Author's Note: This is something I did last night just for the fun of it. That and I have insomnia again. If anyone likes it please let me know. ~~~
Wearily the young lady sat on the bench outside the Marshall's office. Settling herself next to her, Mrs. Gluck patted the young girl's leg. Briefly looking up at her traveling companion Lea, as she preferred to be called, saw the old ladies weak smile. Turning away from her the young lady also saw the pity and sympathy.
From inside the office the Lea heard the brusque man's voice carry out to the street, "I really must insist on speaking to Mr. Hunter directly. As I explained to you Mr. Cross, the inheritance he is to receive must be delivered directly. It was a last request and also written in the will, so my employer insists it be carried out per the instructions. As executor of the will I must see it carried out to the letter."
How that voice grated on her ears. Spending several days cramped in the same small stagecoach had worn Lea out. As much as she dreaded coming out West in the beginning she was now grateful to be in this small town. Anywhere in the world was better than being stuck in a small cramped stagecoach with older egotistical and overbearing man. Whatever the future may hold for her at least she would never have to hear that voice after today.
"As I explained to you Mr. Barmen" the voice of a young man clearly showed he was losing his patience fast. "Teaspoon is not here at the moment. I don't know exactly when he will be back. Now you can either leave the package with me or you can wait for him. I don't care which you chose."
With a cold clipped tone Mr. Barmen answered, "Then I will wait."
Lea could hear the scraping of the chair across the floor. Closing her eyes she could almost visualize him pulling his little brush from his coat and dusting off the chair. It was a sight she had seen often since her misfortune of being on the same stage coach with him. Every time it stopped, he was cleaning something before he would touch it. Nothing was good enough for him.
"I didn't mean here!"
Biting her lip Lea tried hard to suppress a laugh. With only a sliver of guilt she was enjoying the moment. Whoever the Mr. Cross was he seemed unimpressed by the stogy old man's title, presence, or appearance. She had so wanted to lose her patience and speak crossly with the stuffy arrogant man herself. However the manners drilled into her by her father had stopped her. As much as he deserved it, she felt guilty about saying anything. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all her mother would admonish. The more hot and tired Lea became the harder it was.
Again the snooty voice carried out the door, "I have nowhere else to be Mr. Cross. Hotels and restaurants cost money, so unless you are paying I will stay right here. I do not wish to miss Mr. Hunter as I am quite eager to complete my responsibilities."
Struggling to suppress a grin she could almost see him haughtily glancing around the room. Looking down his nose with disdain. It was a look she had seen him give every time the stage stopped anywhere or anyone spoke to him.
"This place" he continued dismissively, "will suffice until the time I am able to relieve myself of this burden."
"Fine. Suit yourself", was the annoyed and exasperated reply.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Mrs. Gluck roll her eyes. That was all it took, Lea was no longer able to suppress her giggles or smile.
Hearing footsteps heading to the door she quickly stifled her laughter and tried to contain her smile. Stepping out of the office the young man stopped short. Looking up Lea's dark blue eyes met the most beautiful and intense eyes she had ever seen. They were a dark rich brown.
The man was a bit of a surprise to her. Definitely not what she visualized when she heard him speak. She realized she had made assumptions. She expected a white man. He was Indian, obviously a mixed blood. For she couldn't imagine a full blood wearing a Deputy badge. It was another assumption of course. Sighing Lea remember her mother had warned her about making assumptions.
Deputy Cross's features clearly showed his heritage. From his dark skin, his prominent Indian nose, and his long dark hair made his heritage obvious. Not that it mattered to her if he was white, Indian, or whatever. One thing Lea had learned young is that creeps and assholes came in all colors and from all classes. Race was no longer something she thought about. All that matters her mother said, is what is on the inside and how someone treats you.
Lea thought it a bit cliché, but accurate that, though he held her stare for a moment it seemed like an eternity. Feeling her heart beating faster Lea broke her stare lest her expression give a hint of what she was feeling. Her attraction to him was instantaneous. Was it his good looks? His sultry voice? How he stood up to the rude man? Or was it that he was the exact opposite of her father?
