Setting: Old West
Rating: PF — Profanity and AC — Adult Content
This is the second story set in the Hope Ranch AU (the first is A Shining Place Called Hope) Winnie, dear, I hope you salivate...
IMPORTANT AUTHOR"S NOTE: This was written in a bit of a hurry for a specific reason, no time for beta work or many edits, so read with kind eyes!.
The saloon was not crowded and as the afternoon bled into a hazy purple twilight. The dinner the friends shared had gone down well with some beer and conversation. Now as the night prepared to fall, the sound of coins dancing in the hand of the town's gambler were overpowered by a complaint.
"Jesus Ezra, I'm a friend!" Buck argued when his silver disappeared across the table.
"Business is business," Standish noted, taking JD's money as well. He looked up when Vin entered the saloon. It was dusk and they'd not seen their friend all day. "Well, well, look what the wind blew in. How are you Mister Tanner?"
"Hungry!" Vin decided, moving his hand over his abdomen. "Any grub out?" He noticed the end of the bar where Inez usually had dishes with food at the evening meal was empty.
"We had ham steaks and potatoes," Buck said.
"There's a pot in the kitchen, it has chicken stew in it," JD said. "I'll get some for you."
"S'okay, kid, I'll git it," Vin answered, shuffling past the trio towards the kitchen. His slight headache preferred the quiet, smoke free kitchen. He took his coat and hat off and laid them on the chair near the window. He moved towards the stove, his eyes wide with anticipation.
His nose twitched when he saw the steam rising from the tasty stew. He sniffed over the pot, stirring the mixture of gravy, chicken bits, potatoes and carrots. He saw fresh biscuits nearby and his stomach growled. His eyes went around the room seeking a bowl. Frowning, he put the spoon down, turned the heat off the stove and wandered further, to the back room where the supplies were. Before he could locate a bowl, he saw a shaply leg stretching. His eyes went up the leg over a full skirted backside to a shapely waist encased in white cotton. Inez was on a stepstool, reaching way over her head for something on a top shelf. Just then, she shifted and the stool moved.
"Inez!" Vin called out, darting over and catching her.
They tumbled backwards, landing on a bed of large sacks of grain, flour and rice. Vin was on his back with Inex on top of him. For a moment, neither moved, each breathless and eyeing the other. Both faces flushed a bit at the close proximity of their bodies. Wordlessly, each moved at the same time, but that only tangled their limbs more. Vin slipped and ended up with his hand trapped between the burlap sack and her full breast. He didn't realize he was caressing it until her breath caught and her head shot back. She mumbled something in Spanish and melted back onto the sacs, pressing closer into his hand.
"Aw... God..." Vin gasped, moving over her. He peered down at those beautiful dark eyes and wanted to drown in their depths. He stroked her silken cheek and caressed her cheekbone with his thumb. His other hand slipped under the disshelveled blouse, up her hot skin until it covered her breast. The thumb moved up and down her cheekbone, until she captured it between her teeth and sucked on it. "No... don't..." He protested, pulling it back. But she felt so good under him and the heat rising between their bodies was overpowering. He wanted more and she did as well. She parted her lips and pulled his head down, kissing him hard. He groaned and laid his full weight on her, moving both hands to push her blouse up. Her hands moved down his back and did a tempting dance over his backside. When she pulled him down, gripping his backside hard, he panicked. He wanted nothing more to satisfy his needs, but not like this. He pulled away, rolled sideways and regrouped, to his feet.
"Vin? What's wrong?"
"Nothin', darlin," Vin said huskily, his eyes burning at the portrait by his feet. Her breasts were rising and falling, the pink tips screaming at him to be fed. He averted his gaze and grit his teeth. He was deciding on how quickly he could make it to the alley to release his urge when she appeared in front of him. "I want it t'be special, not like this."
"Alright," she answered, realizing he was struggling. She stood up and fixed her clothes. Then she took his face in both hands and kissed him softly, sucking on his lip a little longer than she intended and left the room.
Buck happened to be looking out the window when Vin went by, walking quickly and seemingly on a mission.
"He ate fast," JD commented, following the rogue's eyes.
