Disclaimer: I own none of the characters of this story. They are owned by the WWE or themselves. No profit is being made from this story. It's purely for fun!
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I was a little nervous about posting this story as it is a different type of story with the Western theme and all but StephanieIrvine04 with her infinite wisdom pushed and threatened until I finally caved in. Thanks Jodi!
Story Notes: Just to clairfy: Back in the ole' days, cowboys would run cattle from one place to to another to be sold. The distance was quite far the biggest majority of the time. Hope that helps with any questions towards the occupations of a few of the characters. That being said, on with the story;-)
J.B. Layfield was sitting at his desk smoking one of his favorite cigars. It was his favorite thing to do besides count all that money in safe. He loved the fact that everything was coming together nice and smooth without any problems. Of course, any problems were took care of quickly and quietly as to not attract attention.
He loved his job. He had a gift for making money and boy, could he make some money. It was almost too easy for him. He took a mental note that it was about time to give Orlando a raise. The black man had been working for him for six months without one complaint. To J.B., that in itself was worth a raise alone.
Orlando walked into the room with a small smile. Working for J.B. had become a dream come true. In those days, people like himself just didn't get important jobs like the one he had. His family was really proud of him and it showed. "Excuse me sir, I'm sorry to interrupt you sir, but Hunter is here to see you."
"No problem Orlando, send him on in. I've been expecting him," J.B. said blowing out a ring of smoke.
Hunter walked into the room like he owned it. Of course, J.B. had been dealing with Hunter long enough to know that there were some things that just had to be ignored. The man had a lot of money and J.B. loved getting his hands on it. For that reason alone, he didn't mind that Hunter acted like a pompous ass. Hunter could do whatever he wanted as long as he paid J.B the large amount of money that he had grown accustomed to.
Hunter had brown shoulder length hair that he kept pulled back in a nice neat ponytail. He was always dressed immaculately with the latest styles all the way from England. He kept his beard nice and trim; all in all, he looked like a decent human being, with the exception of his rather large nose, but looks had a way of being very deceiving, especially when it came to him. One look into the coldness of his eyes and it didn't take one long to know how he earned the nickname 'Cerebral Assassin'.
"Hey J.B., how are things?" Hunter asked shaking his hand. He wasn't really enthused about working with J.B. but he was the only banker in town. Hell, he was the only man that Hunter could manipulate and lie to on a daily basis. J.B. never cared where the money came from as long as it came to him and that was fine with Hunter. The fewer questions asked the better for all of them.
"Going good Hunter, going real good, thanks for asking. What can I do for you today?" J.B. asked with a knowing look in his eyes. He knew exactly what Hunter wanted and couldn't resist pissing him off just a little for his own entertainment purposes.
"Cut the crap J.B., you know why I'm here," Hunter said the anger on his face showing. Hunter was trying not to lose his temper with the man and it was beginning to get harder and harder every day. It wasn't going to be long before he snapped. If J.B. didn't watch it, he would be snapping on him in ways that would not be pleasurable, at least not to J.B.
"Now, calm down. I know what you want and I've told you before, she's got the deed to the place. It's hers and hers alone. If she wants to sell, then you can buy it. If she doesn't want to sell, then there isn't a thing that I can do about that," J.B. said with a smile on his face. He loved watching Hunter not get his way. There was entertainment of the female kind and of the male kind. This was entertainment of the male kind in spades.
Hunter finally lost control and snapped. "Damn it J.B.," Hunter said slamming his hand down on JB's desk hard. "I want that saloon!" The anger of his face was very evident and comically in a lot of ways. The huge nose seemed to grow even more pronounced when he was angry.
"Well, I can NOT give it to you," J.B. said with a bored look on his face. "I told you last month that she only had one payment left. I told you plainly that you were running out of time. I also told you that the place was finally turning a profit and she wouldn't have any problem paying me the last payment. There is absolutely nothing that I can do about it."
"Damn it!" Hunter said infuriated that he wasn't getting his way. "I'll say this, I always get what I want. You know it. I know it. This time will be no different." He turned and stormed out of J.B.'s office leaving J.B. sitting at this desk, smiling without a care in the world.
Chris walked into the restaurant feeling like a new man. He was clean, had clean clothes on, and had a fresh shave. He couldn't think of a time when he felt better. He nodded his head at a few of the ladies sitting there before spotting Randy.
"Hey Chris, over here," Randy said indicating that he had a seat for him.
Chris smiled and made his way over. "Thanks Randy, I hate to eat alone."
"Me too," Randy said chuckling. "We just might have a lot more in common than I thought."
Suddenly a bald headed man ran up to the table out of breath. "Sorry I'm late Randy, had to get that cattle back out into the South Gate and you know how Hunter is." He sat down and noticed Chris for the first time. He held out his hand and smiled, "Hi, I'm Kurt Angle."
"Hi Kurt, name's Chris Jericho," Chris said shaking his hand. He noticed the firmness of his handshake and the kindness in his eyes. He couldn't help smiling back at him.
