Thank you for your continued kind support.
Standard disclaimer.
Two days later, Sam was much better, although he insisted on having Mercedes feed him.
"How'd our business do last night?" he asked. Mercedes hesitated. "That bad, huh?"
"Well, with me not allowing the girls to…you know, and you being hurt…not so good. Also, the bartender has quit and gone back home to Iowa."
He tried to get out of bed.
"What do you think you're doing?" She restrained him and he looked up at her, their faces close.
"I can't lose the Lily. I've worked too hard, all my life, not to be an average bum."
"Just settle down," she commanded. "You can't do anything about it right now. You're to stay off your foot, as much as you can. We'll talk about it later."
He settled back against his pillows with a sigh and touched his unshaven face.
"I need a shave."
"Maybe I can get your things, so you can do it."
"Why don't you do it?" he asked. She snorted.
"Aren't you afraid I'll cut your throat? Then, I'd own the Lily outright."
"I trust you." He smiled his cute lopsided smile for her.
"That's very brave of you."
She went to his bathroom, to get the things and then to his dresser for a straight razor.
Who was she kidding? She couldn't shave Sam. It seemed so intimate, like something a couple would do. And they were definitely not a couple. Plus, being that close to him, always stirred up strange feelings.
"You know, I have absolutely no experience with this. I think we'd better call Carmen," she said.
"There's nothing to it."
"Maybe, but I won't risk nicking you, because of my inexperience."
"If you say so."
"I do. And I'll call Carmen. In the meantime, I need to go into town, to get some things. Want anything?"
"How about some of those good cigars?" She frowned at him.
"Cigars are bad for you."
"Lady, I've got scars all over me, from bullets and knife fights…and my insides are probably rotten already, from cheap whiskey. Get me some cigars."
"Alright," she conceded. Some things weren't worth the argument. "I'll have Carmen come shave you and clean you up."
"Damn! I was hoping you'd do that." He winked at her.
"Mister Evans, I've done just about what I intended to do for you." She kept her tone icy, too aware of how charming he was and how vulnerable he looked.
She left him and headed upstairs to get her purse.
Michele caught her in the hall, excitement all over her pretty face.
"That rancher asked me. He really asked me!"
"Oh? Well good for you. That means, he knows and doesn't care." She nodded and smiled.
"He says, I'm getting a fresh start and the past doesn't matter." Mercedes put her arm around the taller girl and hugged her.
"I'm so happy for you, Michele. We can hold the wedding right here, if you like." Michele beamed.
Then Mercedes put her head in the girls' rooms and said,
"You need to get up and start cleaning this whole place. Carmen can't do it alone. I'll be back to help."
"Clean?" Elaine asked.
"Yes, clean. We may have Michele's wedding right here, in the not too distant future and the place should look presentable."
She moved off, stopping to give Carmen instructions about shaving Sam and helping to clean him up.
If this was one of her romantic novels, the heroine would wash his naked body and then they would kiss...and…But this wasn't a romantic novel. The rascal could stay dirty for all she cared, she told herself.
After all, if he hadn't been involved in that stupid show, he wouldn't have gotten shot by some drunk cowboy.
Since it was fairly cool, she decided to walk into town.
It was becoming her favorite thing to do.
Sherwin grazed across the large lily bed, that bloomed like orange fire, as bluebirds played and sang around the big birdbath.
The billy goat raised its head and stared at her. Mercedes shook her finger at him.
"Don't you even think about it, you beast, or you might end up in a stew pot."
Instead, the goat trotted over and nibbled on the edge of her blue dress. She patted his head and said to him,
"I'm glad we've come to an understanding."
Sherwin actually bleated at her and returned to munching on his lilies, as she walked briskly towards town.
In the distance, Mercedes saw Lieutenant Fortenbury standing on the street corner, talking to Quinn. She frowned.
The pair noticed her and Quinn stuck her nose in the air and hurried off, leaving a trail of smoke, from her cigarette, while the officer walked towards her, all smiles.
"Miss Mercedes, so good to see you this morning." He took her hand and kissed it, but Mercedes pulled away.
"I saw you talking to Quinn."
"I was being polite," he said. And then, "She's only a harlot. I'd never even considered speaking to a lowly woman like that, but she stopped me, to ask if I knew how the gambler was. So, how is he?"
"Much better. He's pretty tough. I don't think this is the first time he's been shot or stabbed."
