Storiesonline.net
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                              Why Me, Lord?
                                by cmsix

Copyright© 2007 by cmsix


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Description: Damned if I didn't just want to be left alone. Of course there wasn't one fucking chance of that happening, especially after some asshole found oil near my place.

Codes: MF Mf mF FF ff Mult ScFi TimeTr
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Chapter 1

Why me, Lord, why me? I'm just a poor redneck trying to live out my life in North East Texas. I couldn't afford a lawyer even if I didn't detest the bastards, so why did you let the bank steal my place?

Why? I didn't really have to ask, did I? Even I knew prayer was always answered, no matter what. Only trouble is, in my case the answer is usually no.

So here I am, a forty-four year old cowboy stuck in 2006, and fucked out of my thirty acres and my shack. Take my advice and never build anything you want to keep on land you don't own the minerals under.

I don't guess I had a real bitch coming, they payed me five times what I'd spent on the land and threw in a hundred bucks per square foot for the patched up little shack I called home. You could say I made out like a bandit.

The money wasn't what I wanted though, I wanted to stay where I was and basically be left alone. No chance of that when they struck a gusher two miles from me. A god damned gusher for Christ's sake. I thought those were over with decades ago.

I could have stayed right where I was, barely. But when the geologists got done figuring they said the perfect spot for another well was right in the exact center of my thirty acres.

No matter what you think about environmental regulations, let me tell you that when they sink an oil well they still make a fucked up stinking mess. I took the money, after quite a bit of bitching raised the price a good bit, and I ran - so to speak.

Actually I caught a ride to the Chivalay place in town and bought me a six wheel drive Silverado 3500 LT with all the bells and whistles I could find. I even added a few, like the 200 gallon extra tank behind the cab. It already had two 20-gallon tanks installed but the extra one I had added gave me plenty of time between stops.

I still had money to burn from my buyout and I planned to spend it all before the IRS noticed. Then I planned to disappear. That's right, I intended to drop right off the radar.

Key to my plan was leaving with cash only, no bank accounts and no credit cards. First I paid a small fortune to fill up all my tanks and then I went to the post office to fill out a change of address card. I picked a quaint little abandoned house I knew of that was even further back in the woods than I'd been. When the IRS finally came around looking for me, no earlier than a couple of years I was sure, they'd have a hell of a time finding anyone at all.

I spent the next few days buying a camper trailer, nothing too fancy you understand, but I'd always admired the Airstreams and the twenty-eight footer seemed just right to me. I even put on a camper shell for the pickup bed. I wouldn't be sleeping back there. Having a two hundred gallon spare gasoline tank in my bedroom just didn't appeal to my delicate sensibilities, but the shell would keep my stuff from getting wet. And I had a lot of stuff.

I was like a human pack rat; if I ever got hold of something I didn't let it get away from me. If it was an antique firearm or an interesting web page, I saved it. I was probably the only guy within two hundred miles that had four computers for his own use.

It helped that I built my own, money wise anyway, and it seemed like every time a newer and bigger hard drive came along I had to have at least one. Hell, it got so bad that I had to buy USB conversions for my drives because I couldn't find motherboards that had enough IDE connections to attach them all. I spent half my time trying to remember where I'd saved some stupid file I wanted.

By the time I'd packed up all the crap I was taking with me, and taken the time to build a desk for my computers into my new camping trailer a week had gone by. It was time to shake the dust of my hometown and make like a baby. I headed out.

Next stop, Big D, as in Dallas. It wasn't that I cared much for the city, I didn't. Still, I could find things I wanted there and I wanted a lot.

I found a good laptop at Frys and I liked it so well I bought two. I picked up a twenty-one inch flat panel for my trailer network and found a heavy-duty inverter so I could power it from the truck's batteries if I couldn't find a handy AC outlet to use. A few hundred dollars worth of other odds and ends and I was off.

I already had all the rifles and pistols I needed, more than I needed in fact. That didn't mean a thing to me though. When you have plenty of money and no debts, none you're going to pay anyhow, you buy what you want, not what you need.

I loved firearms of all types; well I'll be honest, I loved weapons. I had pretty much all of them I wanted already but that didn't mean I had every single one I wanted. There was one I'd longed for since it came out, but I'd never had enough money together at the same time to buy it.

I wanted a Barrett 82A1 50 caliber. I know, it's a small cannon, but the thought of a rifle that was deadly out to a thousand meters was more than I could get away from. What the hell, it was only money.

A Barrett isn't the kind of firearm you can pick up at Wal-Mart. In fact, I had to call the company to find a dealer in Dallas that might have one in stock. There were only two that I could get hold of by phone and they acted like they wanted retail price plus fifty percent.

When I'd called, Barrett told me they would sell direct to anyone with a Federal Firearms License, so I found a pawnshop that had one and made a deal. Hell, he was tickled pink to order one and make only five hundred bucks over his cost and freight. He was even happier to order me an ATN 4-12x80 Day Night scope for it. The best guess was that it would be nearly a week for both to arrive, but I didn't give a shit. I paid half and waited, spending my nights in the trailer and my days shopping for other crap.

It was almost two weeks later before I had the Barrett, scope, reloading dies, and a stock of powder, primers, and bullets gathered up. I still had nearly a hundred thousand in cash too. Next stop Las Vegas.

I was glad to get out of Dallas but I had to take another short break up near Amarillo. I got to thinking about all the firearms I was carrying around the country and decided I needed to find a good hidey-hole for them in the trailer.

A welder I ran across said he'd be glad to take my money to build me a steel box under the trailer's floor; he got it done in less than two days. It wasn't even much of a bother to get into and out of, all I had to do was pull up a part of the carpet in the main bedroom. After a while I could yank back the carpet, get into the box and then put the carpet back down looking like it had never been bothered in fifteen minutes.

Four days later I was in Vegas, feeding the slots and drinking free whiskey. They'd let you have all you could hold for nothing as long as you kept pumping coins in the slots.

I even got friendly with a great looking waitress by tipping her a twenty every time she refreshed my drink. I was trying to get up the nerve to hit her up to spend some time away from work with me when she beat me to it.

She brought me a refill and let me know that she was getting off work in a few minutes and she asked me how late I was going to gamble.

"It's getting a little boring, where're you headed after work?" I asked.

"I usually go right home but I'm a little hungry tonight," she said.

"Any chance I could buy you some supper?"

"I think I'd like that. Meet me in the entrance lobby in about fifteen minutes," she said.

I wouldn't have recognized her in her normal clothes if it hadn't been for her titties. I'd know that pair anywhere, and believe it or not, her street clothes showed more cleavage than the waitress get up had. Naturally the dress covered more than the heavy-duty panty type things she wore at work but you can't have everything, at least not right off the bat.

The doorman asked and I had him signal for a cab. Gail and I were in it before I had any idea where we were going. When the cabby asked I looked at Gail for suggestions. She named a place and I told him to take us there before she even got to what they served.

It wasn't ostentatious, especially for Vegas, and wonder of wonders there wasn't even a single slot machine in sight. The menu and their prices let me know they weren't trying to make money from any gambling and didn't need to. The place was packed.

My New Your Strip was done perfectly though and Gail's lobster looked great too. It was a wonderful meal and we were both stuffed before we were finished.

"Where to now, Tex?" Gail asked me, after we were done.

"I'll leave that up to you since I don't have to work tomorrow," I said.

"I think I could stand some dick for desert, do you have any?" she asked, and then giggled at the look on my face.

"Sure 'nough, Ma'am. Don't worry your pretty little head 'bout that," I said, maximizing my normal Texas drawl.

In another cab Gail gave the driver her address and we were in her apartment soon enough. She turned around when the door was closed and I pulled her in for the first kiss. Gail wasn't a bit shy and while we were swapping tongues she started unbuttoning my shirt. Hell fire, this was the way the world should always work. I started trying to do the same for her.

The only thing better than a black haired, big tittied woman is a naked black haired, big tittied woman, and I improved on Gail as fast as I could.

Of course there was a miniature fuckup when my pants were down past my knees and Gail discovered I was wearing boots. She fixed it quickly by shoving me into a chair, straddling one of my legs, and pulling the boot off the right way. Since she was already naked ahead of me I got a wonderful view of the places I wanted to be, and got another one when she removed the other boot.

With me now every bit as naked as she was, Gail pulled me out of the chair by the hand, and then grabbed my throbbing dick to lead me toward her bedroom.

"Come on, cowboy, it's time for you to ride."

"Yes'm," was all I could say.

When we reached her king sized bed she let me go and pulled off the comforter and pillow shams, and then dove into the middle, showing me her fine ass again, and then rolling over to wiggle those titties at me. I joined her right away and we were kissing again in seconds, with even better skin-to-skin contact this time.

We kissed and cuddled for a while and then I let my lips stray to her ears and down her neck to nibble at her throat. Since it seemed she was enjoying it as much as me, I nibbled on down between those fantastic titties and then let my lips scale one of the peaks to find a firm nipple.

I hoped I wasn't going to fast but the need to taste her cooter came on me hard, so I kissed my way toward it and her legs nearly flew apart. When I got my first taste I was almost in love.

"God damn I knew it the first time I saw you," she said, groaning.

"Knew what?" I asked, between swipes with my tongue.

"I could just tell you could lick a pussy like nobody's business, and damned if you aren't proving it."

Since she seemed to admire my skills I redoubled my efforts, staying on the job even after she started moaning for me to climb aboard. I kept it up until she started shaking all over and then shrieked as she blasted off. I was up beside her again, kissing and nibbling while she recovered.

When she had her breath back, Gail was determined to suck my dick, whether it needed it or not and who was I to tell her no. She did a great job for a while but I could tell when she started losing interest in sucking and started thinking about a good fucking.

Soon enough she was straddling me and lowering her lickable sweet spot down around my dick, and I was damned sure surprised at the way it seemed I nearly had to pry my way in. I knew she couldn't be any relation to a virgin, but someone had taught that girl to Kegel at some time and it was plain she'd kept up the workouts.

Her slow pace surprised me too, until I realized that she was doing it to tease us both. She'd lower herself until I was all the way up her and then clamp down with her insides as she rose til only my German helmet was still inside, then she'd do it all over again. When I put my hands on her waist she took hold of them and put 'em to her titties.

"Here," she said, "Hold these."

I was glad to. It always helps to have something to do with your hands. It also helped me keep my mind off how good her fucking was getting. I'd have never thought it could happen before she started this little dance, but by now it was getting so good I was afraid I'd blow off too quickly.

Gail settled my hash on that matter though. She stopped fucking and rolled me to the top without losing Jr.

"All right now Tex, show me you can fuck," she said, and I did my best.

I barely managed to get her off before I blew, and then we settled down to cuddle up, just kissing and teasing until we had our wind back.

In a few minutes she got up to visit the bathroom and when she came out she went on into the living room. I took my turn in the pisser then and got back into bed when I was done, with Gail joining me a few minutes later.

"We'd better get some sleep for a few hours now," she said, as we cuddled up again.

"Sounds good to me. What time do you need to get up tomorrow?" I asked.

"I don't. I'm off tomorrow and the next day. It's you that needs some rest though," she said.

"It wouldn't hurt me any, but I can rest a little and try to ring your chime again in a while," I said.

"That sounds good, but Sharon would kill me if I wore you out," she said.

"Who's Sharon?"

"She's my roommate. My open door and the note I left her on the table will have her dripping before she can get naked and get in here. There'll be hell to pay if you can't live up to my billing, and Sharon is a redhead," she said, as she rolled to her side and presented a wonderful back to snuggle up against.

Just like any fresh fucked man, I was asleep in seconds. I nearly woke hours later, when I felt the bed wiggling a little, but fought it. There was no more time for sleep though when I felt an arm come over from the new body snuggled up to my back, since the hand at the end of it took hold of my dick.

"Oh, Gail. He does have a big one, doesn't he?" the sweet sounding voice behind me asked.

"Of course he does. Didn't I tell you he was a Texan?"

"Yes, but you know how some of the runts from there are," the voice, that must belong to Sharon said.

"Hell, those are probably Yankees that moved to Texas," Gail said.

Since Sharon was pumping my now hard dick I didn't say one damned thing, but I was trying to purr.

"Well help me roll this big boy over Gail, I want to get my eyes on this dick along with my hands," Sharon said, and they did.

Getting my eyes on Sharon was a treat in itself. She and Gail had titties of about the same size, and even their nipples were comparable, except that Sharon's were a bright pink and Gail's were a little dusky. They both looked good to me and I decided that my hands could do a little stroking too.

"What a deal," Sharon said, once I was on my back, "I don't even have to suck him up hard. Are you ready, cowboy?"

"Was Jesus a carpenter? Hell yes I'm ready. Can you post a trot?"

"Damned if I know about that, but I think I can swallow that post, or part of me can anyway," she said, and then she straddled me, like Gail had at first.

It was Deja-tight-pussy, all over again. One or the other of them had started a Kegel school right here in this apartment, no doubt, and they'd both been keeping up with their studies. To me, there's nothing better than tight pussy and now I knew they both had one.

Sharon didn't take it slow and teasing like Gail had though, she fucked me hard from the start and got stronger as she went along. She struck a gusher in no time flat and fell forward onto me as she squealed one off herself. Of course I was ready for a nap right away, but it wasn't to be.



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Chapter 2


They dragged me into a shower big enough for us all and washed me good, behind the ears and all. I didn't have any clean clothes with me, but they said I'd pass muster at the buffet we were headed to. When we got there it looked like wall-to-wall breakfast, and I did all the damage I possibly could.

They decided I needed to move in with them after breakfast, and I didn't mind letting them talk me into it. I was going to be here through the World Series of Poker at least, and if they wanted me to stay with them I'd be glad to. I even offered to pay them for the privilege.

"Hell, you ain't ugly or nothing. You ain't Tom Cruise, but he's a short wimpy weirdo anyway, all he's got is a pretty face. I'd kinda like to have you around and if you want to help with expenses we won't take offence," Sharon said.

"Big titties are everywhere in Vegas, but a gal with big real titties can do all the good if she runs into a connoisseur.

"Me and Sharon don't sell our pussy, but we don't mind trying to make sure we're sharing it with a guy who can and might be generous," Gail said.

"Well, if you can put up with me I think you've found a roomy for a while," I said.

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With the World Series of Poker over and me winning two bracelets and a shit load of cash, for fuck's sake, I thought it was high time for me to evacuate Las Vegas. What with all the confusion I figured I could get my money and get gone before the IRS started asking questions. Hell, they had my address at Binion's and the government could just bill me.

There was no doubt I'd miss Gail and Sharon a lot, and since I had more money now than I'd had before I even bought my truck and trailer, I thought I might as well share a little of it. Parting was going to be sweet sorrow for sure, but I hoped that a little cash might help them heal.

I managed to gather my things and pack up my trailer without waking them, but I went in to nudge them awake just before noon. They were a little sad to hear I was leaving but I could tell they'd get over it by and by.

It helped a little that I was leaving each of them fifty thousand in cash as a going away present. Matter of fact they were so happy about that they spent an hour and a half trying to fuck me senseless, and what the hell, I helped.

It was even more of a teary goodbye when I finally left. They made me promise to find them if I came back to Vegas, and I did promise. I also told them that it wouldn't be for a year or two if it ever did happen.

With my trailer hooked up and my tanks full, I was headed out of town when I started thinking about all that cash money I was carrying around. It was nearly a million in hundreds now and it was getting to be a pain to find a place to store the bulky stuff. I found another camper place to stash my trailer for a few hours and put the cash in my truck.

It wasn't hard to find a few pawnshops and I bought some bargains while I asked around. I was looking to turn most of my bills into gold. A few bucks for information and I got the word about where I could find the best deal.

I also found a really nice old Colt Single Action Army while I was poking around. I asked to see it because something looked a little funny about it. When I had it in my hands I realized that it wasn't original at all. The handgrips looked right but the barrel and the cylinder didn't.

"What's the story on this one?" I asked the proprietor.

"The story is that some jackass tried to make a modern pistol out of a priceless antique. He had more money than sense and he paid a lot to have his two nearly perfect Single Action Armies upgraded with modern steel barrels and cylinders.

"The idiot could have sold the two Colts and bought a couple of Rugers that look almost the same and still had a few thousand dollars left over."

"Were the Colts in that kind of shape before he had them dicked with?" I asked.

"They were the best two I'd ever seen, and had sequential serial numbers too."

"Do you have both of them?" I asked.

"Yeh," he said, and pulled the mate from under the counter for me to fondle.

"How do they shoot now?" I asked.

"Oh they're fine, they'll never be as good as a Ruger but they're a hell of a lot more gun than they started out life as, still it was a big fucking waste of money. I laughed like hell when the fool lost his ass thinking he was a big time poker player.

I didn't even give him enough for 'em to get back the money it cost to convert the things," he said, laughing a little as he remembered it.

Nothing beats a gun with a history, unless it's two with the same history. I dickered with the guy and got them both for twenty-five hundred bucks. When I bought a couple of Rugers in the same caliber to see how they compared, he threw in the old time two gun holster rig that he had for the Colts and he gave me a hell of a deal on primers, dies, bullets and powder. I even picked up some bullet molds, gas checks and a hundred pounds of Linotype for casting bullets. I already had all the rest of the stuff for casting, since I had a couple of black powder rifles.

After buying the gold ingots I only had thirty thousand in cash to worry about. I put the gold in the box with my guns and headed back to Texas. I wouldn't go back to East Texas but there were plenty of places out West that I liked. I might even drift down into Mexico and check out the senoritas for a while.

But not right now. Fucking around to buy the gold and then getting side tracked on the Colts had it late in the afternoon. I pulled into the next motel I found and got a room for the night. It wasn't the nicest place I'd ever stayed, but it was good enough for a night and the food in the restaurant was first rate.

I tried to find something close by to waste a couple of hours before going to bed, but without driving anywhere, or catching a cab I was fucked, so I just turned in.

Of course early to bed usually means early to rise and I was up, showered, dressed, and even fed by four AM the next morning. I left the key on the bed, locked the room and hauled my ass, across Lake Mead, and headed down US 93 before quick could get ready. Once I hit I-40 I laid the trucks ears back and set the cruise on eighty-five, and away we went.

When I came to Amarillo it was US 287 to Ft Worth and from there, I-35W had me on my way to Austin, San Antonio, and all points south. Hell, I liked driving and the dually rode a hell of a lot better than a semi, even pulling my camping trailer, so I kept going until... 

I got tired around midnight, just after I-35E and I-35W joined up and I pulled off into what you could almost call a rest area, for some sleep. The wind was cutting up pretty good when I got stopped, but it wasn't raining yet. I went inside to take a piss and get a coke and candy bar from the vending machines.

Twenty minutes after finishing the coke I crawled into my bed and was asleep in less than five more minutes. Thunder woke me, probably not much later but I hadn't paid attention to the time when I sacked out so I didn't know for sure. I didn't feel like I'd had much sleep though.

It was still night but I couldn't say it wasn't raining now. I could hear it pounding on the trailer and it sounded almost like I was in a tin can during a hurricane. The wind was raising hell too and with all of it together I knew it would be a while before I got back to sleep.

There was nothing for it though, but to lie there and try to get any rest I could, so I didn't get out of bed. The storm didn't seem like it was going to let up anytime soon and then suddenly I was sawing logs again.

The storm was over and it was light outside when I woke. My clock said it was after ten. I got up and pissed and put my clothes back on. In the little kitchen I started a pot of coffee and decided to go see if they had any of those powdered-sugar donuts in the vending machines.

I can't tell you what a surprise it is to go to sleep in a rest area and get up in the middle of nowhere the next morning, especially when you're the only one driving. My truck and trailer were still right side up and looked undamaged so I was pretty sure I hadn't been taken to Oz by a tornado. I went to the truck and checked out my GPS and it didn't have any idea where I was. It just said no signal. The radio wasn't any help either, there was nothing but static on AM or FM and damned little of that, the Sirrius was just silent.

I wouldn't have been all that mad about the rest area being gone, it hadn't been much to start with. The missing Interstate did sort of piss me off though. I couldn't decide what to do about it all so I went back into the trailer and fixed some breakfast. No sense going hungry while I tried to think.

After breakfast I went back outside, hoping things would be right again; they weren't. I was still lost as Hogan's goat and to tell the truth I couldn't think of what to do next. My truck and trailer were parked out here in the middle of no-fucking-where, like a big assed bird on top of a little rise. Something made me feel uneasy about the way they'd be visible from miles around, since they were practically the only thing for all those miles around.

Of course this was the best place for rescue if people were out looking for me, but I had a sinking feeling that no one was. What the hell, I had plenty of food and water and I didn't need to be rescued any time soon, especially by party or parties unknown.

There was a good-sized copse of mesquites with a few hardwoods scattered among them about a quarter mile away, down the hill a little. I cranked up to see if I could get my rig over in among 'em. What with the all wheel drive and the aggressive tread on my tires I didn't have any trouble to speak of. I had to get out with an axe and cut down four or five of the mesquites but it wasn't a big problem, just a little bother.

When I was satisfied that the truck and camper were hidden fairly well, I strapped on my web belt and Glock and took a hike around my new hideout. I took my binoculars with me too, so I could get a better idea of the area.

The sun was past noon by the time I finished my circular route. My stuff couldn't be seen from 200 yards away, except by looking directly in the way I'd come. It was only noticeable then from the shiny reflection off the trailer's aluminum skin.

I walked back up to the top of the rise where the rest area had been and used the highest point to take another look around with the glasses. I couldn't see a damned thing that wasn't natural. This just couldn't be right, but if somebody was playing a joke on me they were really lost for something to do.

I went back to my trailer, chopped up some of the mesquite I'd cut down and fired up my grill. When I had some good coals I put on a steak and a small pot of Ranch Style Beans.

I know people swear by cooking with mesquite and it really is ok. It can't hold a candle to smoking things with hickory though, but then again, I hadn't cut down any hickory this morning, in fact I hadn't even seen any.

Hell I was tired by now, I hadn't slept well last night and I'd been moving pretty good since I got up, not to mention whacking down those mesquites. I went back into my trailer for a nap.



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Chapter 3

About four hours of napping was enough and I was up just after dusk. Dressing again I went to the kitchen and warmed up a can of Wolf Brand Chile with some more Ranch Style beans. I even broke out a bag of Fritos to go with it.

After I'd eaten I went out and watered a mesquite. I took my binoculars with me but couldn't see shit through them. I went back to the top of the hill and took my time looking around for any sign of light from any direction. There was no light except for stars; the moon wasn't even up yet.

Now I was finally alarmed, because no matter what, I should have been able to see some light from Dallas if it was still there. It wasn't over fifty miles away, and some light would have been showing in the sky over it if nothing else. I was plainly confused about what had happened to me and I figured no good would come of it.

It was time to go back into my trailer and off to bed.

Since I'd gone to bed so early the night before, I had a hard time staying in bed until the sun came up. When I finally did get up I started to take a shower but then decided I'd better not. I had plenty of water in my tank but I didn't know how long it would be before I could get more and I might need that water to drink.

Going outside after I'd fixed a little breakfast, this time I brought out a lawn chair. I sat in it and admired the peace and quiet while I went through a pot of coffee.

Later, a trip to the top of the hill finally showed me something. Over a mile and a half away I could make out two people on horseback and one of them was leading a horse with something tied on across its back.

They were headed generally in my direction and my first thought was that I might finally find out something. My next thought was about the way I was skylining myself on the top of the hill and that I might ought to quit it.

Because I couldn't see them all that well with the binoculars from this distance, I walked back down to my trailer and went inside. Pulling back the rug, I took out the Barrett. Its scope was a hell of a lot better than my glasses.

Outside again, I rested the Barrett over a handy mesquite branch and took another look at the riders.

It don't matter how early you get up in the morning, if it's going to be a bad day it's going to be a bad day. The riders were fairly dark skinned and had long black hair. They were naked or damned nearly so and they didn't have proper saddles or bridles on their mounts, just a sort of pad to sit on and some twine or leather tied around the horses heads.

That wouldn't have been so bad but as they got closer I could tell that they had what surely looked like a couple of scalps hanging from thongs around their waist. Right about then I started cussing myself for going to the trouble of fetching my Barrett to use its scope and not bothering with any ammunition for the damned thing.

Of course I had my web belt and Glock on but I'd have felt a lot better with a few cartridges for the rifle. I'd only made a halfhearted stab at sighting it in when I bought it, but damn, it would have been better than the Glock.

There was no way to know exactly what they saw that let them know someone was in the little copse of trees, it might have been motion or even a reflection off my rifle or scope lens. They saw something though because the one leading the packhorse dropped the lead and then they both strung their bows, knocked arrows, and kicked their horses into a lope, howling like banshees, the both of them.

It seemed I wasn't going to get to talk to them friendly like, so I leaned the Barrett against a tree, pulled out the Glock, and released the safety.

I'm a damned good shot if I do say so myself. I relaxed into my stance and let them come on. The Glock didn't signify to them I guess, because they didn't even slow down. I popped the first one when he got within eighty yards and did for the other at about seventy. I hit both of them right on the breast bone, exactly where I'd been aiming, and those hollow points really put a kink in their day, their last day at that.

When they fell off, the two horses just kinda slowed to a stop, and after they realized they weren't going to be remounted they dropped their heads and started cropping grass. The packhorse was doing the same, back where the wild assed Indians had dropped his lead.

Of course my behavior would have been frowned upon back in my hometown, but right now I was pretty sure that no one would mention it even if they did find out. I was sure that any Indians riding around in loin cloths with fresh scalps tied to their waist would have a hard time of their own justifying their actions to the proper authorities.

Holstering my Glock, I walked out to see if I could catch up the horses. It wasn't any trouble at all; as soon as they noticed what I was doing they stood still and waited for me.

Tying one to a branch and mounting the other, I rode out for the packhorse. That one cooperated too and it was no trouble to take hold of its lead and guide it back up to the trees. I ended up tying them all on a long rope that I fished out of the back of my pickup. They had plenty of slack to graze that way.

After unloading the packhorse, I left the blankets on the other two while I fished a shovel out of my truck and dug a hole to cover up my two dead attackers. I wasn't trying to give them a decent burial because I didn't give a shit about them. I just didn't want them laying out to draw a bunch of buzzards. That would be a sign saying  something fishy went on here  and it would be visible for miles.

It looked like five scalps hanging from thongs around their waists. I'm not sure but I figured it was two adults and three children. It didn't make me feel any worse about shooting the noble savages.

After I had the two laid to rest I looked through the crap I took off their packhorse. It was only some dried food, a few hand tools and two dresses, homemade ones I thought. They didn't get much from their raid, wherever it had been.

They didn't have much in the way of horses either. The biggest one, the one I'd ridden a short way, could carry me all right, but not nearly as far as he could have carried that Indian. I estimated that I outweighed the biggest one by forty or fifty pounds.

Dragging out my saddle and bridle, I tried them on him. I had to use both the Indian blankets and my regular saddle pad to make a decent fit on the skinny thing. I'd have to be careful not to do anything fancy while I was aboard or my saddle would probably slip around and dump my ass off. Still, it was some transportation and I had to go somewhere or other, sooner or later.

The rest of the afternoon I spent making room to get my truck and trailer further toward the center of this little bunch of trees and mesquite. I intended to ride off on the horses and I wanted my things to be hidden better. It took most of the day but when I was done I couldn't even see them myself if I was more than a hundred feet from the edge, and I knew where to look.

The next morning I was up before the sun, and after dressing and fixing some breakfast I went out and saddled the biggest horse. I packed some food and a change of clothes in my saddlebags and tied a couple of rolled up blankets behind the saddle. I nearly took my sleeping bag, but remembering what the Indians had looked like gave me a hint that it might look a little odd.

After discarding most of the things the Indians had been carrying on the packhorse, I tied on everything that looked like it had been stolen from the ones that had owned the scalps. I had a saddle scabbard that would do fine for my Winchester 30-30 lever action and I wore the antique Colts I'd bought around my waist in the double holster that came with them. Thankfully it looked like it was well used.

Before the sun had been up an hour I was moving back toward the general direction of where I thought Dallas might be, or had been. I took a break and switched horses about one PM and after eating a bite I started off again. I figured I'd made nearly thirty miles before the sun started settling down for the night.

Picketing the horses, I rolled out my blankets and then used my saddle for a pillow, just like in the movies. Before I drifted off to sleep I wished for the thousandth time in the last forty-eight hours that I was curling up between Gail and Sharon again.

It was up and at 'em before sunrise again this morning, and I choked down a couple of sandwiches I'd made before leaving the trailer. Even though my heart wasn't really in it, I saddled up, loaded the packhorse, and took off.

There hadn't been a damned thing human or even anything man made to see yesterday. I was really hoping I'd come across something today.

After an hour or so in the saddle this morning I came across a dim little trail, heading northeast, or at least I thought that was the general direction. I followed it and it didn't wind around to speak of. I had been on it for a mile or so when it seemed to branch.

There was a sign on a tree nearby that had letters burned onto a rough sawn plank. It claimed that the left fork went to Dallas and the Right one went to Lancaster. It made me feel a lot better because at least I knew that I was still in Texas and that there were some civilized people around somewhere.

About an hour later I could tell that I was about to enter Lancaster. Even though the sign hadn't been much, from what I could see Lancaster wouldn't even live up to that meager billing.

My best guess as I rode up to the half built shack that was serving as a smithy was that Lancaster, if it ever got to be a real town, had maybe a hundred people living in the general vicinity.

No way this was a town yet. There wasn't really even a street, just a worn path between five or six buildings. At least there was a sort of hitching rail by the smithy. I tied my nags and got down, intending to talk to the first person I'd seen in a while that I didn't think I'd have to kill.

Approaching the smith, who was beating hell out of something on his anvil, I stood patiently until he came to a stopping place. The metal was glowing and a few sparks flew off with each lick he gave it. He turned to me after he'd put whatever it was back into the forge.

"Howdy mister, what can I do for ya?" he asked.

"I'm thinking I need to tell someone about a little trouble I ran into south of here. Two Indians attacked me and after I dealt with them I saw they had five scalps tied around their waists. The scalps weren't even dried out yet," I said, knowing that my accent sounded strange to him.

That got his attention. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open for a second.

"How far south?" he asked.

"Probably forty miles or so."

He looked relieved then.

"They had a few things with them that I know they'd stolen, a couple of tools and two women's dresses but that was about it besides these three horses," I said.

"The President has the Comanche stirred up a little lately. Nothing big to speak of, but some of the younger bucks have been roaming around and causing trouble. Were they young ones, those that gave you trouble?" he asked.

"Yep, one might have been sixteen or so and the other was even younger," I said.

"If you ask me, being a republic ain't all it's cracked up to be. Things were OK while Sam Houston was minding the store, but after he tried to live and let live with most Indians and then Mirabeau Lamar came in saying all the Indians needed to get out - well things have gone to shit since then.

"Sam Houston tried to get it fixed up again when he got back in, but here were are joining the Union and there are still a few Indians that are mad as hell, riding around killing a few people for fun I guess.

"No doubt someone will ride through by and by to tell us who got kilt by the ones you finished off," he said, finishing with a shrug of his big shoulders.

"Is there a lawman here I should report this too?" I asked.

He looked at me like I might be crazy for a few seconds.

"Not so's you'd notice. Oh, you could go tell Silas, over to the store yonder, he claims he's the justice of the peace. He ain't really though, but we don't make fun of his claim much, not to his face anyway.

"If this is in a county yet, we haven't heard about it and there ain't been no sheriff or deputy by to tell us neither. We can't claim to be a town and we don't even have any kind of constable or nothing like that."

"I guess I will go over and tell Silas about it and maybe leave the dresses and stuff with him. Can I turn these nags out into your pen for a while?" I asked.

"Sure, did you say you got them off the Indians you dealt with?"

"Yeh, I was trying to act sensible at first but they tore it when one of them shot my horse. I had to ride theirs to get here and they ain't much."

"That big un might not be so bad if it got some grain every now and then," he said.

"Maybe, but I'd trade you all of them if you'll tell me where I can buy a good horse around here," I said.



-------

Chapter 4


"Ain't no mystery there, Colonel Johnson has a big place about five miles west of here where he raises some nice horses. I can't say how he come to be a Colonel or even if he really is one, but I can tell you he has some good horses. He claims his best stallion is a full brother to Steel Dust, but he claims a lot of things.

"Whether it is or ain't, it's a good big fast horse and he breeds true pretty much. I'm sure you can find one you like at his place," he said.

"Thanks for that, and if you'll let me set my things down here, I'll unsaddle your horse and go see if I can find Silas. My name's Bill Jefferson, by the way."

"I'm Frank Johnston, Bill, and I'm pleased to meet you," he said, extending a big hand to shake.

I shook his hand and then headed for what appeared to be a general store. When I entered I saw I'd been right on that point.

I didn't have to wait to find Silas either, he met me as I entered. We exchanged names and handshakes and then I told him my tale.

Silas was quite a bit more excited by it than Frank had been, but he didn't seem even nearly as knowledgeable. I let him ramble for a while about the bravery of my exploits in dealing with the foul murdering redskins, and I was happy enough to sit at the table with him as he had his wife bring us a couple of glasses and a bottle.

Silas's wife was a surprise on her own. I figured him to be fifty or better but his brunette wife couldn't have been more than twenty-five. Her dress covered her completely from the floor to her neck, but it didn't keep me from noticing her nice rounded ass and the mounds of titty she had hidden in it. She must be Silas's second wife, or even third. In these conditions it wasn't uncommon for a man to lose a wife or two along the way.

Silas had sure as hell hit the jackpot with this one though. I doubt he had any complaints. Aside from being built like the proverbial brick shit house, she had a pretty face and big brown eyes too.

While Silas and I tossed down a couple of shots of his better than I'd expected whiskey, I managed to casually mention that I didn't know exactly what year it was. He proudly got out his calendar and showed me it was 1847 and that today was June tenth. Now I knew when I was and along with knowing where I was I decided that my trip to Lancaster Texas had been worth the effort.

After his second snort Silas mentioned that he needed to go and discuss my news with the Mayor. I wondered why Frank hadn't mentioned a Mayor to me, but I didn't say anything. I just told Silas not to mind me and go ahead and spread the news.

"I do need a few things though, would it be all right if your wife helped me find them while you're gone?" I asked.

"Certainly, she'll be glad to fix you up. Mary, see to Mister... What did you say your name was?"

"Bill, Bill Jefferson."

"See to Mr Jefferson's needs while I'm off to talk to the Mayor," he said, and then he left promptly.

"What could I do for you Mr Jefferson?" she asked.

My first thought was a blow job would be a great way to start, but I didn't mention it. I stood up and noticed for the first time that Mary was taller than old Silas had been. That wouldn't have been too hard since he was something of a runt at around five foot three. Mary, on the other hand must have been at least five seven.

"As you probably noticed, my clothes don't look like those of other folks around here," I said.

That was an understatement in itself. I guess my bluejeans would pass, even though they fit a lot tighter than the obviously homemade trousers both Frank and Silas had worn. The shirt I had on didn't even come close.

"I think we have some butternut shirts that might fit you well enough, but I know we don't have any trousers that will. You're a tall man Mr Jefferson and I think you're going to need to have trousers made to fit," she said.

"I'm sure you're right, but please call me Bill," I said.

She gave me a strange look at that and I wondered if I'd made a faux pas. I knew a little about the time I seemed to be in but I didn't even have a hint about the day-to-day manners. I was worried about it for a few seconds until she gave me a little smile.

