Emerald City

They finally arrived in Laredo, Texas bone weary and dust laden at three o’clock in the afternoon. Vic lightly tapped Kid on the shoulder,” Just drop me off at the bank.”

“ Bank?” Kid asked nervously. “ Why do you need a bank?”

“ I have money waiting there and I thought your whole reason for living today was to get paid.”

He stopped the horses in the middle of the street and turned back to shoot a dirty look at her before turning down a side street and stopping.
“ One bank. I’ll take the horses to the stable and meet you in the saloon.”

Vic peeked through the window and pounded on the door. A gentleman happened by and informed her that she had just missed banking hours. The fine institution closes at three so the manager could tend to his job as mayor as well.
“ Three?! He’s going to think I’m making this up.”

Kid dusted himself off and walked straight to the bar. “ Whiskey and beer, in that order.” He watched Vic walk in and straight up to the bar beside him.

“ The bank is closed.”

“ No bank closes at three o’clock in the afternoon. Trust me on this one.”

“ This one does.”

“ You’re making this up.”

“ I knew you’d say that.” She snipped.

Curry looked at the barkeep that nodded in agreement. He leaned over slightly to whisper to Vic. “ So, how do we pay for a hotel, not to mention the drinks I just ordered.”

“ Oh, did you order me a drink?”

“ No.”

“ I’m pretty sure I have something tucked away somewhere.” She proceeded to rub her hands over her leather pants and vest. She unbuckled her gun belt, sat it up on the bar, and continued with the search. She checked her waistband, the hem of her vest, no luck. She turned around and jumped up to sit on the bar as she took her boots off and searched the lining, the hem of her pants. By now, the barkeep was raising an eyebrow in their direction and Vic was drawing a crowd.

“ Would you like to go somewhere else and do that?” Kid suggested.

“ No, it’s got to be right here…” she continued her search as someone in the crowd whistled, and that started a cheering section that quickly spread.

“ I’ll buy you a drink, darlin’, if you’ll just come over here and sit on my lap.” Someone yelled.

Kid took off his right glove and threw it on the bar with a sigh. He hated gunplay when he was parched, but it looked like that was where this was heading. Vic picked up her gun belt, took out the revolver and turned the holster upside down. Out fell two twenty dollar gold pieces.

“ Ah hah!” she exclaimed triumphantly as she held them up.

Curry shook his head, “ Of course, what else would you use it for?”

Her find hadn’t quelled the crowd any, and Curry finally turned around to face them with his hand resting on his Colt, he flipped the safety off the trigger. “ Leave the lady alone.”

“ We’re just having a little fun, mister. Ain’t no harm.” someone shouted.

“ Well, if you’re lookin’ for fun, she’s not it. Trust me.” Curry scanned the crowd for anyone that looked like they might not back down.

“ Must be her husband!” someone else yelled and the entire bar burst into laughter. It was also enough to break the crowd up and they went back to their own business.

Kid Curry looked at Vic as she hopped off of the bar and she had the most contemptible look on her face. “ What?” he asked innocently.

She tossed one of the gold pieces on the bar. “ Go buy yourself a drink, a steak, a room, a bath, a shave, a whore. Go buy yourself a personality but stay on your side of town until the bank opens tomorrow. I don’t want to see you anymore tonight.”

“ That’s a big list for just twenty dollars,” he called after her.

The barkeeper raised his eyebrow at the now paying customers and informed them, “ Gonna be kinda hard, only one hotel.”

“ One hotel?!” Vic hissed.

“ The other one burned down last month.”

“ Of course it did. It knew we were coming.” Vic turned and stormed off as Curry turned to get acquainted with his drinks.

When he finished his drinks, he walked across the street to the barber for a shave and a bath, right past Vic as she exited from the ladies shop next door. She rolled her eyes and turned quickly to walk away. When he was all finished and feeling human again, he walked over to the telegraph office to get word to Heyes and ran right into Vic as she exited.
She gave him a push backwards, “ This isn’t funny!”

Curry just looked at the telegrapher and shrugged. He wrote out his message and left instructions for the reply to be sent to him at the hotel. Then he went over to the hotel and stepped up to the clerk, requesting a room for the night.

“ No, sorry.” The clerk informed him. “ Just rented out the last one.”

“ Let me guess, a small woman about this high, black braided hair, and the greenest eyes on earth.”

“ Why, yes sir!” the clerk exclaimed. “ Friend of yours? ”

“ Nope,” Curry then quickly reconsidered his predicament. “the wife. She must have gotten here first. What room are we in?”

“ That would be number 24 on the second floor front. Shall I send up two glasses with the whiskey?”

Curry just nodded and walked toward the stairs. He stood outside the door and took a deep breath before he knocked. The door opened and Vic regarded him coolly for a split second “ You’re not whiskey…” came the reply as she promptly slammed the door in his face.

“ C’mon Vic, let me in; you got the last room in the hotel and I’m not sleeping in the stable.”

“ Why not? I’m sure the horses are more FUN to bunk with.” came the cantankerous voice through the door.

“ Look, you haven’t paid me yet, so I’m still in your employ. I can’t guard you from the stable.”
Nothing but silence. He banged on the door loudly and raised his voice, “ Victoria Morgan open this door!”

At that very instant, an elderly gentleman with a cane had rounded to the corner to witness the event. “ Must be the wife, huh?” he chuckled as he came closer.
He stopped and motioned for the Kid to come closer so he could whisper something. “ Just bust the door down! Sometimes the twenty dollars to buy a new one does wonders for the marriage!”

The Kid looked a little amused and put his hand up to his hat brim. “ Much obliged, old timer. “ He watched him shuffle down the corridor and then cast an eye to the closed door in front of him.
“ Last chance Vic, and then I’m busting the door in. And you know I’m good for it. One…two….”

