Be sure to visit my page on the DeGrassi Saviors website to vote for which story will replace Waiting on a Spark that hasn't Happened Yet when that ends. You have three choices and there are brief descriptions for each story in the poll. The poll will remain up until the last chapter of Waiting on a Spark that hasn't Happened Yet goes up which might be as few as four weeks or as many as ten it all depends on how much goes into these last few chapters.
Welcome back a few reminders before you read:
*It's 1860 in Nebraska which means Adam is not trans he is a boy and Maya is not trans she's in disguise, also interracial dating or marriage was frowned upon and in some places illegal
*A mule skinner is an alcoholic drink that was popular in saloons and faro was the most popular cad game at the time
Ch. 2 You Do What You Gotta
(CLARE)
"Hi Eli," I grin at our bartender.
"Hey Clare," he smiles.
"Looks pretty busy," I comment looking at the bustling saloon.
"Yeah busy night, here you can take the whiskey to the card room B has a game going," Eli comments putting a tray on the bar with a bottle of whiskey and five glasses.
I take the tray from Eli and walk back to the card room where Bianca has a poker game going. Bianca owns the saloon; Eli told me she won the lease in a poker game. I don't really care how she got the saloon I've admired her from the first day I set foot in Plum Creek. She's an orphan and she made her own way, I've never seen a man she couldn't handle and she doesn't let anyone give her employees a hard time. She's probably the strongest woman I know and she's only a year older than me. If all that weren't enough she's one of the prettiest and sexiest girls you will ever see. I never seen a male come into the saloon that didn't look at her and start drooling.
"Howdy Clare, did all the new express riders make it to Spike and Snake's okay?" Bianca asks dealing a hand.
She's got four players tonight, two of them I know Dallas works at the feed store. His parents were slaves but Dallas was bought by a freed slave and set free. He tried to go back and free his father but his father had died and his mother had been dead a few years when he was freed. He found his way to Plum Creek and was hired by Joey who runs the feed store. The other player at the table I recognize is Luke Baker, he's the pastor's son and he's a two-sided coin if there ever was one. Sometimes he's an angel but he's usually a pain in the ass. The other two at the table are slightly older men and I've never seen them before. It's not unusual though the town was chosen as a Pony Express stop because it's location is on the main road for many stagecoach and Wells Fargo routes.
"Yeah they all got in just fine I met them this morning," I reply setting down the tray and placing out the glasses before giving the bottle to Bianca.
"Well thank you Dollface, why don't you just sit down in my lap for good luck," one of the men says and smacks my ass as I'm leaning over to give Bianca the bottle.
"Hey," Bianca snaps and in one swift movement takes the little dagger she uses as a hairpin from her hair, her black curls cascade down and she stabs the dagger between the man's fingers. The man is startled and takes his hand from my ass while looking at the dagger that was almost stabbed into his hand. "You don't touch my girl you understand this here's a classy establishment. You want a girl to sit in your lap you can go down to Bell's Cat House down the street," Bianca tells the man.
I smile at Bianca and she winks at me as she puts her hair back up and pins it with the dagger. I walk over putting a hand on Dallas' shoulder and a hand on Luke's shoulder.
"You boys need anything?"
"I wouldn't say no to a cheese sandwich," Dallas replies.
"Make that two Clare. When are you gonna come on a Sunday picnic with me?" Luke asks.
"When you tell your pa and your sister that you gamble," I reply before leaving the card room and walking out to the main part of the saloon. "I need two cheese sandwiches Eli," I tell him putting the tray back on the bar.
Eli's parents have a farm just outside of town. He's a bit of a mystery and I think he likes it that way, I know he was engaged but lost his fiancé to cholera. His green eyes, dark hair and smirk attract a fair share of the fairer sex. For the last few months he's been courting Imogen Moreno, her father is the school master and she works with us at the saloon playing piano and occasionally singing. They're sweet together and I think Eli will ask for her hand soon. While Eli works here every day running the bar he's also a playwright in his spare time. He writes them and the same townspeople act in them, and the plays get put on in town hall. The last was only a few months ago and he's already writing the next one.
"Two cheese sandwiches coming up. Here this is for Paige's table," Eli says putting a couple drinks on the tray.
"Bourbon for the gentleman," I comment setting the glass in front of J.T. and he smiles at me tipping his hat down.
"Thank you Clare," he grins putting a penny tip on my tray.
"And Mule Skinners for the ladies," I comment setting the drinks in front of Paige and Fiona.