"He sure looks like he's in a hurry," Buck answered.
"He's headed out back," Standish noted of the direction where the outhouses were located.
"Damn, I bet he ate too fast," Wilmington said. "Maybe his stomach was too empty."
"Should we check on him"" JD wondered.
"No!" Inez said too quickly and saw three heads aim at her with odd looks on their faces. "I mean... if he's... something went through him... he won't want anyone there. "
"Yeah," Buck decided, "Somethings a man had to do on his own."
"Si!" Inez sighed, thinking of her poor Vin's painful state that she caused. "Si..."
She returned to the kitchen and ladled the stew into a large tin. She made a basket with biscuits, a pot of honey and some caramel pudding. She knew he'd be with Chris and they needed to eat. She could get the food there before he arrived and would be embarrassed in front of Chris with her there. As she walked over, she thought on that kind face and good heart. He was so easy to love, he had everything she'd always wanted in a man. Could he love her? She ached to hold him in her arms and love him for all it was worth. He was special and worth the wait.
Chris was dozing when a soft voice floated into his subconscious. By the time he got his eyes open and blinked a few times, he caught the scent of something wonderful.
Inez had just set the basket down on the table by the foot of Chris's bed when she heard him cry out. He looked awful; his handsome face was marred by bruises, stitches and swelling. His chest had bandages, stitches and burn ointment on it. Just breathing appeared to be difficult. But just seeing him breathing and healing was wonderful.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to disturb you."
"Don't be," Chris reassured, trying to mask the pain radiating through him. He saw her dark eyes going towards the back of clinic, where the room turned and extended. He knew who she was looking for.
"The long, haired river rat isn't here," he answered the silent question.
"I have brought some caramel pudding, I hope you like it," she offered , relieved that she would not embarass Vin Tanner.
"There isn't anything you make that isn't good," Chris decided, "and that smells great."
"I will help you, wait." She saw him struggling and helped him sit up better. "There..." She put the footed tray that was nearby over his waist and set the pudding down. She broke the biscuits up into tiny bits and drizzled the honey over them. "I will get you some coffee."
"Inez?" Chris caught her wrist, held those beautiful brown eyes with his own for a moment and lifted the trembling hand. He kissed her hand and then held onto it a moment longer. "Thank you. You're one helluva woman, lady."
"I... I..." She swallowed hard, tears cresting in her eyes. She sat down on the small chair next to the bed and relished the warmth of his touch. "I did not think. I saw that beast... and you were not moving and... it was so fast."
"I'm sorry, Inez," Chris whispered when the tears rolled. "I didn't mean to upset you." He moved his hand then from hers and picked up the linen napkin. Then he gently wiped those tears away.
"Upset..." she lifted her face and found a smile. "When I saw you lying there and all that blood..." Her voice trailed off and she shook her head. "It hurt inside... you, Buck, Vin... all of you are my family now."
"Family's worth fightin' for," Chris agreed and thought on Vin and the soft way she issued his name. "A lot of things are worth fighting for. Especially if you care deeply about someone."
He knows.
That was her first thought and she didn't know how to avert the piercing light green eyes. She licked her dry lips and rose, fanning her now flaming face.
"The pudding is best warm, you should eat it. I will get your coffee."
Chris had half of the pudding done when she put the mug down. He knew he touched a raw nerve but felt better that he'd brought it up.
"I better get back," she said. "I will bring you breakfast in the morning."
"He cares about you too, Inez." He held those pretty eyes again. "Not many who can ride that rainbow." He paused, "Somethings are worth fighting for."
"Si... Si..." she whispered, nodding once and turning away. As she walked and let the cool breeze kiss her face, she thought on Chris Larabee's words. Vin Tanner was worth fighting for and maybe it was time to let him know that.
