Diamond in the Rough (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Abbie Adams

  "Yes, ma'am. You must mean Diamond. I've heard of her before. I'm just asking around, looking for any information I can." Everywhere he went, another dead end. Some days he was just damn tired of this business. "Wait, when you say strolled into town, did you mean she walked here?"

  The woman chuckled, a merry sound that came from deep within. "No, I'm sorry, Tripp. She came in on the stage, I believe. There's no way a woman could have walked in. It's almost two day's travel to any town around us. But you know that already."

  "Yes, sorry." His thoughts were scattered. He just had one dead end after another lately. Maybe he was getting old. He couldn't deny he was ready to settle down, but he had to find those murderous outlaws before he'd get one good wink of rest. "Oh, Mrs. Bentley, what did you mean about the gang nearby? Have you heard something specific that I might be able use?"

  She pressed her lips tightly, eyes squinted, clearly trying to remember something. "Nah, nothing specific. Just the talk around town about that family, but you probably want to talk to Jebidiah—I mean the sheriff, about that. We heard the gang had been spotted in Goldfinger Gulch and over in Lower Mesa. And you know we are right between there and San Francisco."

  "But you haven't seen anyone suspicious yourself?"

  She shook her head side to side. When he nodded she stood up again. "That all, Tripp? I've got biscuits in the oven. You'll want to get your fill. I made your favorite sausage gravy."

  "Oh, yes. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Bentley."

  Tripp was able to finish his breakfast and get out of there before the crew of regular boarders came through. He didn't have the patience to deal with prying eyes or worse, wagging tongues. It was why he liked camping out on the range most often.

  He made his way down the block to the sheriff's office, hoping the lawman might have something more promising to go on. Besides the new hotel, the town hadn't changed much since the last time he'd been through, well, except for one new sexy little blackjack dealer. He looked down the road toward the Red Petticoat Saloon, as if she might just appear. It couldn't be a coincidence that the woman showed up at the same time he was hearing that Shotgun Slick and his gang had taken in a woman and was residing in these parts. Was it possible? Could she be working for them?

  He was so caught up in his thoughts he almost kept right on walking past the town jail but the sheriff shouted out his name just as he strode past the open door.

  "Ho, Tripp Houston, you get your ass back here and say hello!" By the time Tripp turned back toward the door, the sheriff met him halfway and slapped him heartily on the back.

  "Howdy, Jebidiah. I came down here to see you and almost walked right past. Must be the heat. Damned hot out there today even though it's early. I don't remember fall being so damn stifling." He dropped down in the chair in front of the sheriff's desk as the other man went back to his own seat.

  "Yeah, you'd think the rain would have cooled it down, wouldn't ya? So what, did one of the flooded washes accidentally dump you in Culpepper Cove? Nah, doesn't matter how you got here. It's a good thing. I need ya around. You heard of the Shotgun Slick Gang?" The man rolled a toothpick between his fingers while he spoke. He sat up and put it between his teeth when he stopped talking.

  "Unfortunately, yes. I tracked them to Goldfinger Gulch and then Dry Creek but both times, I was too far behind them. So have they been here and gone already too?" That was the way his luck was going, anyway.

  "I just got back into town, luckily enough, before the rain stranded us out there west of the big creek. I've found their tracks out by Blind Man's Bluff. We've heard they were around. Zeke Tanner, sheriff up in Dry Creek, said they'd been out there about a month ago. I just found out yesterday they killed a family north of us, out near the foothills to the east of the basin. Found them dumped in a ditch just beyond the farm. Appeared as though the husband wasn't killed until maybe a day or so after the wife and maybe a week after the kids." The man rested his elbows on his desk, took off his hat, dragged his hand through his hair and finally rested his head on his fist as if in some kind of pain. He didn't look at Tripp when he went on. "It was a horrifying sight. Only thing we could figure was the gang came on the family while the husband—Jake Masterson, did ya know him?" Jeb looked up at Tripp, and then went on when the marshal shook his head side to side. "Neighbor said Jake had stopped by on his way back from town, only a couple days before the bodies were found. He said Jake had been gone almost a week. So all we can figure is the gang got there a day or so after Jake headed for town. Maybe killed the kids first just to keep them out of the way, but had the wife there with them for some time—God rest her soul. Maybe they just planned to hide out there for a while. Must've killed Jake as soon as he came back. Don't know why they left then. They probably could have stayed for a while longer with the whole family out of the way."

