Juicy Secrets Forbidden Tales of Lesbian Love

by Purple Les

After leaving Clementine DuMount’s, The Tequila Kid rode into town, making a few stops to say her goodbyes, spreading the word around that she was on her way back to Ranger headquarters. She also took a moment to meet with Judge Claxton.

As The Kid passed Boot Hill, she stopped the horse and dismounted. Spying a fresh mound of dirt, she made her way over to it, studying the small marker planted there. The Kid knew the type of marker it was. It showed that a half-breed or black or Mexican or Chinese was buried there, so that a white, no matter how lowly, wouldn’t be interred next to them. Only one person like that had recently been buried in Boot Hill, far as The Kid knew.

Squatting down, The Kid scooped out a couple handfuls of dirt with her hand, then slipped Charlie Redeye’s medicine pouch into the small hole. She covered it with the dirt, stood and said, “I doubt you even deserve it, Charlie… but I hope you make it to the spirit world somehow. Adios.” Walking back to the sorrel, The Kid swung herself into the saddle and galloped on.

The Kid rode for three days. Avoiding the town of Adobe Wells, she made her way to the site of the Hodgekiss massacre.

Massacre. The Kid could think of no other word for the thing that had been done there. Six men pretending to be Indians had slaughtered the Hodgekiss family, raping the women in the process. It was a miracle that Arabella had escaped and survived.

Arabella had remembered that there were six of them, though the only one she could recall for certain was the ‘big Indian man,’ as she called him. That had turned out to be Frank Sims. The Kid figured that four of the men were the hired guns that worked for Ramses Kingsley. Those four men were dead now, all taken down by The Kid. Frank Sims was dead too, shot by Kingsley. The sixth ‘Indian’ had to be Ramses Kingsley himself.

The Kid pieced it all together. Kingsley had run into Mike Hodgekiss at Adobe Wells, got scent of the gold somehow, and buffaloed the man into making him a partner. Somehow, Hodgekiss got another contract out of Kingsley, one that was more to his advantage. Most likely, Kingsley only signed it to give the impression he was honest, but knew it wouldn’t matter since he planned to kill the whole family anyway.

He bided his time until Hodgekiss left Adobe Wells, following a map that Kingsley had given him to save time. In fact, the map led to nowhere — a spot far off the beaten track, to ensure that no witnesses would be present. There Kingsley and his men ambushed the family to take what gold they had, then killed them all so he’d be sole owner of the mine. Most likely he wanted the other contract as well, though it didn’t matter much if the whole family was dead.

The Kid shuddered as she pictured it in her mind’s eye. The four gunmen raping Arabella’s ma. Probably Kingsley himself doing Arabella’s big sister. Sims brutally beating Mike Hodgekiss. And there was poor Arabella, seeing it all happen before she fled. If Kingsley knew she’d been there and got away, he’d surely have figured that the badlands would do the dirty work for him.

At any rate, Kingsley couldn’t find the gold or the contract, or the two youngest children. At Adobe Wells, he located Hodgekiss’s son Dan and his grandmother. The way The Kid figured it, Sims raped and roughed up the old woman while Kingsley cornholed the boy. The grandmother must have told them that the gold was in the bank. Kingsley had Sims take the sheriff out of town on some pretext, then quickly got the rest of his men together and robbed the bank.

But The Kid foiled Kingsley’s plans — first by capturing the gold, then leading two of his men after her in wild pursuit. Once in the badlands, The Kid dispatched them both, though it had cost the life of her beloved horse Buttercup.

After that, Kingsley was determined to find the Hodgekiss girl and his two missing men. That was when he had Sims hire Charlie Redeye. From there, The Kid knew the rest.

The Kid wondered many times why Kingsley and his men had bothered to dress up like Indians to carry out their massacre. The notion had seemed foolish at first, but then it made sense. Kingsley had the sheriff of Adobe Wells in his back pocket. But even a sheriff, no matter how corrupt, would find it difficult to turn his back on such a slaughter. Claiming the massacre had been committed by a “bunch of redskins” would provide enough of a cover if there turned out to be a witness, or the murder site was found quickly. Also, Kingsley had the idea of using the family’s scalps for proof they were all dead, claiming that Charlie Redeye had got them from the Indians.

Kingsley murdered Charlie so he couldn’t say different, then killed Sims to make sure there were no loose ends. Kingsley surely must have suspected that in court, Sims would slip up somehow and drag him down, too.

The Kid hated to admit it, but Ramses Kingsley had done a thorough job of covering his tracks, eliminating any witnesses to the massacre he had carried out on the Hodgekiss family. In fact, there was barely a piece of hard evidence to connect Kingsley to the crime at all.

All The Kid had to incriminate the man was the cigar band she’d found by the overturned wagon. It matched the ones on the cigars Kingsley had given The Kid, as well as the one she’d found on Charlie Redeye’s body. It didn’t seem like much, but that tiny bit of colored paper pointed right at Kingsley. After all, those cigars came from Havana and were, as he had said himself, the only ones you’ll find west of the Mississippi.

The Kid wasn’t sure that a mere cigar band would be enough to sway a jury, though. That was why she was there, waiting for Ramses Kingsley. One way or the other, this case was about to be closed.

She had found a safe place out of the sun with a small water hole close at hand, about half a mile from the massacre site — an ideal place to wait for Kingsley to show. No one would find her there unless they knew where the water hole was. It was luck and some good guessing on The Kid’s part that had led her to this spot on the way back to Oak Creek.

There, The Tequila Kid waited four days for Ramses Kingsley to show. She would wait four years if she had to. If her theory that Kingsley had been the sixth ‘Indian’ was correct, sooner or later he would come, looking for the buried gold. She’d packed along plenty of feed for the horse, as well as several pounds of jerky and hardtack for herself.

On Day Five, in the middle of the morning, he finally arrived. Observing from a distance, The Kid was surprised to see he’d come with a large wagon pulled by two horses. From the slow, measured pace of the horses, she could tell that the wagon was full. Whatever was in it was covered by a tarp.

After a moment’s reflection, The Kid decided that instead of taking the gold back to Oak Creek, Kingsley intended to move on to a new town and start over. A smart move, she decided. After everything that’s happened, he couldn’t spend the gold in Oak Creek — not without raising questions he can’t answer.

The wagon had two barrels of water strapped to it, one on each side. No doubt about it now — he was moving on for sure. The Kid watched as Kingsley stop the horses and put the brake on, then climb down from the wagon and look around the massacre site. Slowly rising to her feet, she began to move closer.

*****

Kingsley sat back on the wagon bench and lit a cigar. He drew on it thoughtfully, trying to figure where to start searching.

This worked out all right enough, even if it wasn’t how it was supposed to go, Kingsley thought to himself as he sat smoking. At least that damn Tequila Kid left. Had to liquidate my assets in town, but that left me with plenty of cash. Sure, I lost a gold mine, and a chance to be mayor of Oak Creek. But now I’m free and clear and about to pick up four bags of gold.

He smiled, pleased with himself. Yessir, I played it smart. Hodgekiss messed it up some by not having the gold along when we set on him here. I thought sure he’d tell me what I needed, what with all my men raping his wife while Sims beat him, but he was made of harder stuff than I figured. I did enjoy the look on his face while I did his daughter in the ass.

If I hadn’t been smart enough to find the Hodgekiss boy in Adobe Wells, I might never have found out where the gold was. Raping that old woman in the ass got me the information I needed. I didn’t mind letting Sims rape her, too, while I took what I really wanted. You can say what you like about pussy, but there’s nothing anywhere that feels half as good as the ass of a young boy. And when he’s struggling and crying, that makes it even better.

After that, all we had to do was walk into the bank and take the gold. Had it right in my hands and then… Kingsley spat on the ground as he recalled The Tequila Kid and how she’d interfered, killing two of his gunmen, then chasing him and the other two.

Kingsley began to slowly stroll around. He looked at the overturned wagon the Hodgekiss family had been in, kicked the broken water barrel that had sheltered Arabella. Then he noticed the pile of rocks. The rough cross that once stood there had been removed by The Kid when she arrived days earlier.

Kingsley studied the rock pile. He took off his coat and loosened his string tie and opened his collar, then leaned over and put both hands on one of the boulders on top.

He froze in place as The Kid’s voice suddenly came out of nowhere, “Howdy there, Ramses. You sure took your sweet time gettin’ here. But I knew you’d come, sooner or later.”

Kingsley stayed as he was, sure that The Kid must have a gun pointed at him. He slowly straightened up and turned around even more slowly, keeping his hands shoulder high.

He was surprised to see The Tequila Kid standing there with her thumbs hooked in the belt of her pants, her hip at an angle and one knee slightly bent. She looked as concerned as if she was just observing a turkey shoot on a Sunday afternoon.

Kingsley slowly lowered his hands but stood his ground. “I thought you didn’t know where this place was,” he said softly.

The Kid just stood there staring at him. “I needed to get you here.” she said. “If you was innocent, you’d not be in this place. But you’re a murderer and,” she shrugged, “here you are.”

Kingsley glared at The Kid. “That girl never carried an arrow away with her, did she? You found the site somehow and took one.” He spat on the ground, adding, “I don’t like being made a fool.”

The Kid shook her head. “No one made you a fool except your own damn self.”

Kingsley didn’t reply to that, but his eyes said it all.

“I also found this here.” The Kid continued, enjoying the sight of Kingsley as he fumed quietly. She held a small object she’d pulled from her vest. “Your brand of cigar, ain’t it? Hell, you said it yourself — the only ones out this way are yours.” She tucked the cigar band back in her pocket.

“Is the gold even here?” Kingsley asked as he glanced at the rock pile. “Let’s make a deal, Kid. Show me the gold, and I’ll split it with you, fifty-fifty.” He spoke smoothly, flashing his smile.

“The only thing under them rocks is the people you tortured and murdered.” The Kid answered. “Since you’re curious, though, I’ll tell you where the gold is.” Kingsley squinted at her as she said, “It’s safe and sound in the bank at Oak Creek. All four bags. Under the name of Arabella Hodgekiss. Except for that one nugget I left on your desk to tempt you.” She laughed. “Looks like it worked, too.”

Standing straight and tall, The Kid said, “Ramses Kingsley, I have a warrant for your arrest. I’m takin’ you back to Oak Creek to stand trial for murder.”

Kingsley gave a genuine smile of amusement. “For whose murder? By what authority?”

The Kid pulled her vest back to show the Texas Ranger badge pinned to her shirt. “By the authority of the state of Texas. For the murder of…” The Kid stopped and rubbed her tattooed chin for a moment and said, “For the the murder of the Hodgekiss family. The father, mother and young girl that you left dead here. The old woman that you killed in Adobe Wells. For little Dan Hodgekiss, who you killed by butt-fucking him to death.” The Kid’s voice had risen, and Kingsley now had a nasty sneer on his face.

The Kid’s eyes narrowed as she went on, “For the murder of Charlie Redeye. For the murder of Frank Sims. I have plenty of evidence. Lots of it’s just circumstantial, I admit. But one of the charges will stick, and that will be enough for me to see you hang.”

Kingsley pushed his hat back, then forward. He looked The Kid in the eye and said, “No… I don’t think that I will be arrested. I think I’ll take my money and belongings and push on to Mexico, like I planned.”

“I disagree,” The Kid answered back.

Kingsley smiled. “There’s no gun faster than me, Kid. Besides, I have a personal dislike for you.” Spreading his feet apart, he continued. “Ever since you popped up in Adobe Wells, you’ve been nothing but trouble for me.”

The Kid turned more toward Kingsley, adjusting her own stance.

Kingsley flexed his shoulders slightly. “You messed up my robbery and took the gold. You killed all four of my hired guns. You got Frank Sims arrested, putting me in a bad fix. He was the best man I had on my payroll… and because of you, I had to kill him. Worst of all, you kept that brat girl alive, making me lose a gold mine. You’ve tricked me for the last time, bitch.”

Kingsley’s hands dangled loosely as he added, “After I kill you, Kid, I think I might just hold off heading to Mexico and ride on back to Oak Creek. I’m in a mood to butt-fuck that little Hodgekiss cunt, then cut her throat. I bet she’s got a sweet, tight little bottom hole, too — just like her brother and sister.”

Knowing that Kingsley was trying to anger her, The Kid only gave him a tight-lipped smile. “The only place you’re goin’ from here is back with me — if not for trial, then for burying. Y’see, I got me a personal dislike for you too, Kingsley. I’d rather see you face justice on the end of a rope for all the evil you done, but I’ll settle for givin you what you deserve right here and now.

“If you hadn’t been torturin’ that old woman and that poor little boy, and then robbed that bank… well, I’d never’ve had to ride into the badlands.” The Kid slowed her words now. “Then my horse Buttercup wouldn’t have broke her leg, and I wouldn’t have had to shoot her.”

“Your horse,” Kingsley said, gazing at the young woman in disbelief.

“Funny, ain’t it?” The Kid continued. “All the crimes you done, and you’re gonna die for one you didn’t even know about.” Her face grew hard, her eyes ice cold. “I blame you for my horse bein’ dead. And for that, I’ll be glad to kill you, Kingsley.”

Kingsley took a long, deep breath, then nodded his head. “How you want to do it, Kid?” he asked, observing the loose etiquette of gunfighters.

The Kid answered, “If you got a coin, flip it up high. When it hits the dust, we slap leather.”

With his left hand, Kingsley pulled a twenty dollar gold piece from his vest pocket. He wondered which hand The Kid would use. He’d seen her roll a cigarette with her left. But her left-hand gun had a hammer for fanning the gun. He guessed she would use her right-hand gun to draw.

On his left hand, he balanced the gold piece on his forefinger and then flipped it high into the air with his thumb. The sun glinted on the edges as it spun in the blue sky.

The Kid could see that Kingsley wasn’t looking at the coin at all. She watched his eyes. As the coin hung in the air for a moment, then began to fall back to earth, he drew his gun and fired from the hip.

In the blink of an eye, The Kid had her gun in hand. As she raised it and pulled the hammer back in one smooth motion, she went into a shooter’s crouch. As her head dipped and her gun roared, the bullet from Kingsley’s pistol tore her hat away.

As Kingsley cocked his hammer back to fire again, the bullet from The Kid’s gun put a hole between his eyes. He dropped to the ground like his bones had turned to dust.

A blue haze of gunsmoke hung in the air. There was dead silence until The Kid heard the coin hit the ground.

She slowly stood up, feeling lightheaded. Something wet began to trickle down her face. Kingsley’s shot had grazed her skull. The Kid took the bandana from around her neck and tied it flat to her head to stem the bleeding. The bandana soaked up the blood, but didn’t stop it.

Climbing onto Kingsley’s wagon, The Kid pulled the tarp off it and began throwing the dead man’s trunks and boxes on the ground in a fury, watching them split open on the ground, the man’s clothes and valuables spilling out everywhere. When The Kid came across a bottle of whiskey, she put it aside and finished emptying the wagon, all but the strong box.

Taking a clean bandana from her vest pocket, The Kid removed the blood-soaked one, uncorked the bottle of whiskey and poured some of it over the place on her head where Kingsley’s bullet had scored her. It stung horribly, but she gritted her teeth and tied the clean bandana flat across her skull. Climbing down from the wagon, The Kid picked up her bullet-riddled hat — now sporting a fresh new hole — and carefully placed it on her head. After a while, the blood coming from her head ceased to flow.

The Kid went to the body of the man she’d shot dead. Rolling him over, she spat in his face. “That’s for the Hodgekiss and DuMount families. And for Buttercup.” Fetching Kingsley’s bedroll from where she’d thrown it, The Kid wrapped up the body, then hoisted it into the wagon with a rope. That job done, she stopped, rested and took a long drink of water. Her vision was blurred. Sometimes she saw double and felt dizzy.

There was one task remaining, though. The Kid laboriously moved the rocks that she’d used to cover the grave of the Hodgekiss family, unearthing their remains. She gently placed each body in the wagon, then covered them with the tarp.

Waking the half-mile back to the water hole to fetch the horse she’d borrowed, The Kid rode it back to the massacre site, where she watered Kingsley’s horses, then tied the reins from her riding horse to the back of the wagon. Taking the reins, she set off, heading back to Oak Creek.

Now that her adrenaline rush had worn down, The Kid just tried to stay awake and hold steady. Having done what needed to be done, she focused on getting back to Oak Creek alive. She stopped only to rest, water and feed the horses. Occasionally she tried to eat, but couldn’t keep any food down.

It was a long four day ride before The Kid came down the main street of Oak Creek. She stopped in front of the sheriff’s office, climbed down from the wagon and stumbled inside.

The sheriff and deputy were having coffee when she came in. They both stared at The Kid, who stood swaying in the doorway, covered in dust and dried blood.

“Um, howdy, Kid,” Sheriff Milligan said. “Are you all right? You look ‘bout half dead.”

Deputy Ritter shook his head. “I’ve had to bury some folks that looked more alive than you do now, Kid.” He poured a cup of coffee and handed it to The Kid, who fell into an empty chair and stretched her long legs out.

“Much obliged,” The Kid said. Taking a sip, she added, “This is mighty fine coffee. I’ve had trouble keepin’ anything down for long, though.” Then the mug dropped with a thud, splashing hot liquid — followed by The Kid, whose body hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“Hell fire,” she mumbled, drifting into unconsciousness.

*****

When The Tequila Kid drifted awake, she lay still for awhile before allowing her eyes to open. She sensed somehow that the light would hurt. She was lying somewhere soft and warm. Feels more like a bed than a coffin, she decided, so I ain’t necessarily dead.

Bracing herself, she opened her eyes. It was hard to focus them at first. Then the soft edges on everything grew sharper. She was in a room that looked like Clementine’s. So I’m back in town. Be damned if I can recall how I got here, though. The Kid looked around a little, careful not to move any more than she had to. Her head felt like someone had hit it with a sledgehammer.

Slowly glancing to her left, she spied Mimi, sitting by the window and doing needlepoint. With the sunlight spilling over her, Mimi seemed more angel than girl — though right then, The Kid was much happier to be seeing the girl.

Mimi raised her eyes toward the bed — then gasped, dropping her needlework. “Ma!” she yelled, making The Kid’s head ache even more than it already did.

Leaping to her feet, Mimi ran to the bedroom door and swung it open with a bang, still hollering at the top of her lungs, “Ma, she’s awake! Ma, hurry, hurry — The Kid’s come to!” She was standing in the doorway and hopping up and down, beside herself with glee.

Sweeping into the room, Clementine seized The Kid’s hand, brought it to her face and kissed it, standing by the bed with tears in her eyes.

“Dear God… oh thank goodness you’re back, Kid!” the older woman exclaimed. “We thought you might die on us. You’ve been unconscious for three whole days.”

Wondering if her voice still worked, The Kid managed to say, “Well… I’m glad ya didn’t have to bury me just yet.”

Clementine laughed, then started to cry. Turning to her daughter, she said, “Mimi, go tell your sisters that The Kid’s awake. Then have Susie tell one of the hands to ride in to town and fetch the doctor.”

Mimi returned shortly, with Arabella close behind. Before Clementine could stop her, the child hurled herself onto The Kid — who winced with pain, but took the sobbing little girl into her arms. “Don’t you cry, Button,” she crooned, patting Arabella’s back. “I’ll be all right now.”

“That’s enough, Arabella,” Clementine gently scolded, disentangling the sniffling girl from The Kid, setting her back on her feet. “We have to let her rest now.”

“Oh, Kid, I was so scared!” Arabella whimpered, letting Mimi hug her. “When they brought you here, you looked…” She shuddered, unable to say more.

“Now hush, child,” Clementine said. “She doesn’t need to hear about that right now. Here, Kid.” She poured some water into a glass, then held it to the lips of The Kid, who took a few careful swallows. “How do you feel?”

“Well, my head hurts somethin’ fierce. Truth be told, all of me does. How’d I get here?”

“You rode into town, went into the sheriff’s office — looking as if you’d gone twelve rounds with a mountain lion, he said — then passed out. Doctor Stone kept you for a day and night, then we moved you here. He didn’t know if you’d ever wake from it or not.” Clementine began to cry again, but through her tears she said, “You must try to eat something, Kid. Mimi, go heat up the chicken broth, then bring some up here.”