"No doubt," he said with a cold sniff.
"I have a few things to pick up…" Mercedes started.
"Then, it's my lucky day. I happen to be uptown with the major's car, picking up his new pruning shears. I'll give you a ride home."
"I don't want to trouble you." He bowed low.
"Miss Mercedes, any time spent with you, is no trouble at all, it's a pleasure." She blushed in spite of herself.
"You're very gallant, lieutenant. I'll accept. Thank you."
"Well, I can't tell you what a pleasure it is, to be in the company of a real lady. Since I've been here, I've hardly met any…just a few. Texas is…"
"I like Texas."
"You must be joking. This place is full of horses, cattle, rough cowboys and scoundrels like Sam Evans. Here, let me get the door for you."
Mercedes allowed him to open the door of the store for her.
"Sam, must be...as he says, tough as a long horn bull."
"Sam? You're calling him Sam now?" The lieutenant asked, his patrician eyebrows raised.
"I mean Mr. Evans," she backtracked.
"It's too bad about the accident, but with everyone shooting in the confusion, I suppose it couldn't be helped." She agreed with a nod.
"Someone was either drunk, careless or a rotten shot."
"Or all three," he joked, but she didn't laugh. She could still see Sam laying face down on the platform, motionless.
"I'm glad you find it funny," she stiffly said.
"I only meant…never mind. You're upset. I'll wait out front by the car, for you." She nodded and went on in, seeing Pug behind the counter.
"Good day, Miss Jones. How's the patient?" Pug asked.
"He'll live."
"The whole town is ready to lynch whoever shot him."
"I'm sure it was an accident."
"We think the world of him. He and Miss Sue helped everyone in this town, one time or another," he said, leaning on the counter.
"Oh?" Pug nodded.
"She was a kind-hearted soul. No one looked down on her."
Mercedes didn't know how to respond. Evidently, the town and her differed, over Sue Sylvester's morals.
"You think you can keep the Lily open, with Sam hurt?"
"I'll try to." She didn't feel like discussing the business ,or lack thereof, with an outsider. Luke came from the back and said,
"Afternoon, Miss. How's that lock on your door?" She scowled at him.
"Why is everyone so interested in the lock on my door?" Luke coughed and disappeared in the back.
"You guys can come visit him in a day, or two. He still needs rest, even though he says he doesn't."
There was a loud murmur coming from the back and all of a sudden, Pug looked uneasy.
"Don't mind them, Ma'am, they're just gaffing."
"I need some white tablecloths?"
"Ma'am?"
"I've decided, that now Mr. Evans is down, I would fix the place up…and make it look a little classier."
"Uh…" Pug wiped his hand on his white apron." "Sam know about this?" She froze him in a cold brown stare.
"Mr. Evans will not be able to conduct business for a couple days, so I'm in charge. Are you questioning that?"
"No, Ma'am. Sam says anyone tangling with a stubborn lady like you, has to be loco."
"Indeed! I am stubborn. Now, here's a list of what I'll need. We may be having a wedding at the Lily, soon and I want the place to look better than a saloon."
"A wedding? Who walked into that trap?" Mercedes wanted to smack him, but decided it wouldn't be ladylike to do so.
"Just get me the tablecloths, Mr. Pugsley. I don't need editorial input."
"What?" Far in the back, she heard the laughter of the Town Beautification Committee.
"I'll be back for these items, or let me know when they're ready."
"You bring your car, Miss?"
"No, but Lieutenant Fortenbury has offered me a ride." Pug scowled. "What's the matter, Mr. Pugsley?"
"Nothin' Ma'am. But, if I was a lady and had a choice between that prissy officer and Sam, I'd…"
"Please, Mr. Pugsley, that is my choice to make." She started off, calling back over her shoulder, "Good-bye boys."
Outside, the Lieutenant tottered to meet her, in his seemingly ill-fitting boots.
"Miss Mercedes," he said, looking earnestly at her. "It may be too soon…and I know you have many admirers…"
'Not one,' she thought, but smiled at the short man.
"You're being too kind, Lieutenant." He offered her his small, sweaty hand and helped her into the car.
"What I meant to say was…" He paused and fumble with the keys.
"I…I'd like to call on you. Normally, of course, I'd ask your father's permission…"
"I'm an orphan," she said.
"Oh? Brothers…sisters?" She sighed.
"I'm afraid, I'm all alone in this world."