"Nice to meet you Chris," Kurt said with a smile. "I take it you are new in town."
"Yes I am, just got in today as a matter of fact. I brought in some cattle for a man back east," Chris said nodding as the waitress brought out some coffee for them.
Randy quietly sat at the table when he saw the woman of his dreams walking towards him. He was crazy about the red head and didn't hide it in any way, shape, or form. His mouth spoke what his mind was thinking when she walked up to the table. "Lita, when are you going to go out with me?" Randy asked looking totally smitten.
Lita pushed down the warm feeling that she felt whenever she was near Randy. She had been burned in the past so many times but Randy was just so nice. It was getting harder and harder to be mean to him. "I don't know Randy, maybe when you grow up some," Lita said grinning from ear to ear.
Chris sat back and took a good look at the red head. She looked like she was a hard working woman. She also looked like she could be a good friend, somebody that could be trusted. He always followed his gut instincts and his gut told him to make friends with her.
"Are you guys ready to eat?" Lita asked noticing the stranger for the first time. She smiled a questioning smile but a smile nonetheless.
"Yes ma'am, I'm ready," Chris said smiling.
"I don't think I've met you before, my name's Lita," Lita said holding her hand out.
"Hi Lita, name's Chris," Chris said smiling at the spunky redhead and shaking her hand.
"Hi Chris, basically, I just bring you whatever the cook is fixing. We don't have menus and the only beverage served is coffee. We get a lot of ranch hands in here," Lita said.
Unable to stop his mouth once again from speaking what was on his mind, Randy spoke again. "She's the prettiest redhead this side of the Mississippi." He looked at her with stars shining brightly in his eyes.
"What have I told you about saying that?" Lita said her temper showing a little. She was a little embarrassed. Normally, Randy didn't lay it on so thick but he was really going over board now. She had to get him to get out of this train of thought of 'them being together.'
"And the meanest temper," Randy said teasingly. He enjoyed watching her face get flushed with anger. It seemed to make her even more beautiful in his eyes. As always, the flush showed on her face and Randy was a happy man.
Lita rolled her eyes and stomped off much to Randy's delight. He really did like her. She was fiercely independent and God help a person if they told her there was something that she couldn't do cause she would die trying to prove them wrong.
Kurt took in the scene with unabashed interest. Randy had been after Lita for a while and she just wasn't giving in. It was not normal for Randy to have woman problems with his good looks. Kurt actually found it comical in a lot of ways. "My, you've got her riled up today don't you," Kurt said before taking a sip of his coffee.
"When do I not rile her up?" Randy asked with slight grin. He knew he had fired her up but he didn't care. If he had to tick her off to pay attention to him, and then that was exactly what he would do.
"Good point," Kurt said setting his coffee mug down. He turned his attention to Chris. "You mentioned that you brought in some cattle. You wouldn't by chance be looking for a job, would you?"
Chris took a sip of his coffee before answering. "As a matter of fact, I will be. I take it that you work at the Evolution ranch."
"Yes, unfortunately I do," Kurt said with a sigh. "The pay's good but you have to deal with the owner's attitude, which by the way, is not fun."
Lita came back to the table with their food. There was a huge portion of chicken, mashed potatoes, and beans on each plate. She also had a cake of cornbread for the table. Chris sat there looking at it for a minute savoring the smells of a home cooked meal; something that he hadn't had in a very long time.
"It's been a while since you've had a home cooked meal hasn't it?" Kurt asked with a grin.
"Yes, is it that obvious?" Chris asked his face slightly red with embarrassment.
"Only to those who have been in your boots," Randy said before picking his fork up and digging in.
Chris finally picked up his fork and dug in. The food was so good that he had to force himself to eat slower when all he really wanted to do was just pick the plate up and eat like a dog. He grinned to himself at the thought of it but noticed that Randy and Kurt were eating theirs pretty quick. He picked up the pace and within a few minutes, the guys were sitting there with their bellies full and smiles on their faces.
"Miss Ivory sure outdone herself this time," Kurt said sighing out loud with pleasure.
"You know Kurt, if I didn't know any better, I would think that you might be a little sweet on Miss Ivory," Randy said with a cocky grin.
"Now wait a minute," Kurt said with his face all red and looking nervous. "I never said that."
"You don't have to," Chris said with an amused look on his face. "The look on your face says it all."
"You don't even know me," Kurt said the aggravation in his tone very evident. Of all the times for Randy to bring up his crush, he had to do it in front of the new guy in town. When would he ever learn to shut his mouth?
"Look, I'm not trying to cause trouble," Chris said with a grin holding his hands up as if Kurt had pulled a gun on him. "I'm just saying that it is easy to see, even to a stranger like me."
"Damn it," Kurt said dramatically putting his head in his hands. "I've tried so hard to not let it show."
"Why?" Randy asked. He placed his elbows on the table and leaned towards Kurt. "She's pretty and she's a widow. Why are you wanting to hide it, you dumb ass?"
