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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 19:16:19 GMT -5
June 18, Year 1 afternoon
They had been playing cards, sharing a quiet afternoon, as had come to be a regular thing, or was becoming a regular habit. They had spent time talking and getting to know one another better, visiting in private but she'd not 'entertained' him further. He was winning at the cards... alot... nearly every hand now... Tessa was teasing, as was he, but their banter was slowly growing more heated. He was pushing, without intending to do so, farther than she could handle at the moment... her not often lost, temper, flared and blazed suddenly. "I knew there was a catch!!" smack smack smack, she hit his arm and tossed the cards down. "ut oh.. m'not bulletproof!"
"aww in the leg won't kill ya...it'll hurt like the dickens.. but you'll live."
*grins*... "shoot me in the leg, I'll be laid up a while.. not able to run nowhere."
"and? "
"might be wantin company.."
"wantin.. and getting it are two different things.."
"then you better not shoot me."
"why not?"
then you won't get what you want, neither *grins and walks off*
"what do I want?"
*chuckles as he keeps walking*
"besides I'm very used to not getting that anyhow"
*gets on his horse* "keep threatenin' to shoot the one whose willing ma'am... you might keep yourself a perfect record.. wouldn't you say?"
"willing to what? "
*grins and tips his hat* "good day, Tess... I'll be back around tomorrow.. see if your temper's improved some.."
"My temper is not what you should worry about, it's my aim that should concern you." Turns and walks away.
She'd find a paper on her table... folded over a piece of card... an invitation to the show in town.
He might hear the crash as she kicks the dresser, sending the glassware, perfume bottles and everything else toppling to the floor and breaking. it was wavering from the kick. She uttered a small " oops.." As the dresser just toppled over. Now she was going to have to go shopping..those dresser on legs..
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 19:25:57 GMT -5
He clucked softly at his horse and turned around, having not gone far, not that he'd intended to. He was back at the hitch and sliding off when the crash could be heard from her room. "Tess?! Contessa! You alright?" He shifted into the front of the house, maneuvering around the girls that had gathered at the door at the sound, whispering and murmuring. "Tess?"
"She's locked the door.." Angel spoke softly, casting a concerned eye on Tessa's door.
"Angel... go around outside, see if you can get in her window. I'll try from here." He pushed the girls aside, first checking the strength of the bolt. The lock was new and strong enough. "Tess? Please... open the door," he said gently through the door, letting her know he'd come back.
Angel nodded and quickly ran outside. She returned only moments later, rubbing her cheek and holding a shoe, which had hit her. "I'm not going in there." She held up a torn dress. "Wasn't she wearing this?" She eyed Chance and shook her head, Tess had a firey temper, though most times it was well riegned and she rarely lost it.
He sighed. "Get ready to call the doc if I break more'n the door," he said, moving back and taking a kick at the bolt.
She paused in her aimless throwing of things as she heard the slamming against the door. "Which ever one of you that is.." She warned in a low yell. "You'll be paying for that door! Now get on and mind your business!" She threw a book, which thumped against the door.
"Be a lot less to pay for if you come and unlock it, Tess. You're scaring your girls here. You want 'em to close up shop so their nerves can settle or you wanna open this door so's you can talk this out, huh?" He took a handkerchief from his pocket and moved to the wash basin, dampening it for Angel to dab her cheek where the shoe hit her.
She threw a bottle that smashed against the opposite wall, huffing and going to the door. The lock started to turn and she paused, leaning against the door. "Just.. tripped and knocked something over.." She glanced at the pile and smashed mess on the floor. "Nothing to worry about.."
Angel smiled, thanking him for the cloth and handing him the shoe and dress as she took the hankerchief from him. "Come on, ladies.." She ushered the other girls away from Tessa's door, with a glace to Chance that said 'good luck'.
He grinned and nodded, taking his hat off and dumping the wad of cloth and the shoe into it. He knocked again, speaking to the edge of the door, "It's just me.. the girls are gone about their business.. Angel's looking after them."