That right there could be a deal maker she thought wirily. He lived in a small town on the prairie, was a lawman, and seemed to have no inclination to bow before this arrogant city lawyer. Lea was sure Deputy Cross was no stranger to hard work unlike her father. The fact that he had a job and was doing something was a major difference. He couldn't just bark orders and pay other folks to do everything for him. Money, she thought, made you lazy.
Jonathon Street was a successful business man. Her mother married a rich, educated, and handsome man from privileged society. He moved among the city leaders and the well to do. It was somewhere the Lea never fit in. Somewhere she was glad to be escaping. Leaving that life and her father behind was so far the brightest moment in her life.
Looking to her right again she saw the young man still looking at her. He had a curious expression on his face. She wondered if she had suddenly grown horns or perhaps a third eye. Sadly she realized her thoughts about him probably brought a blush to her cheeks. Her light skin did nothing to hide it.
Suddenly a sound from inside the office brought her back to reality. It was the lawyer loudly clearing his throat. That seemed to make the young deputy jump and get him moving.
"Hell ma'am", Deputy Cross said addressing the silver haired Mrs. Gluck. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Oh heavens no", the soft, feminine, and almost dainty voice responded. "We're just resting ourselves in the breeze out of the sun. It is so refreshing to be outside after being confined in that small stagecoach. That is, if it's all right to sit here."
"Of course ma'am", he replied tipping his black hat to her. "If there is anything you need please let me know."
"I'm sure" came the snotty nasally voice that grated on my ears, "that the townspeople don't pay you to harass and question old ladies."
Seeing the deputy go a bit rigid it was clear he was trying to contain his annoyance. Appearing to be gritting his teeth Lea saw him look up to the heavens. It was as if he was praying for patience.
Unable to hold her tongue any longer she heard herself say softly but clearly, "I'm quite sure your employer does not pay you to tell a deputy how to do his job."
Several gasps filled the air. There was the startled gasp of Mrs. Gluck and the indignant gasp of the annoying man. The old lady put her hand over her mouth. Though she tried, Mrs. Gluck was unable suppress a chortle. Really it was somewhere between a laugh and a gasp.
When Lea glanced up a beautiful smile greeted her. It was infectious. Smiling back she watched as the handsome deputy arched an eyebrow. It was an action she mimicked in response.
"Well I never", the lawyer sputtered demanding attention again.
"That could be half your problem", she shot back. The man was too uptight for his own good. If she had the coins she'd have given him some to take to the saloon down the street. Though Lea got the feeling even if the uptight man did manage to part with the coins he wouldn't know what to do with the saloon girl.
"You disrespectful impudent little shrew….", the rapidly approaching lawyer was beginning to lose his carefully calculated cool.
"Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Barmen", Lea answered rebelliously. Several days of travel and the warm weather was taking its toll on her. That and the fact that she was still grieving for her mother made holding her tongue increasingly more difficult. For a woman Lea was generally outspoken. According to Jonathon Street that was one of her many faults.
The uptight man seemed intent on challenging her. She guessed he wanted to intimidate her. Silently she waited for him to make a move so she could strike back. Judging from his actions and demeanor she doubted he ever had, much less knew how, to throw a good punch. She did.
Placing his hands out to stop the offended man Deputy Cross steely tone ordered, "That's enough Mr. Barmen. Go back inside and wait for Teaspoon."
"Someone needs to teach that girl a lesson."
"Maybe, but it isn't going to be today and it isn't going to be you", the younger man stood chest to chest with the taller but slimmer Mr. Barmen. We all knew who would win in a fight between those two. Deputy Cross seemed to be a few inches shorter than Mr. Barmen's 6'2" frame. However it was clear the younger man had seen more manual work and more fights. There wouldn't be a contest.
"I shouldn't be surprised that a damn half-breed stands up for a bastard wench", Mr. Barmen muttered through gritted teeth as he retreated in the door.
