PT.4

Chances

Sam and Freddie had their hands full behind the bar. Flo, Grace and Nina were busy on the floor. The Long Branch was sporting a full house. Word was out that some of the country's best card players were here in Dodge and even if people weren't playing, they wanted to watch. Some were curious to see, if with Matt out of town, if Kitty would be tempted to play!

An awful lot of money was crossing the tables. Games were getting heated. As usual cowboys were getting a bit wild with Flo, Grace and Nina but the girls were used to it and generally could handle them as long as they weren't too rough.

Then once again, Kitty descended the stairs in a beautiful red dress sheer across the top, enough to show her assets. The cowboy from earlier remarked… "Whoa! Whoa!" Again his friend said,.. "Hey, I told you she's off Limits."

Then another at the table added, "Yeah, I heard tales out on the trails about her. The redhead at the saloon in Dodge. Look But Don't touch, unless ya wanna tangle with the big Marshal In this here town!" They all began to laugh.

Then Luke Short, looked around the table. "Any you cow pokes man enough to make a wager on that?"

Laughing, then a voice from behind them rang out. "I'll put'cha up $5000 on that wager."

They all turned to look to see the man standing in the doorway. Dressed all in black, tall man, thin, mustache, tailored suit with silver coins around his hat, trim on his boots and a big silver buckle. "Name's Hughes, John Hughes!"

"Not knowing what the conversation was, Kitty approached him. "Welcome to the Long Branch, Mister Hughes. Hope you enjoy your stay!"

"What's he got on the top shelf honey?"

"Well, first off, I don't know who your referring to he as? But I have something on the top shelf you just might like. Take a seat, I'll bring it over."

Hughes ushered one of the cowboys out of his seat. He was used to getting his way. "Now, boys about that wager."

"Hughes, tale is she's off limits." Someone spoke up.

"Ha! She's a saloon woman they all have their price. Ain't a woman alive, especially a saloon woman, I can't buy! Ante up!"

Kitty came back with a bottle of Tennessee walking whiskey and a glass. "Here you go. I think you'll like this."

He took the bottle from her, smelled it, poured some, swirled it in the glass, sipped it then looked at Kitty out of the corner of his eye.

She never cracked a smile. "It's Tennessee Walking Whiskey, it's not poison!"

Kitty turned to walk away. Hughes grabbed her wrist. "Hey, where do you think you're going little lady?"

"Mister, let go of my wrist." Kitty demanded.

"I want your company here at the table. Sit down here with me."

Pulling her wrist loose. "Sorry, I'm busy as you can see we have a packed house."

Grabbing back at her again. "Now, girl, I said I want you to sit here. No one says no to John Hughes!"

"Well then let this be the first. Let go of my arm." She demanded again. Quickly she reached around with her other hand and slapped him.

Surprised and now looking at Sam. "Little Gal, you just made a mistake."

"Is that a fact?" She asked sarcastically. She was now standing with her hands on her hips.

He looked at Sam. "What are you going to do about this?"

Sam, now realizing Hughes didn't know Kitty was his boss, not the other way around. Sam looked over to Kitty. "Well now let me see…. "

Kitty nodded to Sam.

"Mister Hughes, I guess whatever Miss Kitty wants me to do. She is the boss!"

Suddenly the whole room began to laugh. "That's right, Mister Hughes, this is MY PLACE! And I pick and choose who I sit with, who I have a drink with, who I say can stay and who I say goes! And you can go!"

"What?" He sputtered.

"You heard me, I want you OUT"A here! Now !"

"Your throwing me out?" He fumed.

"You can go willingly or I'll have you thrown out!"

"You haven't seen the last of me." He turned and walked out.

Luke and Slim looked at one another with amusement. "Guess it's you and me."

And a few others at the table chimed in, "And us."

And again the one cowboy said. "Ain't happenin'."

TBC