"I'll be glad to call you Bill, as long as no one else is here. Do you want to try on a shirt to see if you like it?" she asked.

Mary was what I really wanted to try on, especially after that little smile, but I kept it to myself again. I agreed to try a shirt though and she dug around in a small stack of them and then held one out to me.

I was pretty sure they didn't have dressing rooms in the place and she didn't mention any such thing, so I shucked my shirt and laid it on the table, putting on the one she'd handed me. I noticed that she didn't avert her eyes, and got the feeling that she might not be as prim and proper as I'd assumed.

The shirt wasn't even close to big enough for me and she said so. She went back to the stack and pulled out another one.

"You're even bigger than I thought, try this one," she said, handing it to me.

This shirt was fine, maybe even a little too big, but it would do. Mary did turn around and face away when I put my gun belt on the table and unbuckled my belt to open my pants and tuck my new shirt in. In fact, I could see a blush rising up her neck.

"How does it look," I asked her, after I had my pants and belt fastened again.

She turned around and I could see that the blush had reached her cheeks before it started to recede. She looked me over and then stepped forward to pull at and fuss with the shoulders and collar.

"I think it fits well enough," she said.

She was within arms length so I put mine around her and drew her against me. It surprised her but not as much as when I dropped my hands to take a good hold of her ass cheeks and squeeze. She was shocked for a few seconds and I made the best of it by giving her nice ass a good fondling.

"Mr Jefferson, please," she said, almost trembling.

"Please what, Mary, and why have you gone back to Mr Jefferson?"

"Please, release me. This is unseemly, even if I weren't a married woman," she said.

She wasn't pulling away from me and I thought she felt good right where she was. What the hell, there was no law around anywhere and I knew good and well old Silas couldn't do a thing about it. Besides, I wasn't going to rip her clothes off and fuck her on the table.

Moving one hand up the middle of her back, I pulled her even closer for a kiss. I pressed my lips to hers and it was as if she didn't really know what to do. No matter, I did, and after a few more seconds I pushed my tongue into her mouth to swap some spit.

Mary was completely confused now and I was sure that this was the first time she'd ever been kissed like this. With the hand on her ass I pulled her even closer and let my now hard dick push against her lower abdomen. Hell, it felt great and after a little wiggling her arms came around me for a hug.

About a minute later I let her go before I got carried away. I already knew that I'd be between her legs as soon as old Silas was going to be away for an hour or two, but I didn't know how long he'd be talking to the Mayor.

Mary wasn't disheveled when I turned her loose but she did look dazed by what I'd done and she was almost panting. She didn't rebuke me though. I decided to just act like it hadn't happened and see if she wouldn't do the same.

"I like this shirt fine, Mary, do you have more this size?" I asked.

"I... I don't know, I'll look."

She turned and looked through the small stack again, then she went to another one. It wasn't like they had a tremendous stock on hand; there probably wasn't five hundred dollars worth of merchandise in the whole store. Mary had just told me no, they didn't have anything else to fit me when we heard footsteps on the porch and then old Silas came through the door.

"Ah, I see you were able to find a shirt that fit you," he said.

"Yes, it's a shame that you don't have more though," I said.

"If you'll be staying here for a couple of days I'm sure that the widow Carlton could make you a few more. She does most of our sewing and she works quickly," he said.

"I will be if I can find a room to rent or a place to stay. Frank at the smithy told me about the Colonel and I intend to visit him to see if I can find a couple of good horses. I am tired of sleeping on the ground though and I didn't see a boarding house in town here," I said.

"I have a small room off my house that I sometimes let to respectable gentlemen. If it would suit you I'd be pleased if you could stay. I'm afraid I must ride up to Dallas and report your incident to the sheriff there right away though," Silas said.

"I'm sure the room will be fine, as long as there's a bed in it. Will you have time to arrange for the shirts and possibly some trousers before you leave?"

"My wife can take care of that for you with no trouble, and she can show you the room while I'm packing if that is acceptable," he said, with his officious voice.

"That should be fine, but at least let me pay for this shirt before you go. You can accept gold can't you?" I asked, already knowing that he would.

"Yes, that will be fine, I have a scale right on the counter."

I walked over to the scale with him and pulled one of the small ingots out of my pocket. Silas gawked at it when he saw it. No doubt he'd expected a little dust in a pouch or some such. The ingots were five ounces each, and if I remembered right, gold was set at thirty-five dollars an ounce at this time.

It wasn't worth nearly as many dollars now as it had been when I bought it in Las Vegas, but the money I bought it with there wouldn't be worth anything here and now, and a hundred and seventy five dollars was a lot of money in this time. Silas's hands were shaking as he tried to weigh it.

"If it's all the same to you, why don't you just take that ingot and give me credit in your store for its value? Maybe you can take it with you to Dallas and find someone to break it down into something smaller," I said, suggesting it.

"Oh, I'm sure I can. They have a bank in Dallas now," he said.

"Good, I knew there were two or three in Ft Worth but I didn't realize that Dallas had grown so," I said.

"It has in the last few years but I'm afraid it will never catch up to Ft Worth, still it's closer to us and has proved a handy place to trade."

"If it wouldn't inconvenience you, could you possibly take four more of the ingots with you and have them converted to coins for me? I'd be happy to pay you for your trouble," I said.

"I'd be glad to do it for you and with no charge at all. It's good to see a man of substance in Lancaster and I'm happy to do you this service. I like to think I'm helping my customers in any way I can," he said.

No doubt what he meant was that he hoped he could pry some of that gold out of my hands and into his without bothering with the pittance that he could charge for merely getting it broken into something smaller.

That was fine with me, because he probably was going to end up with some of it and I didn't mind a bit. I'd be spending a while around Lancaster and I planned to spend a good bit of that time between the legs of his wife. I didn't mention that to him, of course.

After I handed Silas four more of the ingots, he made his excuses and went back into his house to pack. Mary looked stunned and I could tell that she'd figured out what was going to be happening later tonight while we were closed up under the same roof together and her husband was away. She almost looked like she was in a trance or something.

"Could you show me the room now, Mary?" I asked.

She gave her head a little shake as if to clear it, and then nodded in agreement. Leading me back into the house, she took me through the kitchen and then led me down a short hall that was obviously connected to an outbuilding.

The building was bunkhouse style with four beds in it and it was surprisingly clean in my estimation. They probably didn't have many boarders.

As soon as we were both inside the room I pulled Mary into my arms again. She stiffened slightly but she didn't protest as my lips descended on hers for another kiss, and my tongue even got hers to respond a little as it probed her mouth.

Mary trembled again as the kiss got started good and then she froze as my hands began gathering her long dress and pulling it up toward her waist. That was fair since my dick felt like trembling once I had my hands on her bare legs.

Mary must have been resigned to her fate by now. She didn't protest or even try to pull away, and after I got my hands up under the loose legs of her bloomers and onto her naked ass she hugged me again, more tightly this time.

I knew I was pawing her but I didn't care, she wasn't hitting, pushing me away, or screaming and I was going to keep it up.

Her arms hugged even more strongly when my fingers slid between her legs from behind and found her pussy. It wasn't slick yet but I didn't have any doubts that it would be soon if I kept it up.

There wasn't time for that now, but I did sneak my forefinger up to the top of her slit and rub across her hidden clit. She jerked her hips slightly when I did and then she moaned in her throat when I pressed the fingertip between her barely moist pussy lips.

"I can't wait for Silas to carry his ass on to Dallas. I'm dying to do it to you good and proper. I just hope I can wait until after supper, since I'm hungry and I want to see what kind of cook you are," I said, releasing her.

She was panting again and I could tell she was feeling things she never had before.

"Stay here and catch your breath, if Silas asks anything I'll tell him you said you needed to tidy things up in here a little. He can call you if he wants to kiss you goodbye before his trip," I said.

"He won't, he'll probably just go get his horse and leave."

"Don't worry then, I'll make it up to you later," I said, and then she gave me a little smile.

Good enough, maybe she was even looking forward to her fate. Didn't matter to me though. By nightfall we'd be closed up by ourselves; I wasn't planning on sleeping in the bunkhouse.

I went back out front into the store to wait around and when Silas came down with a small bedroll and some saddlebags he told me goodbye on his way out without mentioning Mary. Damn, things were looking up all around.

Mary came out too a few minutes later.

"Silas has gone already, he wanted me to tell you to make sure you took good care of me," I said, lying but not minding a bit since I'm sure he meant to.

"Well, I must do as my husband tells me," Mary said, coming over to stand right beside me.



-------

Chapter 5


I draped an arm around her waist and let my hand take hold of one of her ass cheeks then pulled her up to my side. I was thinking about pulling her back into the house part of the store when we heard a foot hit their boardwalk. I let Mary go and parked my ass in the chair I'd been sitting in when I'd had a drink with Silas.

The young blue eyed blonde hardon maker that came in the door smiled as soon as she saw Mary, and Mary smiled back.

"Hello, Sarah, how are you?" Mary asked.

"I'm doing fine, Mary. How have things been in town?" the girl asked.

"Everything seems fine, but Mr Jefferson brought some disturbing news today. Mr Jefferson, this is Sarah Johnson. Sarah, this is Mr Bill Jefferson," Mary said, introducing us.

I stood but Sarah didn't offer her hand to shake and so I didn't try to.

"What news do you have Mr Jefferson, if I may ask?"

"I was attacked by two Indians two days ago, about forty or forty-five miles south southwest of Lancaster. I wasn't expecting them to just attack and they killed my horse before I shot both of them.

"The bad news part was that they had five fairly fresh scalps on the thongs around their waists. I don't have any specific idea where they came from or what they'd been up to.

"I buried them and then rode their horses here, to spread the word and to bring the few possessions they had, which I'm pretty sure they stole from those they murdered," I said, finishing the tale.

To her credit Sarah Johnson didn't break into a sobbing fit but she did look slightly alarmed. Mary told her that Silas had informed the Mayor and that he had headed to Dallas to see if he could find some authority to tell.

"That is troublesome news but I don't guess it's exactly a shock. I'll tell father about it as soon as I get home though," she said.

"Mr Jefferson, Sarah is the daughter of Colonel Johnson, the gentleman Silas was telling you about," Mary said.

"Excellent. Miss Johnson, I find myself in need of a good horse and I've been told that your father might have a few to sell. Can you tell me if it would be all right to ride out to your place and asks?"

"I can do better than that Mr Jefferson. I can tell you that we do have plenty of fine horses and almost all of them can be bought for the right price. Feel free to visit anytime but wear your trading clothes," she said, giving a little laugh.

"Alas, I'm not much of a horse trader. I'm usually forced to pay in cash or gold when I need one. I hope that won't spoil your father's fun," I said.

"He might not think it's as much fun but I'm sure he will sacrifice the fun for gold," she said, laughing out right this time.

"I'll bet you came by to ask about your order, didn't you, Sarah?" Mary said.

"You know me too well. I know it's too soon but I had to bring a message to Mr Johnston anyway, so of course I'm here hoping," Sarah said, and I noticed a slight blush climbing out from under the shirt she wore and up onto her neck.

I fumbled with the bottle and the glass that were still on the table and looked away from her. I thought that whatever she had on order might be something she didn't want to mention in front of me.

"It is still a little too soon, but since Silas went to Dallas there's a chance he will be bringing some freight back with him. We have another large order for harness and some plows and such that should be coming in about now too.

"He left on his horse, but I know he was planning to buy a wagon and team when the big order came in. It's possible that he will come back with all of it," Mary said.

"Oh, I hope so, it seems like I've been waiting forever. I guess I should ride on home now though. Father will want to hear Mr Jefferson's news, both about the Indians and about a potential sale. It was nice meeting you Mr Jefferson and we'll be waiting for you to call, and thank you Mary, for your help," she said.

I nodded to her, and Mary went to the door to see her out. I also took a good look at Sarah Johnson's firm asscheeks as she left. She was wearing tight buckskins with chaps too and the chaps framed her ass almost as if it was on purpose. Her buns looked like two cats fighting in a sack as she left and I was happy to watch the bout.

After Sarah Johnson left I asked Mary what time she closed up the store. She told me that it was usually at sunset but she mentioned that if the door was locked, people would assume they were closed for the day.

I could tell from the way she said it that she wasn't sure why she'd told me that. I knew she expected to get a royal fucking as soon as that door was locked but I didn't know whether she was looking forward to it fondly or with fear. No matter, I wasn't going to make her close early, I was going to let her keep wondering.

"I need to talk to Frank before dark anyway," I said, walking to the door where she still stood. "I'll need to rent a horse to ride out to the Colonel's place tomorrow."

I took her in my arms again as I reached her and kissed her soundly, pressing her back into the door and my body up against hers. She sighed when I did it and I could tell that she was at least resigned to her fate if not anticipating it with relish. I worked my thigh between her legs this time and pressed the top of it against her mound firmly, wiggling it slightly from side to side.

"Maybe you should lock the door behind me, for a few minutes at least. It will give you time to catch your breath," I said, smiling as I left.

Frank Johnston greeted me almost like an old friend when I visited his smithy this time. I asked about renting a horse to ride out to Colonel Johnson's and he offered me a ride with him on his wagon.

"Sarah, the Colonel's daughter, rode in today and asked me to come out to their place in the morning. They have a few head they need shoes on. I'll be leaving just after sunrise and you're welcome to ride with me," Frank said.

"That's even better. I'll be here early, and thanks," I said, and then went back to Silas's store.

The door wasn't locked as I'd half expected but Mary wasn't in the front of the store. She came through from the house in a few seconds though.

"I was just building the fire to cook supper," she said. "Will a buffalo steak, a few eggs, and beans be enough?"

"That sounds fine, Mary. Would you like for me to wait out here and watch the store?"

"There's no need, we'll hear the door open if someone comes in. Silas says that's why he doesn't oil the hinges. Personally I think he's just to lazy."

"I can promise you one thing, Mary. I'm going to oil your hinge tonight," I said, leering at her.

I could tell she didn't get the joke but she didn't ask about it. She went back into the house and on to the kitchen. I took a seat at the table and we talked a little about mostly nothing. I was sorely tempted to pet and fondle her while she was cooking but I didn't. I kept my hands to myself and waited for my food.

Buffalo steak is nothing to write home about and eggs are eggs. Mary did a good job with the beans at least and wonder of wonders she had cool milk, though I knew they didn't have an icebox. I asked and she said that they had a special container Silas had ordered from somewhere and she lowered it into the well to keep the milk cool.

There was also a pump in the kitchen and a sink for it to flow into. A hand pump wasn't nearly as good as running water but I knew it beat hell out of drawing water from the well and bringing it inside. Silas might not be much of a husband for her but no doubt she appreciated having the little extras he provided. I was going to make sure I qualified as one of those extras, whether Silas had intended it that way or not.

In the eighteen forties it was pretty much bedtime when the sun went down, and tonight that suited me fine. Mary didn't know what to expect after the dishes were washed but I cured that.

"Where's your bedroom Mary?" I asked, coming up beside her and putting an arm around her.

"Silas and I sleep there," she said, pointing to a door.

"Tonight Bill and you are going to sleep there, among other things we'll be doing."

She blushed to the roots of her hair then as I eased her toward and through the door.

Mary was surprised when I lit both lamps in the room.

"I thought we were going to bed," she said.

"We are, but I hope you don't think I intend to miss out on seeing you in all your naked glory. The lamps will stay on until I'm ready to go to sleep, and that will be a long while yet," I said, making it a promise.

She didn't know how to act but I made up for it. I went to her and began undoing the buttons down from her neck to her waist. I was happy as her breasts were revealed since there was nothing holding them up but Mary.

They were big, round, and firm and stood out by themselves, without sagging. When I'd finished with the buttons I drew the rest of the dress down over her hips and I pulled her bloomers off her at the same time.

She was beautiful, as I'd expected, and her skin was creamy and flawless. Her bush was plentiful but not overly so and it was neat and tidy around the edges, almost as if she trimmed it, but I knew she didn't.

I pushed her gently to sit on the bed and then carefully removed her shoes and stockings. When they were off I had her lie down on top of the quilt while I started off with my clothes.

"You're the first man that's ever seen me naked," she said, meekly.

"You mean that Silas has never wanted a look?"

"No, he tells me when he intends to do that and I'm already under the covers when he comes to bed. I'm afraid I'm a disappointment to him since I can't seem to get pregnant," she said.

"You aren't his first wife are you?" I asked, but it wasn't really a question.

"No, he's had two before me. The first was killed by Indians and the second ran away after three years," she said.

"Did either of them get pregnant?"

"No, and he sometimes complains about his luck with three infertile wives," she said.

"I don't guess he's ever considered that he could be the one that's infertile."

"How can a man be infertile?" Mary asked.

"It's a lot more common for a man to be infertile than it is for a woman. Just because his dick gets hard and something comes out the end when he fucks doesn't mean he is fertile. I don't guess I'd mention that to him though if I were you," I said.

"How do you know that's true?" she asked.

"I have my ways, but don't worry. If I'm able to stay around here for a month or two you'll be magically cured," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I know perfectly well that I'm fertile and I'd bet a lot of money you are. I won't have any trouble pumping a baby into your belly. I'm going to start on it tonight," I said.

"Can you really?" she asked, almost excited now.

"We'll just have to see."

I was naked myself now and I lay down beside her, kissing as I went. She stiffened a little when I took a handful of titty but she didn't stop what we were doing.

The nipple I teased popped up big and fat in only a few seconds and I switched my hand to the other titty to give it a treatment, kissing her for all I was worth as I went.

When both of them were standing up I left her lips to suck one into my mouth.

"Oh, Bill, I don't have any milk," she said, gasping a little.

I gave the nipple in my mouth a deep suck and then nipped it slightly with my teeth as I released it.

"I know that, Mary, but you will have in a few months. Didn't Silas ever play with your titties?"

"No, never."

"I knew he looked stupid to me. I'm going to play with them, suck on them and nip the nipples with my teeth, a lot."

"But why?"

"Because it makes my dick harder is why. I like it, don't you?" I asked.

"I've never had it done to me before but it does feel, exciting somehow. I think I do like it."

"It'll also make your pussy wet," I said, latching onto one again and sucking.

"What, make my what wet?" she asked.

"Your pussy, here," I said, putting my hand down on the aforementioned organ, and as I'd suspected it was getting damp.

"That's your pussy I have my hand on and my playing with your titties is making it wet."

"But how, I don't understand."

"Because, when I play with your titties your pussy knows it's about to get a dick up it. It's weeping in anticipation," I said, and slid a finger in her to prove my point.

She wasn't gushing but she was slick enough for a finger. I was done talking though so I went back to kissing her mouth. When my finger was fairly wet I pulled it out and started diddling her clitty.

The finger action woke her hips up and soon enough she was straining them toward my hand for more contact. In only minutes, Mary was drooling down below. I knew she'd have to be though because even to my finger she had been tight.

She was probably ready by now, so I rolled between her legs and used my knees to spread her wider. Poor girl didn't even know enough to use her hand to guide me in. Well, I knew the way and I used my own hand.

When I pressed my dickhead against her vulva it gave ground grudgingly but it did part. I used my hands to swab the head up and down her slit until it was coated and then I pushed on.

My best guess was that old Silas must have been hung about like a bumblebee. I hope he didn't fall in the next time he wanted some. I got about two inches in with the first good push and it took me eight or nine tries to get to the bottom.

Mary was moaning and squirming by the time I got there and she just had to talk some more.

"My God, it's so big. I've never felt anything like that," she cried.

"Have you ever done it with anyone besides Silas?"

"No, of course not."

"There's your answer then. He doesn't have a dick, he only has a wee wee."

Jesus she was a hot one, she just didn't know it. Even her insides felt hot and her pussy walls were rippling up and down my dick. I took it easy on her at first, pumping in and out slowly and gently but as she stretched a little I started pounding in earnest.

Mary started grunting and groaning with every thrust after a while and I could tell that things were getting good to her. They'd been good for me from the start but I managed to hold out and keep working.

Finally I felt her legs come up to wrap around my waist and then she started bumping her fuzz back at me. It felt so good that I could barely keep from blowing my load, but when she seemed to seize up and then screamed out I knew I could go ahead and let her have it, and did I ever let go.

It seemed like I shot come up her for half an hour but time flies when you're having so much fun. She was limp beneath me and I was holding my weight mostly on my elbows while she had little aftershock shivers every few seconds. Finally I pulled my dick back to plop out and then rolled off to lie by her side and hold her. It was probably fifteen minutes before she spoke.



-------

Chapter 6


"What did you do to me? I've never even heard of anything like that."

"I gave you a good fucking, didn't you like it?" I asked.

"I can't tell you how much I liked it, it was wonderful. I just didn't know anything about it. My mother told me it was just something women had to put up with," she said.

"Well, you put up with it well."

"I'd like to put up with that every night," she said, laughing a tiny laugh.

"Only once a night?"

"Do you mean you can do it again, tonight?" she asked, sounding astonished.

"Not for another ten or fifteen minutes.

I must have said something right because Mary rolled over on top of me, kissing me wildly. I let her have at it and enjoyed the kissing and her big titties wobbling around over my chest.

"If you're really in a hurry you can always suck me back up hard," I said, after a few minutes.

"What's that mean?"

"Just take my dick in your mouth and suck on it a little. You'll be surprised how quickly it will revive," I said.

"I could never do anything like that," she said.

"Well, I can," I told her, rolling her to her back and putting my mouth on her pussy.

She wiggled and bucked for a few seconds, trying to shake me loose. After the fourth or fifth good lick though she changed her tune. She took hold of my hair with both hands and was trying to drive the bus. Poor Mary was a goner in less than ten minutes and after that she was panting for breath.

"How could you do that?" she asked.

"Easy, want me to do it again?"

"Yes," she said, after blushing beet red.

"I will, but you'll have to return the favor."

"But I don't know how," she said, moaning.

"If you keep your lips over your teeth you can't do it wrong. Just don't bite and everything will be fine.

I kept up my education of Mary until well after midnight, and what a wonderful student she turned out to be. She paid faithful attention to her lessons and was nearly tireless during practice sessions but we finally gave up from lack of strength. As we lay resting after our last one for the night she still had some questions.

"Do you really think I can have a baby now?"

"It depends, how long has it been since your last period."

"What's a period?"

"How long since the last time you bled from your pussy?"

"Oh, I think about two weeks," she said.

"See if you can remember how many days since it stopped."

"Twelve days, exactly," she said, after thinking about it for nearly a minute.

"Then there's a good chance you won't bleed again until after the baby comes," I said.

I couldn't believe how excited this made her and in a few minutes she wanted to do it again, in case that might help.

"We have to save some for tonight, and the next night, and every night until Silas gets back, at least. By the way, how long will it take him?"

"He could get there and back in two days if he wanted to, but he's never been gone less than a week before. He says that he has business he needs to take care of in Dallas," she said.

"All the better for us then. We need to sleep now so I can get up and go to Colonel Johnson's ranch with Frank in the morning. Which reminds me, was I mistaken or is Sarah Johnson expecting something a little naughty to come in with the next freight?"

The lamps were still lit so I could see the firey blush spread up from Mary's magnificent titties. It was to her throat and climbing before she could even speak.

"I can't tell you what it is, I'd be too embarrassed," she said, meekly.

"You can tell me what it is, and if you don't right away I'm going to crawl between your legs and tease your pussy with my tongue until I make you tell everyone in town," I said, leering at her.

"Panties. She wrote away for a catalog of French Panties. I didn't even know there were such things but they were scandalous. I must have blushed for hours after she showed me that catalog, and they gave me such a feeling in my insides, just looking at them," she said.

"Made you horny did they?"

"Is that's what it's called. Now that I know the truth about fucking I know they made me want dick, I just didn't know about it at the time," she said, and then blushed again at her own boldness.

"Please, don't tell her I told you about them."

"Don't worry love, I won't tell her until I've been between her legs, and by then it won't matter."

"Surely you won't do it to a young girl like that, one that hasn't even married yet," she said, looking appalled.

"How old is she?"

"Oh, she's old enough by far. She's already eighteen and some say she's going to be an old maid."

"Of course I will then, eighteen is old enough and someone has to teach her how it's done right. Are you sure you aren't just jealous?" I asked.

"Maybe, a little, but I don't think I am much. In one night you've shown me that I could never keep you satisfied. Besides, I'm Silas' wife," she said.

"Does he treat you badly? He doesn't beat you does he?" I asked, ashamed of myself for not asking sooner.

"Oh no. He never mistreats me and he isn't even miserly. If I want something special he usually comes around to getting it for me. He ordered that pump for the kitchen and had it put in for me as a surprise. I don't think there's another one like it south of Dallas. Silas is good to me in most ways, but he doesn't have any idea about fucking and I doubt he ever will. He thinks he's doing fine and I did too until tonight," she said, sighing.

"You let me know if he gives you any trouble at all, I'll straighten him out if he does. For now, we have to sleep."

Mary was up, woke me up, and fixed my breakfast long before sunup. Surprisingly she made good coffee too. I drank four cups with my sausage and eggs.

"I'm glad that Silas likes good coffee. He and I seem to have similar taste in some ways," I said, thinking I was teasing Mary.

"He can't stand coffee. The only coffee he had when he brought me here was some for sale in the store. When I asked him if I could make some for myself he acted as if he'd done me wrong by not asking if I wanted some earlier. He got me a new coffee pot out of the stock and brought me the coffee back himself, right away. Since then he makes sure I have real Arbuckle's brand for myself even though he still sells that cheaper brand out in the store."

I was a little surprised by that but didn't say anything. Apparently old Silas was taking good care of his young wife in every way he could. I'd just make sure he didn't know about the help I was giving him.

Frank was nearly ready to go when I got to his shop and I noticed that he already had my saddle and tack loaded into his wagon.

We climbed into the seat and he set his horses trotting.

"Looks like it's going to be a fine day," he said as we left.

"Yes it does. Do you think the Colonel has some good horses he'll let go of? Sarah told me he'd sell almost any one of them for the right price," I said.

"He won't sell his best stallion, but he'll probably sell any of the others. Horses aren't the main business of his ranch but they are his favorite. Most of his money is made from cattle but he likes the horses."

"Good, I want a good horse or nothing. I'd have walked up here rather than ride those Indian nags if I hadn't thought I needed to get the word out."

"You and the Colonel should get along well then. I've seen him do the very same thing, though he didn't have as far to walk as you would have."

We didn't talk much the rest of the way. When we arrived the Colonel's house was bigger than I'd expected and I certainly didn't think he'd be out and about among his hired hands.

He was though, in fact there was a small crowd of wranglers and horses over by what Frank told me was the ranch's smithy. One of the cowboys took care of tying off Frank's team when we pulled up and the Colonel came over to greet us.

He shook Frank's hand and then Frank introduced us. Frank left to go to work and the Colonel asked me if I'd like some breakfast before we looked over what he had to sell.

"Actually, I ate before we left this morning but I'd be glad to sit around if you're waiting to be fed. You'll probably be easier to deal with if you aren't hungry."

He laughed out loud at that and ushered me toward the house.

"Maybe I can tempt you with coffee and bear sign while I eat. The main reason my cook got the job was because she can make bear sign so well," he said.

"Now I know I'm going to be skint before the day is over. To think a man of your standing in the community would stoop to tempting a poor cowboy this early in the day," I said, and he laughed out again.

The Colonel's cook could indeed make donuts, which were called bear sign at the time. They were better by far than any I'd ever had in my own time. The coffee was good too, but I could tell it wasn't Arbuckle's.

After breakfast was over I got a short tour of the place and then we got down to business. I probably looked at fifty horses and I saw more than a few that I liked, but I didn't see the best one until the Colonel took me to see his stallion.

"Well, I see you've saved the best until last and unless I miss my guess it's one that you won't sell," I said.

He'd led me to two smaller pens with only one horse each in them. I was looking over probably the best horse I'd ever seen and I had lust in my heart.

It was big, probably fifteen and a half hands and easily twelve hundred pounds. Its coat was the deepest sorrel I'd ever seen, practically maroon, and it shined like new money. It had a deep chest and outstanding hips, and the eyes in its smaller than I'd expected head were clear and intelligent.

"You'd be wrong if you're talking about the sorrel. I'll admit that he is the best horse on the place, and he is still a stallion, but he is for sale. He isn't my breeding stallion, though I could wish he were.

"As well as he's made, he doesn't put it on his foals. We've tried him on every mare on this place and his foals don't compare to those of the bay in the pen next to him. No one understands it, but it's the simple truth," the Colonel said.

"Well I'm sorry for your misfortune but maybe it can be good for me. I don't need him for breeding but I'm sure I can use his other qualities to good ends," I said.

"As long as you know he gives poor foals. That isn't really the truth though. His are useable, and some even more, but they can't compare to the bay's. There's nothing wrong with him though."

"Since I'm interested, do you have a price?"

"He may not be the best stallion but he still isn't cheap. His firm price is three hundred dollars," he said.

"You can take gold can't you?" I asked.

I knew I had shocked the Colonel with that. I'm sure he'd been expecting me to start grousing and complaining right away. In fact he still hadn't realized that he'd sold the horse. Finally he came to himself.

"Gold will be fine. Would you like one of my hands to catch him up while we go inside to settle?" he asked.

"I'd rather do it myself after I've paid for him, Colonel. I'm a little funny about who handles my horses. No offense you understand, but I know I'll treat him like I want him to be treated. If I ever need all he's got I'll need it for sure and I want to make sure it's all there," I said.

"I understand and there's no offense taken. To be perfectly honest with you, he'll crow-hop a little when you first mount him. He always has and no one has been able to make him stop it. Once he gets it out of his system he doesn't give any other trouble though. If you take him and aren't satisfied, you can bring him back and I'll refund your money."

"I doubt it will come to that."

The Colonel had a scale and he was happy to weigh up two ingots and give me fifty dollars in gold coins as change. He offered me more coffee after our business was taken care of and I was happy to get it.

Sarah was in the kitchen finishing her breakfast as we entered.

"Well good morning Mr Jefferson. You didn't waste any time coming out to see the horses this morning," she said, smiling.

"I guess I can now admit that I only came out hoping to see you again," I said, and she blushed while the Colonel burst out laughing.

"Dear, keep a close eye on this man. He just bought Boots without one squawk about the price and I'm beginning to feel like he got the best end of the deal," the Colonel said.

"Anyone that owns Boots got the best end of the deal. He's the best horse I've ever seen, and out here we see a lot of them," she said, still giving me a sidewise look.

The Colonel and I sat and drank coffee while Sarah finished her breakfast and then they both came with me when I went to get my horse. I walked to Frank's wagon, fetched my bridle and then walked into the pen with Boots.

He seemed more curious about me than I was about him, and when I walked toward him he not only didn't shy away but came to me. I petted his neck, threw a rein around it just in case and then eased the bit into his mouth.

My bit looked like a normal western model from a distance, but in reality it was just a snaffle type that had shanks to make it look like a western style bit. I could put a curb chain on it if I wanted or needed to, but I wouldn't unless it was necessary. With the way I had it on the headstall, a curb chain wouldn't even have provided any leverage if I did use one.

When it was on him it looked like a normal western bit, but it wouldn't cause him any pain at all unless I got really rough with it. It was for horses with tender mouths and from the way they'd talked about him crow-hopping at first, I figured he might be one.

Whether that was it or not, I didn't know right away, but when I slung myself up bareback he didn't hop the first time and when I nudged him with my heels he headed for the gate. The Colonel swung it open for me and I rode Boots over to get my saddle, tying him to Frank's wagon. The Colonel and Sarah had come right behind me.

As I put my saddle pad on Boots, leaving the Indian rags where they lay, the Colonel spoke up.

"I'm very tempted to offer you half your money back if you'll tell me how you did that?" he said.

"No need, Colonel, I'm not stingy with anything I think I know. Let me show you something," I said.

I slipped the bit out of Boots' mouth and showed it to both Sarah and the Colonel. I also pointed out that there was no curb chain and that the reins only looked like they were attached to the ends of the shanks, but were actually fastened to the big rings at the end of the jointed mouthpiece.

"Often as not, when a horse crow hops as you first mount him, it's because the bit doesn't suit him and it pinches his mouth when the reins tighten as you mount. Or at least that's been my experience."

"But how do you force him to slow down with no curb chain?" Sarah asked.

"I never force a horse to do anything, I train them to do what I want them to," I said.

"Fancy talk from a fancy man," someone said behind us.

We all turned to face the voice and I could see the Colonel's face cloud up to rain, so I spoke up.

"I've probably trained more horses than you've ever seen, cowboy. I know you couldn't have trained any, because you can't even train your own mouth."



-------

Chapter 7


I saw his hand dropping to his holster and as my left Colt cleared leather and I pushed it toward his face, I wondered how an ignorant asshole like him could have stayed around the Colonel's place.

At any rate he jerked his hand back from the butt of his pistol and I kept easing the muzzle of my Colt toward his nose until he wised up and raised his hands above his head.

"The only reason I haven't already killed you is that I'm visiting someone else's home. Don't ever even act like you want to draw on me again," I said.

"Get your things together and get gone, Jenkins. I've warned you about your mouth before, but smarting off to a man who just paid in gold for a horse at my ranch and then trying to draw on him is too much. Just be glad you didn't pull that stunt on me, I'd have killed you and told God you died," the Colonel said.

Jenkins didn't want to move with my Colt in his face so I whacked him on the forehead with the barrel and then holstered it. There were plenty of the Colonel's hands standing around, but none of them made a peep.

The Colonel was embarrassed, I knew, and he turned to me intending to apologize.

"Don't worry about it Colonel, if I'd had to apologize for every fool I'd let work for me in the past, I'd still be at it," I said.

"I hadn't thought of it that way but you're certainly right. I've never understood how most men can try their hardest to earn their pay and why there are always a few that will never be worth anything," he said.

"If you ever do figure it out, there will be miles and miles of other men lined up at your gate wanting to know the secret, and happy as hell to pay you way more than you thought it was worth."

I saddled Boots then and by the time I'd ridden him around in the yard for a few minutes I felt like I should go track down the Colonel and give him some more gold. It wasn't so much that Boots was almost physically perfect, though that counted for a lot. He was without a doubt the most attentive horse I'd ever forked. I could almost feel him paying attention to everything I did, and trying to make sure he was doing what I wanted him to.

Dismounting, I went into the small smithy to tell Frank that I was going to ride back to town. He just nodded and went back to work.

Sarah was mounted on a nice looking bay gelding as I headed for the gate and she rode up to say goodbye.

"It was nice having you out here Mr Jefferson, come back any time," she said.

"The pleasure was mine and I'm trying to think of a reason to come back before I'm even out the gate. Wait, I know, I'll come back out to tell you as soon as your French Panties arrive."

Women should try their best not to ever look goggled eyes like that, especially not when their mouth also drops completely open. I waited while her blush flamed up and she got control of everything else.

"I can't believe Mary told you about that," she finally got out.

"Don't worry, when I show you what I did to make her confess you'll understand completely," I said, and then turned to ride off.

Boots wanted to move out smartly but I only let him trot a short way and then slowed to a walk. I assumed that Jenkins was stupid enough to be waiting between the ranch and town to ambush me. I kept looking for him behind every rock but it was Boots that found him. Of course Boots didn't know why he was there, but his ears pointed toward the other horse before we were within a hundred and fifty yards.

Jenkins was turning out to be persistently stupid. I would have seen the fool myself before we got within a good pistol shot from him, for his pistol anyway. I held my head straight as if I was looking down the road but I kept my eyes on Jenkins.