  A heavy weight settled over Tripp. "Sad, but it's not the first time I've heard something like this. Those are the stories we're hearing about all throughout the Sierras. Have you heard anything about a woman traveling with them?" Seeing Jebidiah's negative response, Tripp continued, "I'm not sure it's true, but there seems to be a coincidence that a new card playing woman shows up in each town Shotgun Slick's gang visits. No one has confirmed they've been seen together, just seems an unlikely happenstance."

  "Tripp, did you know we have a newer card dealing lady down at the Red Petticoat?" Jebidiah stood as if he was going to head out to the saloon right then to check her out.

  "Yes, I've been watching her closely. I keep looking for some clues, but it's not adding up. I'm about as cynical a person as you'll find but I don't see her hiding anything from anyone. You know much else about her? For her to be playing cards in Goldfinger when the gang was there, she'd have to be missing for almost a week at a time at least twice in the last two months. I'm going to talk to Gabe when I get a chance." Tripp wished he had a shot of whiskey nearby just then, and he wasn't a drinking man.

  "I haven't heard anything about her but the normal crude talk from the miners when there's a new gem. More so with this one because she doesn't go upstairs, pink petticoat and all that, but you know how that is. Gabe would know best. He's a smart man, and honest too. So what are you planning?"

  "Well, I wanted to scope out the dealer, then I guess I'll go out riding again. You guys found tracks out there by the bluff, which way were they headed?"

  "Far as I could tell, this way, but we lost them again pretty quick. We figured we had to be close to them and they were rabbit trailing us around their hideout to lose us." A smile split the sheriff's face as a shadow fell across the door and a big guy, a giant of a man really, came inside, his steps reverberating through the floor and even the chair Tripp sat on. "Oh, hi, Amos."

  "Momma said to get the sheriff, Jeb. Can you come?" He walked all the way to Jeb's side, an odd behavior for a man.

  "She say why?" The sheriff got to his feet.

  "Don't remember. She said she needed the sheriff. You're the sheriff ain't you, Jeb? I did good, right? You're gonna come with me?" He practically danced where he stood.

  "Yes, you done good, Amos. I'll go." Jeb shoved his hat back onto his head as Tripp also stood up. "Sorry I have to run, Tripp. You're not leaving anytime soon are you?"

  Before Tripp could reply, Amos wrapped his arms around Jeb and took his hat from his head. Surprisingly the sheriff didn't get upset or even flinch, he just rolled his eyes and waited as the bigger man placed his knuckles on Jeb's head and ground his fist into his hair.

  "You're a good boy, Jeb. You'll make Momma proud." Amos's smile cracked as wide as the full white moon over the Humpback ridge line.

  Jeb took his hat back and slapped it onto his head as soon as the simple man released his hold on him. "Come on, Amos. Let's go see what she wants."

  Tripp couldn't help leaving the office in a better mood than he'd entered even aside from the news of the family that had been killed. He had one last place he wanted to visit this morning. It was across to
wn the other way, just about the longest two points within the town, but thankfully it wasn't raining or muggy despite the temperature being unseasonably warm. After he left the livery, he'd go take a ride to Blind Man's Bluff and see if he could find any clues to the gang's new hideout. One thing was sure, he probably wouldn't be leaving Culpepper Cove for a while yet.

  He walked down the wooden sidewalk past the Red Petticoat Saloon. It was quiet there this time of the day. He couldn't help but wonder what the ladies did during the daytime. Oh hell, he couldn't lie to himself. He was curious what one particularly sassy little gem did during the daytime. If he didn't have places to go, he'd stroll in there and find out.