Paige is married to J.T. and they run the dress shop and tailor shop, it's one large shop J.T. runs the tailor side and Paige the dress shop side. Fiona works for them and lives with them. Most people in the town simply think Paige and J.T. took Fiona in when her family was killed but few people know Fiona is Paige's lover. J.T. knows and he likes it from what I hear, J.T. gets plenty of his wife's attention and Fiona gets plenty of Paige's attention. It's an arrangement that the three of them are happy with and that's all that matters. They're good people, they're nice and generous and I've never seen them turn anyone away even if they didn't have money to pay. Paige even made the two saloon dresses I wear, very nice saloon dresses that fit me perfectly.
Eli has the cheese sandwiches ready for me and I take them into the card room for Dallas and Luke. Imogen comes in and stats playing piano and in the next couple of hours nearly everyone in town, except Pastor Baker and his daughter Becky, come into the saloon. Some stay for hours and others just long enough for a drink or to say hi to people.
"Evening Marshal who's minding the station?" I ask when Marshall Hogart and Deputy Stone walk in.
Jay Hogart is a former gunslinger and now he's the marshal, no one can seem to agree on where he came from or how many men he's killed and Jay never talks about it. Most of his life before Plum Creek is an enigma his life since he's been here not so much. He's a bit of a lone wolf, I heard from Emma that he courted her and Paige for short times before each girl was married. He's actually very nice and a good guy but if you cross him he's probably the scariest guy you'll ever meet.
Peter Stone is about as opposite as you can get from Jay. Jay is dark and brooding, dark hair, dark eyes and dark demeanor if you're on his bad side. Peter is generally happy, has an endearing smile and blonde hair with blue eyes he came from money and ran from it. His father is a businessman in Sacramento, California and wanted Peter to take over but Peter wanted adventure. So he took his father's fastest horse and came here talking his way into being Jay's deputy.
"Evening Miss Clare you look ravishing tonight," Peter says taking his hat off and grinning at me.
"You say that every night Peter," I laugh.
"Because you look ravishing every night," he replies. Peter's been looking at me with that smile since I started working here. "Would you have breakfast with me after you get off?" Peter asks.
"And if I get off at four in the morning?" I question.
"I'll ride with you back to Snake and Spike's place, make sure you get there safe," Peter smiles.
"Well I know you two didn't come in for a dinner of cheese sandwiches and chili so what can I get you to drink?" I ask them.
"Just two beers Clare," Jay replies so Eli grabs a couple of mugs and gets them their beers.
They stay for a bit before leaving; Peter waves to me as they leave. By about two in the morning the only people left are a couple of passed out drunks.
"I'll go get Jay and Peter to help me haul them out you get home," Bianca says.
"I believe Peter was going to escort Clare home," Eli speaks up.
"I'll wait here, haven't eaten much today anyway. Is there any food left Eli?" I question walking to the bar. I eat a biscuit while Jay and Peter get the drunks out then Peter returns on his horse and I say goodnight before mounting up. We ride slowly under the moonlight and the stars, talking a little as we go. "Thanks for the company Peter," I grin when I dismount at the station.
"Anytime Clare," Peter grins and I wave to him before he turns and kicks the horse into a gallop to get back to town.
I take Poe into the stables; I'm not expecting anyone else to be awake at this time so when I see a figure in the stables I gasp.
"Sorry didn't mean to scare you I couldn't sleep," Lucas apologizes.
"That's alright I'm usually the only one still awake at this hour," I reply releasing a breath.
"Need help brushing down your horse? I can't sleep I might as well do something," Lucas says.
"Sure thanks," I grin.
I go to the tack room to get the brushes while Lucas gets the saddle and everything off of Poe. Spike and Snake always leave the lanterns out here burning for me until I come home. Unless I'm not back by dawn and then they turn them out.
"So you like working at the saloon?" Lucas asks as we begin brushing Poe down while he munches on alfalfa.
"Yeah the money isn't bad, it's entertaining and I work with good people. It's better than working in the cat house or running a laundry."
"You don't worry about the drunks getting too fresh?"
"Bianca doesn't stand for that sort of thing and Eli keeps a few guns behind the bar. So why'd you decide to work for the Pony Express?"
"Adventure," is his only reply and I can tell he's not one to talk about his past but neither am I.
"Thanks for the help Lucas I should get to bed, so should you actually," I comment when we're done.
"Yeah I guess I can get some sleep now. Sleep well Clare," Lucas grins.
"You too," I smile and he walks me to the door of the main house before he continues on to the bunkhouse.
I'm exhausted and barely make it out of my saloon dress before falling into bed. I sleep soundly until the late morning, putting on a robe I go into the kitchen and scrounge up some breakfast before I get a nice bath for myself. I stay in the bath until it gets cold but now it's late afternoon and I need to get ready for work.