He already had his gun drawn but he was holding it down by his leg. He started to raise it as I was going past him; no doubt he thought I hadn't noticed him behind those small trees. It wasn't even a close thing since I'd pulled my right Colt as soon as I'd seen him and kept my body between it and where he was hidden off to the left of the road.

Even though I pulled the shot a little high it took him just below his Adams apple and that was good enough. I got off Boots and draped the reins across a small limb.

Jenkins' horse was a lot better than he deserved and it hadn't moved, even when I shot. I picked up the body and slung it into the saddle, tying his hands and feet together under the horse's belly with a piggin' string.

Just as I remounted Boots and started leading Jenkins' horse back toward the Colonel's ranch, Sarah and three of the hands came thundering down the road. I pulled up to wait.

Of course there were dozens of questions and I was patient and politely helpful. After the explanations were over and done with, Sarah decided that he could be planted somewhere on the ranch, no matter that he'd been fired.

I'd hoped that Sarah or the Colonel would know of his next of kin so his things could be sent to them but Sarah told me he'd said he didn't have any when he'd hired on.

"I guess you have two horses now," she said.

"It looks like it's worth a lot more than he was, at that," I said, and the three men that had ridden out with her snorted in agreement.

"I can use the horse but I don't need any of his other things and I don't care what happens to his gear as long as no on fights over it," I said.

"We can have a small auction and then donate the money to Parson Jones, he's trying to gather enough money to build a small church in town," Sarah said, and the men didn't even scoff, I was impressed.

The Colonel rode up about then and I got to tell the whole thing over again. I didn't mind though. When we got back to the ranch I at least got out of attending Jenkins burial, begging off so I could get back to Lancaster.

There wasn't a livery stable in Lancaster, but Frank had a couple of stalls behind his smithy. I put a horse in each and made sure they had water. I even found his tack room and put away my saddle, pad, and bridle.

When I entered the store, Mary was waiting on an older man, selling him some tobacco, so I sat down at the table to get a load off my feet. As soon as he left she came over to me and I pulled her down into my lap for a kiss.

"Did you miss me?" I asked.

"You know I did. Did you buy a horse?"

"Yes, I bought one and got another free," I said.

Of course I had to tell her the whole story then.

"I remember him, he always gave me a bad feeling when he came in here for something," she said.

"Well he won't anymore."

"Did you see Sarah while you were there?"

"Yes, and I promised her I'd ride out and tell her when her French Panties arrived."

"You didn't! She'll know I told you about them," Mary said.

"Of course she knows, but I told her I forced you to."

"At least I hope you didn't say how you made me tell," she said.

"No, but I promised to show her as soon as I could."

Mary blushed again and hid her face in her hands. I laughed and squeezed the nearest titty.

Around noon we had some soup Mary heated up and then I left the store to her while I took a nap.

Hell, there just ain't no rest for the wicked, and I guess I'm as wicked as the next guy. I'd just sat down on the bed when I heard Mary squawking for someone to let her go. I jumped up off it and rushed into the store with a Colt in my fist.

Some fat nasty looking jackass had a grip on one of Mary's upper arms and was trying to pull her to him while she was busy trying to get away.

"What in the fuck do you think you're doing?" I asked, yelling it.

The dumbass looked at me with his mouth hanging open and I could almost see him trying to think of a good excuse. It finally dawned on him that he needed to release Mary and he did. He still hadn't come up with an excuse for grabbing her though.

"I'm sorry friend, she told me her husband was gone to Dallas," he finally said, as if that made any sense at all.

"Her husband is gone to Dallas, I'm the man he left here to look out for her. If you don't want me to shoot you down where you stand you'd better get outside where I can whip your ass without breaking up things in here," I said.

Even though he didn't look like he was pleased with his choices, he did back out the door and onto the boardwalk, then down onto what passed for a street.

"Don't shoot me mister, I have a wife and her sister to take care of. There they are in my wagon," he said, waving a hand toward what I figured was a Conestoga wagon, and for the life of me I couldn't puzzle out what he was doing with it off down here in Texas.

I knew better than to look away from him but I did glance out of the corner of my eye. I guess he was watching and thought I'd looked completely off.

Ugly is only skin deep, but stupid must go clear to the bone. On him it did anyway because even though I had a gun pointed right at his fat belly, he tried to drag out a big Colt Paterson revolver and get it into action.

Idiots running in front of my Colts were getting to be a bother, but I shot him anyway. I didn't try to kill him though, I shot him about mid-forearm on the arm he was trying to draw with.

The bullet made a big part of his fat arm disintegrate, just above his wrist, and he was squealing like a stuck hog before he hit his knees in the dirt. I was so mad I kicked him in the face and knocked him over backward.

After picking up the Paterson from where he'd dropped it the noise of his howling started to grate on my nerves, so I told him to shut up or I'd shoot him again, that settled him down some.

Of course the old Colt didn't look so old now, but it still didn't look like much. Then I remembered it was pretty modern for this time, and that it would be many years before the Single Action Army revolvers I was wearing would see the light of day.

Two young faces were staring out of the front of the wagon now, so I walked over to it. They were red headed twins with green eyes, big green eyes that were wide open and staring at the fat man on the ground.

"Is that man the husband of one of you?" I asked.

"No sir," the one on the left said.

"Well does he have a wife in that wagon?"

"No sir," the other one said.

"You mean he was lying to me about that?"

"Yes sir, he killed Papa and beat Mama up real bad, up in Missouri; then he got in our wagon and headed off to Texas. He said he'd kill us all if we told anyone. We were supposed to say that I was his wife," the first one told me.

"Did he just leave your Mama where he beat her?"

"No sir, she's laying down back in the wagon. She's some better now but she's been playin' possum mostly, hoping to get strong enough so we could slip away from him."

"Well girls, consider yourselves rid of the fat bastard. I'll guarantee you he ain't gonna live out the day," I said.

"Can we tell Mama?"

"Yes, but tell her to keep resting while I get her a bed fixed up inside the house here," I said, waving back toward the store.

"I need to take care of this murderin' rapist right now, but we'll get all of you fixed up with a place to stay until we get something worked out for you," I said.

Both faces disappeared into the wagon then and I turned back to the fat one that was still lying on the ground, bleeding. When I did I saw Frank and his wagon rolling back in at the other end of town. I decided to wait on him and while I was standing around, a man I didn't know came out of the best house in town, wearing a coat and what passed for a tie, and heading my way.

It was probably the man Silas had been talking about when he mentioned a Mayor. He looked like any other asshole politician to me, but I holstered my Colt anyway.

"What's going on here?" he asked, when he reached me.

"I'll tell it when Frank and the other two fellas that are heading this way get here, I don't want to have to repeat it over and over," I said.

"I'm the Mayor of Lancaster and you'll tell me now," he said.

Just the way he said it got on my last goddamned nerve. I backhanded him about half as hard as I could and he was on the ground now too. I yanked the Colt back out and shoved the barrel into his mouth just as he opened it to say something else.

"I don't give a shit who you think you are, now keep your mouth shut til I'm ready to tell my tale or we'll be burying you with that fat ass that's on the ground over there bleeding."

I guess he took a better accounting of his situation because when I pulled the end of the Colt out of his mouth, he closed it the rest of the way.

Frank had pulled up to a stop then and the two men I didn't know were standing around too. I waited until Frank got down and walked over.

"Frank, that one laying there that ain't bleeding much says he's the Mayor, any truth to it?" I asked.

"Well, most folks call him that but we've never really had an election or anything. I'm really not sure you can have a Mayor if you don't have a real town," he said.

"Me neither. Anyway, the fat jackass that I shot - the one laying over there and bleeding a lot more - came in Silas' store while I was trying to take a nap. I didn't hear him come in, but I did hear Mary yelling at him. When I came out to see what was going on, he had her by the arm yanking her around.

"I told him to back outside where I could whip his ass for it, or I'd shoot him right in the store. He did back outside but then tried to pull that Paterson revolver on me, so naturally I shot him.

"There's two young girls and their Mama in that wagon, and they told me the lard ass killed their Papa and beat their Mama, back up in Missouri, and then high-tailed it down here with them and the wagon.

"What I want to know is do you think any of the decent men in town here would want to give him a kick or two before I kill him? I already told him he won't live past sunset, but it seems like a bullet in the head is letting him off too easy for what he done."

"That sounds good to me," Frank said. "If you don't mind I'll give him a good kick now and then walk around town and ask the others if they want to do their part."

"That's probably a good idea, but let's not kick him in the head. No sense in going to the trouble of punishing him if he ain't awake for it."

Frank didn't asks any more questions, he just hauled off and kicked the lard ass in the ribs, then walked off down the street toward the other houses.

The other two didn't even introduce themselves, they just gave fat boy a good kick each and headed off in different directions to tell other folks.

I noticed the Mayor starting to get up and I reached a hand down to help him, and I even helped him brush the dust off his nice clothes.

"I apologize for my rude behavior earlier sir. I can see you've done our town a service and I should have been more perceptive. I assure you that my mother, may she rest in peace, raised me better than I've shown today," the Mayor said.

"Think nothing of it Mr Mayor. I do have a little advice for you though. If it ever comes up again, I'd say it's wise to give a man a little time to cool down after he's had to shoot it out with someone. It usually makes him a little antsy, for a few minutes at least."



-------

Chapter 8


"I'll have to say I'm in your debt again. I'd really never thought of that but it sounds like sage advice now that you mention it. I'm assuming that you're the Mr Jefferson that Silas told me about before he had to leave for Dallas."

"Guilty as charged, Mr Mayor, I'm Bill Jefferson," I said, admitting it.

"George Clonnigon, Mr Jefferson. I'm happy to meet you."

"I'm happy to meet you too, Mr Clonnigon and I'll bet you are just the person I need to ask about something. I would like to buy a small place around here, preferably one with a house and a barn already on it. Do you happen to know if there's such a place for sale nearby?" I asked.

"There is such a place but it isn't small. It belonged to Charles Christopher, but he died two years ago and his wife moved back east to be with her family there.

"The property includes three hundred acres, a three story house, two large barns and several other outbuildings. It is a fairly expensive proposition though. I think it's well worth the asking price, especially since the deed is all in order, but it is expensive," he said.

"Is there someone nearby that can let me see the place, or do I have to write the widow for permission?"

"Mrs Christopher left me in charge of the property and I hereby give you permission to examine it to your own satisfaction. If you come by my house I'll get you the keys," he said.

"I'd like to go see it tomorrow if that will be acceptable. I think I'd better stay around today to finish this sorry business," I said, waving a hand toward my prisoner.

"I understand completely. If you have time later today you can come by or anytime really, at your convenience," he said.

"That's kind of you sir."

"I believe I'll be going then, as soon as I pay my respects to the soon to be departed," he said, and damned if he didn't walk over and kick fat boy right in the balls.

A few others were walking up then and I asked the first one to watch the prisoner and make sure no one kicked him in the head. He agreed to.

Back in the store, I checked on Mary. She was sitting at the table toward the back but she seemed in better spirits when I walked in.

"I heard the gunshot and I hoped it was you firing but I was afraid to go outside," she said, smiling now.

"I only wounded him, and I'm leaving him alive for a while so others in town can have a chance to administer some punishment. I'll finish him before dark. I think you need to go out there with me and check on the two girls in his wagon and their mother. They told me that he'd beaten her when he killed their father and she might need some help.

"I'd like for you to put them up in the bunk house for the time being until I can help them get settled somewhere," I said.

Mary agreed right away. One thing I liked about her was that most of the time she didn't ask a bunch of useless questions. When we got outside Mary took a look at fatass lying on the ground and then headed for the wagon.

Frank showed back up, and when he stopped he said he'd told most everyone he could think of. He also said he'd let the gravedigger know we needed one today.

"That was good thinking Frank, I hadn't gotten that far," I said.

"Johnny was glad to get the work, we don't really have that many deaths around here, and I'm sure he's even gladder that it's for someone he didn't know and like," Frank said.

"I can see where that would be better."

Mary was coming back from the wagon now and the twins were right on her tail. She stopped beside me.

"Mrs Clancy says she can walk, Bill, but I think it would be better if you could get a couple of men to carry her inside. I don't think she has any broken bones but her ribs are badly bruised and one or two of them may be cracked," she said.

"Coming right up then. Can you get a couple of bed sheets so I can make a litter?"

"We already have one. Silas made it that time we needed to bring in Mr Christopher, when his horse fell with him. I was coming for it. The twins and I will take it to the wagon and get her in it and then we'll need some men to carry her."

"Just call me when you're ready."

She agreed and was off.

"Frank, do you know anything about the Christopher place? The Mayor tells me it's for sale."

"Yes. It's a big place and it's the finest house I've ever seen. It has two big barns, a smithy, a big smokehouse and some other buildings. It even has a windmill with a big tank and the water is piped into the house. Why do you ask?"

"I'm going to look at it tomorrow. I've come to like Lancaster already and I might buy it," I said.

"You'd have plenty of room to rattle around in that big house. I've never seen anything else like it. It took over four hundred wagon loads of lumber just to put it up, and no telling how many of brick for the foundation," he said.

"Sounds like my kind of place."

Mary came to get me then and Frank came with me to help. When we slid the litter out of the wagon I saw Mrs Clancy for the first time. The twins looked remarkably like her and I'll swear she didn't look like she was thirty yet.

She did have some remarkable bruises but they were fading now. She was awake and alert but I could tell she was still in some pain.

"This is him, Mama, this is the man that shot Jake and is going to make him leave us alone," one of the twins told her.

"I don't know how to thank you, sir. You've saved the lives of my daughters and me," she said.

"No need for thanks, Mrs Clancy. I'm happy to have helped. My name is Bill Jefferson and if there's anything I can do for you, just let me know. I know you must have had a terrible time, and I'll do my best to help you all I can," I said, and I raised my estimation of fatass a little. He had excellent taste.

With Mary leading the way and the twins taking care of the doors we had Mrs Clancy in one of the bunkhouse beds in a few minutes. Frank took off to see to his wagon and team and he said he'd take care of Mrs Clancy's too. I warned him that I'd put my horses in his stalls but he said both mule teams could get by in his pen.

Leaving Mary and the twins to get Mrs Clancy settled in, I went back out to the store. I checked around the merchandise and found a few bottles of laudanum, and took one back to the bunkhouse along with a small spoon I found in the kitchen.

After knocking at the door and then being told to come in I crossed to the bed they had Mrs Clancy in.

"A few doses of this will go a long way to easing your pain, Mrs Clancy. The only problem is that it can become addictive. It will help you get well, but you will have to be firm with yourself and stop taking it after you are well," I said.

"I've seen others use it before and I knew that it could get to be a problem. I'll take it and count on you to remind me if I use too much. Is that fair?" she asked.

"It is, but you might not think it's so fair when I make you stop. Still, since you've asked me to, I will make sure it doesn't become a problem for you," I said, making it a promise.

Leaving them alone again, I went back out to the front of the store. After half an hour or so I was bored, but things perked up when the door opened and a woman walked in. I introduced myself to her.

"You must be the gentleman I've come to asks Mary about. She sent word that a Mr Jefferson wanted to see me about some shirts and trousers. I'm Marjorie Carlson," she said.

"I am the guilty party Mrs Carlson. I would like a few shirts and some trousers. I would have come to your place if not for the unpleasantness with that fellow who is now lying in the street," I said.

"I've heard about him and if even half of it's true you have done Lancaster quite a service," she said.

"I don't know what you've heard but I am sure we'll all be better off without him."

Marjorie Carlson was a pretty woman herself. I guessed she wasn't thirty yet and she had long blonde hair that reached nearly to her titties. Like Mary, she seemed to have a nice pair of those. She was probably only five foot four but it was a nice package all around.

"When do you think you could come by and let me take some measurements, Mr Jefferson?" she asked.

"Would now be convenient?"

"Yes, if you can come now it will be good," she said.

Coming now sounded pretty damned good to me, no matter if she didn't mean it exactly that way. I was hoping I could come not long after I got to her place, but I didn't say so.

"Let me just step into the back and tell Mary I'm leaving. She's getting Mrs Clancy and her twins settled in."

"Mrs Clancy, is that..."

"Mrs Clancy is the mother of the twins and they're the family that scum attacked and kidnapped," I said.

"I see. I'll wait and let you explain to Mary then," she said.

Walking back into the bunkhouse portion, I told Mary where I was headed. She followed me and said she'd lock the front door while I was gone.

Marjorie Carlson and I left but as soon as we were outside she called to one of the young boys standing around and staring at fatass.

"Jimmy, you be good. I'm going to take Mr Jefferson's measurements so that I can make some clothes for him. I don't want you getting into any trouble," she said.

"Are you Mr Jefferson?" Jimmy asked me.

"Yes I am son."

"Are you really going to shoot him before dark" he asked, wide eyed.

"I intend to, unless people would rather hang him, at any rate we'll be done with him today," I said.

Jimmy eyes opened even wider then as he gawked at me.

"Just stay around here, Jimmy. I'm sure you don't want to miss it, but I'll make you come home if you get into trouble," Marjorie warned him.

"Yes Ma'am. I'll be good," he promised, and we left.

Marjorie had a little house not far from Silas' store. It was small, but neat, especially inside. When we entered she motioned me over toward a worktable and into a chair beside it, saying she'd be right back.

When she returned I saw that she had changed clothes. The dress she wore now was plainer and I could see that its fit was designed to give her enough room to work in.

She asked me what type of shirts I wanted and I told her something like I had on, but a better fit. She asked me to take it off so that she could do some measuring and I did, removing my gun belt also.

She busied herself with the tape measure for a while, writing down her figures in a pad on the worktable. When she was done she asked me about trousers.

"Actually, I like the ones I have on fine, but I know they don't look like most you'd see around here. I was wondering if you could make some that fit about the same but looked more normal?"

"I believe so," she said, examining them and then measuring my waist.

Marjorie had showed a little blush when I'd removed my shirt and I'd also seen that she'd bolted the door behind us when we'd entered. So when she bent over to write down my waist size I let a hand give her ass a good fondle.

She stood back up promptly and when she turned to me, I pulled her in for a kiss before she could say anything. She pulled back a little and sputtered but I didn't let her get going, I just pulled her back for another, longer kiss. I took a good grip on each cheek while I was at it and pulled her up tight to me.

She was stiff and resistant at first, but pushing my tongue into her mouth confused her for a bit, and her response was interesting. She yielded slightly as if she might be warming up to the idea.

As my hands petted and played with her ass she seemed even more interested, but then she rallied her resistance and managed to pull her lips from mine, even though she didn't struggle out of my grasp.

"Mr Jefferson, please, release me. I'm a decent woman I'll have you know," she said, almost defiantly.

"And I'm a decent man," I said, bending my neck to suck at a tender spot on hers, "but even a decent man needs some female companionship."

Kissing her again, she went with the flow for a while, even kissing me back and dueling with my tongue. This was what I liked, a woman interested in helping with her own seduction, but then she broke the kiss again.

"Then you should find a wife and marry her," she said, but still she didn't try to get away from me. In fact, she was pressing her breast to my chest on her own now.

"I'm just not the kind to marry, Marjorie. I can't settle down to one woman because I like so many. But I'm not merely a cad and womanizer. I do my part wherever I am. Today for instance, I saved poor Mary and the Clancy woman and her twins.

"It roused my blood and surely you don't think I should demand they cool it now, after their ordeals. Can't you do your part, Marjorie?"

She was receptive again with the next kiss and I hoped I'd talked the resistance out of her. I didn't like it as well that way and I wasn't opposed to holding her down to have my way, not opposed at all.

Out and out rape wasn't my style and I didn't intend to fuck her if I sensed she was dead set against it, but I already knew she wasn't. If she needed to be forced a little to maintain her own inner dignity, well I was all for that too.

She was a participant in our kissing again so I pulled at her dress until I could get my hands under the hem. She didn't stiffen when my hands came down on her bare legs; rather, she let her arms go around my neck and pulled me to her. I could sense my victory.

Sliding my hands up towards her ass, I met no bloomers to fumble with. She was naked under the dress and the flesh of her firm ass was wonderful. My fingers soon found the way between her legs and when the tips reached her pussy they found it already wet.

Pushing a finger up her slightly, I made sure it was lubricated in her juices, then pulled it out to tease her tiny knob. She shivered and then moaned and her hips gave a little grind back toward the hand.

Sensing it was time to get down to business, I pulled my hand out and used the other one also to take hold of the dress and pull it up, and finally off over her head. She shivered again as I pulled her back to me, naked now but for her shoes.

Since Marjorie was shorter, I lifted her by her arms and sat her on the edge of her worktable, which was the perfect height. I saw that her breasts were nearly as large as Mary's and they were firm and looked luscious.

The nipples were large and had clearly done splendid duty nursing Jimmy, they had slight battle damage from hearty sucking and the chewing of tiny teeth. It gave them their own splendid character and I could hardly wait to get my lips around one.

As I stepped between her knees, her legs accommodated me. As I sucked and nipped busily at the nipple in my mouth, my hand returned to her pussy, making sure it stayed wet and interested. My mouth moved to the other titty after a short while, and she sighed and caressed my head with her hands while two fingers began slow stroking her wet womanhood.

By now I was ready for some pussy, and I knew that Marjorie was at least resigned to her fate. Stepping back slightly, I unbuckled my belt and dropped my pants and underwear, letting my dick spring up.

Marjorie was watching closely despite herself and she gasped at the size.

"Oh my," was all she said.



-------

Chapter 9


Teasing my dickhead around in her wet gash to get it slick was exquisite torture, for Marjorie and I both. When I slotted the head in her and pushed it home, I sighed as she sucked in a breath.

"You are a big man, and in serious need too."

"What man wouldn't be in serious need around you, Marjorie?"

She didn't reply but she did pull me to her for more kisses. Shoving it on up her, I let my hands at her breasts as I started the old in out in out.

My thumbs flicked and rubbed over her wonderful nipples and then her knees came up, changing the angle of my strokes when she wrapped her ankles behind my humping ass. Her arms went back around my neck as she hugged herself to me, laid her head on my shoulder, and then humped me back with a will.

I was getting to the short rows quickly and I knew she was on her way. I dropped a hand to her bush and let my thumb stroke and tease her clitoris. This action put an earnest tone to her ass's motion and in only a few minutes she was biting down on my shoulder to keep from crying out as we both went over the edge.

After a moment and a few deep breaths I kissed her again, more sweetly this time than passionately.

"Hold on," I said, a moment later, breaking the kiss and then lifting her from the table with my diminishing dick still up her.

She did hold on with both her arms and her legs and I scooted my feet along toward her bedroom, being careful not to let the pants down around my knees trip me.

I lay Marjorie down in her bed when I reached it, even though it pained my now reviving dick to lose its sheath. She was smiling up at me but nearly misty eyed.

Her eyes widened a little when I sat on the bed to pull off my boots and take my pants off completely.

"Oh," she said, when she noticed that my dick was waxing again and not waning as she'd probably expected.

"Oh is right. Now that I've had my wicked way with you once, did you think I'd leave so quickly? I simply must do it to you right, now that I've stifled your protest for a while. The next time I'm in need you will surely lock me out before I can make my case," I said, teasing her.

"I doubt it, what would another slice off the loaf matter, later. Besides, as your hands found quickly, your bread was already buttered as soon as you touched it," she said, teasing me back.

Marjorie was positively shocked when I pulled her on top and speared her from beneath, but she loved it grandly soon enough. Especially after I had her lean over and lower a nipple to my lips.

Careful attention to detail had a finger wet and slippery at just the right time, and when she took off on this trip, the finger I pushed up her ass at a critical moment foiled her attempt to keep from screaming. She collapsed onto my chest, panting.

Later, I was afraid Marjorie wasn't up to learning about dog style fucking yet and I saved that lesson for another day. I did take my time to nail her properly to the bed before I left. I hope she had enough measurements to get started because she wasn't up to taking any more this afternoon.

When I got back to the scene of civil punishment I saw that in my absence the crowd had stopped avoiding his head with their kicks. I asked for opinions and though some wanted to give him a proper hanging, nobody would volunteer to put his fat ass up on a horse just for the pleasure of seeing the horse spooked out from under him after the noose was placed. So I shot him once in each eye and the gravedigger dragged him to his final resting place with a mule.

The store's door was open when I tried it and I found Mary and the twins in the front. The twins were exploring the merchandise and Mary was sitting at the table, trying not to laugh at their excitement.

"Did Mrs Carlson get your measurements," Mary asked.

A quick glance across the room showed me that the twins weren't looking at us.

"Yes, every one of them," I told Mary, and then lewdly rubbed up and down my crotch a time or two.

As I sat down near her and poured myself a shot, Mary blushed brightly but she was smiling.

"No doubt she made you a V while you were there," she said, giggling.

"I'm not sure about that, but she did share three pieces of buttered bread from her loaf. It's strange though, I still feel hungry," I said, putting a hand between Mary's legs, under the table, and giving one a gentle squeeze.

"Mrs Clancy seems to be resting well after taking the Laudanum. I gave her some soup since she thought she could keep it down and she went to sleep shortly after. Lilly and Lilah say that they can take care of her but they've been exploring since she drifted off," Mary said.

"I'm sure they're glad to be out of that wagon."

"No doubt. What about you? Are you ready for supper?"

"I'm not ashamed to say I am," I said.

"Lilly, are you and Lilah ready for supper?"

"Yes Ma'am," they both said, at the same time.

We had buffalo steak again, and plenty of beans. Mary had baked some biscuits this time. The biscuits were the best of the bunch and during the meal I remembered exactly the type of seasoning buffalo steak needed. Ketchup, I wondered if it'd been invented yet.

Lilly and Lilah seemed shy during supper but I couldn't blame them. They'd been through an ordeal I could barely imagine. I was pleased to see that they were polite and had good table manners, a chancy thing at best in these times.

They helped Mary clean up afterward and she was about to go to the bunkhouse with them to make a last check on their mother before bedtime. I spoke up before they got away.

"Girls, I know you must be frightened and sad from the things you've had to deal with lately. There's nothing I can do for that, but I want you to know that you can come to me for anything you want or are worried about from now on.

"I don't care if you just wake up in the middle of the night from a bad dream. If you need anything, just come and get me - anytime, day or night. I won't be angry or upset and I'll help you deal with it, whatever it is," I said.

They promised they would and then all three of them went to check on Mrs Clancy.

I was still drinking a last cup of coffee when Mary came back alone.

"That was nice, what you told Lilly and Lilah. I could tell that it made them feel much better," she said.

"I'm glad then. I'm sure their mother has no intention of going back to Missouri and joining a wagon train and they'll need to feel safe around me," I said.

"They will?"

"Of course, where else can they live? All three of them will have to move in with me after I buy the Christopher place tomorrow. They will probably need to stay here until Carolyn is feeling better, but the sooner they can move, the more quickly things can begin to seem normal for them. I'm sure Silas won't mind having them for boarders for a while," I said.

"No, he won't. Even if they can't pay cash I'm sure he can work out some type of trade for some of the goods they have in their wagon. The Mayor had Frank search that evil man's body and Frank brought Carolyn the seven dollars they found, and he brought the man's gun and gun belt for you. He said you'd seemed interested in it," Mary told me.

"No need to worry about any trading, I'll pay Silas in gold for anything Lilly, Lilah, or Carolyn need, use, eat, or want while they're here."

"You are so generous, do you really have that much gold?" she asked, and I could tell from the way she said it that she was merely curious and wasn't wondering how she could get hold of some of it.

"It isn't that I have so much, though I do have a lot. I know where to get more, many times more than I have with practically no trouble at all. Gold or money is the least of my problems."

"I shouldn't have asked, I wasn't really trying to pry into your business," she said.

"I don't mind at all, you can ask me anything you want and I'll tell you if I know. It's only fair, since I fully intend to pry into your business as soon as we can get to bed," I said, smiling wolfishly.

"Oh you. You know very well that I'm panting for it myself."

We made sure everything was closed up tightly then and headed for the bedroom.

I was soon giving Mary her lessons about dog fucking, and though I didn't introduce her to the delights of sodomy that night, I did take the time to press my hard slick dickhead against her pink pucker firmly and tell her that we'd be trying it before long.

Lilly and Lilah popped out of their room the next morning as soon as they heard Mary starting a fire in the stove. They were bright eyed and bushy tailed and as cute as they could be.

"How is your mother this morning?" Mary asked, before I could get it out.

"She's still sleeping now. She woke in the middle of the night and was very sore, and so I gave her another spoonful of the medicine the way you showed me," Lilly said, and I was surprised that I was sure which one of the twins was which.

"Well, if she wakes and needs something she can ring the little bell I left by her bed," Mary said.

"I don't know if she will. She told us that she didn't want to be a bother and that she wouldn't use it unless she just had to," Lilly said.

"We'll just have to let someone stay with her all the time then, to make sure she doesn't need something, unless she promises to start using the bell," I said.

"Oh. She wouldn't like that, she'd think she was being pampered," Lilah said.

"She's supposed to be pampered, she's been hurt. The two of you should try to make her see that, or I'll have a talk with her about it. She's not well and she's in my care. I intend to make sure it is the best of care," I said.

"We'll tell her, Mr Jefferson, as soon as she wakes up," Lilly said.

"Good then, I want to make sure she understands. I have to go on a short ride this morning, but I hope you can make her see the light before I get back. If you can't I'll have to let Mary help me find a woman in town that I can hire to sit with her."

Mary was bringing food to the table by then and the twins hopped up to help as soon as she started. We all ate as much as we could and when Lilah was finished she went to sit by her mother while Lilly helped Mary with the dishes. I finished my coffee and headed to Frank's shop to saddle Boots.

He actually seemed to be glad to see me this morning and he didn't give a bit of trouble while I saddled him, nor when I mounted. Frank was already busy pounding on something hot and I just waved to him as I headed for the Mayor's home.

The Mayor opened the door at my first knock and invited me in for breakfast, but I told him I'd already had mine and he gave me a ring of keys to the Christopher place.

"I'm afraid I don't know which key goes to what lock, but I'm sure you can figure it out. The place is easy to find, since I'm sure the trail hasn't been covered over yet. You'll find it heads almost due south off the street just east of town."

I thanked him and left, thinking the whole time that the street wasn't much more than a trail itself.

At any rate, finding the trail was no trouble, and I'd barely gone half a mile before I saw the windmill, spinning lazily in the breeze.

I found the magnificent three-story house surrounded by a board fence that encompassed probably ten acres. The ornate front gate was closed and locked, but it was easy to find the correct key since it was the biggest one on the ring I had.

I went to the house first and after finding another correct key, I opened it and entered.

I wasn't prepared for what waited. It seemed as if not a thing had been taken from the house when Mrs Christopher moved out. The place was fully furnished and more so. Even the paintings in the large living room were still there. I assumed they were Mr and Mrs Christopher, and from the look of hers I was a little sad she wasn't still around.

I went to the kitchen next and got another surprise, it had running water. I guess the windmill should have tipped me off but I hadn't thought about it.

More poking around found twelve bedrooms complete with all furnishings and a fine double bed in each one, along with chests of drawers and trunks aplenty. They each even had large cedar-lined closets.

The obvious master bedroom had an even bigger bed, though I don't think king beds were even thought of yet. This bedroom had even more furniture and two very large closets. In fact it looked like most or all of his and her clothes were still there.

The beds were all made and aside from a light covering of dust, the house looked almost lived in.

I was delighted to find a bathroom through one of the master bedroom's inner doors. It was complete with a flush toilet and an extra large claw foot bathtub. Of course it had running water too. This made me wonder how the water was heated, since there were two spigots in the tub and at the small sink.

I found other common bathrooms scattered among the bedrooms and I was happy that I'd stumbled onto this place. I already knew that I had to have it but decided that I would at least look into the two large barns.

The first one I checked was obviously for horses but it also had a few stalls that were for milch cows. There was a large tack room with tack included, a buckboard, a large carriage, and one very big wagon. A feed room completed the deal.

I was stunned when I entered the other, even larger barn. Its original use was probably for hay or other storage, and there were several farm implements inside, as I'd more or less expected.

My truck and camping trailer had not been on the list of things I might expect to find here though. Seeing them parked in the big middle of this barn nearly made me faint dead away. I pulled myself together and checked it out. It looked exactly as it had when I left it, but it wasn't were I'd left it and that had me going.

Finally I realized that my adventure wasn't caused by some freak of nature during a storm. Someone or something was fucking with me savagely and there wasn't a damned thing I could do about it; none that I could think of anyway.

I started the truck up to make sure it still would, and everything seemed normal. In the trailer nothings seemed to have been molested. I pulled back the rug to open my hidden storage and everything looked just like I'd left it, except for the gold. Somehow my storage box was now nearly twice as big as it had been and all the extra room was taken up by more of the ingots like those I'd bought in Vegas.

The sight made me remember what I'd told Mary about knowing where to obtain more gold if I needed it. This had not been what I'd had in mind. I'd been half assed certain that I could discover and obtain gold from locations I'd remembered.

Thousands of people were already panning and mining all over California in this time, but there were plenty of other deposits they didn't have a clue about yet. With this latest little trick by whatever sent me here, searching for more gold went right to the bottom of my list. I couldn't dream up enough ways to spend what had appeared in my trailer's hidey box.

I didn't even count it, because it was easily millions of dollars worth. Even at the low price of gold in this time. I was getting tired of being shocked or stunned or even simply surprised by now. I decided to just take this as my due, dug out two hundred more ingots, closed up the secret box and left my trailer.

I hadn't asked to be put back in time like this, mostly because I didn't even know it was possible. I was even pretty sure that no one else on earth knew it was possible either, but with the way things had been going since it happened, I wasn't displeased.

There wasn't a damned thing I could do about it anyway, and the little bit of trouble I'd run into since I got here hadn't been worth crying about. The benefits I'd picked up were easily worth it.

On my way out I spotted something that just couldn't be here. Inside a small wooden box that was attached to one of the supporting beams was some sort of electric control box. It had a large red button that was labeled Hide and a smaller green one labeled Show - I pressed Hide and waited for something to happen.



-------

Chapter 10

Something did, it started at once. I heard a substantial whining from back near my truck and trailer. I looked that way and a section of the dirt floor was lowering itself with my truck and trailer on it. I watched the whole cycle and as the high point of my truck, the CB antenna as a matter of fact, descended below floor level, another section that looked exactly like empty dirt floor slid into place. When the moving was done with, the barn's dirt floor looked as if nothing had ever been in that large section, like my truck and trailer had never been there.

The other two buttons in the box were labeled "Up" and "Down" and when I pressed "Down" a small two man sized elevator came up out of the floor, waited until I entered and then sank back beneath it, coming to rest in what seemed a basement for the barn. My truck and trailer were there and the rest of the basement, which was as large or larger than the barn, was empty.

There were up and down buttons in the small elevator too, and when I pressed up it returned me to the main floor and then hid itself again when I stepped out.

I closed the wooden door on the control box that I'd thought was surface mounted on one of the barn's main supports. Wrong again, the whole box slid back into the beam and when it was done I couldn't even see a line around the outside of the small door. It looked as if the beam was completely solid.

By now I was hoping to escape the Christopher's Mansion without any more surprises. All of them had been worthwhile but I was near the end of my twine for today. I mounted Boots and headed back toward the gate. I didn't even bother to lock it behind me.

As I was leaving, I noticed that my saddlebags were sagging badly to the side I'd put the new gold ingots in. I had to dismount and transfer half of them to the other side. I remounted and headed directly to the Mayor's house then.

After he let me in I didn't stall around.

"Sir, what is the price for the Christopher's place?"

"Originally it was ten thousand dollars, but lately she sent word that she would accept half that since there'd been no interest," he said.

