“Grange warned me off that place,” Wenn said, “as well as the Den. I was thanking him earlier when our conversation was interrupted. Thanks again for that. You got the bounty for half the gang.”
“Still need to look at that. I was… busy.”
“Here’s your beer, Doc,” Fiala said softly, setting the mug next to the stack of coins Doc had set on the table.
“Thanks.”
“Busy? Yeah, sounds right,” Wenn laughed.
“We playing or not?” Raymond grumbled.
“Good luck, gentlemen,” Joey said as he began to deal.
Doc mucked the first hand, not bothering to even try drawing into it, after Raymond bet a quarter. “Wenn, you staying in town another day?” Doc asked as the marshal considered calling or folding.
“I was contemplating leaving. Did you need something?”
“I have some business to attend to, and I feel like having you along would make the whole thing easier.”
“I don’t do guard work,” Wenn said pointedly as he folded his hand.
“Not guard work. I can’t explain in front of others, but no guns will be in play, nor anything criminal,” Doc said as Raymond and another player went head to head.
“Hmm... interesting. What you paying?”
“Considering it’s going to involve drinking and nothing dangerous, how about your tab paid?”
Wenn chuckled, “Okay, but if it gets dangerous, it’s five dollars at least.”
“Done.”
“Where do I meet you?”
“Here for breakfast,” Doc said.
“Early for drinking, but not too early. Fine.”
“Raymond wins the pot,” Joey said as he pushed the winnings to Raymond.
“If you’re both done chattering, maybe you can focus on the game?” Raymond asked.
“Since you asked,” Doc smirked.
~*~*~
“I think I’ve had enough,” Doc laughed as he stood up. “Thank you for the time, gentlemen.”
“You always leave before we can get our money back,” Raymond grumbled.
“Always quit while you’re ahead,” Doc said and took the offered change rack from Fiala. “Words that any gambler should know.”
“Hmm, might be time to turn in anyway if I have to be up for breakfast,” Wenn said. “Cassia, go grab me some racks, please.”
“Right away,” Cassia replied.
“Joey, see you tomorrow,” Doc grinned.
“Yes, sir,” Joey replied, taking the quarter he tossed to him.
“And Raymond,” Doc said as he picked up his filled racks, “stop tugging on your ear when you’re bluffing.”
“Huh?” Raymond was clearly surprised by the comment. The other two at the table grumbled about him being told, making him glare at them.
“Westin, change?”
“A minute,” Westin said, preparing drinks for Jasmine.
“Early breakfast or late?” Wenn asked as he took the spot next to Doc at the bar.
“Late,” Doc chuckled. “Think we’ll both be occupied for a bit before we get to sleep.”
“Damned right,” Wenn laughed.
“Both of you need change?” Westin asked when he came down the bar.
“Seems like,” Doc said as he pushed his racks forward.
“Indeed,” Wenn added, doing the same.
Westin took a minute to check the money before handing them each a few pennies from their racks. As he went to change out the money, Wenn and Doc looked over to the stairs where Cassia and Fiala were holding a whispered conversation. Doc couldn’t hear them over the background noise.
“Here you go,” Westin said, setting a much smaller stack of coins before each of them. “Anything else?”
“Never got dinner. Can you have two meals sent up to my room?” Doc asked as he picked up the money.
“Of course,” Westin replied.
“Bottle of wine,” Wenn said, “no need for glasses.”
Fiala stopped talking when Doc approached her and Cassia. “Time to turn in,” Doc smiled. “Dinner will be brought up.”
“Oh, food would be good,” Fiala smiled. “I also need to stop and pick up a few things from my room.”
“Understood,” Doc said, leading her up the stairs.
Chapter Eighteen
Waking to the sound of soft and contented purring, Doc smiled. When he cracked one eye open, he saw Fiala’s head resting on his chest, her ears just short of his chin. Being careful to move slowly, he moved his hand and gently rubbed at the base of her ears. The purr deepened and Fiala shifted in her sleep, her arm tightening around his waist.
Ducking his head, Doc kissed the tip of an ear, “Fiala, time to wake up. You still need to take your meds.”
She let out a grumbled mutter and tightened her arm around him. Doc was debating tickling her when there was a knock on the door.
“Sir? Your bathing water,” Posy said through the door, making Fiala’s eyes snap open.
“Morning,” Doc tried again. “You need to take your meds still.”
“How do you keep making me pass out?” Fiala murmured, kissing his chest.
“I don’t know, but I’m not going to complain about it,” Doc replied. “You take your med and I’ll grab the hot water.”
“Okay,” Fiala said sleepily, kissing his chest again before moving to get out of bed.
