At the show

[Lovely]

November 7, Year 1
late evening


"saloon girls... can't always make a living doing... well... consider it a... a live advertisement, that's all... make the boys want to go and see more."

"Mmhmm.. ooo Someone wants to go see more? I see him looking."

"Sheriff's just gotta make sure the boys don't get outta hand is all."

"Uh huh.. well his wife will be watching him.. watching the boys."

takes a seat with his back to the stage, sits back down and grins. "better?"

giggles softly.. "you know.. I can dance.. like that.."

"Well, don't be going up there and showin' 'em just cuz you can, now. Especially not while 'Pigswill's still in town," he whispered.

"What if I give a private show.. just for you, later?"

He grinned and spoke softly. "Well that would be altogether different now, wouldn't it?"

She smiled and brushed her finger over his cheek. "But of course.. for my husband.. in my altogether is not that different." Her eyes widen as she looks over his shoulder. "Tessa is quite.... flexible.. Oh my!"

He started to turn to look, but realized the danger of doing so, turning only so far as to grab his drink. He wouldn't mention the minute reflection on the glass as he picked it up that showed him all he needed to know. "Is she?" He asked, clearing his throat as if it were dry and taking a sip of his ale.

She smiled softly. "Oh yes.. do you suppose I should ask her to teach me that?" Her head tipped slightly to follow the movement.

"You go right on ahead... surprise me later," he smiled, tipping his mug to her then taking another sip, taking a peek at the reflection again and nearly spitting out his mouthful in shock. He swallowed it hard with a cough.

She covered her mouth as she giggled. "Oh.. I will... She's very talented... I think the.." She cleared her throat. "Gentlemen will be lined up at her door, after seeing that."

Everitt mopped off his pant leg and sleeve where he'd managed to lose a little of his drink. "Which is exactly why I'm here... make sure they do so orderly and politely. As politely as they can, considering what those customers aim to buy."

"I heard they can't buy her.. do you think that's true?" Her gaze was held on the beautiful Madame, curious and entranced. "I think you may have your work ahead of you.." Her voice trailed off, she was amazed by the woman, but also slightly envious of her beauty, grace, and freedom. Elizabeth wondered about Everitt.. had he ever.. and would he now, go to that house?

[Lovely]

He grinned and shook his head. "Got that one covered already. One of my boys stands between her and that door nearly every day anymore, well since Adams went in and shook the place up again. Not that Chance needs to be there. Tess can handle her own with a right hook and shotgun and you sure as he... heck, don't want her to lose that temper, either."

"I have seen the way Chance looks at her.. I think it's more than a job.. don't you?" She reached for his hand, gently running her thumb over his fingers.

Her statement caught him a little off guard. He'd never really seen Chance look at anyone other than cross-eyed or down the barrell of his rifle. "Don't have much cause to think about that I guess. He don't say much, so, no, I didn't really."

"Watch him, watch her cross the street sometime." She spoke so only he would hear her, her fingers gripping his more tightly. "Be careful.. darling, Adams.. is here as is Kingswill, and both look upon Tess and the girls much differently."

He nodded. Them he had noticed. "Most every night and all night until they pass out, it seems," he sighed quietly, giving her a tenderly public kiss on the cheek.

"I love you Everitt... it worries me. They worry me.. and I toss and turn and fret some nights until you're home safely."

"Ain't been shot up too bad yet, so don't worry," he teased, trying to sound reassuring behind the grin. His eyes darted gently to the tables where the men sat as he whispered closely to Elizabeth. Their attention was still focused on the stage for now. He turned his own back to Elizabeth. "Thank you, miss Liza, but don't worry yourself sick, alright? Make me fret about you frettin' about me, I won't get any work done." His hand covered hers, clasping gently, more reassuring than his words had been.

Her interest in the show faded some, dulled by the ache of her heart. She settled in her chair, holding his hand, letting her eyes stare at the stage, but not as raptly as before.

His eyes traced over her as she watched the show and he sighed, taking up his drink. He stopped short and set it down again, giving her hand a squeeze. "Let's go on home. Sloane's on watch. He'll be here to escort the ladies. Penny's the one's got her name on his heart, at least this week, so he'll keep an eye on things."

Her head turned to him and her smile brightened a bit. "You're coming home.. early?" She glanced about the room and then back to him. "You sure the boys will take care of things?"

[Lovely]

"Long as I don't hear shots fired, I can go home and stay home. Ain't no sense in me being here if you're not having a good time, too, right? Let's get on home and let them all bust up the place. It's been too quiet lately for them, anyhow. They could use the practice," he winked.

"You're terrible.." She teased, leaning to him slightly. ".. and the house will be empty..." She smiled adoringly.

"House will be empty except for Patrick and Lily, don't forget, but they tend to keep to themselves, it seems. So can we," he teased, offering her an equally playful expression.

"I don't think Lily and Patrick will even notice we're there.. or if we keep to ourselves." Her hand slid over his arm, affectionately and inviting. "Maybe.. I'll show you a few of my moves..."

The same dry cough tickled his throat again, but this time it was a signal to his boys as he pulled the cigar out of his pocket. He'd become polite and smoked them only outside, now. He caught Sloane's attention as he waved it to the door as he stood, as if meaning to say he'd only be right outside. He held out his hand for Elizabeth's, being sure that Kingswell saw them leaving early.

Sloane had turned only a moment from watching the show to acknowledge Everitt's intentions. Whether he'd be right outside Maggie's or outside the edge of town didn't matter, Sloane knew he was in charge at the moment, which meant paying full attention that nothing happened to the girls, during the show or after.

She graciously took his arm and her smile shone gently for him, anyone who happened to look would see her as a woman, very in love with her husband.

Kingswill took notice of course, his eyes locking on the gorgeous rehead, leaving with that low-life sheriff. His glare was deep set and his lip curled in a near snarl.

Everitt made the special effort to tip his hat politely to Kingswell's table as they walked past. "Gentlemen... enjoy the show," he said, casting a sparkling glance around his table with a sarcastic grin, landing on Kingswell an extra second. The 'show' he meant wasn't the one on stage, as was evident by the slow turn and deliberately affectionate embrace around Elizabeth as he escorted her safely from the saloon.

Elizabeth leaned into his embrace and rested her head on his chest, doing her best to ignore the murderous glare from the man at the table. She was happy her brothers had come to town and that the twins saw Kingswill for how he was.. though that did nothing where her father was concerned, since he disowned the boys for their desire to have a different life than the one he had planned.