"Nonsense. I'll gladly pay the full ten thousand, and when you send her the money please tell her that I'll double that amount if all the contents are included," I said.

"All the contents are included already, the horses and mules also," he said.

"I didn't see any horses or mules," I said.

"They are at the Colonel's ranch. He's keeping them for her since they have to be fed and tended to. There are two Morgans for the buckboard, four for the carriage and ten large Missouri mules for the wagon," he said.

"Even better," I said.

I'd brought my saddlebags in with me, and the Mayor went nearly bug eyed when I counted out ten thousand dollars worth of ingots from each side to pay for the place.

It's usually difficult to stun even a small town politician speechless but I'd done the job. The Mayor finally came to his senses and made a receipt. I was feeling magnanimous by now and I couldn't keep my mouth shut.

"I realize that this is a big responsibility for you, so I want you to know that I don't hold you responsible for the delivery to Mrs Christopher. I expect that you will do your best, but if something untoward does happen, robbers or such, I will be ultimately responsible. If someone steals this gold I'll simply hunt them down and kill them and then make other arrangements to get it to its rightful owner," I told him, but I had the strangest feeling that nothing at all would go wrong.

After some idle chitchat I left the Mayor and after putting Boots away I went directly to Marjorie Carlson's shop and home. Jimmy was playing around near the front door and I started to send him to see Mary about some candy she needed to give him, but I didn't really have time for an afternoon of slap and tickle.

"Hello, Jimmy, is your mother in?" I asked.

"Yes sir, Mr Jefferson, she's sewing I think," he said.

"Very good," I said, knocking on the door.

Marjorie opened it right away and invited me inside.

"Are you working on my shirts?" I asked.

"As a matter of fact I am," she said, and then came close for a kiss when I pulled her to me.

"Might as well stop for now, I've run into a much larger project for you. I bought the Christopher place and there are closets filled with clothes that will no doubt need some work to fit me," I said.

"Maybe not much, Mr Christopher was a big man, probably near your size," she said.

"Be that as it may, I'll never fit into any of those dresses until they've been altered," I said, trying not to laugh.

"Oh, you," she said, after a minute to think, and then she laughed.

"What do you really want done with the things?" she asked.

"First, I'll need some idea of what can be done with them. I don't know how far they can be changed from what they are and I don't have any idea of what size Mrs Christopher was. Ideally I'd like to make sure you, Mary, and Mrs Clancy and her twins get all the use you can out of what there is. I'd like for you to have the rest to sell or use as you see fit.

"Of course you and Jimmy will have to move in with me, since it would be too much trouble to move them all here so you could deal with them. Besides, there simply isn't room for them in your shop or even in your whole house.

"Also, I'd feel much better if you were living close to me. It would be so much easier for me to visit," I said, patting her lovely ass.

"Funny, I'd never considered being a kept woman before and now I like the sound of it," she said.

"Don't think of yourself as a kept woman. You're a dear friend that I want to keep close. I shan't be keeping tabs on you and if you find a man you want to keep for your own I won't stand in your way in the least."

"Don't be silly," she said, pressing herself against me, "Now that you've done it to me right, where will I find a man that can compare? I dare say I couldn't keep up with the pace if I had to handle you by myself. I think I'll like life as a kept woman just fine, no matter what the Pastor might have to say about it."

"The Pastor will find himself in heaven sooner than expected if he doesn't remember the Golden Rule, and I don't mean the one most people quote. I'm speaking about Judge not, lest ye be shot by the one you piss off with me doing the shooting," I said.

"Oh my. In fact Parson Brown has always been a practical man for a preacher. I'm sure you can come to an understanding if you talk it out," she said, and then reached down to give my dick a little squeeze.

"Especially when he realizes my enthusiasm for the situation," I said, kissing her again.

"I think you and Jimmy should start packing your things, at least enough to last for a night or two. I'll want us to move as soon as I get my teams from the colonel."

I left and went back over to the store where I found Mary and Lilly out front.

"How is Mrs Clancy?" I asked, when I came in.

"Mother seems much improved. She only took half a spoon of the medicine after lunch and she's been able to get up to use the privy," Lilly said, and then squeaked and blushed for what she'd told me.

"Wonderful. If she feels well enough, maybe we can move out to our new house tomorrow," I said.

"Our new house?" Lilly asked, mouth gaping.

"Of course, we can't very well keep you all staying in Silas's bunkhouse. He'll need it for others any time now. I was able to scrape together enough money to buy us a little shack not far from town. The guy told me the roof didn't leak all that much," I said.

Some of the excitement left Lilly's face, but Mary couldn't keep quiet.

"Don't worry Lilly, I've seen the house and it isn't a little shack, it is a very nice home," she said.

"Are you really going to let us live with you in your new home Mr Jefferson?" Lilly asked.

"That's the reason I bought it so quickly, Lilly, so you and Lilah and your mother would have a nice comfortable home. I'm sure I'll like it too but I didn't need it so quickly for myself. I do think it will be a good place for your mother to recover," I said.

"May I go tell her about it, and Lilah too?"

"Of course you can. If your mother wants to talk to me about it just come fetch me."

Lilly was away like a shot.

As I'd expected Lilly and Lilah were back in a few minutes to ask if I could come and talk with their mother. I expected some resistance but not overmuch.

I knocked on the door when I got there and she asked me to come in, and then to sit down. There was a chair near the bed and she was propped up on some pillows.

"Mr Jefferson, first I want to thank you for saving my daughters and I from that horrible man. I shudder every time I think about what he did to my family," she said.

"Then stop thinking about it. There's nothing you can do about that, it's past. All you need concern yourself with is where you go from here," I said.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Lilly told me you'd bought a home for us to live in," she said, and it wasn't exactly a question but I could hear one in there somewhere.

"I did, but I needed one anyway and this one was a bargain. I'm actually glad things turned out like they did so that I could find out about it and complete the transaction."

"But we can't just move into your home with you?"

"Why not? You have to stay somewhere for a while at least. Even if you have family you want to return to, you're not well enough right now and this bunkhouse isn't a proper place for you to stay."

"But what will people think, what will they say?"

"In the first place there aren't many people around here, and even then the house isn't in town. I'm a moderately respectable man and everyone already knows your story. They'll realize you have to stay somewhere."

"And what of you Mr Jefferson, what are your intentions towards my daughters and I?" she asked.

I was glad to finally get to the good part.

"Well, I am a fairly kind hearted man, especially to those who find themselves in a dilemma not of their own making. Then again, you are a very pretty woman, and when you get well I'm sure I'll try to get into your bloomers," I said, with a straight face.

Even though I'm sure that the thought had crossed Carolyn Clancy's mind, she still blushed a little when I said it. She didn't get upset or antagonistic about it though, and in fact she smiled just slightly.

"I'm glad you are such a forthright man. Truthfully, I realize the position I'm in and I know my prospects are dim now. I'm sure that I could make the adjustment to earning my keep with my body, but I couldn't do that to my daughters, they suffered so much while that madman had us," she said, and a tear trickled down from one eye.

"We seem to have a misunderstanding here, Mrs Clancy. You don't need to pay your way with your body and I'm actually shocked that you could think that of me. You'll owe me nothing if you live your life out in my home and I never so much as get to pat you on your splendid rump.

"I'm not suggesting a tit for tat bargain. I'm offering you and your daughters a home for as long as you want it with no strings attached. When I said I'd try to get into your bloomers I didn't mean that I'd force my way in. I'm afraid I'll have to have at least tacit approval first, if not by word, at least by deed.

"As far as your daughters are concerned, I never pester girls that are younger than eighteen, never. Even then I don't force myself on women, frankly, I don't have to," I said.

It was hard to read what she thought of my little speech, but after a few minutes of staring into my eyes she spoke up.

"You know, Mr Jefferson, I actually believe you," she said, and then smiled her widest yet.

"Good, I'm hoping there'll be no more protests. And if you are later distressed by ugly rumors, just tell me who is spreading them and I'll make them stop. I might not even have to shoot the culprit."

Back in the shop I saw Lilly and Lilah whispering together in a corner and Mary was fiddling with some trinkets in a display case. I told the girls to stop worrying and that everything was settled.

"If I can round up my carriage horses and if your mother feels like it, we will probably move tomorrow. Try to make sure that you have everything you've unpacked here gathered back up, and look over the store for anything you'd like to take with you. Mary will fix me a bill and I'll pay her before we go," I said, and they looked stunned again.

"I don't understand," they both said at once.

"Try to think of me as a rich uncle that wants to spoil you. Pick out anything you see that you might want later and bring it to Mary so she can add it to the bill. In fact, you should ask your mother if there's anything she could possibly use.

And please try to spend at least a hundred dollars, more would be better. Silas and Mary have been very kind to us, even if Silas doesn't know about it yet. I want them to be very glad we were here," I said.

They were off to see their mother again in a flash. I sat down at the table to pour myself a shot but before I could even grab the bottle I heard horses coming down the street, a lot of horses.

I'd just stepped outside when one of the Colonels hands that I recognized from yesterday dismounted in front of Silas' boardwalk.

"Good afternoon, Mr Jefferson. The colonel heard that you'd bought the Christopher's place and he sent us in with your stock. He told Jed and I to stay with them to help you until things sorted out. What would you like to do with them first?" he asked.

"I suppose the best thing would be to turn them loose in the main fence. I left the gate open and you can just swing it to when you leave. If you have time, would you hitch the wagon and bring it back to town so we can haul some feed?" I asked.

"Shouldn't be a problem. Will you be buying the feed from Silas?" he asked.

"If he sells feed I'm sure I will. I didn't even know he stocked it."

"Yes sir, it's just in a different building. We'll take the wagon there then."

"Please do, and load it with all you think it will carry. Should I pay Mary for it?" I asked.

"That's the usual way. Robert runs the feed barn for Silas, and he can send a bill with us to leave at the store," he said.

"That's fine if it's not to much for you this afternoon," I said.

"Not at all sir, only Jed and I will be staying tonight, but the rest of these lazy rascals have their marching orders to help," he said, and then laughed.

As they left I thought it was a little odd that word had spread so fast about my purchase, especially out to the colonel. I walked over to Frank's shop and since he wasn't hammering on anything at the moment I asked him about it.

"No mystery there, Sarah comes into town at least every other morning between ten and eleven. She was a little later today and she heard about it somewhere no doubt. In fact I saw her going into Silas' store to visit with Mary," he said.

"Well I guess sometimes a few rumors can help out. It saved me a ride out to the colonel's place," I said.



-------

Chapter 11


I went back into the store and saw that Lilly and Lilah must have straightened things out with their mother since they were busily gathering up things from everywhere.

Mary was seated at the table and trying to make a list of items they'd already brought to her. I could see it was going to be a job.

"Looks like you'll do a good business today," I said, teasing.

"Silas won't know what to do when he gets back. He'll have to go right back and get more stock," she said.

"By the way, where does he buy his feed?"

"He gets that in Dallas too. That's one of the reasons he wants to buy a wagon of his own, so he won't have to pay to have it shipped in," she said.

"I'm afraid that isn't going to work out so well for him, I just sent Jed and Jethro and a few more of the colonel's men to take my mules and morgans out to the house and they'll be coming back with the mules and the big wagon to buy all the feed they can haul," I said.

"Oh my, I hope he does buy the wagon and team and then remembers to buy more feed. We don't have much to start with and I'd hate for anyone to run short," she said.

"Pass the word to Robert that anyone who runs short can come pick up a little from me and then pay me back when Silas has more."

"I will, but it may be a while before Silas can build his stock back up, especially if he wants to haul it himself," she said.

"That's what I meant in the first place, he won't be able to do that if he keeps staying a week at a time, he's still going to need to have some of it freighted in. Of course I'm not going to mind if he spends a lot more time traveling and you won't have to worry about being lonesome while he's gone," I said.

She laughed, and then I suggested that she make sure Silas gave her a little when he got back. She looked at me funny so I spelled it out.

"There is an excellent chance that you are pregnant already and you will almost certainly be before he gets back. You'll need to be able to blame it on him unless you want to leave him and move in with me," I said.

"I'm sure I'd like things better that way, but it would be such a scandal, and he's always been nice to me you know," she said.

"Either way is fine with me, but you know what you need to do. It's your decision," I said.

"It won't be a bother. For some reason he often wants to do it after a trip to Dallas. I know I can get him in the mood with no problem. I have learned a trick or two," she said, and then laughed.

I was outside on the boardwalk, leaning back against the wall in a chair as Jed, Jethro, and the rest came by with the mules pulling the big wagon from my new place.

They pulled to a stop and I hopped aboard the wagon with Jed and Jethro. The others were on their horses and I learned that they would load the wagon and then head back to the colonel's ranch and leave the unloading to Jed and Jethro.

"Did you find the key to the bunkhouse?" I asked when I sat down on the wagon's seat.

"Sure, no problem at all," Jed told me.

"What about food, I don't think there's any out there."

"We brought enough for a night and to get started in the morning," Jethro said.

"Coffee then, do you have coffee?"

"We didn't bother with that, we'll live one morning without it," Jed said.

"No need to. After we get loaded just stop by Silas' store and Mary will fix you up with coffee, cups and a pot. I'm sure I'll need a few extra out there anyway."

The others had already given Robert the news by the time Jed backed the wagon to the loading spot. We weren't even in the building before the other hands started loading feed sacks.

Jed, Jethro, Robert, nor I had to touch a sack and the others were done in a few minutes. The big wagon was only about half loaded before Robert was sold out.

"Did Mary send word about what to do if someone needed feed before you get more?" I asked Robert.

"Yes sir, Mr Jefferson, she said to send them to see you if they were running short," he said.

"Fine, and if you can give me the bill I'll pay Mary on the way."

"It won't take but a minute to fill one out," he said.

He was back with the bill shortly and I took it, then Jed, Jethro, and I boarded the wagon and Jethro drove it up in front of Silas' store. We all got down and went inside.

I laid the bill near Mary's paper work while she found a coffee pot, a half dozen tin cups and a three-pound sack of Arbuckle's coffee for Jed and Jethro.

Lilly and Lilah were over in the corner whispering again, and I could tell they wanted to ask me something but were each trying to get the other one to do it.

"OK, girls, spit it out. One of you might as well ask me whatever it is," I said.

"If you're going out to the new house, we were wondering if we can go see it?" Lilly finally asked.

"I'll be glad for the company but you'll have to ask your mother," I said, but most of it was to their backs as they raced to the bunkhouse room Carolyn Clancy was in.

They were back in minutes grinning from ear to ear.

"I guess she said it was ok?"

"Yes sir, but she made us promise not to get in the way."

"I'm sure you'll do fine. Jed, I'm going to go saddle Boots and ride out to the place. I'll probably leave him there and we'll need to hitch the carriage so I can bring Lilly and Lilah back to town tonight. I'll need it in the morning anyway."

They headed for the wagon and Lilly and Lilah followed them. I went over to Frank's and told him the plan.

"I'll probably just put the two Morgans in the pen I'm taking Boots out of, if that's all right," I said.

"Fine with me, Bill," he said, then I saddled up and took off.

The wagon was approaching the horse barn when I got there, and Jed pulled it inside and stopped by the feed room. I was going to help them unload but they told me to show the girls the house and they'd take care of it, and then catch the morgans and hitch them to the carriage. I left Boots tied to a rail and then Lilly, Lilah, and I headed for the house after Jed handed me the ring of keys.

We went in the front door and the twins were trying to look everywhere at once. They were amazed at the running water in the kitchen and doubly so when I told them that one faucet was for hot water but that I didn't have the heater going yet.

I showed them the Master bedroom that was on the ground floor, along with three other bedrooms, then we went upstairs and I showed them the library and the four bedrooms on that floor, finally we toured the bedrooms and the other parts of the third floor.

They didn't know what to say about the indoor bathrooms with commodes that flushed and they couldn't believe there were so many bathtubs.

"This must be a palace," Lilly said.

"It's probably a lot more comfortable than a palace even if it isn't as large. Most palaces were built hundreds of years ago and they're usually drafty and hard to heat in the winter," I said.

They left me then and I went back downstairs to sit in the living room. It was only a few minutes later that Jed knocked on the front door. I went to see what was up and he had brought the carriage for us.

"We unloaded the feed, put Boots in the first stall and unhitched the mules. Jethro made sure there was water for all the stock and I put out a little feed. If that's all you know of we need to do, we'll go ahead and head for the bunkhouse and try out the new coffee pot," he said, grinning.

"That's fine Jed, and thank you. We'll probably head back to town in just a little while," I said.

He headed off and I went to fetch Lilly and Lilah.

They were coming down the stairs, still excited and grinning.

"I hope you've seen enough for today girls, it's about time to go back to town," I said.

"Yes sir, we have plenty to tell Mama about," they said, and followed me out.

I locked the door behind me and the girls were amazed again at the carriage. I handed them up to sit inside and then climbed into the driver's box and headed off toward town. With the horses now mostly loose on the grounds I closed the gate behind me.

I let Lilly and Lilah off at the store and then took the carriage to Frank's place. He was about to close up but he helped me with the Morgans and the harness. I thanked him and then went back to the store.

Mrs Clancy was up and about when I came into the store, at least she was sitting at the big table where most business was conducted, and where the bottle Silas usually had available for a quick shot stayed.

Mary was still counting and writing and the twins were back to running all over the store. By now they were digging into boxes that had been covered by other merchandise in the past months and years.

I took a chair between Mrs Clancy and Mary and grabbed the bottle and a glass, pouring myself a small shot. I also offered one to Mary and Mrs Clancy but the both declined.

"Mr Jefferson, I appreciate your generosity, but I'm worried that the girls are taking advantage of you," Mrs Clancy said.

"Not at all. I'm going to pay Silas at least two hundred dollars anyway so if they find anything they like or can find useful it will be just as well. I don't want to encourage them to spend all their time spending money but I think it is a harmless way to take their minds off the recent unpleasantness, and I have plenty of gold. Plenty," I said.

That seemed to nip the serious conversation in the bud and I was glad of it. The twins were having fun and every few minutes they'd come over to show us their latest discovery. In between times Carolyn Clancy and I would chat a little, mostly about nothing to tell the truth.

When the sun finally started setting, Mary closed the front door and headed for the kitchen. I helped Carolyn back to the bunkhouse room so that she could rest a little before supper, which she planned to try and eat with the rest of us tonight.

The twins knocked off their busy duties to help Mary with the cooking and I sat in the kitchen to watch. A thought hit me while she was busy.

"Mary, I'll need a cook. I hadn't even thought about it. In fact I'll need someone to clean up and wash too. Do you know anyone that needs a job?" I asked.

"Maybe. Maybel Jamison lives with her son and his wife now, since her husband died. I think she'd probably like to have a job and she is a good cook. She comes by now and then and I think she feels like she gets underfoot in her son's home.

"About all she has to do is tend the small garden plot he helped her get started, and then a little canning," Mary said.

"Do they live in town?"

"No, but it's only about a half a mile south of here," she said.

"I'll be too busy tomorrow, probably, but I might see what she thinks the next day," I said.

"She comes by at least once a week, do you want me to ask her if she does?"

"No, I think I'll wait until I can ask her myself."

Supper was ready by then and after helping Mary get it on the table, the twins went to check on their Mother. Carolyn decided to eat in her room, since she was still a little tired. I was glad, since I wanted her to be well rested for the trip tomorrow.

After the dishes were cleaned up, the twins joined their mother, and I followed Mary to her bedroom. On our second round I showed her that my dick really would fit up her ass, but she didn't believe me at first and made me do it again later, to make sure I wasn't fibbing the first time.

Mary snuck out of bed without waking me the next morning and the first I knew of it was when giggling from the kitchen woke me. I got out of bed and dressed and walked into the kitchen.

Carolyn Clancy was seated at the table with a cup of coffee before her. The twins were standing by Mary who was cooking and I could tell that their conversation had come to an end as soon as they'd heard me up and about.

"Good morning, ladies, how are things going so far?" I asked, to the room.

"Very well, if you ask me, or they were until you came in," Carolyn said, and then blushed a little at her own bravado.

"I'm wounded. What have I done?"

"You brought an early end to the gossip Mary was sharing with me, and to the education the twins were receiving," she said.

"Far be it from me to deny Lilly and Lilah's education."

"I'm sure you'll continue it when they're older," Carolyn said, and it caused the twins to blush crimson.

"I'm always glad to further young people's education," I said.

"No doubt, but from Mary's tale you might be forced to tutor some of us older folks too," she said.

"Mrs Clancy, have you had an extra dose of laudanum this morning? I asked, knowing that something had lubricated her tongue.

"No, but in anticipation of the trip I did take a full measure, and I should also admit that I've had a shot of that excellent whiskey Silas had in both cups of coffee that I've had so far this morning.

"Very good, I like a woman who can plan ahead, and you can be sure that if you happen to say something that might embarrass you later, I'll remember every bit of it."

"Oh my, you wouldn't hold it against me would you?" she asked.

"I hope to hold it against you just as soon as you've fully recovered. I believe I mentioned that yesterday," I said, grinning.

Carolyn blushed fiercely at that and as a matter of fact so did Mary and both the twins. It made me wonder whether Mary had given them every tiny detail and then I figured she probably had.

Speculation ceased then though since the twins brought plates of sausage, eggs, potatoes, and biscuits to the table. At least I stopped talking, because it interfered with eating.

I was happy to see that Carolyn's appetite had returned too, and even though I finished first, I stayed and sipped coffee until everyone else had finished eating.

"Mary, it seems that Robert won't have much to do today since he had no merchandise left. Would Silas trust him to watch this store today?" I asked, after they'd all eaten.

"He has been in charge of it for a few hours at a time before, but not often," she said.

"I think he'll have to watch it today because we'll need you to help us move," I said.

"I'm sure he won't mind, I'll go and ask him right away," Mary said.

"No, don't do that. I'll find someone to send him a message to come up and see you. When he gets here, don't ask him anything; tell him what he needs to do. If he doesn't know it already we might as well let him see that you'll be in charge when Silas is away," I said.

"I'm not sure Silas would see it that way," Mary said.

"I am, and if I'm wrong I'll explain my thoughts to Silas when he returns," I said, making it an order without being rude about it.

"Very well, if that's what you want," she said, and I could see some determination creeping up her spine.

"In the mean time, while you're straightening up the kitchen, I'm going to see if Frank will hitch up the carriage for us and then I think I need to hire at least a couple of men to help us out at the new place.



-------

Chapter 12


"Do you know of any reliable men that might need a job?"

"Not really, but Frank might. If Silas were here he could probably tell you about several, but I've never tried to keep up with such," Mary said.

When I went out into the store I heard steps on the boardwalk and then someone tried the door, which was still bolted. I opened it just as Sarah Johnson was about to knock.

"Good morning Sarah, come in. Mrs Brown and Mrs Clancy and the twins are still in the kitchen. If you'll come with me I might be able to talk them out of a cup of coffee for you," I said, smiling at her.

"Oh, thank you. The men that returned said you might be moving today and I came to see if I could help," she said, smiling back.

"I'm sure we can put you to work and thank you for offering, but in that case Mrs Brown might need to fix you some breakfast. I don't want to work you on an empty stomach," I said, waving a hand toward the door to the kitchen and inviting her to lead the way.

She did and I noticed that she wasn't wearing chaps today but she was in buckskin trousers, and they fit her firm young ass to perfection. I knew I probably shouldn't, but I couldn't resist reaching out and giving a round cheek a little squeeze.

It startled her a little and she looked back at me, blushing around her neck. I just winked at her and gave her another friendly pat. She seemed almost smug in her acceptance of my temptation and she went on into the kitchen.

"We have our first volunteer and I think you should feed her before we start working her fingers to the bone," I said.

I left Sarah in Mary's care and made it to Frank's shop before he started anything important. Frank didn't smile much but I could tell he was glad enough to see me this morning.

"Good morning, Frank. Seems like every time I need something I come to ask you about it, and here I am again," I said.

"Don't bother me none, I'm glad to help if I can."

"I've got a big place now and I'm going to need some hands. I was hoping you could steer me right. I also need to know the going pay rate around here," I said.

"The colonel has pretty much set the rate, for cowhands anyhow. It seems a little high to me, but then again he don't have trouble finding men to work," Frank said.

"Then I guess you know what that rate is?"

"He pays top hands thirty a month and found. Saddle trash like that Jenkins you had to deal with get twenty a month and found, but he don't hire many like that. I'd say he was cheating himself on Jenkins but ones like him don't stay long."

"That sounds like less than I'd been expecting, but I don't want to stir things up by paying more and seeming like I'm trying to take his men from him, I guess I'd better offer the same thing, for now at least.

"Do you know any men that are looking for that kind of work and are worth the money?"

"I know a couple who could be top hands and they're worth the money if anyone is. Trouble is, both of them married in the last year and they don't want to leave home on any cattle drives. They might have to if they don't find something else though.

"I know how they feel too, cause since I've got a wife and now one young'un I don't want no more of that myself. I'm just glad I can scrape by with the smithy and by keeping up a few horses for folks in town," he said, but he didn't realize what music it was to my ears.

"I'm glad you said that, how would you like to be my foreman? I'll buy you out here and pay you a hundred a month to run my place for me," I said.

"Are you serious? What do you want me to do first?" he asked.

"First thing, I need the carriage ready to roll. I want to get moved in out there today. When you get the team hitched, just park it over by Silas' store so the women can load up. You'd better tell your wife first of all though.

"After the carriage is ready, you'd probably better see about hiring some hands. If they're married, tell them they won't have to go on any cattle drives or even be away from home at all unless it is a real emergency.

"If you find good single men, I think we can use twenty before we have to build another bunkhouse. We need a cook for them too, better make the cook your first hire if you can find one. If it's a woman tell her I'll make sure the men don't pester her unless she wants them too," I said, grinning.

"Colonel Johnson's last camp cookie got married not long ago too. He was a damned good cook, if he can stay home nights I know I can get him."

"Get him then, and pay him double what the colonel paid. He needs more money to keep up a wife and kids. Ask him to keep it to himself though."

"Won't be no trouble there. Bob Jakes don't talk much, especially for a cook," Frank said.

"That's probably enough to get us started. I know we'll need some others by and by, but we can worry about it later. I need to go see Mrs Carlson to make sure she's about ready and there's a few other things I need to tend to. I'll let you know before we head to the house."

When I knocked on Marjorie Carlson's door Jimmy yanked it open right away. I could see that he was excited but he remembered his manners and invited me in.

Marjorie had heard and she came in right after.

"Good morning, Mrs Carlson, are you about ready?" I asked.

"Yes, Mr Jefferson, we are. We have all our clothes packed anyway. We might have to make another trip later for some of my sewing things," she said.

"You'll probably need a few days to get adjusted before you do any more sewing, and I'll make sure everything you need is moved promptly. I do need to ask if I can hire Jimmy for a little running around for me today though," I said.

"Jimmy will be happy to do it, there's no need to pay him," she said.

"Nonsense, a man's worth his hire. Jimmy, would you be my messenger for today? I can pay you a dollar," I said.

"Yes sir, I sure will," Jimmy said, smiling wide.

"Good. Run down to Silas' feed barn and tell Robert that Mrs Brown needs to see him at the store. You don't need to wait on him; you can go right on to the store and wait for me after you've given him the message. If I'm not there, tell Mrs Brown I said to give you a stick of candy while you're waiting," I said.

Jimmy's eyes shot open even wider, and then, showing his native intelligence he disappeared before his mother could complain about his outrageous salary.

"You're going to spoil him already," Marjorie said, half-heartedly complaining.

"Of course I am. I'll work it out of him when he's older, but when I raise a boy I want him to like it. Besides, I needed for him to leave fast, so I could ravage his mother," I said, pulling her to me.

Something I said must have sat right with her. She kissed me passionately and when I got hold of her ass outside her dress she pressed her body to me. I didn't really have time for even a quick fuck, but that didn't mean I couldn't feel around on the goods.

I had her dress's skirt up and my hands on her naked bottom, fast. She hadn't bothered with bloomers today either and that suited me fine.

When my fingers found her pussy it was already damp so I slid one on in for the fun of it. After working it up her a little I pulled it back and teased her rosebud with its wet tip. She stiffened a little but then hugged me to her tightly and kissed even harder. Finally I broke the kiss and stopped my abuse.

"Damn, I wish it weren't going to be such a busy day, but it probably wouldn't be fair to make you move to your new home with come dripping down your thighs," I said.

"You can if you want to," she said, blushing furiously.

"Don't worry, I'll get around to it before I go to sleep tonight. Just how naughty am I going to be able to make you?" I asked.

"By now I don't think I remember what the word no means where you're concerned," she said, hiding her face in my shoulder.

"That's my girl. I've got my heart set on sleeping between you and Mary tonight."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, it'll be better. That way you won't both be exhausted in the morning."

She was weak in the knees by now, and I helped her to a chair, telling her to come over to the store after she recovered. I had a feeling this was going to be an instructive night for Marjorie. She'd come a long way since I got here but she'd probably be shocked by what we were going to do tonight. Mary might be too, as far as that goes, but I knew Mary could be easily led.

I saw that Jed and Jethro had their horses tied up in front of Silas' store when I headed back across the street, and Frank was walking toward it too, from the other direction. I waited for him.

"I found Bob Jakes and he was glad to get the job. He has his own chuck wagon and he said he'd be out as soon as he got it ready to go," Frank said, when he reached me.

"Good."

"I saw both the married men, and they'll be riding out too. I'm not sure they believed me though. They want to talk to you," he said.

"I don't mind talking to them, Frank, but you're the foreman. If they can't understand that, we don't need them," I said.

"I don't think that's the way it will turn out. They were just so surprised about you coming here and buying that big place. They hadn't heard a single word about you yet. I'm sure it will be fine once they've met you," he said.

"I can understand that. I'd want to at least meet a man before I went to work for him myself. I remembered someone else we need to hire though. Is there a carpenter in town?"

"Josh Green lives about a mile north of town. He's a pretty good carpenter and both his boys are learning the trade from him," he said.

"That's good too. Can you ride out and see if you can hire him, and the boys? There is a small house behind the main one that I assumed was for the foreman, but I don't think it's big enough or nice enough for you and your family. Maybe you can get by in it until we can get something suitable built," I said.

"Well Mr Jefferson, Cara and I aren't used to anything too fancy," he said.

"You're going to have to call me Bill from now on, Frank. It will give the other men more confidence in you. As for the house, I'm afraid I'll have to insist on a new one for you. Remember, your living conditions reflect on me. The bigger and nicer your house, the more prosperous I'll look."

Frank didn't protest any further, he just said he'd ride out and talk to Josh Green, and then headed for his own little house.

I went inside and found Silas' store full of people. Jimmy was happily licking his sugar candy, and the twins were busily rummaging around in the stock again, ignoring Jimmy as beneath their dignity. Jimmy didn't seem to mind at all.

Carolyn, Mary, and Sarah were sitting at the table, talking up a storm but Sarah stood when she saw me come in.

"Lucky for us Jed and Jethro stopped in for some tobacco on their way back to the ranch. If they'd ridden on by they might have missed out on all the fun," she said, and then laughed.

"Oh, will they have time to help us too?" I asked.

"Of course they do. There's nothing much going on at the ranch today. In fact, I think I'll let Jed ride out there and fetch back a half dozen more men to help. I'll bet there's plenty of lifting and carrying they can do."

"I'm sure you're right. We need to get Mrs Clancy's wagon out there and unloaded, and then we'll hitch up my big wagon and bring both of them back to town for more. I'm sure we can even think up some other things we've forgotten," I said.

"Fine. If you've got your tobacco, Jed, ride out and tell Daddy what's going on. He might even want to come himself. That is all right isn't it Mr Jefferson?" she asked.

"Your father, or anyone from your ranch is welcome at my place anytime. If we have time, he and I can talk about horses, I'll need a lot more of them now," I said.

Jed didn't even wait for further instructions, he left right away. Marjorie came in the door right after he was gone.

"Now ladies, and Jimmy, I see we have a quorum so we might as well board the carriage and be on our way," I said.

"Won't we need to load some things in it first?" Mary asked.

"I think we should all go to the house first and get some idea of where we'll be putting things before we bring them out," I said, and that's what we did.

The twins helped their mother into the carriage but it looked like she could have managed by herself if she'd had to. The rest piled in after them and when I was sure everyone was ready I clucked to the team and they moved out. Jethro headed over to Frank's place to hitch up Carolyn's team and bring her wagon.

Jimmy jumped down off the seat beside me and opened the gate when we got to it, and I told him to just leave it standing open. Once he was seated again I drove up to the house.

I helped the women out of the carriage, led the way unlocking the front door, and then got out of the way.

"You all might as well explore the place now, so everyone will know what we have to work with. I'll be taking the master bedroom and I'm sure Mrs Clancy and Mrs Carlson will want a room on the ground floor too. I suggest that Lilly and Lilah take one or two of the second floor bedrooms and I'm afraid I'll have to banish Jimmy to the top floor, unless he objects," I said.

The twins were surprised that they were getting their own rooms and Jimmy was stupefied. I'm sure none of them realized that I'd want them safely tucked away elsewhere while I had my way with their mothers. I could see that both the mothers realized the truth at once though. In fact, Carolyn blushed just slightly.

When it came down to it, there was a lot of the house that I hadn't explored either, so while the women were examining the bedrooms and no doubt headed for the kitchen next, I poked around a little myself.

I found the library first and found the floor to ceiling shelves full of books. There was even a ladder that ran on a track along the walls to provide access to the top shelves. In the center of the room was a globe of the earth that must have been three feet in diameter, and there were two large tables, probably twelve feet by three feet with comfortable padded chairs around them. I was puzzled that there was one door leading out through the back shelves.

It opened to an office with a large desk in the near center and a large swiveling desk chair. There were two overstuffed chairs facing it and a couch with end tables and a conversation group, complete with coffee table towards one corner of the room. There were more bookshelves in here but not to the ceiling. Looking into a couple of books let me find that one of them was filled mostly with pictures of naked or nearly naked women. I even found an illustrated Karma Sutra.

With this new evidence and remembering the portrait of Mrs Christoper I thought it might be nice to invite her out to visit and see what I was doing with her former home. Probably not though. Besides, with the way things were going for me now, I'd have more willing women around than I could fuck before long.



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Chapter 13

This office I'd found was going to be great. Keeping it locked would give me a place for hiding certain things I didn't want others knowing about. My computer setup was only the first thing that came to mind. I'd just have to figure out how to get some electric service in here without making it obvious.

I locked the office behind me when I left, after making sure that one of the keys on the ring would open it again. Leaving the library, I went through the kitchen and discovered a door that led back to the servant's quarters.

These were large on their own, and I found four separate bedrooms and a small common room too. I'd have no trouble finding a place for my new cook to sleep, if I could talk her into the job.

Back near the front entrance, Jethro was knocking. He had the Clancy's wagon out front. I told him to just leave it for now and see about hitching the big wagon for a trip to town later.

The women, twins, and Jimmy came back downstairs, apparently explored out for now. When I told them about the wagon, everyone but Carolyn went out to start unloading.

"Be sure to leave the heavy stuff for the men, they'll be here in plenty of time for that," I told them, as they left.

Soon enough they started back in with clothes and some food items, along with odds and ends of cookware and the like. I had them leave kitchen items on the table or the counters since I was sure when we got a cook she would want to arrange things to suit herself.

Carolyn looked like she wanted to get up and help when some of her things made an appearance but I vetoed that.