The door opened and she stood in front of him with her hand on her hip, hair unbraided, in a flowing silk robe. “ You wouldn’t dare,” she challenged.

Curry shook his head. “ Don’t need to, you just opened it. Look, I don’t want to fight with you; I’m tired and I just want somewhere to lie down.”

“ Well, you’re sleeping on the sofa.”

“ You have a sofa in there? ”


After the whiskey had arrived, they had half of the bottle gone in less than an hour. The suite was large and luxurious and they were setting at the table matching drinks. Vic was drunk and Curry was amused.

“ And my great, great grandfather was the Dread Pirate Morgan, I mean who else would name a ranch Black Cove?” she giggled and continued. “ Well, he saw my great, great grandmother on an English bhip sound for France and he sunk an entire British armada to get to her.” She propped her elbow on the table and sighed. “ Wasn’t that romantic?”

“ Not to the British Armada!” Curry observed.

“ So, you see that’s why I had to go to Hidalgo to get the map.”

“ The map to what?”

“ To where it’s buried, silly. Because I have to have the tiara.”

“ And the map shows where it’s buried?” the Kid was trying hard to keep up.

“ No, no, no! It shows everywhere it’s not buried. See?”

“ Nope!” and he laughed. “ I don’t even know what’s buried.”


“Never mind that,” She giggled, “I fink I tiggered us out.” Vic said as she poured them another round. “ We have… a failure to communicate.”

“ I’m not much of a talker. More a man of action.” The Kid assured her.
“ Communicating just leads to trouble.”

She seemed to sway as she considered this. “ So, what you’re saying is that you’ll cake my tlothes off, but you won’t talk to me?” She started to pour them another round and when she missed the glasses, she just shrugged and upended the bottle.

He grabbed the bottle for a healthy swig and pointed at her, “ See, it just leads to trouble.” Surely she would understand that flash of brilliance.

She stood up somewhat wobbly, “ So does detting grunk with someone who thoesn’t dink you’re any fun.” She started to walk by him and fell directly into his lap.
They regarded each other for a silent moment. Then she put her arms around his neck and lay her head on his chest. “ You don’t stink anymore.”

“ That the sofa you want me to sleep on?” he asked quickly. Her tight ass was in his groin, he was drunk, he was doing the math.

She looked at him like he just shot her dog. “ No, I wanted you to sleep with the farm animals, but I could hear them begging for mercy.” She struggled up from his lap and walked toward the bedroom, straight into the doorframe and hit the floor.

“ Oops.” Curry called out to her unconscious form. He took another drink from the bottle and considered the physical toll it would take for him to walk way over there, pick her up and carry her to bed. Then he looked at the nice overstuffed sofa just a few feet away. He took his boots off and took another drink, looking between Vic and the sofa. He finally let out a long sigh and stood to make his way over to her.
Damn, this room is big.
He must have stood up too fast because his head started to spin wildly; but he made it to her and bent to pick her up.
Damn, is she nailed to the floor?
He eventually just threw her over his shoulder and made his way to the bed. He tried to lay her down on it and ended up falling on top of her.
“ Damn,” was the last thing he said before he passed out.

The sun was shining through the curtain enough to annoy Victoria and wake her up. As she came fully awake, she was aware of something next to her. She screamed and tried to get up out of bed, but fell over the side. Curry was startled awake so fast he fell off of the other side of the bed and put his hand to his thigh, looking for his gun. He peeked up over the top of the mattress to see Vic peeking over the other side at him.

“Oh my god,” her hand flew to her mouth. “What have we done?”

“Nothing.” Curry assured her.

“How do you know, I don’t remember a thing.”

“We wouldn’t have this many clothes on if anything had happened.”

She slowly stood up, “Are you sure?”

“Real sure.” He stood up as well. “I’d never lay a hand on you...”

She seemed to ponder this for a moment and smiled. “You have the communication skills of Neanderthal man. I’m going to breakfast. Why don’t you brush your teeth or shave your tongue or do whatever it is you do, and I’ll meet you at the bank at eight o’clock.” She stomped to the dressing room and slammed the door.

Kid jumped at the sound. “If you’re drunk…” he clarified to the door.

Kid Curry was leaned up against the front wall of the bank, waiting, when Victoria strolled down the street, saddlebags over her shoulder. Small square dark glasses covering her eyes from the sun. He opened the door for her and she wordlessly entered, stepping up to the window and asked for the bank manager.

“Yes, ma’am.” An elderly gentleman stepped out of the back office and Curry instantly recognized him as the old timer from the hall last night. The gentleman recognized him as well.
‘ I’m Mr. Handey, and how are you two this fine morning?” he winked at the Kid. “What can I do for you?”

“I have a bank transfer waiting for me from the First National Savings & Loan of Emerald City. My name is Victoria Morgan. Here are my papers.”

“Oh, yes, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, just step into my office and we’ll conclude our business in there.”

“That’s probably best.” Vic nodded. As the bank manager fiddled with the combination to the safe in his office, Curry shifted uncomfortably.

“Here we are now,” he stacked some money on his desk, “five, ten, fifteen, and twenty thousand. Won’t you count it?”

“Yes, Mr. Morgan,” Vic teased, “Why don’t you count it?”

The Kid tried not to look shocked as he picked up and counted each bundle before putting it in his saddlebags.
“All here, dear.” He then extended his hand to Mr. Handey before walking out the door, keeping one hand on the bags and one hand on the small of Vic’s back.

Vic called back over her shoulder; “You might want to take some flowers home to the misses tonight. She knows about last night.”

The Kid just shrugged apologetically and hurried her out to the street. When they emerged from the bank, they looked at one another for a moment.

