Chapter 5 – Different Directions

A week passed, then two, and finally three. Ginny's frustration grew as she made no progress on any front; she'd learned nothing new about Red, Mae was as cold and distant as ever and there were just too many of the girls who appeared to have no desire to form a relationship with anyone new in their midst. The only encouraging situation was her blossoming friendship with Frank Carson, and even that wasn't moving as fast as she'd like.

Beatrice might have been the oldest of the 'girls' but she was definitely the busiest. She had an appointment of one kind or another almost every afternoon, and Ginny found herself spending more and more time with the head bartender. Frank was friendly and helpful; he didn't ask too many questions and seemed to be interested in almost anything Ginny told him. Finally one slow Thursday afternoon she decided to push a little and see where it got her.

Carson had spent the morning taking inventory. Alfie was home sick and Ginny seized the opportunity to help; they'd worked for several hours before taking a break. Lilybelle made sandwiches for lunch and stayed to tend bar for the few customers they had; the men at the bar were happy to have a pretty girl serving them drinks.

"Feels good to sit down," Ginny remarked as she picked up her sandwich. "How do you manage to work so many hours and still look like you just got here?"

Frank laughed. "I grew up workin' on a farm. Sunup to sundown seven days a week. This is nothin' in comparison. What about you?"

"Nothin' exciting. Mama died when I was fourteen, Papa got killed not long after that. Went to live with a friend and started workin' when I was fifteen. Been doin' one thing or another ever since."

"No other family?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Not a soul in the world. You got any?"

"Got a younger sister in Arizona. Married, with a couple kids. That's all for me."

"What about Red? He never talks about himself."

"Don't take it personal. He don't talk about himself to nobody."

Ginny set her sandwich back down. "How'd he lose his leg?"

Frank took a drink before answering. "In the war. That's all I know – Red don't talk about it. Afterwards he came here to Kansas City and started Diamond Lil's. It was a little place at first, but he kept expanding it till it got to be the size it is now."

"How'd you meet Red?" This was the most talking Frank had done since she'd been here, and she hoped to keep the conversation going as long as possible.

"He was doin' the second expansion of Lil's and he needed a bartender. I went to work for him, nights at first, and just stayed. That was eight years ago."

"He depends on you for a lot."

"He's always made it worth my while." Frank was done with lunch and Ginny picked up the bottle on the table and poured him another drink. "Thanks."

"The first day I got here, he said somethin' to me about it bein' hard to keep girls. I never did get to ask him what he meant. You got any idea?"

Frank played with his glass but didn't pick it up. "We had a couple girls leave without any warning a while back. Betty Lou and Anna Marie. Betty went first, never said a word, just bought a stagecoach ticket and took off. Anna Marie quit a week later, but she left us a note and said she was goin' back to Montana. Durn near broke Red's heart, to lose two of 'em so close together like that. That's when he started lookin' for ladies to take their place, and we found you. Or you found us. Which was it?"

The story was all prepared and waiting. "A little of both, actually. I was in Denver lookin' for a new place when a friend of mine told me about Lil's. I'd heard all kinda things about Kansas City, so I wired Red and asked about the job. Next thing ya know, here I am."

"You never been here before?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, but it sounded like a good idea. I needed to get away from Denver."

"Trouble?"

"You might say that. A man that wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Denver's loss. So whatta you think of Kansas City?"

A little laugh issued forth. "I haven't gotten to see much of it yet. I'm not inclined to go exploring by myself, and most of the other girls aren't interested."

Frank saw an opening and took it. "Do you ride?"

"Just about born on a horse."

"How about goin' ridin' with me?"

"You practically live here, Frank. How are you gonna take time off?" Ginny asked.

"One word. Harry."

"I'll need a horse."

"No problem. How's tomorrow?"

"Sounds good to me. What time?"

Frank pondered the question for a minute. "How about ten o'clock? We can go to Nelda's for breakfast, then I'll get the horses from the livery. I'll show you the city and some of the countryside."

"Alright. It should be fun. And I'll be glad to get outside for an afternoon."

The bartender smiled. He was finally going to have his chance with the magnificent redhead.

And the Pinkerton agent was going to have her chance with the man sitting across the table from her.

XXXXXXXX

Bret played poker the night before at Lollie's with Homer Danvers, Danny Fletcher, Remy Miller and Fred Barton. There was no doubt in his mind that Fletcher, the preacher's son, had spent the whole night cheating. He knew it but he couldn't prove it; it had been his intention to leave Hobbs in the morning but Danny's play was so sloppy, so brazen that he canceled those plans and decided to stay another night. That extra night would cost him dearly.

Within twenty-four hours Bret had publicly accused Fletcher of illegally manipulating the cards, had his Remington Colt stolen, and been arrested for shooting Danny in the back. At the prisoner's request, the sheriff sent a wire to his brother in Little Bend, Texas, explaining the dire circumstances and asking for help. Bart Maverick didn't hesitate and left for Hobbs, New Mexico immediately.