"We're all going into town for supplies so you'll have some company on your way in," Spike tells me when I come downstairs ready for work. "I believe all the boys want to see the saloon when we're done so Archie and I are going to dinner at the hotel."
"Good you and Snake need a romantic night out," I smile.
Lucas already has Poe saddled up for me when I go outside. The boys and I ride our horses while Snake and Spike ride in the buckboard. Most of the boys are talking all the way to town about what they want to see in town, only Adam and Maya are quiet. Of course I suppose Maya or rather Cam wants to just stay as invisible as she can so no one else figures out she's a girl.
"We'll see you at the saloon soon," Fitz says when I stop Poe in front of the saloon.
I wave to them and they go on to the general store. It's pretty quiet in the saloon today of course it's also still early and the saloon doesn't usually get real busy until after dark, unless a stage coach came into town that day.
I greet Eli, Imogen and Bianca as I get to work. It's about 45 minutes before the riders come in with Maya trailing behind.
"A round of Sarsaparilla for the express riders Eli," I comment because they aren't supposed to have liquor according to their contract. "Boys this is Eli our bartender, Imogen our piano player and singer, and she helps out serving occasionally, and this is Bianca she owns the saloon. This is Lucas, Adam, Drew, Dave, Owen, Fitz, Miles and Cam."
"Nice to meet you, quite a handsome bunch of boys," Bianca smiles at them. "I gotta get set up for the faro game but I'll see you boys later," Bianca winks at them before going back to the card room.
"I never seen a saloon owner that was that pretty before," Owen remarks.
"She's beautiful but dangerous, watch yourselves with her," Eli warns.
"So who did you boys meet in town?" I ask as I help Eli give them their sarsaparillas.
"Met Holly J at the general store and Anya and her parents at the livery," Dave replies.
"You have lots more people to meet," I comment and look at Maya, she looks a little uncomfortable. "We need some more bread and clean glasses with the faro boys coming, Cam can you give me hand?" I request to get her away from the crowd.
"Uh sure," she nods. She steps away from the bar and follows me into the back.
"I didn't really need help I thought you might need to step away from all the boys for a minute," I tell her.
"Thanks it's been…interesting and it's hard to find anywhere that the boys aren't. It's probably hardest in the mornings and the nights when it's just me and the boys in the bunkhouse. They're all barely dressed and I'm doing my best to stay covered up. I'm really looking forward to my first ride in a couple of weeks when it'll just be me, my horse and the road."
(MAYA)
"Owen will you hold up the buckboard?" I snap at him when it's start slipping.
"I'm holding it up," he says back bumping into me a little and I almost let go.
"Almost got it just one second," Spike says while she and Adam position the wheel.
One of the wheels on the buckboard broke off and we're putting on the new one which is not an easy task. It's taking four of us to hold up one side of the buckboard and Christine and Adam to get the wheel into place. Fitz left this morning on his first express run, the first for our station and he took the mochila from the very first rider to leave St. Joe.
"Alright that's got it you boys can let go now," Spike tells us and we let go of the buckboard just as another buckboard pulls up with a female at the reigns.
"Who is that?" Drew asks. It's not just him all the boys are droolin' over the girl. She's a few years older than me, long dark hair and fair skin.
"Who cares who she is she's lookin' at me," Owen remarks.
"No she's looking at me," Drew responds.
"Nyuh-uh she's looking at me," Adam says.
"She's looking at me," Miles says and I cross my arms uncomfortably.
"That is Ashley Kerwin, her father is the town banker and she's looking at me," Spike tells us and walks over to her.
Dave and I were the only ones not to argue over who Ashley was looking at. Dave never thinks the white girls are looking at him but I've seen a couple girls in town smile at him coquettishly. Dave is friendly but guarded and all I know about him is that his dad was a bounty hunter who was shot and killed while hunting a bounty.
"Well now you were all wrong Ashely was looking at Cam, seems she likes the slight ones," Spike grins walking back to us and I feel my cheeks go red while the boys pat my shoulders. "All right now that's enough get cleaned up for supper," Spike orders.
We go to the washbasin and start washing up; I wait behind the boys because they all crowd around it. When they're done I wash up and we go into the bunkhouse setting the table. Spike has baked beans cooking with corn bread and vegetables. We all eat together except of course for Clare because she's at work. I was so intimidated by Clare at first, she was beautiful and busty and all the guys looked at her with lust in their eyes. But we've become really good friends and it's been really good for me to have someone to talk to who knows I'm girl.
After supper we have a few more chores and then it's time for bed, I hate this part, not going to bed but getting ready. All the boys strip down to nothing but a union suit or nothing at all. It was uncomfortable from the very first but recently I've been looking at Miles a little differently, I'm attracted to him, very attracted to him but I can't do nothing about it.
