Chapter 14
Tempest followed Manny out of the stable, riding beside Lucky. She felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t living a dream. But if she was, she didn’t want to wake up. The Bend’s residents had been nothing but kind to her.
Manny held up a hand, glancing up and down Main Street.
“What is it?” She looked around, but saw nothing unusual.
“Expecting somebody?” Lucky asked.
“You ever meet the Hayes Brothers?” Manny queried.
“No.”
“Here they come now.”
Two broad-shouldered men with short, black hair and neat mustaches, and dressed in blue seersucker plaid sack suits with round corners and brown derby hats swaggered down the boardwalk.
Tempest watched them in amazement as they drew near. They were almost giants at six-feet-five. They were dressed in the latest fashion, something she doubted anybody saw much in the Bend. And they radiated energy enough for a dozen men.
They came to a stop in front of her and were almost at eye level even though she was on the back of a horse. They appeared to be handsome, debonair gentlemen out for a constitutional. And that made about as much sense as anything else in Delaware Bend.
Manny stepped up beside them. “Lucky and Tempest, I’d like you to meet Burt and Bob Hayes.”
They raised their hats in unison, inclined their heads, and smiled, revealing bright white teeth.
“Howdy,” Lucky said.
“I’m pleased to meet you.” She could see they weren’t twins like Elmira and Lamira, but they were close to it.
“I’m Burt.” He stepped forward. “Miss Tempest, please forgive our intrusion into your day. We understand you are about to leave town on a matter of supreme importance. Nevertheless, we wanted to catch you while we had the opportunity.”
“Catch me?”
“We represent Hayes Brothers Entertainment Enterprises.”
She nodded and smiled pleasantly. Did they sell pianos to saloons or something?
“We trust you have considered the importance of your contribution to society,” Burt said.
“My what?”
“Everybody has heard about the commitment by ladies of temperance societies to bring public awareness to the detrimental effects of whiskey overconsumption,” Burt said.
“But few have had the opportunity to view an actual event such as when you chopped the Red River Saloon bar,” Bob added.
Tempest blushed, feeling heat sting her face.
“We thought you might care to spread the word and reach a larger audience,” Burt said.
“As you’re a huckleberry above most persimmons,” Bob added.
Tempest glanced at Lucky, hoping for some enlightenment or help. He appeared as puzzled as she felt.
“We are creating a Wild West show for the stage,” Burt said. “Such famous big bugs as the legendary singer, Lady Gone Bad, the popular dime novelist, Angelique, as well as outlaws, Indians, gunslingers will all be represented to our audiences across the nation.”
“Savagerous,” Bob added.
Tempest felt her mouth drop open in surprise.
Lucky chuckled. “You’re spinning a tall tale.”
“It’s no story.” Manny bristled. “I’m their stock handler. Mama Lou is their cook. This business is homegrown. And it’s getting bigger by the day.”
“Last year Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show opened in New York and it’s a huge success. Folks want more of the Wild West,” Bob said.
“That brings us to why we are here,” Burt added. “We believe folks will pay hard-earned cash to see on stage the Reenactment of Temperance Tempest Chopping the Legendary Bar of the Red River Saloon.”
Tempest put a hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter at the absurd idea.
Lucky laughed out loud.
Manny appeared offended. “Laugh all you want now, but we’ll laugh last when we’re rolling in dough and you’re still hunting in the mountains for gold.”
“As much as I appreciate your suggestion,” Tempest said, “I’ve hung up my hatchet.”
“We’ll buy you a new one,” Burt said.
“Paint it red. Add some sparkles,” Bob added.
Lucky laughed harder.
“Miss Tempest,” Manny said. “Please give the notion some consideration. Your legend is growing. Once your painting hangs in the Red River Saloon, you’ll be even more famous. If you’re in our Wild West show, folks will come to Delaware Bend in droves to see that artwork. We’ll all be rich and famous.”
Tempest looked from one to another as realization dawned on her that they were totally serious. “Perhaps an actress could play my part?”
“Diana might do it, but she’s got other parts to play,” Burt said.
“Diana has agreed, as well as Mama Lou?” Tempest shook her head in wonderment.
“Don’t forget me,” Manny said. “We wouldn’t sign on to no flyby-night operation. I’ve known Burt and Bob all my life.”
“You forget Tempest has several jobs already,” Lucky said. “She doesn’t have time, even if she was interested in your show.”
“We wouldn’t think to impose on you now,” Burt said. “We’re in the planning stages. We’re gathering backers. We’re soliciting talent.”
“Temperance Tempest and Her Hatchet,” Bob added. “Think about it.”
“And the Bend would sure appreciate your help,” Manny said.
Tempest felt her heart constrict with sadness. Now she understood. Nothing in the Bend had been free. She owed the town’s residents, and they were calling in their marker. She glanced over at Lucky, hoping she didn’t appear as disillusioned as she felt.
“You can see you’ve caught Tempest by surprise,” Lucky said. “She isn’t used to being famous yet. We don’t even know when we’ll be back in town.”
“Consternation!” Burt shook his head. “Miss Tempest, if we sound pushy, we apologize.”
“We don’t mean to wreak havoc,” Bob agreed. “We understand you might need time to ponder setting foot on stage. But we want you to know that our ladies will receive the utmost privacy, respect, and protection.”
“Mama Lou, Diana, and Ludmila are gonna have my hide.” Manny spit a stream of tobacco to one side, and then wiped his mouth with a bandanna. “They told me not to make you feel like you owed the town something, ’cause it’s not true. Everything we done we done from our hearts. We want you to join us in this adventure ’cause we like you and you fit in with us.”
Tempest smiled, feeling a little better at his words. “Is Ludmila part of this enterprise, too?”
“Who else is gonna order us what we need?” Manny asked.
“Maybe we didn’t make it clear that everybody is getting paid top dollar or a percentage of the profits,” Bob added.
Tempest cocked her head to one side, considering the money. Elmira and Lamira would be outraged at the idea. Once she set foot on stage, her reputation would be ruined for all time. On the other hand, it was pretty much in tatters right now. And with no matrimonial prospects, she did need an income.
“Lucky, you’re a likely looking man,” Burt said. “If we painted your skin darker, we could outfit you and send you on stage to play an Indian. Are you any good with that six-shooter?”
“Indian?” Lucky asked.
“Good idea,” Manny said. “Lucky, we’d be glad for you to join us.”
“Thanks,” Lucky said. “But right now we’re headed for Indian Territory.”
“But we’ll be back soon.” Tempest couldn’t imagine taking part in a Wild West show. Still, it wasn’t much stranger than anything else that had happened to her in the Bend.
When Lucky urged his horse forward, she followed him. On impulse, she looked back and raised her hat to the three men watching her. They responded in kind.
Indian Territory just might turn out to be dull after Delaware Bend.