Buck paused at the pump outside the back door and eyed the beautiful sunset about to be born. The sky was an array of beautiful colors, from the soft violets through shy rose and bold scarlet, they bowed before him. He doused his face and head, then used a clean towel to dry himself. He'd put in a long day, repairing over fifty percent of the corral. A much needed extension was now added. He'd done most of the hard work, not wanting Vin's tender ribs to get any worse. Besides, the barn needed painting and that was a job he detested. He eyed the figure working quietly at the far end of the barn. Vin had been exceptionally quiet all day. Buck sensed that something was bothering him. He'd hinted a couple times but Vin had rebuffed him. The best thing to do was give him some space.
Vin completed his task and took the brushes and buckets to the creek to wash them off. He wasn't sure why he was so moody today. Things were going well, a little too well. The ranch was prospering, all of his friends were safe and he had a home for the first time in many years. He sighed and shivered, the cool night air was nipping at his skin. The thin cotton shirt didn't protect much.
He walked back to the ranch and put the paint brushes and buckets on the low shelf in the barn. He sat on a hale of bay, playing with a long strand. He frowned and sighed, shifting a bit. He felt jumpy, as if his own skin were no longer comfortable. In the pit of his gut he knew the problem. It had two arms, two legs, two pretty dark eyes, two alluring lips and two fine breasts.
"Desire, yer name's Inez," he murmured. Raking a hand throught his long hair, he'd failed. He had been trying all day to keep the pretty barkeep out of his thoughts. But the harder he tried, the more difficult it became. "Hell..."
"Vin!"
Buck's loud call reminded him that's dinner was most likely ready. He'd ignored the tall man all day and he felt badly about that. Normally, he enjoyed Buck's stories and teasing, but today he didn't feel in the talkative mood. Now he had to sit across a table from him. Sighing, hard, he climbed to his feet and headed for the door.
Buck was about to call again, when a slim body appeared in the twilight. The slump of the shoulders and the unusual slow walk bothered Wilmington. He wished Vin would tell him was what wrong. He returned to the stove and ladled the simmering beef stew onto some buttered biscuits in twin bowls.
"Smells good," Vin said, shutting the door.
He paused and allowed his eyes to roam over the large room. No matter when he came inside, he never got tired of this room; it was like getting a warm hug from an old friend. The alluring colors of the desert scored this fine room. Soft tans, browns and sages, dusted by turquiose and coral. From the large stone hearth, across the floor to the oversized leather sofas and the comfortable chairs by the large window, it beckoned every visitor. He saw Buck exiting the large kitchen and heading for the long table in the dining area.
"I hope you're hungry, there's plenty," Buck answered, returning to the kitchen. As he was filling a basket with biscuits, he felt Vin move behind him. He watched Vin gingerly washing his face. "How's the jaw?"
"S'okay." Vin shrugged, taking the butter, honey and some napkins.
"Well, I hope it's up to chewin' by Sunday night, because we're gonna celebrate our sale with a pile of thick steaks."
Vin didn't reply, he took his seat and began to eat. Buck left briefly to get a jug of cider an two mugs. Vin was three spoons in when he noticed how small the beef was cut. Moving his spoon through the tasty stew, he noticed the carrots and potatoes were cut smaller than usual too. He brought his head up slowly and felt a flush of guilt. He'd gone out of his way to ignore Buck all day to the point of being rude. And the man had taken extra time, despite having to be exhausted, to cut up the food so his jaw wouldn't be bothered.
"Somethin' wrong with the stew?" Buck asked, seeing Vin eyeing him over a spoonful of gravy and meat.
"No..." Vin answered, swallowing the savory mix.
He took a long swig of cider and licked the residue off his lip. Buck looked tired and no wonder. He'd taken care of Chris most of Wednesday night and a good part of Thursday. Late last night they'd loaded the wagon with supplies and rode here. He'd been up and working on the corral early.
"Listen, I'm sorry about... well, I ain't been the best company all day."
"No, son, you sure as hell haven't been," Buck chuckled, dipping his buttered biscuit into the gravy. "but that's okay Vin, you're entitled."
"Tired as ya are, ya cut the stuff up so's m'jaw wouldn't hurt," Vin paused, finding a tired smile. "Thanks, Bucklin."
"Ah," Buck denied, warmed by the nickname Vin reserved for him. "It made the meat and all that go further."
