Chapter 5: Rain
Bullock had been hoping to catch Nora on her way out of Swearengen's yesterday, but the day had turned out such it was well after midnight by the time he'd found a moment. He knew their chat wasn't his business, but he couldn't let it go. He hated the thought of Nora mixed up with a man like Al Swearengen, especially if she knew nothing about him.
It was still relatively early in the camp, most of the men still sleeping off their drunken revelry from the night before. But Farnum's pathetic restaurant had been crowded with all the usuals and then some, and Bullock found the peace of the morning's walk to see Nora most enjoyable. As he neared their tent, he noticed Andy looking out over the black hills, a steaming mug in his hand.
"Morning." He addressed as he approached, shaking the younger man from his thoughts.
"Morning," Andy returned, "nice morning."
"Very nice," Seth agreed, casting his eyes to the smoky hills for a minute, "is your sister around?" Andy nodded over to the tent as Seth raised a hand to his hat in thanks before moving away. He neared the tent, ready to knock on the wood post when the flap flew back and out stepped Nora, arms laden with clothes. Her face was plain and she dressed in a pair of dark brown men's pants, a fitted gray-blue blouse, and her raven hair was in a loose upsweep, some stands loosely in her face. Never could Seth remember a woman looking so good in his eyes.
"Morning." She said, a surprised smile coming to her face.
"Morning." He followed her to the other side of the tent.
"What brings you by so early?" She dropped the clothes into one of the two large tubs.
"Saw you with Dan Dority yesterday going into the Gem."
"Yes," she quickly answered, rolling up her shirt sleeves, "Al Swearengen wanted to talk."
"To talk?" Seth's eyes fixed on her neck, his hand raising, gently caressing the red marks stretched across her pale skin. "What did he do to you?"
"Seth, Al…," she sighed, "it's all too detailed to explain just now."
"If that son of a bitch so much as breathed on you—"
"Seth," she placed a steadying hand on his arm, watching his eyes fix to hers, "don't you dare do anything. I know you've a wicked temper." His fingers continued to run across the marks on her neck, his eyes on hers, letting her know he wasn't really listening. "Never you mind about my neck. It's safe and alive, and for now, that's what matters." He let his hand fall away, suddenly realizing again it was no business of his whatsoever, but he couldn't for the life of him let go.
"Let's hope it stays that way." He raised a hand to his hat in farewell before turning, heading off back into camp. Nora felt her stomach lurch wondering just what Seth Bullock was going to really do.
xxxxxx
Finding three derelict nails and a piece of wood in the thoroughfare had been the easiest part. Actually mustering the courage to buy bullets and hold her father's gun was something else.
She'd never held a gun before, much less shot one. But the small handheld revolver left to them by their father seemed a good place to start. She couldn't exactly say why she felt compelled to learn to shoot, but in this place, Nora wasn't about to rule it out.
She nailed the three nails into the wood at different heights from the bottom. She'd watched Andy learn to shoot this way, and it seemed to work well. The goal was to consecutively hit the three nails without missing. But she knew she would end up wasting boxes of bullets before even hitting her first nail, but she felt certain it would pay off in the end.
She held the gun in her right hand, surprised just how heavy it actually was. Raising it to the target, she steadied her hand, aligning the sight to a nail before pulling the trigger. The shot was almost deafening in her ears, and her hand flew up in recoil as she watched the bottom corner of the wood splinter.
Not too terrible for a first time ever shot she guessed. At least it hit the board.
Again she raised the gun, lining up the sight with a nail, pulling the trigger. The wood just below the nail splintered.
"Don't hold your breath when you shoot." She turned with a start towards an older, rough though pleasant faced man.
"Excuse me, but I don't believe we've met."
"We haven't ma'am, I'm Charlie Utter."
"Mr. Utter…yes, Mr. Bullock has mentioned you. You were Mr. Hickok's friend."
"Yes ma'am. You know Mr. Bullock?"
"Yes, my name's Nora Hunt." He tipped his hat politely as she loosely hefted the gun in her hand. "I've never shot a gun before, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn."
"I understand," Charlie nodded, "on that last shot, you held your breath which tenses you up. Release it before you shoot next."
"Alright, thank you." She stepped back in line with the target, raising the gun, lining up the sight.
"Just release your breath and open your other eye." She opened her closed eye, letting go a breath as she squeezed the trigger. She missed the nail by less than a centimeter.
"Better," Charlie said with a smile before glancing about the thoroughfare, "ah, Mr. Bullock," he called out, "what tips would you give Ms. Hunt here on how to shoot." Seth walked over, looking at Nora in surprise, then to the gun in her hand.
"I don't know," he calmly answered, "I didn't see her previous shot."
"Well just tips in general then," Charlie said with a smile, "first time shooter here."