"That's good.. Angel's a good girl..." She said softly, though she leaned heavily on the door.
He chuckled softly, although she could hear it through the door. "Should I slide your dress under the door for your mender to fix later or can I come in to hand it to you?"
"I've got a mess in here.. and I'm not dressed." She chuckled, holding back the sob that threatened at the end. After a moment the lock made a soft clicking noise and she stepped away from the door. Taking a few steps, leaning on one of the high posts of her bed with an arm curled lightly around it. She stared at the window, her back more or less facing the door. He stepped in slowly, looking at the floor and turning his back to the room, holding out the tatters of dress to her. "I believe this belongs to you, ma'am."
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 19:35:46 GMT -5
"Thanks." She said quite softly and took the dress. She looked down and then tossed the dress on the bed, not looking up. "Thought you were coming back tomorrow to check on my temper?" "I will... never said nothing 'bout not coming back today as well though," he chuckled.
"Well.. If I had known I'd be entertaining again.. I would have gotten dressed up." She still didn't look up, seeming to be intently studying a crack in the floor boards. He turned to look at her, seeing that she stared only at the floor. "Tess... you don't have to put on a show for me.. dressed up or not.. don't matter none."
"I reckon.. you got one today, whether you wanted one or not." She closed her eyes and leaned on the bed post, sagging a little. "I must apologise for my behavior... I had no right to get angry with you like that.. "
"Nothin' to apologize for... played my hand.. nothing but sixes and sevens.. but you folded anyway. My fault, Tess.. I'm sorry."
She looked up at him and shook her head. "It had nothing to do with you.. really.. I took it out on you.. because.. it just came screaming out... you just bumped into the trigger is all." She took a step towards him and reached to stroke his cheek gently. "I am truly, deeply sorry..."
"Not sorry as you're gonna be if you step on this here broken glass in your bare feet, now. Easy does it," he said, picking her up to set her safely on the edge of the bed. "Mirror on your dresser and all... couple years bad luck.. but maybe I can cancel that our for you, huh?" He winked and stepped back, taking the tattered dress and tearing strips to wrap his hand, then started to pick up the glass shards, dumping them into the wooden bowl she'd had dried flowers in.
Tess smiled a little as he lifted her up, glacing down at the floor as he set her on the bed. She bent her knees and curled her legs up, resting her arm around her knees and her chin on them. She watched him quietly, her eyes tracing the lines of his form and taking in his profile. "You don't have to do that." "Maybe not, but it'll save you or the girls some trouble later on. Still partly my fault.. egging you on like that. Don't think I'd really have the heart to really leave. But I think you know that," he said from the floor, one knee down to balance himself as he looked up at her with a smile. "Can I... um... find you something to slip into... kinda a might chilly even though the sun's still up."
"What.. you don't like me in my nuthers?" She smiled a bit at him.
He set the bowl down and stood slowly, his eyes glancing over her as she curled like an angel on the bed watching him and shook his head. "Never said that neither, Tess," he clarified with a boyish grin, unwrapping his hand and tossing the rag in with the glass bits. "Not a thing about you I don't like... even your firey side."
She nodded and glanced away. "Even when I'm breaking the furniture?" She watched him from the corner of her eye. Her hands reaching up to loosen tand set her hair free, letting it tumble in long dark waves.
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 19:52:57 GMT -5
He didn't sway or pause in his step to sit beside her on the bed's edge and curl around her, tucking the curl of hair behind her shoulder and kissing her cheek.
She turned her face towards him, catching his lips and bringing her hand to his jaw to keep him in her kiss for a moment. "Good to know..." He clenched his fingers around hers and kissed her palm before resting their hands in his lap. He let go and framed her cheeks gently in his fingers, pulling her into a lengthy kiss that tipped her to her pillow slowly.
She sighed into the kiss, returning it with tenderness and passion. He had been stiring feelings and desires in her, that she attempted to kill off a long time ago. The more time she spent with him, the more he awakened within her, the things she put away in order to survive.