The Kid managed to eat some broth and keep it down. The girls — including Susie, who had just put in an appearance — were filled with questions, but Clementine shooed them out. Then she left as well, giving The Kid the chance to rest until the doctor got there.

*****

“No doubt about it, Kid,” Doc Stone said while he examined her wounded scalp, “you’re lucky to be alive. If that bullet had hit just a fraction of an inch lower, they’d be nailin’ you into a pine box. As it is, you lost a lot of blood, and got a nasty concussion to boot. But you take plenty of bed rest for a week or thereabouts, and I think you’ll be fit as a fiddle.” He began to put his instruments away. “I did have a heck of a time gettin’ that bandana off the wound. All that dried blood. You should’ve just let it alone. Damn foolish you were.”

The Kid’s eyes twinkled as she said, “Well, I reckon I’ll heal up, despite gettin’ doctored by you, Stone.”

With a snort of laughter, the doctor said, “Yep, I think you’ll be fine.” Turning to Clementine, he added, “I’ll stop back tomorrow, then check in every couple days. Keep her scalp away from water. Them stitches need to stay in a week or so. I’ll take ‘em out next Thursday.” He glanced back at the patient, shaking his head. “If you know where The Kid’s guns are, I suggest you bury ‘em somewheres. Keep her out of trouble for a couple days.”

“You still here, Stone?” The Kid called out. “Ain’t there someone else you can go drive into a early grave?”

Grinning, the doctor tipped his hat. “Ladies, I bid you a lovely afternoon. You too, Kid.” He picked up his black satchel.

“I’ll see you out, Hiram,” Clementine said, following him from the room.

Only Arabella remained. Drawing close to the bed, she said, “You rest now. Rest and get better.” She took The Kid’s hand, brought it to her lips for a kiss, then smiled. “We’ve all took good care of you, Kid. Newt and Ernie carried you in the house. Aunt Clem cleaned you up, then she put you in her nightgown and in her bed. The doctor stitched up your head — it took twelve stitches, too! After that, we watched over you. We took turns, waitin’ for you to come back to us.”

The Kid gave Arabella’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You done real good, Button,” she said. “Nobody ever cared for me better.”

Arabella pressed her lips against The Kid’s hand, then tenderly laid it down. “I love you so much, Kid. You sleep now. If you need anything, ring this little bell here on the nightstand. I’m gonna make sure you get well.” It did The Kid’s heart a world of good, the sight of Arabella’s smiling face.

Then the girl added, “Oh, I forgot to tell you… after things calm down some, Aunt Clem — I mean Momma, is takin’ me to the judge. She’s adoptin’ me legal, Kid. I’m gonna be her daughter!”

The Kid gave a blissful sigh, letting herself relax. I kept my promise, she thought. I protected Button from the sons of bitches that killed her folks. Now she has a real home and a family. Her eyelids grew heavy and drifted shut. She slept peacefully.

*****

In the days that followed, The Kid longed to be up and about, but forced herself to heed Doc Stone’s advice and take as much rest as she could. Soon enough, she began to feel better, stronger. Her appetite had returned, and Clementine kept her well fed. The pain in her head gradually eased, and was finally gone.

A little more than a week later, the doctor took off her bandages and removed the stitches. “I’d take it easy for another week or two.” he told her, examining the wound closely.

“Aw, Doc, I’m gettin’ plumb stir crazy, stuck in this here bed,” The Kid protested. “I need to be up and doin’ things.”

“What you need is rest!” Doc Stone exclaimed, then rolled his eyes. “I declare, if you’d been shot point blank in the head, that bullet would’ve just bounced off. Your skull must be thicker’n a grizzly bear’s.” He gave a weary laugh. “Kid, I bet you’ve been told many’s the time how damn hard-headed you are… well, this little scrape you got proves it.”

That made The Kid grin. “Sorry, Doc. Guess I ain’t the easiest to take care of.”

“Worst patient I ever had,” the doctor said, but with a hint of a smile. Picking up his satchel, he turned and pointed at The Kid as he left the room. “You rest now, young lady. I mean it. I’ll be back in a couple days, then we’ll see if you’re ready to leave that bed.”

The next day, The Kid got dressed and came downstairs. Clementine ordered her back to bed, and The Kid didn’t put up much of a fight — she was already feeling dizzy.

The next day she felt stronger, but stayed in bed. When Clementine brought in a breakfast tray, she gave The Kid a hand mirror. “Now you’ve healed up some, you probably want to take a look at yourself.”

“I look a sight, don’t I.” The Kid said, clucking her tongue. The doctor had needed to shave the side of her head where the wound was. Though healing nicely, there would be an ugly scar.

“You’re still beautiful as ever, Kid,” Clementine said. “That hair will grow back fast enough, and it’ll cover up the scar. Though I think you might have to part it the other way now.” She took the mirror back. “All right now, you get some rest.” With a pat on the shoulder, Clementine left The Kid and went downstairs.

Later that afternoon, Sheriff Milligan pulled up in a buggy, a woman seated next to him.

They were at the front door as Clementine opened it. “Hello, Sheriff Milligan,” Clem said, then added a soft “Hello,” for the woman, wondering who she might be.

“Howdy, Mrs. DuMount,” Sheriff Milligan said. “I had to come out here to speak with The Kid. This is Miss Polly Nevers. She’s a friend of The Kid’s, and wanted to say hello to her if you don’t mind.”

Clementine offered her hand to the woman. Polly held out her gloved hand, and as the two women shook, she said, “First off, let me say that I run a disorderly house in town. So I do understand if you’d rather I… I didn’t enter your home, Mrs. DuMount.”

“Nonsense,” Clementine said. “Any friend of The Kid is welcome in my house. Come on, both of you.”

Polly’s heart swelled with gratitude as she stepped inside saying, “Thank you.” It was always a relief to meet a person of good standing who didn’t look down their nose at a woman like her. She felt something else in Clementine, too. Something in her gaze that seemed oddly familiar to Polly. A thing she’d seen before in The Kid’s eyes… but what was it?

Clementine showed Sheriff Milligan and Polly upstairs. “The sheriff should speak with her first,” Polly said. “He’s here on official business.”

“If you like,” Clementine said with a smile, admiring Miss Nevers’ beauty. I can see why a man would spend good money to lie with her, she thought.

Clem entered the bedroom. “You have a visitor, Kid,” she said, then brought the sheriff in.

Drawing close to the bed, Milligan nodded. “Howdy, Kid. You look a lot better since the last time I saw you, I’ll sure say that. How you feel?”

“Hey, Sheriff. I’m doin’ all right, I reckon.”

“I need to fill out a report about what happened with Ramses Kingsley,” Milligan said, getting straight to the point of his visit. “I sent the Rangers a telegram. I’ll write out that report and bring it back here. I’ll read it to you, then add or take out whatever you want. Then you make your mark on it, and I’ll mail it to the Rangers for you.”

“Much obliged, Sheriff.”

“What happened out there, Kid? Self defense, I figure.”

“That’s right. I wanted to bring him back. He had different ideas.”

“The doc says you’re lucky to be alive. Why didn’t you have me come along with you?”

The Kid smiled. “It’s out of your jurisdiction.”

Milligan sighed and fingered his mustache, then finally said, “There’s someone come with me to see you.” Looking out into the hallway, he added, “I’ll have some coffee with Mrs DuMount while you chat. Don’t be too long, now… I’ve got to get back to town.”

As the sheriff walked out, Polly swept in, closing the door behind her, scowling as she took a good long look at her friend and lover. “God damn it, Tequila! You look awful. I told you not to mess with that Kingsley. Why don’t you ever listen to me, you obstinate little so and so? If you weren’t so bad off, I’d put you over my knee and wallop your ass good.”

“Nice to see you too, Miss Polly,” The Kid said with a wry smile. “You oughta be a nurse, with that sweet bedside manner ya got.”

Moving over to the bed, Polly bent down and kissed The Kid long and hard on the mouth, then glared at her. “Damn it, how can I stay mad at you? When you come back to town, I thought we’d lost you for sure. You almost died.” She seated herself on the bed, taking The Kid’s hand.

“Sorry I scared you, Polly,” The Kid said, feeling somewhat abashed. “Tell you what, I’m right glad that I got the chance to live instead.”

Glancing around the room, Polly said, “I suppose you’re lovin’ it here, Kid. A beautiful woman and three cute girls, tendin’ to your every need.”

“Well, I reckon there’s one need I got that you could take care of better than anyone, Polly.”

Arching an eyebrow, Polly said, “Oh? Sure you wouldn’t rather have that cute girl you found in the desert tend to it instead?”

“Well, she certainly knows how to… the thing is, you’re here now. I bet it would be fun to have her join us, though. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Polly?”

“Never you mind what I’d like,” the madam replied, as she went over to lock the bedroom door. “I think I need to put some color in your cheeks, young lady.”

“Ya gonna kiss my head better?” The Kid asked.

Polly had always cherished The Kid’s smile. The little dimples that showed always made her seem more like a child than a young woman.

“I think it may do you more good if I kiss further down,” Polly said, a wicked smile on her lips.

“Well, now,” The Kid said as Polly drew the bed covers down, then gave her a long kiss that quickly grew passionate. The two women took turns sucking playfully at each other’s tongues.

“Raise your hips,” Polly said, then tugged the nightgown The Kid wore up to her chin, baring her breasts. Polly bent to lick and kiss the younger woman’s hard nipples, then nuzzled a path downward until her head was between The Kid’s legs.

Reaching out, Polly traced a finger through the juicy slit of her lover. “I never knew how beautiful a woman’s cunt could be… not until I first got a look at yours, Kid.” She brought the finger to her mouth and sucked it. “Like a flower in God’s garden… I swear, just lookin’ at it makes me feel hot and crazy inside.” She drew closer. “Mind you, I intend to do a lot more than just look.”

She began to lick, her lips and tongue working their magic. Soon The Kid’s cunt spilled love honey into Polly’s eager mouth, as the young woman exploded in an intense orgasm that left her breathless.

“Still sweet as ever,” Polly cooed. She stood, poured some water into the wash basin and cleaned her face, then washed The Kid’s privates before pulling her nightgown back down and the covers back up.

Opening her handbag, she fixed her makeup, pausing to appraise herself in the vanity mirror, then came back to the bed. “You rest now, Kid. I’ll see you again soon.”

The Kid was struck speechless, and Polly seemed to understand, giving her a brief but tender goodbye kiss and a wink before she went downstairs.

Clementine and Sheriff Milligan were seated in the parlor, drinking coffee. When he saw Polly descend the stairs, the sheriff placed his cup in its saucer, reaching for his hat. “I’ll go pull the buggy around,” he said. “Just be a few minutes.”

As he went out the door, Clementine said, “Would you care for coffee, Miss Nevers?”

Polly said, “No, thanks, Mrs. DuMount. I do appreciate the kindness you’ve shown, allowing me to visit with The Kid.”

Reaching out to take Polly’s hand, Clem said, “Please, Miss Nevers, feel free to drop by again soon.” She gazed deep into Polly’s eyes, adding, “You are most welcome here. And please, call me Clementine.”

The madam quietly responded, “I’m Polly.”

The two women held hands for a moment, a common truth passing between them. Then the buggy pulled up, breaking the spell. “Nice to meet you, Clementine,” Polly said, then turned to go.

Standing in the entrance, Clem saw the buggy set off, then watched Polly dwindle in the distance. With a thoughtful nod, she wandered into the kitchen, where her eldest daughter was peeling potatoes for the evening meal.

“Mimi,” Clementine said, “Why don’t you let me finish that, while you go check on The Kid. See if she wants anything. Keep her company for awhile, if she feels like it.”

“Sure, Ma!” Mimi exclaimed, grinning with delight. Untying her apron, she hung it on a peg, then went bounding up the stairs.

*****

The Kid was just drifting into sleep when she heard a soft tap on the door. Rousing herself, she said, “Come in.”

Mimi entered, a shy smile on her lips. “Can I get you anything, Kid? Would you like me to visit with you for a little bit?”

“Sure,” The Kid said. “Come on in and catch me up on what’s been going on.”

Seating herself, Mimi filled The Kid in on the day-to-day routine around the house. Suddenly falling silent, she got up, went over to the door and closed it, then turned the lock. The Kid felt a sudden twinge of erotic anticipation.

Returning to the bed, Mimi perched on the edge, tugging the dress she wore up far enough to bare her knees. Gazing warmly at The Kid, she said, “I’m fourteen, you know.” The Kid nodded — wondering where Mimi was going with this, suspecting that she knew only too well.

“The thing is,” Mimi continued, “I know how to pleasure another girl. Or woman.” The girl’s cheeks were flushed now.

The Kid lay still, looking at Mimi. Dang, she thought, Could this be going where I think it is?

“What I guess I’m getting at, Kid, is maybe you need some…” The rest of Mimi’s words tumbled out of her mouth so fast The Kid wasn’t sure if she heard them right. “I think maybe you ought to be pleasured, so you can rest better.”

The Kid’s heart was thumping wildly, but she managed to keep herself sounding calm, saying, “That sounds real good, Mimi.”

“Good.” Mimi said. “Now you just lay there and relax and I’ll do it all.” Leaning in, she gave The Kid a long, hungry kiss, then broke away, looking pleased with herself.

“Close your eyes, Kid. I’ll need to see your privates so I can give you pleasure. No matter what, just keep your eyes shut and enjoy this.”

The Kid felt the covers being stripped away and her nightgown pulled up. Then Mimi’s hands were on her thighs, spreading them apart. She sighed blissfully as the girl’s tongue began to lick her slit up and down, up and down. Then The Kid felt her clit being licked, kissed and gently nibbled.

Unable to help herself, The Kid raised her head slightly, opening her eyes just enough to see the top of Mimi’s head between her legs. Where’d she get the notion to do this to me? The Kid wondered. I guess it don’t really matter, it feels so good.

Feeling the rising storm beneath her belly, The Kid whispered, “Oh, Mimi. I think I’m g-gonna come,” then gasped as the girl intensified her efforts, slowly easing a finger into The Kid’s love hole while sucking at her clitoris.

Reaching down, The Kid held Mimi’s head with trembling hands, moaning in ecstasy as she climaxed for the second time that afternoon.

As The Kid caught her breath, Mimi went to the basin and washed her face. She dampened a washcloth, using it to clean The Kid’s vulva, then tenderly kissed her. “I think you’ll rest better now,” Mimi whispered.

With a weary smile, The Kid, “Think I will, too. Thank you, Mimi. Thanks very much.” Propping herself up on an elbow, she added, “Soon as I’m up and able to move around, I’m gonna do that to you, pretty girl.” She gave Mimi a wink, then laid back down.

Mimi giggled, then left the room, closing the door behind her. The Kid soon dozed off.

Later that afternoon, The Kid awakened. The room felt stuffy, so she got up to open a window. It struck her that she was feeling much better. I need to get out of this nightgown, though — it’s startin’ to smell.

Taking a clean nightgown from the chiffarobe, The Kid picked up her moccasins and descended the stairs, only to find Clementine standing at the bottom, arms folded. “And where do you think you’re going, young lady?”

“Just wanted to take me a bath and put on this clean nightie,” The Kid replied.

Clem thought for a moment, then nodded, “Doc Stone did say that now that the stitches are out, you can wash your hair.” Glancing into the kitchen, she called, “Susie?” An instant later, Clementine’s youngest daughter appeared. “Go with The Kid and help out with her bath. You carry the water for her, now — she’s to take it easy.”

“Yes, Ma!” a grinning Susie said. She raced out the front door, then looked back inside. “C’mon, Kid, let’s go!” She vanished again.

By the time The Kid made it to the wash house, Susie was there heating water on the stove, fetching more from the well. As the water grew hot, the young girl gradually filled the tub. “It’s ready now, Kid,” Susie finally said. “Go ahead and get in.”

Reaching down for the hem of the nightie she wore, The Kid slowly pulled it up and off while little Susie watched, wide eyed with excitement. The Kid carelessly let the nightgown fall to the floor as she padded over to the tub, climbed in and seated herself in the steaming water.

“Ma said I was to help you, Kid,” Susie said, “so let me get you clean.” She held a bath flannel in her hands.

Susie washed The Kid’s back first, but the look on the child’s face made it clear that she longed to scrub much more than that. “Ain’t you gonna do the rest of me?” The Kid asked. “I need a bath all over.”

“S-sure, Kid!” Susie stammered, unable to believe her good luck. “Um, turn around.” The Kid obliged, and then the girl was soaping her bare breasts.

It was a lovely experience, allowing this sweet young thing to lather, clean and rinse every part of her body. Susie seemed to enjoy it just as much.

Finally, The Kid emerged from the tub. Taking a towel from Susie, she quickly dried herself. As she did, the younger girl looked around outside, then closed the door to the wash house.

“Sure does feel good to have clean hair at last.” The Kid said. Sitting on the long wooden bench, she picked up the fresh nightgown and was about to pull it over her head — then Susie spoke up.

“Wait, Kid,” the child said. “Just sit there. Close your eyes and open your legs for me. I’m gonna give you a nice surprise.”

The Kid shut her eyes. She felt warm hands on her inner thighs, then Susie began to lick her pussy. Peeking down, The Kid took in the view of the pretty little girl, now down on her knees and giving pleasure to a woman. My, that’s a fine sight, she thought.

The Kid closed her eyes again, loving what little Susie was doing with her mouth and tongue. It was similar to how Mimi did it, but different, too. Something about the eagerness that Susie brought to the task, though, made The Kid decide that it was the best licking she’d had in awhile.

The Kid was nearing her third climax of the day. Putting both hands on Susie’s head, she pushed her hot wet sex harder against the child’s mouth. Susie didn’t slow down, just kept licking until The Kid had an explosive come that left her panting for breath.

Susie just knelt there, staring at The Kid’s wet cunt. Finally she stood, fetched a washcloth and wiped the fluids from the young woman’s pussy — what she hadn’t already cleaned up with her tongue, anyhow.

The Kid put on the nightgown and moccasins while Susie washed her face, then they walked back to the house together, hand in hand. The Kid went back up to bed. Weary from her exertions, she dozed off right away.

When she awakened, it was early evening, and Clementine was there with a tray of food.

“Now, Clem,” The Kid said, “You and the girls are gonna spoil me to death.”

“You need loving care for a little more yet,” Clementine said, a twinkle in her eye. “So just enjoy it while you can, young lady.” Patting The Kid on the arm, she murmured, “Go on, tuck in while it’s still warm.”

After The Kid was done eating, Clementine asked, “Would you care for dessert? It’s chocolate cake.”

“No, thank you,” The Kid answered, patting her belly. “I’m ‘bout to bust, I think.”

Clementine got up and went over to lock the bedroom door. Returning to the bed, she leaned over, kissing The Kid full on the mouth. They kissed again, with lips parted and tongues going back and forth.

Without a word, Clementine pulled back the bed covers and put her hands on the nightgown The Kid wore. As she slowly tugged the gown up The Kid’s lean, muscular legs, Clem said, “You just relax now, young lady. I’m going to give you a come. Bet you could really use one.”

Clementine didn’t mind having The Kid watch her. In fact, the older woman loved the idea of this nineteen-year-old girl looking on as she licked her pussy. Does it get her extra excited, Clem wondered, knowing that I do this to my daughters, too?

Clementine went down on The Kid with an abandon that soon had her on the verge of orgasm. It felt like a combination of the way Susie and Mimi licked. Them girls sure learned from their Ma, The Kid thought.

She felt a finger tip enter her anus, then another slipped into her pussy. All the while, her clit was being stroked and teased by a tongue that knew what it was doing.

Suddenly, everything got hot and crazy. The Kid seized a pillow, pressing it to her face to muffle her screams of pleasure as she came.

Once her body had ceased to thrash around and The Kid lay still, Clementine kissed her. “If you’re like me,” Clem said, “You must enjoy the taste of your pussy on the lips of a lover.”

“I sure do,” The Kid said.

“And I do love sharing these same pleasures with my daughters. But we’ll talk about that again some other time. Right now, Kid, I want you to get some rest.” With one last kiss, Clementine picked up the tray and left the room.

The Tequila Kid lay quietly, thinking about what Clementine had just said. And I do love sharing these same pleasures with my daughters. But we’ll talk about that again some other time.