"Oh, I'm sorry. My heart goes out to you, a defenseless female in a cruel world."
"I'm quite capable of looking after myself, thank you."
She hated his presumption that she was helpless.
She wasn't sure, she wanted Lieutenant Fortenbury to 'call' on her. That was almost the same, as saying yes to an engagement.
Could she see herself married to him? He did have sterling credentials and was from a fine family…utterly rich and respectable.
Those qualities were what she had always wanted in a husband, weren't they?
Yet her mind wandered, and she smelled the aftershave and saw the mischievous, crooked grin of a certain southern scoundrel. He was so utterly, not respectable and very low-class.
Her mother warned her, to stay away from men like Sam Evans.
"Miss Mercedes?" Buford was staring at her.
"Yes?" She came back to the conversation with a start.
"I asked, if I could call on you…date you…"
She made her decision then, because this was the kind of man, she'd always said she wanted and she wasn't getting any younger.
Besides, she didn't like the way that Evans kept looking at her…like she was a cold mint julep or a juicy steak. If he tried to kiss her, she wasn't sure she'd be able to resist the temptation, of finding out what it was like to be in his arms.
"Yes, Lieutenant, I'll think about it." He broke into a grin and she realized how weak his chin and jawline was.
"I'm so relieved. I was afraid you might be falling under the spell of that rogue."
"Who? Sam?"
"You called him Sam again." He looked at her accusingly.
"I meant, that rascal of a gambler," she stuttered. "I'm on to his tricks. I know a respectable, high-class fellow when I see one and that's you, Lieutenant." He smiled.
"I wish you would call me Buford."
"Alright, Buford."
She hated the name.
It sounded like a sissy's…and the lieutenant…okay, so maybe, he wasn't as virile and tall and as handsome as the gambler, but he had class.
Mercedes imagined herself in Philadelphia, in his fine house, meeting his, oh so respectable parents.
Yes, this was what she had always dreamed of...what her mother had dreamed of for her. And she owed something to her mother's memory.
If she married Buford, she wasn't sure what she would do about the Lily, maybe sell her half to Sam.
'If you do, he wins,' she thought.
Like the gambler, she was competitive…which was probably frowned on in Philadelphia. Besides, she had begun to like Texas. The people were fiery and independent.
She wanted to change the subject and she did.
"I don't know what's getting into Mr. Pugsley. He wasn't very friendly." The lieutenant shrugged his narrow shoulders.
"He's a Texan and he's hardly our class," he chuffed. It sounded so snooty, but she agreed hesitantly.
"No…I…I suppose not."
"Especially that gambler…what a scoundrel!"
"He is a scoundrel," she admitted. "But a charming one. I think, half the women in town would swoon, if he simply winked at them." He huffed.
"No taste. I do worry about your reputation, Miss Mercedes, living under the same roof…" She turned horrified eyes on him.
"You think anyone would dare impugn my reputation?"
"Not as long as I'm around," he said with a nod. "I'd wipe the street with them."
Mercedes imagined this short dandy, going up against one the rough and tough Texans in the area, and sighed. Single hand combat, or fisticuffs probably wasn't his strong point.
They drove up the driveway and he stopped the car and got out. He yelled for Sam's errand boy.
"You," he snapped. "Take these parcels inside for the lady and be quick about it."
"There's no need to be rude, Buford," Mercedes admonished.
"You've got to be firm with these types," he said, as he helped her out of the car. "Otherwise, they'll just take over and do what they want, anytime they want."
"I hardly think so."
Suddenly, she didn't like him very much. She started up the steps, without even saying goodbye. He called after her.
"Miss Mercedes, why don't I pick you up, about seven tonight and we'll go for a moonlight drive. Right now, I've got to get back to the major."
"Okay." She waved to him and watched him drive away. Sherwin paused in his grazing and glared after the retreating vehicle, as if he'd like to butt the uppity officer.
Mercedes went inside and called for Carmen.
The maid stuck her head out of the kitchen.
"Mr. Sam is asking for you."
Mercedes nodded and went to Sam's room.
He was sitting in a rocking chair, wearing fresh clothes and cleanly shaven.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"How do you think I'm feeling? My foot hurts and I've been told to stay in my room and rest."
"You're lucky to be alive," she reminded him primly. "Remember, I told you that show and fake attack was dangerous. You could've been shot through the head."