Getting to his feet, Doc realized he wasn’t itching. He checked his wrists and noticed a lack of bug bites. Thank you, Lia. Going to the door with the blanket wrapped around him, Doc picked up the kettle that was on the floor outside. He shut the door and turned around to see Fiala leaning against the table, as naked as the day she was born.
“That’s a beautiful sight,” Doc said. “If I didn’t already have a meeting, I’d try stretching out Lia’s offered reward and drag you back to bed.”
Fiala smiled, “I’d have to resist, but thank you.”
Pouring the hot water into the basin, Doc offered her the rag and soap first. “Go ahead. Ladies first.”
“I’m fairly certain that is just because you all want to watch us,” Fiala smirked as she took them.
“I’m not positive, but that is a compelling argument,” Doc chuckled as he threw the blanket onto the bed. Letting his gaze linger on her curves, Doc waited for her to finish.
“Okay, here you… my, I see someone is wide awake,” Fiala said when she went to hand him the cloth, her eyes drifting south of his navel.
“Guilty,” Doc replied as he took the damp rag.
“If you clean there first, I might be able to delay my leaving for a few minutes,” Fiala said, her voice dripping with desire.
“Done,” Doc said quickly and suited action to his word.
Breathing heavily and holding onto the window frame with one hand, Doc did his best to clean himself up while Fiala worked over his rigid flesh. He moaned as he dropped the cloth back into the basin. Doc reached down and took her head gently, but firmly, in hand and helped her push him to the finish. Toes curling, he shuddered in ecstasy as he came, Fiala doing her best to swallow everything.
He staggered back a pace once he was done, leaning against the table. “Gods damn, that was even better than both times last night.”
Fiala wiped her lips, “I’ve been paying attention to what you like most. For as much as you give me, I think it’s the least I can do.”
“If you get any better, you might make me pass out,” Doc replied.
“Oh, I would love to try again later, if possible.”
“Not going to tell you no, but it’ll probably have to wait until I get back from my trip.”
“A pity,” Fiala said as she grabbed her clothes and pulled them on. “I need to change and ask Lia if I can assist you with your teaching.”
“I need to dress and get downstairs,” Doc said, still leaning on the table. “As soon as I’m sure my legs will support me, I’ll get started on that.”
“Don’t take too long. You
don’t want to miss breakfast,” Fiala said before going to the door. “See you later, Doc.”
“Later, Fiala.”
Doc was downstairs about five minutes later. “Sorry for the delay,” he said in greeting to Wenn, who was already working on his breakfast.
Wenn kept eating, just giving a small nod of understanding.
“Dillon, can I get some of that—?” Doc began, but Dillon was already bringing him coffee. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Madam Lia said you’re going to be teaching the dealers a new type of poker?”
Wenn paused his chewing, clearly listening.
“Yup. Hold’em; it’s a well-known game where I come from.”
The door to the back hallway opening gave way to Posy with a loaded plate in hand. Doc fished out two nickels, sliding one to Dillon and the other to Posy when she got to the table.
“Thank you, little lady.”
Posy giggled as she took the coin. “You’re welcome, kind sir,” she said, trying to affect an accent as she did.
“Did the seamstress say if my clothes could be fixed?” Doc asked her.
“I have to check back at noon,” Posy replied. “If they’re okay, I’ll put them in your room. If not, I’ll let Madam Lia know.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Posy smiled before walking off, her happy little bounce making Doc chuckle.
“Like kids?” Wenn asked as he pushed away his empty plate.
“Don’t know, really. Never been around them a lot, but she’s adorable.”
“Not many people care for the children of bestials,” Wenn said.
“Not many people have brains, either,” Doc said without thinking.
Wenn laughed, “There is that. Then again, considering the company we’ve been keeping the last few days, it’d be odd if you felt differently.”
Doc shrugged as he worked on eating.
“Morning, Madam,” Dillon said, alerting the others that Lia had entered the room.
“Morning, gentlemen,” Lia said as she crossed the room. “Is Marshal Hickinbotham going to be joining the game?”
Doc watched her as he ate, marveling at how gracefully she moved. Swallowing quickly when she asked the question, Doc coughed, the food scraping down his throat. “Yes,” he croaked.
Wenn laughed and slapped Doc on the back. “She’d have been fine waiting another second for your answer.”
“Fiala also asked to join, and I will be there, as well,” Lia said, though a small smile touched her lips. “With Joey, Dillon, Matt, and Lawrence all attending, that should be enough, correct?”
“It’ll do,” Doc said, taking a sip of coffee to dislodge the lump of food in his throat.