The Kid pondered those words. Does that mean she wants to do this with me again? I sure hope so. Maybe she’ll tell me more about her daughters, the things they do together. Has she got Button doing those things with her and the girls? She sure seems happy here, now more than ever.

Then she had another thought, one that made her shiver with excitement. Maybe Clem wants me to join them all in bed. Lord God almighty, wouldn’t that be a dream come true? Wouldn’t it just? As she turned the idea over in her mind, The Kid somehow drifted into a deep sleep.

The Kid awakened abruptly, sensing a presence nearby. It seemed late. Sure enough, she heard the clock downstairs strike three. Then there was another sound, the gentle closing of her door. “Who’s there?” she called out.

“Shhhhh, Kid. It’s me — Arabella.”

“Oh. Everything okay, Button? Are you ill? Is there any trouble?”

“I couldn’t sleep, Kid. I have to do somethin’ so bad, I can’t stand it.”

“What’s that?” The Kid asked. Am I still asleep and dreamin’ this? she wondered.

Arabella didn’t answer. Instead, she lit the oil lamp on the table and turned it low. In the dim golden glow of the light Arabella put her index finger to her lips and again went, “Shhhhh.”

Reaching down, Arabella grabbed the hem of her nightgown and stood up straight, pulling the garment up and over her head. She tossed it aside and spread her legs, using both hands to open her cunt, spreading the tiny bare labia apart and revealing the pink wetness inside to The Kid.

Then the young girl approached the bed, whispering, “I just gotta lick you down there, Kid. I can’t stop thinkin’ of it and I — I just gotta. You don’t have to do nothin’ at all.” Arabella added with a naughty giggle, “Nothing except come in my mouth, that is.”

The Kid pushed down the bed covers, pulled up her nightie and spread her legs wide, eager to give Arabella what she wanted. The child was in no hurry, though — she began to gently play with her own slit while using the other hand to explore The Kid’s moist labia.

The Kid enjoyed the soft touch of Arabella’s fingers, feeling herself growing increasingly wet as she watched her ten-year-old lover masturbate.

“This ain’t no dream, is it?” The Kid whispered.

Arabella bent forward and gave The Kid a passionate kiss, plunging her tongue into the young woman’s mouth. Breaking away with a smacking sound, she said, “Nope, it’s for real.”

She climbed up on the bed, turning around to present her taut round bottom to The Kid. Arabella was on her hands and knees and The Kid loved everything she saw in the soft light.

“I’m gonna lick you.” Arabella said simply. “If you want to poke any of my holes while I do that, you can.”

Arabella began to lick The Kid’s slick, hot pussy, exploring every bit of it with her tongue. When she got to the clit, the girl teased it ever so gently, coaxing the tiny organ out from under its hood, then sucking at  it.

Reaching out, The Kid squeezed the lovely globes of Arabella’s buttocks, then used her fingers to lightly stroke the ten-year-old’s tight, puckered anus and vulva. She teased Arabella’s rosebud, loving how the girl reacted to it — pushing back against her finger, moaning with pleasure into her cunt.

Moving slowly and carefully, The Kid eased a finger into Arabella’s vagina. The child responded right away, pushing back against the probing finger, trying to take it even deeper.

Arabella could feel her pussy getting steadily wetter as The Kid fucked her. It felt so good that she hungered for more, so she slipped a hand between her thighs, brushing her own clit with a finger tip, still concentrating on pleasuring The Kid’s clit with her mouth.

They reached orgasm simultaneously, giving their release an intensity that neither had expected a moment earlier. After the last waves of pleasure had passed, the two lovers lay limp and spent. Arabella managed to turn herself around and crawl into The Kid’s arms, and they nestled together for awhile.

The Kid was nearly dozing when Arabella crawled out of her embrace, bringing the young woman back to the there and then.

“I gotta go back to bed now,” Arabella said. Giving The Kid a brief goodnight kiss, she wriggled into her nightgown, then blew the lamp out.

“Wait, Arabella.” The Kid said. “Don’t go. Come and lay under the covers with me. Please?”

Arabella was caught off guard by the request. “You sure, Kid?” she asked as she came slowly back to the bed.

“I’ve missed seein’ you fall asleep. I’ve missed havin’ you near me at night. I just want to wake up next to you one more time,” The Kid said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

Arabella smiled. Taking her nightie off again, the naked child slipped under the covers, kissed The Kid’s cheek and said, “Sleep well now, my angel of love.” Snuggling close, Arabella rested her head on The Kid’s shoulder, soon falling sound asleep.

The Kid watched Arabella slumber. As she studied the child’s face, she thought to herself, How lucky I am to have known someone so precious. Lord knows, I can’t bear to leave her. But I can’t take her with me, neither.

Ride along to Chapter Thirteen!

by Purple Les

The first few days after The Kid’s departure had gone by slowly for Arabella. Aunt Clementine had insisted that she was to remain in bed the whole day after Frank Sims’ attempt on her life. Still feeling shaken after her ordeal, Arabella gratefully agreed to go along with her aunt’s wishes before turning in.

The next day, Arabella awakened late. She was still in a half-conscious state when Aunt Clem came to check on her.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Clementine said after kissing Arabella’s cheek. “How do you feel today?”

Arabella’s thoughts drifted idly for a moment — then like a cold slap to the face, the horrors of the previous day flashed through her head.

She remembered it all. The boulder thudding down the hill, followed by the shower of small rocks and dust. Falling off the horse she rode. The big man with the cruel face beating Slim. Grabbing the gun, clutching it in her hands, heart racing like a wild thing as she shot at the big man. The impossibly loud roar of the gun, the way it threw her onto the ground. The big man yelling and bloody. Getting picked up by her hair, the big man hissing at her, wrapping his hand around her throat. The ice she saw in his eyes. The rifle shot. The big man’s chest opening up on one side, gushing red. The man with the rifle smiling. His eyes, hard and cruel. She saw the hatred in them. Arabella remembered looking at Slim, his face deathly pale and contorted with pain. Both of them knowing they were about to die.

Only somehow, they didn’t die. Arabella still couldn’t understand it. The man — Kingsley, his name was — had put his gun down and come to help. He’d carefully moved the groaning Slim underneath a nearby tree, then gave him water. He wanted Arabella to get behind him on his horse and ride back to the ranch to get help, but she didn’t want to be alone with him, insisting that she wanted to remain with Slim.

With a curt nod, Kingsley set off. She sat with Slim and held his hand, fighting to be brave, to keep herself from sobbing helplessly, to look at anything but at the corpse of the big man, still sprawled out in the dust.

Within minutes, Kingsley had returned with a wagon, several of the ranch hands, and most important, Aunt Clem. Sore and exhausted as she was, Arabella had still jumped to her feet, raced into the woman’s arms and burst into tears.

The journey into town was a bumpy one. Arabella remained nestled in her aunt’s embrace, grateful that Clementine was seated between Kingsley and herself. The man seemed concerned and eager to help, very much the gentleman — but Arabella wasn’t fooled, not for a second. Kingsley hated her, wanted to hurt her. The few times their eyes had met, she’d seen it. Worse, he knew she’d seen it.

Back in the bedroom, Aunt Clem, pressed the back of her hand to the girl’s forehead. “Arabella? Are you all right?”

“I… I’m not sure.” Arabella answered. “Where’s The Kid?”

“She’s gone for a few days. Remember? You rest, now, while I get you some breakfast.” Clem drew the covers up to Arabella’s chin, then left the room.

Arabella closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then drifted off into an uneasy slumber. There was the big man again. Yelling at her father. Beating her father. Now the big man was on her sister, laughing and looking up at her father, his huge hand on Sophia’s throat. The big man grunting as his body moved. Another man behind Arabella’s mother. Ma in hysterics, screaming, “No, not my daughter, take me!”

Everything Arabella saw was in black and red. No other colors. Her legs wouldn’t work. She tried to move them and couldn’t. She crawled on her belly instead, elbows and knees scraping the ground.

What she saw wouldn’t stop. Then the bad things that were happening, they got smaller and quieter as her legs regained their strength and she got up and ran. Couldn’t stop running. Must run faster, faster!

When Clementine returned with a breakfast tray, she found Arabella sweating and moaning, legs churning about beneath the covers. Alarmed, Clem set the tray down and tried to rouse her niece.

Now Arabella saw the Tequila Kid, heard her whisper, “I’ll make it right, Arabella. If I don’t come back, remember how much I love you.”

Arabella awoke with a start. She stared into space, then began to cry. Clementine drew the sobbing child into her arms. “It’s all right, Arabella. Just a bad dream. You’re safe here with me and the girls.”

The next day Arabella got up early. She seemed fine to Clem and the girls. And yet, happy as Arabella felt at one moment, the next might find tears streaming from her eyes. By early evening, she was emotionally exhausted, and turned in that night without supper.

On the third day, Arabella had slept in, then awoke impatient to be up and about. When she came down for a late breakfast, Clementine told her that some of the hands had gone into town to bring Slim back to the ranch. Later that afternoon, she went with Clementine and her cousins to welcome Slim home. He was still badly battered, but in good spirits. Clementine had brought a large hamper filled with food, and a couple of the hands had built a comfortable chair out of red oak, which they placed near the entrance of the bunkhouse for Slim to rest in. Arabella was in a better mood, too. Those sudden fits of melancholy seemed to have faded away.

One of the hands was joshing Slim. “Good thing ya had Arabella along for protection, huh?”

Slim answered, “I know you’re just ribbin’ me, Ern. I’ll tell ya, though, this little lady showed more grit than a lot of men I’ve known. You ought to of seen her facin’ down that dirty dog Sims, holdin’ a gun ‘bout as big as she is. Fact is, if her aim had been just a hair truer, it wouldn’t a mattered if Kingsley had come along.” He fell silent, then sighed. “Truth is, I thought for a moment Kingsley was gonna kill us, too. If he’d done it without gettin’ caught, that gold mine would of been all his.”

“Speakin’ of which,” the cowpoke Ernie continued, “did you folks hear that Kingsley has done left town? Heard tell that he sold most ever’thin’ he had, just picked up and left. The lawyer Finch told me about it. What’s yet to be sold, the lawyer will take care of. He says Kingsley just gave up on bein’ mayor and runnin’ that gold mine. Wanted to start fresh elsewhere, says old Finch.”

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” Slim muttered. “Wish Finch would of gone with him. He’s crookeder than a dog’s hind leg.”

“I’ll settle for having seen the last of Kingsley.” Clementine said. “Well, Arabella, I think we can go to town very soon and do some clothes shopping for you.”

“Let us know when you do, Mrs. Clem,” said Newt, the youngest of the ranch hands, “We figure it’s best if one if us still comes along for awhile, just to be safe. Give old Kingsley another couple of days to get where he’s gettin’.”

After their visit, Clementine and the girls returned to the house, where they spent a quiet evening together.

It was on the fourth day that Arabella found herself missing The Kid terribly. She went into the kitchen, where Clementine was busy plucking a chicken.

“Aunt Clem, do you know when The Kid will be back?”

“Not for sure,” Clementine said, “She told me she’d be gone for a week or so. Don’t worry, she promised to return.” Setting the half-stripped chicken to one side, Aunt Clem briskly washed her hands. “Come out into the parlor with me, Arabella. Let’s have a chat.”

A moment later, as they seated themselves on the couch, Clementine asked, “Do you like it here with us, Arabella?”

“Oh yes, Aunt Clem, very much.” Arabella answered, then gave her aunt a big hug. “Thank you for takin’ me in.”

Wrapping an arm around the child’s shoulders, Clementine kissed her head. “How could I do anything else? This is your home, child, and always will be.” She paused, thoughtfully observing Arabella. The girl was in good spirits, and Mimi and Susie were out of earshot, both of them busy weeding the vegetable garden. It seemed like the right time to bring up the questions she’d been longing to put to her niece.

“I guess you feel kind of close to Mimi and Susie, don’t you?” Clementine asked, carefully steering their conversation in the direction she wanted.

“I do, Aunt Clem. It’s almost like havin’ two sisters. I guess you must miss Ma, too.” Arabella gave a wistful sigh. “We both lost our sisters. I lost Sophia, and you lost Ma.”

Clementine nodded. “Yes. I loved your mother very much.”

“I miss Sophia a lot,” said Arabella. “I know you and Ma didn’t see each other that much after you got married. Were you close when you were little?”

“Oh, yes, Arabella. Very much. Just like Mimi and Susie are.”

The front door swung open at that moment and Mimi and Susie came bursting into the house, both of them naked. Their hair was wet, and they held their clothes in front of them to conceal their nudity.

“Girls!” Clementine said, frowning at her daughters. “What do you mean, traipsing around naked as jaybirds?” She didn’t fail to notice that Arabella was staring at her cousins with obvious interest.

“Aw, Ma,” Susie frowned, “We got so hot, workin’ in the garden. So we took a shower when we were done.”

“And we couldn’t just put our dirty clothes back on,” Mimi added.

“You don’t mind, do you, Arabella?” Susie asked her younger cousin. “It’s just us girls. Right, Ma?”

“Oh, I suppose,” Clementine said, smiling in spite of herself. “Now you two run upstairs and get dressed, for goodness’ sake. Don’t forget to dry and brush your hair. No dawdling, mind you — come straight down when you’re done and help get supper ready.”

“Okay, Ma!” Mimi said, and the sisters were off and running, pausing just long enough to chuck their clothes into the side room where laundry was gathered. Clementine loved seeing her daughters’ bare bottoms jiggling their way up the stairs… and a quick glance at her niece confirmed that Arabella enjoyed the sight every bit as much.

“Hope you weren’t too embarrassed by that, dear,” Clem said as the girls vanished.

“I don’t mind seein’ them naked, Aunt Clem. They’re both so pretty. Mimi puts me in mind of my sister, and I loved seein’ her with no clothes on. Sometimes, Sophia and I, we used to… um…” Arabella’s voice trailed off, and she looked at the floor, red-faced. You shouldn’t tell her about that! she scolded herself.

Clementine rested a hand on her niece’s knee. Weighing her words carefully, she began to speak. “When me and your mother were Susie and Mimi’s age, we used to like to talk about boys. Wonder what it was like to be courted by one.” Arabella shyly looked up at her aunt. “But we didn’t know anything about boys, you see. So we liked to take turns pretending one of us was a boy, and that we were lovers. We’d practice kissing.”

Gazing wide-eyed at her aunt, Arabella said, “Me and Sophia did something like that. Um, did you just kiss, or…?”

“Well,” Clementine began, feeling her face get warm. Once again, she wondered if it was wise to discuss these things with her niece. I’ll have to tell her sooner or later, she thought, and there’s no better time than this. “I’m going to be completely honest with you, Arabella, and I hope you won’t think too harshly of me. You see, your mother and I, we’d… uh…”

“What? Please tell me, Aunt Clem. I really want to know.”

“All right, then,” Clementine said, struggling with her shyness. “If we were alone, we’d…”

Arabella looked expectantly at her aunt.

“Well, Arabella, sometimes kissing wasn’t enough. It made us feel so funny and warm inside, especially down in our… girl parts. Do you understand what I mean by that?”

Reaching for her aunt’s hand, Arabella gave it a squeeze. “I sure do, Aunt Clem. Me and Sophia, we’d…” She briefly struggled with the words, then finally said, “My sister and me, we’d take all our things off, so we were bare naked. And then, we would… touch each other, down there. It was to, um, make each other feel nice. Sis called it ‘diddling’.” She sighed heavily, lost in the sweet memory. “It sure was fun, doin’ that with her.”

Clementine slowly nodded. “You know, that’s very close to what me and your Ma did, Arabella. Only we didn’t take all our clothes off — not at first, anyway. And yes, you’re right — it was very nice.” They were both silent for a few moments, then Clem added, “Like to know a secret, sweetheart? It’s very likely that your cousins are touching each other that way right now.”

Having touched Mimi’s breasts with Susie just a few nights earlier, Arabella wasn’t very surprised by her aunt’s revelation, but thought it best to act as if she was. Letting her jaw drop, she stared at the older woman and said, “Gosh, Aunt Clem! Are they?”

“Does that bother you, Arabella?”

“No! I think it’s wonderful. You really think they do that?”

Clementine swallowed, then took a long, deep breath before replying. “I know they do.” Bending down, she brought her lips to her niece’s ear, quietly saying, “I know they do, Arabella, because I do it with them.”

This time, Arabella was genuinely surprised. She thought about it, what Aunt Clem had just said to her. Not only did her two cousins get naked and have fun with each other… they did it with their mother, too! Arabella’s insides went all funny and hot, imagining her aunt and the girls with all their clothes off, kissing and diddling.

Maybe even more than that — maybe some of the things I got to do with The Kid. Or Miss Annie, or May and June! The possibilities dazzled the excited ten-year-old, made her heart race.

Clementine’s voice broke into her reverie. “Arabella?”

At a loss for words, Arabella just said “Yes. Aunt Clem?”

The older woman parted her lips to speak, hesitated, then said, “Come help me get started on supper.”

As they made their way into the kitchen, Clementine’s nerves were jangling. She’d just shared her deepest, darkest secret with Arabella — that she and her daughters were lovers — and the child had simply fallen silent, without any sort of response. Maybe I shouldn’t have told her just yet, she mused.

While Arabella quietly shucked ears of corn, her thoughts ran wild. Right now, she thought to herself, my cousins are upstairs with nothing on, doing… Lord knows what.

It had been more than five days since she’d made love, that last time with May and June back in Oak Creek. Now, she ached to be upstairs with her cousins, naked and sharing good feelings.

Soon, that deep-down hunger she felt was too great to keep to herself. Looking up at her aunt, she spoke. “Um, Aunt Clem?” When the older woman looked her way, Arabella said, “Would you… d-do those things with me, too? I mean, letting me be naked with you and Mimi and Susie and we, um…” Not knowing the right words to say, the child simply stopped.

Clementine stirred the pot on the stove a few more times, laid the old wooden spoon to one side, then came over to Arabella and kissed her on the mouth. It was only a gentle touch from her aunt’s lips, but to the young girl it coaxed forth a deep-banked warmth that went straight to her soul.

Kneeling before her niece, Clementine quietly said, “Of course, Arabella. You’re one of the family. If you’d like to make love with us, we would be happy to do that with you.”

The child felt as if she was glowing inside, like she’d swallowed the sun. Make love. That’s what The Kid had called it, the first time she lay between Arabella’s legs and licked her.

Gazing into the warm, adoring eyes of the woman who had taken her in, Arabella whispered, “Yes. Yes, Aunt Clem. That’d make me happier than — than anything.”

Clementine reached out to caress her niece’s cheek. “Then we will, sweetheart,” she said, then stood, took a deep breath and shook her head as if to clear it. “Well, come on, Arabella, let’s finish getting supper ready. That corn won’t shuck itself.”

Still slightly dazed, Arabella reached into the bushel basket for another ear of corn. Clementine resumed her stirring, then glanced upward. “What on earth is keeping those two…?” she said. Reaching for the straw broom, she gave the ceiling three sharp raps with its handle.

Moments later, the girls’ feet could be heard thundering down the staircase, then Susie and Mimi burst into the kitchen. “Sorry, Ma!” Mimi exclaimed. “My shoes were dirty, and I had to wipe ‘em off.”

Clementine gave her daughters a stern look, but she couldn’t quite suppress a smile. “Well, you’re finally here, so hop to it, young ladies. Susie, you cut up the green beans. Mimi–”

“I know, Ma… get the biscuits made. Is there still gravy from last night? I forget.”

As Aunt Clem and the girls discussed the evening meal, Arabella continued to strip coarse husks from the ears of corn as she allowed her mind to wander, dreaming of sharing pleasure with her new family.

*****

Arabella’s air of distraction continued as they dined. No matter what the others were was talking about during supper, whenever there was a moment of silence, she heard Aunt Clem’s voice saying, If you’d like to make love with us, we would be happy to do that with you.

“Are you all right, Arabella?” Clementine asked — though a certain twinkle in her eyes made it clear that she knew full well what was on her niece’s mind.

“Oh, um, yes, Aunt Clem. I just… uh, it’s warm in here, that’s all.” Arabella said.