Leaning on his arm, he slid back slowly, reluctantly, but admiring her in her corsets and laces.
She lay under him, looking up to his eyes. "Chance... can I trust you?" She asked softly. "Was hoping you'd be able tell me that without askin'." He sat back, moving to the edge of the bed.
She sighed, sitting up and placing her hand gently on his arm. "Chance... I want to and I want to know I can.. but it's not.. not in any way easy for me to trust a person... and I need to ask you something.. something I need to trust you with." "You know you can," he said gently, patting her hand. "Only one other in this town I'd dare say that about and that's Sheriff Carlisle.... but that probably won't reassure you none. You can... without a doubt... trust me, Tess."
She nodded, looking down and away for a moment, pulling herself together before she lifted her gaze back to his. Tears shone in her eyes, but were restrained. "I need to ask a favor. If you would be so kind, to look after my girls for me... just check in on them now and then, make sure no one is.. well breaking the rules and mistreating them... I'll leave Angel to the tending and running things..but I need someone I can trust to be strong for them and look out for them... someone who wont take advantage."
His looked up at her with a lowered brow and a soft grin, "What I told you, Contessa.. ain't no lie. I'm a man of my honor... though I tend to slip a little over the line, it's only when I know I can. I don't gamble on the virtue of a woman. That's sure as carryin' death in my pocket the day I do. I'd be happy to check on the girls for you, but where are you goin'?"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I have to.." Her fingers pressed to her mouth as she did her best to hold it in. "My.. my mother.." Her voice choked. "She's been.. ill for some time.. They.. wrote.." She motioned with her hands, a letter on her bedside table. "I recieved the post this morning.." "Well now.. you sure you don't want someone to go with you? We know your father won't be there to say a kind word for nothin' for her. The sheriff could watch over your girls... but who's gonna be watchin' over you?"
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 20:01:10 GMT -5
She lifted her eyes to his, her own welling and tears silently slipping down her cheeks, her hands rose to wipe them away. She took a trembling breath as more tears came and she slowly nodded her head. "Thinkin' I better have a talk with the sheriff on your behalf, now... can't have you traveling alone, Tess... that wouldn't be right."
She looked at him and shook her head. "You're not real.. you're just some one I dreamed up, aren't you?" She sniffled and reached for him, pulling herself agianst his chest to rest her head. "No ma'am.. just the longshot. Aren't too many out there you'll find like me, but I'm real enough. Let's get you packed so you can go see your momma. I'll ask Sloan to take a look at the dresser and fix it up real nice for you before you get back.. good as new, alright?"
"I..thank you." She lowered her eyes again and wiped at her tears. ".. you don't have to worry about the dresser.." She looked back up at him with a small smile, her fingers pulling gently on his shirt where she'd gotten it wet from her tears. "Who's worryin'? Consider it a good will gesture and a confirmation that all will be looked after while you're gone. All good as new," he whispered, lifting her chin to rest a tender kiss on her lips.
"Why are you so nice to me?" She murmered against his lips, her own lips clinging and seeking more. "Any reason... any -good- reason I shouldn't be, Tess?"
"Maybe.. I'm sure someone could think up a few... but..That doesn't tell me why you are.."
He shook his head and pressed his finger to her lip. "Don't... you're not with someone.. you're with me. I told you and will tell you again, I don't give in to others' thinkin'... or sayin'... they don't know me and they don't know you. The lord judges.. not them. Nice begets nice, Contessa... and good will begets good will... so does good grace, honor and strength... all somethin' we share." "And you're sure I didn't just dream you up?" She raised and eyebrow and kissed the finger he'd brought to her lips. "If I am, then we best get you on that train to see your momma whose waitin' on you.. and get back before you wake up, hm?"
"I don't think I'll be able to thank you proper.. for this kindness." Her hands rested to either side of his face as she looked into his eyes. "You are a fine man... and you deserve all the best, that life has to offer." "Been given that already.. but that'll be a story for the train," he grinned gently, pulling her hands away. "Maybe along the way we'll find you a new dress. I don't think Lucky will have a decent time piecing that one back together."