"Lilly and Lilah can do for that now. You can change anything you want when you're better. Besides, someone needs to stay here and flirt with me."

Luckily I went out just then to check the progress. Mary and Sarah were double-teaming a large sack of flour. It had been a hundred pounds worth but a little had been used.

"Leave that alone! When the men get here they can handle it. I don't want to have to come out there and spank someone," I said.

Sarah looked defiant for a moment but Mary said something to her that I couldn't hear. It did the trick, whatever it was, and they unhanded the flour sack.

Just then the colonel and probably a dozen men came riding in through the gate. I pointed to them as if to say I told you so to Mary and Sarah. The colonel rode right up to the big porch.

"Am I ever glad to see you and those men. I've had a hard time keeping Mary and Sarah from starting on the heavy stuff," I said.

"Sarah can be headstrong sometimes and I'm sure she was the ringleader. It looks like you're making good progress though," he said.

"Only because I didn't let them bring anything but the Clancy's wagon so far. Once we have it empty we can take it and my big wagon to town and really get started."

"That sounds like an excellent plan. This is quite a large place here, I hope you've thought about hiring at least a few men," he said.

"Oh, I have. I was able to talk Frank Johnston into being my foreman, by promising he wouldn't have to do any cattle drives, and he's out now hiring any good men he can find," I said.

"Damnation. I don't know why I didn't think of that myself, hiring Frank that it. I have a good foreman, but I could have used Frank as a fulltime blacksmith. Oh well, I'll just have to see about finding one and moving him in," The Colonel said.

"I can't speak for Frank on his blacksmith workings, but if you need something in that line I'll be glad to spare the time if you can get Frank to do the work."

"Thanks for that, and I'll try not to abuse the privilege," he said.

"Don't worry about that. My first goal is to be the best neighbor you've ever had since you're already the best one I've ever had," I said, and then the two of us tried to get a handle on our love fest, if not on our bullshitting.

The Colonel's hands must have taken nearly ten minutes to unload the wagon, and I'm sure most of the delay was because there were too many of them to crowd around it all at once. At any rate we were ready to head back to town for another load.

When they asked, I let Carolyn, Lilly, and Lilah stay to start putting their things away. Well, Lilly and Lilah were going to do the work and I made Carolyn promise not to do anything except supervise.

One of the Colonel's men drove the carriage this time and Jed and Jethro took care of my wagon and Carolyn's, I got my first ride inside the carriage on this trip.

Back in town Jethro drove the big wagon to Marjorie's house and a couple of men went with him to help Jimmy and Marjorie with the loading. Carolyn's wagon stopped at Silas' store for the things she and the twins had moved into the bunkhouse during their short stay, and also for all the items the twins had picked out.

Mary and Sarah took over the packing with the help of more of the Colonel's men, but when I tried to help, Sarah directed me to sit at the table in the store, have a drink, and try to look important.

"Yes, Dear. I can see I'm already being trained," I said.

It made her blush, and it made the Colonel, who was just coming in the front door, roar with laughter. He joined me at the table and I poured us both a drink.

"What the hell," I said, "Both of us might as well try to look important.

"Take it from me, it helps sometimes," the Colonel said, and laughed again.

"I'll be damned, I knew I was forgetting something," I said.

"What?" the Colonel asked.

"I hired a cook for the bunkhouse and the hands I plan to hire, but I forgot to go see if I could hire one for the house. Mary told me about Maybel Jamison and I've been meaning to go see if she'd like the job, but time just got away from me," I said.

"Why don't we ride out to her son's house right now? Surely we can look important enough while trying to hire a cook," the Colonel said, and laughed again. I was beginning to think he was having too good a time for my good.

"At least we wouldn't be in here underfoot. I'll go saddle Boots if you'll tell the bosses where we're headed."

"You mean if I'll ask permission, don't you? Go ahead, I'll do my best and meet you out front," he said.

Dammit, getting a household started required a lot more running around than I liked. It had to be done though. At least Boots was glad to see me this morning and he didn't even mention one thing I needed to do.

The Colonel was mounted when I rode Boots over and he led the way to Rick Jamison's place. I don't know where Rick worked and didn't ask. When we got to the house and dismounted I walked toward the door but it opened and a young woman asked what she could do for us. I think it surprised her when I asked to talk to Maybel.

Maybel looked to be in her late forties and she had been well fed for most of those years. She had a pleasant face and disposition though and she was thrilled with the offer of a job, but there was a snag.

"I'd love to have the job Mr Jefferson, but I don't have a way to get back and forth every day," she said.

"I know it would be extra trouble for you Mrs Jamison, but I was hoping you could live at our place. There are some pretty nice quarters for you and your helpers to move into," I said.

"My helpers? I don't have any helpers," she said, and looked confused.

"I'm sure we can find some to hire sooner or later, and there will be room for them to live there too," I said.

"If you have a room I can stay in it will be even better Mr Jefferson. I'll be happy to have the job," she said, and never asked what it paid.

"I'm glad you can help me out this way. If it is all right, I'll send a carriage for you later and a wagon to bring your things."

"That will be wonderful, Mr Jefferson. I'll get packed and be waiting," she said.

"Well that went well enough," I said, as the colonel and I rode back to town.

"I can tell Maybel is happy to have the job, and she'll probably be good at it."

"Yeh, but I'm still in sad shape for today. I've got you and everyone else helping me move and won't be able to feed anyone unless Bob Jakes can get out there and get moving fast," I said.

"Don't worry about Bob, he can have something going pretty quickly after he gets out there. Since I know you don't have any cattle yet, I'll send one of the boys back to my place for some beef. We slaughtered two steers yesterday. I'll have them bring one over and we can just do a couple more tomorrow," the Colonel said.

That was a load off my mind, for a day or two at least, and when we got back to town both wagons and the carriage were about to head back to the house. The Colonel and I just followed them.

Sarah Johnson turned out to be a dream come true in this moving crap. She knew all the men of course and she wasn't a bit shy about telling them what went where and how fast they needed to be moving it.

The Colonel must have told her who I'd hired to cook, because she had the big wagon empty and sent it and the carriage after Maybel in less than an hour. The Colonel rode back to his place to see about the beef just as Bob Jakes and his chuck wagon drove up.

I went to meet him and he was just what I expected a trail-drive cookie to be, kinda. No doubt he'd been a cowboy until he happened upon that limp that put a slight hitch in his gitalong now. He didn't let it bother him though, and he must have realized as he drove up that he was already late getting started on some lunch.

"Looks like I didn't get here a minute too soon," he said, as I reached him.

"You're right on time. There's a small kitchen in the bunkhouse and a bigger one in the house, use either one you'd like. Colonel Johnson has gone home to see about sending us some beef," I said.

"That'll be a help, and I think I've got enough fixins for one meal anyway. Where're we gonna buy our supplies?" he asked.

"Anywhere you want to. I'll furnish the money and you trade anywhere you'd like. If you can't get what you want locally just make me a list and I'll find it for you, even if I have to send to Dallas for it," I said.

"Well, I just ain't that picky. When I worked for the Colonel we traded with Silas. I guess I'll keep that up if it suits you. Far as a list goes, I can't read and write, but my wife can and maybe she'll make a list for me tonight when I get home," he said.

"Do you know Maybel Jamison?" I asked.

"Shore do, and I knew her old man too, before he got kilt. Maybel is good people," he said.

"Good, I hired her to cook in the house, and I hope you'll help her out if she needs any, right at first anyway. I don't think Maybel has ever cooked for a bunch of people, has she?" I asked.

"I don't think so, but she won't have too much trouble. I've et her cookin' more'n once and it's good. I can't teach her nothin' 'bout cookin'," he said.

"Well, I just didn't know if she'd catch on to cooking for so many right away, especially since I haven't found anyone to help her out. That's a big house to take care of."

"It is that. If you need some more help is there any chance you'd consider hirin' my wife?" he asked.

"She's already hired, how much should I pay her," I asked, and I'd finally thrown him off stride.

"Well, you'll have to figure that out Mr Jefferson," he said, finally.

"That's gonna be hard on me Bob, cause I don't even know what Frank is payin' you. I just told him to offer you double what the Colonel was paying," I said.

"That's what he did offer me, and I was glad to take it. I promised him I wouldn't be bragging about it though, and I ain't been."

"Well Frank ain't been either and I don't know how much it is. Let me try it this way. I'll pay your wife the same thing the Colonel was payin' you," I told him.

"I'm gonna go out on a limb and speak for her. Hell yes, is what she'll say. I don't know how you can afford it, since you ain't even raisin' any cattle or horses yet, but we're with you as long as you can hold out," he said, and grinned.

"We'll get around to doing something to earn our keep sooner or later. Hell, if we don't I'll be broke in a hundred years or so," I said, and headed back into the house, leaving Bob with his mouth hanging open.

People were still totin' and carryin' things every which way when I walked in, so I went over to sit by Carolyn. She was still in the chair I left her in this morning.

"They sure are busy," she said, when I sat down.

"Yes, they're bound to be getting something done with all that walking and carrying. I'm glad Sarah made me get out of the way."

"You'd better not let her get away from you," Carolyn said.

"What?"

"You heard me. Maybe it's the laudanum making me bold, but it's plain to me that she should be your next wife," she said.

"She'd be my first one if she was," I said.

"That would still make her next, and you'd better not waste much time before asking her."

"What would she want with me?" I asked.

"Probably something down there between your legs. You've already been bragging to me about it, and damned if Mary and Marjorie both didn't back your claim. I can hardly wait until I'm well enough for you to get your hands on me and make me give you some," Carolyn said.

"Well, I've been thinking about you myself. I'll have your bloomers off you as soon as you're up to it, you can count on that now. In fact, how bad were you feeling before you took your medicine?"

"I'm not up to a hard ride yet, if that's what you're asking, but I wasn't feeling too bad, and I only took half a dose at that," she said.

"Then I figure a week, ten days at the most, and I'll have you purring like a well fed cat. In fact, you might be well enough already to come to my room tonight and see what I've got in store for you," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'll be entertaining Mary and Marjorie tonight in my new bedroom and there's plenty of room in the big bed for an observer, or even two if they're friendly," I said.

"You mean you'd let me watch you do it to them? What will they say about that?"

"I don't know, and I don't intend to ask them. If you come in after the ball is rolling what can they say? And if they give me much trouble, well, I still remember how to give a good spanking," I said.

"You wouldn't? Yes, you would, I can see it in your eyes," she said, and I could tell that it was at least a little exciting to her.

"The door will be closed, but not locked. Feel free to come in if you want to. I'll save you a place."

Carolyn was nearly panting now, and blushing a fiery red, so I backed off. Then I happened to see Frank coming up from the gate in his work wagon, so I went out to meet him.

"You've been hard at it today Frank. Bob Jakes is already here and he thinks he can get us some lunch ready with a little beef the Colonel is sending over," I said.

"I probably should have come on out here, but I threw most of my tools in the wagon and brought it on out. I need to empty it anyway so I can pack up the wife and our things," he said.

"No rush on your wagon, since Maybel and her things should be here in a while and once the big wagon is empty you can just use that. Your wife is probably chomping at the bit to get moved already, isn't she?"

"You got that right. Just between you and me, she thanked me half to death last night for finding such a good job," Frank said, and laughed.

"I hope you saved the news about the new house for later, you'll probably need to at least catch your breath."

"Of course I did. I may not look that smart, but I ain't too dumb to parcel out the good news," he said, and then laughed.

Bob Jakes was only about an hour late with lunch and it was better than I thought it would be. It was mostly beef, beans, and cornbread, but it was still good. Bob knew how to make pinto beans taste good on short notice, somehow.

It was more of the same after lunch. Sending for folks and their things and we even sent a wagon back to Silas' store to bother Robert for supplies. Maybel and Bob both dictated an order to Mary and we sent it to town with Jethro and the wagon. Mary thought she should go too, but I made her write out Robert's instructions and stay at the place. If he didn't know how to take instructions by now, it was time he learned.

Actually I didn't know hardly anything about Robert. I just assumed if he was a good worker he would understand how to take orders from on high, and I intended for he and Mary both to know that she was on high in that relationship. I was going to be maneuvering things so Silas spent a lot of time on his way to, staying in, or on his way back from Dallas, and I didn't want any trouble out of Robert while Silas was away on business.

No matter what Silas was bringing from Dallas with him this time, he would need to turn right around and go back. Robert was sold out completely down at the feed barn and I knew Lilly and Lilah had made a big dent in the stock at the store. Not to mention the bigger dents Maybel and Bob Jakes were planning on making with their lists of things they'd need.

Silas was going to be hard at it for a while, and I intended to make sure he made enough money so he wouldn't mind the extra traveling. Hell, if I could get him interested in making money, he might forget about being such a political busy-body, and surely he wouldn't worry about what Mary was up to.



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Chapter 14


Finally, everyone seemed to come to a stopping point for the day. Sarah, the Colonel, and their hands headed back to his place and Maybel put on her first feed at the big house. I had everyone eat with us tonight, so we could get acquainted.

Frank brought his wife Cara, and Bob had fetched Roberta after lunch was done, so she was with us for supper too.

I'd hired the two men Frank found - Chad James, and Slick Williams - but they wouldn't be living at the ranch, so they weren't here for supper. I had a skeleton crew now and that was fine, since I didn't really have anything going on yet.

At least we had the living quarters settled for a while. Bob and Roberta were happy to move into the servant's quarters with Maybel, but I made sure the word servant didn't get out of my mouth. I'd never liked it anyway and that wasn't really the way I felt about any of them.

I hoped Bob and Roberta would feel comfortable there, at least until Frank's new house was finished. They could move into the smaller one after that. Bob Jakes was smarter than he let on, I could tell that, and I planned on him doing more than just cooking.

Time for worrying about that shit was over for today though. Maybel did a bang up job on supper, even coming up with some mashed potatoes and gravy, so I was stuffed and happy, and I was also ready for everyone else to decide it was bedtime. Finally they did.

I went to the master bedroom of course, then shook the dew off my lily in the bathroom and dispensed with my clothes, except for a pair of boxers. I lay down for about half an hour and then went to find my playmates.

I met Mary as she was slipping out of the guest room we'd put her in and she and I went to fetch Marjorie. We were back in my bedroom in minutes and I didn't waste time getting the two of them naked.

It was inspiring to see my bed so well stocked and I was between them quickly, licking, kissing, petting, and stroking anything I could reach. The two of them were a little shy at first, but I noticed when I concentrated on one it wound the other up all the tighter from watching. By the time I was hiding the weenie in Mary, Marjorie was helping me out by pinching her nipples and kissing her lips.

Of course this action had Mary worming and squirming and banging her hips up to me as I stroked. It set her off in no time too, but she revived quickly to get some of her own back when I pulled Marjorie up onto her hands and knees and did it to her dog style. She came so hard she nearly fainted and I know that the way Mary twisted her nipples had a lot to do with it.

Since I'd spewed a load into Marjorie I settled down between them for a little rest. Fifteen minutes later I was back to work, on Marjorie again. I gave her another good screwing but saved the load for Mary. Mary did the dog style duties this time and poor Marjorie was left out of the nipple twisting, because I was humped over Mary's back with a titty in each hand.

The girls took it easy on me for the rest of the night, and when the sunlight through the windows woke me the next morning they were both gone already. Oh well, you can't take time for an eye opener every morning.

Maybel did a hell of a job on breakfast too and she knew about all parts of making good coffee. Jimmy, Lilah, Lilly, and I were the only ones around for the first serving though. No doubt the ladies would be down sooner or later.

I kept my seat with my coffee but Jimmy and the twins were off for more exploring as soon as I let them leave the table. Before he left, Jimmy told me he loved having his room on the top floor, and taking a hint from him, Lilah and Lilly came over and each gave me a kiss on the cheek in appreciation of having their own rooms.

Bob and Roberta came out of their quarters then and Roberta started helping Maybel right away. I assumed that they'd had their breakfast on the small table in the quarters and were coming out to start their day now.

Bob asked if I could think of anything he needed to get while he was in town, since he was headed to Silas' store.

"No, but Mary has a list. Would you mind driving her into town in the carriage and using it to bring back what you need and what she has on the list?" I asked.

"No, I'd be glad to. I'll go hitch the team now," he said, and was off.

Mary, Carolyn, and Marjorie came to breakfast then and apparently Carolyn and Marjorie were going to town with Mary. I told them Bob was hitching the carriage for them, and Carolyn asked if he could just leave them in town and if I could send someone back for them late in the afternoon. I didn't know what they were up to but I didn't mind, so I said it would be fine.

Bob had just left with the women when three guys came riding up. I met them at the door, and when I found out it was Josh, Jacky, and Jake green, the carpenters, I invited them in for coffee. They declined and wanted to find out about the work I had for them.

"Well, I'm not going to make you drink any coffee if you don't want it, but I'm going to have another cup and I can tell you about the work at the table while I'm doing it, so come on in," I said, and led the way to the kitchen.

Once we were seated and Maybel came with the pot and cups, the Greens allowed that they might be able to handle a cup of coffee after all. When Maybel came back in a couple of minutes to show me she could make bear sign as good or better than the Colonel's cook, we were even able to force a few of them down the Greens too. Finally I got around to what I wanted.

"The first thing I need is a single story version of this house. Not as big or anything, just a three-bedroom house that resembles this one on the outside and inside. Do you know what I mean?" I asked.

"I think so. You want it to look like the same style without being exactly the same. Same type of trim, shingles, and such, and the same roof pitch. You want the houses to look like they were done to go together," he said.

"That's it exactly. Can you do it?" I asked.

"I'm sure I can, I did a lot of the work on this very house, so I should be able to remember how," he said.

"When can you start?" I asked.

"We'll need to go back and get our work wagon. It has most of our tools. Unless you've already got some materials coming, we'd better figure out an order pretty quick too. I know there is some lumber stored in the loft of the horse barn. It's mostly heavy stuff, so it will do for the floor joist and such. We'll be out of something to do after a week or week and a half though."

"I heard that the lumber for this place was hauled in," I said.

"Yep, it had to be, there aren't any sawmills around here to speak of. Oh, there's a small one about fifty miles east of Dallas, but it would have taken years for them to cut enough for this house. Most of what we used on the big house and the barns too was yellow pine. It came from over near Jefferson, but not quite that far away. Still it's nearly ninety miles from the mill to here," Josh said.

"Do you know how to get an order to them and see about getting it shipped?" I asked.

"Well, not exactly. I know that Mr Christopher sent a rider with a message to get the first loads coming, and after that we sent back orders with the drivers that were returning.

"It worked out fine after it got started, and they even have a shingle mill too. They cut the shingles for this place out of cypress and they're the best I've ever used," he said.

"I guess I'd better see about hiring someone to take the first order then. Can you make one up?" I asked.

"Yep, but I don't have any idea who you could get to take it."

"I don't either, but maybe Frank or Bob can come up with someone. You just be sure to order plenty. Since it takes so long to get things moving I want to get plenty of lumber here in case we need to build something else," I said, and he agreed to.

It didn't take long, once I was outside, to find Frank, but he didn't have any idea who we could hire for the trip. I decided to ride into town and ask around. I saddled Boots and headed that way, meeting Bob as he was coming back in the gate after taking the women to Silas' store.

"Bob, do you know anyone we can hire to take a message over to the sawmill near Jefferson? It needs to be someone pretty trustworthy because I want to send some gold with them to pay down. I'm sure the mill will get moving faster if they ain't worried about gettin' paid," I said.

"Cooter Smith will probably do it, in fact I'm sure he will. Since he broke his arm he ain't able to work cows very well anymore, and he needs to make a few bucks every now and then to keep body and soul together," Bob said.

"What can you tell me about him?"

"Not much to tell. He was a good hand and a hard worker until his arm didn't grow back together right. It works ok I guess, but he ain't able to do much a horseback now," Bob said.

"Do you think he can ride that far then?"

"Oh, he's ok for normal ridin' and all. It's his left arm that don't work exactly right now. He'll get in a mess if things start happening too quick 'round him. Say if he roped somethin' and it started cuttin' up, things like that. It's a chore for him to saddle and tend to his mount too, but he can get that done all right, just not in no rush," Bob said.

"Do you think he'd take a regular job, and do you think he'd be a good man around here?" I asked.

"Oh he's a good man for sure, but he has those limitations. I'm sure he'd love to have a regular job," Bob said.

"Does Frank know him?" I asked.

"Sure, I'm sure he does."

I let Bob go put the team away and I rode back over by the smithy, where Frank was fooling around inside. When I asked about Cooter Smith it was plain that he did know him and just hadn't mentioned him at the time.

"He can do things like that, no problem. In fact, I'm sure we could find plenty for him to do around here so's he could earn his pay. He won't expect to be paid like a top hand no more, with his arm like that," Frank said.

"Well see if you can hire him please, and pay him like the top hand he was before he got hurt. I'm not starting a rest home for broke up cowboys, but he sounds like he'll be worth that to me anyway. I might need him to make several trips," I said.

"Sure thing, Bill, I'll saddle up and go see if I can find him right now," Frank said, and he actually looked like he was happy about it for some reason.

"Is he a married man?" I asked.

"No, he was wanting to marry Jane Gramley and I think she was willin', but he gave up that idea after he got hurt. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to provide for her after that?" Frank said.

"Well, where did she get off to?" I asked.

"You caught me I guess, didn't you? I could tell you knew something was up when I couldn't keep from grinning. Jane is Cara's sister, and she ain't done a thing since Cooter's fall 'cept mope around the house with her maw and paw. She wanted Cooter to marry her anyway and said they could take their chances. Cooter was too proud though," Frank said.

"Why didn't you mention it in the first place?" I asked, mostly because I knew damned well it hadn't just slipped his mind.

"I started to, but thought it might seem to you that I was trying to help him out instead of takin' care of my own job," he said, a little sheepishly.

"You don't ever have to worry about a thing like that as long as you're telling me the truth. I'm probably not like most folks, Frank. I'd rather have a good man, even if he does have some drawbacks, than an asshole that's completely healthy.

"A man's intentions mean a hell of a lot more to me than how much hard work he can do. That don't mean we won't need men that can do hard work, it's just that hard physical work ain't necessarily needed out of everybody.

"Why don't you ride by to see Jane too then. We got room in the house, and a job there too if she wants it. Hell, you might want her to stay with you and Cara, I don't know, but it looks like we need to encourage the love birds to start nestin'."

"I'll take care of it for ya then, Bill, and I want to thank you for doing it," Frank said.

"It ain't all out of the goodness of my heart, if that's what you're thinking. Since I figure I've pretty much got you tied up now, I might as well tell you what's going on.

"Nothing makes a man more loyal to ya than gettin' his whole family tied up in your doings. If you can hire Cooter I'm fixin' to send him off with more'n a thousand dollars in gold. How likely you think he'll be to run with it if his true love is out here waitin' for him to come back?"

Frank didn't say a word, he just laughed like hell and nodded his head. He went to saddle Dan then so he could be about his cupid job. I rode on into town. I was still curious about the hen party at Silas' store.

As soon as the store came into sight I could tell that I'd probably never find out about what the women had on their minds when they headed to town, because I was sure whatever it was had run into a short circuit. There was what looked for all the world like a brand new freight wagon parked in front of the store, with eight big Missouri mules hitched to it. It had probably needed every one of them too, because it was packed full.

I guess Silas had been more anxious to get back this time than Mary had thought. Hope he hadn't somehow heard something that might make him suspicious. I wasn't worried for my sake, but I didn't want Mary or even Silas to end up with ruffled feathers.

When I walked in the door it was easy to see that Silas wasn't ruffled at all. He looked like he'd just found out it was Christmas today, or his birthday, or something. He was up out of his chair and over to shake my hand as soon as he saw me.

I didn't mind him fawning over me for a few minutes but it got a little old after a while, especially since I now knew that Sarah Johnson had come to town for the hen party too. I sure hoped that Silas had brought her order back with him. I was anxious to see her in her new finery.

"It looks like you made a big haul on your trip Silas," I said, when he finally wound down a little.

"Yes I did, and I might have even put a strain on that fine new team I bought. They did very well though. We made good time and they gave me no trouble," he said.

"Good. I hope you realize that you're going to need probably two more teams and wagons though," I said.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"You haven't talked to Robert yet?"

"No, I just got here. Has Robert had some trouble?" he asked, looking a little antsy now.

"Well, he's completely out of feed and I don't think what you've brought back will even finish filling his last order," I said.

"Oh my. Who could have placed such a big order? I spoke with the Colonel just before I left and he didn't seem to think he was going to need anything out of the ordinary."

"Oh, it wasn't the Colonel. The fella that bought the Christoper place did it. He's starting a ranch up out there," I said, and from his face I could tell no one had spilled the beans to him yet.

"Did someone buy that place? I didn't know anything about it."

"Yep, and they came down and bought out your feed store before the Colonel even sent their stock over," I said.

"But who bought it?"

"I think you should go get caught up with the Mayor over the things that went on while you were gone. We had some busy days," I said.

"I believe you're right. Please excuse me, and if you need anything I'm sure Mary can fix you up right away," he said, and then almost bolted out the door.

"You heard what he said, Mary. You need to fix me up," I said, trying my best for an evil grin.

"Poor Silas, he doesn't have any idea just how much work fixing you up is. Even the Mayor won't be able to keep gabbing long enough to give me time to take care of that chore," Mary said, and all the women in the store blushed and then laughed with her, at me.

"At least I'd better sit down and have a shot of Silas' whiskey. The way you're all ganging up on me I have a feeling I'm going to need my strength."

I poured a drink, downed it, and then spent the next thirty minutes engaging in some nearly, but not quite bawdy teasing with Mary, Carolyn, Marjorie, and even Sarah. I did my best to keep up with the way Sarah was taking things though, without being obvious about it. What I saw suited me fine. She knew she wasn't getting the whole story and it was easy to see she wanted it badly. I didn't want to kill any cats, but I was hoping her curiosity would help me spread her thighs later.

Robert came in then and asked Mary about the wagon and feed outside. I was glad to see that the little bit of steering I'd done had led Robert to assume that Mary was in charge when Silas wasn't around.

Mary told him that they'd be unloading the things for the store first, and that the feed would probably go directly to my place. When he gave a funny little look I was about to horn in, but Mary did the job.

"Was there someone needing feed today?" she asked him.

"Carl Dodson came by asking for two sacks of whole oats. That's mainly why I came over, that and I wanted to get a look at the new wagon," he said.

"Well, if Mr Dodson is ready why don't you ask him to pull down here and we can load it right from the wagon," Mary said.

"Yes ma'am, I'll do that," Robert said, and off he went.

Silas was back from the Mayor's house before Robert and Carl Dodson came for the feed. After his talk with the Mayor he'd caught on that I'd been carrying him high and we had a good laugh about it while we sat down and had a drink. We'd just finished one when Robert came back in. I hopped up to go help move the feed but Robert said it wouldn't be necessary.

"Carl left in a huff, claiming he'd buy his feed elsewhere if we didn't have it in our warehouse," Robert said.

"Was he already into his bottle for today?" Silas asked.

"I don't think so, and that might have been why he was even more proddy than usual."

"We can always hope he never comes back again. I don't make enough off feed to bother with Carl Dodson, even if it's you that has to take most of his crap," Silas said, to Robert.

"Well now you know where you can sell all the feed you have time to haul, for a while at least. Unless you think someone else might want something, let's unload all the other merchandise and then take the feed to my place," I said.

"Sound's like a good idea to me," Silas said.

Since the store merchandise was lightweight for the most part, Silas was able to help Robert and me with it. We nosed him out of the way for the cornmeal and flour sacks but there was plenty of other crap that needed to come inside.

After we were done, Silas and I settled up my bill. He was amazed by the amount of things Mary had sold me out of the store, until Carolyn told him her twins were responsible for most of that. Showing that he was smarter than he looked, he invited Carolyn to bring them back anytime.



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Chapter 15


"Do you really think you'll be needing enough merchandise from my store for me to justify buying two more teams and wagons?" Silas asked, as we sat at the table again.

"Actually, I think you should buy three or four, but two more would probably be good to start with, just to see how things work out. Are you satisfied that it's cheaper for you to haul your own freight than hire it done?" I asked.

"I'm sure, and it makes delivery faster. I can see that more wagons and teams would help out right now, I'm just wondering how long you'll need the extra goods," he said, and it showed he knew more about running a business than I'd thought.

"If you're worried about my back pocket holding up under the strain you might want to quiz the Mayor a little more closely. I'd tell you the real deal, but you might think I was bragging.

"I'm willing to meet you more than halfway though, if it will ease your mind. I know the extra wagons and teams might seem like a gamble. I'll buy them, take care of the mules and any repairs, and rent them back to you for a dollar a month as you need 'em. I will expect you to furnish the drivers though," I said.

"I'd be a fool not to take you up on that," he said.

"Probably, and I'd look pretty dumb doing it if I didn't know they'd be needed. I haven't even mentioned all the things you'll need to get me for the new house I'm building."

"I thought you just bought the Christopher place," Silas said.

"I did, but I'm building a three bedroom house for Frank and Cara. He's my foreman," I said.

"Wasn't there a house for the foreman out there already?"

"There is one, of sorts, but I didn't think it was impressive enough for my foreman. He and Cara are living in it until the new one is finished, but I'm not even sure I'll leave it standing after that."

"I guess you'll be needing plenty of nails and hardware then," he said.

"Yes, and we'll also need complete supplies for indoor plumbing. I'll need a kitchen sink and a good kitchen range with ovens, and a complete bathroom setup with a tub, flush toilet, and a face bowl sink too. In fact, you should get me plenty of galvanized water pipes, fittings, and faucets.

"There's no big hurry on that stuff though, the Greens are just starting today."

"Let me know about anything you need, and if I'm not here Mary can write it down. I guess you just shot to the top of the list of my customers," he said, and grinned.

"I figured I had, and I intend to stay there. Let me know if I slide down in the rankings."

"That brings me to a thanking I owe you. The Mayor told me how you took care of that scum that came through here with Mrs Clancy and her twins that he'd kidnapped. He also told me how you saved Mary from him. I want you to know that I appreciate it."

"I was just glad I could help. We're going to have a nice town here in Lancaster and we don't need trash like that hangin' around," I said.

"I'll drink to that, how about you?"

"I think I can handle one more shot, at least," I said, and Silas poured us both one.

"Say, where are you gonna keep that wagon and team?"

"I was planning to park the wagon out back and see if Frank could hold the mules in one of his pens, but I'll have to study on another way if he's moved out to your place," he said.

"Don't worry about it. We'll just park the wagon in one of my barns and run your mules with the rest of my stock if it suits you. When you need 'em just let me know and I'll get the wagon hitched and brought into town for you."

"That will work fine if you're sure it's all right."

"Of course it is. I hope I can wear it out by needing stuff hauled in. Right now I'd better get back out to the place and see if anyone has a list that needs ordering."

I didn't think there was really anything I needed to tend to, but sitting there talking to Silas was giving me the creeps, kinda, and I didn't really know why. Maybe it had something to do with Mary being right in the same room. At any rate, Marjorie and Carolyn asked me to see about sending the carriage back for them.

Bob was able to fetch them back home before lunch was on the table, and Sarah had come with them. That tasty little treat didn't do a thing to dampen my appetite, in more ways than one. Still I minded my manners, especially since Maybel was distracting me with the excellent food. She had two apple pies for desert and I'm afraid I did serious damage to one of them.

After lunch I went to visit the Greens. They had their wagon here by now and had already found the lumber they knew about. They were working busily, but when I asked Josh, he produced a list for me. Of course Frank was my next stop.

He was in the smithy and talking to a younger man. From the odd angle his forearm took about halfway down I figured it must be Cooter Smith. When I walked in Frank introduced us.

"I sure appreciate you taking a chance on me Mr Jefferson," Cooter said.

"From what Bob and Frank told me I'm not taking any chance at all. I've told them I want to hire good men and they both said you were. I believe them.

"You gonna be all right living in the bunkhouse for a while?" I asked.

"It will be fine with me, and I'm even sure I can live over Bob's cooking," he said, and grinned.

"Frank tells me you'd have your own cook already if you weren't so stubborn," I said, and damned if he didn't blush.

"Did Frank tell you he was supposed to hire Jane Gramley too?" I asked.

"No sir, he didn't mention that little detail," Cooter said, giving Frank a look.

"Well, when I heard your sad tale I asked him to see about it. We can use the help in the house anyway. If you think I'm getting into your business, you're probably right, and I might not stop it.

"I ain't like some men. I like to have married men working for me, and if I can, I like for them to have a good home for their family. I'm not telling you that you have to marry Jane or anything like that, but I want you to know it's fine with me if you do," I said.

"I intend to marry her if she'll still have me, but I'd feel better about it if I could save up a little money first," he said.

"Do what you like. I think I'll have the Greens start on a new house for Bob too. I was planning on moving him into the house Frank is using, but now I think I'll just save that for you and Jane to get started in," I said, and poor Cooter didn't know what to say - Frank just laughed at him.

"Say, have you ever had a real Doctor look at your arm?" I asked.

"No sir. I didn't figure they could do anything about it now that it's growed back like this," he said.

"Well maybe they can't, but maybe they can. I've heard of them breaking bones again and setting them right after they did it. Maybe I'll send you to Dallas or Ft Worth when you get back from over by Jefferson. You could talk to one about it, if you're interested."

"I'm interested, I just never heard of anything like that. If you want me to see about it, Jefferson is a bigger town than Ft Worth or Dallas either. I know they have a lot of Doctors there, five or six maybe," he said, and it made me remember that Jefferson had been a big city way back now.

"I'm glad you reminded me about Jefferson. After you carry the list to the sawmill I want you to see every Doctor in town. Let them look at your arm and ask if they can do anything about it.

"You don't have to do a thing if you don't want to, but if one of them can makes sense to you and you trust him enough to let him try, then go ahead. Only if you want to though. And don't worry about your job, you'll still have it even if you come back without that arm, and I don't think it will come to that," I said.

Hell, as far as real knowledge I had no idea whether rebreaking Cooter's arm and putting it back in better shape was even possible. I figured it couldn't hurt anything to ask though, and I trusted him to pay careful attention to what any doctor said about doing it. I knew I would if it were my arm.

Apparently Cooter wasn't going to let any grass grow under his feet getting it done either. He already had a horse saddled and Frank caught up a mule and put a pack saddle on it while Cooter went to the house to see if he could talk Maybel out of some food for his trip. I could have told him what was coming but I didn't bother.

I already knew that Maybel lived in mortal terror of someone out here going hungry. I don't care if you hired on five minutes ago, if you showed up at the kitchen's back door while Maybel was conscious you would get fed, promptly. She didn't feed Cooter, but she did send him away with two big bags of ready to eat food. I worried a little about the poor mule that had to carry it.

Cooter was about to mount, after helping Frank load the mule, with his food and a sack of grain for his stock. I asked if he wasn't forgetting something. He patted his pocket for the list, and assured me he had everything.

"I think you're forgetting a thousand dollars worth of gold and also your expense money,"

"Oh, you're right," he said, sheepishly.

I went into my office and counted out enough gold for the lumber down payment and then stacked out another five hundred dollars worth of ingots to pay for Cooter's treatment if he decided on it. Five hundred dollars would buy a hell of a lot of doctoring in this time.

I stood with Frank when Cooter finally mounted up and rode off.

"Do you think he can take care of himself with his left arm in that shape?" I asked Frank.

"No doubt about it. Cooter was always pretty good with a pistol and his bad arm don't hurt him much using a rifle either. I'll bet you didn't even notice the saddle scabbard on the right side, did you?" he asked.