“What was that all about?” the Kid stopped her short.

“He wasn’t where he was supposed to be last night.” Was the answer.

“Well, do you want to do it here on the street?” Vic asked.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Settle up so you can be on your way.”

He grabbed her hand and started walking, “Come with me.” He led them back to the hotel room where the maid was tidying up.

“Later please,” Vic said. She didn’t understand why Thaddeus was upset.

“Are you crazy? That kind of money can get you killed out here.”

“Well, it won’t be your problem.” She removed a bundle of money and counted out $ 1,500 and handed it to the Kid. “It was ten days, wasn’t it?”

He stood there looking at the money for a moment. “Yeah, that was the deal.” He took the money and put it in his saddlebags.

“You can go ahead and take the horse in the stable.” She said, looking at the floor.

“Fine.”

“Where are you headed to?” she asked hesitantly.

“Don’t know yet, I’m waiting on a telegram.”

“Well, thank you for seeing me safely this far. I guess you want to go now.” She was still looking at the carpet.

“Who are you going to get to escort you the rest of the way home?”

“I had it all figured out, then I regained consciousness, so I’m not sure.”

The Kid felt like he was abandoning her. “I’m sure something will come up.”

“Always does.” Vic said reluctantly.

He put his hand to the brim of his hat and took one last look at her before turning down the hallway. All you have to do is ask me to stay.

Vic took one last look at him before closing the door. All you have to do is say you don’t want to leave.

Curry adjusted the saddlebag on his shoulder and paused at the top of the stairs to look back down the hall. Open that damn door and ask me to stay.

Vic turned to lean against the door, biting her lip. Come back and tell me you don’t want to leave. She had a sinking feeling down to the bottom of her soul that this isn’t how it was supposed to be. A tear snaked its way down her cheek as she banged her head against the door; echoing the heart that beat wildly in her chest.

Curry took the stairs down slowly, with a feeling in the pit of his stomach he couldn’t quite identify. It was like the feeling he had before he pulled his first job with Heyes; a feeling that this wasn’t how things were supposed to be. He seemed to suddenly run into an impenetrable wall; be pushed back by an unseen force. Kid stopped halfway down the stairs as it encircled him, bending his will to form a new one. It was the kiss, the first kiss, the explosion inside of his brain and his heart; he could feel her kiss on his lips again. It had more worth than gold, it was stronger than pride, and it was the answer to a question, the destination to a journey. He couldn’t come up with a good reason to walk away from it before he studied on it…and her more.

He looked up to see Victoria looking down at him from the top of the stairs. She was biting her lip and he thought he could see the glisten of a tear down her cheek. He turned and took the steps two at a time until he stood in front of her. He brushed a hand across her cheek and then leaned down to kiss her. It was everything he remembered. She returned his kiss fervently. Curry picked her up without breaking the kiss and walked down the hall to her room. A swift kick opened the door and once on the other side, he slammed it closed smoothly with the same foot. He was at the bed before he knew it but didn’t put her down; continuing instead to hold her tightly in his arms, not wanting to end the intensity of their kisses.

“Stay with me” she managed to whisper into his mouth, “and I have no idea why.”

“I want to stay and I have no idea why.” he leaned to find her mouth. She took off his hat and threw it on the bed; he dropped the saddlebags off of his shoulder where he stood and bent down lay her on the bed.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“You? Have some thing to talk to me about?”

“Yeah. This.” He eased his body on top of hers to capture her lips and drink from them like a thirsty man.

She returned her kiss eagerly, breathing in his scent, memorizing the feel of his lips on hers. “Gonna say something different later?”

He grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her closer, kissing her deeply. “When I make up my mind about something, it usually stays that way.”

He was running his hand up her leg, feeling how the leather began to get tighter and stretch around her hips and ass. He wasn’t quite sure how he was gonna get those things off gracefully. He decided to start with her vest and had it unbuttoned in one smooth downward movement. He pushed it aside to cup her breast and began to kiss her ear.
“Are you okay if the shirt comes off?” he breathed. “No running and screaming?”

“Only if yours is going to go with it.” Vic couldn’t explain it, but somehow when he took her in his arms, she felt bold….and strangely hungry. Not hungry for food, but something else to fill her that she hadn’t known before. He already had her blouse open and was trailing kisses down her throat to her breasts. Her scent was incredible, almost like wildflowers in the mountains; not the heavy, rosey perfume most saloon girls liked to wear. He paused to look at her strapless corset with a puzzled look on his face.

“It’s from Paris.” She explained.

“I don’t care where it came from; I just care where it’s going and how to get it there.”
“In the back,” she said as she arched her back so he could slide his hand in. In the process, he found his face in the valley between her large breasts. He liked it.

As he worked the hooks in the back of her corset, he suddenly raised his head and shouted, “Heyes!”

“What?”

“I completely forgot about Joshua!”

“until NOW?”

“I told the telegrapher to bring any replies from him to the hotel.” He looked down at her and smiled. “And I’m not checked into this hotel under Jones, the desk clerk thinks I’m Morgan.”

“ An alias, how exciting!” Vic laughed. She thought he gave her the strangest look, but brushed it off and tried to pull his head back down to her again. He took her hands and kissed them.

“I need to go see if there is any word from him.” He stated flatly.

“NOW?! Who is he?”

“My cousin, we’ve been riding together for a lot of years.” He shrugged his shoulders apologetically.

“I’m glad you haven’t been riding alone.” Was her only reply as she stood up and buttoned her blouse. She went over to her saddlebags, retrieved a money pouch and pulled out a hundred dollars. “Well, I’m going shopping for girl stuff then. All I bought yesterday was something to sleep in.”