She sighed and nodded, giving no arguement on this issue. "I acted horribly... and irrationally... " She looked at the dress shaking her head. "It wouldn't be fair of me to make Lucky attempt to fix this mess."
"It would be fair for me to buy you a new one... and no arguments... I goaded you... but you deserve as fine as your girls and more... much more. You'll have a new dress."
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 20:29:05 GMT -5
She opened her mouth to make an arguement but closed it and pouted a little, looking at him, from under lowered lashes. She opened her mouth again to protest and closed it, chuckling softly, she playfully hit his arm. "Stop it!.. you see what all your niceness is doing to me? Stop making me like you." She teased.
He made a face and covered the spot on his arm. "I don't think I will," he said defiantly, standing up to grab her dressing robe. He held it for her to slip into.
She sighed softly and reached to slip into the robe he held for her. "Thank you." She said in a warm tone as she adjusted and wrapped the robe around her. She stood before him and smiled gently. "The train will not be through again till tomorrow afternoon... If you'll be accompaining me, I'll need to go down and purchase our tickets." She moved to the wardrobe and selected a dress. "I'll come with you.. an arm to lean on at least."
She paused as she tossed the dressing robe on the bed, looking at him. Her eyes conveyed her thanks with warmth that shone through her sadness. She pulled the dress into place, working at the laces and seeking her shoes. He offered a hand with the laces. He did have a little sister, afterall. "I'd have gone to get the tickets and let you rest, but... I don't know where your momma is."
Her hands dropped as she felt his lift and take to the laces. "A convent in Texas." She said softly in reply to where her mother was. "The sisters were kind enough to take her in, after I got her out of the hole my father left her in."
"How's that, not too tight? Don't want you passin' out on me now."
How she had gotten her mother out was a bold move on a young woman's part. She played a game of high stakes and gambled herself as the prize, luckliy she had won, besting an ornery man in the challange. But the risk she took was worth it to be where she was now, and to know the girls were as safe as they could be and her mother never sold herself to a man again. Sighing herself from the memories, she nodded her head and smiled up at him, a far off look passing from her. "Yes.. that's good, thank you." He tied the laces and brushed his hands down her arms, kissing the back of her neck and speaking over her shoulder. "You're most welcome, ma'am... shall we move along?"
Tessa closed her eyes at the feel of his lips on her neck, the tiniest of shivers rippling through her. She nodded and quickly pulled on her shoes, turning to him with an appreciative expression. She moved past him to retrieve her money from a hidden compartment in the bedside table. "Ready, when you are." He nodded and gestured to the door with his hand as he reached for his hat, dumping the shoe out of it.
She covered her mouth with a hand as she chuckled and then tried to look regretful, She honestly had no idea what sort of state she would be in right then, if he hadn't been there with her. It may have shown on her face more than she realized and was certainly obvious to a few of the girls in the house, that she was growing more and more fond of Chance.... some might even call it adoration. He tapped the hat on his head and rested his hand on her shoulder, following her out with a nod to the looks from the girls in the hall that all was smoothed and well for now.
She moved ahead of him, glancing to the girls as they passed, but not stopping to speak to them for the moment. She stepped out and turned to the left, the wagon would need hitching as she'd not called for it to be prepared beforehand.
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 21:23:02 GMT -5
He glanced to them with a flat expression himself, adding an additional nod of reassurance to Angel and a wink before he stepped out the door a few steps behind Tess. "Tess... don't need the wagon. C'mon an' ride up here with me."
She arched a brow and looked at him, smiling a bit. "Now, mister Palmer.. what will the upstanding citizens think?" "They'd think.. there goes that Palmer boy and he's done caught himself a mighty fine girl," he said softly. His expression flattened slightly, "But if you don't feel comfortable hearin' whispers, Miss Deneuve... I'd be more than happy to hitch that wagon up for you."
