Jim heard the door slam, followed by the angry steps down the hall, and the muffled sniffles. He shook his head; Artie was having the worst run of luck with women that West had ever seen. Under other circumstances, his best friend's predicament might have been amusing; but Jim knew that Artie was still hurting over Lily. He could see it in his best friend's eyes. And even though Noreen was a rebound, West knew that Artie felt tremendous guilt over her. Jim debated whether or not to check up on his partner, or leave him be. Managing Artie in an emotional state like this was a delicate balancing act; he was a complicated man. For the moment, Jim thought better of barging in on his partner's solitude.
***********
Bill watched from behind the bar in stony silence as Noreen ran down the stairs crying. He glared up toward the second floor of the saloon. The damned drifter had been trouble from the first day he showed up. Bill moved out from behind the bar, and followed Noreen into the kitchen. He entered and found her standing in the back of the room, sobbing.
Miss Noreen....now, don't cry. Everything will be all right, you'll see.
But the lament continued, and Bill felt useless. Finally, he turned her around, and pulled her into his arms. Noreen shook with emotion, the anguish of lost love rippling through her. Bill sensed an anger beginning to rise up from deep within him. He closed his arms tightly around her.
Please.....don't cry.
He wanted to take her pain away; he wanted to tell her that he would take care of her, that he loved her. But he could do none of those things. He was nothing but a bartender to her, and he knew it. He let out a slow breath of air and tentatively caressed her hair. A moment later, Noreen pushed away from him and wiped her eyes, trying to put a brave smile on her face.
What ever would I do without you, Bill? You're such a good friend.
She kissed his cheek lightly, and he watched her walk from the kitchen. Good friend. It was most he would ever be to her; especially with men like Gordon around taking advantage of her. It made Bill's blood boil. And then he realized what it was that he could do for her. A slow smile spread across his face. He would take care of her. He would show her how much he loved her.
Artemus Gordon was going to pay for hurting Noreen Macrae. Bill would see to it.