The Kid walked up to the front desk and, with a smile, tipped his hat to Vic as she went out the front door. “Any telegrams for Jones? ”

The desk clerk looked confused.” Yes, there is, Mr. Morgan and it’s waiting for him to check in.”

“I’ll take it to him.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, house rules…”

“I need to know what’s in that telegram.” Curry stressed, trying to look intimidating with his thumbs tucked behind the buckle of his gun belt.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

Curry walked closer to the desk and leaned over, “I have reason to believe Mr. Jones is involved with my wife. Now, for the last time, give me the telegram. “

“Oh, my” the clerk looked around excitedly as he slid a piece of paper toward Curry. “Just read it though, I really have to have it back.”

The Kid nodded and started reading.

“Glad you’re in the money. Glad you weren’t on the stage. Will be there by Wednesday. Smith.”

The Kid smiled and handed it back to the desk clerk.

“Now, you just let me know when anyone comes looking for Mr. Jones, okay?” He threw a twenty dollar gold piece on the desk.

“Oh, yes sir, Mr. Morgan! You can count on me.”

“Let’s keep it kinda quiet.” The Kid counseled and the desk clerk nodded. It was good news; Heyes should be in town tonight at the latest.


Kid Curry stepped outside to the main street and squinted in the sun. He surveyed the rows of shops trying to determine which one Vic might have gone into. He went into the general store for a couple of cigars and decided to go to the saloon to play a couple hands of poker. Buying girl stuff sounded like it might take a long time. It seemed like hours and Curry kept checking the door for any sign of Heyes or Vic.

He wasn’t doing too badly, he was up almost $200 when he heard a voice behind him calling softly, “Buy you a drink cowboy?”

Looking up, expecting to see Vic in a dress for the first time, she was in her familiar leather trail gear and silver rimmed hat. He scooted his chair out enough for her to sit on his lap; she put an arm around his shoulders and looked at his cards.

Her eyes grew wide and she said in an excited voice, “Oh, honey, that’s a great hand. Isn’t that a great hand? You outta go all in.” She then smiled sweetly at the whole table. All was silent for a moment, the one by one the other players folded.
She whispered in his ear, “Amateurs.”
Kid slapped her on the ass playfully and raked in a five hundred dollar pot with a pair of three’s.

He stood her up and brushed the brim of his hat to the table, “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, the lady wants to buy me a drink.” They made their way over to the bar and Curry ordered two whiskeys.

“You know,” she observed, “they should have really tall chairs here so that you don’t have to just lean against the bar. And some nuts. We put that in our saloon back home and the customer’s just love it. The salt makes them thirsty and they sit there all night long if you let a pretty woman pour the drinks. ”

“I thought you had a ranch.”

“Father was well diversified in his investments.” Vic informed him. “It’s called the Lucky Strike and it’s three stories tall. Just the saloon and the dance hall, that doesn’t even count the hotel. We don’t run the hotel; Father sold that part last year.”

“Victoria Morgan, you’re starting to scare me.” Curry shook his head and finished off the shot and signaled for another.

“Whatever do you mean?” she was genuinely confused.

“You have to be something I dreamed up, cause this can’t be real. Joshua is going to like you. He’s really, really going to like you.”

Vic eyed him suspiciously, “Why?”

Kid took a drink before answering,, “ Let’s just say Heyes appreciates striking it lucky.”

Vic almost seemed offended. “It’s funny, but all I hear is ‘He’s really gonna like your saloon’.” she quickly changed the subject. “What would you like to do about lunch?”

“Boys at the table were talking about a nice picnic spot with a waterfall they swear is thirty feet tall.” He was also hoping for a lake at the bottom and a little seclusion. “Why don’t you head for the café and I go get us a buggy.”

“I’d prefer a horse if it’s all the same to you.”

“Ah, Vic, you’re my kinda girl.”

“I sure hope so.”

It was a short ride to the falls and easy to find. They could hear it well before they saw it. Coming through a clump of trees, they passed a buggy just coming out. When they arrived at the base of the falls, there were already two other couples with their blankets spread out on the grass.
“Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Curry sighed.

“I wouldn’t give up just yet. What about the top?”

“That’s thirty feet. Straight up.”

Vic jumped down from her horse and untied the bundle from the café. “It’s just a little old hill. Did they have little old hills where you grew up?”

“I grew up in Kansas.” Kid answered.

“Oh, my condolences. Look, I’ll go first and you can follow me.”

Watch her ass climb that hill? I’m in, Curry thought.

The view from the top was magnificent and just as they had hoped they were alone. With the blanket spread and lunch half gone, Vic asked if there were any binoculars in the saddlebags.

“Why?” Curry asked. “I didn’t think you wanted to bird watch.”

“That depends on the bird.” She said as she pointed down to one of the couples on the grass below them. They were rolling around on the blanket and Vic wanted a closer look.

Curry cast an eye to the vicinity where she was looking. “Now Vic, that’s not very ladylike.”

“Well, we don’t see a lot of this in Kentucky right out in the open; so, who’s shameless now?” she insisted. “Wanna play the cloud game?”

“You know the cloud game?” Curry grabbed a grass stalk to chew on, took off his gun belt and lay on the blanket looking up at the sky. “We’ll play for kisses.”

Vic giggled. “Okay.” She immediately pointed upward. “Dog.”

“Naw, I don’t see it.”

“It’s right there, see the four legs and a tail with a ball on the end, and those are the ears. It’s one of those prissy little dogs. What are they called? “ She rose up to her elbow and took the grass out of Curry’s mouth. “ A poodle.”

“Yeah, okay,” he relented. “That’s a poodle.” He had no idea what a poodle was.

She bent down to collect her prize from his lips and he put both of his arms around her to block her retreat. “Are we finished playing?” she asked.