Vin completed his meal and took the dishes to the creek to clean up. When he got back, he came inside the back door, put the dishes on the sink to dry and headed for the coffee. He didn't see Buck, so he took his mug outside. The porch ran the length of the building and had a good sturdy rail. The chairs and small tables that were lined up came from Josiah's own hand. He settled into a chair, eyeing the stars overhead. He was beginning to think Chris was right. Maybe Inez was the right woman. But until he cleared his name, he could not share his bed or name with any woman. His thoughts were on his problem when the lantern on the wall next to the door was lit.
"I know you'd rather have Chris standin' here," Buck offered quietly, "but somethin's eatin' at you, Vin and if you need to talk about it..."
"Thanks, Buck," Vin answered, biting on his lower lip a bit. Buck had a heart the size of Texas and the depth it held never ceased to amaze Vin. "Tell ya the truth, I ain't sure m'self what's wrong. M'own skin's botherin' me."
"Well, maybe the town's gettin' too close," Buck thought. "It's been a rough few days, maybe gettin' away will do you good."
"Mebbe," Vin agreed, tapping his empty mug against the post and rising. "Long day t'morra, I'm gonna turn in. Night Buck."
"Night Vin," Buck answered, then got an evil twinkle in his eyes, "You know Vin, it's a full moon tonight. Makes them Tanner eyes of yours shine brighter. Might get awfully chilly in that bed alone."
"Temptin," Vin grinned, hitching his thumbs in his waistband. "But we gotta be on the road early and I'd wear ya out til noon."
"Humble, aren't you?" Buck laughed and saw the brown eyebrows wag. Vin tapped his crotch with his hand and his grin grew.
"Texas growed," he bragged, taking Buck's infectious laughter with him.
Chris chuffed out a very annoyed breath and shifted in the saddle. That slight motion caused him to hiss and bite his lip in pain. He'd done a fairly good job getting away from town. Nathan wasn't happy but he'd helped him get into the saddle. He knew it couldn't be more than twenty minutes or so, but he was already regretting it. His back was screaming and his side was throbbing. He didn't even want to think about heat the blistering burn was causing or the crushing headache. Buck stopped at Nathan's Thursday night and updated him, they'd agreed to this meeting place. It would save about an hour's time. Finally, he saw two riders approaching.
"It's about Goddamn time," he snapped. "What the hell were you two doing?"
"Good Morning to you, too, sunshine," Buck called out, wincing at the marred face. One eye was scarlett and purple but the swelling had gone down The left cheek was completely bruised and discolored. The stitches over the sandy eyebrow seemed to scream at him. He knew by the odd way Larabee was sitting he was in pain.
"Reckon we didn't have piss and vinegar fer breakfast," Vin greeted, pausing beside his best friend. "Ya look like shit, cowboy."
"Fuck you, Tanner," Chris snarled, annoyed at the grin Tanner flashed and Buck's soft laughter.
Wilmingon eyed both men, each suffering in a different way. Could be whatever was bothering Vin would come out easier with Chris riding next to him. For the blond, it was just too hard to look at him in that much pain. He tipped his hat and rode a bit ahead.
Vin and Chris rode in compatible silence for awhile. Vin kept eyeing Chris from under the brim of his hat. If Grovers Pass wasn't so close to town, he'd have never agreed to this. Larabee looked rough and the gait of the horse wasn't helping those ribs or back. He knew by the tension line working up Chris's jaw that he was suffering. He slowed his pace a bit and paused to get a drink from his canteen. He capped it and replaced it, wiping the excess from his lip. He moved his finger over his lips, recalling all too well the sweet sensation of Inez's mouth upon them.
Chris looked back when Vin didn't reappear next to him. He frowned and watched Vin shifting in his saddle. They rode for awhile longer and he kept noticing that Vin seemed to be having a problem. Either Vin had a saddlesore or something else bothering his ass.
"You got fire ants in them drawers?"
"Huh?" Vin blinked, drawn back from the hot daydream he'd been lost in. He saw Larabee gazing at him oddly.
"I thought Inez took good care of you. You hiding something?" Chris quizzed, thinking that maybe Nathan missed an injury.