"Just, uh, square your shoulders, steady your arm and don't hold your breath," he glanced quickly up the thoroughfare, "I'll be back in a while, but now I mustn't be kept from my business much longer." He tipped his head in farewell before continuing on.
"Square your shoulders." He heard Charlie say encouragingly, and he couldn't help but turn around. Her arm was fully extended, but the rest of her body looked stable enough. She expelled a breath and squeezed the trigger. Seth watched the wood splinter and her shoulders slump as Charlie moved closer with words of encouragement.
He would have to show her how to shoot better when time permitted. Her arm so far extended from her body would never guarantee an accurate shot, and if necessity required her to use a gun for protection, it would be all too easy to disarm her.
He walked on to the Gem, intent on discussing certain matters with Swearengen. But birdbrain Johnny was the only trace of Swearengen hanging around. For in his words, Al and Dan were off on ''fficial business.'
Seth hadn't even wanted to know, but he made sure to leave an impression such that Johnny wouldn't forget to mention that he'd be stopping back by later. Now he just had to wait. Unfortunately there was no telling how long.
He went back the direction he'd just come from, more than annoyed with the whole thing. He still heard the occasional shot and he figured Nora must still be working on her shooting.
No time like the present.
"Pull your arm in," he said roughly, his annoyance with Swearengen coming through as he walked up to Nora and Charlie, "you'll get more accuracy."
"How is it you know so much about guns?" Without a word, he quickly drew his gun, firing three straight shots, squarely hitting each nail. Even Charlie stood somewhat in surprised awe.
"I was a marshal in Montana," he said coolly, finding some of his anger vented, "knowing how to shoot well was part of the job."
"A marshal?" She asked in disbelief, the gun falling to her side. "You never said anything about that."
"I try not to, as I've no desire to take over upholding the law around here."
"But there'd be no one better suited for it." Seth turned to Charlie choosing to ignore her last comment.
"She hit a nail yet?"
"Come close with her last few shots, but no bull's eye yet." Seth moved a little bit closer to Nora, holding out a hand.
"May I?" He looked to her gun hand as she nodded, and he stepped around her such that her back was loosely against his chest. "Pull the gun in more to your side," he took her gun hand in his, bringing it down about waist level.
"But then you can't see to line up the shot."
"That's where the practice comes in," his voice was so close to her ear, "it does take a little work, but your accuracy will be better, and it won't be so easy to disarm you should you ever be required to use it for protection."
"Oh god," she said nervously, "I don't know if I could ever point a gun at someone."
"Let's hope you never have to, but you never know if the need will arise." She turned with something of an almost scared look on her face, meeting his steely eyes. He couldn't believe the vulnerability in their blue depths, and without fully realizing it, his thumb gently traced circles across the back of her hand.
"Well, uh, with Mr. Bullock as your teacher," Charlie started nervously, feeling as though he was interrupting something private, "there's no way you can miss."
"Just remember what I told you,'" he drew his hand back, her gun hand staying at waist level, "and it will take practice. Don't expect to get it on your first shot."
She released a breath and pulled the trigger. Nothing on the board splintered. She shifted her hand slightly, expelling breath before squeezing. The wood beneath a nail splintered. Another slight hand adjustment and she squeezed the trigger.
The nail jumped in its place, and Nora finally allowed herself a smile.
"Nice shot." Charlie nodded with a smile.
"But you held your breath." Seth added softly in her ear, a hint of approval on his voice.
xxxxxx
"Mr. Farnum sir?" Nora called out, setting the pile of linens on the front desk. There came no answer from the small office, and the lobby was empty. "Mr. Farnum?" She wandered into the restaurant, glancing back in the kitchen.
"Why Ms. Hunt," Farnum looked up from the dishes he was washing, "didn't hear ya."
"What are you doing in the kitchen? I thought you worked the font desk?"
"I did, and still do. But my main cook," Farnum lowered his voice even though they were alone, "got himself a stomach bug, shittin' all over the place…couldn't very well have that in th'food."
"No. I should say not." Nora was unsure whether to laugh or be disgusted.
"So I'm helping out for a dew days," he wiped his hands on his apron, "so what can I do for ya?"
"Just returning your laundered and mended sheets," they walked back out to the main desk, "were some stains that won't come out, but mostly they're good as new."
"Thank you ma'am." He tipped his head politely.
"Have a nice day, and good luck with the cooking."
"To you too Ms. Hunt. Thank you." Farnum called out as she turned to leave. He couldn't believe she was wearing man's pants. She didn't strike him as the type. She seemed too feminine, but at least her shirt and hair didn't completely do away with her charms.
Nora waited for the bullwhacker to pass before crossing the street, heading back to the tent. There was still more to be washed before the rain came. It never seemed to end, but at least that meant the money wouldn't end soon.