Seemingly about to say something Deputy Cross stopped as he peered down the street behind her. Turning her head she had no clue what he was looking at, but was curious. Already crowded the street was full of horses, men, women, and children. Even a few dogs were running back and forth. It wasn't a very big town especially compared to her home of Chicago. However the few businesses that were here seemed busy.
Approaching a man getting off his horse the deputy sounded relieved, "Teaspoon, I'm glad you're back."
"What's wrong Buck?", the older man asked looking concerned. So this was the Teaspoon the lawyer was waiting for Leah thought as she studied him. Her curiosity was now somewhat appeased. Lea was also glad to have a first name to go with the deputies' last one.
"There's a lawyer inside waiting for you, said something about an inheritance for you. He's a real piece of work Teaspoon", seemingly the younger man was eager to pass off the problem. Too bad Lea thought, because she was quite enjoyed looking at him. It seemed that Mrs. Gluck did too. She kept smiling while fluttering her fan in front of her face when he looked our way.
"Ladies", the man nodded at them. Before walking in the door he stopped for a second looking in their direction giving them a peculiar look.
Drawing his attention away, the voice that was like nails on a chalkboard asked, "Are you Aloysius Hunter?"
"I prefer Teaspoon", he drawled. "But yes I am."
"Good. I have a delivery for you from a Miss Minnie Street, formerly Minnie Lynx. I trust you know who she is", again the lawyer was back to his quick, concise, and cold demeanor.
"Why yes I remember her fondly", the old man said a smile in his voice. He added, "How is Minnie?"
"Dead", was the lawyer's response.
The man named Teaspoon made some kind of comment that neither lady could hear. Curiosity was killing them as they both leaned in closer to hear.
"Well, yes then", came the lawyer's shaky voice. Whatever Teaspoon said had rattled him a bit. His voice sounded a bit unnerved, but he recovered it quickly as he continued, "As I explained to your deputy, my name is Mr. Barmen. I am a lawyer from Chicago and I have come here to deliver your inheritance. It was Mrs. Street's last wish and written in her will that it was to be delivered properly and safely. It was also to be delivered directly to you. My employer Mr. Street bid me will all due haste to rid him of this item and duty."
At this point both Lea and Mrs. Gluck leaned so far towards the office door they looked ready to fall off the bench. Curiosity had gotten the better of them. They were curious to find out how this would play out and what his reaction would be.
"Well what is it?" the older man asked his voice a bit more chipper than it had been. "Money? No, Minnie knows I don't have not want for that. A trinket? Perhaps a memento of our time together."
Clearing his throat clearly uncomfortable the lawyer said, "I guess it could be."
"Well now you've got me curious Mr. Barmen. What is it?"
Clearing his voice again the lawyer said, "Mrs. Gluck if you please..."
Quietly the two ladies stood and walked into the Marshall's office. The man called Teaspoon was an older, but not an unhandsome man. With a twinkle in his eye and a devilish grin he must have been quite the charmer in his day. Still there was something about him, something that was completely lacking in her own father. Adoptive father that is. This Teaspoon seemed to have warmth about him. There was an edge to him and hardness as well. Perhaps his warmth was only noticeable because of Mr. Barmen's coldness.
"Well, do one of these two ladies have it?", the eager man asked.
"Not exactly Mr. Hunter. This young girl is your inheritance. That and a small sum of money for her care, a very small sum", was the lawyers response. It was a direct change from his demeanor most of the time. He was almost gleeful now.
"This is miss Ally Lynx", he explained. Pausing for almost dramatic affect he continued, "Lea, as she insists on being called, is Miss Minnie Lynx Street's seventeen year old daughter."
"I don't understand", the old man's words said what his expression already betrayed. Lea wondered to herself, was he really confused or did he just not want to add up the facts.
Standing there Lea waited for the other shoe to drop. She swore she could see the smile in Mr. Barmen's eyes as he went in for the kill, "She's your daughter."