Valentines Day

Hannibal Heyes sat with his back leaning against the bedpost and watched with some amusement as his partner primped in front of the mirror. Heyes didn't dare utter a comment but there really was no other word for what the Kid was doing. Heyes watched in the mirror as Kid ran a comb through his curly hair, then licked his fingers and tried vainly to tame the cowlick at the crown of his head.

"Just keep your hat on and no one will notice," Heyes suggested, no longer able to refrain from offering a bit of advice.

Kid raised his eyes and looked at his partner in the mirror. "It ain't funny Heyes. It's Valentines Day and every woman alive wants somebody to make her feel special. Don't matter if she's high society or one of the ladies working in the saloon, and a lady feels special when she knows the man offering her some attention has gone out of his way to… to look the part."

"And smell the part too, apparently. What is that you're wearing?"

"It's called Leather and Musk. The man in the Barber Shop said women swoon over this stuff."

"Swoon or faint dead away?"

Kid reached for his leather vest and slipped it on over his freshly washed white shirt. "Are you planning to waste Valentines Day all alone here in a dingy hotel room?"

"I plan to spend the evening with Shakespeare," Heyes replied.

"Heyes, you could be living some great love affair instead of just reading about it. Why don't you just get yourself cleaned up and come over to the saloon with me? I'm sure there's some wallflower whore over there just hoping someone like you will come along and sweep her off her feet."

Heyes gave the suggestion some consideration. "Give me ten minutes to get ready."

Kid was just finishing strapping on his gun belt. "I'll meet you downstairs in the lobby. I've got a quick errand to run."

Ten minutes later Heyes paced the lobby waiting for his partner to return. When Kid walked in, he was carrying a corsage of small red roses.

"I certainly hope those aren't for me," Heyes teased.

Kid grinned. "Whichever lady I decide to take upstairs is gonna get these. I'm hoping they'll buy be a few extra minutes," he explained with a wink. "Come on, let's go."

Walking into the saloon, Kid immediately caught sight of a voluptuous brunette whose dress left little to the imagination.

"Excuse me Heyes, but I think I've found my Valentine, and don't wait up," he said and departed his partner's company with a slight slap to Heyes' back.

Heyes watched as Kid approached the brunette, offering her a most charming smile and some lovely flowers. Moments later he watched the two head up the stairs. He walked up to the bar and ordered a beer. Turning his back to the bar he noticed a saloon girl with rich red hair and lips to match. She was leaning against the piano, presumably listening to the music as the piano player banged out a tune, but her eyes were focused on Heyes.

"Hey Smith!" a man called from one of the poker tables. "Come join us. That winning streak of your last night can't last forever. Give us a chance to get some of our money back!"

Heyes smiled, now suddenly torn between Lady Luck and a Lady of the Evening….

0-0-0

Kid turned first the key and then the door knob and sauntered into their hotel room where Heyes was again sitting on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard, his book of Shakespeare open in his hands.

"Aww Heyes, I'm sorry. It didn't work out, uh?" Kid said as he walked over to his own bed and began to shed his hardware and clothes.

Heyes closed the book and smiled. "Worked out just fine," he replied.

"You mean you actually got lucky?" Kid asked.

"Lucky? No Kid, you're the one that depends on luck. I happen to have skill, and the lady I spent the evening with very much appreciates a man of skill."

Kid was certain if he pursued the conversation there was a very good chance they would end up in a very vocal argument, so he gave his partner a condescending smile and climbed into bed feeling both exhausted and satisfied.

"Don't keep the light on too long Heyes," he said and rolled to his side with his back toward his partner.

Heyes closed his book and placed it on the nightstand, then snuffed the oil lamp and scooted down into the bed. Before falling to sleep, he slipped his hand into his pants pocket and wrapped his fingers around the wad of newly acquired money, that his partner knew nothing about.

"Good night, Kid," he said with a triumphant smile. "Happy Valentines Day."