She heard the crack of thunder near as soon as she saw the lightening, and she froze in mid-step, instantly startled. But no sooner had she stopped did the rain start falling in thick sheets. She quickly took off running, the nearest cover being 'Star and Bullock Hardware.'
"G'day Ms. Hunt," Sol greeted warmly, "hope you didn't get too wet."
"No, not too wet," she shook some water from her hands, "thank you Mr. Star."
"What can I do for you today?"
"Nothing in particular, thank you. I just got caught in the rain, and was hoping I could shelter here until it lets up a bit."
"Fine by me."
"Where is Mr. Bullock?" She suddenly asked before thinking.
"Upstairs and to your right. Why'nt you go up, say hello."
"Upstairs?" She looked uncertainly at Sol. "I couldn't…it's not open to the public though…you live up there—"
"I got a feeling he won't mind." She couldn't help her embarrassed smile at his words and knowing smile.
"Thank you Mr. Star." She started up the stairs, butterflies in her stomach. She stopped at the top, jumping at a sudden flash of lightening and crack of thunder as she knocked firmly against the closed door.
"Come in." She pushed the door open, quickly closing it before turning around. Seth looked near as surprised as she, but felt a certain sense of pride at noticing how intently she was staring at his shirtless chest.
"I'm so sorry," she quickly turned her eyes away, "I didn't mean to come upon you like this."
"Sol send you up here?"
"Yes he did. No way he could have known though." She looked back at him, making a point to keep her eyes on his.
"He knew," Seth moved around the bed, coming closer to Nora, "he saw me come in wet. Suggested himself I come change."
"Why that…," she bit her tongue, shaking her head, to keep from continuing, another embarrassed smile forming on her face, "he knew he set me up." She turned her eyes back to Seth's as he now stood right in front of her, making her heart suddenly start to race.
"Set us both up." He took her hand in his, running his thumb across the back of it, just as before. She couldn't help drown in his eyes. He leaned in, kissing her eagerly, more so than he'd intended, but he met no resistance. She breathed against his lips, kissing him with just as much need and want. He kissed her long, feeling her body more and more mold to his. Their tongues danced in circles, and hands started to blaze trails of their own, picking at remaining clothing.
He descended her neck to the soft skin of her chest, leaving a trail of kisses as she lay back against the bed. The thunder raged outside, but the only thunder Nora could hear was the pounding of her heart as he took a hardened peak gently between his teeth.
A soft moan passed her lips as he trailed back to her eagerly waiting lips, feeling her hands run down the length of his chest, down to lower regions. She kissed him long and hard, wanting him completely. He lifted himself off her just enough to gain smooth entrance as he settled back down, feeling her hips arch to more fully meet him, wanting to kiss away her small grimace and sudden gasp of breath.
"Are you ok?" He whispered, nibbling her ear.
"It's been so long since I last…it does hurt a little." He eased out ever so slightly, watching her face relax before kissing her softly, wanting her so desperately.
Slowly he moved all the way in, relieved to hear a soft pleasured sigh and see a slight smile come to her face. And again he continued to move, deeper and harder, her near silent cries and moans driving him more and more as the pressure continued to build within them. She felt herself close to explosion, raking her nails through his hair, across his back, desperate for release. One final thrust and the pressure in them both exploded.
x
Sol had heard the floorboards creak at the added weight on the bed and couldn't help but feel some pride at helping Nora and Seth find what they were both wanting—each other.
x
They held each other close, him still laying atop her, trying to catch their breaths.
"I have wanted that since we first met." He said softly, meeting her eyes.
"I would be lying to say I didn't agree." They shared a small smile before he lowered his lips to hers, kissing her gently, feeling her lips smoothly glide against his in return. He then moved his lips from hers, and held her close, feeling her just hold him. A contented sigh passed her lips as her eyes closed, despite the raging storm outside.
"You look tired." His voice was soft in her ear.
"Your doing." She said lightly, eyes opening, turning to face him.
"Stay here and sleep."
"What about you? I can't just stay here."
"For now you can. I need to get back down to help Sol. When you wake, I'll be back." She found she couldn't argue with the earnestness in his voice.
"Very well." He rose from her and took to dressing as she scurried under his bed covers. She snuggled against the surprisingly soft pillow and quilt, breathing in the musky scent that was Seth.
"I'll be back soon." She nodded sleepily up at him, meeting his smile before he ran a hand through his hair, and walked out, tying his cravat.
Nora didn't even hear the door close.
As Seth moved down the stairs, he instantly met with Sol's knowing smile. Almost nervous under his partner's gaze, he raised his left hand, absently running it through his hair again as he moved to peruse the books.
"Guess it's about time you took that ring off." Sol said with a smile.