She set her hands to her hips and regarded him. "Just about everyone in this town whispers about me... I was merely looking out for your reputation." She stepped towards him. "After all I am such a sinful, lusty, wicked woman.." She nearly purred, her tone half teasing, as she knew that's what many assumed about her. "Let them think that.. maybe I'll start thinking that too," he teased, giving her a half-smile before untying his horse from the post. "But I'd prefer to discuss those opinions .. in private." He slid up on the saddle gracefully and offered her the stirrup and a hand up to ride in front of him.
"People will think what they want to.." She shrugged and moved to catch his hand, her foot hitting the stirrup as she pulled herself up to settle in front of him. "Is your family.. the understanding sort? I hate to be run out of town over a ride across town."
He chuckled and scratched his chin, giving her an awkward and boyish smile. "Well now... you see.. my family... it's a little complicated."
She regarded him. "Can't be worse than mine.. and I've plenty of time to listen to you tell it."
His eyebrow raised slightly and he tried to dodge like trying to dodge a bullet. "Let's just say... no Palmer is gonna run nobody outta town anytime soon."
She sighed and rested her back lightly against his chest. "I'll accept that.. for the moment... but I will be expecting more details. Not fair you knowing my secrets and not telling me yours." He chuckled and his grin took on a mischeivous angle as he whispered, "And if I tell you all my secrets now... what stories will I tell when I tuck you in at night, Tess?"
"I'll settle for making new ones, if you tell me yours now."
"Ooo... well now, I declare, Miss Deneuve.. that sounded like you're propositioning me," he smiled and clucked at the horse, hurrying into a gentle trot as he held her in his lap.
"I was hoping to make you an offer, you couldn't refuse." She turned her head to the side to speak to him in a soft voice as they rode through town. "Don't think I heard myself say 'no', did you?" His arm tightened gently around her waist, his thumb rubbing against her side softly below the ribbing of her garments.
"I do suppose this means I'll have to let you tuck me, now won't I?" She leaned and relaxed against him after his arm tightened, she was accutely aware of his thumb rubbing her side and the sensation it was causing.
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 22:57:45 GMT -5
"Well now... last I checked... Texas.. that's at least a half a day by train, depending on how far through the territory you're going. Another half by coach at least where the rail ain't been built yet. You're looking at me maybe having to tuck you in two.. maybe three times between here and there."
She chuckled, shifting against him to ride more comfortably. "At least.. then there is the stay.. maybe a few nights before we can get back, and then the return trip. Maybe a week or more of nights you'll have to be tucking me in.." "Any.. um.. other states you'd like to be visitin' on the way back... add another two or three in there?" He chuckled.
"Never said I wouldn't let you tuck me in, after we came back... now did I?"
"Nope.. didn't hear you say that, neither," he said, burying a kiss to her shoulder beneath her hair as they came into the main part of town.
"You know.. something has just occured to me.." She smiled up at him, nearly chuckling. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear this answer. "Yes?"
"I am a woman with a reputation, am I not?" "Yes... more or less. What point is it you're making, hm?"
"That it doesn't really matter what I do.. people will still talk. If I were to walk down the street, pass you by and smile.. it would be whispered about and elaborated upon... "
"More or less, yes.. again.. so... what does it matter, hm? Be who and what you are or want to be.. let them whisper.. because they will. Really.. beneath it all.. they're just jealous."
She laughed. "I was thinking the same.. all until the last. Jealous.. what could they be jealous of?"
"That they don't have the gumption to go an' do the same."
She nodded. "I suppose... but here you are.... what does that say about you?"
"Says I'm the one with the reins," he said, letting them go slack and letting the horse slow through town around the carriages and people in the street. " And that I got gumption.. or a sickness that doesn't let me hear whispers too good."
She laughed again, softly. "Perhaps that sickness is contagious.. I can see the heads turning and them leaning in, their mouths moving.. but darn it... I can't hear a whisper..." "Yup.. I'd say you got it too... there ain't a cure for it neither, far as I been told... 'cept maybe something called humility.. but I'm all clean outta that."