"No," Vin rasped, gripping the saddlehorn tighter. "She took care o'me alright."
Chris added up the clues before him, including the slight flush of color now gracing Vin's cheeks. So that was it. Vin had been helpless in Inez's bed with the pretty woman tending to him. No wonder his pants felt too tight. Or maybe something unexpected happened and Vin didn't know how to handle it.
"Something happen between you two?"
"No... yeah... hell..." Vin hissed, shaking his head. "Not at first, jest a couple kisses. But later, I come inta the kitchen fer some grub and she was on a stool, reachin' up high. The stool tipped over and I tried t'catch her. We got all tangled up on the floor."
"Well, it's about time," Chris commented.
"It wasn't like that," Vin disclaimed, "Jest some kissin' and gropin' and such."
"And such?" Chris drew up and shoved his hat back.
"I tried t'git up and her chest got stuck under m'hand."
"You do have style, Tanner," Larabee laughed.
"It ain't funny. Before I knew it, I had m'hands all over her and she's gropin' m'ass and I damn near swallowed her tongue."
"Hell, there's nothing wrong with that, Vin."
"Sure there is!" He pulled up and sighed hard, shaking his head. "She ain't some cheap whore, she's special. I want it t'be special, not on the floor in the store room."
"Okay, well when we get back, take her to supper. Or ask her to go riding and take a picnic. "
"Hell, Chris, I ain't never felt like this about a woman. I can't eat'r sleep, I itch all the time, damn near ready t'jump outta m'skin. I can't stop thinkin' about her."
"She's worth it, Vin," Chris suggested, recognizing the signs of new love. "Are you in love with her?"
Vin frown, sighed, made a face and sighed again. He shrugged and gripped the reins harder.
"The boys weren't real happy, they're still sassin' me."
"I'll bet," Chris laughed, eyeing Vin shifting in the saddle. "It's gonna be a long weekend for them damn boys of yours."
"Thanks," Vin sent back with a surly tone. "Yer all heart."
Grovers Pass came into view when they crested the last hill. The once small mining town was growing by leaps and bounds. One large main artery now had several side streets sprouting off of it and holding new businesses and homes. There was a church on the edge of town and a small school. A town hall had been built and dotting the surrounding hills were homes from new homesteaders.
Buck was waiting at the entry to the Brambles, a hotel at the end of Main Street. He took the reins of Larabee's horse and secured it, before reaching an arm up.
"Unless you want to be a lefty for about four weeks, I wouldn't," Larabee advised with a glare.
Buck ignored the threat to bodily harm and grabbed Chris's elbow. He heard the groan and felt the strength the man possessed. A lesser man would not have staggered with a slight knee buckle, he'd have passed out by now. But the blond grit his teeth, took a few breaths and shoved past Buck, gripping the hitching post.
"I'll see ya down there," Vin decided, taking his and Larabee's horses. He would board them at the livery with Buck's. He was in no shape to argue with Chris, Buck knew him longer and had more patience.
"You hungry?" Buck asked and the head shook in a negative motion. "Okay, well we got a half hour, I'll buy you a drink."
Chris followed Buck very slowly up the street. It wasn't far to the saloon but it seemed like five miles. His back had long crossed over the pain threshold and his side was throbbing. He wasn't sure how much longer the blistering burns could stand the scratchy cloth covering them. By the time he managed to get his body through the batwing doors, the larger man was seated and a pretty dark-haired barmaid wearing almost nothing was siding up next to him, whispering in his ear.
"Well now, darlin', old Buck could find a whole lotta ways to pleasure you, but I'm a little busy now. How about you and me gettin' better acquainted later on?"
"I'll make myself available," she purred, cupping his chin and then slipping a hand under his shirt to massage his chest.
"Bring me a bottle to kill the pain," Buck ordered, kissing the woman's hand when it reluctantly left his chest. "Damn... that hurts."
"Hell, we ain't even had time to shake the trail dust off," Chris marveled.
"Well, stud, we all have our gifts, I just happen to have a natural ability to attract women," Wilmington noted, smiling up at her when she put a bottle and two glasses down. She bent down and whispered something in his ear that caused him to blush.