“Nope.” Was all he said as he kissed her again. After a moment, he rolled her over to her back, pinning both of her legs with one of his. “There are a couple of other games I’d like to talk to you about.”

“You’re getting the hang of talking, cowboy.” Vic put her arms around his head and kissed him deeply, letting his tongue have its way without resistance. His hands were opening up her vest and unbuttoning her blouse before she knew what was happening. This was broad daylight! She wanted to run, but she tried to find words instead. It wasn’t easy to think with him caressing her breasts like that.
“What can we do without taking our clothes off?”

It wasn’t easy to think when he was caressing her breasts, all he wanted was to kiss and suck on them. “What do you mean?”

“I mean it’s broad daylight and someone else might have thought to bring their binoculars. I’m sorry, but…”

He stopped for a moment and looked into her eyes. “I want to do whatever you want. All you have to do is tell me instead of running away.”
He leaned down to plant soft kisses all over her face. “I can get creative.”
He sat up all of the sudden, grabbed her long braid and started to undo it. He smiled down at her as he let his fingers run through the loose hair as it started to fall over her body. Finally he had it all undone and parted in the back so that long soft curls covered the top of her down to her waist. He finished unbuttoning her blouse slowly, as the remaining buttons were hiding in long black locks. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” was all she could manage to get out before he captured her lips in a hard kiss this time. His hand started to work its way underneath her, so Vic arched her back as Curry unhooked the strapless corset and tugged at it to come off. It was tucked into her leather pants at the bottom and didn’t budge.

He reached down to unbutton her pants and felt her tense up. “Sshh, it’s okay. I thought you trusted me. If this isn’t what we both want tell me now.”
Because if I don’t walk down from this hill a happy man, something is going to get shot.
He removed her corset and tucked it under the edge of the blanket and combed through her hair to make sure it was widely spread, pausing over each breast to caress it and give it a gentle squeeze. He went to the spot on her neck that he had found that night at the lake, the one that had made her moan and he was rewarded with her hands seeking the buttons on his shirt.

She had them undone in no time and ran her hands across his chest, stopping at each nipple to gently touch the tip with her fingers and run little circles around it. She loved the hardness of his muscles and ran her hands down his back until she came to his ass. It was so round and hard and felt good in her hands. She wondered if that’s the way hers felt to him. She felt herself pulling it closer to her and heard the smallest moan escape from the Kid’s lips.

His trousers were tightening up as he grew hard. He was trying not to put all of his weight on her, but she was pulling him closer. He finally turned more to his side and put one leg upon hers with his cock right against her thigh. He kissed her breasts through her hair and ran his hands down her stomach to where the top few buttons were undone. He slid his hand down slightly to test the tautness of the leather, but there wasn’t enough room yet to move. He started unbuttoning her pants the rest of the way and felt her tense up again. Then, to settle her down, he breathed into her ear ever so quietly.
“It’s okay, you’re my girl.”

“I love you,” came the reply before her mouth was captured with his kisses once again. He kept kissing her harder the farther down her pants he went. Finally, he felt something silky, and pushed under that also. She was starting to breathe heavy against him as he reached his destination. His cock grew even harder just touching her there. He slipped a finger down through the small patch of hair and into the valley, to find it dripping wet like October rain. They both moaned at the same time and he pushed his cock harder against her thigh. He searched for the little button until he was rewarded with a small cry into his mouth and an arch of her back. He ran little circles around it, each time applying more pressure. She started to buck her hips, and the movement sent a sudden wave of pleasure through his cock. He pushed harder with his leg to pin her hips down, so that he wouldn’t come yet.

“What are you doing to me?” she whispered quietly against his cheek.

“I’m going to make you fly all the way up to the stars.” Came his reply as he began to rub back and forth, faster and faster.

“I’ve always wanted to go there.” Vic managed to get out, trying again to buck her hips. His response was to just hold her down tighter. She was kissing him desperately and all of the sudden she let a cry escape into his mouth and he felt her panting, nails digging into his shoulder.

He removed his hand to gather her up to his body as closely and tightly as he could. The Kid was trying desperately not to come in his pants like a teenager as he gave her some time to come back down to earth. He slipped his hand between them and buttoned her pants and pulled her blouse over her breasts. He was pretty sure that was the first orgasm she had ever had and it turned him on even more that he was the one to do it.

Vic opened her eyes and tried to focus on his face, she reached up to kiss him, hoping that she hit his mouth. She ran her hands again over his ass and then brought them to the front of his trousers. “I want to see you.” She whispered.

The Kid laughed, “I’m right here darlin’”

“No,’ she said as she looked downward towards the large bulge in his pants. Boldly, she reached for the buttons, but her hands were shaky and she fumbled with the first couple.


“Calm down, darlin’” he said as he bent to kiss her again and give her some encouragement. His cock had been caught downward and was almost painfully hard. He knew it wouldn’t take much to set him off.

She slowly slid her hand into his pants until it came to rest on his cock. It was running down the length of his thigh and it seemed to go on forever. She expected it to be hard but she didn’t expect it to be so hot to the touch. She tried to ease it upward so she could look down at it, but it seemed to be stuck. There just wasn’t enough room and she had no idea what to do next. Then she felt his hand on the outside of his pants grab hers and guide both to turn the beast in a way she didn’t figure that it would bend. She kissed him one last time and looked downward to see him. It nearly reached his belly button and it looked so red and hot, like it was on fire. It was thick and hard but looked softer at the tip. “Did you know that French women kiss it?”

Oh my god, he thought. Dead puppies, cow carcasses, don’t come yet.
“You don’t have to ask,” he managed to get out.