"Don't nag. What kept you so long?"
"If it's any of your business, which it isn't, I went to pick up supplies and ran into Lieutenant Fortenbury."
"That pantywaist?" He made a face. He could be so cute, she thought. She schooled her features, drew herself up proudly and replied,
"He was kind enough to give me a ride home."
"We own cars…you and me both," he reminded her.
"It was a nice afternoon. I walked."
"And I'm stuck inside. Can't deal cards, or drink, or do anything fun."
"Are you feeling sorry for yourself?"
"Heck yeah," he admitted. "Help me out on the porch. At least I can sit on the big swing and watch the town."
She hesitated, not wanting to get too close, to the fine specimen of a man, he is.
"Well?"
She didn't want to explain, that being close to him, made her as nervous as a cat up a tree.
But she helped him to his feet and let him put his arm around her shoulder.
"Take small steps," she advised.
"Honestly, must you give advice on everything?"
His face was so close to hers, she could feel the warmth of his breath.
She had to slip her arm around his trim waist, to steady him and slowly, they walked out to the porch swing. She deposited him there and backed away.
Sam patted the seat beside him.
"Sit down for a moment. I don't bite."
"Mr. Evans," she started, standing stiffly. "Being nice to me, won't get you my half of the Texas Lily."
"You're suspicious by nature, aren't you?" He grinned at her, not taking any offense.
'His teeth are so white and straight, in that handsome, perfect face…'
"As bad as business is right now, maybe I should sell you my half." She sat next to him and carefully scooted, as far away, as she could get from him.
"Even if I had all of the money, which I don't. you have to understand, I couldn't step into the shoes of a Madam. The thought appalls me."
"Your aunt must have known you'd feel that way, and I believe, that's why she suggested to Will Shuester, that I offer to buy you out." Mercedes shuddered.
"No wonder she was never mentioned much at home. I knew she had disgraced the family, I just didn't know the half of it."
"Don't be so hard on Sue," he said softly. "I think she's had bad luck and a tough life. Some heel messed up her life, when she was quite young and innocent, she'd said."
Mercedes looked at him.
"How do you know so much about my aunt?" He half-grinned.
"Under different circumstances, she might've been an elegant lady like yourself. Just bad luck."
"I find it hard to excuse sinking this low."
"That's because, you've never been in her circumstances."
"I don't know that much about her, except that, she came from a fine family and disgraced them, probably to marry some low-class brawler." He grinned at her.
"Like me?"
"Probably."
"You are so naïve and innocent, my dear Miss Jones. I'll bet you've never even been kissed."
He was spot on.
She felt a hot flush raced to her face, at the truth of his words.
"That's hardly your business, Mr. Evans. Respectable young women, do not allow men to take certain liberties, until they are married."
"My dear Miss Jones, you're not getting any younger. Perhaps it's time you found out what you are missing." She jumped up out of the swing.
"I'll have you know, I have a suitor and a very respectable one at that. Of course, that's something you wouldn't know about."
Sam allowed her cheeky comment to slide.
"Lieutenant Fortenbury?" He frowned.
"Yes."
"He's only after your half of the Lily."
"Funny, he says the same about you."
"But at least I'm honest about it." She felt like slapping him.
"Isn't it possible, that he might really be interested in me?"
"Miss Jones, at the risk of being called a liar, I know a great deal more about that cad, than you do. And believe me, he is not a suitable beau for…"
"Stop right there! I will not hear another word of this." She couldn't keep her voice from rising.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me."
"Not on a stack of Bibles. When you want to come in, yell for Carmen. I've done enough good deeds, for low-class rascals today."
She went inside and slammed the door.
Watching her, Sam sighed.
She was so pretty when she was angry...and so sexy.
He'd handled this badly.
He had no doubt, that the prissy officer was after her share, of the Texas Lily…which he'd get over Sam's dead body.
Of course, if she married the pantywaist, Sam would have to do business with the arrogant idiot. That would indeed be a problem.
The only way to deal with this, was to charm Mercedes Jones himself.
She seemed too smart, to fall for that fool, Lieutenant Fortenbury.
She seemed smarter than most people he'd met. Actually, besides Sue, he's never met a woman that smart, and that made her a real challenge.
Sam grinned.
He liked challenges.
There Mercedes goes again, making me so mad at her and that lieutenant, he seems to have an axe to grind with Sam. Until next chapter, much love to you.