"No kiddin'? Hell, there's a first time for everything."
"Your money's no good here," Chris denied, shoving Buck's coin back and tipping the girl with two pieces of silver.
Buck nodded, that was Larabee's way of thanking him. They down a shot each and then he studied the pain radiating every inch of the lean man next to him.
"You sure you're up to this, it could be a couple hours yet."
"Got this far," Larabee replied, tossing down another shot.
"Between you and Vin it's gonna be a long night," Buck commiserated.
"You won't be lonely," Chris predicted, watching the first barmaid whispering to another one and nodding at Buck. "You never are."
"I'll drink to that," Buck exclaimed, toasting his luck.
Vin was standing on a raised platform just shy of the stage near the corral. He saw his friends approach and moved over. His eyes were trained on the beautiful animals moving restlessly in the corral, their heads tossing nobly. They came in a variety of sizes and colors, from white and gray, through chestnut and brown to the pitch black. There were close to twenty horses that would be auctioned throughout the afternoon. The trio that they'd entered were among the finest in the lot. Vin was proud of that, not just for rescueing the abused animals and giving them a new life, but for having something to hold onto. The ranch and the hope it brought was destined for more than just the rescued horses. It had given him something tangible that he'd not had in years.
"Sure is pretty," Chris observed, always an admirer of horses.
"Yup," Vin agreed as the barker, a tall man with short black hair sporting a bright red coat banged the gavel.
"Welcome gentlemen, dust off your silver!" He proclaimed, nodding to his assistant who brought forth a golden palimino.
And so it began. By the time three o'clock came, they'd sold their three horses and not a moment too soon. Chris was ready to drop over. While Buck collected the money, Vin kept pace with his staggering friend. Halfway to the hotel, Larabee swayed and Vin grabbed his arm.
"You got a deathwish?" Larabee asked, trying to pull his arm free. He didn't miss the people on the street eyeing him staggering.
"No," Vin answered, gripping the elbow tighter and propellling the wheezing body towards the front door of the hotel. "Yer ma birth a fool?"
"I'm fine," Chris maintained, but by the time they were through the lobby and headed for the room, he leaned heavily on his smaller friend.
"I can tell," Vin sassed, unlocking the door and shoving Chris inside. "Git yer clothes off and git in that bed."
"Real romantic fool, aren't you, Tanner. Inez don't know what she's missing." He got the duster off and the holster, but sat down hard, grabbing the bedpost. "Christ..." he hissed and the room began to fade away.
"Hmmph," Vin grumbled, "Hard-headed, goddamn yella-haired jackass..."
He shoved Chris backwards, tugged the boots off and then hauled him back up by the collar. He leaned the dozing body against the bedboard and unbuttoned the shirt. By the time he got Chris's shirt off, he was tired. He got the salve from the saddlebag and put it along with clean bandages by the bed. He cut the dirty bandages off and frowned, eyeing the gooey mess over the burns.
"Vin?" Buck called out, kicking at the door. " Open up..."
"Hold on," Vin answered, shuffling slowly and getting the door open. He stepped aside to let Buck come in. The taller man was carrying a large pot of hot water.
"What's that?" Vin asked.
"It's to mix with that herbal shit of Nathan's. It goes in a bag and under his back. " Buck panted, putting the steaming pot down. "I'll mix it up, you get his shoulder cleaned up."
By the time Vin was done cleaning up the gooey mess and using soap and water, Buck was done. Vin carefully dabbed at the burns and used the funny, flat wooden stick Nathan packed to apply new salve. He sighed hard and rubbed his head, he wasn't sure why he had a headache.
"Next bed, slick," Buck advised, tapping the blue shirted back. "You got a concussion, remember? It's gonna be a few more days. Get some sleep. "
Vin was too tired and his eyes hurt too much to argue. He got his boots off and stretched out on the bed. He watched for a moment as Buck wrapped Chris's shoulder. The blond must have roused a bit and threatened Buck, who cursed at him and shoved the blond head down again. The last thing Vin saw was Buck waving at him.