“Excellent. I also invited an old friend, Patrick Walker. They will all be here in two hours.”
“Okay,” Doc said. “That’ll let me finish up some other business beforehand.”
“That’s a good point. I need to go watch Wilson die in an hour,” Wenn added.
“Very well. I’ll see you both in the private dining room in two hours.”
“Sounds good,” Wenn said. He stood up from his chair and took his hat from the table.
Doc nodded, going back to his food, though he did look up as Lia walked away. Her green dress barely moved as she glided away. At least they don’t have those stupid bustles here, he thought.
~*~*~
Doc waved to Dillon as he put his hat on and went out the door. His pocket clinked as he walked, the majority of the reward money he had gotten making his jacket heavy.
Grange was coming out of the sheriff’s office when Doc was walking past it. “Not wearing your pistol? Don’t you think that’s a might foolish since word of your killing three men has spread?”
“Wearing a gun is an invitation. Being unarmed makes it less likely,” Doc replied.
“But anyone who really wants you dead will have it easy,” Grange grunted.
“I still have my two-shot.”
“Useless outside of thirty feet,” Grange replied.
“I’ll trust in my luck to make it count,” Doc smiled.
“Foolish,” Grange snorted, walking off.
“You’re welcome, Sheriff.”
Grange’s shoulders twitched, but he kept walking.
Doc shook his head. Wonder why he seems to hate me so much? It couldn’t be because I mistook him for a deputy the first day, could it? Pondering that, Doc started walking again.
The shopkeeper looked up when the bell announced Doc. “Oh, came back? I was wondering. I heard the pistol worked for you.”
“It did,” Doc agreed. “Reload is a bit slow, but it worked.”
“If you wanted a faster reloading pistol, I have some top-breaks.”
“It works. I hope to not have to use it often.”
“I have the rifle ready if you have the cash.”
Doc pulled out a gold twenty-dollar coin and ten singles. “Thirty, all bright and shiny.”
“They are, indeed,” Blackbeard said, picking them up. “Fresh from the bank, looks like.”
“I believe they are,” Doc said.
“Cash is cash,” Blackbeard said. He pocketed the money and reached under the counter. “Here we are: one Westchest 73, another box of ammo to go with it, and a holster for your horse.”
Doc sighed, “I think I underpaid.”
Blackbeard laughed, “Not by much. Saving us having to find a new sheriff is what made me throw in the extra.”
“Difficult to get a sheriff?” Doc asked as he checked the items over.
“Finding one that’s not blatantly corrupt was an issue before Grange.”
“Blatantly?”
Blackbeard shrugged, “Not saying a word.”
“Figured he was with the mayor.”
Blackbeard gave him a hard look, “Not a word.”
“Didn’t hear one,” Doc replied. “Thank you for the excellent hardware.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Blackbeard said, becoming civil again. “If you decide you want something a bit more upscale, you know where to find me.”
“I do, indeed,” Doc said as he put the box of ammo into his pocket and picked up the rifle with its leather holder. “Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
Doc watched the people on the street as he walked back to the Lily. The women all crossed the street away from him and the men gave him hard looks. You’d think me helping the sheriff would make them like me more... Maybe they just think I’m a loose cannon? I’ve been in two shootouts in less than a week, after all.
Doc dropped off his rifle in his room before heading right back out. Without the rifle in hand, he realized that he was getting less attention from the townsfolk. Entering the barber shop, Doc stopped when he didn’t see Otto there.
“Hello?”
“One moment!” came a reply from the hallway past the three chairs.
The dwarf came out of the back after a slight delay. “What can I do for you, sir?”
Doc hesitated, seeing the barber’s red eyes. “I was hoping for a shave and trim.”
“Of course. Have a seat,” Otto replied evenly.
Setting his hat in his lap as he took a seat, Doc wondered if he should even ask. “Bad news?”
“What?” Otto asked.
“Did you get bad news today? Forgive me, but you seem a bit shaken.”
The sound of grinding teeth came from behind Otto’s thick, well-groomed beard. “Everything is fine.”
“Ah, apologies,” Doc said. I’m betting Whittaker bailed on him. I can’t help, not without being an ass about it.
Doc leaned back and had the hot towel applied to his face. He continued to debate if he should offer, and how he could without sounding like a conman. With the sound of a straight razor being sharpened, Doc decided to stay out of it.
The towel was cooling when the jingle of a bell announced someone coming in. “I have a salve, but Henrick isn’t sure it will help,�
� the voice was feminine but rough with emotion. “Do we even dare try it? Whittaker said—”
Suited for Luck Page 14