She kissed his lips, his throat and then cut a trail of tiny kisses downward. The closer she got, the bigger it looked and she wasn’t at all sure about this, but she wanted to try to do to him what he had just given to her. She reached her destination and made sure her hair covered everything it could. She lightly touched her lips to the tip in a kiss and the Kid threw his head back and held in a scream. It seemed salty and there was some liquid on the tip, so she decided to taste that too. She licked it slowly off of the tip and the Kid grabbed the edge of the blanket, knocking off the remnants of lunch. She remained there for a moment, just breathing on it. She just didn’t understand how kissing it was going to make him go wild like she had. Then she felt his hand on her head, stroking her hair and pushing down every so lightly. She went to kiss it again and felt the push on her head a little stronger, and at the same time he flexed his hips up slightly and the tip of his cock slipped past her lips and into her mouth.

The Kid opened his eyes. He wanted to see as much as he could and the sight made his cock pulse inside of her mouth. His heart was pounding like a freight train and he desperately wanted to push all the way inside of her mouth; but through the fog, he reasoned that she had never done this before; he didn’t want to get too rough with her yet. He flexed his hips shallowly and slowly for just a little movement and at that moment, she chose to use her tongue. He had to clench his teeth to hold back the scream this time. She moved up to the tip and then back down again, all the time keeping her tongue on his shaft. She wasn’t taking much in, but she was getting the hang of it and it was driving the Kid insane. Desperate for release, he took her hand under his and wrapped it around the base of his cock. He showed her how to stroke at the base and at first she forgot to pay attention to the tip, but after a few more tries, she had him on the edge. He tried to pull out; as he didn’t want to shoot his seed into her mouth the first time she did this. She didn’t understand and instead his efforts made her grab harder at the base and try to hold onto the tip by sucking on it. Curry felt his whole body explode and it laid him out flat on his back. He felt his seed pumping into her mouth, finding it impossible to withdraw.

She didn’t know if she should stay still or keep her mouth moving, but she was pretty certain he had just had his trip to the sky. She tasted and felt something new in her mouth and she wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. She felt his arms pull her up the length of his body. She lay there against his chest listening to his heartbeat go slower and slower. He touched her chin gently to raise her head up for a kiss. She didn’t want to kiss him with something strange in her mouth, so she just swallowed it quickly and found it not a bad taste at all. She felt a few small drops that had escaped her mouth start to run down her chin.

He wanted to kiss her, but saw instead her wipe a small amount of his cum off of her face and lick it slowly from her fingertips. Now, he really wanted to kiss her. He held her even more tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She raised her head to smile at him. “You?”

“Well, let’s put it this way, nobody is going to get shot.”

They lay there for a while, just holding each other and listening to the beating of their hearts.” I think I know why we’re doing things we can’t explain.” Vic whispered to Curry.
“I’d be interested to know…”

“Destiny.” She said firmly.

“What?”

“A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control. It is said that marriage and hanging can each go by destiny.” She looked up inot his eyes to gauge his reaction, his understanding.

Curry raised and eyebrow, “You’re saying we’re either going to get married or hung?” He was boiling it down to terms he could understand.

Vic giggled, “ No, for some people it’s sometimes so overwhelming that it can over rule the force of anyone’s will.”

“Still sounds like married or hung to me.”
Suddenly, the Kid pointed skyward. “A lighthouse.”

Vic scrutinized it for a moment before replying.
“No, I think it looks more like a…” His kissed her quickly and suggested they ride back to town. She reached her mare first and spurred her around quickly. “Let’s go the long way.”


The Kid mounted up and took off after her. With his bay thundering behind her, she would seem to know when he was catching up and head off in another direction. Every so often, he could see her look back at him and laugh. They rode and rode until the horses were winded and finally Vic pulled her reigns up short to slow the horse to a trot. The Kid was quickly by her side and grabbed her hand as she held it out. They slowed more to a walk and just continued like that for a spell, holding hands with the horses side by side.

“I’m sorry about your family. We lost a lot in the war as well. But, I guess if I had ended up in a home like that, I would have run off too and just taken my chances. Anything would have been better than that.”

“Yeah, so we thought.” The Kid recalled. He wasn’t quite sure sometimes that that was the way it worked out. “C’mon, it best we start heading for town.”

Vic looked around and then at him.

“You’re lost, aren’t you?” he laughed.

“No. I’m just a little turned around.”

Curry slapped his horse with the reigns and took off; it was now her turn to chase after him. It was almost dusk when they arrived at the livery stable and walked over to the hotel.


“I’ve made reservations for us in the hotel dining room for dinner this evening, “she informed him as the walked in. “I’m going to freshen up and change for dinner…”

“Oh Mr. Morgan.” The desk clerk interrupted. “A word with you sir.”

Curry squeezed her hand before letting go. “You go on up. I’ll be along.”

The clerk leaned over the desk to whisper excitedly at the Kid. “Someone has shown up looking for Mr. Jones!”

“About this tall, dark hair, black hat?” the Kid hoped.

The clerk nodded and pointed to the saloon. “He’s in there. He checked in under the name of Mr. Smith. Can you fancy that?”

“Well,” the Kid explained, “that will be the Bannerman man I sent for.”

The clerk clapped his hands together. He hadn’t seen such excitement since Mr. Styles had been caught with that goat.


The Kid strode into the saloon and scanned the poker tables first. Finally, he spotted Heyes at a corner table, raking in a large pot. He stood there for a moment until he caught Heyes’ eye and then he smiled broadly. Heyes stood up, pocketed his winnings and made his way to where the Kid waited.

“These are some of the worst poker players I’ve seen!” he whispered excitedly as he slapped Kid on the shoulder. “How are ya?”

“Still alive.” Curry smiled back at him; relieved he was finally here.