  The livery held a pleasant surprise, the gem he'd been most interested in was there having a curious conversation with the blacksmith. A gentleman would make his presence known but he was no gentleman and wouldn't pretend any different. Besides, he was quite interested in what the woman could possible want at the livery. Was she looking to sneak away for a couple days?

  "I just thought that you might know if someone came through the area but didn't come all the way into town. Are you sure you can't remember anyone, specifically a woman who looks like me?" By the tone of her voice, she was a very determined woman and wasn't getting the information she desired. Either way, Ben noticed him walking up and nodded his head to acknowledge him, so Diamond turned and saw him as well. Her jawline squared as she clenched her teeth together in obvious distaste.

  "I'm sorry, but it doesn't matter how many times you rephrase it to ask the same question, the answer is still the same. I wish I could help you, but I don't recall anyone new and I do see just about everyone who comes to town at some point." He rolled the wagon wheel he'd been repairing aside and turned back to Tripp, dismissing Diamond all together. "Hey, there, Tripp. You want your horse readied?"

  "Yes, that would be great, Ben, but I can get him myself if you're busy." Tripp watched the woman walking away, muttering to herself.

  "Nope, I've got it. Just give me a minute."

  "That's fine. I'll be right back." He turned in the direction of the dark-haired gem. "Diamond, wait."

  The woman didn't even look back. The only sign she had heard him was the way she stiffened, raising her shoulders. His legs were longer than hers by far and since she hadn't made it very far anyway, he caught up with her right quickly. He took her arm and stopped her in her tracks. "Diamond, I don't repeat myself often and I'm not going to now."

  "Let me go, dammit. You have no right to manhandle me." She glared at him, her cat-like yellow-green eyes accurately gauging him as the jack-ass he was, but he didn't care. He liked a gal with sharp claws. He'd bet she was a passionate woman in bed. Where the hell had that come from? He wasn't one to lie down with a whore.

  "I have no right? I see you are out and about unescorted again. Have you no sense in that silly head of yours?" When she lifted her chin a notch higher, he had to hold himself back from gripping that coil of thick black hair on the back of her head and pulling her in close to him. He wanted to crush his lips to hers and devour her. Thank God they were in the middle of the street or else he might not be able to restrain himself.

  "I don't answer to you, Marshal." She spit his title as if its taste was bitter on her tongue. "I am free to go where I please. Now let me go. I'm sure you have other law-manly things to do." She tried to wrench her arm from his hold, but he wasn't ready to release her.

  "I was under the impression last night that you'd be getting your ass blistered for your foolishness in leaving the saloon by yourself. Has Gabe since lifted his ban of gems being unescorted? Perhaps, I'll follow you back to the saloon to ask him myself." He took a step in the direction of the saloon pulling her with him until she twisted away again. She'd managed an about-face, but he hadn't loosened his hold at all.

  "At night—we aren't to be out on our own at night—not that it's any of your concern. Now, please, unhand me." It galled him to let her go but he didn't want to keep Ben waiting and he really had no reason to hold onto her. He definitely wanted to see more of her though, so he'd be making good on his previous declaration that he'd be sitting at her table later that night.

  He was a great judge of character normally, but he was at a loss with this one. Maybe it was because every time she nervously licked her lips with the sweet little pink tongue, he pictured her on her knees before him licking the ridge of his rock hard cock, and her soft, plump lips wrapped around him, taking him as deeply as she could.

  Or maybe it was imagining her over his lap squirming and crying. He wouldn't just spank her, he'd press a finger, maybe two, into her back hole and pump it in and out. She would mewl and plead for him not to do it, but the cream at her center, dampening his thigh would be proof that she really wanted more.

  Oh fuck, that thought trailed right into the next of her on her knees on the bed, ass high in the air as he pressed the fat head of his cock into her ass, taking her in the most primal way while she cried out that he couldn't and that it was too big for her tiny back hole. No, it was no wonder he couldn't figure out what her game was. He was too busy fucking her with his every thought. He needed to stay away from her. Far away. Especially until the Shotgun Slick Gang was either dead or awaiting the judge.

