bed I collect Balik and put him in the basket then cover him. Mr. Johnson carries the basket while I get the bullets and Winchester down the stairs. Dan and Martin have returned, they are sitting at the table with two Apache warriors, I send Mr. Johnson into the kitchen with Balik as I go over to the table. "Janet we have questionable news, the captain does not know where devil's hand is either, he did give us two men to help you track them." Dan says looking a little worried. "Dan I'm fine, these two better have a woman, Mr. Gladstone here says I need to stay away from rolls for a week and even then not fast and hard." Dan and Martin look up at me then Mr. Gladstone, Martin takes my Winchester away to look at. "I am a medical doctor, Mr. Johnson is happy with me so I will stay in town, for the time being in his shop until I can get my own built. I focused on gynecology, study of women's private parts I am fully versed in everything. Mr. Johnson will assist me if I need." Dan looks a little mystified then shrugs and points around. "Make a point of looking over the whores, and Celeste up there she's going to give birth soon according to Mr. Johnson and Mohin." Mr. Gladstone nods and heads toward Celeste. "Do you two speak round eye?" I ask the Apache they shake their heads at me, I turn to look to see Silvia coming down the stairs. "Silvia come here for a moment." "What happened this time?" Silvia asks as she gets closer. "We don't know where devil's hand is and Dan got two Apache who don't know round eye. Which puts us at needing a translator Sally would shoot us for taking an Apache, so unless you have to stay here for Gwen we need you to come. I promise pay for helping and I'm supposed to not roll for another week so your needs will be met." Silvia looks at the Apache then me and smiles. "I can do that need to speak with Gwen, perhaps she will come. My needs aren't high enough to demand three or four men a night." Silvia runs off with a smile to find Gwen. "Martin she received the same treatment I did, she likes women, I think more than men, understandable with what was done to her. She also needs men, like I did, not as strongly as I had." Martin looks up at me and nods then hands over my Winchester. "I figured on the treatment part, I'd ask on Gwen but I'll find out eventually anyway. That is a beautiful rifle, very fitting for you. I feel foolish now, I didn't bring my rifle do you have an extra I can borrow or should I buy a new one?" I look over at Dan who sighs and nods. "We have a row of them in the sheriff's, I'll hand one to everybody with two boxes each. Need Silvia to figure out who is the best hunter Janet is very good at it but if these two can hunt they can do it while we ride. Chief swore these are his best trackers, I don't think he thought about if they can speak English or not." I giggle making Dan and Martin look up at me. "Two things, I realized I'm taller than you two when you are sitting and I'm not, it's nice. He did not think about it because most of the tribe knows Spanish, I know Spanish I just don't like translating what they say all the time." One of the Apache makes a joke that I laugh at. "Are they making fun of my hat again?" Dan asks with a sigh, I giggle some more and nod. Dan's hat looks fine if a little chewed on because one of the tribe's dogs had snatched it off the table he had put it while we were talking to Mohin about me and Balik. It had been rather funny watching Dan trying to catch the dog and get his hat, the dog was having fun getting chased. "What were you talking to the medicine man about?" Martin asks pulling me out of the memory of Dan chasing the dog and laughing himself. "Oh, I wanted his opinion on if it would be fine to have Balik here instead of going to the Cherokee reservation. Mohin said we are all one big tribe now the Great Spirit will not think less of my child. He and Mr. Johnson helped me get Balik out improvement on Chad, this time I had a stick to bite on." Martin turns a little pale. "Must hurt to give birth then, the last time I had a stick to bite on I was getting a bullet out of my leg." I giggle and sit in Dan's lap. "I've been there, trust me letting your child come out is closer to having forty bullets in your leg that all get pulled out at once for hours." Martin gulps and turns paler. "I'm so glad I am a guy." I smile at him and grab his nose. "The only thing I'm envious of is being tall like you are, or Sally. Likely why I can track so well, I'm lower down even on a horse." Dan chuckles making me grab the table to stay on his lap. "Janet what on earth are you doing?" I look over at Sally coming this way with Silvia and Gwen following along behind. "I can give up Silvia to translate, our whores speak well enough English and I have Bonita. I don't understand why you need my sister." I look over at Dan, he looks a little worried. "Not my idea, I wanted Silvia to come so I don't have to speak in Spanish then round eye all day. I figured she ended up with Gwen, and since your asking why I invited Gwen she wants to come. All I said was that I need Silvia, Gwen was her idea and it would be good for Gwen, besides Martin here is single he's good in bed." Gwen turns pink and looks at her feet, Sally looks at Martin then Gwen and sighs. "Well alright but you better give her a rifle and teach her how to use it. If you five get killed she and Silvia would be bandit whores. I'd never live that one down my folks think all I do here is run a saloon." I can't help but giggle at that and hoist my rifle. "Oh that is a beautiful rifle." Gwen says coming closer, she looks it over then stares at me. "Oh my god, I never realized we even get news of you in New York. Not lately but you are something of a hero to the women back east. Some of the mail order bride services use Cherokee Janet as a way to get women to sign up." I look at Dan then Martin, both shrug.