After finishing supper, they all pitched in to clear the table and clean up the kitchen. Once the task was done, Clementine unfastened her apron, hung it from its hook and said, “Let’s go to the front parlor.” Pausing to touch Arabella’s forehead, she gave the girl a wink. “It’s cooler in there.”

Once they’d lit a few candles and the oil lamp, Mimi seated herself at the piano. “What shall I play?”

Arabella spoke up. “Would you play that pretty song that The Kid liked, please?”

“Er… which one was that?” Mimi asked.

Clementine smiled. “Chopin’s Nocturne Opus Nine, Number Two. The Kid thought it was beautiful, and I must agree with her. It’s one of my favorites. Please play that, Mimi.”

Mimi settled in at the piano and opened the music book to the place she wanted. Susie stationed herself nearby, ready to turn the pages for her sister when needed.

Arabella leaned against her aunt, who was sitting beside her on the loveseat. Clementine’s arm was twined over Arabella’s shoulders, her hand resting on her niece’s chest. As Mimi began to play, Aunt Clem carefully placed her other hand in Arabella’s lap, then buried her face in the girl’s soft hair, breathing in its sweet fragrance.

Covering Aunt Clementine’s hand with her own, Arabella felt a warm surge of love flow through her. It was like the adoration she’d felt for her mother, but there was more to it than that. There was that other love, too. The love that gave her that wonderful feeling. That excited feeling.

Aunt Clem began to lightly stroke Arabella’s chest. The woman’s hand was barely moving, but it felt wonderful, causing the child to tremble as her nipples stiffened to the touch.

As the last notes of the piece dwindled away, the room fell into a blissful silence. Finally, Susie placed both hands on her big sister’s shoulders. “Oh, Mimi,” she sighed, “that was so pretty… I have to kiss you for it,” she said. Bending down, she pressed her lips against the older girl’s neck. Cooing with delight, Mimi turned to her little sister, and their mouths met in a brief but loving kiss.

When they drifted apart, Mimi smiled at Susie. “Thank you, little sister. That’s even nicer than applause.” Glancing over at her mother and cousin, who were still nestled together on the loveseat, she said, “Since I don’t hear you clapping for me, I’ll come over there for kisses.”

Arabella felt as she was under a spell of some sort as she watched her older cousin slowly rise from the piano bench, then drift across the room to where she and Aunt Clem sat.

“I love you, Ma,” Mimi said, extending a hand to her mother.

A smiling Clementine stood, taking the girl into her arms. “I love you too, dearest.”

Arabella stared in awe as her aunt and Mimi came together in a lingering kiss. Clementine’s tongue darted between her daughter’s parted lips — a sight that made Arabella felt warm all over, as if she was standing next to a roaring fire. Mimi’s hands glided down her mother’s back, until they rested just above the curve of Aunt Clem’s lovely bottom.

Then Mimi was kneeling before Arabella, taking the ten-year-old’s hands in hers. “May I kiss you now, dear cousin?” she whispered. Arabella was too stunned to speak, but somehow managed a single nod.

Mimi’s kiss was shy and sweet, so different from the lust-filled urgency of The Kid, yet every bit as thrilling. But when the older girl’s tongue traced Arabella’s lower lip, the heat of her desire was plain as day.

Before Arabella could respond, Mimi had already broken their kiss and was now perched on the loveseat, wrapping both arms around her cousin, holding her close. Arabella hugged Mimi back, the throbbing between her legs grown more intense than ever — as if she had to diddle herself or go mad. She nuzzled her cousin’s chest, loving the smell of her body.

Then she heard Susie speak. “Y’know what, Ma?” Looking up, Arabella saw the girl standing before her, wrapped in her mother’s arms. “The first night Arabella was here, she took off all her clothes and was naked with us. I think she liked it, too!”

“Did you, Arabella?” Clementine asked. “Did you like seeing Mimi and Susie naked together?”

Arabella found it hard to make her voice work, but finally managed to squeak out, “Yes.”

There wasn’t much room left on the loveseat, but Clementine was just able to seat herself to the right of Arabella, so the ten-year-old was now tucked in snugly between Aunt Clem and Mimi, embraced by them both. Then there was little Susie, who stared at her cousin with that hungry, wanting look that Arabella knew very well after her travels with The Kid.

Clementine cradled her niece’s head to her chest. Arabella loved how her aunt’s soft breasts felt against her cheek, and the way she went up and down with each breath. Warm hands began to touch her body — one on her hip, another stroking her belly, yet another trailing its fingers down her neck.

Gazing up at her aunt, Arabella whispered, “I want to, Aunt Clem. Oh, I want to so bad.”

Clementine smiled down at the child, knowing exactly what she meant. “What we talked about before, dearest Arabella? Is that what you mean?”

“Yes, please. Please, Aunt Clem,” Arabella begged, emotions raging so strongly inside her that she almost wanted to cry.

Clementine kissed the top of Arabella’s head, then glanced at her youngest daughter, who was restlessly moving her hips from side to side while she tugged at the sides of her dress.

“Susie,” Clementine said, “I think that Arabella would like to see you and Mimi naked again. Undress for us, won’t you?”

“Alright, Ma,” Susie said as she sat on the floor to remove her shoes. Casting them aside, she stood, reached behind her back and unfastened her dress. As it fell to the floor, Susie carefully watched her ten-year-old cousin, thrilled by the excitement she saw in the girl’s eyes. Her mother and big sister were also observing Arabella as Susie started to slip out of her underclothes.

She unbuttoned the top of her under linen, revealing her budding breasts, then began to push the one-piece down further. Soon her torso was in view then her navel. As she worked it down the rest of the way, the others drank in the lovely sight of Susie’s nudity, especially her sex — the narrow labia, now visibly moist, adorned with a mere sprinkling of silken pubes.

The girl stepped from her undergarment, standing naked and proud before her family. “Come on, Mimi. Your turn,” Susie said. The older girl stood, and Susie quickly took her big sister’s place on the loveseat next to Arabella.

Mimi had already removed her shoes. As she unbuttoned her dress, Arabella’s eyes darted from watching Mimi undress to Susie’s naked body, now right next to hers. Arabella felt a surge of arousal when she realized that Susie was diddling herself, the girl’s fingers busy between her legs.

“Look at Susie touch herself,” Clementine said to Arabella, “Very soon, we’ll all be doing that.” Arabella wondered if that meant they’d all be touching themselves, or touching Susie. Either way, she’d be happy.

Then Clementine rose to her feet. Mimi was down to her underclothes now and Aunt Clem was removing her dress. Poor Arabella didn’t know where to look. She loved watching Susie diddle, but then she’d look up again, and Mimi and Clementine would be that much closer to naked.

She glanced back at Susie just in time to see the girl withdraw her finger from her pussy, slip it into her mouth and suck it clean. Then she put it back into herself again. Wish she’d give me a taste, Arabella thought.

Turning to her aunt and older cousin, Arabella saw that they were both nude, both watching Susie play with herself. Mimi began to fondle her mother’s breasts, teasing the nipples between her fingertips. Clementine returned the favor, gently caressing her daughter’s pale globes.

“Arabella?” Clementine said, giving her niece a knowing smile. “Perhaps you’d like to undress and be naked with us. Would you?”

“Yes!” Arabella blurted. She was leaning forward, staring at her aunt and cousin as they touched one another.

Susie began to unbutton the back of Arabella’s dress. Clementine reached out to place a hand on Mimi’s vulva, and Mimi carefully pushed one of her fingers into her mother’s dripping vagina.

Arabella’s excitement was at fever pitch. Here was her aunt, and here were her cousins, all of them naked. All touching themselves or each other. And soon they would be touching her too. Without even diddling herself, she had that hot, crazy feeling down there — and suddenly it mounted into a rush of pleasure that stole the child’s breath away.

Crying out loud, her head spinning, Arabella slumped to the floor, curled up in a ball with both hands pressed tightly between her legs.

“Look, Mama!” Susie gasped. “Arabella… my gosh, she just had a come!”

Quickly kneeling down, Clementine cuddled Arabella in her arms. “That’s just the beginning, my love,” she said. “Tonight, we’re going to truly make you part of this family.”

After Arabella had come to her senses, she was happy to realize that the edge of her sexual need had been taken off, leaving her able to relax a bit.

“Well, now,” Mimi said, her arms folded, “I think it’s time we get you naked. Don’t you think so, Ma?”

“I’d have to agree. Are you ready, Arabella?” said Clementine.

“But I’m not pretty… not like all of you are.” Arabella protested.

“Stuff and nonsense!” Clementine exclaimed. “You’re as pretty as any of us. Just younger, that’s all. Which is a special beauty in itself.”

“Well, I sure want to see you with no clothes on,” Susie said.

Three sets of hands began to slowly undress Arabella, and in moments she was naked as the others.

“Stand up with your cousins, Arabella,” Clementine ordered. Susie and Mimi stood Arabella between them. Clementine sat on the floor, her back against the loveseat, looking at the girls while she masturbated. “Why don’t you take turns kissing each other?” she said.

So the girls did just that, sharing increasingly heated kisses, touching each other’s bare bodies while Clementine’s fingers moved faster around her clitoris.

“Now turn your backs to me. I want to look at those sweet little behinds.” Clementine said, pumping two finger in and out of her vagina.

Susie reached down and gently touched Arabella’s smooth slit, then began to tenderly finger the girl, while Mimi knelt down behind her cousin, fondling her bottom. “Look at this, Ma,” she said to her mother, then spread Arabella’s buttocks apart, moving in to lick the child’s tight pink rosebud.

“Oh, my, that’s lovely.” Clementine breathed, then added, “Girls — bring Arabella over here.”

Susie and Mimi led their cousin over and stood her in front of their mother. Clementine reached around Arabella to grasp her tight little bottom, then drew her close until the little girl’s bare slit was within reach of her tongue. Parting her lips, Aunt Clem extended her tongue to take a long, slow lick.

A shivery moan escaped Arabella’s lips as she watched her aunt’s tongue move up and down, bathing her sex, each lick a warm, wet caress. The sisters stood on either side of Arabella, holding the girl steady as their mother pleasured her.

“That’s so beautiful,” Mimi sighed. “I love watchin’ Ma lick Arabella. Don’t you, Susie?”

“I sure do.” Susie answered her big sister. “Mimi, come sit on my face, and I’ll lick you while you watch them.”

Mimi considered this for a moment — but her thoughts were interrupted by Arabella, who said, “I can’t stand any more. Uh — I mean, I can’t stand up any more. It feels so good, Aunt Clem, b-but my legs are gonna plumb give out on me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, dearest,” Clementine said. “Here, sit down on the loveseat. That’s right… lay back with your legs spread open.” She and the girls got the dazed ten-year-old into position, then Clementine turned to her eldest daughter. “Mimi, you lick Arabella now.”

Kneeling before her naked cousin, Mimi kissed the insides of her thighs, inching her way upward until her lips were brushing Arabella’s vulva. Then she began to pleasure the younger girl with her tongue, enjoying the smoothness of her sex and the sweet nectar that flowed freely with each lick.

As she watched, Susie started to masturbate. When Clementine saw that, she took her younger daughter and got her to climb up onto the loveseat, standing astride Arabella’s thighs so that Susie’s sex was just inches from her cousin’s mouth.

“Now, Arabella,” Clementine said. “Lick Susie, just like Mimi is licking you.”

A shiver raced through Susie’s frame. “Ohhhh,” she moaned. “She’s doing it, Ma — she’s… oh, her tongue feels so nice!”

Clementine stood behind her daughter, one hand on Susie’s arm and the other on her bottom to help the girl keep her balance. Feeling a wicked impulse that was too delicious to ignore, she began to tickle her daughter’s anus with one finger.

“Ooooh, Ma!” Susie gasped, leaning on her mother to keep from keeling over. With her free hand, she spread her cunt open with two fingers so Arabella could lick even deeper — cooing with delight when her cousin did just that.

Clementine’s attention shifted to each of the three girls in turn as she watched them share pleasure, warm vaginal secretions oozing down the insides of her thighs.

Arabella’s mouth was buried between the legs of her eleven-year-old cousin, where she sucked, licked and kissed Susie’s lightly-downed sex, happy to be making love for the first time in days.

Susie put both hands on the back of the love seat as she pushed her hips forward, grinding her wet cunt into Arabella’s face. She made a noise like a crying animal when Ma’s finger slipped past Susie’s tight anal ring and into her rectum.

Then those animal sounds became words as Susie cried out, “Oh! Oh mercy, don’t stop. I’m coming. Oh Lord, I’m c-coming!” Susie’s body was jerking helplessly, and the only thing keeping the girl from toppling to the floor was her mother’s steady hand.

Susie let out a choked scream, then her knees began to buckle. Clementine caught the girl before she collapsed, gently lowering her to the floor. Her whole body was flushed and covered with a sheen of sweat. Susie took a few deep breaths, then clumsily pulled herself up onto the loveseat. Gazing at her cousin with adoring eyes, she kissed Arabella, tasting her pussy on the ten-year-old’s lips and tongue.

Clementine watched Mimi go down on Arabella, then moistened her lips at the sight of her oldest daughter’s fully exposed holes. She laid on the floor, scooted between Mimi’s feet, then reaching up to grasp the teen’s hips, guiding a very juicy vagina down to her open mouth. Clementine began to lick her daughter’s sex. Mimi shifted both knees farther apart, opening herself up to her mother.

Copying what she’d done to Susie, Clementine placed a fingertip against the older girl’s anus, and Mimi pushed back against it, moaning into Arabella’s pussy as she continued to lick the little girl.

Susie broke the kiss with Arabella and said into her cousin’s ear, “That’s nice, huh? Mimi licks so good. I love to see her doin’ it to you.” She caressed Arabella’s chest, brushing the child’s nipples. “Y’know, one of Mimi’s most favorite things is when you come on her face and in her mouth.”

As Clementine brought her older daughter to a climax with her mouth and fingers, Mimi sucked at Arabella’s tiny clitoris. A jolt of ecstasy raced through the girl’s body, causing her to jerk violently.

“Yes, Arabella,” Susie said, hugging her. “Come for Mimi — yes, just like that. Come on my sister’s face.”

Arabella did just that, exploding in an orgasm so powerful that it had her shaking helplessly, as if she was having a seizure. Susie held her cousin close, giving her soothing words and little kisses until the girl’s climax reached its peak — leaving Arabella limp, bathed in sweat and in a dreamy state of mind.

Still tingling from her own orgasm, Mimi got up on her knees to kiss Arabella. The ten-year-old eagerly responded, loving the taste of herself on Mimi’s lips, tongue and chin.

Clementine seated herself on the piano stool, where she sat watching the three young girls, the flavor of Mimi’s cunt still sharp in her mouth. I must be the luckiest woman in the world, she told herself. What a gift it is that I’ve been given — to live in a house filled with love. Her thighs were carelessly parted, and she was playing with her nipples.

Suddenly Arabella broke her kiss with Mimi. Rising from the loveseat, she walked over to where Aunt Clem sat and got on her knees before the older woman.

Arabella was transfixed by Clementine’s large, juicy labia, as well as her thick pubes, now matted with love honey. She gazed up at her wide-eyed aunt. “It’s your turn now, Aunt Clem,” she said. “No one’s licked you yet.”

Clementine moaned, lost in surprise and pleasure as Arabella buried her mouth in those dark, glistening curls, the child’s tongue darting into her aunt’s vagina.

Arabella explored Aunt Clem’s most intimate places with her tongue and mouth and fingers, using every trick learned from the different lovers she’d had.

Clementine stared down at Arabella’s face, the girl’s eyes occasionally flicking up to meet hers — then over at her two daughters. Mimi and Susie were diddling each other as they watched Arabella please their mother, guiding her to what would surely be an explosive orgasm.

It was, too. When her climax hit, Clementine went bone-rigid, her every breath hissing through clenched teeth, then slumped against the piano, tears flowing down her cheeks. Reaching out for her niece, she drew Arabella up and into her arms.

“Oh, my beautiful child,” she said between sobs, “I love you s-so very much… just as if you were my own daughter.” Clementine stroked the child’s bare back as she spoke, from her shoulders down to her pert little bottom. “In fact, there’s something I’ve been thinking about, that I wanted to ask you.” She hesitated, then spoke. “Arabella, it would make me very, very happy if — if from now on, you thought of me as your mother… and your lover.”

Pulling back, Arabella gazed at Clementine, her lower lip trembling, eyes filling with tears of her own. “I bet that’s what Ma would of wanted,” she whispered, then kissed the older woman’s mouth. “I love you — Momma.” Now the girl was crying, too. Susie and Mimi raced over to embrace them both, hugging Clementine and their new baby sister.

*****

They refreshed themselves in the kitchen. Running water into the sink from the hand pump there, Clementine and the girls splashed cold water on their faces, necks and private parts. There was half a pecan pie left over from the day before, which they divided up. Looking at each other’s bodies as they ate, then exchanging kisses and touches, the four lovers were soon ready for more.

After putting out the candles and turning down the oil lamps, they all traipsed upstairs to Clementine’s bedroom. Clementine lit the oil lamp and sat on her bed, Mimi beside her, then had Susie and Arabella engage in a series of the most lascivious poses she could think of, putting every bit of their bare bodies on display while she and Mimi fondled their cunts.

Once her desire was sharpened, Clementine invited the two younger girls to join her and Mimi on the bed, asking Susie and Arabella to lie on their tummies and kiss each other. While they did that, Mimi and Clem got behind the girls and pleasured their bottoms, making love to each girl’s rosebud with warm, wet swipes of the tongue. It had Arabella and Susie completely unable to remain still, grinding and rubbing themselves against the bedclothes.

Finally, Susie broke her kiss with Arabella, turned her head and said, “Oh, Ma, I can’t stand it anymore! Please, please make us come?”

Pressing a fingertip against Arabella’s anus, Clementine said, “How would you like for me to do that, sweetheart?” Mimi continued to rim her little sister.

Susie cried, “Don’t care how! Just do it soon. I’m about to — to bust, I need it so bad… m-me and Arabella both! Make us come, Ma, please. Anyway you like.”

Arabella chimed in, panting, “Yes, please. I’ll do anything you want. Just… just make me come.”

Mimi and Clementine looked at each other with grins on their faces. They shared a kiss, then Clem said, “Arabella, lay on your back.” The girl quickly obeyed, then Clementine got Susie to climb on top of her cousin, face to face so that their noses were touching.

“Now, girls,” Clementine said, “I want to see you two really kiss one another, like you’re madly in love… and while you kiss, rub your pussies together. Make your clits touch, if you can.”

“Mmmm… I can do that,” Susie said, staring at the younger girl. “I do love you, Arabella. Lots and lots. I’m so happy that you’re gonna be my sister!”

“I… I love you too, Susie,” Arabella sighed.

“That’s very sweet of you both,” said Clementine, “but I don’t see any kissing. You do want to come, don’t you?”

With that, the youngsters came together in a steamy kiss that seethed with passion, their bodies quickly falling into a hard rhythm as they began to grind into one another. Mimi and Clementine fingered the girls, touching their slits and bottom holes.

It wasn’t long before Arabella and Susie both came, hips churning together in a frenzied motion — working up to a peak, then slowing to an exhausted halt.

Once the afterglow of the two preteen girls had lessened, Mimi turned to her mother. “Y’know, I think I heard Arabella say just before that she’d do anything for us, Ma.”

Clementine smiled. “Yes, Mimi. I heard that, too.”

Mimi pursed her lips in thought, then said, “Can we get ‘em to lick our bottoms, now?”

“Oh, my, yes — that’s a wonderful idea,” Clementine said, She and Mimi got on their hands and knees, then Clem looked over her shoulder at the others. “Come lick our buttholes, you two. Take turns on us.”

“Sure, Ma!” said Susie, getting into position behind her sister, then glancing at Arabella. “Ever done this before?”

“Um, no,” Arabella admitted. “But I’d like to try.”

“Good!” Susie nodded. “It’s fun. Here, just do what I do.”

Arabella watched as Susie spread her big sister’s cheeks apart and licked the crack of Mimi’s ass, then buried her mouth in the dark pink cleft.