  Chapter Three

  Delaney could hardly concentrate. It wasn't because she was watching for one long, tall, lawman to walk through the swinging doors either—at least that was what she kept telling herself. Thinking about him was not helping her game at all. Thank God blackjack was ingrained in her the way some people memorized scripture or songs. The rules made it easy. She just had to follow the rules.

  She went along with the flow, dealing cards to each man as he requested the hit or indicate they'd stay, hardly paying any attention to the game until she caught part of a conversation amongst the players at her table.

  "…Said they was heading this way. You ask me, we should set up a posse and go out hunting." The balding, slightly pudgy man, George, was a regular around the Red Petticoat. Delaney usually ignored anything he said as he liked to talk a lot of smoke. "You've heard of Shotgun Slick haven't you? They say he can shoot a man and holster his gun again before the other man had time to blink."

  But not so much Frank. Delaney knew people respected him. When he joined the conversation, Delaney messed up. "I heard they're traveling with a lady nowadays. Says she plays cards and has a funny name. Any of you hear of her?" She accidentally hit on her own jack, eight. She drew a six and busted. Stupid move, especially when George and the stranger had seventeen and eighteen. She was all flustered then as she gave them their winnings.

  Of course that was when Marshal Houston came up to her table. She hadn't noticed him even come into the saloon because she'd been focused on the conversation going on around her.

  "Looks like I got here just in time. Nothing I love more than seeing the house paying out." He sat down in the last seat right beside Delaney. "Thanks for holding a seat for me, ladybug."

  "Oh, trust me, I didn't. If you're playing, put your money on the table," she retorted, waiting only a moment while he tossed some coins in, then held the deck to Frank who was on her left to cut before she flipped a card over to burn. She dealt to the marshal first, since he was to her left.

  "Well, howdy, Tripp, ain't seen you around in a while," said Frank as he flagged Opal for a new drink.

  "Happens that way when you live on the back of your horse." Tripp waved his hand palm down above his jack and king to indicate he was staying.

  "Glad you came over. Maybe you can tell us about Shotgun Slick. How close are they?" George asked as he tapped his ace, seven for a hit. Delaney flipped the next card giving him a king. He lifted his hand to signal he was standing.

  "I rode out today looking for them, but with the rain last night, I didn't find a damn thing. Everything is flooded and muddy."

  "I heard they were heading north when the left Dry Creek. They could be halfway to Carson City by now. That's my bet an
yway." This came from the stranger to the group. A younger, but rather shady looking cowboy. He tapped his six, nine for a hit, something Delaney would have done too even if she wasn't dealing for the house, but he drew a queen and busted. Surprising since so many face cards had already been shown.

  "Who'd you hear that from?" Tripp stared at the man hard, almost like he was skeptical and challenging the younger man to tell the truth.

  Delaney went on to deal for Frank, who busted, and then turned over her own, a jack of spades and queen of hearts.

  "In the saloon up in Dry Creek…" The man didn't look around. He took his coins and stood. "Thanks for the game, ya'll. Guess I better head out." He tipped his hat over his dirty blond hair and turned to leave.

  "Son of a bitch," George complained as he looked at the last of his coins. "I'm about done with this tonight too." Delaney pulled her winnings in and watched Tripp eyeing the man leaving the saloon.

  "You think they're coming this way, like people say, Marshal?" Frank asked.

  "Hard to say, but I think everyone needs to be very careful as it's a very real possibility. Don't go anywhere alone." Tripp eyed Delaney as he spoke. She ignored his look and continued to deal the next round.

  George put his money away, preparing to leave so she skipped dealing him in. He didn't leave the table yet though. "Is it true what they said about a woman being with them?"

  Her head popped up at the mention of that woman again. Could it be possible that Damaris was riding with an outlaw gang? She searched the marshal's face for truth in the information.

  "It's been said so quite a few times, though it's not a confirmed fact. The woman in question has never been seen with Slick or Frog. Just heard tell that a mysterious woman is in town during the time the gang comes around." This time Tripp gave her the intense stare he'd leveled at the stranger not long before.