A pair of dark eyes watched with interest as the sheriff and Zooey rode away from the jail office. Back to the old homestead? Interesting, he thought. This will certainly be a homecoming no one in this town will ever forget. I hope you’ll be surprised, Joshua Duncan.
“Ready boss?”
The older, distinguished looking man glanced back and scowled at the scruffy cowboy, sitting on a stallion behind him. “We’ll head out when I say I'm ready and not a moment sooner. Got it?”
“I got it, boss,” the younger man nodded before adding silently, “Asshole”.
“We have a stop to make before the ranch. My throat is parched and I need a drink.”
“Yes sir.”
Both men nudged their mounts and pulled their hats low over their brows. The dust curled up behind them as they walked the horses over to Charlie's Saloon. The older man quickly and quietly dismounted and proceeded to dust off his dark coat and pants. “Damn dirty business, this town. Nothing has changed. Watch my horse. I won't be long.”
“Yes sir.”
The older man raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “There are many words in the English language youngster. Perhaps you need to start using them. While I appreciate your common sense in not speaking until spoken too; I bore easily. Try and think up a new way to agree with me.”
“Yes sir.”
A heavy sigh left the man's throat as he walked up the front steps. “I'm surrounded by fools,” he whispered before opening the door and walking into the saloon. A blast of warm, sour aroma hit his nostrils as he inhaled and removed his hat. “Nice to see nothing has changed, Charlie!”
Charlie Marks raised his head from his beer glasses. His mouth instantly dropped open.
“Surprised, my old friend?”
“Friend is a strong word, Jack, a strong word indeed. Been a long time and I was hoping to keep it that way.” Jack walked toward the bar and placed his hat on the bar top. “Can a man get a drink in this hell hole or is my money no good here?”
“Won't refuse a paying man, Jack, but be quick. Don't think you want too many prying eyes.” Charlie reached under the bar for a clean shot glass and filled it to the brim with whiskey. With his other hand he withdrew the pistol he kept hidden underneath the counter.
“Now, now, Charlie, there's no need for that. I'm not here to bring you grief - but I do plan on staying awhile, so you'd best get used to seeing my face.”
“Have your drink and leave, Jack. I'm not looking for trouble.”
Jack slowly sipped the amber liquid from the glass. “I see the quality of liquor has improved. Good for you!”
Just as Jack was about to take another drink, he heard the piano begin to play and a decidedly feminine voice start warbling a familiar show tune. “Ah, new entertainment as well. Delightful!” He stared intently at the petite blonde and wondered if this was Tom Brennan’s latest conquest. “Send that young lady a glass of champagne on me,” he said to Charlie, keeping his eyes on the songstress. She'd be a pretty little thing on my arm once she was cleaned up and dressed right.
Charlie opened the only bottle of champagne he had in the saloon. You damn well better pay full price for this, he thought as he brought the glass over to Sarah.
Sarah cut her song short when she caught sight of Charlie – and that glass. She welcomed the break, as the saloon was almost empty, and she was tired of singing to no one in particular.
“Who is this from?” she asked.
“Not from me, darling. It's from the gentleman at the bar. Now, I suggest you put on your biggest smile and go thank him for it.”
“Oh? A big shot, huh?” It wasn't often Sarah had the chance to drink champagne, let alone have it bought by such a distinguished looking man. She scanned him up and down with her icy blue eyes and nodded as graciously as she could, tasting the bubbles briefly before sashaying over to the bar. “Don't you worry, Charlie. I'll take good care of him.”
“Don't mess with him, Sarah. He's a snake with venom worse than you've ever tasted.”
Sarah looked back at Charlie and winked. “I've had worse than snakes and you know it.”
Across the bar, Jack smiled as the blonde woman slowly walked toward him. The sway of her hips was exaggerated. He knew the show was just for him. “That's it darling, come to poppa,” he muttered under his breath.
He's older than I thought, Sarah noted as she got closer. She was a bit disappointed as she got nearer to the man but had given her favours to less attractive and older men for nothing more than a night’s sleep in clean sheets.
“I understand I have you to thank for this?” Sarah said, waving the champagne glass in the air and kneeling in a fake curtsy. She smiled and stopped just short of the tall, well-dressed man sitting at the bar.
Jack nodded and grinned lasciviously. “Yes indeed, my dear. You deserve that and much more.”
Sarah surveyed the man, noting the touch of silver in his hair and his dark eyes. He seemed to look right through her. She swallowed the nervous bile building in her gut. You look familiar, she thought. “My name is Sarah, Sarah Sweet, and you are?”
“Just call me Jack,” he said as he stood up and extended a hand. “That's all you need know for now.”
Sarah pasted on the smile so fake, it was in danger of slipping off her red painted lips. There was something dangerous about this man that was enthralling and sickening all at the same time. She took a deep breath and took his hand, watching as he raised her fingers to his lips.
“It's my pleasure to meet you, Sarah Sweet,” Jack released the young woman's hand and sat back down. “Care to join me?”
Sarah hesitated. “Well, I'd like to, but I'm supposed to be working right now.”
“If you’re worried about old Charlie, don't be. He and I go way back. He won't mind you keeping me company for awhile.”
Sarah turned back to see if Charlie was watching, but he had his back turned. Damn it! “Of course, Jack. Thank you,” Sarah said as she hoisted herself onto one of the bar stools. She fought back the feeling that she had met this man before.
“Don't let me stop you from enjoying your champagne, my dear.”
“It's lovely,” Sarah said as she took another small sip of the bubbly liquid. She had no intention of getting intoxicated. What's your game? “So, Jack, have I seen you before?”
Jack grinned and slapped his knee. “Smart girl! I doubt we've met personally before today, but you may have met my son. He works here in town.”
“Really?” Sarah tried hard to think of who it might be.. “Would he be in his thirties maybe? Tall, dashing good looks? Dark eyed?”
“I would assume so. I've not seen the boy for a bit.”
A thought popped into Sarah’s mind, but she decided to stay quiet for the time being. If she was correct, the fun in this town was about to begin. “I'm sorry to hear that, Jack. What brings you back to our fair town?”
Jack stood up, adjusted his coat and smoothed the wrinkles from his pants. “Business, my lovely Sarah. I have big business here. Tonight I’m going to investigate a new piece of acquired property. My business associates should be holding a party in my honour. Would you care to accompany me?”
A thrill ran through her body. Sarah loved the idea of being escorted to a fancy party by a wealthy man. She nodded in agreement. She quickly dismissed any thoughts of Tom from her head.. Seems like I have bigger fish to fry now, she thought. “It'd be an honour, Jack.”
A loud, deep laugh escaped Jack’s throat as he tossed his hat back on his head. “I doubt honour has anything to do with it, my dear. Let's not fool ourselves. Put on a pretty frock and I'll come back within the hour!”
Sarah giggled with delight, swallowed the last gulp of champagne, and quickly ran across the bar and up the stairs. As Jack stepped out of the saloon, he smiled to himself. The evening was shaping up quite nicely.
“Ole Jack is back home!”