"Oh dear.. no cure? you mean to say.. I am going to be.. stuck like this?" "'Fraid so, ma'am.. 'fraid so." He halted the horse with a gentle tug. "All points east, ma'am... after you."
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Post by Lovely on Jul 22, 2010 23:17:39 GMT -5
She took a deep breath and slipped down to the ground. She moved in front of him, into the building, making her way towards the ticket counter.
He tied up the horse by the water trough and mumbled something to him before stepping quickly behind Tess.
She gave her request for two tickets on the rail to Texas... she paid and turned to nearly bump into Chance.
"Hey there... told you I was coming with you. Any trouble? How far do we get on the rail?"
She glanced back at the man behind the counter. "No trouble... we go as far as it goes.." She looked a bit nervous, but seemed comforted by his pressence. "The rail doesn't go all the way there. We'll have to travel nearly a day by stage." "Hey... look at me," he said gently, glancing at the man behind the counter and pulling her away where he couldn't hear. "You're shaking like a squirrel in a nut tree... you alright?"
She looked up at him and shook her head 'no' as the words came out. "Yes of course."
"Did he say somethin' to you jus' now or your nerves just gettin' shook up cuz of your momma?"
She cast a sideways glance at the man and shook her head. "Just.. my mother.. anxious to get there and all." "Contessa Deneuve... I can smell a lie and every little one adds a wrinkle... don't you go getting all lined up on me, now... what did he say?"
She looked to him and chewed her lip, finally she spoke softly. "If you ever want a free trip somewhere.. I know where to get your ticket."
"He ask... he said that to you?"
"He.. " She sighed. "... said he would let me have the tickets for no charge in exchange for an evening underneath my dress and burrying himself deeply in my well... can we go now?"
"Yeah, sure.. in a moment," he said, a subtle fury in his eye. In a blink his rifle came off his back as he stepped to the counter, holding it in one hand and reaching under the courtesy screen to grab the man's collar all in a well-practiced manner. "We can go... soon as this... gentleman... learns himself some manners and offers the lady here an apology." Her jaw dropped a little and her eyes widened as she watched Chance go to the counter and grab the man. It took her a minute to get over the shock, and then her feet got moving and she hurried towards them. People were turning to watch, some gasping and others whispering as Contessa came up near Chance.
"Palmer!" the voice from the doorway was dark and hoarse, a certain challenging sound to it as it echoed over the whispers. The sound of another rifle being cocked rattled behind the alert. "Put it down and let him go."
"Sheriff... nice day. We were just having ourselves a ... little conversation about the weather is all."
"Now, Chance... not asking you again.... put it down. Miss Deneuve.. step aside. Don't want him gettin' twitchy, now."
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Post by Lovely on Jul 23, 2010 0:05:32 GMT -5
She looked from Chnace to the sheriff and the back, watching the way Chance held the man and how he seemed to have no intention of putting him down. She looked back at the sheriff, chewing her lip and taking a step to the side, her eyes moving back to Chance, worried.
"Soon as he agrees, Sheriff.. seeing as he made a li'l error in judgement's all," he said, his grin going darker.
A shot rang out into the air and the sound of the second shot getting ready sounded closer behind Chance.
Her eyes flew to the sheriff and then went back to Chance and the man. "Chance.. please.." She whispered. "Now, maybe you just didn't hear that the first time, but I'd listen to her, Chance... whatever was said or done... ain't worth the both of you being sewn up or worse. Put.. it... down."
She chewed her lip and watched him. "Chance.. please.. Who will go will me, if you go and get yourself shot..hmm?"
His hand on the man's collar let go, but his rifle stayed put, aimed at the man's neck as he turned briefly with a grin for her. "Ain't nobody gettin' shot today, Tess... nobody with any sense that is. C'mon Sheriff... just asking for a little... apology from the man, here. I don't gamble on a woman's virtue... but apparently.. he does."