Moistening her lips, Arabella placed both hands on Clementine’s buttocks and gently pushed them apart, moving in to bathe the woman’s anus with a long, slow swipe of her tongue. Then another, then another. Soon she was pleasuring her new mother’s rosebud with all the enthusiasm she’d felt for licking her pussy.

Her rimming was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. “My turn to lick Ma’s bottom,” Susie declared. “You do it to Mimi!”

Arabella and Susie switched back and forth several times, until Mimi moaned, “Ohhhh… will you lick my pussy now, Ma? I’ve been wantin’ to feel your mouth on me somethin’ awful. Will you please, Ma?”

“Yes, my love,” Clementine answered, and rolled over on her back. “Here, Mimi. Come ride on my face.”

Mimi straddled her mother on hands and knees, facing the opposite way. She lowered her cunt to Clementine’s already open mouth, then dipped her face between the woman’s thighs. They quickly settled in, each feasting hungrily on the other’s pussy.

Arabella could only stare, mesmerized by the sight, the liquid sounds and the thick, rich scents of mother and daughter making love. Susie had stationed herself behind Mimi and was licking her bottom hole again. Arabella wanted to do the same for Clementine, but there wasn’t room.

Soon mother and daughter reached a furious climax, moaning into each other as they came.

Afterwards, the four lovers lay together on the bed and rested, lazily swapping caresses and kisses. Terms of love were stated in the most intimate and endearing ways. Eventually, Clementine rose from the bed and poured some water from the pitcher on her dresser into the wash basin. They all took turns cleaning up, then the girls went to bed.

*****

Later, Clementine awoke. Still in her nightgown, she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and went out to the front porch. She seated herself on the top step, then gazed wistfully at the stars, wondering where The Kid was. She told me she’d be gone a few days. It’s almost a week now. Clementine couldn’t help but feel worried.

Hearing a quiet rustling from behind, Clem glanced over her shoulder to see Arabella, dressed in a old nightgown of Mimi’s that she’d given her. “My goodness, Arabella. What are you doing up so late? Are you all right?” She patted the space beside her, then when Arabella sat down, wrapped the shawl around the girl and herself.

“I’m fine, Aunt Clem — Momma, I mean. I just woke up, then I got to thinkin’ about The Kid and couldn’t get back to sleep.”

Clementine hugged the girl to her. “Now, don’t you worry. She told me she’d be gone a week or more on business. The Kid said she’d be back, and she always keeps her promises, doesn’t she?”

“I guess,” Arabella said. “I just miss her so much. She said that she’d love me forever and ever.”

Dear God, Clementine thought, feeling a shiver that had nothing to do with the night’s cool. She’s so young, The Kid is. Practically still a child herself.

Forcing herself to sound cheerful, Clem smiled at Arabella and said, “The Kid is fine, sweetheart. She’ll be back any day now.” Rising to her feet, she reached out for the girl’s hand. “Let’s get you back to bed now, young lady, before you catch your death of cold.”

Hand in hand, they made their way upstairs to Susie’s room, which Arabella was using until the bed Clem had ordered for her got delivered. It had been decided that Arabella and Susie would share that room — but for the moment, Susie was still bunking with Mimi.

As Clem tucked Arabella in, the child said, “I love you all so much, you’ve been so good to me… it’s just that I — I can’t help worryin’ about The Kid.”

Kissing the girl’s forehead, Clementine said, “Don’t worry. She’s a strong woman who knows how to take care of herself. Go to sleep now.” With one last smile, she gently pulled the door to.

Clementine felt numb with sudden fear as she made her way down the hallway to her own room. Upon entering and closing the door, she went to her bed, getting down on her knees beside it.

Closing her eyes, Clementine clasped her hands together. Dear Lord, she silently pleaded, please watch over The Kid. Protect this good woman from evil, from those who would do her harm. Bring her home to us, safe and sound. This I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

With a sigh, she crawled into the cold bed and settled in, finally drifting into a fitful sleep.

On to: Chapter Twelve!

by Purple Les

The next morning found The Tequila Kid up early. She went to the wash house and showered, then came back to the house refreshed, dressed and wearing her guns, to find Clementine on her way to wash up. “There’s coffee on the stove. Help yourself, Kid.” Clem said as she walked past The Kid in her robe, a towel draped over her arm.

The Kid found herself wishing that she’d known to time things a little differently, so she could have showered with Clementine. Shrugging, she poured herself some coffee and took a seat on the porch, relaxing as she sipped from her cup, thinking about what she’d seen the night before.

A few minutes later, a freshly scrubbed Clementine returned from the wash house. “I’ll be dressed shortly, and then we can talk,” Clem told The Kid. Soon she returned in a pretty green dress, the coffee pot in her hand. She topped up The Kid’s cup, poured some for herself, then pulled a chair up next to The Kid, They drank in silence for a little bit, enjoying the short-lived cool of the morning.

“I can tell that you love your girls in a very special way, Clem,” The Kid murmured. “Just want you to know that I don’t see nothin’ wrong with that… nothin’ at all.”

Clementine stared at The Kid, uncertain of what she was getting at.

“Well, now,” The Kid continued, “I could be mistaken about you and the girls, but I don’t think so.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” Clementine said, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.

“Y’see,” the Kid continued, “Lots of men or women lose their mate. They need the comfort that their mate used to give ’em… and they have children. With some of these folks, they end up takin’ that comfort with the child. You get me?”

Clem shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “No, I don’t.”

“Let me try to explain it better, then,” The Kid continued. “I seen fathers with their daughters, even their sons. I seen mothers with their sons, too…”

Feeling a rising horror, Clementine put a hand over her mouth. Had the Kid discovered her secret?

“There was a couple times where the kids didn’t like what was happening.” The Kid said. “But mostly it was somethin’ of a good, happy feelin’, between the parent and child.”

Reaching for Clementine’s hand, The Kid said, “Tell ya what, though — The happiest that I’ve seen is when it happens between a mother and her daughter.” She gave Clem’s hand a soft squeeze and said, “Like I said, I could be wrong, but I think maybe you take comfort with your girls. I ain’t sayin’ it’s a bad thing, mind you… just that I understand.”

The Kid went back to sipping her coffee while Clementine tried to grasp the enormity of what the Kid had just said. Her mind was in a whirl, and all she wanted right then was to escape. “I — I best see the girls are up,” she mumbled, then rose from her seat and hastened into the house.

Clementine’s heart was pounding; so was her head. How does she know about me and the girls? Did she just guess? Did… did Mimi or Susie tell her about us, the things we do?

She found herself wondering about something else The Kid said. Had she really witnessed that kind of love between mother and daughter? She doesn’t seem disgusted with the idea. I wonder… has she ever been with a woman before? Or… a young girl?

Mounting the stairs, Clem halted in mid-step, suddenly remembering what the girls had told her last night. I think Arabella likes to have fun the same way we do, Ma. She loved being naked with us.

Could it be…? Clementine wondered. Are The Kid and Arabella sweethearts? Have they made love?

Somehow, it made perfect sense. Her heart raced anew as she considered what that might mean. For her, for them all.

Taking hold of herself, Clem shook her head to clear it, then resumed her journey upstairs. An interesting notion, she thought, one we’ll look into later. Not a word to the girls, though. Not till I’m certain.

Rousing the girls, she got them up and moving, then went back downstairs to get started on breakfast. Afterwards, Mimi and Susie did their chores, then Clementine gave them their school lessons for the day. All the while, Clem was thinking about the evening to come.

*****

Arabella had begged Clementine to let her have a good look around the ranch grounds, and her aunt, after some deliberation, had agreed. So when the old cowpoke Slim came by to check on things, and relieve the ranch hand who’d kept watch on the house the night before, Arabella was ready for him.

“Please, Slim. Aunt Clem said it would be all right.” Arabella begged, hands clasped before her. “Didn’t she say that, Kid?”

“Well, now, I reckon that is the truth. I did hear Clem say that,” The Kid said as they advanced toward the stable.

Slim couldn’t help but smile. “Then I guess that’s what we’ll do, since Mrs Clem gave the okay,” he said as he opened up the stable doors.

“Oh, thank you, Slim, thank you!” Arabella cried, practically skipping with glee.

“Lemme saddle up a horse for you, young lady.” Slim said, “Then we’ll have us a nice ride to the ranch.” The Kid went along with them, intending to take the borrowed horse and buggy back to Pablo’s.

Glancing at the saddle rack, Slim said, “Susie’s saddle should just ‘bout fit you, I think. But I’ll put it on Mimi’s horse — she’s a real gentle ride.”

The Kid hitched up the horse and buggy while Slim prepared the horse for Arabella, then assisted the young girl into the saddle.

“See ya later!” Arabella shouted as The Kid headed down the road in the buggy, waving as she went.

Slim mounted his horse. “Well, now, young lady,” he said, “Are you ready to see some sights?”

“Yes, let’s go!” said the girl, taking up the reins. With that, Slim set off on the trail to the ranch, Arabella close behind.

*****

After leaving Kingsley the night before, Frank Sims had gone straight to the livery stable and saddled his horse. It was a couple of hours before sunup, and he was impatient to get moving. A solution to his problem was in sight, and Sims couldn’t rest easy until he’d done what needed doing.

Sims had drunk the best part of a fifth of Kingsley’s whiskey, but the cool morning ride toward the DuMount ranch cleared his head some. Along the way, he thought about what kind of accident he could cause for the little girl.

There ain’t quite as much pleasure to take in the killin’ of a child, he told himself, but be damned if I’ll let anyone live to get me hung.

Sims hitched his horse to a tree about a half mile from the ranch. Climbing a hill set between the ranch house and the ranch proper, he’d watched the place since dawn through his battered spyglass. His patience was rewarded an hour or so later, when he saw Arabella and an old cowhand a ride off towards the ranch.

Hastening down the hill, he made his way to a ridge just above where the trail ran, where he lay in wait, grinning ferociously. Them two is about to have a fatal accident, he told himself with a satisfied nod. And I’ll be long gone before the bodies get found.

*****

Just after dawn, Ramses Kingsley had taken a horse from the livery stable. He’d told the stable man that he was taking a ride to get some fresh air, maybe hunt a little game. Kingsley brought his Henry .44 repeating rifle with him. Before long, he was near the DuMount ranch.

*****

Concealed behind some brush, Sims waited for Arabella and the old cowpoke to show. He had loosened a small boulder and was ready to push it down the hill as the riders approached.

Simple, now, Frank Sims thought. Roll the boulder down and spook the horses, then jump down and club ‘em both with a rock. He recognized the old cowhand, though he couldn’t recall the man’s name. One thing for sure, he’s too old to put up much of a fight. Kill him first, then take care of the girl.

He felt that familiar tingling in his right hand, that delicious sensation of power he always got when there was killing to be done.

Hearing the clatter of hoofbeats approach the bend. Sims braced himself.

*****

As Slim and Arabella came around the bend the boulder came hurtling down toward them, hitting the ground with a loud thud, followed by a shower of clattering small rocks and stones. Arabella’s horse reared in terror, and the girl was thrown. She hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of her. Quickly dismounting, Slim raced toward the girl.

Frank Sims came running down the hill, unnoticed by the others in the excitement. Seizing Slim’s arm, he spun the older man around to face him.

Slim saw that the big man had his other arm raised, and was clutching a rock. He jerked away from the man’s grip, enough so that the rock hit him in the shoulder instead of his head.

Enraged, Frank yanked Slim’s arm so violently that it dislocated his shoulder. Though blinded by pain, Slim still managed to land a haymaker to Frank’s jaw with his other arm, then broke away, falling to his knees. He drew his gun, but Frank kicked the man in the chest and the gun went flying.

Though the attacker was twice his size, Slim was determined to protect Arabella. Launching himself at the big man, he got a useless punch in before Frank grabbed Slim’s throat, shook him like a rag doll, then sent him sprawling in the dirt. Taking a deep breath, Frank bent to pick up another rock, striding over to where the panting cowhand lay, struggling to rise.

Sims raised the rock high over his head, ready to bring it down — then a familiar clicking sound froze the man to the spot. He slowly turned to look.

Arabella had picked up Slim’s pistol and cocked the hammer back. Now she held it in her shaking hands, arms extended straight out. The tip of Arabella’s tongue stuck out of the corner of her mouth as she drew a bead on Frank — staring down the sight on the gun’s barrel, just like The Kid had taught her.

Frank glared at the girl. “Now you best be careful there,” he growled, quiet menace in his voice.

Arabella squeezed the trigger and the gun roared, knocking her to the ground. The pistol flew from her hands, landing several feet away.

Frank screamed like a wild animal, clutching the side of his head. Bringing his hand away, he stared in disbelief at the blood that coated his fingers, then touched the damaged area again. His eyes widened in rage.

“You little bitch! You done shot my ear off!” the big man bellowed. “That’s it, you’re both gonna fuckin’ die! I don’t care how it looks, neither,” The blood was streaming down the side of his neck.

With his last remaining strength, Slim Green crawled toward the gun.

Reaching down, Frank grabbed Arabella’s hair with his bloody hand, lifting the sobbing girl up from the ground. Seeing Slim from the corner of his eye, he kicked the gun farther away.

Frank wrapped his other hand around Arabella’s throat. Staring into the terrified child’s eyes, he hissed, “I’m gonna love killin’ you. I just wish I had time to shove my pecker in your cunt first.”

Suddenly, a shot rang out. Frank’s face had a startled look, like he was trying to remember something. Dropping the girl, he took two steps, then crashed to the ground, his chest a bloody ruin.

Arabella and Slim both looked toward the sound of the shot. Ramses Kingsley was slowly walking toward them, carrying a rifle. Ejecting the spent shell with a quick thrust of the arm, he smiled.

*****

The Tequila Kid had returned the horse and buggy to Pablo at his blacksmith shop in Oak Creek. They were sitting by his forge, catching up on old times. Pablo’s wife Marguerite brought them lunch — hot tortillas with peppers and strips of roasted pork.

After lunch, The Kid made her goodbyes to Pablo and his family, then strolled across the deadline to the white side of town. She saw Deputy Ritter sitting in front of the sheriff’s office and came over to greet him. They made small talk while the Kid rolled a cigarette, seating herself on the steps before lighting up. As she finished her smoke, they both saw the wagon come racing down the street and stood up together.

The Kid’s blood froze at what she saw.

It was a wagon from Clementine’s ranch. Sitting up front with the reins in his hands was Ramses Kingsley, Clementine seated beside him. Next to her was Arabella, clutching her aunt’s arm and crying. Another horse was tied to the back of the wagon and following — Kingsley’s, The Kid assumed.

Kingsley reined the horse in and put the brake on for the wagon.

As the deputy and The Kid raced toward the scene, Clementine cried, “We need the doctor!” Sheriff Milligan was now by the wagon, along with a lot of onlookers who’d seen the commotion and come to investigate.

“I’ll get Doc Stone,” the deputy said and ran off.

“In the back, Sheriff,” Kingsley said.

The sheriff and The Kid looked in the back of the wagon, both wincing as they saw a battered, deathly-pale Slim, gasping for breath. Next to him lay something — or someone — covered with thick canvas.

As the doctor got to the wagon he frowned, seeing Slim. “We got to get this man to my office straight away.”

Sheriff Milligan raised his arms to silence the crowd. “Some of you boys carry Slim there to the doc’s office.” Several men reached in to take hold of the old cowhand. “Take it easy with him, damn it.” Turning back to the wagon, he pulled back the top of the canvas with the Kid looking over his shoulder, revealing the corpse of Frank Sims. Curling his lip in disgust, he covered the dead man’s face. “Damn his black soul,” he muttered. He looked up at Arabella, still shivering in her aunt’s arms. “Does she need the doc too?” the sheriff asked Clementine.

“Not like Slim does,” Clementine said.

Sheriff Milligan stroked his mustache. “I think we’d all better go to my office.” he finally said.

In the sheriff’s office, Arabella climbed into Clementine’s lap, nestling there. She was bruised and shaken up, and had lost some hair on her scalp, leaving a raw-looking circle the size of a silver dollar. Kingsley took a chair somewhat away from the others. The sheriff seated his bulk behind the desk, while The Kid and the deputy stood nearby.

“What happened, Mrs. DuMount?” the sheriff asked.

“Well,” Clementine hesitantly began, “From what Slim and Arabella have been able to tell me, they were attacked by Frank Sims.”

The sheriff looked at Kingsley. “That so?”

Her face puffy from crying, Arabella looked up and said, “Slim and me were riding, and a b-big boulder come down the hill. My horse spooked and threw me. Then” — she sniffled — “then Slim and the big Indian man was fighting.”

“Indian man?” the sheriff said. “You mean Frank Sims.”

“Frank was an Indian?” said Kingsley, furrowing his brow. “Not sure I catch your meaning.”

The Kid spoke up, “Arabella said the men that attacked her family on the trail out of Adobe Wells was Indians. But they was really white men dressed as Indians, and Frank Sims was one of ‘em.”

“Yes.” Arabella said, “That big man. He was gonna kill Slim. But I g-got hold of Slim’s gun and — and took a shot at him.”

“You killed Sims?” the sheriff asked in surprise.

“Perhaps I could shed a little light here, Sheriff Milligan,” Kingsley said in a cool, steady voice. “I was out riding and heard what I thought was a rock slide, then shouting. Naturally, I went to take a look. As I got closer, I saw this man Slim and Frank, fighting. Then the little girl drew a gun on Frank and fired, but only managed to clip him — in fact, she shot his ear off. That sent Frank into a frenzy, and he snatched the girl up by her hair. It was clear that he meant to kill her, so I fired my rifle. I killed Sims.”

They all stared at Kingsley, who calmly continued. “I rode to the DuMount ranch for help, and here we are.”

“Is that about right, Arabella?” the sheriff asked, still looking thoughtfully at Kingsley.

“Yes, sir,” Arabella answered. Deputy Ritter made a pot of coffee while the sheriff began to take notes. Kingsley, Clementine and the sheriff had some coffee once it was brewed.

“How was it you happened to be out that way, Kingsley?” Milligan asked.

“Just taking a ride. Thought I might try to get some game.” Kingsley answered. “Lately, I’ve had a hankering for venison.”

The sheriff was toying with his mustache again. “Well, I reckon that we know why Sims did what he did. He aimed to get rid of the main witness in his murder trial.” He gazed sorrowfully at Arabella. “Little lady, I’m mighty regretful about all this.”

“He can’t hurt anyone else now,” Arabella spoke quietly, staring down at her hands.

Kingsley shrugged. “I thought I knew the man… clearly, I misjudged his character.” He sighed.  “Sheriff, have Frank’s body taken to the undertaker. I’ll pay for his funeral.” He paused, then added, “I would think that since Frank is dead, his bail money will be returned to me.”

Sheriff Milligan gave Kingsley a disgusted look, but opened the safe and gave Kingsley his thousand dollars back after doing some brief paperwork.

Just then, Doc Stone entered. “Coffee’s still hot, Hiram — get you a cup,” said the sheriff. “How’s Slim?”

“No coffee, thanks — maybe later,” Stone said, “Slim’s busted up kind of bad, but he’ll be okay.” Clementine sighed with relief as the doctor added, “He’ll have to stay put for a few days. I figure by Friday, he can go back to the bunkhouse and finish mending there. Right now, though,” he set his black bag down on a nearby table, “I want to take a look at that girl’s head.”

He seated Arabella on a chair near the window, where the light was strong, then carefully checked her scalp. Taking a bottle from his bag, the doctor said, “Now this will sting you some, but I have to clean the place where the patch of hair got pulled out.”

Arabella winced, squeezing Clementine’s hand while the doctor cleaned the small head wound. “That’s got it,” he finally said. “Now, I’ll make sure you didn’t break any bones.” He gently felt around the little girl’s body, then checked her bruises.

“Well, now,” Doc Stone said, “you just let this young lady rest for a day or two, and she’ll be right as rain. And keep that bare patch dry for a week or so.” He picked up his bag. “I better get back and check on Slim. He fainted dead away when I popped his shoulder back into place.”

“Kid, I want to go see Slim. Will you ride back to the ranch with us?” Clementine asked.

“I will.” The Kid answered. Kneeling next to Arabella’s chair, she smiled at the still-dazed child, taking her hand. “You done good, Button. I reckon Slim woulda got killed if you hadn’t been brave.”