"I didn't pay it any attention, what about it?" I asked.

"He's got a short double-barrel eight gauge shotgun over there. He bought it from some cowboy along the way somewhere. It had been fired with one of the barrels plugged once and they shortened both of them after that, they probably ain't fourteen inches long?" Frank said.

"I'll bet it's a caution up close though."

"It is. We tried it on a water barrel once, from about twenty feet, and there was nothing left except wet ground and scraps. It does have a kick though," Franks said.

"I'll bet, but I hope he doesn't need it."

"I do too, but if he does he'll have it and I know for sure he's fired it more than a few times to practice. Cooter ain't got a mean bone in his body, but I've never seen him back water for anyone that messed with him, especially since he got his arm fouled up," Frank said.

"I'm glad to know he can take care of himself. It's a long way to Jefferson and this country ain't all that settled yet. Have you heard anything else about stray braves wanderin' around loose?" I asked.

"No, but that's always possible. I can't say that they didn't get a rotten deal the last few years, but they can't seem to understand that regular folks don't have much to do with that. Like the two you run into. The folks they killed didn't have a damned thing to do with what the government does."

"No, but the Indians can't see anything but the people moving onto land they always considered free for their use. Sooner or later they'll all be run out, because they just can't get their own ways changed to do anything about it. They're in for a hell of a lot of grief, but there ain't nothing that can be done about it," I said.

"I just hope they don't come around here," he said.

"Me too, but if they do we need to make sure to take care of ourselves. If something happens while I ain't around, make sure you take care of the people and don't worry so much about the houses or stock. I got enough gold to replace anything that gets burned out, but I can't buy dead people back."

Even though I considered showing Frank how to get into the big barn's basement, where my pickup and camper were, it just didn't feel right. I realized that I had some feelings since this came up that didn't originate in my little punkin' head, but I was pretty sure this one was my own. Showing him the basement would bring a hell of a lot of questions that I didn't want to discuss.

It was already clear to me that living in this time would end up giving me a lot of time waiting. It would also mean I'd need to do a better job of planning ahead than I was used to doing. Who the hell was I trying to fool? I wasn't used to doing much planning ahead at all, and now I'd have to start.



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Chapter 16

Sarah rode back home before suppertime dammit, and damned if Carolyn didn't tease me about it. I noticed that Marjorie didn't make a peep though. No doubt she'd already figured out she'd have to take care of my needs by her lonesome tonight, instead of having Mary to help her out.

After bedtime I gave it about half an hour before I went looking for her, and she had a surprise waiting for me. When I entered her bedroom she was up on all fours in the big middle of her bed, shaking her shapely naked ass right at me.

"I'm sure glad it was you coming in the door. I figured it would be, but right there at the last I was a little anxious," she said.

"I see that you're anxious. I guess you intend to break in your bed tonight."

"I hoped we could," she said, and then neither of us did any talking for the next half hour - only grunting, groaning, and a little moaning. Afterwards I didn't see any need to go back to my own bed since Marjorie's was nice, warm, and comfortable.

I slept well cuddled up to Marjorie, but she woke me before the sun was up and shooed me back to my own bed. I don't guess keeping appearances up would hurt anything, but I could see that it was going to be a pain sometimes. Hell, I could live with it though.

No matter where I'd slept, Maybel had another hellacious breakfast waiting for me the next morning, and she also had a request.

"Mr Jefferson, do you have a plow I could use to turn up a garden spot? I could do my own canning and preserving if we had a little patch to raise a few things," she said.

"I'm not about to let you take time away from the kitchen to plow up a garden, but if you want one I'll hire somebody to do the plowing for you and to help you in any way you can think of."

"Well, if you do that I can probably raise a few more things. Who were you thinking of hiring to do it?" she asked.

"Why, I wasn't thinking of anyone, I just now found out you wanted a garden. Do you know who might be good at it and willin' to take the job?" I asked.

"Well, Johnny, the grave digger, is good at things like that. He raises a garden to help feed hisself since there ain't that many graves needed to keep him in enough work," she said.

"That sounds perfect to me. I'd a lot rather have him plowing me up a garden than digging me a grave. I'll ride into town today and see if he can help us out with it."

After eating as much as I could and getting a big smile from Maybel for my trouble, I headed to the barn and saddled Boots. He didn't give me a bit of trouble and seemed glad to get out of his stall. I was pretty sure he'd rather be out loose among the other horses, trying to see if he could find a mare that would let him share some of his big dick with her, but it looked like he'd take any activity he could to get shut of the barn.

Since I didn't have the first damned idea about finding Johnny on my own, I headed for Silas' store. He had the door unlocked by the time I rode up and he offered me a cup of coffee when I entered.

"I don't mind if I do, Silas, but I'm on a mission this morning. I need to find Johnny pretty quick," I said.

"You didn't have more trouble out your way did you?" he asked.

"No, I don't need a grave, I need someone to help Maybel with a garden. If she don't mind raising some kitchen truck I sure don't mind eating it."

"Johnny would be a good 'un to help with that all right. He likes to raise a garden too, and I know he's usually got time on his hands," Silas said.

"Well if he's handy I can probably find a lot of things he can do for me."

Darned if Johnny didn't come in the front door just then, looking for a chaw. Silas introduced us and then while he got Johnny's tobacco I asked about getting some gardening done.

"I'd be proud to do it for ye, Mr Jefferson. When can I start?" he asked.

"Can you come by for lunch? We can eat, and then me, you, and Maybel can pick out a spot. I'm pretty sure there are a couple of plows in among the things that came with the house and I've got several mules, surely one of them knows how to pull a plow," I said.

"Well, iffen they don't I can probably show 'em how it's did," he said, and then left.

Johnny was barely out the door before Silas sat down beside me at the table. He had business on his mind and it was a pleasant surprise. We went over the wagon and mule deal again, and after a few minutes I could see that he'd been doing some thinking of his own over the deal.

I couldn't figure out why he'd even needed any thinking. There was no way he could lose out. I was buying the wagons and mules and I'd spoken for more merchandise than he could normally sell in two or three years from his store. Maybe he just couldn't come to grips with it and needed to talk about it some more to get his mind around it.

No matter the reason, the talk with Silas suited me better than I'd thought it would. The gist of it was he wanted to take off again the next morning, and he intended to buy at least one more wagon while he was gone. With the one he already had it would let him bring back two loads this time. I saw a snag in that plan right away.

"Silas, you need to buy at least three wagons. What's the point in riding back to Dallas in an empty wagon? If you only want to deal with two wagons on this trip, ride a horse to Dallas and buy two for the trip back. It will save time for you and it will save needless wear and tear on the wagon you already have," I said.

"I hadn't even thought of that."

"That's not all either. I think you should put the wagon you brought back last time on display by your store. Put a for sale sign on it," I said.

"Why would I want to sell it?" he asked.

"Why do you sell anything? For profit is why. If someone buys it you've saved yourself an empty haul with it later, if they don't, well then you've still got it. You can't lose on the deal.

"There some other news you need to be thinking about too. As soon as Cooter gets the word to the mill in Jefferson those lumber wagons are going to start rolling and they won't stop for a while. You need to stock up on things you might sell their drivers. I plan on having replacement mules for sale, and I'll bet Frank is going to turn a nice profit on the side, fixing things on their wagons or teams before they head back," I said.

"I hadn't thought about that either, but I remember when they were bringing in materials for the house you bought. They practically picked me clean of food and supplies for their trips back to where they came from," he said.

"Sure they did, and there's always profit to be made when money starts changing hands. Not only am I gonna be your biggest customer for a long time to come, I'm also gonna be bringing more of 'em by you. Think about it. Those teamsters will be making good money and they have to spend it somewhere. It won't hurt a damned thing for them to spend some of it with you," I said, and his smile lit up his face.

Of course I didn't mention that it would be my money they were spending. I knew I was going to create a small artificial boom in the local economy, and I was counting on it. There was nothing artificial about the gold I'd be using to do it, and a little commerce around Lancaster wouldn't hurt a thing, or at least I hoped it wouldn't.

"That's even more for me to think about Bill, but it shore sounds good. Only one more thing is botherin' me," he said.

"Well we might as well talk it out. You know I'll do anything I can to help you, don't you?"

"I've come to think that way, and I want you to know it's the same for me. That scum that came through here has been on my mind more than a little though. Thinkin' 'bout what might have happened to Mary if you hadn't been stayin' in my bunkhouse gives me cold chills.

"Before I'd never worried about it, but I probably should have. We ain't even got a Marshal here in Lancaster. "

It was easy to see what was bothering Silas but I didn't think it would really be a problem. The asshole that had wondered by had done it at long odds and chances of another one were slim. Still, there wasn't even a bank in Lancaster and the only bona fied place for a robbery was Silas' store. That only made the chances of it happening a little greater, but no doubt that little edge was eating on Silas.

"Like I said, Silas, I'll do anything I can, but being the Marshal ain't one that I can do, if that's what's on your mind. I don't have the time to patrol the town," I said.

"Oh, I don't think we're even near big enough for that, even though it's time to start thinkin' of a town law of some sort. What I wondered was whether it would put you out any for Mary to stay out to your place at night, when I'm gone that is.

"You're gonna have more folks around out there and it would make me feel better while I'm gone. Sarah has already offered to put her up and she told me that the Colonel wouldn't mind. Still, I'd feel better about it iffen she could stay out there with y'all," Silas said, making my day, week, month, and probably the next year or two.

"Hell, Silas, you didn't even need to ask. You and Mary either one or both are welcome at my home anytime at all. You don't even need to ask," I said, and tried not to grin too wide.

"That's a load off my mind. I know I can do business in Dallas by sending messages and such, but I've been burned a sometimes by doing it that way. Most of the folks I deal with are honest enough, but that don't mean all of them are," he said.

"Well, if you're worried about Mary's safety I'll try to ease your mind. Can Robert handle a pistol?" I asked.

"I'm sure he can. It ain't never come up, but I'll ask him 'bout it today. Why?" he asked.

"Well he ain't got nothin' to do down at the feed barn, since he's out of feed still. He could come down here and at least hang around a little, or at least come by every hour or two," I said.

"I hadn't even thought about that. All he'd need to do is put a sign up that said come down to the store for service. This is a slow time of year for feed anyway," he said.

"Well, just keep it in mind for when you build a new store. You can put the store and the feed store right next to each other," I said.

"My next store building? Do you think I need a bigger one already?" Silas asked.

"No, not right now you don't, but you ought to be thinkin' about it. You'll need to get started on one just as soon as somebody else moves in to start up another one," I said.

"Oh, I hope that never happens. I'm doing ok now, but if someone else was to come to town I might not be able to hang on," he said.

"Just watch what I'm tellin' ya. If another store opens up your business will grow, not shrink. First thing is it will mean Lancaster has grown. If you didn't have a store here now, would you start one if the town already had one?" I asked.

"No. The town's not big enough."

"That's what I'm sayin'. No one else will either, unless Lancaster grows. Nobody wants to go into business unless they can make money. There's the chance that somebody without enough sense to know what they're doing will put in, but it ain't much chance. You know as well as I do that it takes money to start a store, and if they have enough money to start one they'll probably have better sense than to do it here, yet," I said.

"I see, and I think you're right. I don't need to start a new store right now, but that don't mean I shouldn't be thinkin' 'bout one. And that's a good idea too, having the feed store right by it. It would let me get some use out of Robert when nothing else was going on.

"The Mayor owns the vacant lot right next to where my feed barn is now. Maybe I'll see about buyin' it afore I leave for Dallas again," he said.

"It can't hurt, and the feed barn looks big enough for a long time to come," I said, and Silas was off for the Mayor's house.

Hell, that was fine with me, cause Mary brought me a cup of coffee just as he left.

"What were you and Silas talkin' about?" she asked, sitting down with her own cup.

"He's worried about your safety while he's gone. He wanted to know if I'd look out for you," I said.

"Oh, that's sweet."

"Sweeter than you think. He asked if it would be all right if you stayed with us while he was out of town," I told her, giving my best lecherous grin.

"Oh, that will be nice. I'm sure I'll feel much safer," she said.

No tellin' how safe she'd feel, but I knew one thing, she wouldn't be lonesome. I could make sure of that, even though I didn't mention it. Just then Frank came in looking for me.

"Bill, I've talked to another rider that thinks he'd like a job. I'll admit that I caught him as he was headin' toward the Colonel's place, but he weren't out there yet. His name is Richard Williams, but everyone calls him Dick," Frank said.

"Well I hope you hired him."

"I did, but I thought you might want to talk to him, and I was coming toward town anyway. He's right outside," Frank said.

Hell, I guess I needed to look like I was at least interested in who Frank hired so I got up and went outside. Dick Williams was nearly as tall as me, but built a little more on the wiry side. He claimed to be a top hand with cattle, and he was single so if a cattle drive came up it was no big deal.

"How are you with horses? I don't mean your ridin' since I'm sure you can, but are you any good at trainin' 'em?" I asked.

"Matter of fact it's what I like better. I can tend to cows fine, but I prefer horses," he said.

"Well, Frank said he'd hired you already but if he ain't I am. I like for my ridin' stock to behave, and I doubt any of them even remember what it feels like to have somebody fork 'em. When you get settled in just start ridin' and give 'em all a little refresher," I said.

"Thank ya Mr Jefferson. I'll do just that," he said, and then he and Frank mounted and rode off.

It was gettin' near time for lunch and one thing I didn't want to be was late. I went back in the store to check with Silas' since I'd seen him return while I was talkin' to Dick.

"Well what'd the Mayor allow?" I asked.

"We made a deal, and I'm sure we both think we took the other. I got that lot for a hundred dollars. I know it's more than anyone else would have paid anytime soon, but it's a big lot. I might even start on a buildin' if the Greens ever get finished at yore place," he said, grinning.

"I think you did good. You'll see that it's a lot handier to have the store and the feed barn right together. Right now though, I got to head back to my place. I don't want Maybel to think I ain't anxious to get my feet under her table again," I said, and went out to fork Boots.



-------

Chapter 17


Lunch was about to be served when I got into the house. Carolyn, the twins, Marjorie, and Jimmy were already heading to the table and so I joined them. Maybel and Roberta started with the food then and I got onto my main job of making it disappear.

"Mr Jefferson, Johnny came out and he's eating at the bunkhouse. He said you told him to come out for lunch and that we'd look for a garden spot after," Maybel said, as she set a big platter of fried chicken on the table.

"Yes, I saw him at the store and asked him to come out. I had intended for him to eat in the house with us though, but I don't guess it matters," I said.

"Well I thought it was odd that you'd send him out to eat at the bunkhouse. I wasn't sure, but I figured if you invited him out for lunch you meant for him to eat with us and I told him that. He didn't think that was right though and he headed for the bunkhouse," Maybel said, and then laughed.

"Well his loss is my gain, since that leaves more chicken for me," I said, and it made Jimmy and the twins laugh.

"Do you have any ideas about a garden spot yet Maybel," Carolyn asked.

"Well, I had it in mind to keep it pretty close to the house, since at first I thought I'd be doing most of it, but somebody said my time in the kitchen was too important for me to do much gardening. If it's going to be Johnny doing most of the tending to it, maybe we should put it out a little further, so it can be bigger," Maybel said.

"You're exactly right. If it's further away from the house it can be bigger, and a bigger garden means more food. That's good planning. Besides, we've got that new house going up and as soon as they get done with that one they'll have another one to build. Johnny may spend most of his time walking from the garden to the back door to get instructions," I said.

"He better not be wastin' time like that. He's old enough to know how to raise a garden without botherin' me about it all the time. If'n he ain't we'll have to hunt another man for the job," Maybel said, bringing the garden teasing to an end.

"I'm glad to hear you say that Maybel. You line Johnny out to do anything you want him to and I'll consider it settled. If he don't suit you, just let me know and I'll look for someone else. After all, it's the meals that count, not how the food gets raised. You're the one doing the important part," I said, and then did my best to stick to my job - eating.

"Don't you worry about your meals. I appreciate this job and the nice place you have for me to stay, and I intend to make sure you have good food anytime you want some. I never even heard of a kitchen with running hot and cold water, and now I'm in one. I intend to make sure I stay here," she said, and then blushed at her own boldness.

I just smiled at her and wondered about what she'd said without saying anything about it. How in the hell did the hot water start working all of a sudden? I hadn't started a fire in any heater and I was pretty sure no one else had. Probably I should try to see what was going on, but after lunch.

Maybel showed me she was indeed proud of her job a few minutes later. She did it with two more apple pies. I'm sure she considered it job security and she was right as rain. If she kept doing things like this she'd be here until I ran completely out of gold.

I didn't have any doubts that I'd stumbled onto the best cook anywhere near here. The food was so good that even the women didn't waste much time talking during the meal. Carolyn and Marjorie had done good work on the food too, and by the time I pushed away from the table there were stuffed people in any direction I cared to look.

"It seems that everything you do turns out perfect," Marjorie said, "and Maybel is just another example. I can't remember ever eating a meal as good as that one."

"She's got my vote too. I thought I was a good cook until I got a chance to sample Maybel's wares. She is just tremendous," Carolyn agreed, and I smiled, as if I'd had something to do with it.

Of course Lilly, Lilah, and Jimmy weren't all that impressed. They were on the seefood diet. When they saw food they ate it, and that was fine with them.

"Carolyn and I would like to go to the store this afternoon to see Mary," Marjorie said.

"That is a happy coincidence, since Silas is going back to Dallas and he asked if it would be all right for Mary to stay with us during his absence. I think the asshole's appearance made him realize that she isn't quite as safe at home without him as he'd been assuming," I said.

"Oh yes, and she'll be so much safer out here. We can make sure she isn't lonesome for a second," Marjorie said.

"Yes, I told Silas we'd be pleased to take good care of her while he was away."

"And we will. Come Carolyn, lets get ready for our trip to town," Marjorie said, and the two of them headed for their rooms.

"Mama, may we come too?" Lilly asked.

"Certainly. I'm sure you two haven't seen every single item in the store yet," Carolyn said, over her shoulder.

"Jimmy, I have a little project for you if you have time," I said, to him.

"What do you need me to do Mr Jefferson?"

"I'd like for you to watch Johnny and see how he does things. Don't bother him, or get in the way, but I'd like to think you'll be able to plow one of these days. On your way out there, see if you can get Frank to have someone hitch the carriage and take the women into town," I said.

"Yes sir," he said, and took off out the back door.

Things were looking up. I should have taken more time to look this place over before it was full of people, and this afternoon should give me a chance to wander around the house a little more. The hot water coming on by itself had me wondering. Hell, I didn't even know where the heater was, and no one had mentioned it at all. I had my suspicions but nothing would beat seeing for myself.

My office was the first place I headed. I wanted to see if I could figure out how to get my computers set up so that I could get some use out of them. Of course the house was pier and beam construction, so there would be crawl space beneath the ground floor. If I could get a connection from the barn's basement and my camper trailer there would be power to run them.

After unlocking the office door and entering I saw that I wasn't the last person who'd been in the office, even though I knew I was using person in the most general of ways.

My desk had changed. It looked similar to what it had been, but was obviously much larger. Raising the roll top let me see why. The normal array of drawers and pigeonholes that were standards of roll top desks were no longer the normal array of drawers and pigeonholes. My flat panel was recessed into them now, and damned if it wasn't a good bit larger than it had been.

Even though my IBM clicker keyboard and my wireless Intellimouse were in the expected places, I didn't see the actual computers anywhere. No matter, as soon as I wiggled the mouse the blank screen saver lit up to show the desktop of my main machine. A little exploring let me find a small icon that switched computers. It was new, and I'll confess I'd never had a KVM switch that let you change machines from a desktop icon; looked like I did now though.

I would probably have spent all afternoon playing with my new computer setup and discovering all the additional toys if I hadn't seen the "Ranch Map" icon that was fairly prominent on any desktop I switched to. One click and I was amazed. It showed an aerial photo of the ranch area, sort of like Google Maps can, except I could zoom in much more closely and in fact it seemed to have real time data, since I could see Frank walking from his house toward the big barn.

More exploring let me find a complete set of plans for the house, even a 3D view that could be moved and manipulated for a look from any direction. I didn't need to go looking for the source of the hot water now, since I saw that a natural gas water heater had appeared, by magic I guess, and so had the natural gas line that supplied it. Right away I gave up on worrying about such things. If whoever was going to provide - what in the hell did I have to bitch about?

I left my office and headed back outside, making my way through the kitchen and out the back door. I could see Maybel lining Johnny out on the garden. She'd picked a spot probably two hundred yards from the house and she was marking off some corners for Johnny as I watched. We were going to have a big garden. Walking over for a closer look gave Maybel a chance to ask me a question.

"Would it be ok for Johnny to build us a chicken house? It would take a while, but sooner or later we could have our own chickens and maybe even enough for fresh eggs."

"We could do that, but I think it would be better for Johnny to keep on with his garden work. I think I can get the carpenters to knock off that house long enough to build us a nice big chicken house. That way we'll make sure it is big enough for plenty of chickens. And that reminds me that we're going to need a good hog pen too. I think I'll see if Frank can't get that in the works," I said.

"That would be great. I know there are a few folks around that raise some hogs, but it's always better to have your own. We'll need a smoke house sooner or later too though," Maybel said.

"Don't fret over it. I'm sure Frank can take care of that too. Just be sure to let me know if you need anything else for raising food," I said, and went to find Frank.

When I did run across Frank he seemed almost happy to have something to do. He said he'd put the hands he had on it and then get back to looking for more to hire.

"I know of a few more men that might like a regular job, but I've held back 'cause I's afraid I wouldn't really have anything for them to do yet," he said.

"Don't worry 'bout that. If you know of good hands, hire them. I'll find something for them to do. As a matter of fact, if you can find one that knows what to buy and what not to buy in the way of livestock, hire him. We have plenty of land and no cattle to speak of, not to mention a few pigs and chickens we're gonna need as soon as their new homes are ready."

Figuring I'd done my ranch owner's bit for the day, I saddled Boots and headed for town. I didn't want to miss out on the whole hen party and I knew I was probably late for some of the best gossip.

When I got to Silas' store I was slightly disappointed. One of the hens, or at least the youngest chick wasn't in attendance. Sarah was nowhere to be seen.

"Don't look so down in the mouth, Bill. Sarah will be here in a while," Carolyn said.

"Surely you know we know about your designs on her young body," Marjorie said, piling on if you asked me.

"Marjorie and I have been betting on who's next. Will it be Sarah or Carolyn?" Mary asked, and Carolyn jerked around to stare at her.

"Don't look surprised Carolyn, we can tell you're just about over your injuries, and besides that you're panting for it," Marjorie said.

"I am not. Well, I'm not actually panting for it. Well not much anyway," Carolyn said, blushing and then laughing about it.

"We still have a bet on though, because there's no doubt in my mind Sarah is hotter than a pistol lately. Have you seen the way she swishes her little ass around, just hoping that Bill will pat it again?" Mary asked.

"How could we miss it?" Lilly and Lilah asked together, and then giggled and blushed.

The twins had surprised me since I hadn't even noticed them when I came in. They'd been hidden behind one of the shelves, digging into territory they must have missed before.

"You two be quiet, and besides, I don't want to catch either of you swishing anything in Bill's direction," Carolyn said, and then grinned at me, making me blush.

Showing that they were smarter than the average youngsters, the twins kept their mouths shut. That didn't keep me from remembering that there was not one thing wrong with their cute little asses though. Luckily I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut too.



-------

Chapter 18


Sarah came in, as promised, a few minutes later and it didn't take me long to know the other women had the fix in. Sarah was barely in the door before Mary asked me to watch the store for her a few minutes.

"Carolyn and I want to go over to Marjorie's house with her. She wants to make sure she didn't miss anything while they were packing up to move," she said.

"I don't mind being a clerk for a while, but did you leave me any coffee on the stove?" I asked, hoping there wasn't any.

There was no need for me to worry about that and I new that more than a little planning had been hashed out among them.

"Sarah, would you mind making a pot of coffee so Bill can stay awake?" Mary asked her, and Sarah acted like it would be the most fun she'd had in days and headed straight into the kitchen, twitching her cute ass all the way. Since she was wearing her chaps over her buckskins again it was more than a little distracting.

"Bill, would you mind stoking the stove a little, the fire's just about gone out," Sarah asked, from the kitchen when she got to the stove.

"I'll be glad to," I said, bolting the front door before heading that way.

She hit me with her best shot as I came through the door. She was bending over the stove, looking into the fire door and her chaps framed beautiful ass was pointed my way. I gave it a light squeeze when I reached her and when she stood back up I started putting the stove wood in.

After the fire was going good I sat down at the kitchen table and Sarah put the pot on and came over to sit by me. I didn't give her a chance for a chair of her own though; I pulled her into my lap and put my lips to hers. Her initial resistance was a sham and I knew it, but I acted like I was going to have my way by main strength if it came to it.

Apparently Sarah didn't have the first thought about putting up much of a struggle. When I slipped my tongue between her lips she made a little sound down in her throat and put her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. What the hell, I slid a hand up and caressed her closest titty. She sighed with more conviction then.

From the way Sarah was taking to this I figured she'd been wanting to see what fucking was all about for probably a year or two. I could feel her nipple spring up to attention almost right away so I gave it a break while I opened the handmade buttons of her buckskin top, down to her waist, and then slid a hand inside to get hold of her bare titties.

By the time I'd spent a little time on both her beauties she was hot enough to fuck already. I put an arm under her knees and rose from the chair then headed right for Mary's bed. Actually I wanted to bend her over the kitchen table and do it right then and there, but I was sure this would be her first time and the bed would be better.

She couldn't have any doubts about what was going to happen when I carried her through the bedroom door, but she wasn't pissing and moaning. I set her on her feet beside the bed and started removing her clothes. She toed her boots off while I was busy with her top and after it was off I removed the chaps and then untied the waist string of her buckskins and slid them down her beautiful legs.

Finally, the French panties were revealed. They were nothing like what people in my former time would have considered sexy, but they fit tight and were all lace and I'm sure she thought they were wanton. Hell, they were close enough. She blushed almost all over as I slipped them off her to make sure they weren't damaged in the process.

Her flaxen fleeced pussy was a lot prettier than the panties had been, and I could hardly take my eyes off it to give her beautiful rosy tipped breasts a gander. I picked her up again and laid her in the middle of the bed, then started off with my own clothes while she squirmed.

My dick was hard as a rock by now and Sarah gave a little gasp when it popped up as I slid my drawers down. She couldn't take her eyes off it and soon enough I was lying beside her on the bed and pressing it to her flank.

"I've never done it before; it won't hurt too badly will it?" she asked, not sounding frightened exactly.

"If it does I'll kiss it and make it well," I said, as I put my hand on her pussy to test for oil.

She blushed furiously again but sighed loudly when my hand petted her pussy lips. She was slightly damp in anticipation but I knew I had work to do until she was wetter.

When I put my mouth where my hand had been Sarah tensed up for a few seconds, but when my tongue started licking up and down her crease she laid completely still, no doubt wondering what was coming next. Fuck oil was the most obvious answer because she started making it in quantity almost right away.

Doing the dirty deed to a virgin had never been at the top of my list. I didn't really mind but it didn't add anything to the experience for me. I was actually glad when my tongue didn't find a hymen as I slid it up between her love lips. No doubt riding astride had spoken for that membrane years ago and it was more than fine with me.

While I gave her a good cunt licking I let my hand find her titties again by the Braille method. Her firm young mountains were a delight in my palms and the nipples stood up to be counted from the way I teased them with my thumbs. Sarah was panting and wiggling her hips in only a few minutes, but I could see her eyes get wide when I moved up to do the real deal.

"Don't worry, I doubt it will hurt you at all. You're soaking the covers now and your wiggling lets me know everything is ready for us to get started."

"I don't know how this happened, but I know it has to. I never even thought about doing it with anyone until I saw you in the store with Mary the first time," she said, almost apologizing for wanting to give it up.

I didn't say anything but used my hand to place my dickhead in her entrance and then pushed gently. Sarah was a virgin, hymen or no, and she was as tight as you might expect. It must have taken ten minutes of short pushes and pulls before I had my hard as a crowbar dick up her. When I made the first full length stroke she suck in her breath deeply and her arms flew around my neck. I kissed her hard as I pulled back to get started for real.

It didn't take long for me to realize Sarah was going to love fucking. She was enthusiastic already and as I picked up the pace her legs naturally came around mine and soon they were locked around my waist and her heels were drumming against my ass as if she were spurring a horse.

By the time I had a nipple in my mouth for a good suck Sarah's fingers were raking my back. Luckily her nails were short, but even if they'd been as long and sharp as knives I wouldn't have slowed down for a second. As far as I was concerned Sarah was made to fuck me, and it was going to happen often.

Even though I tried to string things out Sarah was having none of it. She was on a mission to come and she made sure I did too when she got there. My short grunt as I let go couldn't match her wailing scream though and when we had our wind back she kissed and nibbled around my neck and ears as if her life depended on it.

"I had no idea it would be so wonderful," were the first words out of her mouth after she settled down just a little.

"How long do you think it will take for us to be married?" I asked her, and it had her speechless for a few minutes.

"You will marry me won't you?"

"Of course I will, I was just surprised that you'd ask me, and so quickly to boot. You'll have to ask Daddy for my hand though," she said, looking a little pensive.

"Don't worry about that. He let me buy Boots, it shouldn't be much trouble to talk him our of you."

She gave me a funny little look for a second and then a stout slap on the arm. When she realized I was teasing her she laughed out.

"You are such a tease, but I already knew that. Mary and Marjorie warned me that you were full of it sometimes and they were exactly right. It's just too bad that Mary won't be able to stay with us all the time. She likes Silas though, and I do to in fact. He really can't help it that he doesn't know what to do with his pecker," she said, and surprised me for a change.

"You girls talk a lot more than I expected."

"Of course we do. Mary told me I wouldn't be able to believe how good you were and Marjorie backed her up. Carolyn is practically chomping at the bit to get her hands on you too. We're going to have such a wonderful life together, especially when Mary gets to visit," she said, smiling like the cat that got the cream.

"Yes, we are, but I can't ask the Colonel for your hand for a day or two. I have to get hold of a ring."

"A ring?"

"Yes, and engagement ring, with a big diamond. They're all the rage now," I said.

"But I've never heard of such."

"You'll be a trend setter."

"But aren't diamonds very expensive?"

"Of course they are, that's why an engagement ring is so special. Even tiny diamonds are expensive. Don't worry though, if I have to go to New York City for it I will," I said, and left it there since I could see Sarah was practically flabbergasted.

We'd probably been locked up in the store long enough by now. I thought I'd heard a couple of people fooling with the door and no doubt Mary and the others would be wanting back in shortly. When I moved to get out of bed Sarah pulled me back.

"Can we do it once more?" she asked, and what music it was to my ears.

"I don't think we should. You're going to be a little sore by tomorrow anyway and if we did it again so soon you'd be a lot sore. The Colonel would be bound to notice you were walking funny."

"Oh, you're probably right. I'll be looking for you as soon as it's over though," she said, grinning.

We dressed and when we were back in the kitchen we found Marjorie and Carolyn sitting at the table and Mary was doing something at the stove. I tried to keep an innocent look on my face but figured it was probably useless. Sarah tried no such thing.

"You two were right! I had no idea it would be so good. Oh, I forgot about the coffee, did it boil completely away?" she asked.

"There was still a little water in the pot, but the coffee was so strong I didn't have to pour it out, I just told it to get gone and it walked away by itself. I'm making another pot now," Mary said, with a little grin of her own.

"I'm sorry Mary, I lost track of time," Mary said.

"I understand completely," Mary said.

"Me too," Marjorie echoed.

"In three more days I should be completely well, and I'd better understand myself right after that," Carolyn said, and it made the others all laugh.

"Bill asked me to marry him," Sarah said next, and it got a kissing and hugging party deluxe started. I managed to slip out the front door without them noticing I was even gone.

Of course Lilly and Lilah saw me as I passed through the store and there wasn't a doubt they knew exactly why everyone but Sarah and I had gone to Marjorie's house. I couldn't have knocked the grins off their faces with a two by four, and I didn't really mind anyway. In fact I grinned myself and gave them a big wink.

Boots and I were back at the ranch in a few minutes and I saw someone else I'd short circuited. Dick Williams was standing around talking to Frank. I rode over to put Boots up and apologize, but when I started Dick cut me off.

"I saw you ride out before Frank even told me you wanted to talk, so I caught another nag for more practice. Do you want to go over whatever it was now?" he asked.

"Might as well before I get distracted again. I know I said you could mostly train horses but Frank told me you were a good buyer too, and I need you on that if you will. We've got a ranch and no real stock to speak of. Could you go 'round and see if you can fill this place up?"

"Shore, but I won't have to go far if you've got cash or gold, trouble is, you'll need to buy the land too. It's a hell of a bargain though. If there was a chance in hell of me scaring up that much money I'd have already bought it," he said.

"Well, if you want it for yourself I can probably make you a loan, but I'd sure hate to lose you," I said.

"Mr Jefferson, after you said that I don't think you could run me off if you tried. I appreciate the offer but I don't want the place for myself. I know what I'm good at and managing a ranch ain't part of it.

"The only reason I wanted to buy Zeke Whitfield's place was because it is such a bargain. I only planned on holding it long enough to sell it again myself. He got it in his head he wanted to move to California. He's done bought a few wagons and six teams of oxen and he's even mostly packed up already. He wants to get shut of his place for cash and then he's leaving, heading for Independence Missouri to catch a wagon train," Dick said.

"What kind of place has he got to sell?"

"Fifteen hundred acres of fenced land and two thousand more of range. In fact he claims it butts up to your place along your southeast line. It just ain't the fenced part that does.

"He's been there for maybe fifteen years so his home place has everything you need already to just move in and start tendin' to the stock.

"There's around fifteen hundred head of cattle, nearly two hundred horses, and he's got sixty one damned good hands that's most likely want to stay on if you can afford to pay 'em. They're worried since he and the money he's made with the ranch will be leaving. They'd probably make a deal to work for less if you're strapped after buying the place, for a while at least."

"I'll make a deal all right. How much is he paying his top hands?"

"Twenty a month and found, but he does feed good and he's a hell of a nice feller to work for. He don't mind helping a hand out with buying a house or something either, but only the ones that's been there a while," Dick said.

"Reckon he'll be mad about us coming up so late in the day?"

"No sir. I don't think he even knows how to get mad and I know for a fact he never sent no one away from his place without making sure they got a good meal first," he said.

"Well, Boots is ready to travel. I've got to go fetch some gold from the office and I'll be right back," I said, and after tying up Boots I headed for the house.

No matter what else happened I went by the kitchen to give Maybel a heads up first thing. I knew a hell of a lot better than to change the cook's schedule without letting her in on the secret. I didn't mind telling her exactly what I was up to, because I already knew she didn't gossip about my business. Hell, she grinned when I told her.

"I hope you ain't planning to replace me with Miss Gertie?" she said, and I knew she was teasing but didn't know what about.

"Who's Miss Gertie?"

"She's Zeke Whitfield's house cook. I knew he was trying to sell out and I also know he tried to get Miss Gertie to move to Californey with him, but she said she wasn't going no farther west than Lancaster. She wouldn't even let none of her helpers leave either.

"He bought Miss Gertie when he was a young man and first got started down in Louisiana. She come up here with him, and I guess she's still a slave but I know he don't treat her like one and ain't for years. Miss Gertie has a mind of her own. I'm pretty sure she's a better cook than I am too."

