From the railing, Marie could see the back of Kurt as his fingers skimmed across the piano keys. As she neared the top of the stairs she fervently hoped she had not overdone things by shedding her mourning clothes for a more fashionable wardrobe. Whether or not she liked it, clothes made a big impression and with the prospect of meeting a respected woman of the community she wanted to make a good one. Not to mention the fact she also wanted to impress a certain sheriff. Her hand halted on the banister for a minute as she scanned the crowd. One by one, the customers noticed her descent. All became deathly silent. Marie was about to make a run back upstairs when one brave soul swept off his hat, pursed his lips and let loose an ear-splitting whistle. Suddenly the room became a roar of catcalls and clapping hands. Air kisses and generous smiles welcomed her as see entered the room. She made a point of greeting her customers with a warm smile. She didn't have Jubilee and Kitty's poise and charm, or their easy manner with the men, but she tried to appear comfortable. Inside, her stomach was in knots, and she wanted to clinch her hands. Chad oohed and ahhed over her until her face turned crimson.
Jubilee joined her. "Marge Tulley's here and she wants to meet you. She thought a great deal of your father."
"Oh I hope she likes me," Marie whispered dreading the confrontation.
"You just be your charming self and you'll be fine. No, I better rephrase that, be your new charming self and you'll be great."
Jubes escorted her though the crowed to a table in the corner. A large woman in men's clothing rose to her feet. The hand she offered to Marie was as big as a dinner plate. Marie smiled and shook the woman's hand, making sure her grip was good and strong. Marge Tulley eyed her from head to toe after Marie finished introducing herself.
"You're just a tiny thing, and certainly not the mousy girl I been hearin' about. Are the folks around these parts treating you right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well, have a seat. If you've got a minute maybe we can chew the fat for a spell. My boys'll be back soon and we'll have to start for home."
They talk for a while about the kind of woman it takes to run a saloon when Marie heard a slurred voices ring out for nearly across the room. "Ah hell Jett! What are you doin'? You save the face cards for later in the damn game!" Chett asked in shock.
"You shut you gol' damn mouth. I know what the hell I'ma doin'!" Jett loudly slurred. Great, thought Marie.
"Marge? Will you please excuse me for a minute I have to handle this." She said getting up and pushing though the crowd to where the boys stood facing each other over what appeared to be a game of spades. "Excuse me boys. But what is the problem?" She asked sternly. Chett and Jett looked like their momma had just caught them with their hands in the cookie jar.
"We just had a disagreement about how you play spades is all." Chett mumbled looking at his feet.
"I thought we was playing Hearts?" Jett asked him until Chett elbow him in the ribs.
"This is twice you boys have caused a disruption her. What would your mother think of all this. You do know she is in my bible study." She said scolding. The boys exchanged shocked looks then looked at her with their mouths agape. Having got the desired effect Marie addressed them.
"Now I'm not gonna tell her…this time. I want you two to go take a walk and cool off. Then you may come back and apologize to me, my staff, and the rest of my guests. Is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am." They quickly said and rushed out the door. Marie made her way back to where Marge sat to find her standing with two very large men.
"Well little lady I sure as hell am impressed with the way you handled yourself with those two. Shoot, Charles threatened them constantly. Everything from breaking their knees, to banishment from the bar, to jail time to get those two to quit their bickerin'. I guess all it took was women touch to get the job done." She turned to her boys. "This is the kind of women I'd like for ya'll to bring home. Marie my boys." They shook her hand and she felt the strength Jubes and Kitty was talking about.
"If you ever need my help, just holler. Charles was good to my boys and me. He helped me out of a tight one once when I almost lost my ranch. I'll always be beholden to him and his kin." She said and then left.
Logan Wolf lifted the mug and took a deep pull of the amber brew, never taking his eyes form Marie. God, she looked good. She had turned from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan. Even as he admired her, one thought kept prodding though his head: Now more than ever, I'm absolutely damn sure that she has just made my job harder. Now everyman for miles around will want a look, and maybe a feel, of the new saloon owner.