“Let’s go up to the room.” Heyes said, walking past him.

“Yeah, we have to get ready for dinner. My blue suit still in your bag?”

“A suit for dinner?” Heyes questioned.

“Yeah, and you’re wearing yours, too. Oh, and call me Mr. Morgan.” Heyes turned to look at him, puzzled. “It’s a long story. And you’re a Bannerman man.”

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

Upstairs the gentlemen washed up and shook out their clothes for the evening. “There was a sheriff waiting on that stage from Hidalgo for you, and they say he even sent a bounty hunter down there to track you. How’d you get out?”

“The badlands.”

Heyes shook his head. “No, no one goes across the badlands.”

The Kid shrugged. “She had a map, we’re standing here; you explain it.”

“And this mysterious benefactress is?”

“Victoria Morgan from Kentucky. She went down to Mexico to bury her father and needed an escort back at a hundred and fifty a day.”

Heyes whistled. “For a hundred and fifty a day, I’d escort her to Alaska. So, why just come this far and then quit?

” Well, it was kind of a temporary quit. I think the job’s still mine.” The Kid advised.

“So, how long for you to take her to Kentucky and get back? I’m mean at a slow trot, of course with a few lay overs to let the horses heal up.” Heyes said as he began to calculate the payday. “I could stay here and turned your fifteen hundred into ten thousand easy.”

“Well, I was thinking more along the lines of you coming with us.”

“Why, does she want to pay us both?” Heyes was fiddling with his tie in the mirror.

“Well, not exactly. But, we could get out there and lay low for awhile.”

Heyes shook his head, “We don’t go east of the Mississippi, you know that Kid.”

“Why not? How is it more dangerous on that side of the river than this one? I’d expect we wouldn’t run into as many people that we know and that know us.”

“Well, it’s too far away. We want to be handy for Lom and the Governor when the good news comes out.”

“Maybe they’ll invent the telegraph before we get there.” The Kid threw Heye’s bowler at him and opened the door. “Let’s go, we can talk about this later.”

Vic was finally put the finishing touches on her hair, wondering what had happen to Thaddeus. Maybe he went to the barbershop for a bath and a shave, she reasoned. She decided to go ahead into the dining room, confident that he would catch up shortly. She turned the corner to descend the stairs and at the bottom, there he stood. In a blue suit, no less. Next to him was a shorter, dark haired man in a brown suit. She smiled as she caught Thaddeus’ eye, and proceeded down the stairs.

Kid and Heyes had just come down the stairs when he looked back up to see Vic at the top. His heart skipped a beat. She had on a simple dress of blue velvet and a velvet choker around her neck, highlighting the plunging neckline. But it was the way that dress fit, hugging every curve that announced itself to a room. Her hair was partially up with blue velvet ribbons interwoven into it. Curry thought she looked like a Roman goddess he had seen once in a picture in a book. Her face lit up when she saw him and she proceeded down the stairs.

“Miss Morgan, I presume.” Heyes whispered.

The Kid just nodded, not taking his eyes off of her. A lot of things were starting to make sense to Heyes now. She was striking, she was elegant, she must be rich and she’s had ten days in the badlands to bat her eyes at the Kid. Oh yeah, we’re in trouble

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, the Kid offered his arm to her and Heyes watched as they looked into each other’s eyes. He tried to remember the last time he had seen the Kid look at a woman like that, and he couldn’t come up with one.

“He’s finally gone and lost his mind.” Heyes thought. With Kid’s love of the ladies, he’d had figured it was only a matter of time before he spotted one he didn’t think he could live without. It had been a calculated risk on Heyes’ part; but he always relied on their bond to overrule the Kid’s heart. He would have to take that risk with this one as well.

The Kid presented her to Heyes. “Mr. Joshua Smith, this is Miss Victoria Morgan.”

Heyes brought her hand up for a gentlemanly kiss. “Charming, er, charmed I’m sure.” He took a moment and let himself wonder what would have happened if he had met her first. He offered her his arm as well and they headed off into the dining room.

“I thought his name was...”

“Well, shall we dine?” The Kid interrupted.

Over at the counter the desk clerk just shook his head in amazement.

The Kid could see all eyes riveting to her as they followed the maitre de to their table. There were whispers and he saw one woman kick her husband under the table. It made him feel uncomfortable and put him on edge.

“I had prepared for two for dinner,” the maitre de explained as the staff hurried to set another place at the best table in the house.

“I’m sure the house surely can find one extra place setting somewhere.” Vic said as she seated herself with the Kid’s help. She looked over the table with a sour look at the maitre de. “Sir, would you kindly decant the wine? That vintage really must breathe.”

“Oh, I’ll see to it right away.” He scurried off with the rest of the wait staff to finish the appetizers. Off in one corner, a small orchestra was playing waltzes and a few couples were dancing. It caught Vic’s eye.

“Thaddeus, do you dance?”

“Well, I have been known to.”

“Badly,” Heyes interjected as Curry kicked him under the table.

“Will you dance with me after dinner?” she looked at him adoringly.

Curry smiled. “Whatever the lady wants.” and I want to feel that dress.

‘The lady gets,’ Heyes finished in his mind. He was beginning to like her less and less and he wasn’t quite sure why.

“Mr. Smith…” a voice broke him out of his thoughts.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What do you do for a living?” she saw his lips moving, but she didn’t hear a word he said. She saw images of banks and trains and old cabins hidden in the hills. She also saw his love for Thaddeus and that he would do anything for him. She saw a strong bond between the two and she saw that Joshua didn’t approve of her. She wasn’t sure why.
“How interesting.” Was the safest thing she could say. She was saved by the wait staff arriving with the oysters. She laid the napkin across her lap and saw the expression on Thaddeus’ face.