"Well, you're my cook. If Miss Gertie wants to come up here and cook too, and if the two of you can't get along then I'll build another kitchen just like this one so both of you can have your own."

"Go on Mr Bill. Me and Miss Gertie are friends. We ain't gonna have no trouble. You're gonna love her pinto beans though. She can beat me on those any day and I know it. I can hold my own with pies and cakes though," Maybel said.

There was another shock waiting for me in the office when I got inside. I'd come for more gold but I was worried I wouldn't have enough to make such a big deal and hated the thought of needing to take the elevator in the barn to get more of it out of my trailer. I'd still have to do that, but there was an elevator in the office now, out of the way and hidden just like the other one, but open and waiting for me right now. I didn't even waste time wondering about it. I took it down to a new hall at the bottom and walked over to the Airstream and fetched more of the small ingots.

When I got back to Dick, Frank, and Boots I saw Dick had a big bay mare saddled. He and Frank both gawked at the heavy saddlebags I was carrying while they tried their best not to.

Five minutes later we mounted and headed out the gate, getting back on the road at the end of the short driveway as I liked to think of it. It was only about two miles to the Whitfield place and Dick told me the houses were actually less than a mile from each other but the road wound around a little to make it seem farther.

A medium height stout man near the front of a big barn saw us as we rode through the gate and he waited for us to ride up. Dick told me it was Zeke Whitfield. He was about five seven or so and must have been damned close to two hundred pounds. Not more than ten or fifteen of that was in belly either.

Dick introduced us and then let things go from there.

"I hope you two are ready for some supper, cause I damned sure am," Zeke said, almost right away.

"After the way Maybel bragged on Miss Gertie's cooking my mouth watered all the way over here," I said, and he smiled a big wide grin at that.

"We'd better get on in there then. No sense in waiting out here and gettin' scolded for being late."

Miss Gertie was as black as the ace of spades and as round as a top. She looked like she was getting her face set for a scolding no matter that we were on time, but Zeke cured that by telling her Maybel sent us over to see what the food from the best cook in the state was like. She showed us a wide smile and white teeth then.

"Go on and stop that Mr Zeke. You ain't gettin' but one dish of cobbler no matter how you make on. Now, I can tell that Maybel has been keepin' Mr Jefferson slimmed down, but I ain't working for her and he looks like he might need some extra dessert. Mr Williams too for that matter.

"You girls come on out here with the food now. If the others don't get here pretty quick they can just go without supper," she said, and led us to the dining room where the others were already seated.

Zeke introduced his wife, Zelda, his two grown - or close enough - sons, Bob and Ted, and his daughter Twilla. She was a cute little thing, about Lilly and Lilah's age, but it was easy to see she was already headed toward being a plump and jolly wife for some man someday.

The girls Gertie had yelled out to started in with the food then. There were four of them; obviously mulattos and almost as obviously they were Zeke's offspring. It was a sort of genetic shading to their faces that tipped me off though. They weren't short or stout and their faces were as attractive as could possibly have come out of a match between Zeke and whoever their mother was. I wondered what had become of her but sure as hell didn't ask.

The meal was delicious. Gertie was just as good with fried chicken as Maybel and the pinto beans were better, just as advertised. True to her word she sent Dick and I a double serving of the excellent peach cobbler. Hell, if she was going to stay with the place I'd go back home and get another load of gold if I needed too.

After we'd eaten, Zeke invited me into his study. It wasn't ornate or anything but it had a desk and a couple of comfortable chairs. He offered me a cigar and I took one. It only took a minute or so to get them trimmed and going and then we sat in the overstuffed chairs.

"I'm just guessing, but did you have something you wanted to discuss when you came over?" Zeke asked.

"I did. I just found out my closest neighbor was planning to move away."

"Who's your closest neighbor?" he asked, looking a little curious.

"You are. I bought the Christopher place a few days back."

"Oh. I didn't know it had sold."

"When Dick told me you wanted to leave I figured I'd come over and see if I could make a deal with you for this place. I don't have enough stock to get started over there and wouldn't have enough hands to take care of the stock if I had any."

"There's a good chance you and I can both come out well on this deal then. I do intend to sell out and I've been worried what would come of my hands when I did.

"Can we start out with a price?" I asked.

"Ain't no secret. I want two dollars an acre for the fenced land and a dollar for the unfenced. There's fifteen hundred and eighty nine cows, not counting the calves and yearlings. I want three dollars a head for them and I want ten dollars a head for around two hundred horses.

"We need to come to an agreement about Gertie and the girls too. As the law goes Gertie is a slave and all the girls are too. Onieta, the girl's Mama died two years ago. Onieta was a slave too and lawfully the girls are too. I've never treated them like slaves though.

"I tried to get them all to come with me but when Gertie wouldn't - the girls wouldn't either after that. I guess I could make them go but I won't. I tried to get them all emancipated but they wouldn't go for that either.

I can't sell the place if you don't promise me you'll take good care of all of 'em." he said.

"I'm trusting you to keep this to yourself, but I don't hold with slavery. I don't make a point of bringing it up but I've never owned a slave and don't intend to. If they want to stay on and call themselves slaves that's fine with me, but they aren't gonna be slaves. They'll have to take their pay every month just like everyone else. What they do with it after that is their business.

"I brought gold with me and if you'll tally the numbers up to suit yourself I can go ahead and pay you right now," I said, and it shocked him a little.

"Can I have a few days to get packed up and gone?" he asked.

"You can have as long as you want. I've got a place to sleep already," I said

He went over to the desk, pulled out a pencil and a piece of paper and ciphered for a minute, then looked up at me.

"I rounded the cows and horses off at thirteen hundred cows and two hundred horses. I come up with eleven-thousand, five-hundred dollars."

"That's not giving you anything for the house and the building and equipment," I said.

"They go with the place. I already made up my mind on that."

"Then I'm roundin' it off to fifteen thousand dollars worth of gold and I won't pay a penny less," I said, and he looked almost like I'd slapped him, then he laughed.

"You are a caution Mr Jefferson."

"Maybe, but I ain't no Mr Jefferson. I'm Bill, Zeke," I said, and then laughed myself.

I went back outside and found Boots where someone had tied him up and loosened the girth. Saddlebags in hand I went back to Zeke's study,



-------

Chapter 19


It didn't take long to count out the gold. After that was taken care of Zeke wrote out a bill of sale and handed me what he had for a deed, signing it over to me. I knew a deal like this wouldn't pass muster back when I came from but figured it was good enough for now.

The sun was about to set but it didn't really matter much. Zeke called his family, Gertie, and the girls back into the kitchen and gave them the happy news. Gertie didn't look pleased but she did look determined.

Taking over tonight wasn't something I would put up with. I told Zeke I'd be back tomorrow and then Dick and I headed home. After we made it back to the barn I unsaddled Boots and put him in his stall and then headed for the house. Apparently Maybel had been watching out a window because she had a fresh pot of coffee brewing and a few donuts warming in the oven.

Most everyone else was sitting around the table, including Mary, Jimmy, and the twins. It was like they were waiting for me to bring them some exciting news. I guessed the news I did have was exciting enough. I asked Maybel if Jane Gramley had showed up yet, but she hadn't. I sent Jimmy to ask Bob and Roberta and also Frank and Cara to join us.

I waited until everyone made it to the table, then until Maybel served donuts and coffee. After they all had something to gnaw on I gave them the whole tale.

"I just found out about Zeke William's place being for sale this afternoon. Dick and I went over and I bought it. I paid him for everything he'd let me and he deeded the rest to me anyhow. He and his family will be staying in the house until they strike out for Missouri.

"Please let me go over my plans and wait until I'm done before you do any squawking, but don't forget to squawk later if something doesn't suit you.

"Frank, I don't see much changing for you except you'll have to try getting along with the overseer over there. I'm not talking about the foreman. He'll still be the foreman, but with the Williams gone I'm going to need someone to be responsible for keeping an eye out for everything.

"Bob, you're that someone. When they're out of the house I want you and Cara to move in. We'll talk privately later about your raise if you can bring yourself to take this promotion. Cara, if you can get your sister hired I'd like for you to have her move in with Bob and Roberta at the Williams place unless she wants to stay with you and Frank. I'll make sure Cooter doesn't get lost when he gets back.

"Maybel, I'm assuming Gertie and the girls aren't going to throw a fit about moving up here. I'm afraid that's going to make things a little crowded in your quarters. Would you mind moving into one of the guests rooms?"

"Mind? I'd be thrilled to."

"Good. I don't think there's a real hurry, but if one comes up we have more than plenty of hands to help now. Just let me know if you need a few to tote and carry."

That was all I had to say for now and no one had any questions they wanted to ask right away. We drank coffee and ate a few more donuts and then Bob and Roberta followed me into the library.

I'm going to raise both of your salaries. Bob, I'm paying you a hundred a month now and Roberta I'm putting yours where Bob's was. I know it will probably be more work on you both, so if that isn't enough let me know and we'll talk it over.

"That's too much for what I'm doing Mr Jefferson?" Roberta said.

"No it's not. I have a feeling you're going to be doing most of the cooking in the house. I don't think Bob will have time and I'm bringing all the other cooks up here to stay in this house."

"Will I be cooking for the hands too?"

"No, they have three cooks for the hands. Right now you'll only have to cook for Bob and yourself."

"Then it's too much money for only that."

"Humor me please. There's no telling when I might have to send someone down there to spend a night or two. Do you know Jane Gramley?"

"Yes, we're pretty good friends."

"Do you know why she hasn't come out for a job? I thought she wanted one."

"I think she's waiting for Cooter to get back to talk to him first. She's a little put out that he didn't come by and tell her anything before he headed out for Jefferson. I tried to tell her he was in a rush to do a good job, but she isn't sure he still wants to marry her, Roberta said.

"Well, maybe I'll have to explain the facts of life to Cooter when he gets back. You won't have any trouble with her living down there and helping you will you? Cooter too probably, if they get married."

"Not a bit that I can think of. In fact, she might come on out if she knows she won't be living close to Cooter in case he doesn't marry her."

"Good, if you have time tomorrow I'll have someone take you out to see her in the buckboard if you'll go."

"I can drive a buckboard fine and I know how to shoot to, so I ain't scared to go by myself. I'll do it right after the dishes are done in the morning."

"Good, any questions?" I asked, toward both of them.

"I don't know how it's gonna work out moving in as a new foreman," Bob said.

"You're not going to be the foreman. You're going to be the boss down there. You'll tell the foreman what to do when you need to. I'm sure the one down there is a good man, but you were working for me before I even heard about the place and I know I can trust your judgement. I don't even know the foreman. If he can't get along with you he'll have to go.

"I don't want to take over and start making a lot of changes just to be changing, but I own the place now and the men there will have to understand it sooner or later. If they make trouble they'll have to leave. That'll be your decision unless they put up a real ruckus. If they do I'll come down and settle their hash, one way or another."

"I don't think it will come to that, especially with me moving into the big house. I will admit I'm going to miss the hot and cold running water though."

"You won't miss it long. I'll get it put in as soon as I can find somebody to do it."

That put a smile on their faces and the little meeting broke up after that. I was glad to get back out among the women too. We talked and teased for half an hour and then headed for bed ourselves. I washed up and lay on the bed for about half an hour and then got up to go fetch my playmates. They were standing at the door when I opened it.

Something had them sitting on go too. They both dropped their gowns on the way to the bed and I was in among 'em with my drawers on the floor before quick could get ready. I'd just slid my dick up Marjorie when I thought I heard the door open again.

It was Carolyn and apparently she got up the nerve to come watch by now. She didn't come over to the bed though; she just stood wide-eyed inside the door.

"Come on over and take a load off your feet Carolyn. There's plenty of room in this bed. Are you feeling better?"

"I'm better, but I still think a couple more days will be just right. I couldn't resist coming in to watch any longer though."

"Good, we've been missing you."

"Uh, what'll we do after you get married?" she asked, so shyly I barely heard her.

"Well, either Marjorie or Mary will have to teach her how to suck my dick, as soon as possible," I said, and grinned like a fool, "Unless you're really good at it too."

"They'll have to teach me too," she said, nearly as red as a beet.

"Just remember I'm up for letting you practice all you need to."

Carolyn was able to keep away from a real fucking but she did handle my dick a good bit and even took her first cocksucking lesson near the last. Mary took over from her and finished me off though, and I pulled the usual male trick and went right off to sleep. They were all gone when I woke.

When I headed for the table the next morning I found them right away. They were having coffee. I didn't see Jimmy, Lilly, or Lilah but only wondered where they were for a second. Maybel told me breakfast would be ready in a couple of minutes when I sat and she handed me a cup of coffee to get started.

After taking a sip I looked up at Carolyn sitting directly across the table from me. She stuck her tongue out as far as it would go and made a production of licking her lips all the way around. It made me glad I'd already swallowed my first sip of coffee since I know I'd have choked on it if I hadn't. She must have warned the other two ahead of time because they started giggling as soon as she finished her trick.

"Where are the kids?" I asked, after I regained my composure.

"Here we are," Lilly said, and sure enough they came walking in.

"Mama told us to stay in the kitchen until the laughing was over," Lilah said, giggling a little herself.

"I see. It was a conspiracy against me. You know Lilah; she might get you in trouble doing things like that.

I'd thought I was making a joke but neither Carolyn, Lilly, nor Lilah laughed. They just looked at me like I was a ghost or something.

"What?" I asked.

"How did you know?" Lilly asked.

"How did I know what, Lilly?"

"How can you tell which of us is which? Mama can most of the time, but not always. Jimmy can't tell at all and Daddy didn't have a hope either," Lilah said.

It made me take a closer look at them and I realized there was nothing to tell them apart. Hell, I knew they even talked exactly the same. I still knew which was which without any bother though and I always had, at least I thought I had.

"I don't know how I do it, but I'm sure I've always been able to," I said.

"You know we're going to have to test you, don't you?" Lilly asked.

"Go ahead, but you'll see you can't fool me."

Conversation came to a halt then because Maybel came in with food in hand and Roberta was right behind her with another tray. Joking was fine but now that the food had arrived it was time for serious eating, and I did my part.

As usual the food was great but I knew it would be a busy day. Roberta took off after the dishes were done and Mary had to head into town to open the store. Marjorie and Carolyn were going with her and the twins were too. Jimmy took off to study Johnny's methods and I went to saddle Boots and take Bob over to meet the new crowd.

When we rode up to the William's place I noticed that almost all the men were just standing around talking. Zeke was among them and after Bob and I were on the ground he led me out and gave a mass introduction.

"This is Bill Jefferson. He bought this place last night, along with everything else around here that was for sale. I'm gonna turn things over to him right now because my woman told me I'd be packing today until I got it done. We're leaving after breakfast day after tomorrow," he said, and then headed toward the house.

"I guess it might be a shock to you guys, but he wanted to sell and I wanted to buy. Just to make it easier to swallow, I'm raising everyone's pay by ten dollars a month starting from the first of the month.

"In case you don't know him, this is Bob Jakes. He'll be the overseer here. He and his wife and maybe a couple of others will move into the big house as soon as the Williams leave.

"Just to make sure you understand, Bob is not the foreman. I don't know who the foreman was for Zeke but I'd like for him to come up and meet me in a minute. I want him to stay on and as far as I'm concerned he'll just keep doing what he's been doing unless Bob wants to change something.

"That's pretty much all I have to say to everyone for now. You probably know what you need to be doing so you can go ahead and get at it," I said.

All but one of them left and he came up to talk to me and Bob. He didn't look very happy as he did it.

His name was Mike Paley and he didn't mind letting us know that he didn't appreciate being replaced on the first day.

"You ain't hard of hearing are you Mike?" I asked.

"Naw."

"Then you just didn't pay attention while I was talking?"

"I heard you fine," he said.

"Then what makes you think you're being replaced? Were you the boss here while Zeke owned the place?"

"No, he was the boss, but he was the owner."

"Well I'm the owner now, but Bob is the boss. I've got the Christopher place too and I ain't moving out of it to come down here and run the show. If you can't take Bob as the boss here then you'd better saddle your bronc and get gone. I don't know nothin' about you yet, but this place needs a boss today, and I know Bob," I said.

"I can see that now that you explained it better and I've knowed Bob a long time. If I'm still the foreman I'm fine with Bob being the big boss. Tell the truth, I wouldn't know how to do that job," he said, looking to be in a better mood already.

"Besides, I can sure use the ten dollar raise," he said.

"Well, I'm afraid you're raise is gonna have to be more than that, unless I'm wrong about what Zeke was paying you. Frank Johnson is the foreman at the Christopher place and he's gettin' a hundred a month. I can't pay you less than him you see?"

That was it for Mike Paley's stubborn streak. I thought he was gonna jump and holler for a minute there and it was hard to get him to stop thanking me. I finally did it by asking him a question.

"Do you know the place where the fence here comes closest to the Christopher fence?"

"Shore do. It ain't very far at all," he said.

"Well, have you got time to saddle a bronc and show it to Bob and me?"

"Got one saddled and tied in the barn. She's a good big mare, but a little ugly in the head. I got her today because she's horsin' and Zeke didn't want to breed her this time. I couldn't figure out why, because her foals are always good 'uns. they usually get that ugly head though."

Boots perked right up when he saw and then smelled the mare. It was the first time he'd ever cut up at all with me on his back and it was easier to get his attention back on his job than I thought it would be at first.

Mike not only showed us the closest point in the fences, he took us around and let us know where he thought the best spot to connect with the back of the Christopher place was. Bob and I both agreed he had it right.

"I think this would be the best spot to start connecting the two places. I've already sent Cooter Smith to Jefferson to order material for a new house I'm building. I'll get one of the delivery drivers to take a note back so's I can order some cypress fence post and boards for more fencing. It seems cypress just last longer," I said.

"I think so too, but it's a long way to Jefferson. Then again, if ya got wagons headed this way already it won't make much difference," Mike said.

"That's right, and as long as we're gonna build fence it might as well be done outta something that will last. Let's ride over to the Christopher place and talk to Frank a minute or two. While we're there I'd like for you to pick out another horse to ride back. I know Boots has his mind set on some pussy now, and who knows? The Colonel says Boots always puts an ugly head on his colts. Maybe he and the mare will cancel each other out," I said.

"To me it won't hurt a thing, cause I just don't care about their heads as long as they ain't big enough to throw their balance off. I know this mare is one of the best on our place and everybody anywhere 'round here knows what a good horse Boots is. If their heads cancel out, and I've heard of stranger things happening, then you'll end up with a great horse that looks pretty too. If the foal don't turn out good looking you'll just end up with a great horse, and that ain't never a bad thing on a cow ranch," Mike said.

Mike and Bob headed back to the new place a few minutes later and I really didn't know what I should see about next. Finally I went with my main interest and headed off after them. I needed to make sure everything was suiting Gertie so far. If she was too busy cooking to talk to me then I'd just hang around until after lunch if I had to.

Turns out Gertie wasn't too busy to see me and she even called in all the girls. It was all I knew to call them since Gertie was the only one I had a name for. She invited me back into the kitchen after letting Zelda know she had to talk to her new boss-man for a few minutes. Gertie and all the girls were looking me over closely when I opened my mouth.

"I hope this isn't too much of a surprise for you," was the first lame thing out of my mouth.

"Ain't no surprise now. Zeke come up with the surprise, taking off for Californa at his age, like some fool kid. He was the boss though and I didn't try to talk him outen it. Still, I wasn't fool enough to go with him and these girls twern't neither. Oneita woulda rolled over in her grave if they had. I ain't really got no quarrel with no Injuns and I might keep from gettin' one if I stays here," Gertie said, and the girls all nodded their heads in agreement.

"I hope you'll all move down to the other house with us. You don't have any objection to that do you?"

"Nawsir, we don'ts. I allus wanted to see inside that house since they built it. I never even dreamed I'd get to live in it. Is there rooms in the big house for us?" she asked.

"There are four bedrooms in the quarters and a nice living room and dining room too. The two bathrooms in there have hot and cold running water. Maybel liked it fine but she had to move out to make room for the girls."

"Where'd she have to move to? I dasn't want to put her out of her bed."

"She likes the new room even better. It's one of the guests rooms and there's one right beside it for you. I was hoping the girls could get by where she, Bob, and Roberta were living. Bob and Roberta will be moving here in the big house."

"Is you tellin' me I'll be in one of the rooms they had for people that might visit them?" Gertie asked, clearly amazed.

"That's only fair. If Maybel gets one you should have one too."

"But Maybel ain't no nigger and I is?" I's a slave Mr Jefferson. Ain't you noticed?"

"That's another thing we need to get straight Gertie. I don't care if you call yourself a slave. I don't mind if all of you do, but you're not going to really be slaves in my house. You'll have to take your pay once a month just like everybody else does. I don't hold with having slaves."

"Then why'd you buy us in the first place? I ain't going nowhere to get mancipated," she said.

"In the first place I didn't buy you, or the girls. I came down here to ask you if you'd take a job up at my other house. If you don't want to you don't have to, but if you stay here and cook for Bob you'll still have to take your pay."

"What about Jasper then. Is you gonna ask him to come to work for you too?"

"I don't know Jasper, but if he was a slave here I'll hire him too. What does he do?" I asked.

"He raises the garden and takes care of the chickens, hogs, and smoke house for us. Mr Zeke built him his own little house out back," she said.

"Then he can work either place he wants to. Johnny, the gravedigger, is raising us a garden up there but if Johnny wants to come up there I'll build him a house there too. Will he give me trouble about taking his pay too?"

"I don't think he will, and we ain't gonna give you no real trouble over it. It's just not what we been doing. We'll probably get used to that part pretty easy.

"Is there room in the kitchen for me and Maybel both to cook?"

"I'm leaving that up to you. If it doesn't seem big enough for you I'll get the Green's to build you one of your own or make the one we have twice as big, or whatever you want. I try my best to never make the cooks mad. I like to eat too much for that."

"Well it sounds fine to me. It might take us a while to tote our things up there, but we'll get started soon as Mr Zeke and his family leave, if that's all right with you," she said.

"No, that's not all right at all. When they leave I'll send some men and wagons down here to fetch you and your things. I don't mind if you do your own packing but I don't want you doing any lifting and totin'. I've got plenty of men without enough to do already. They do all the carrying."

"It's gonna be different for us Mr Jefferson, but we goan try our hardest to get used to it. I promise that," she said.

"Then try to start calling me Bill while you're at it," I said, and left to go find Jasper.

It wasn't hard but he was shy. It took me nearly an hour to get it straight with him about taking pay every month. He was trying to get out of it for some reason, but when I put my foot down he caved. He never even considered leaving the place to go elsewhere, except up to the other house. He said it would be better if he and Johnny worked together.

I was glad that was settled and Boots got me back to the house in plenty of time for lunch.



-------

Chapter 20


When I entered the kitchen through the back door I went straight to the dining room, giving Maybel a short hello as I passed.

My sweethearts, including Sarah, were already seated at the table. I went around giving them each a kiss on the lips, a short one though. When I came to Lilly I noticed she and Lilah were dressed differently now. I gave first Lilly and then Lilah a kiss on the cheek but spoiled their giggles since I called them by name as I did it.

"Sorry Jimmy, no kiss for you," I said, as I came to him. At least it got the giggling going again.

Maybel started in with the food then and I realized at once she didn't have Roberta to help her any longer. I hopped up to do the job myself.

"I can get it Mr Jefferson," Maybel protested.

"I know you can, but you're not going to get to. My arms aren't broken," I said, and it caused Lilly, Lilah, Sarah, and Jimmy to pop up too.

The food was on the table in seconds and we tore into it. At least Jimmy and I did. The women and girls tried to maintain their manners. We were having chicken and dumplings with mashed potatoes and green beans. I nearly made myself sick from eating so much. I didn't even try to get in on the conversations during the meal.

After we were done Sarah took charge of Lilly, Lilah, and Jimmy and led them on a clean the table and wash the dishes picnic. I'm pretty sure they didn't enjoy it much but they didn't make a peep about gaining a chore.

"What's on your agenda this afternoon?" Marjorie asked me.

"Nothing that's more important than doing something to help you if you need me."

"No, I was just curious. We're going back to the store to gossip some more."

"I think I'll hide out in my office then. I need to write myself a few notes about what I've got going on. I have more to keep watch on starting today. If I have time I'm going back to see Gertie again and I'll see if she and the girls have time to come take a look at their new home."

"The girls? What are their names," Sarah asked, sitting down after coming back in from the kitchen.

"That's something else I need to find out. I haven't had time to ask yet. Gertie said they were Oneida's daughters, but apparently Oneita died a few years back and Gertie is riding herd on them now."

"I think I remember her, but I didn't know she'd died," Sarah said.

Conversation took a nosedive after that and within minutes Jimmy was off to watch Johnny and the females were headed back to town in the carriage. Stick was driving and he said he'd be sure to bring it right back when he let them off since I would need it if I could talk the new kitchen crew into coming up for a look. I unsaddled Boots and put him away for now. When Stick returned I got in the carriage and he drove me on down.

Bob was outside looking over the place when we arrived. He came over and I asked how things were going.

"Better than I expected. To tell the truth I really don't have much to do. Mike is taking care of everything. Since I've been wandering around out here, two of the hands have come up to ask me what to do about something, but even I know better than to get that shit started. I reminded them who the foreman was and sent them on their way."

"They're probably just used to doing the same thing with Zeke," I said.

"I'm sure they are, but ain't no way I could even know about what they were asking. One of them wanted to know if we should get the shoes tightened up on Janey. Hell, how would I know which horse Janey was and what shape her shoes were in? Maybe Zeke could keep up with all those details but I sure as hell can't. Looks to me like Mike is going to be doing more bossing than he ever knew," Bob said.

"Hell, it'll work out. How long you figure it'll be before you and Roberta can move in down here?"

"She's done started. Zeke told us he and Zelda would go ahead and get out of the big bedroom if we needed to move in, but I told him we'd just use their guest room until they left. They won't be staying long though. He thinks they'll get gone day after tomorrow. He's even told Gertie that Zelda will be cooking their meals from now on. I guess he wants to make sure she remembers how," Bob said, and laughed.

"I guess this won't be a water hall with the carriage after all. I was hoping Gertie and the girls could come up to the house for a while and get a look at where they were moving to, but if Zelda is doing their cooking now it shouldn't be a problem at all. Can you and Roberta come up for supper tonight without it being a pain?"

"I'm sure we can. It would be a bother for her to try to cook while Zelda was, and there ain't no sense in piling on Zelda to fix our supper too. Most of our stuff is down here already but we really haven't unpacked nothing."

"Why don't you ask Roberta if she can bring enough clothes for tomorrow when y'all come up for supper. That way you could stay in a guest room and eat breakfast with us in the morning," I said.

"We can just stay in the same room we was using."

"I'm gonna try to have it occupied tonight. If I can talk them into it I want Gertie and the girls to stay after I get them up there."

"Ok, I don't expect no fussin' 'bout that from Roberta. Count on it."

I headed to the kitchen door then and Gertie opened the door before I got there.

"Come on in Mr ... uh, Bill. Got some hot coffee and warm cobbler waitin' for you," she said.

"I can already tell you and me are gonna be great friends," I said.

"You keep talkin' like you been doin' and we is. Did you hear 'bout Mr Zeke runnin' me outa my own kitchen?" she asked, and I could tell she didn't like it.

"Well that's his own fault. I came down in that carriage to take you and the girls up to the big house if you'll go."

"Lawd, you must be spiritual to know so fast. I's just wishin' we could go ahead and go. We ain't got a whole lot to carry but we can get by with only a few clothes til Mr Zeke and them is gone. Lemme tell the girls," she said, and rushed off into their version of quarters.

It seemed a little fishy to me, but I ate my cobbler and drank my coffee. Gertie and all four of the girls were back with a pillowcase full of clothes each just as I took my last sip. The funny thing was all their expressions looked relieved.

"Faith, wash up Bill's dishes real quick. We don't want to leave no mess when we go," Gertie said.

"That reminds me Gertie. No one has introduced me to any of the young ladies."

"Lawd. I's supposed to have at least some manners too. That's Faith gettin' the dishes. This is Hope and her twin sister is Charity. The youngest here is Benevolence. Their Momma gave them such pretty names. Benevolence likes to be called Bennie for short though," Gertie said, and they all smiled and did a sort of modified curtsy.

I held the door for them as we left and they were surprised again when they saw we'd be going back in the carriage. Stick was even standing beside it to help them up. It took my help too for Gertie's climb but they were all smiling wide when I got in and Stick took off for home.

"Bill, how did you know we needed to leave so bad today?" Gertie asked.

"I didn't know it. I just came down hoping you'd have time to come take a look. Has something bad happened?"

"Nawsir, not yet, but I know it would have tonight. I don't know what got into Bob and Ted, but it might be cause they's all going away. They never tried to pester the girls before, but I had to run them out of the quarters last night and this morning after breakfast, Bob told me their Daddy told them they didn't have to leave just cause I said so. I know they was coming back tonight.

"I wouldn't have said a cross word if Mr Zeke still owned us, but he don't, and he ain't never let nobody pester the girls no how. I ain't sure that Bob was tellin' me the truth, but even if he was it ain't Mr Zeke's right no more. You owns us now and it's yo right to say," Gertie said.

The first thing I wanted to do was tell Gertie I didn't own them, but it would be counter productive here and now. Gertie, and the girls too probably, were looking for what they thought of as their benefit from having an owner. They wanted protection from me, and I wasn't about to let them down. I didn't think Zeke would have told the boys any such thing either, but I was damned sure going to find out.

"I understand Gertie. I'm going to take you to the house and tell Frank not to let Bob or Ted on my place at all. Then I'm gonna go down and ask Zeke what the hell's going on," I said.

"They whupped Jasper too," Benevolence said.

"What?" Gertie and I both asked.

"I heard them talking about it. They told Jasper they just had to whip him one last time before they left. I think they used their daddy's razor strop," Bennie said.

"Thank you for telling me that Bennie. As soon as I get y'all halfway settled in the house I'm going down and have a talk with Zeke.

Showing them into the house cured all the sad faces and when they saw the quarters and realized that they'd each have a room of their own it was really happy days again. Gertie's new accommodations were the star of the show though, and she was actually crying after she got a look.

I left them with Maybel then and went outside to saddle Boots and ride back down to the new place. Zeke was standing outside and looked like he was taking a last look around.

"Howdy, just taking a last look," he said, confirming my suspicions.

"Howdy Zeke. I'm afraid this ain't such a friendly visit," and I was partly relieved to see the look on his face.

"What's happened?"

"I think it would be better if you asked Bob and Ted, unless you know about it already."

"Bob and Ted. What about them?"

"I really think it'd be best if you found out from them if they'll tell you. You could probably get part of it from Jasper."

"BOB! TED! Get your asses out here right now!" he screamed, and then turned back to me.

"Can't you at least tell me what this is about?" he asked, looking like he was pleading.

"It's about why Gertie, Faith, Hope, Charity, and Benevolence were begging me to take them up to my house about an hour ago."

It hit him like a fist to the gut and I can understand why. I'd seen yesterday they were almost as much family to him as his own children by Zelda. I was sure he didn't have a clue what was coming and I was sorry that I had to be the one to bring it up. He needed the information badly though, no matter how much it would hurt.

"What is it papa," Bob asked, when he and Ted arrived.

"You tell me what it is. Why did Gertie and the girls beg Bill to take them away from here?"

"We don't know," Ted said.

"What happened to Jasper?" he asked.

"Nothin'," Bob said, and I'm sure Zeke could see he was lying as well as I could.

"If you two are going to stand there and lie to me like that you can just go in the house, get your clothes, and strike out walking to the next part of your life. I'm not going to have any sons at all if they're a couple of bald face liars to their own daddy."

That did the trick and for a few minutes they spilled their guts. They did a lot of trying to blame it on the other one, but I knew Zeke wasn't putting any faith in that either.

"So, you tried to mess with another man's house girls and you whipped one of his field hands. That's thieving in my eyes and I'm sure it is in Mr Jefferson's too.

"I know they don't deserve it Mr Jefferson, but can you give them a minute or two to say goodbye to their Mama before you kill them?" Zeke asked, and Ted fainted dead away.

Bob hung tough until I pulled out my pistol and said I didn't think she'd really want to see them. He shit and pissed his pants before he fainted too.

Zelda came running out of the house to see what was happening then and I was glad I'd put my Colt back in the holster before she reached us. Zeke led me and her a few steps from the boys and whispered an explanation to Zelda.

"My God Zeke! How could this have happened? Are you going to shoot them Mr Jefferson?"

"Not a chance ma'am. I've obviously disrupted their lives more than enough already," I said.

"Well, I'm not so sure. JASPER!" she said, yelling it.

I could see that Bob and Ted were both back with us by the time Jasper came up. They were playing as good a game of possum as I ever saw though.

"Did Bob and Ted whup you, Jasper?" Zelda asked.

"Yes'm."

"If Mr Jefferson isn't going to kill them Zeke then you'll have to beat them both, and a lot more than they did to Jasper. They're never coming around me again unless they're soundly punished and learn the error of their ways.

"If Gertie hadn't stopped them last night I'd kill them myself. They've acted worse than a couple of stray dog. I don't want to see their faces again if their backs aren't whelped and bloody. Tie their hands high on the barn wall and ask every hand here to come and watch. If we don't beat this out of them now they'll never be worth shit.

"Come on in the house, Jasper. Gertie has left us already over these useless curs so I'll have to tend to your back myself. I know I'm not as good at it as she would be, but I promise I'll do my best.

"And don't bother with the strop on them Zeke. If you don't have a proper whip I'll walk to Silas' store myself and buy one," Zelda said, and then led Jasper into the house.

"Bill, is it all right if I ask Mike to help me?" Zeke asked.

"Make yourself at home as long as you're here Zeke."

"Mike, could you grab a couple of lariats and throw them across the barn doors?"

I hated like hell watching what went on but felt like I had to. Bob had come out now too and I'm pretty sure he hated it worse than I did, but he toughed it out too.

Zeke had Bob and Ted strip off naked, and they were too damned scared to even whine about it. He had their tied hands pulled up high by the lariats over the tops of the barn doors and then he tore into their naked backs and asses with a whip one of the hands brought him.

He gave them twenty-five lashes each and every one cut them and raised one hell of a welt too. I was just thankful he didn't let his temper get completely away from him. He wasn't lashing them even nearly as hard as he could have. They'd have been dead or near it if he had.

"Zeke. I'm going to go back to the house and bring Gertie down here to see about their wounds. It'll be too hard on Zelda to tend to them," I said, as he dropped the whip and headed for the house.

"Thank you Bill," he said, but he didn't even slow down.

"Bob, get 'em down and put them on some blankets on their bellies. Try not to let any dirt get in them cuts. It'll probably kill 'em if they get infected."

I didn't put Boots into a killing run on the way back but we didn't waste any time. The carriage was still hitched and I yelled to Stick that I'd be needin' him in a minute. It didn't slow me down on the way to the house though.

"Gertie!" I shouted, as soon as I was inside.

"What's happened Bill?" she asked, from where she and Maybel were working on supper.

"Mrs Zelda made Mr Zeke whup the boys bad when she saw what they did to Jasper and heard what they tried on the girls. She ain't gonna be able to take care of their hurts. Can you come down and help them?" I asked.

"Girls, come on. We gotta go back down to the old place. Bob and Ted is hurt bad after their whuppin."

"Do you need to get anything to work with?" I asked.

"Nawsir. I left all that stuff down there for now. I's bout outta Laudanum though. Are they gonna need much?"