"This ain't a stakes hand, Chance.. put it down and leave now. Contessa... go on outside, take these other folk with you."
She didn't take her eyes off Chance as the sheriff spoke, watching his reaction and his hand on the rifle. She shook her head, when the sheriff asked her to leave. "Fine... just dandy... then apologize and let's get back to our business, people... make the man happy, Jerens... no sense in having him stand here all day."
Chance chuckled. "Well, thank you, Sheriff.. that's mighty nice to go and see things my way... seein' as he'd insulted a fine lady an' all like that."
She folded her arms, her eyes leaving Chance as she looked to the floor and chewed her lip. She simply wanted to have this done and over, and for them to be on their way. She cast a glance at the sheriff and then returned to examining the floor. Contessa's head turned up sharply as her ears heard, but she could not quite believe it. His voice wavered and sqeaked part way trough, but he managed to say he was sorry for insulting the lady.
"Maybe a little louder, mister... not sure the Sheriff here could hear you," Chance said, pulling the stock down, raising the barrell slightly more toward the fella's ear.
"Chance!" It was only and exclaimed whisper and she looked at him, her eyes pleading for him to stop. She shook her head and truned, walking quielty out of the building.
"Alright.... seeing as she heard you, guess that's good enough. Nice day, gentlemen... sheriff... if I might have a word with you outside, hm?" He lowered the rifle and held it to his side, dropping it low to let his hand rest on the stock and slide it back over his shoulder with no sudden moves, holstering it back in place.
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Post by Lovely on Jul 23, 2010 0:11:38 GMT -5
"Palmer.. give me one good reason I shouldn't just shoot you outta spite right here and now... go on... git... outside. Sorry for the disturbance, Jerens... let me know if you have any more trouble." Everitt tipped his hat and pushed Chance out the door ahead of him, keeping Gertrude in one hand and ready.
He chuckled and turned just outside the door, his hands outstreched lazily to his sides. "Well... come to think of it... you probably don't want to shoot me since I actually came on down here on account of this kind lady here. But now that you're here, I may as well ask ... a li'l favor if it ain't outta line... and it's not me askin'."
She had left with no intention of stopping, but then paused a few feet from his horse, turning and waiting to see if the sheriff was going to arrest him or what. Her arms folded around herself, she didn't say a word to him when they came out.
"Better not be you askin' a thing of me, Chance. What were you thinking in there? Huh?"
He looked to the wall and the porch overhead, sucking on his lip a little in defiance. He'd heard the song and dance before. "Just standing up for the lady's honor, Sheriff.. you'd have done the same for your girl."
"My... my girl, Palmer... woulda shot me senseless herself for bein' guilty of being a menace. Now go on... and git yourself and Miss Deneuve on home.. or wherever you were off to."
"I might have, had I had a weapon handy." She raised an eyebrow towards Chance. "Though I still might.."
He grinned sharply and nodded, tipping his hat, "Good day, Sheriff." He turned and offered her his horse. "Go on, Contessa. Looks like I'm walkin' back from here."
She shook her head and handed him the reins. "It's your horse... you should be riding it."
"Well that raises a question... not gonna make you walk back alone... so are you riding with me?" He grinned with a wink... he was up to something.
She eyed him curious and wary, wondering why he would be asking since, they had ridden here together. "Who else would I be riding with?" He took the reins and swung up on the horse and offered her the stirrup up as before. "See you around, Sheriff... sorry for... being a menace, now."
She glanced from one to the other and shook her head. "And they say women are mysterious creatures.." She reached her hand up to Chance and let him help her up into the saddle with him once more. "Thank you sheriff.. terribly sorry about the trouble."
Everitt stood back with a nod. He hardly seemed angry, more like a boy at play, watching the two saddle up. He leaned his arm back, resting Gertrude over his shoulder. To anyone else, the shot was accidental.. the rifle aimed at the man behind the counter from the doorway.
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