“Just open your throat and they slide down.” She demonstrated.

“If you don’t taste it then why even eat it at all?” Curry was inspecting them with a bewildered look.

She laughed. “Well then, darlin’, you just go right ahead and chew it.” They made small talk through the salad and the duck a l’orange. Heyes’ ears perked up when he heard the Kid mention a saloon Vic owned.

“It’s more of a saloon and a casino rolled into one. It’s has the most modern gaming machines on the second floor, and the dance hall draws quite a crowd.”

“Where exactly in Kentucky are you from?” Heyes questioned.

“Emerald City.”

“And who is the sheriff there?” Heyes asked matter of factly as he poured more wine for the table.

“Well,” she thought. “That would be Will Peyton. He got the job when he killed the previous sheriff. Kind of advancement through attrition.” She laughed and Heyes smiled.
“And your ranch…”

“Black Cove.” She corrected.

“Where exactly would that be from town?”

“Ten miles or so from town.” Vic smiled as the napoleon was served for dessert. “Our land goes about a thousand acres past Indian Hills.”

Heyes looked puzzled. “I didn’t know there were Indians in Kentucky.”

“Tell them that.” The Kid informed him and Vic smiled.

“That’s right. They don’t listen to me. Squinting Weasel is the most stubborn thing.” That elicited laughter from Heyes. “We give them cattle during the winter and they give use the most beautiful handmade beads!”

“What a trade!” Heyes noted. He was starting to wonder about exactly how savvy she was. It must have been all her father, and now she’s just left to spend the inheritance.

“And every Saturday night, they come for some whiskey.”

Heyes nodded and smiled, “and you get the string to put the beads on.”

Vic just smiled and picked up her glass of cognac. She was satisfied to let Joshua think her just a silly woman. It made his mind more at ease and she was still trying to read anything she could about him, Thaddeus and their life together. It made her feel strange, she should just let Thaddeus reveal himself in his own time. She knew there were a lot of people named Smith and Jones in this world, but she damn well knew she wasn’t looking at two of them. Suddenly she was shocked back to reality by a rough hand grabbing her arm and trying to pull her out of her chair.

“C’mon, pretty lady. Let’s dance.” A large, drunken cowboy stood between her and Thaddeus. He smelled so badly, she couldn’t believe anyone let him inside.

Instantly, the Kid reached over and grabbed the cowpoke’s hand and wrestled it off of her arm. “Keep your hands off of her.” He warned through clenched teeth.

“Whoa down, partner.” The drunk swayed. “Why don’t we let the lady decide? C’mon sweetheart, let’s twirl.” He grabbed her arm again and Vic pulled it back from his grasp.

The Kid stood up so fast that the chair went flying behind him and the entire dining room chatter came to a sudden halt. He pushed his coat back over his gun belt and took the safety off of the trigger in one smooth move. Heyes and Vic looked between the both of them.

“Now, you look a little on the other side of drunk, mister. So, I’m going to put this real plain so you can understand.” Curry started. “Take your hands off of her and leave or I’ll shoot you, and if you come back into this hotel, I’ll shoot you again.”

Heyes and Vic looked between the both of them. Vic could swear she could hear the crickets outside chirping.

“I can be dead drunk and still out shoot you, boy. Now she’s been giving me the eye all night and I aim to dance with her, just for starters.”

Without another word, and in a split second, the Kid had his Colt pressed against the forehead of the stranger. Right between the eyes. He cocked the trigger. The blood in his eye told the stranger he’d better back down. He put his hands up and started to back away.
“You outta make sure your woman don’t be makin’ eyes at a body and leadin’ him on.”

“Mister, my woman wouldn’t spit in your general direction.”

Vic saw her chance to cut the tension. “Actually, I don’t have a problem spitting directly on him, if anyone thinks that might help.”

That elicited laughter from the dining room patrons as the stranger backed slowly out, still holding a stare with the Kid. Heyes held back a laugh and reached to sit the Kid’s chair back upright again.

“Sit down, Thaddeus,” Heyes advised. Instead, he saw the Kid spin his Colt smoothly around his trigger finger and holster his gun with his right hand. He then held out his left hand to Vic.

“Would you care to dance?” she smiled, took his outstretched hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. Heyes watched as they began to dance and the dining room patrons returned to their own business. They glided gracefully around the dance floor and her eyes just sparkled as she looked up at him. He could see the Kid laugh and they engaged in a whispered conversation. Heyes knew this was trouble with a capital T.

“You’re still my body guard?” Vic teased.

“Oh, yes.” He assured her as they swirled around the floor.

“And what’s that going to cost me?”

“Your heart.” Was the Kid’s reply.

That wiped the smile right off of her face. “You already have that.” She assured him.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Then give me your body.” It sent chills down her spine and she closed her eyes. “I want to make you mine.”

“I have been since the moment I was born, and I’ve been waiting for you such a long time.” She said boldly.
“Take me upstairs.” She kissed him just under his chin. “Take me.”

The Kid didn’t understand all of what she had just said, but he did understand the last part and it was the words he had been longing to hear. He took her by the hand and led her from the dance floor over to the table where Heyes was still sitting.
“I think we’re going to call it a night.” Curry informed him.

Heyes stood up and smiled at Vic, “If I could borrow him for just a minute, there’s something we need to talk about. Then I’ll send him right along.”

She reluctantly let go of Curry’s hand, but he bent down to whisper in her ear. “I won’t let him talk long. Go get ready for me.”

“I think I already am.” She whispered back and it went directly to his groin. He watched her until she had turned the corner and started up the stairs, then grabbed the chair and sat down. Neither one saw the drunken stranger come around the other side of the staircase and follow her up.