"They'll probably need plenty. I'll ride to the store and get some while stick takes you to the house. You'll probably have to see after the boys in the barn. I don't think Mrs Zelda wants 'em in the house."

"We best not make a big show of things then. She might make them leave no matter what shape they's in. Mrs Zelda is the sweetest woman you'd ever meet, 'til she gets her back up. Ain't no talkin' to her for a while after that. She just won't listen," Gertie said, and I'm sure she would know.

Boots and I didn't take very long getting to town and then leaving again. Mary, Carolyn, Marjorie, Sarah, and the twins were astonished over what I'd gotten into, but at least it was easy to cut the explanations short. When I made it to the new place things had settled down considerably.

"They not really hurt bad, Bill," Gertie said, as soon as I walked into the barn, "I mean it hurts bad, but they'll get over it fine. Won't even be many scars unless they get a 'fection. Travelin' is gonna be hard on them for the first few days though."

"That'll be the least of their worries after they're well enough for a good tongue lashing too. I've told Zeke for years he wasn't keeping a close enough eye on them for their own good. I think he finally believes me, Gertie," Zelda, who'd slipped in silently, said.

"Yes'm, I think he done caught on. They didn't really do no harm to the girls though."

"That wasn't their fault, and they intended to tonight. They didn't do any real lasting damage to Jasper either, but the very idea. They knew Jasper, you, and the girls belonged to someone else now. I was mortified when I heard what kind of scum they'd acted like.

Even a Coonass from Acadiana has better manners, lots better. Maybe we should take them there instead of out West. They could spend their time making Pirogues to run their trotlines and traps, like Zeke had to when we were first married. It would do them good to have to bring home a catfish if they wanted supper at night."

"Maybe Mrs Zelda, but they's plenty other hard work they can do on the way to where you're going. You jest needs to make 'em do it."

"You're right about that Gertie, and I'm going to put my foot down. Their hardest job so far has been waiting for you to get supper ready. They've torn the apron strings off now though. They'll be working for every meal I let them eat from now on," she said, and then noticed the Laudnum I'd brought from town.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate the thought, Bill, but they're not getting any of that. I want them to hurt through every second of healing. I've let Zeke baby them too much already and I don't have much time left to make men out of them. They're going to remember this whipping, cause if they don't they're going to get another one that's even worse."

I could tell Bob and Ted were both awake, even though they were acting like they weren't. They couldn't fool me and I'm sure they weren't fooling Zelda either.

"Is y'all gonna put off your trip for a few days so they can heal a little?" Gertie asked.

"I'm not. I'm leaving in the morning and if Zeke still wants to be married he is too. Bob and Ted can go or not, whichever they want, but we won't be leaving them a cent to get by on, so they'd better have their sorry asses up and ready to work by morning. They did this to themselves and they'd better get over the attitude that the world owes them a living. It doesn't owe them shit, and neither do I," Zelda said, and then left.

"You two ain't foolin' Gertie. I knows you's awake and you mama knew it too. I'm gonna put on some bandages and holt 'em on with bear grease. Yo momma is 'bout half an inch off your asses, and when the sun comes up you'd better get up and get with it. I'm pretty sure Mr Bill ain't 'bout to take you in if your momma won't have you no mo."

"Yes'm Gertie. Well be up and ready. We're sorry for what we done," Bob said.

"That's good, because you's 'bout grown. I'm sure Bill woulda shot you if it hadn't been for yo momma and papa being good people. When you's own your own other grown men won't care a bit. They won't even kick dirt in yo blood to keep it from running off down the road after they shoot you. When all you can do is think it's fun to hurt someone else, nobody cares if you live or die. Nobody!"

I didn't know which was worse on the two - the whipping or the disrespect that had been heaped on them since. Just like Gertie told them too - I didn't give a shit. I'd be glad when they were gone in the morning and I damned sure wouldn't take them in if they got left behind. After all, if they'd been full grown I would have killed them.



-------

Chapter 21

I left Gertie and the girls at it and rode back home. Stick and the carriage were just ahead of me when I got there and he headed back to the other place as soon as he let his load from town off. I knew I was in for a grilling around the supper table if not before, but maybe it wouldn't be too bad.

It was worse than too bad, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Stick was back shortly with Gertie, Faith, Hope, Charity, and Benevolence plus Bob and Roberta. Maybel didn't have to worry about who'd serve the meal tonight like she had at lunch before we stepped in. Faith, Hope, Charity, and Benevolence had the serving covered. Roberta seemed a little lost since she was ushered to the table and found out that there wasn't anything she needed to do but wait for the food to arrive.

Sarah wasn't in attendance and I hadn't expected her to be, but that didn't mean she wasn't missed. It made me remember I needed to make my escape to my camper trailer and dig through my things. I was pretty sure there was a nice engagement type ring in among my things. No, I hadn't bought one before and never given it to some young thing. I had actually spotted it on the ground during a Trade Days trip to Canton Texas. Of course I never considered turning it in hoping to find its rightful owner. I was poor back then, remember?

I'd kept my eyes peeled for the rest of the weekend hoping to see a Reward poster, and I'd even made sure to attend the next month for the purpose, but since I'd never seen a poster at all I kept the carat and a half ring incase I needed to sell it to keep body and soul together someday. It would serve me even better now, if I could find it quickly. Since the time I'd found it I'd come to believe it must have been dropped by some dealer in antique jewelry. It had sort of an old look to it and that helped me decide it wasn't someone's wedding memento. Not someone that was still alive anyway.

When the food started arriving the quizzing started. Marjorie, Mary, Carolyn, and even Lilly and Lilah had plenty and they wanted all the details of what had gone on and what had started things rolling. I filled in as much as I wanted them to know, but finally started ignoring more prying and they took the hint. I'd probably have to go over it with Sarah tomorrow at some time, but maybe the women would hash it all out down at the store during the day.

As soon as supper was done Gertie, Maybel, and the girls cleared the table and then helped get Bob and Roberta squared away in their guest room. I'd already learned Gertie was never shy about telling you what she thought, and she told Bob and Roberta it was silly for them to move to the other house before Zeke and his brood left.

"Twon't do nothin' but add to the confusion down there. Let 'em take care of theyselves til they's gone. Me and the girls'll gets up early so Mr Bob can eat breakfast in time to ride down there at sunrise to make sure everythin' is working out.

"I knows Mrs Zelda said they were leaving today whether Ted and Bob was up to it or not, but they ain't. She'll be over the worst part of her mad by now, and she'll give 'em at least a day, maybe two, to heal a little at least. They's still her boys even if they did act like trash and get in trouble," Gertie said, and I figured she'd know better than anyone.

It wasn't easy, but I managed to slip off to my office and take my new route to the barn and my trailer. It only took a few minutes to retrieve the ring. It was in the little velvet-lined box I'd found for it and it looked better than I'd remembered. I was pretty sure it would be well received. I slipped back into the main house and my office then and then headed for my bedroom

Things were looking up everywhere when I walked down the hall. Mary, Marjorie, and Carolyn were just about to knock on my bedroom door. They heard me coming and turned to smile at me.

"We aren't too early are we?" Mary asked.

"No, you're right on time. I have something to show you once we get inside."

After opening the door and shooing them all in ahead of me I showed them the box and then opened it. Their oohs and ahhs let me know how the diamond ring thing got started. For once in my life I had an original thought that was a good one.

"After Sarah and I are married there'll be a ring just like this for all of you. It would cause too much talk if we all have an official wedding, but I consider all of you my mates, even if Mary does cheat on me with Silas sometimes."

Jesus, I'd have spouted that baloney a lot sooner than now if I'd had any idea of the reaction it would get. They practically swarmed me and it's a wonder my clothes weren't torn off. They were removed rapidly but at least I felt I'd still be able to wear them again, even if a few repairs had to be made. I wasn't the only one that ended up naked, but they'd all been wearing only night robes anyway, with nothing underneath.

This was my first time to see Carolyn Clancy naked and it was worth the wait. Her bruises were gone now and her big firm titties were bare. They looked delectable, especially her nipples. Her skin tone was nearly alabaster, her big nipples were deeply pink, and still showed the remains of damage Lilly and Lilah had inflicted with lusty nursing, but it gave them character and made me want to be the next one sucking.

She was a redhead just like the twins and her eyes were even darker blue than theirs. Of course she had plenty of awesome freckles and I was anxious to get my face in her red bush and look for more. I figured I was in a good position for wish fulfillment.

They pulled me to the bed and I gave Marjorie and Mary a serious kissing before descending on Carolyn. Her lips were the first things I kissed but that was just for practice. I nibbled and licked down her neck until I came to the nearest nipple and sucked it into my mouth. I worked it and the other one over with my lips, teeth, and tongue and then kissed my way toward heaven. She was panting by the time I crossed her navel and she sucked in a deep breath when my tongue traced through her bush.

"You're going to really do it aren't you. Mary and Marjorie told me you would, but I didn't believe them."

There was no need for me to waste time talking just now, so I answered her by licking her from taint to clitty with a broad swipe of my tongue and then dug in between her cuntlips for dessert. I had pussy juice flowing in no time and for a while I did my best to lick it all up. My dick was throwing a fit to get in on the action in no time, and when I rolled between her thighs she spread them wide and then showed me she already knew how to handled a dick by taking hold and doing the aiming.

Carolyn might have birthed twins but that dilation was long gone. She had what I liked to call snapping pussy and it did some nibbling of its own as I pushed my dick up her. As I reached bottom on my fourth stroke she showed me she must like to fuck, because her hands grabbed hold of my ass and tried to pull me in even deeper as her legs came up to wrap around my waste.

We'd had to wait too long for this fuck and we both went a little wild banging our hips together for a while there. Carolyn was trying her best to suck my tongue out and scream at the same time before long. I just had to let the weight off my hands and use them to squeeze her big titties and pinch the nipples lightly when we got to the short rows. Right at the last she ripped her lips from mine, threw her head back, and howled. I hoped the solid walls of the house would hold most of the noise in my bedroom but at the moment it didn't matter that much to me.

When my balls let go they felt almost like they'd exploded and a deep ripple that was pure pleasure went through my. It felt like I pumped a quart of come up her and her pussy spasmed around it like it was trying to drink in every drop. I didn't pass out from the feeling but I did wonder how I'd kept from it.

I was done for a while but Carolyn wasn't. After a couple of deep breaths she rolled me off onto my back and got onto her knees on the mattress.

"Ok you two, show me how to suck a dick right. His deserves the loving care after a job well done."

Boy did mine ever get the care. All three of them put their heads down near it and someone commenced sucking in short order. I just wanted to sleep right away, but the three of them weren't having any of that. They sucked me back up hard in no time and pressed me right back into service. They must have worn themselves out too because all of them were still in bed with me when the sun came up.

I tickled nipples and licked slippery lips until they woke. What the hell, I had another hard on and I wanted to start all over again.

"We can't do it now, everyone will hear us," Marjorie said.

"Who cares? They're bound to have heard you last night."

"You might be right, but Sarah said she was coming over for breakfast this morning and she may even be here already. We'll just leave her here when we go to town and she can take care of that long thing later," Mary said.

"That's right. When she sees that ring she'll want to thank on you for an hour or two at least," Carolyn said, "besides, if the twins hear us they'll come in and want some too."

"I'd never do it to girls that young," I said, trying to sound indignant and also imagining what their cute asses looked like naked.

"Don't be silly. The lard ass you killed had his way with them, and even though I'm sure it wasn't something they want to remember, they know what goes where now and their seal is broken. You might as well show them how it's supposed to be done," Carolyn said.

Thinking about spreading their cute little love lips made my dick jerk, but I still didn't think it was right. I was going to try to resist the temptation, or at least put it off for a couple of years. I wasn't sure I'd be able to if their own mother tried to help them get some of me though.

It wasn't the twins that came walking in all of a sudden, but they had been right about Sarah. When she saw me still in bed with three naked women she didn't have the look on her face I would have expected. She had a big smile.

"I don't think we have time before breakfast for a real ride, but y'all need to give me another lesson about sucking his dick while he's already naked," she said, and come to think of it, I didn't mind if they did.

Breakfast was just being served when we made it to the dining room. Bob was trying hard not to grin at me, but Roberta, Lilly, and Lilah weren't trying at all. Jimmy knew something had been going on too, but at least I hoped he didn't know exactly what yet. I knew sure as hell that Faith and Hope, who were bring the food, knew exactly what had kept me late too.

It was easy enough to mentally shrug it off when the plates hit the table though. I dug in for a minute and then took a big sip of coffee. Last night's fucking and this morning's blowjob had been wonderful, but that didn't mean I couldn't take a little time to enjoy the breakfast too.

Bob and Roberta took off for the William's place after Roberta found out she wasn't going to be allowed to help clean up the mess. Carolyn's elbow reminded me I had something to show Sarah after the last of the dishes were gone and the coffee cups were full again. I walked back into my bedroom for the little box while Sarah asked the others what was going on.

She was surprised even more when I handed her the little box, but when she opened it she was almost in shock. Her mouth worked a couple of times without sound coming out.

"But it's so beautiful. How did you get it so fast?"

"I've been holding on to it, hoping I could find a woman who'd fall for my bullshit," I said.

"Silly, I'd have fallen quicker if you'd showed it to me sooner," she said, and all the women, including Lilly and Lilah, laughed at me.

I was a little surprised that I didn't get the squealing I'd expected; the type I was expecting from seeing TV commercials. After thinking about it for a while I realized that TV commercials were probably where that kind of behavior came from in the first place, and thank God they'd never seen any.

That didn't mean there wasn't a lot of happiness on her face and a few tears in her eyes. She knew what she wanted next too, and I had to go back and put on better clothes to ride directly to her house and have a little chat with her father. Of course no one could go with me for such a private manly conversation.

Hell, I felt like a fool riding up to their ranch in one of the three-piece suits Marjorie had already altered to fit me perfectly. Still, the Colonel's men knew something out of the ordinary was going on when I did, and they only waved as I rode by toward the house. I was off Boots and knocking one the door as fast as I could get it done. I wanted to get out of sight and get this over with.

The Colonel must have figured out exactly what was up as soon as he saw me. He smiled so wide I though his face would split. He didn't make things difficult though, and in fact he made them easier than I could have expected.

"Relax, I ain't about to say no. It would only cause me grief later when she came racing up here to chew my poor old ass out. Besides, you're the only man I know around her that is even half-way good enough for her."

"Thank you, and I promise I'll never hurt her and I'll make sure she stays safe," I said.

"I never expected anything else after she told me she was going to catch you for her very own," he said, and laughed just a little.

I think I did the mouth open with no sound coming out trick for a second there, but I finally managed to ask him when she'd said that.

"The day you got on Boots the first time and he didn't cut up a bit. She said that any man who knew enough to see a bit was hurting a horse's mouth when dozens of others hadn't seen it for years was the man for her. She warned me not to say a word if she needed to show you she was a good ride first.

"Hell, that's something I never wanted to know about and still don't. That don't mean I think it's a bad thing. I'm sure you're going to be the best son-in-law I could hope for. Hell, I didn't even have the nerve to hope for one as good as you."

We had some coffee, smoked big cigars, and spent about an hour congratulating each other before I finally got away. It wasn't so much that I wanted to anyhow, but I had things to do and the women did too. They'd warned me to come straight to the store and give them the word when it was a done deal, and that's just where I headed.

All the usual suspects were sitting around the table when I got there, except Lilly and Lilah - they were still digging around in the stock.

"Mary, I think we should just settle the bill today for everything in the store. I'm going to buy it all and have it moved to the house so Lilly and Lilah won't have to come so far every day to start tinkering with it.

"Oh, you," Lilly said.

"You can just hush about that Bill. They found six bottles of Laudanum yesterday that I forgot I'd put under something else and the day before they found a stack of coffee cups I didn't know we had at all. Besides, they're dusting and rearranging everything and stacking it up nice so people can see it more easily," Mary said.

"That's right. Go apologize to them and give them both a big kiss. They've been working hard," Carolyn said.

Who was I to argue? I went over and gave them each a kiss and a nice little pat on the bottom to let them know I cared. I even called them by name when I did it and of course I knew which one was which. I think they were secretly pleased that I could tell somehow.

"Do I need to go speak to the preacher too, to arrange the ceremony?" I asked.

"No, that's daddy's job, and he gets to pay for it too. He might want to give a bonus for the help getting rid of me," Sarah said.

"I know damned well I want to pay a big bonus for getting you, especially since this morning's wake up call."

"That reminds me. Parson Jones usually likes to talk to the young couple before the wedding. I'll find out when and let you know," Sarah said, and it made my ass want a dip of snuff.

"If I have to I have to," I said.

"He won't be any bother but he wants to tell us to cleave to one another," Sarah said, and giggled.

"I guess that's ok then. I've already done a little cleaving and I liked it fine," I said, and they all laughed.

"Girls, even I think we need a drink after that," Mary said.

She passed around some cups and gave us all a small snort so I gave a toast.

"To Sarah, Mary, Marjorie, Carolyn, and me."

"What about us?" Lilly and Lilah asked, indignantly.

"Not until you're a little older I said," and they giggled.

Figuring I was way ahead on jokes that were at least a little funny, I made my excuses and left the women to it.



-------

Chapter 22


My next destination was planned to be the Whitfield place, but as I neared it I spied Cooter coming my way from the other direction, headed back from Jefferson. I was sure it was Cooter because his left arm looked like it was in a cast. As I got closer it was apparent I was correct. It was one of those cast that covers the elbow too, and it was crooked there and it put his left hand at the perfect height to hold his reins.

"How was the trip Cooter?"

"Just fine Mr Jefferson. I guess you can tell I found a Doctor I thought I could trust."

"Yep, it was easy to see even from a long way off."

"There were more doctors in Jefferson than I thought, but the last one was the only one that was even half-sober when I went to see him. He talked a little funny, but after I decided to do it, he put some kind of rag over my nose and when I breathed in I passed out. When I woke up this thing he called a cast was on my arm and he told me it'd be good as new in six weeks.

"He told me something else that was right too. He said it would start itching like crazy in a while, but said not to put nothing down in there and try to scratch. I promised him I wouldn't but I've been wanting to awful bad all the way back," Cooter said.

"He was right about the scratching too Cooter. If you try to put something in there to scratch you might scratch too hard and get an infection. You'll likely lose the arm from gangrene if you do. Better just let it itch.

"You got any idea when the wagons will start gettin' here?"

"The first one should get here sometime tomorrow, or the next day at the latest. I passed it about two days ago on the way here. In fact you'll probably get at least two a day from now on until they get done," he said.

"Hell, they might never get done. I think I'll start an even bigger house than the one I'm living in at the old Whitfield place after the Greens finish the one they've started on, or maybe one between the two houses."

"At the Whitfield place?"

"The old Whitfield place. I bought him out a few days ago and they're moving out West. Gertie wouldn't go with them though and now I'm not sure the kitchen is big enough for Maybel and Gertie both. The quarters are too small now too, what with the house girls moving up with Gertie. Now that I'm getting married I'm not sure we have enough bedrooms for all the kids I'll be having."

"Boy howdy, things shore changed fast while I was off on that little trip," he said.

"Faster than you think. Stick took the big wagon out to fetch Jane this morning, but I'm not sure which house she's moving to. It'll either be the Whitfield's old place or in with Frank, but I don't know which."

That last bit of information flustered Cooter, so I told him to check with Frank first before he went off to try finding her. I told him she'd surely be there until the Whitfields left. He took off then and I headed down to see Bob.

He was sitting on a bench just watching the world go by, or the hands fool with ranching. He looked up when I came to a stop and then smiled at me.

"Ya know Bill, if I'd knowed how easy it was being the boss I'd have looked for this kinda job a long time ago," he said, and smiled wide.

"If I'd known how well you could sit on your ass I'd have promoted you sooner," I told him, and we both laughed.

"It ain't my fault. Mike is a damned good foreman and he don't leave much for me to take care of."

"Don't worry. He knows what he needs to pass up the line and when he sends you something it'll be because he doesn't think he can handle it so it'll be a problem for sure.

"I'm going to have to go talk to Frank about hiring more hands. He's slacked off a little lately and I want to make sure he knows he can't do my pocketbook much damage. I just met Cooter coming back from Jefferson and he told me wagons of lumber would start showing up tomorrow or the next day. We're going to need some men to unload them and stack the lumber right."

"Can't the drivers that bring it do that?"

"Sure they could, but there ain't no sense lettin' 'em do it. They had plenty of work driving here from Jefferson and they probably won't like having to unload after that long trip. That'll mean they'll do a half-assed job stacking the lumber when they do take it off. If I hire men of my own for that they'll probably be proud to have the job and they'll just do better. You can fuck around trying to be cheap and end up letting green lumber get twisted to hell from poor stacking?

"I never thought of that, but I can see you're right. You need more hands up there anyway. In fact, Mike thinks we should put a few of the cows that are down here in your pastures. Zeke didn't sell off many cattle last year and we're tending a bumper crop."

"I'll tell Frank to expect some then. Have Mike get with him and they can decide together how to split 'em up. I ain't got time to be divvying up cows and wouldn't be too good at it anyway. The biggest interest I have in cows is at the table. Y'all just remember not to let Maybel and Gertie run out of meat," I said, and then headed for the house.

Frank was the first one I saw when I got back home, and he was grinning. I wondered why.

"You see Cooter when he came back?" I asked.

"Yeh, but not for long. All he wanted to know was where to find Jane. He headed right for my house when he found out. Good, I hope he gets that lined up. Did he tell you about gettin' his arm fixed."

"No, but it wasn't hard to see. I don't know what that was on his arm but I could tell something had been done to it. I hope it works out."

"It will. I've seen those before. It's called a cast, and it keeps him from throwing things back out of whack. It beats hell out of a splint cause he just can't fuck it up unless he tries hard.

"We've got to have some more men though. When those wagons start getting here we'll need to unload them and stack the lumber right so it can finish drying without twistin' up. Try to see if you can find young men that want to learn to handle cows later.

"Mike will probably come up here sometime today to talk to you about sending some cows. Bob and Mike both think they've got too many down there."

"I think so too. I didn't realize it til I rode down there this morning, but they do have a wad of 'em. They'll do better if we spread them out some and there's no point in crowding them down there when we got pasture here that needs something to chew it down a little at least. I'm going to try to keep 'em off about fifty acres though, for hay cuttin'."

"You and Mike work it out like you want to. I'll take account of how you're doing at the table after Gertie and Maybel have the cows fixed for me to look at," I said, and got off Boots and put him in a stall.

My next stop was to visit with the Greens. They were in one of the big barns, the one where the lumber had been stored in the loft. As best I could tell they were building doorjambs and window frames and headers. The kinds of things that could be put together ahead of time before you started the actual construction.

"Howdy Mr Bill," Josh said, as I entered.

"Call me Bill please. How are things coming along?"

"Just fine so far. Any news on the lumber?"

"Yep. Cooter came back this morning and he said the first wagon or two should show up tomorrow."

"I guess we'll have an hour or two for the unloading out of the day then."

"Not if I can help it. I'm sending Frank out hunting laborers today. If he can't find any I'll send some men up from the Whitfield place to take care of the unloading," I said.

"You and Zeke friends? I didn't know that."

"I guess we're as friendly as you can get in a couple of days, but that's not why the men might be coming from there. I bought Zeke out. He's bound and determined to move west and he wanted to sell. I damned sure wanted to buy and we made each other happy," I said.

"Do you have anybody hired to lay the brick foundation here yet?" he asked, and I realized at once there was a fuck up in the works.

"No Josh, I don't. I don't know that much about building a house and I hadn't even thought of that. Do you know who I need to hire?"

"I got an idea, but I hate to come out and say it."

"Well bite the bullet and do it. I can't feel my way around to getting a house built and in any case I want two here and maybe one bigger than the main house put between it and the Whitfield's house," I said, and his mouth dropped open, but just for a second or two.

"Mr Jefferson, you need to get a real construction man for this job. I'm not up to all that because I just don't know how. Me and the boys can do the carpentry work and we could have managed to get the bricks laid and the plumbing done, or told you where to find the people to do it, but the amount of work you're talking about needs a man that knows how to keep ahead of things and how to draw real plans and such."

"Now we're getting somewhere Josh. Who do you recommend?"

"I don't want you to think I'm trying to pull something, but my oldest brother is the only one I know of. He ran all the construction here in the first place. He done a damned good job too if you ask me. He knows what to order and who to get it from and he makes sure the workers got something to do when they get to work."

"Can you ask him if he'll do it?"

"I can get him to come out here and talk to you. He just finished up on a big job in Ft Worth and he and his wife are down here visiting me now. I'll get him to ride out in the morning if you want me too."

"I do, and tell him I ain't cheap neither. Does he know where to round up more men?" I asked.

"I can tell you that myself. He knows where to get more good men than he can find places for. Maybe I should ride out to the house and get him to come on today."

"I think you should, if you don't mind. I think I'm gonna have a lot of building to do. Did you say he knows how to draw his own plans?"

"He does, but he don't do it no more because his daughter is a lot better at it than he is. He sent her to school for it. She can draw the plans and tell you exactly what you need to get the building up, down to the last two by four and keg of nails. She only works for him though," Josh said.

"That sounds even better. I got a lot of women living with me and I'm about to have a wife too. My main interest is making sure every one of them is happy about what things look like. Do you need a horse to ride out to see him?"

"Naw, we don't move the wagon from where we's working. We all ride over here everyday. I'll knock off now and go see him."

I headed for the house then and figured I might as well stay until Josh's brother arrived. It was only about half an hour until lunch should start showing up and I could see Stick pulling the carriage full of women from town up through the gate so I met it instead of going in the house.

I saved Stick the trouble of helping them down and did it myself. I didn't miss patting any asses as they came out either. Lilly and Lilah giggled when I did but the rest of the women just kissed my cheek, except Sarah. She wrapped her arms around me and gave me the real deal. I didn't slight her ass either though.

We went inside to wash up and then met again at the table. Benevolence was there with coffee and Faith started in with the food right away, followed by Hope and Charity bringing even more.

Most of the conversation went away while we got down to business. A few minutes later, after we were full, Sarah spoke up.

"I went to see the preacher this morning and told him we'd need him for a wedding. He says he has to come out and speak to both of us to make sure it's the right thing to do. I got the impression it would cost more since you were obviously wealthy."

"That makes me think I'll have to talk to him by hand. Is he the only preacher around here?"

"Yes, but it wouldn't take long to get one to come down from Dallas, or even Ft Worth," Sarah said.

"That's probably what we should do then. I'll talk to the ones that's coming out and see what he has to say though," I said.

"I wouldn't bother if I were you," Marjorie said.

"Do you know something about him too?" I asked.

"I know he tried to get in my drawers after Jimmy's father got killed and he threatened to start rumors about me if I didn't give him some. I broke his nose with some long shears and the rumors never came up," she said, and laughed.

"I wouldn't miss talking to him for the world. Frank, do you have time to ride by and talk to Bob on your way to look for some hands?" I asked.

"I'd be glad to. How many cowboys do you think he should send up here to help out?" Frank asked, letting me know he was right with me.

"I think twenty-five or so will be enough. Give them a little pep talk will you? Nothing to get them really riled up, but ask them to bring some tar and a few chicken feathers if they have time to gather some up. Does this preacher have a wife and family?"

"No, and I don't wonder why. He looks like a little rat, and even worse since Marjorie broke his nose," Mary said, and laughed.

"I don't guess there's any need to even let him in the house then." I said, and damned if Gertie didn't come out and tell us he was coming up the drive.

That got the kitchen empty in a hurry and it spoiled the plans for tar and feathers. They were probably a little extreme for a shrimp like he was anyway. Frank and I met him when he started down off his nag.

"You the preacher?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm Parson Jones. I came out to talk to the prospective newlyweds," he said, sounding as officious as he could.

"Too bad you had to make the trip, since you won't be needed. You see, the widow Carlson lives with us, and after her report on your character we don't need you. In fact, we don't need you anywhere in Lancaster."

"I'm sure she was fabricating lies. I'm a respectable man of God."

"Have you ever been tarred and feathered in the name of God?" I asked, but he still hung on to his bluster.

"Certainly not."

"Good. It's always nice to give a charlatan his first experience. In fact Frank was just headed to the former Whitfield ranch, the one I bought a few days ago, for twenty-five or so men to bring the tar and feathers for the occasion."

"But you can't do that!"

"Hell yes I can, and if I don't your congregation will do it for us when we come to church Sunday and tell them how your nose really got broken.

"My advice to you, unless you want to stay and defend your honor, is to fork that nag and carry your ass. If any of my riders can find you anywhere around Lancaster, anytime, you'll be roped, hog tied, and brought out here to have hot tar applied to your skin, even if we can't find enough feathers to signify."

He took my advice promptly, and the last we saw of him he was kicking hell out of the poor nag, no doubt headed to the parsonage to grab whatever he could leave quickly with.

Everyone had come out of the house to watch, even Maybel, Gertie, and the girls. They were all laughing except Sarah, and she was smiling.

"But who's going to marry us now?" she asked.

"I'm sure the Honorable George Clonnigon, mayor of Lancaster, will be glad to do the job. If he doesn't we can surely get the Honorable Silas Brown, justice of the peace, to do it as soon as he gets back," I said.

This got more laughter, but Sarah was amused too and she was all for it.

"I wonder where the church will get a pastor now," Maybel asked.

"Silas can find us one in Dallas or Ft Worth, especially when he learns we'll be building a big new church and parsonage. I want one that's married this time, with some kids and a fat wife. Someone you can really count on to know which side of the bread the butter goes on."



-------

Chapter 23


The preacher hadn't been gone for long before Josh and another man came riding up. I figured it was probably Josh's brother and when they reached me and dismounted Josh introduced me to Gerald.

"Nice to meet you."

"Same here. Josh says you're thinking about doing a little building," Gerald said.

"I'm thinking of doing more than a little. Why don't we go into the library and talk about it?" I asked, and when he agreed he followed me in.

"On the way through I might as well show you the kitchen and quarters and get your opinion. I have two cooks now and I want to make sure they aren't crowded in the kitchen. I'm out of space in the quarters too. Is there any chance they can both be enlarged?"

"I can tell there have been no changes so I don't really need to look closely. I tried to tell Mr Christopher it would probably end up this way and finally talked him in to some design changes that would make expansion easy on down the road. I made allowances for stretching the kitchen to twice its current size and for tripling the quarters. It won't even be much trouble and I think we already have the prints for it.

"There were only the two of them and even though he said he intended to make it a working cattle ranch someday, the cattle and horses he kept were mostly for looks. He moved here as an older rich man intending to retire with his young beautiful wife. He didn't need to make a living any longer and I think he was planning on just looking for a place to enjoy the living he'd already made," Gerald told me.

"That ended up being bad for him and good for me then. I regret his tragic accident but I'm glad to have the property. Let's go on to the library. We've got a lot to talk about."

And talk we did. He agreed to take on planning and oversight for the whole job. Including a complete remodeling of the Whitfield's home, a brand new showplace church for Lancaster, and a nice parsonage to go with it. He even thought he could find someone to make some nice stained glass windows for the church, and claimed they'd be the first in central Texas since there weren't even any in Dallas or Ft Worth.

When he wanted to get started estimating the cost I asked him to just get it in writing sooner or later.

"I'm pretty sure you can't spend up three million in gold for quite a while. I don't want you to throw money around for the fun of seeing it leave, but I don't want you pinching pennies either. When you get done I want everything to look nice and like it was made to go together.

"If you know how to survey, or how to hire a surveyor, I'd like a plat made of the whole place including Lancaster and all the homes, farms and ranches within two or three miles. We need some intelligent ideas for fencing to. I'm planning on raising a lot of cattle here in a few years and I want things ready to go ahead when the time gets right."

He took his leave then and told me he and his daughter would be out early in the morning to give things a closer look and get started with the planning. I managed to remember to mention Cooter, my messenger, to him before he went and he said he'd need to get in touch with someone in Ft Worth to get some workers headed this way.

By the time he left most of the day was shot, but it was still over an hour until supper would be on the table. I went into my office and locked myself in for a while. Things were moving nicely now but there were still snags that I knew about a cure for but just didn't have the ability to use those cures.

Fencing was one of the main ones that bothered me. Hell, barbed wire hadn't even been invented yet, and wouldn't be for years. Fencing wire was available but it was smooth. Devil's rope, which many would call barbed wire after if finally showed up, wasn't even a gleam in Joseph F Glidden eye yet. The lack of railroads was another major pisser. There were some railroads back east and of course I knew about what was coming, but that didn't help me now.

Whatever I did here would have to stay mostly within the scope of what was available. I might have the knowledge and money to get something moving faster but to what point? At the least it would make me stand out to be noticed and at worst it could make me famous, and I had the civil war to contend with.

As far as the war was concerned I didn't have many worries. I knew it wouldn't reach the part of Texas I was in or at least it hadn't in the time I came from. Sure, Texas would join the Confederacy and end up being defeated, but no real battles were fought in Texas and none of the small ones were even lost by Texans. My only real worry would be from carpetbaggers and the cure for that type of interference would be plenty of armed hired hands.

There weren't a lot of people around us and aside from me there wasn't much money around either. Carpetbaggers were mostly assholes that swarmed in looking for what they could steal. Some would have government appointments and the putative support of the US government. That kind of support wasn't worth much if you didn't take it seriously.

To get real attention from Washington while they were worrying about the westward migration and the Indian wars I'd have to raise a lot of organized hell here after the war, and I knew better than to try anything like that. The government would have more than enough things to deal with and they weren't going to be sending people down to make sure things were going as planned in Lancaster Texas.

My tentative plan for the war and the time after it was buy plenty of land, raise a lot of cattle, and kill anyone who became seriously annoying. A bunch of soldiers wouldn't be diverted from serious business to come down here and take over if one or two Yankee assholes were shot. Especially if they were shot by person or persons unknown.

This was basically Nowheresvillie Texas and I planned to keep it that way. Raising cows, hiring people, and keeping a low profile would be my ticket to a long uneventful life of ease and pleasure where I was. As a sop to eventual annoyance I'd make sure my employees and their families became voters when that type of crap got started in earnest. I could probably get control of local politics without much bother. State and Federal politics could just take care of themselves.

Somebody or something had put me here and even given me a few extras to enjoy. Hell, I was just the man who could do it. I had enough gold to give me a firm foothold and enough prior knowledge to gather up a lot more gold if I needed to. That was the key to me getting my way for a long time to come. Busy work for all the good men I could hire and rifle and pistol practice for them in case some emergency came up.

I didn't want to be President or Governor or anything else like that. For now I could hire it done if I needed to. Even if no more gold magically showed up I'd be fine with what I could make selling cattle that would soon be needed to help feed the country and buying land and mineral rights that would become important and valuable in later years.

By now though it was suppertime. I left my office and was happy to see my table was filling with women and food. Sarah was about to sit down and I reached her in time to give her a thorough kissing.

"I'm glad to see you here in the evening."

"You'd better be. You know how Daddy likes to make sure a man is satisfied when he sells them a horse. He hinted I should come down here to visit Marjorie and Carolyn and maybe give you a chance to take a test ride to make sure you liked my gait," she said, grinning.

"Well I hope you didn't tell him I'd already had one."

"Of course not. Besides, you can't really tell from the first few rides. You need to mount up and give me a real workout."

"That's right. I think I'm going to have Marjorie, Carolyn, and Mary join us to watch closely and make sure you don't put a foot wrong."


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The End
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Posted:  2007-03-29
Last Modified: 2008-05-07 / 02:26:09 pm
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