I get ready for bed as fast as I can and get in bed with my back to everyone. For at least the first week I couldn't fall asleep because of all the snoring but I got used to it, the boys snoring is kind of like music now. Just about everyone falls right to sleep, everyone but Lucas who gets up to wander in the middle of the night because he says he has trouble sleeping but I think he just likes to be up when Clare gets home. A blind man could see he's sweet on her.
We wake up early because we always wake up early; I get out of bed and slip outside while the other boys get dressed. Spike brings us in breakfast of oatmeal and we eat before getting ready for chores. Well the other boys get ready for chores I have a ride to get ready for. I go out to the stables and get Madrigal ready to ride; leading her out to the yard so I can hop on her. I pace around nervously excited for my first ride, my heart is thumping and there's butterflies in my stomach.
"Rider comin'" Snake calls and I leap onto Madrigal.
The other rider gallops up holding out the mochila and I reach for it. I grab the mochila and take off riding; I have a pretty short ride this first run just up to Willow Spring which is the station just west of Plum Creek. I'll be back in Plum Creek by tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. I make the ride to Willow Spring Station pretty easily and Darryl Armstrong the station master tells me to get something to eat in the bunkhouse. I meet a few of the riders while I eat, I'll be seeing more of them all I'm sure, some of them of them might even sleep in our bunkhouse while they make runs. I'm familiar with and pretty comfortable with all the riders in Plum Creek but I decide I should get familiar with the riders here. Derek is a little obnoxious and he talks a lot, Danny is pretty sweet though and the only other rider here in the bunkhouse while I'm eating is Reese and he doesn't say much. After getting a little something to eat and letting Madrigal rest I say goodbye and ride out again for Plum Creek. I'm enjoying the ride back, enjoying the peace and solitude at least until two men block my path, raggedy looking men that look like they've been on the trail a few days too long.
"That's a nice looking saddle boy I think we'll take it," one of them says.
I don't respond, just grab my six-shooter and fire at them, I'm a lousy shot but I'm hoping it will scare them off. I actually manage to hit one of the horses and while they're distracted I kick Madrigal to run. I go around them and keep kicking Madrigal to but I suddenly feel a searing pain on my side! I hiss and jerk unintentionally, Madrigal thinks I'm trying to stop her and she halts so fast that I'm thrown off. I hit the ground with a hard thud on my back and then my head hits and then it all goes black.
"Cam, Cam wake up!"
I groan and open my eyes to see Miles looking down at me, "Miles?"
"Yeah what happened? Where's your horse?"
"I was jumped, I think I got shot, they must have taken Madrigal," I tell him before coughing a little bit.
"You're lucky I found you on my run to Gilman's Station. You're bleeding I better have a look," Miles says reaching for my shirt.
"No don't," I protest knowing if he lifts my shirt he'll discover my secret. I try to keep him from pulling my shirt up but it's too late.
"Cam?! You're a girl? When did you become a girl?" Miles exclaims.
"I always been a girl," I reply.
"You just got grazed you'll be okay. You must have come down hard off your horse and blacked out. We'll make camp here and we'll get you a horse in the morning," Miles says and picks me up. I put my arms around his neck and he carries me off the path.
Miles gets out his bedroll and spreads it out putting me on the bedroll and then he gets his horse and makes a fire. He'll barely look at me, he just builds a fire and hands me his canteen so I can drink some water.
"Please don't tell anyone Miles, if the company knows I'm a girl they'll fire me. Clare's known the whole time and she didn't tell anyone, please keep my secret like she does," I beg him.
"What are you doin' as an express rider? You're lucky those horse thieves didn't know you were a girl," Miles replies.
"But they didn't and this was better than working in a laundry or scrubbin' floors or worse. It's good money and I'm better on a horse than any of you, I've kept up with all of you so far. I ain't afraid of the work I'm afraid of having nothin' left for me besides selling my body."
Miles kind of sighs and stokes the fire before looking at me, "So what's your real name?"
"Maya," I reply with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you Maya," Miles says holding his hand out to me.
"You met me already," I respond slapping his hand away.
"So what were you doing before they started looking for Express Riders?" He asks.
"I was engaged, he was a good man and he really loved me but he was killed. I took his name and cut off my hair and came west, saw the signs for the Pony Express and decided that was for me. Will you keep my secret please?"
"Yeah I'll keep your secret," he gives in.
"Thank you Miles," I grin and kiss his cheek.
The Update on Thursday May 12th will jump ahead a bit as Maya and Miles new relationship develops and a few more background stories will be revealed as well as Adam and maybe a couple others getting love interests.