Arabella gave a shaky smile. “I don’t feel so brave.”

“Tell you a little secret,” The Kid murmured. “It’s all right to be scared after it’s all over. What you do when somethin’ needs to be done, that’s what counts. And you stood up to Frank Sims. Saved a good man’s life. That makes you a hero, far as I’m concerned.”

The girl extended her arms toward The Kid, who enfolded her in a tender embrace. She kissed Arabella’s cheek, then stood, suddenly feeling bashful when she noticed Clementine watching them. “Um, you two go on ahead,” she said. “I’ll just be a minute.”

Clementine gave her a mysterious smile, then placed a hand on Arabella’s shoulder. “Let’s go see Slim, sweetheart.” The girl slowly stood, and Clem escorted her out as the deputy held the door.

Sheriff Milligan settled back in his chair, a scowl on his lips. “You stay in town for a couple days, Kingsley. I’ll probably have some more questions.”

Kingsley gave a small bow. “I am at your disposal, Sheriff.” He turned to The Kid. “Would you spare me a moment? I’d like to discuss something with you.”

The Kid had stayed behind intending to speak with Sheriff Milligan, but her curiosity was aroused by Kingsley’s request. “I can give ya ’bout fifteen minutes. Don’t wanna keep Mrs. DuMount nor Arabella waitin’ on me.”

Kingsley smiled. “My office is close by. Shall we?”

Without a word, The Kid followed the man up to his quarters.

Seating himself behind his big desk, Kingsley produced a cut glass decanter and two glasses. He carefully poured whiskey into each glass, then pushed one across the desk to where The Kid now sat.

“Much obliged.” The Kid said. Sipping from the glass, she nodded. “That’s some mighty fine whiskey.”

“Kentucky bourbon,” said Kingsley. “Aged twelve years. A business associate of mine owns a distillery in Lawrenceburg. He owes me money, and I take my payments in liquid form.” Chuckling, he took a swallow from his glass.

The Kid took out her makings and began to roll a cigarette. Placing a paper in her left hand, she sprinkled a generous pinch of tobacco in it. As she pulled the pouch closed with her teeth and stuffed it back in her vest pocket, she deftly rolled the cigarette with her left hand, then licked it closed.

Kingsley opened his humidor. Taking out a cigar, he offered it to The Kid. “Try one of these. They come from Havana, Cuba… the only ones you’ll find west of the Mississippi.”

The Kid said, “Well, I don’t smoke ‘em. I got me a friend who loves a good cigar, though. Mind if I take one for him?”

“Take two. In case you change your mind and want to try one. You’ll never enjoy a sweeter smoke.”

“Mighty kind of you,” The Kid, said putting two of the cigars in her top vest pocket. “You do surprise me, Mr. Kingsley.”

“Please, call me Ramses.” Kingsley said, bringing his smile into play. “Surprise you how?” Snipping the tip off his cigar with a tiny scissors, Kingsley placed it in his mouth and lit it.

The Kid flicked a matchstick to life with her thumbnail and lit her cigarette, then blew the match out, never breaking eye contact with Kingsley. “See, I would of figured you to wait till after Sims killed the girl before you shot him dead. Two birds, one stone sort of thing. Then that gold mine would be all yours, and through no fault of your own.”

Kingsley narrowed his cold gray eyes at The Kid as he blew a smoke ring toward the ceiling. “Well, I thought letting the girl die might look too…” He searched for the right word, taking another pull from his cigar. “Let’s just say I thought it best to keep her alive. I might try my luck at asking for her aunt’s hand… she’s still a fetching woman, after all. At any rate, perhaps the fact that I did save her from Sims will make you a little more receptive to an offer I have for you.”

“What kind of offer?” the Kid asked, taking a deep drag on her cigarette.

Letting his cigar rest in the ashtray, Kingsley folded his hands. “Let me put my cards on the table, Kid.” He paused, weighing his words. “That contract for the gold mine has me paying for the expense of it, but only getting twenty percent of the profit. Hardly fair, don’t you think?”

The Kid shrugged. “Hell, you signed it.” Leaning back in the chair, she propped her dirty boots up on the mahogany desk, enjoying the brief flash of annoyance that appeared on Kingsley’s face. She took another warm slug of whiskey, idly studying the glowing tip on the end of her smoke.

“Be that as it may,” Kingsley said, “I have to make the best of a bad deal. Now, here’s my offer. You have four bags of gold in your possession, property of the Adobe Wells bank. If you hand two of those bags over to me, I can use them to get the mine running. That leaves you with half the gold… and I’ll make you a silent partner in the mine, at five percent of the profits. The Hodgkiss girl will never know. She’ll be rich and happy, not a care in the world. Then, once things are up and running at the mine, I can get myself into Mrs. DuMount’s good graces.”

The Kid reached out, setting her empty glass on the desk. Kingsley refilled it, then added some to his own. Sitting back, he took a sip, waiting for the young woman to respond.

“Well, now,” The Kid said, wearing her best poker face, “that does sound like a generous offer.” She was fuming inside, but managed to keep her voice calm and even. Leaning in, she squashed the butt of her cigarette in Kingsley’s ashtray. “Only trouble is… I ain’t got the gold.”

“Now, Kid,” said Kingsley, wagging his finger, “Let’s be frank with one another. As I understand it, you caught the bank robbers in the act, then took the gold. Charlie Redeye found two dead men in the badlands who’d been chasing you. It wasn’t with them. And I know that not one of those bags been returned to the bank in Adobe Wells. No, my friend — you still have that gold.”

“That’s a fair guess, Ramses.” The Kid said, taking a sip of her drink. “Thing is, Charlie lied to Sims about that. He took the gold himself.” The Kid reached into her vest pocket and took something out, holding it tightly in her hand. “When I looked at Charlie’s body, the Doc let me see his belongings. I looked in his medicine pouch. Most Indians carry one, y’know. They’re usually filled with some ash, maybe a feather, a bit of fur or a small piece of bone.”

As Kingsley stared at her, The Kid continued. “When I picked up Charlie’s medicine pouch, it was pretty heavy. Here’s why.” The Kid opened her hand to reveal a very large gold nugget, which she placed on the desk in front of Kingsley. “I found that inside. That’s how I know he had the gold.”

The Kid paused, reaching for the decanter and refilling her glass, then Kingsley’s. “Here’s what I think happened. See, I got pinned down in the badlands by them two holdup men. My horse was dead. So was one of theirs. We had us a stand off. They said if I gave ‘em the gold, I could walk away. So that’s what I done.”

They both drank, then the Kid said, “Maybe one of ‘em wanted to get the gold back to his boss and the other didn’t. Maybe they wanted to split it and head for parts unknown, only one of ‘em got greedy. Maybe they fought over the horse, or the gold, or both. Whatever it was, they drew and shot each other dead.”

Kingsley held his glass up, staring thoughtfully at the amber fluid. It could have gone that way, he mused.

The Kid paused to finish her drink. “So here comes Charlie Redeye, trackin’ me for Frank Sims. He finds two dead horses, two dead men and four bags of gold. He takes the gold, but keeps on his trackin’ job, ‘cause he knows Sims will give him big money for the girl.”

Kingsley took a puff on his cigar. The Kid leaned forward in her chair and said, “Charlie caught up with me, but I got the drop on him and drugged him up good, then he couldn’t help but talk. He told me a big man would pay him plenty money for killin’ that girl.” The Kid picked up her empty glass and turned it upside down on the desk.

“What I reckon,” she went on, “is that Charlie lied to Sims. He told Sims the girl was dead and he didn’t find no gold. He’d get his money from Sims and still have them four bags of gold for himself.”

The Kid shook her head. “Charlie said somethin’ about how he left it with the Hodgekiss family. Till he could go for it.” Slumping down in the chair, she sighed. “I reckon that means he hid it where they was killed, but who knows where that is? Sims knew, but he’s dead now. Charlie found ‘em cause he was a good tracker, and he’s dead, too. By the time I found Arabella, that little girl had no idea where she was. I tried to get her to help me find the place, but we just ended up goin’ in circles. So that gold is out there in the badlands somewhere… but be damned if I know any more than that.”

Pushing her chair back, The Kid stood. “So, thanks for the offer. But I can’t help you.” Smiling wryly, she pointed at the gold nugget resting on the desk. “Tell you what, Ramses… you can keep that. Guess  it’ll be your share of the gold.” Chuckling, she clapped her battered hat on her head and walked out without a backward glance.

Kingsley stared at the nugget. If the Kid was telling the truth, and he thought she was, then that gold was out there. The little girl had no idea where she’d been. No one was left alive to know the location of the murder site.

No one but Ramses Kingsley, he thought, grinning excitedly.

*****

The Kid went to Doc Stone’s to wish Slim well, then she got on the wagon with Clementine and Arabella and drove it back out to the ranch. Once they’d arrived, Clementine took Arabella upstairs to lie down and rest. Clementine had Susie and Mimi start dinner, after telling them everything that happened in town. The mood in the house was a subdued one as Clem and the Kid sat side by side on the front porch.

Finally, The Kid turned to Clem. “I’ll be leavin’ tomorrow at sunup,” she said flatly.

Clementine was shocked. “Why, what do you mean, Kid?” she asked. “You’ve only been here one night!”

The Kid smiled at her. “It’s just for a few days, Clem. I’ll be back, promise. Got some work to take care of.”

Clementine nodded. “Walk with me before you go. I have something to ask you.”

Clem led the Kid up a hill to a tall oak tree. They sat together on a bench and looked at two stone grave markers. “My husband’s buried there.” Clementine said, gesturing toward the larger marker. “That other grave is for the child I lost between Mimi and Susie.”

The Kid wasn’t sure what to say, so she remained silent.

Clementine took The Kid’s hand. “If it’s possible, I’d like my sister and her family to be buried here. I’ve made arrangements for my nephew Dan and my mother’s body to be moved here soon, but… “ Her eyes began to water. “We’re already deep in your debt, Kid, I know that. But if you could see your way to bringing the remains of our kinfolk back to us, it would mean more to me than anything…”

“Don’t say another word, Clem. I can do that for you. I’ll be needin’ to borrow a good horse for four or five days.”

“Anything I have is yours.”

The Kid stroked her chin. “I’ll need me some supplies too.”

“I’ll pay for them. Whatever you want.”

They stood, and Clementine led the Kid back down the hill. As they walked arm in arm, Clem asked, “How did you know about me and my daughters? That’s not why you’re leaving, is it?”

“Shucks, no,” The Kid answered. She felt her cheeks get hot as she said, “Guess I oughta confess, Clem. I saw the three of you last night. I sleep kinda light and, well…” She was horribly embarrassed, but knew that she had to be truthful. “Y’see, somethin’ woke me up, and I thought maybe someone had broke in. I never would of peeked through your keyhole, not if I’d knowed for certain that you and the girls weren’t in some kind of danger.” She fell silent, then added, “Anyhow, I only looked for a little while…”

Now it was Clementine’s turn to blush. “Oh, my. You don’t think badly of us?”

“I can see your girls is good girls… and you’re a mighty fine momma. You got no reason to be ashamed. And I think you’ll find out if you give her the chance, Arabella would like to do that sort of thing with the three of you.”

Clementine nodded. “My girls seem to believe something like that. Why do you think so?”

“Well… just between you and me, Clem, Arabella told me how she used to play petting games with her sister. And while we was on the trail, sometimes she and I had us a little innocent fun. The same kind of fun you like to have with your girls.”

Clementine’s eyes suddenly sparkled. “I’m glad to hear that.” By then, they were back inside the ranch. “I’ve got to get supper done now. We’ll be eating in about ten minutes. Thank you, Kid, for your, um, insight.” Drawing close, she gave the younger woman a gentle kiss, then made her way into the kitchen.

The Kid watched as Clementine put on an apron, absently touching her lips where they’d been kissed. After a moment, she went upstairs and into the room where Arabella lay sleeping.

The Kid softly kissed the young girl’s cheek, then watched Arabella’s eyes flutter open.

“How you feelin’ now?” The Kid asked as the child rubbed sleep from her eyes.

“My head stings some. And I feel kinda sore.”

The Kid had taken some herbs and a small clay jar of ointment from her saddlebags. “This’ll take the sting out,” she said, gently rubbing the ointment she’d made into the scraped spot on Arabella’s head.

“Smells funny,” Arabella said, making a face.

“That’s how you know it works,” The Kid replied. She gently brushed and combed Arabella’s hair to remove the bits of dried blood caught in it — some of it hers, the rest belonging to Frank Sims. That done, The Kid poured some water from a porcelain pitcher into a glass, then added the herbs to it, She offered the glass to the girl, saying, “Drink this all the way down, then you’ll sleep sound tonight and feel fine in the mornin’.”

Arabella grimaced after she’d drained the glass, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Oooggghh.”

The Kid smiled. “Let’s go down now, Button. Supper’s almost ready.”

*****

After a quiet supper, The Kid took Arabella up to bed. Tucking the girl in, she told Arabella, “I’ve got to go away for a few days, Button. You’ll be safe here with your Aunt Clem.”

Arabella peppered her with questions, but The Kid refused to answer any of them, just said, “I got some work to get done. I’ll be back to see you after that.”

The child wasn’t satisfied with that reply, but The Kid’s herbs were already doing their work. Arabella yawned once, then fell sound asleep. Stripping naked, The Kid climbed into bed, cradling the girl to her.

The Kid awakened just before dawn. Sitting up, she bent to kiss Arabella’s forehead. She whispered to the sleeping girl, “I made a bad mistake yesterday, Button. I never should’ve left you alone. I oughta have been there to take out Sims and that rat bastard Kingsley. I’m gonna make it right, though. I swear it.” The Kid looked at Arabella one last time and whispered, soft as a sigh, “If I don’t make it back, I hope somewhere deep inside, you know how much I love you.”

Quietly dressing, The Kid took her gear downstairs and outdoors before anyone else was up. The Kid saddled up the horse that Clementine had told her to use — a handsome red sorrel, the best steed on the ranch — and rode off out to town before moving on.

*****

Two days later, Ramses Kingsley had packed most of his belongings onto a wagon. He’d withdrawn all his money from the bank, and sold off most of his local business interests, all but his share of the mine.

He was headed for a certain spot near Adobe Wells, the one where Charlie Redeye had hidden the four bags of gold. Once he had that, he’d maybe head for San Francisco. Maybe Mexico. He’d decide later, once the gold was his.

He’d heard the Tequila Kid had left town, and that did a lot to ease his mind. As his wagon rolled down the dusty road, Kingsley lit a cigar, thinking about how he’d be a rich man in a day or two.

On to Chapter Eleven!

by Purple Les

With The Kid’s hand in hers, eleven-year-old Susie marched toward the house with a determined stride, escorting her new friend to the wash house. Suddenly she halted in mid-step. “You need a change of clothes after you wash?” she asked. “Maybe we should get those first.”

“That’s a mighty good idea,” said The Kid. “Reckon I got a day’s worth of sweat and trail dirt on these duds.”

“This way, then.” Changing her direction, Susie guided The Kid to the front door of the ranch house.

The Kid’s belongings were still in the entryway, so she took what she needed from her saddlebags. Then Susie retraced their route to the wash house. It was a small well-built shack with a tin roof, a door and two windows and a small stove, plus a water barrel on top that served as a shower. There was also a tub inside, and the well wasn’t far away, either.

“You can put your clothes over there,” Susie told the Kid. “There is washcloths and towels hanging yonder. You can shower or have a bath. If you want a bath, I can help you heat up some water on the stove there. We’d just need to make a fire in the stove. The soap’s on the shelf.”

“Well, now, Susie.” the Kid said, “It’s such a hot day, I believe I’d be partial to a shower.” She glanced at Susie who didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving. “If you have other things to do, I’ll be fine here.”

Susie shrugged. “I got nothin’ to do. If I go back to the house, Ma will just find chores for me. Uh… mind if I stay and keep you company?”

“Sure, that’s fine with me,” The Kid answered. She could tell that the preteen girl wasn’t hanging around to make small talk, but to see her naked. Not that The Kid was bothered by the idea. In fact, the thought of baring herself before this sweet young thing excited her.

The Kid unfastened her gun belt and put it to one side, then sat down on the bench to take her boots off.

“Let me help,” Susie said. Straddling The Kid’s leg with her back to the young woman, she began to tug at the heel of the left boot. “You push, I’ll pull,” Susie instructed.

As she struggled with the boot, Susie’s dress bunched up over the Kid’s leg, exposing the girl’s black stockings up to her knees.

Finally, Susie managed to pull the first boot off, stumbling forward but quickly catching her balance. “There!” she exclaimed, brandishing it proudly. “Now the other one.”

As Susie started on the right boot, The Kid put her stockinged foot on the girl’s backside, giving her some leverage.

What a nice behind she’s got, The Kid thought as the other boot came off. Wouldn’t mind seeing it bare.

“Good job, Susie,” said The Kid, shucking her socks before she stood and began to undress. She doffed her vest, then began to undo the buttons of her flannel shirt, slowly opening it to reveal her breasts.

The Kid pretended that this was all perfectly normal, stripping naked in front of an eleven-year-old girl. Most women would’ve asked for some privacy. Instead, the Kid let her shirt fall to the floor, then slowly undid the buttons on the fly of her Levi-Strauss jeans. She liked how fidgety and red-faced Susie got as more and more of her body was exposed.

All the while Susie kept chatting away about this and that, trying to seem nonchalant — but her eyes kept coming back to The Kid.

Now completely nude, The Kid stepped under the nozzle and pulled the rope that allowed the cool water to sprinkle down freely. Once she’d soaked her skin and hair, she picked up the soap and began to lather herself up.

Susie had been trying to keep up the small talk, but now she stood quietly, staring at the nude young woman. Finally, unable to help herself, she timidly stammered, “You’re b-beautiful. Like a… a Greek statue or something, but even prettier.” Then she made a face, clearly embarrassed and regretting her words.

She perked up right away, though, when The Kid smiled and replied, “Why, thank you. That’s the sweetest thing anyone ever said to me, I do believe.”

“I like the, the paintings on your arms, too.” Susie added, “Did it hurt to get them?”

“These? They’re called tattoos. And yeah, they did smart some for a day or so. Got them the same time as the ones on my chin.” The Kid made sure to give Susie a good look at her from all sides as she washed. Finally, she faced the awed girl and lathered up her vulva, working her fingers around that area.

As she gently toyed with her clit, The Kid saw Susie staring wide-eyed, watching her masturbate. The girl’s hands were in her lap, pressing down, and she was squeezing her thighs together. There was also a pinkness in her cheeks that had nothing to do with the warmth of the bathhouse.

Got a feeling that Arabella’s gonna fit in just fine here with her cousins, The Kid thought. Tugging at the rope again, she rinsed herself off thoroughly.

The Kid stood facing Susie. Her skin gleaming, nipples hard. She watched as Susie took in the entirety of her nakedness, the young girl’s eyes moving from her tits down to her tight belly until she was staring at the Kid’s vulva. The moderate tan of the Kid’s face and hands contrasted with the rest of her light skin.

“Could’ya hand me a towel please, Susie?”

That seemed to rouse Susie from the trance she’d fallen into. Hastening to fetch a towel, she handed it to The Kid, but kept drinking in the sight of her bare body. “How’d you get that scar on your right arm?” Susie finally asked.

The Kid was surprised by the question, since Arabella had never asked her about it. “Gunshot wound,” she answered, leaving it at that. It had happened three years ago on her last visit to Oak Creek, a reminder that death was always near, waiting to claim one more.

Taking her time about it, The Kid put on the clean clothes she’d brought along: a clean but more worn pair of dungarees and a man’s black cotton shirt that she didn’t bother to tuck in. She slid her feet into clean socks, swapping a pair of moccasins for her boots, then put her green corduroy vest back on after brushing some of the dust off it. She combed her long wet hair out, letting it hang straight to dry. She didn’t strap her gun belt back on, just slung it over one shoulder.

Picking up her poor battered hat, she placed it on Susie’s head. “There ya go, buckaroo.” Susie giggled, delighted.

They walked back to the house, Susie skipping the whole way with the Kid’s dirty clothes bundled in her arms. Once inside, The Kid draped her gun belt over a peg. After plucking her hat off Susie’s head, she hung that over her guns, then set her boots on the floor. Susie put the clothes in a small room off to the side where the laundry was gathered, returning just as Arabella and Mimi came thundering down the stairs.