"Sweet dreams," Buck called out as Tanner's eyes finally shut. "Don't know who's got a harder head. "
Once the hot pac was applied under Larabee's back, he woke up again. He studied Buck cleaning up and pausing over Vin. His mustached friend was wearing a frown. One hand went to Vin's forehead, before tugging a thin blanket up to his chest.
"He okay?"
"Wore out," Buck answered, "Nate said this would happen. He'll be fine. I'll be back in a few hours. We'll get dinner, okay?"
"Yeah," Chris answered, "How'd we do?"
"Four hundred and eighty five," Wilmington bragged and hooted, thumping his hand on his thigh. "I got a receipt, they're gonna wire it to town. " He paused by the door, eyeing the sleeping Tanner and the moaning Larabee.
"We did good, Bucko," Chris assessed.
"We sure as hell did," Buck exclaimed. "You know Chris, this ranch thing, it feels pretty damn good. You and Vin... well... sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky."
Chris just smiled then, nobody had a larger heart than Buck or was a better friend. "Speaking of lucky, aren't you late for an afternoon romp?"
"Shit!" Buck straightened up, "The day is young and this dog needs to howl!"
Chris just laughed and settled back, letting the heat caress his skin. He would find some way to thank Nathan for all he'd done. This herbal concoction alone was saving him a lot of grief. He thought of that vacant building at the end of the main street at home. It was much larger than the clinic and at street level, no more stairs. It had three rooms off the main one and a small apartment in the back. He'd talk to the judge about it, Nathan deserved as much.
By seven, Vin and Chris were rested, revived and dressed. Buck arrived just as they exited the hotel.
"Well, you look almost human again," he teased the blond. "The cafe at the corner has the best grub in town."
"Good," Chris answered. "Anything but oatmeal or soup."
After sharing a good dinner, more than a few laughs and outlining some plans for the future expansion of the Hope Ranch, the trio headed for the saloon to celebrate their success. They found a table and by the time they were seated, Buck's new friends appeared with a bottle and three glasses.
"There's my angels!" Buck cooed, accepting a kiss from the 'shy' blonde who was on his right, the brunette was on his left . "Shame you boys were sleepin' this afternoon. We found a much better way to break in a bed."
Vin groaned and rolled his eyes, while Chris felt a hand massage his shoulder. A redhead slightly older than the other two made her invite known.
"I'll pass," Chris answered of the silent request she was giving. "I'm too busted up to do anything but drink."
"Here's to the start of something big," Buck exlaimed, tapping each of the other glasses.
"Looks like ya lost yer harem," Vin stated, tossing down a shot and taking the refill offered. The smoke in the saloon was thick, giving him a headache. He felt his face screwing up.
"Not for long," Buck stated. "The girls get done at ten and then we got a long night planned." He saw the Texan wince and shift in his seat and misread it. "Well, hell son, you were alone and naked in Inez's bed, you had an open invite right there."
"I don't go stickin' m'pole in everythin' wearin' a skirt," Vin hissed, slamming the glass down and fisting both hands. "I ain't totin' yer name."
"Take it easy, Vin," Chris soothed, realizing Buck had no idea what fire he'd ignited. He doubted Vin did either. He made the mistake of reaching out to grab at the fisted hand.
"I ain't yer child," Vin snarled, shoving off the hand and stalking off.
"What the hell just happened?" Buck asked, turning back to face Chris after Vin disappeared into the night.
"You touched a nerve, Buck." Chris sipped at his whiskey and wondered how to difuse the walking powerkeg.
"A nerve..." Buck's voice trailed off and he drew his brows together, recalling his words. One name lingered and he added up other clues. "Inez?" He guessed and saw the blond head dip. "Shit, I didn't know he was seein' her."
"He's not... he should be... he's all fired up about it..."
"I'm sorry, Chris, I'll go after him," Buck offered and stood but had his arm gripped.
"Leave it go for now," the blond suggested but held Buck's gaze. "Now you know. I rode him a little hard about it this afternoon. He needs to do some thinking and I don't think he needs us prodding him."
Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Return to Deirdre's Fic Archive | Return to Lady Angel's Library
