Here's another chapter. Hope you like. I don't own Young Guns (I wish!).
The next morning, the Regulators woke with the sunrise, as was the custom, and got dressed. They met with Tunstall in his house and sat down at the table for breakfast, with all of them noticing Natalie sitting next to Tunstall's chair at the table's head. They all also noticed Charlie hurrying to sit next to Natalie.
"Good morning, boys," announced Tunstall, entering into the dining room. "Another beautiful day ahead of us, doesn't it seem?"
"Of course, John," agreed Billy mischievously, "what with Miss Daffodil Goldenrod to brighten the day." He winked cheekily at the glaring Natalie.
"William, I imagine then that the extra spring in your step will come in handy with the extra chores that will be assigned to you."
The Regulators all chuckled at Billy's reprimand, and proceeded to eating their meal. Charlie made sure to pass everything to Natalie, and he did all he could to keep from sighing.
"So what kind of cattle you got here, Mr. Tunstall?" Natalie inquired.
"Well, mostly Hereford for beef, but we do have a couple of Guernsey for dairy," he answered.
"We also raise some hogs and chickens, so there's lots to do around here," added Dick.
"Did you care for livestock where you lived previously, Natalie?" asked Tunstall.
"Yeah," she answered, "my pa owned some Hereford. I mostly cared for them, and the rest of the farm, with my siblings' help."
"Troubled family?" asked Dick.
"I'd rather not discuss it, thank you," gritted Natalie. Silence settled for a while until Tunstall cleared his throat and made an additional statement.
"I also own a store in Lincoln, Natalie, if you would be interested in helping out there."
"And none of your boys work there?" Natalie set her fork on her plate and looked at Tunstall. He stammered for a minute.
"Well, I really need the help here, and, well, store work may be more suitable…"
Tunstall trailed off. The Regulators looked at each other, wondering what would happen next. Finally, Dick broke the silence.
"How about, Natalie, since you're the newest addition to this household, that you get to work in the store until a new person comes along?"
Tunstall agreed. "Yes, that will make things clearer. Good. Natalie, would you like to accompany me to the store today?"
Natalie felt her blood rise, and felt her need to say her piece.
"I ain't the type that works in stores, sir. It's just, well…"
"Let me work in her place, John," cried out Charlie eagerly. "Please?"
"Charles, you've never shown interest in store work before," said John. "Why now?"
"Porque el quiere trabajar y pensar como un mujer obtener su mujer," muttered Chavez, which brought about Billy to start giggling again. (See the last quote at the end for translation.)
"I just want Miss Natalie to settle in nicely here, that's all," stated Charlie. "I think she should stay here if she doesn't feel comfortable going to the store."
Tunstall sighed. "Well, fine then. Charles, you may accompany me to the store today."
Later in the day, Natalie was cleaning the dairy cows' stalls. Billy found his way over to where she stood, and grinned at her.
"What do you want?" she asked impatiently.
"Oh, nothing," he said whimsically. "I just wanted you to know that you're not really all that special."
"Excuse me?"
"Causing Charlie to go to the store today," he explained nonchalantly. "Charlie's smitten with anything female in these parts. However, seeing as how you seem barely female, maybe you are a bit special."
Natalie threw down her pitchfork and ran yelling at Billy. She hit him full force, and he staggered back and to the side. They both landed in a large pile of loose hay. Natalie swung her fists at Billy, sometimes hitting and sometimes missing. Billy laughed as he caused her to trip and fall on back. He pinned her down, with both of his hands holding her down at her wrists.
Just at that moment, Chavez and Dick walked into the same vicinity, carrying saddles needing oil. They saw the pair of them in the hay, out of breath. They stood stock still for just a second, and then fell about in peals of laughter. Greatly embarrassed, Natalie wiggled free, kicking Billy aside, and stomped out of the barn.
"Because he wants to work and think like a woman to get his woman."
Sorry if my Spanish is a little off!