Arabella raced over to The Kid, while Susie joined her sister at the foot of the staircase.

“Well, now, Arabella,” said The Kid, looking the freshly scrubbed girl up and down. ”Don’t you look like a princess, with that pretty dress and your hair piled up high like that.”

Arabella wrinkled her nose and said, “You smell pretty, Kid, like a flower.”

“Thanks. I reckon it must be that soap they have in the wash house. You smell nice, too.”

“Thanks, Mimi had me stand in my underclothes while she cleaned me up with soap and water. She washed my hair too and put it up like her and Aunt Clem wear it. The dress is one of Susie’s that she outgrew.” She drew closer, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one else was listening. “I think Mimi liked me in my underwear, that’s all I had on for awhile. She kissed me right on the mouth once, too.”

While she listened to Arabella, The Kid watched the sisters whisper to each other, as if exchanging similar secrets. Wonder what they’re talkin’ about, she mused. Is Susie tellin’ Mimi about seein’ me in the altogether? The way the girls kept stealing glances at her made The Kid think this might be the case, especially since they were looking at Button in the very same way.

A moment later, the sisters walked over to join The Kid and Arabella. “Come on with us,” Mimi said. “Supper’s ready.”

It was early evening now, and when Susie and Mimi led their new friends into the dining room, Clementine was there lighting the oil lamps, then the candles on the table. Blowing out the match once she’d lit the last one, she said, “Arabella, Kid, please have a seat. The girls will help me bring the food out.” She left for the kitchen, her daughters close behind.

Once they were alone, Arabella quickly asked, “What happened when Susie took you to the wash house, Kid? Did she help you get clean? Was she givin’ you the eye when you took your clothes off?”

“Shhhh… best ask me later, Button. They’re comin’ right back.”

Sure enough, Clementine emerged from the kitchen an instant later, bearing a platter piled high with fried chicken. Susie followed with a basket of warm biscuits and a bowl of dumplings. Mimi was behind her sister with hot ears of corn and a bowl of mashed potatoes. They placed the food on the table in turn, then sat down.

Clementine and the girls folded their hands and Clem said, “Thank you, Lord, for gifting us with the return of our beloved Arabella… and for our new friend, The Tequila Kid. We ask that you look down on this family in the day to come, and guide us in all things. Now bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies, and our bodies to thy service. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Susie and Mimi echoed “Amen.” Clem looked up with a smile and said, “Help yourself while it’s still hot.”

As they began to tuck in, Clementine said, “I’ve some good French wine, Kid, if you care to indulge.”

“Well, ma’am — sorry, Clem — I reckon I couldn’t taste the difference ‘tween fancy wine and cheap rotgut, but I’d be mighty proud to try yours.”

Laughing, Clementine poured wine for her and the Kid, then the room fell silent but for the sound of eating, forks and knives clinking on china.

Eventually, The Kid spoke up. “These are the best vittles I’ve ate in a long spell,” she said, spreading a dab of fresh butter on the steaming core of a hot biscuit.

“I made the dumplings,” fourteen-year-old Mimi said. “Ma fried up the chicken and we helped each other with all the rest.”

“It would have been easier if someone hadn’t vanished for most of the afternoon,” Clementine said as she gave Susie a stern look. Susie looked down at the table with a sheepish look on her face.

Taking a sip of wine, The Kid said, “You are both good cooks.”

Arabella said, “Out where the Kid fixed me up after I got lost in the desert, we ate chicken most every day. I never had such good chicken before.”

“Well, now,” the Kid said shyly, “When you’re out on the trail and half-starved, everything tastes better when it’s cooked over the fire and you eat it outside. But for my money, this is the best chicken and dumplings I ever did have.”

They continued to eat and chat. At one point Susie said, “Save room for dessert, everybody. Ma made an apple pie.”

“I wish I’d knowed that before I had seconds. I’m fit to bust.” the Kid said.

“Don’t worry,” said Clementine, “We’ll clean up the dishes before we have dessert. I’ll make us some coffee, too.”

“Let us do it, Ma,” Susie said, wanting to get back on her mother’s good side. “You already worked hard enough on supper. C’mon, Mimi — give me a hand.”

“I’ll help, too,” Arabella said with a smile, getting up with Mimi.

“Thank you, girls,” Clementine murmured.

The three girls cleared off the table and started coffee while the Kid and Clementine got to know each other better. The Kid explained to Clementine that they never had chicken while they were on the trail… she’d only told that to Arabella so she’d eat the less appetizing kinds of game she caught, like lizards or snakes.

The Kid shared some of her history with Clementine, then Clem told the Kid how her husband had died years after the Civil War from complications of his battle injuries.

“With Pete gone, I thought sure that we’d have to sell off the ranch,” she said. “It was Slim who talked me out of it. He and my husband were like brothers… they served together in the war, you know. Anyhow, Slim got most of the other hands to stay on. Four of them are still with us, and they’re practically part of the family. I hope you’ll stay long enough to meet them all. Fine boys, every blessed one.”

The Kid nodded. “I got to jaw some with Slim. Liked him right away. Men like him don’t grow on every bush, that’s for sure.”

“Slim still treats me like I’m his daughter. He didn’t exactly stop any men from coming to court me after Pete passed, but he sure weeded out the ones that was just after the ranch.” She shook her head. “It didn’t matter, really. I’ve got no plans to marry again.”

Uncertain of how to respond, The Kid remained silent.

Her expression suddenly turning sober, Clem sighed. “Tell me, Kid,” she began, “how is Arabella holding up? Honestly, now.”

“To be truthful, I ain’t exactly sure. Not bad, I reckon, considering what she saw,” The Kid said. “Y’see, Clem, she saw her Ma and sister raped. Saw her Pa beat. Maybe saw ‘em all killed, I ain’t sure about that. Her Pa hid her in a barrel, is why them outlaws didn’t get her too. And then she lost her brother and grandma, also to murder.”

“Yes,” Clem said, sighing again. “If only Mike could’ve left the boy with me instead of my mother, he’d have been spared, at least… but her home was much closer than mine.” She reached out to take The Kid’s hand in hers. “What on earth did Arabella do after… after what she saw? Poor thing, she must’ve been terrified.”

“Maybe, but she showed real grit, too. Her Ma had told her to run when she could. She escaped without bein’ seen by the killers. Then she ran, walked, and crawled deep into the badlands, tryin’ to get help.” The Kid felt a lump in her throat, but kept her voice steady. “I reckon she’ll pull through it all right, now that she’s with her kinfolk. You seem good people to me. She’s young, but tough… and I’m hopin’ the worst of things is behind her now.”

Clem was about to speak, but stopped herself as the girls traipsed back into the dining room, fresh from cleaning up the kitchen. Smiling at The Kid, she rose from her seat. “Shall we move into the front parlor? We can have Mimi play the piano for us.”

“I’d like that,” said The Kid.

Clementine poured herself more wine, then topped up The Kid’s glass before leading them into the room next door. Mimi seated herself before a piano, and Susie squeezed in next to the Kid on the loveseat while Arabella sat next to her aunt on the couch.

Mimi shuffled through her sheet music. “Here’s one I like a lot,” she said. “Chopin’s Nocturne, Opus Nine, Number Two.” Susie, come turn the pages for me please.” Susie got up and stood by the piano. Mimi briefly flexed her fingers, then began to play. Susie watched her sister. When Mimi gave a small nod Susie knew to turn the page. When Mimi finished and bashfully glanced up at her audience, they burst into applause.

Hoping no one noticed, The Kid hastily brushed a tear from her cheek. “Goodness me… that sounded pretty as a mockingbird singin’ by a brook at sunset,” she said.

Blushing adorably, Mimi bowed her head in thanks.

“It was lovely, dear,” said Clementine, rising to her feet. She’d noticed how moved The Kid had been, and found herself surprised at how sensitive the young woman really was. Wanting to change the mood, she added, “Now, Mimi, play something we can dance to.” She smiled at her guests. “Kid, could you help me move the table to one side, so we’ll have room? Susie, you can roll up the carpet.”

A moment later a space was cleared, and Clem nodded to Mimi. “All right, sweetheart. Play something fast!”

Mimi began a Stephen Foster song at a lively tempo, and a delighted Susie started to spin Arabella around in a circle, clutching both her hands. Arabella caught on quickly, and soon the two girls were giggling with glee as they capered about.

Clementine extended a hand to The Kid. “Will you do me the honor?”

It had been a long while since The Kid had danced, but she gamely allowed herself to be drawn into a brisk two-step.

By the last notes of the tune, the dancers were out of breath, and fell back laughing on the couch and loveseat. They applauded Mimi, who stood and curtsied. Now it was time for dessert. Susie and Mimi went off to the kitchen, soon emerging with a tray bearing slices of pie, and cups of coffee for the grownups.

As they finished dessert, it became clear that the younger girls were fast winding down for the evening. Arabella seemed drowsy, and Susie couldn’t keep from yawning.

“All right girls,” Clementine said, “I think it’s about time to turn in. Susie, you’ll sleep with Mimi tonight. Her bed’s big enough for the two of you. The Kid can take your bed, Susie, and I’ll make up the couch for Arabella.”

“Shucks,” the Kid said, “You can give Arabella the bed, and I’ll put my bedroll on the floor alongside. I find most beds are too soft for me to get any sleep on.”

“If that’s how you prefer it,” Clementine said. “Girls, take Arabella upstairs with you and get ready for bed. I’ll be up directly to tuck you in.”

Susie and Mimi each took their cousin by a hand and led Arabella upstairs, taking her to Mimi’s bedroom. Closing the door, Mimi took her shoes off, then presented her back to Susie. Arabella watched wide-eyed as the little sister unfastened the catch at the back of Mimi’s dress, feeling her excitement grow as the older girl let the garment drop to the floor. Mimi then shucked her underclothes and black stockings, finally standing naked before the two younger girls.

“By golly,” Mimi said, hugging herself, “It sure does feels good to take those clothes off. I think it’s my favorite time of the day, when I get to be in the altogether.” Glancing at her little sister, she said, “I guess you better go get your nightgown, Susie. Did you bring a nightie along, Arabella? Susie can fetch it back here for you.”

Arabella felt her face grow warm as she said, “Um, I don’t have one.” The sisters looked at each other, then grinned as Arabella added, “I’ve just been sleepin’ with nothin’ on.”

“That’s okay,” Mimi said, “Susie, bring back an extra one of yours for Arabella.”

As Susie scampered back to her bedroom, Mimi turned to Arabella. “Here, now. Let me help you get that dress off.”

Arabella’s heart raced as she stared at her fourteen-year-old cousin, so casual about her nudity. She noticed that Mimi’s breasts were a little bigger than May’s. Her nipples were big and pink. Puffy looking. She had more hair down between her legs than either May or the Kid had. It was dark and curly.

Arabella liked the look of her cousin’s body, so soft and comforting. She wanted to wrap both arms around it, hug it close. Mimi reminded Arabella a little of her sister, she decided. That got her thinking, wondering if Mimi and Susie ever diddled together, the way she and Sophia had. Then she thought better of it. Sisters almost never do that with each other, I bet.

But then she thought about May and June, and the things she’d done with the Kid and Miss Annie. Maybe, Arabella thought. Mimi and Susie seem to love each other an awful lot. They could have special love, too.

As she toyed with that interesting notion, Arabella was startled to hear Mimi’s voice suddenly say, “There now, cousin. You’re naked, just like me. Isn’t this fun?”

Sure enough, she was. Lost in thought, it had barely registered that Mimi was undressing her. Drinking in the sight of the older girl’s bare body once more, Arabella suddenly giggled and said, “Yes! You’re right, this is fun.”

At that moment, Susie came back in the room, a nightgown in each hand. Halting in mid-step, she giggled, then said, “Well, I never! Look at you two just standing there together, naked as jaybirds.”

Feeling a sudden attack of shyness, Arabella scurried behind Mimi. But the older girl reached back for her, drawing Arabella out so that her little sister could see. Arabella tried to wriggle free from Mimi’s grasp, but it only gave Susie a better look at her nude cousin — and the young girl liked what she saw, especially Arabella’s flat chest and baby-smooth vulva. Susie knew every inch of her big sister’s body, and the prospect of having a new girl to explore thrilled her to the quick.

“Are you two gonna put your nightgowns on?” Susie asked, holding them to her chest as if she had no intention of letting them do so.

“Nope,” was Mimi’s answer, “Me and Arabella are going to strip you bare naked!” She pushed her little sister down on the bed, then turned to her cousin. “C’mon, Arabella. Help me get her clothes off!”

Leaping onto the bed, Arabella began to unbutton Susie’s dress. A squealing Susie pretended to struggle, her eyes dancing with delight all the while. Before a minute has passed, she was as nude as the others.

Arabella drank in the sight of her younger cousin. She loved Susie’s budding breasts and her almost bare vulva, with just a sprinkle of down to adorn it. The girls sat on the bed, studying each other’s nude bodies.

Mimi asked Arabella, “Did you ever see the Tequila Kid naked?”

Arabella swallowed hard and said, “On the trail we got to see each other a few times. She’s awful pretty.”

“I’ll say!” Susie added. “I saw her naked at the washhouse. She’s the most beautiful woman I ever did see.”

*****

Downstairs in the parlor, Clementine took the Kid’s hand as she asked, “How old are you, Kid? You don’t look much older than Mimi.”

“Well, I’m a mite older than fourteen. I don’t know for sure, but I believe I am nineteen. Maybe twenty.”

“You’ve done a lot of living in those years, I think.”

“No more than lots of other folks, I reckon.” The Kid felt a certain warmth creep through her as Clementine held her hand. She’d already noticed that Arabella favored her aunt in looks. Fine features, that the other girls also shared with their mother.

Just then, a thump and a burst of shrieking laughter could be heard from upstairs. “What in thunder do you think is goin’ on up there?” asked The Kid, glancing at the ceiling.

Clementine laughed. “Well, young girls can be very silly and rambunctious sometimes. I’ll tell you this, though — it’s when children get silent that you need to wonder what they’re up to.”

*****

At that moment, it had gone silent. Upstairs in Mimi’s bedroom, Susie put her hand on Mimi’s breast and nipple, then told Arabella to do the same with the other one. Arabella liked how it felt to the touch — soft but firm at the same time. She was getting warm and wet between her legs. Mimi’s nipple seemed to get harder and press against the palm of Arabella’s hand.

“Do you girls like how my nipples feel?” Mimi said.

“Yeah!” Susie replied, then Arabella gave a bashful nod.

Mimi smiled, then softly said, “Why don’t you kiss them, then?”

The two younger girls exchanged quick glances, then removed their hands and slowly drew closer to Mimi’s bare chest — but froze at the sound of a voice from downstairs.

“Girls!” Clementine called. “You finish getting ready for bed. I’ll be up in just a moment to say goodnight.”

Jumping to their feet, the girls hurriedly pulled their nightgowns on and began to brush their hair, exchanging knowing smiles. Arabella’s heart was throbbing at the thought of what they’d very nearly done… and what it meant. I reckon they do have special love, she told herself, and they want me to have it with them.

Moments later, Clementine peeked into the room. “Hello, girls,” she said upon entering. “All ready for bed?” Susie and Mimi nodded. “Say good night to Arabella, then.”

Clem’s daughters both embraced their cousin. “Good night, Arabella,” Mimi whispered. “I’m glad you’ve come to stay with us.”

“We’re gonna have so much fun together,” Susie murmured, her lips brushing Arabella’s neck.

Arabella was trembling in the girls’ arms, enveloped in their sweet mingled fragrances. “Good night,” she said. “You’re so nice to me. I already love it here.”

As they broke apart, Arabella looked at Susie and Mimi in turn, thrilled by what she saw in their eyes. By then she knew for certain that these girls wanted to make love to her.

Mimi climbed into her bed, followed by Susie. Bending down, Clementine gave each of her daughters a kiss. “Sweet dreams, my angels.” She straightened, then reached for Arabella’s hand. “Let’s get you settled in.”

The Kid’s voice was heard out in the hallway. “Night-night, ladies. I’ll be seein’ you both tomorrow.”

“Good night, Kid!” Mimi and Susie cried, sitting up in bed.

“All right. Now go to sleep,” Clem told her girls, leading Arabella into the hall and gently closing the door.

“I’ll hope you will both be comfortable.” Clementine said as they entered Susie’s room. Helping Arabella into bed, she gave her a tender kiss on the lips. “Good night.” she said. With a nod and a smile for The Kid, Clem left the room, closing the door behind.

“Do you think we could have some fun?” Arabella asked.

The Kid grinned. “I don’t see why not. We gotta be real quiet, though. Let me get outta these clothes first.” She stripped naked, pausing to place her things by the bedroll so that she could dress quickly, should the need arise.

“All right, Button, let’s…” Her voice trailed off, then she chuckled. Arabella had already fallen sound asleep. Shrugging, The Kid opened a window, blew out the oil lamp, then slipped into her bedroll, dozing off quickly.

*****

The sound of quiet footsteps had The Kid awake and alert in an instant.

She heard murmured voices, then a door closing. Arabella slumbered on undisturbed while The Kid listened closely. She dared not waste a moment if there was danger. The Kid rose quickly from her bed roll, pausing only to draw a pistol from its holster.

Moving cat-like across the room, The Kid slowly opened the door and peered into the hall, noticing right away that Mimi’s bedroom door was open. She crept into the hallway and looked in — the bed was empty. Now that’s right odd. Where’d they go, this late at night?

As The Kid carefully made her way down the corridor, it became clear that the voices she’d heard were coming from Clementine’s room. Still sensing danger, she moved cautiously.

Placing her ear against the bedroom door, the Kid heard Mimi say, “I think Arabella likes to have fun the same way we do, Ma.”

It was only then that The Kid gave thought to the fact she was nude. Thinking before only about protecting Arabella, she hadn’t bothered with dressing.

Then Susie spoke. “That’s right, Ma, she loved being naked with us. We were just about to play some, but then you called up the stairs and we had to quit.”

“I’m sorry if I spoiled your fun, girls,” Clementine said, “but I don’t think it would be safe to do anything with her just yet. Not with a guest in the house. Besides, Arabella has been through a lot. I think she needs time to get used to her new life with us.”

“Aw, Ma.” Susie said. “She wants to! Honest, she does!”

“Now don’t you pout, Olivia Susan,” Clementine said, “We can play a little bit, just the three of us.”

Nothing was said after that, so The Kid hunkered down and looked through the keyhole. The oil lamp was turned low, but it was easy to see the mother and her daughters standing in front of the bed. Clementine’s hair was down, and so was Mimi’s. The Kid loved how long and lustrous it was.

Then The Kid’s eyes widened as she saw Susie take hold of the sash that held Clementine’s robe closed and give it a pull. The robe fell open, then Mimi and Susie each took a side and pushed it off their mother’s shoulders. It slid to the floor, and Clementine stood naked in front of her daughters.

Relieved there was no danger, The Kid was also extremely aroused by the sight. That Clementine is a true beauty, she thought. Clementine’s breasts were heavy and large, but held their shape well. Her nipples were standing erect and proud as each of the girls took one in her mouth.

While the girls suckled their mother, the Kid admired the thick triangle of pubic hair that nestled between Clementine’s legs. Legs that were shapely and strong. Her arousal grew sharper still as she saw Susie slip a hand between her mother’s thighs and caress her slit.

With a gasp, Clementine nudged the girls away from her. “You two get undressed, now.” She seated herself on the bed while the girls faced her — their backs toward The Kid, whose cunt was now very wet as she continued to watch. Without thinking she began to tease her sex with a fingertip.

As The Kid began to masturbate for real, Mimi and Susie slipped out of their nightgowns, letting them drop to the floor, revealing the girls’ flawless bottoms. My Lord, those are two of the nicest little butts I ever did see, The Kid thought. They were both delightfully different, though. Susie’s behind was taut and firm, Mimi’s more rounded and soft looking. The Kid plunged a finger deep into herself, imagining what it would be like to kiss those beautiful bottoms. Or lick them, she thought.

