Chapter 7 A Change of Plans (Part 2)

Arizona Territory (Mike's Place)

"I guess I said we because there's two of us," Mike shrugged. "The bed over there, once in a while my hired help stays the night. I see no point in him sleeping in the barn." Mike hoped Favorite would buy her lies.

"Oh, I see," said Les. It seemed as though he believed Mike's lies. "Well, I should get out to the barn. Slick and I have been together so long, he's probably wondering where I am. I'd hate for him ta think I gone and left him."

Mike could not help but laugh at Favorite's statement. She also knew that she couldn't let Favorite sleep in the barn. How could she use Favorite to fulfill her Dan fantasies, if he was sleeping in the barn? She had to keep him in the house. But how was she going to convince him? He seemed pretty attached to his horse.

"Favorite, I'd hate for you to have to sleep out in the barn, when I have an extra bed in the house," said Mike.

"What about Slick?" asked Les.

"I'm afraid he can't come in the house," teased Mike, trying her best to flirt with Favorite. "I rarely let Sutler in the house."

Les laughed at Mike's remark. "Funny, Mike. I meant that Slick will probably worry himself to death wondering what happened ta me."

"You could tell him where you are. I'm sure he'd understand," said Mike. "After all, he does get to sleep in a nice barn."

"I reckon ya might be right," Les replied. "If you'd excuse me, I'm gonna go and let Slick know what's goin' on. I'll be back directly."

So far everything was going to plan for Mike. She had a feeling that if she kept giving Favorite her attention that she could get him into the bedroom with her. Before Dan, Mike would not have dreamed of doing something like this. Then again, if Dan was still with her, she wouldn't have been thinking about inviting a stranger in her room just so she could live out a fantasy. Mike was certain if Dan was still with her, they would have already been in her bed and would have shared their bodies with one another.

Les made his way to Slick. He led the horse to the barn where he took off the saddle and harness. He explained to Slick their sleeping situation at least for that night. Les felt the horse understood. Les figured Slick appreciated the opportunity to sleep in a nice barn as much as he appreciated sleeping on an actual bed.

While walking back to the house, Les stopped. He could clearly see that Mike Yardner was giving him her trust. Les was more than willing to sleep in the barn, but Mike invited him to sleep in the house. Yes, things were going much easier than Les thought they would go. There was just one problem.

When Les had listened to Starcourt describe Mike Yardner, Les was expecting her to be a rough looking widowed woman. He was not expecting Mike Yardner to be a younger, good looking woman. Les was told he would have difficulties getting Mike off of her land. He was not expecting he would have difficulties because he was having second thoughts. Les was not expecting there could be a change of plans. Les continued onto the house.

"I thought you might've changed your mind and decided to sleep in the barn," said Mike as she heard Favorite come back into the house.

"Sorry, it took so long," Les apologized. "I uh wanted to make sure Slick was alright with me sleepin' in here."

"Was he?" Mike asked.

"Ain't no need ta worry about him," Les replied. "I wanna thank ya again, ma'am."

"There you go saying ma'am again," sighed Mike. "Please, Favorite, call me Mike."

"Since ya invited me into your home, gave me some vittles, and a place to roost, I should let ya know my given name is Lester Dean. I go by Les," said Les.

Les made a decision to tell Mike his given name. He figured it was safe to do so. Les was confident that his face was not on any wanted posters. Yes, he shot Evans Vincent, but that was in Kansas, hundreds of miles from here. Besides, Marshal Dillon would have to report Les as an outlaw. It would be hard to do that if the Marshal was no longer around. Les Dean felt like a free man.

"It's very nice to meet you, Les," said Mike in a flirtatious voice. "I guess I never gave you my full name. It's Mike Yardner."

"I'm much obliged for your kindness, Miss Yardner," said Les.

"It's Mrs. Yardner," Mike corrected.

"Mrs?" Les questioned. "I didn't realize you were married. Where's your husband?" Les already knew that Mike was a widow, but he had to act as though he didn't know.

"I'm a widow," Mike replied. "Johnny died three years ago after he fell off his horse. The horse hit a prairie dog hole."

"Sorry ta hear," said Les.

"Well, I'm getting tired. I think I'll turn in," said Mike. "Goodnight, Les."

"Goodnight, Mike," Les responded back.

Mike turned and faced her bedroom. She saw the shotgun leaning against the wall, near the bedroom door. When Dan was with her, Mike kept the gun in her bedroom. She kept it with her even though she knew she would not have to use it. Now Mike didn't know what to do. Did she keep the gun where it was or take it with her? If she wanted to get Les into bed with her, bringing a shotgun would more than likely deter him. Taking a deep breath, Mike left the shotgun where it was and went into her bedroom.

Les took his coat off and draped it over one of the chairs. He took his boots off and placed them by the bed. Les sat down on the bed, but sleep was the furthest thing from his mind. Forefront on his mind was the woman in the other room. He could hear Mike in the other room. For a woman who was tired and wanted to turn in, she sure was restless.

Mike told Les she was tired, but that was a lie. She couldn't fall asleep if her life depended on it. Mike would sit on the bed, get up, and pace around the room. She continued that pattern for several minutes. Mike so badly wanted to use Les as part of her fantasy. But how was she going to get him into her room? She couldn't just invite him in. Mike really had a dilemma.

Yes, Mike Yardner was some woman. All Les could think of was Mike in bed and how he wished he was in that bed with her. Knowing that he wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon, Les sat down on the chair in front of the fireplace. While sitting there, he started whistling "Mulberry Bush." He had whistled the entire song, when Mike opened her door.

While Mike was focused on her dilemma, she could hear Les whistling. She immediately recognized the tune. It was obvious that Les was not fast asleep. An idea suddenly occurred to Mike. She prayed that it would work.

"It's very difficult for a woman to get any sleep around here." Mike looked at Les with an inviting and seductive smile.

Les wasn't quite sure what Mike meant by her words, but her smile clearly indicated that she was asking him into her bedroom, that and the fact that she just stood there, as though she was waiting for him. Les wasn't about to lose the opportunity. He rose from the chair and walked towards the bedroom.

Once in the bedroom, Les took Mike in his arms and began to kiss her passionately. He was relieved when she did not pull away. She was a willing participant. It was clear to see that Les and Mike wanted the same thing. It wasn't long until they were both sans of their attire and in bed making love to one another. Maybe making love wasn't the best thing to call it. There was no love between Les and Mike. Right now Les was playing the role of Dan for Mike and Mike was fulfilling needs Les's manly needs.

During their moment of passion, Mike yelled out. "Oh Dan!"

Les heard the name that escaped from Mike's lips, but was at the point of no return. He was not going to stop now and question her. Les would question her outburst later. Several moments later both Mike and Les reached their climax. Mike clenched around Les as he poured his seed into her. When things had finally settled down, Les pulled away from Mike.

"You called me Dan," he told her. "Who's Dan?" You called your husband, Johnny."

Mike looked at Les. She knew she yelled out Dan's name, but was hoping that Les hadn't heard it or was too occupied to notice. Now she had to think of something to cover up her huge mistake. How on Earth would she explain yelling out one man's name while having sex with another man?

TBC