She was extremely beautiful and knew it. Every mirror, reflective surface, and man's eyes told her so.
Her own large eyes were a unique, light lavender color with long, thick, black lashes.
A perfect nose and full-lipped mouth were set in a delicate, heart-shaped face framed by waves of long, glossy black hair.
Her skin was like cream and satin, and emitted the soft scent of violets.
The snugly tailored, low cut, latest fashions showed off her hourglass figure that no man could resist admiring.
All of her attributes were at their peak now that she was twenty-nine years old, and she was an expert at utilizing them to get what she wanted.
All during the long, bumpy stage ride from Abilene to Dodge, Elizabeth "Beth" Tyler had been cared for like a hot house flower by her fellow travelers. The three men had continually vied for her attention and long-lashed, lavender looks. They had come close to a brawl over sitting next to her until she had intervened and set up a rotating schedule.
"MISTER Thorsen! You were due to trade places with me two minutes ago!" plump Mr. Shiver announced after consulting his large gold pocket watch.
"I humbly apologize, MISTER Shiver!" the skinny, bald little man in the dusty three piece suit exclaimed as he tipped his bowler at the lady. The two men awkwardly shuffled around each other as the coach swayed and jolted. The third man, wealthy forty-five year old, homely rancher Bart Stone, nodded his head as he checked his own gold pocket watch for his upcoming turn.
Beth smiled to herself, enjoying practicing her skills on the three hapless men in her thrall.
"Mr. Stone? Could I trouble you for a tiny peek at that lovely watch of yours? I just love the tune it plays when you open it!" The rancher had just happily settled down for his turn next to the stunning woman, and was pressed snugly against her as he spread out.
All three men whipped out their watches, but the wealthy man's was the largest, and was attached to a thick-linked, heavy gold chain with a ruby and diamond encrusted round fob. And it was the only musical one.
"Certainly, My Dear! In fact, why don't you keep the bauble…in exchange for 'dining' with me in Dodge?" He winked at her and then slyly glanced at the dismayed faces of his fellow male travelers.
"Oh, Mr. Stone! How gracious of you, but I'm meeting an old girlfriend in Dodge so I'll be dining with her the first night. Maybe a day or so later? And I just couldn't keep this expensive watch, though it certainly would be a sentimental reminder of you," she purred.
"That'll be just fine, little lady! His big hairy hand closed over her slim one holding the sparkling, bejeweled watch.
Beth gave him a sweet smile, fluttering her long dark lashes, and gazing into the man's face that reminded her of a drooling bulldog.
Pulling her hand from his, she slipped the watch into her reticule, thinking it was the least she deserved for having to face him across a table while eating…and afterwards. She resolved to avoid him once in Dodge, remembering that Stone was traveling on to St. Louis after two days.
By the time the coach rattled into Dodge in a cloud of dust, skinny Mr. Thorsen was bumping around in the seat beside her, inadvertently jabbing her with his boney elbows and knees after each jolt.
The three men ended up in a snarl of arms and legs as each tried to exit first to help the charming beauty down. The big wealthy rancher prevailed, and gave a lecherous wink as he handed her down to the dirt street.
Beth was relieved to see her good friend Kitty Russell smilingly waiting for her on the nearby boardwalk.