"Look, I've got nothing. I've got no home of my own and I hate my job. What could I offer her that she doesn't already have here?" Kurt asked looking miserable.
"How about just the pleasure of your company?" Chris said with a small grin. "Look, I'm new and I don't know you that well but if you're that torn up over the woman, then you are just plumb foolish if you don't go after her. Life is too short to sit around and just think about it. Do something about it."
Kurt looked at Chris with a surprised look on his face. He then looked over at Randy and then back to Chris. "How about this? I'll think about it."
"You do that," Randy said with a sigh. "Just don't wait too long pal."
Lita came up to get their dirty dishes. She knew Randy liked her and she liked Randy but she had been on her own for such a long time. It was hard for her to trust men, especially after her last relationship. She grimaced when she saw Matt's face and then shook her head. Not every man was like Matt Hardy but it was hard for her to think that way after everything that had happened.
"Was everything ok guys?" Lita asked while piling the dirty plates on top of one another.
"That was the best meal that I've had in a very long time. Please send my compliments to the cook," Chris said with a wink.
"I'll do that," Lita said with a small smile. She then turned to Randy. "What about you? You got anything you want to say to the cook."
"Nothing that I haven't already told her before," Randy said with a wink.
Lita's face turned bright red and she quickly finished cleaning the table. She pushed her way into the back with a huge smile on her face. It was kind of nice to know that there was somebody who wanted her, even if Matt had told her no man would ever want her again.
"Well, I'm going to step outside for a minute, if you'll excuse me," Chris said getting up from the table.
"Hold up, we'll come with you," Kurt said grabbing his hat off of the back of the chair while Randy did the same.
The three men walked out onto the front porch. Chris was looking around just checking the town out when a woman caught his eye. She was a pretty blonde petite woman but there was something about her that Chris didn't like at all.
"Who is that?" Chris asked.
"Trouble with a capital T," Randy snorted. "That's Trish Stratus, the biggest whore this side of the Mississippi."
"You like to say that a lot, don't you?" Chris said with an amused grin.
"He doesn't get out much," Kurt said rolling his eyes.
"Howdy boys, my goodness, who is that handsome man standing there beside of you? I don't believe that we've met before," Trish said walking up in front of the hotel.
"Name's Chris Jericho," Chris said with a bored expression on his face.
"Trish Stratus," Trish said turning so that he was looking at her profile. After all, her profile was her best feature. "Will you be in town long Mr. Jericho?"
"I'm not sure yet," Chris said with an even more bored look on his face.
"Well, if you ever need anybody to show you around or keep you from getting bored, you just come on and see me. I'll treat you right," Trish said with a wink.
"I'm afraid you might bite," Chris muttered under his breath.
Randy and Kurt put the heads down. They had heard what Chris had said and were trying not to laugh. It was really hard when Trish spoke again and Chris answered.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you. What did you say?" Trish asked confusion on her face.
"I said, 'I just might,'" Chris said with a small grin on his face.
"Looking forward to it, see you boys," Trish said turning around and walking down the street.
Finally Randy and Kurt busted out laughing at Chris's comments. "Man, that was so great," Kurt said wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Thanks, I've got no use for women like that," Chris said his eyes turning cold as he watched the whore walk down the street. "They are only after one thing and it ain't never what it seems."
"You got that right," Randy said noticing the expression on Chris's face. "You would be best to avoid her at all costs. She's major trouble. She has this one guy in the palm of her hands, Christian, now that man is one creepy little bastard. He is so smitten and just as skanky as she is. Then they have this strange Indian protector called Tomko. Now that is one scary looking Indian."
"How so?" Chris asked.
"Well, he has these really strange designs on his skin. Personally, I think he is only a half-breed cause he's not as dark as a regular Indian is. Then his hair is just real unusual. His head is bald but he has a really weird ponytail. It sticks straight out of the top of his head, goes down his neck, and is braided. You would just have to see it to believe it," Randy said shaking his head in disgust.
Ivory walked out the door and onto the porch. "Well fellas, how was the food tonight?"
"It was great Miss Ivory," Chris said with a smile.
"Good, don't tell her that I told you but Lita's been cooking for the last few days and I have to say, she's doing an even better job than I did when I was cooking," Ivory said with a smile.
Randy got a dreamy expression on his face at the mention of Lita's name and it was all Kurt could do not to call him on it in front of Miss Ivory. He was too afraid that Randy would bring up things that Kurt wasn't ready to bring out into the open.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your men talk. Don't forget now; don't mention it to her yet. She doesn't want anybody knowing," Ivory said with a wink and disappeared back into the hotel.
"Boys, I think I'm going to take me a nap and head to the saloon. Could you come by the room and wake me up in about an hour?" Chris asked Randy.
"Sure thing," Randy said with a grin.
"Mind if I tag along?" Kurt asked.
"The more the merrier," Chris said with his hand on the door. "I'll see y'all in a little while then." He opened the door and walked in tired with a full belly but happy. He had made a few friends and things were finally starting to look up.