A puzzled frown marred his brow. What was it about her that drew him? Form the first time he'd met her, he wanted to protect her. Hell, he'd never felt this way about anybody. Why her out of all the females he'd ever met? Was it her courage he admired? Just when he thought he had her figured out, she would throw some new little twist that would lead him astray. Lets see what has she accomplished in the two short months she had been here? She made the saloon look better than when it was first built; she made Kurt and Chad groom themselves with new clothes and soap. Which was to say the least a no small feet. She befriended and gained the respect and protection of Jubes and Kitty. And not to mention the fact she saved a toddler form certain death, and put herself into harms way. Good lord who did she think she was? A goddamned superhero? By god he do his damndest to protect her, but he wouldn't like it. And the next time Scott decides to take in a stray, he'd do well to call on somebody else to play nursemaid.
"Hi there, Sheriff, busy night?"
God her eyes where green. "Not bad, but it looks like you've been busy."
"It tears at my conscious to think these men are wasting their hard-earned money on drink. Still, I try to watch over them and send them home before the become too inebriated." Marie assured him, proudly looking around the room.
"Inebriated, huh? You mean drunk."
"Drunk intoxicated-the list goes on and on-but we both know what I mean."
"So the men of Hazard have their own little guardian angel." He lifted his hand and touched the tantalizing curl in front of her ear. When he did, his fingers grazed the side of her face a bolt of desire shot though him. He tried to ignore it. "What about you Widow Woman? Who watches over you?"
"You do know it, Sheriff, but for the first time in my life I'm watching over myself. And I'm perfectly capable of doing so; I'm not a child anymore.
"No, Marie, you're not a child." He eyed the curves of her
bodice. "And you're doing a damn fine job of running your saloon." He scanned
the orderly saloon. Even Remy LeBeau's thugs had toned it down. "I think you're
turning into a good businesswoman."
"Why thank you sheriff, coming form you that means a great deal to me." She
smiled brightly.
"I do have my moments."
"I believe you do."
"While I'm on a role let me tell you how nice you look tonight."
She waited watching him.
He waited watching her.
She shifted.
"Well?" he asked, irritated she hadn't commented on his compliment.
"I'm waiting."
"For wait?"
"For you to tell me how nice I look tonight."
"Marie." His voice threatening, by the smile he bestowed on her upon her took the bite from the single word.
"Okay, thank you for the compliment."
"You're welcome. I know your busy but walk me to the door. I have to make my rounds."
Marie watched as Logan crossed the street. He stopped to light his cigar and for a moment she could see the planes of his face in the darkness. Goosebumps ran over her body and she hugged her arms across her. He is such a handsome man. She was glad she wore the green dress. If she'd admit the truth, she'd done it all for Logan. "Oh my, what am I getting myself into?"
Logan stood in the darkness watching as one by one all the lights in the saloon were turned off. Shortly after, Marie apartment light came on. He could see her moving about in her bedroom. He felt like a peeping Tom watching her but until her was sure she was safe in her bed he wouldn't abandon his vigil.
The first night he watched her he almost choked on a deep drag he'd just taken on his cigar when she began talking to someone. He peered intently into the lighted room. Did she have a man in there with her? She stopped and remove an article of clothing, laughed, and tossed it towards the bed. Logan had become so angry wondering who was in her bed that it had taken him a while to notice her shapely body. When she approached the bed he was about to storm the building and drag her lover out into the street and beat him beat him to a bloody pulp. Then suddenly there she was standing at her window holding something in her arms. She'd leaned over and the bundle jumped from her arms on to the rooftop and scampered away. "My god, a cat." Logan whispered into the darkness, relief surging though him.
Logan wait and sure enough Marie put the cat out. It hadn't taken long for ms. Rogue to discover Logan in the dark. And as usual She made a beeline to him circling his legs until he finally picked her up. After a few scratched behind the ears Logan set her down and she was off to do whatever cats did in the wee hours of the night.
Logan waited in the shadows until Marie's room was encompassed with darkness, then he returned home to seek his own rest, confident all was well.
TBC