Clementine and her daughters were all swapping kisses now, and the room was lit just brightly enough for The Kid to see their tongues flickering back and forth as she fucked herself, hard and fast, her eye fastened to the keyhole.

Breaking an impassioned kiss with Mimi, Clementine turned to her youngest and said, “Susie dearest, you lick me, then I’ll take care of you.” Looking back at Mimi, she murmured, “I’ll take care of you right now, sweetheart.”

An awed Kid watched as Clementine lay back with her feet on the floor and legs spread. Mimi got on the bed and positioned herself so her sex opening was over her mother’s face. The older girl was staring at her little sister Susie, who had just knelt on the floor between Clementine’s legs.

Hot as the sight was, The Kid was beginning to feel stirrings of guilt for spying on her hostess and her little girls. It ain’t mannerly, she scolded herself. These folks have been mighty kind to you. Best to go back to bed, let ‘em have their privacy.

The Kid quietly rose, then padded back to Susie’s room and carefully closed the door. Holstering her gun, she studied Arabella’s angelic face.

Slipping back into the bedroll, The Kid began to masturbate, thinking of what she’d seen and heard. Mother and daughters, bare naked and making love. Mimi sitting on her mother’s face. Susie’s backside, wriggling as she licked her ma’s cunt. The way Susie had stared at The Kid in the bath house, the excitement she’d heard in the girls’ voices as they discussed Arabella’s nudity, that incredible view of Susie’s and Mimi’s bare behinds…

The Kid’s breath hissed through her clenched teeth as she rubbed herself to an intense climax, one that left her panting for a few moments.

Finally able to relax, The Kid soon fell asleep, assured that Arabella would be happy in her new home.

*****

That same evening found Frank Sims sitting in Ramses Kingsley’s office. They were both drinking. Kingsley smoked a cigar while Sims stared glumly at his half-full glass.

“They got some hard evidence on you, Frank.” Kingsley said calmly. “They had to show it to my lawyer before he took the case.” He paused, brooded. “Bad luck that the little girl happened to take one of those arrows with her, when she got away.”

He took a sip of his drink before adding, “Then, that damned Tequila Kid found out you’d had them made here in town.”

Suddenly, Sims downed his drink in a gulp, then said, “Damn it, Ramses. I’m gonna hang, ain’t I?” Reaching for the bottle on Kingsley’s desk, he immediately refilled his glass.

“Now, now, Frank,” Kingsley said in a soothing tone. Taking a long pull on his cigar, he casually blew a smoke ring, then added, “I still think Finch can get you off the hook. He’s a damn good lawyer with no conscience, except for getting his wallet filled.”

Emptying his glass again, Sims set it down on the desk with a loud clunk. Kingsley frowned, but didn’t speak. Sims slopped more whiskey into the glass, then took a hefty slug. “And if he don’t, I’m a dead man.” His face was sweaty and pale.

“Well, Frank.” said Kingsley. “I won’t take it hard if you skip town, even if I lose my thousand dollars.” He stared at the glowing tip of his cigar. “Seems to me, though, that all the evidence they have against you is circumstantial.”

Sims took another swallow of his drink as Kingsley continued, “The entirety of their case is wrapped up in that eyewitness. The little Hodgekiss girl. Out of all of us, the one she remembered was you.” He shrugged. “Easy to see why, Frank. Precious few men have a build like yours.”

Sims drained his glass, then slammed it down on the desk again. “That little bitch has gotta die,” he growled.

“You are correct, Frank.” Kingsley said as he refilled the glass, peering to see if Sims had dented the fine veneer on his desktop. “You get that done, and they won’t have a prayer of convicting you.”

Sims looked at Kingsley, a familiar glint in his eyes. “You mean I’m right, then?” he asked, surprised that he should be right about anything. “That I should kill her. Hmm.” Stroking his chin with his left hand, the big man tried to focus. He worked the fingers on his huge right hand like he was squeezing something.

Kingsley leaned forward in his seat. “Just make it look like an accident.”

“How?” Sims asked.

Kingsley folded his hands on the desk. “Think about it, Frank. Children always risk danger. She might fall down a well, get trampled by a horse. Hell, she could simply stumble and hit her head on a big rock. It’s downright tragic, all the accidents that could befall a little girl.” He gave Sims an oily smile. “All you have to do, Frank, is give fate a helping hand.” He reached for the bottle, which by now only had an inch remaining, and emptied it into Sims’ glass.

Sims downed it immediately. Slowly rising to his feet, he smiled. “Good night, Ramses. Think I’ll take me a ride to clear my head.”

Kingsley stood, nodded. “You do that.” He extended his hand. “Good luck.”

Sims briefly clasped it, then turned and moved toward the door in his heavy stride, pausing to take his hat from the peg and clap it on his head before exiting.

Staring thoughtfully at the closed door, Kingsley strode around to the front of his desk, frowning as he gazed down at the dark mahogany top. Sure enough, Sims had left marks in the finish. Whipping out his handkerchief, a scowling Kingsley rubbed at the gleaming surface.

Yes, have a good ride, Frank. Straight to hell.

On to Chapter Ten!

by Purple Les

Morning came early, as it was Monday and the laundry was busy again. Mrs. Lee oversaw things there, as she always had, but now she had a staff to assist, including several former slaves.

The Kid had awakened, bathed and had breakfast. So had Arabella, who was wearing her boy clothes, as per The Kid’s instructions. May and June had eaten with them, but now were attending their lessons, as Mrs. Lee had them do every weekday. An elderly scholar from China taught the girls, in exchange for room and board.

The clothes in the bundle The Kid had given Mrs. Lee had been washed and pressed, and now The Tequila Kid was all but unrecognizable. She wore a black Victorian dress — modest, but not so much as to conceal her figure. She’d put her hair up after washing it thoroughly, then powdered her face, using extra powder on the chin to cover the tattoos.

The part she hated the most was wearing black women’s shoes, so tight that you had to use a tool to button up the sides. She spent a few minutes walking around in them, trying to make it look natural.

Her disguise was made complete with a fashionable black ladies hat, one with a heavy matching veil that hid her face, and a pair of elbow gloves, done in black silk.

She picked up a beaded ladies’ clutch, appraised herself in a mirror and finally nodded. “Guess that’ll do.  “All right, Button, let’s go. You stay close to me, now.”

The Kid led Arabella by the hand through back alleys and past the outhouses and chicken coops and trash that was found behind the buildings on Main Street. They eventually emerged on Main Street, in the white part of town on the other side of the deadline. To all appearances, they looked like a young widow and her little boy.

They entered a general store. Arabella wandered around while the Kid went to the woman behind the counter.

Doing her best impression of a posh Boston accent, the Kid said, “Good morning. Could you help me, perhaps?”

The woman smiled at the young lady. “Why yes, ma’am, of course.”

“I’m from the east and am heading back home. I wanted to take a souvenir along. Is there anywhere I could purchase an Indian arrow?”

Shaking her head, the woman said, “I’m afraid not, ma’am.” Then she thought for a moment and said, “Well, there is Old Bill. He can carve almost anything. You can usually find him whittling in front of the dry goods store down the street.”

The Kid smiled beneath her veil. “Thank you, miss.”

As the Kid turned, Frank Sims came into the store. He tipped his hat gruffly toward The Kid, then sauntered over. “Mornin’, Miz Clark,” he said, “There’s a woman in town, I wonder if you happened to see her. She dresses like a man, got tattoos on her chin. Wears a pair of six-guns.”

Mrs. Clark laughed. “My goodness, no, Mr. Sims!”

“Maybe not in here, then… but around town?”

The woman shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not. I’d certainly recall someone like that. Is she… some kind of performer?”

“No, just someone I know. Thank you, good day.” With that, Sims turned to leave, tipping his hat once more to the Kid as he stalked out of the store.

Even if the clerk hadn’t used his name, The Kid would have known him to be Frank Sims. Charlie Redeye’s description matched the man perfectly, right down to his voice.

Looking around, The Kid realized that Arabella had vanished from sight. She felt a moment’s panic, but quickly found the girl — crouched behind a pickle barrel, gone pale white.

“What on earth’s the matter?” asked The Kid, hunkering down next to the trembling child. “You look like you seen a ghost.”

“Th-that man.” Arabella whispered. “Is he — is he gone?”

Glancing through the open door, The Kid saw Sims enter a nearby saloon. “He is,” she said. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Helping the girl to her feet, The Kid guided Arabella out of the general store and onto the boardwalk, then swiftly took her around the side and to the rear of the building. Luckily, no one else was there.

Kneeling before Arabella, The Kid took both of the child’s hands, gazing into her horror-struck eyes. “Who was that man, Button?” She already suspected what the answer would be.

“He… he was one of those Indians… the ones that k-killed Pa, and Ma, and m-my sister!” She burst into tears, sobbing helplessly. The Kid held Arabella to her as she cried.

Just like I thought, the Kid told herself. White men posing as Indians. Now, besides the other evidence, she had an eyewitness. But that’s got to stay a secret. I won’t risk Button’s life if I can help it.

“Listen, Button,” she said when the girl was finally cried out. “It’s good that you saw that man. Now I know who he is, I can make him pay for what he done. But till then, I need you to be brave, to help me do what it takes to bring him in.”

Arabella straightened up, sniffling. “All right,” she nodded. “My pa was a brave man… I guess I can be that way, too.” She wiped her eyes impatiently, took a steadying breath. “Okay, Kid. I’m ready.”

“You got more sand than most men I know, Button,” The Kid said. “Come on then, let’s get back to work.”

She and Arabella walked down Main Street to the dry goods store, where an old man sat on a three-legged stool, carefully whittling on a small piece of wood.

The Kid approached the man. “Mornin’, sir,” she said.

Glancing up, the man gave her a toothless smile, “Mornin’, ma’am,” he replied. “Sorry I ain’t wearin’ a hat, or I’d tip it to ye.”

“Would you be Old Bill?”

“I have to be, all right,” the old man cackled. “No one else would.”

The Kid smiled beneath her veil. “I’ve been told that you can whittle anything for a price.”

“Aye, that I can. Whatever ye can think of.”

“Have you made any arrows?”

He scratched his chin. “Not much call for that.” He paused to spit tobacco juice. “Tell ye what, though — I made a dozen or so arrows, just a while back. Wasn’t real Injun arrows, mind ye, but they was mighty good.”

“Could I see one of them?”

“Well, now. Truth is, I sold ‘em all. Feller named Sims, he had me make ‘em. I figgered that he wanted ‘em to sell hisself. Mebbe ye could look him up, see if he still has any.”

“Perhaps,” The Kid said. “In the meantime, would you make something for my son?”

“Oh, aye. What would ye like, sonny? A soldier? Or a gun? How ‘bout a horse? I got one started here.” He held up the piece of wood he’d been working on. “It’s near done.”

“Oh, yes. A horse, please!” Arabella said.

“One more thing, mister,” the Kid said. “Would you make me one of those arrows? Like the one you did for that gentleman — I’m sorry, you said his name was…?”

“Sims,” replied Old Bill. “Reckon I can, sure.”

“Can my boy wait here with you while I run an errand?” the Kid asked. “I’m sure he’d enjoy watching you work.”

“Why, sure,” Old Bill said. “So, that’s this horse”– he shaved a strip from the piece of wood — “and one Injun arrow. Be done with ‘em both in ‘bout an hour. Much obliged to ye, ma’am.”

“Thank you, kind sir,” The Kid replied, nodding her head.

Taking Arabella to one side, she bent down and whispered. “I need you to stay put for a little while, Button. I got to see some folks about that bad fella you saw. You’ll be safe here, but if anything does happen, just run on back to Mrs. Lee’s place. You ‘member where that is?”

“Uh-huh. You won’t be gone too long, will you, Kid?”

“Bout an hour, I’d say. Don’t forget, now — you’re s’posed to be callin’ me ‘Ma’, while I’m in these duds.” Patting the girl’s arm, she made her way into the street.

Three minutes later, The Kid entered the courthouse, where she gave a clerk the note from Polly. Moments later, she was introducing herself to Judge Claxton. He had the sheriff called to his office, and the three of them sat down together, laying plans.

Fifty minutes later, The Kid returned to the dry goods store just as Old Bill was making the final touches to his arrow. A moment later, he handed it to Arabella. “It ain’t quite done, mind ye. Don’t have the feathers to make the fletchin’, but other than that, it’s the same as I made for Sims.”

“Look, Ma!” Arabella cried, showing off the completed horse.

“It’s beautiful, honeybunch,” The Kid answered. “How much do I owe you, Bill? For the horse and this arrow.”

“Two bits if ye please, ma’am.” the grizzled old man answered, spitting out more tobacco juice.

The Kid handed him a dollar. Frowning, Old Bill said, “I ain’t got no change.”

“Please keep it, you’ve earned it.”

Old Bill smiled. “That’s right kind of ye, ma’am. Much obliged!”

They exchanged goodbyes, then Kid took Arabella to lunch at a cafe. Afterward they walked around Main Street, looking in windows and getting a good look at the town.

Just before two in the afternoon, they went to the courthouse and took a seat in the middle of five rows of benches. Over lunch, The Kid had explained a few details of her plan to Arabella. Now the girl was intensely interested, paying attention to everyone who entered.

A scattering of people joined them. Some came to bring matters before the judge, others were just passing the time of day. As the afternoon wore on, others came and went.

Some men took their hats off, some didn’t. A few smoked, or chewed tobacco. Judge Claxton was indifferent to the spectators, long as there was no drinking being done. Arabella noticed that the Kid had not removed her black ladies hat, so she left her own straw hat on.

Arabella had the arrow in her lap, wrapped in a piece of burlap to conceal it. She sat next to the Kid, toying with the wooden horse Old Bill had carved for her. They watched the judge handle cases from chicken thievery to public drunkenness to disputes between neighbors.

The Kid heard the bench behind her creak loudly, and looked back just enough to see that Frank Sims had come in and seated himself. Most of the crowd had already left, just a few bodies remaining in the courtroom. Two of these were the sheriff and his deputy.

It pleased The Kid to know that Sims had been turning Oak Creek upside down in pursuit of someone who been right under his nose twice that same day.

Judge Claxton banged his gavel and said, “Any more business to bring up before this court’s adjourned?”

The Kid detected it in the air before she saw him: the mingled scent of hair cologne and cigar smoke. Where’d I smell that before?

Then the source of the aroma came forward, a tall, well-dressed man who said, “Yes, your honor. I have some business matters to bring before the court.”

“Mr. Kingsley,” the judge said with a brief nod. “I see you have your lawyer with you. Please approach the bench and explain your business.”

The Kid was on edge in an instant. Kingsley. The man Polly warned me about. The one who means to take over Oak Creek. The one with four hired guns. She carefully watched as Kingsley doffed his hat and made his way up to the judge. He was clearly a man of means, done up to the nines in a charcoal-gray suit. He was accompanied by a lawyer, a thin bald man who looked as if he might keel over and die from old age at any moment.

As Kingsley quietly spoke to the judge, the Kid realized that his voice also seemed familiar. Then Kingsley’s lawyer said, “So you see, your honor, all the paperwork is in order. We just need them declared legally dead to conclude this contract.”

Then the recollection of that voice and smell came back to the Kid. The bank robber she’d taken the sacks of gold from back in Adobe Wells. Same scent, same voice. Her pulse began to race.

“Well, what sort of proof do you have that they are dead?” Judge Claxton asked.

The lawyer laid a newspaper on the desk, Putting his spectacles on, the judge quickly skimmed through the article indicated by the lawyer, then pushed it to one side. “Fine, the boy and grandmother are dead, I grant you that. What about the others?”

“I’m afraid the evidence of their demise is rather grisly, your honor — perhaps it should be reviewed privately in your chambers…?” the lawyer said.

The judge scowled. “No, it should not. If you’ve got the evidence, Finch, produce it now.” The lawyer drew close and whispered something to the judge, whose scowl grew deeper with every word. Finally, he exclaimed, “Scalps? How are we to know if they belong to the people in this claim, unless you’ve got the corpses to match?”

“Your honor,” Kingsley said. “These were given to me by a half-breed tracker named Charlie Redeye. He got them from the Indians who did the killings — at great risk of his own life, I might add. The sheriff of Adobe Wells has given us this signed document, stating that they belong to the Hodgekiss family. I also have these garments” — he took the tattered scraps of Button’s clothing from a burlap sack, placing them before the judge — “that belong to the little girl who escaped being scalped with the others. Mr. Redeye put his mark on this affidavit, swearing that he found her grave in the desert.”

The judge studied all the papers before him carefully, then asked, “Where is this Mr. Redeye? I’ll want his statement.”

“I don’t know, your honor. Mr. Sims and myself have spent all day searching for him.”

The sheriff stood. “Charlie Redeye was found shot dead this morning,” he said. There was a murmur in the courtroom. “We’ve yet to find who did the deed.” he added.

“I am most sorry to hear that.” Kingsley said. “He was a good man. Nonetheless, your honor, I’m very saddened to say that the entire Hodgekiss family is deceased, which leaves me the sole partner to the gold claim. Per the contract signed by Mike Hodgekiss and myself.”

“That’s a lie.”

There was a reaction in the courtroom as everyone looked around to see who had just spoken. Arabella was on her feet — fists clenched, cheeks flushed red, a fierce light in her eyes.

The Kid slowly slipped a hand into her bag, taking hold of the derringer as she looked back at Sims. Satisfied that the big man was keeping still, she decided to let this play out and let Arabella have the floor.

“Who said that?” the judge demanded, banging his gavel sharply.

Arabella clambered up on the bench so that she could be seen, then spoke again. “I said it, mister.”

Glancing back over her shoulder again, The Kid saw Frank Sims move to the door, blocking it. She turned to see Ramses Kingsley’s reaction — there was a thin smile on his lips, but the man’s eyes were ice cold.

Judge Claxton seemed completely bewildered. “You said it? Well, who in tarnation are you, boy?”

“I’m not a boy!” Arabella said, wrenching off her hat and shaking her long hair down. “I’m Mike Hodgekiss’s youngest daughter.” Now the courtroom was dead silent. “My name is Arabella Elizabeth Hodgekiss…”

The Kid looked around. Sims’ face had gone ashen, while Kingsley was taut with barely restrained fury.

Arabella hadn’t noticed Sims, but she stared straight at Kingsley, “…and I ain’t one bit dead.”

“You both come to my chambers.” the judge said, indicating Arabella and the Kid. “Kingsley, you and your mouthpiece, too. Pause for recess.” The crack of his gavel rang through the courtroom.

The bailiff escorted them through a door set behind the judge’s bench. Judge Claxton followed behind, pausing to speak briefly with the sheriff. Once he left the courtroom, the sheriff and deputy unholstered their guns and moved to either side of Frank Sims.

“You come with us, Sims. I got a warrant for your arrest,” the sheriff said.

“The hell you say! What’s the charge?” Sims blustered.

“Murder and robbery,” the sheriff answered. “Don’t make a fuss, Frank. Once Kingsley finds out, you might just get out on bail… if he’s willin’ to pay it, anyhow.” He gave a snort of laughter. “Oh, and I’ll also be relievin’ you of that there shootin’ iron, son,” he added, pointing to the pistol at Sims’ side.

Sims tightened his jaw as he stared at the drawn guns, then sighed. “Fine.” Slowly removing the gun from his belt, the big man presented his weapon to the sheriff, butt first. Then he allowed himself to be led from the courtroom and taken down the street to the jail.

*****

In the judge’s chamber, Kingsley paced to and fro as he said, “Your Honor, can this child prove who she says she is? How do we know that this isn’t some unscrupulous ruse, an attempt to steal this mine from its rightful owner? Mr. Redeye gave his word that Arabella Hodgekiss is dead.”

“Sit down, Kingsley,” Judge Claxton growled. “You’re stirrin’ up the dust in here.” He turned to Arabella, “Little girl, are you telling the truth?”

“I swear on my family’s grave.” Arabella solemnly said.

“Do you know the truth? Do you understand right from wrong?” Kingsley said to the child, no longer hiding his contempt.

“God and Jesus love those who speak the truth,” the child replied. “The truth sets you free. Lies make Jesus cry and fill your soul with sin.”

Kingsley was at a loss for words. “I…” He was glaring at the girl, but Arabella stood her ground.

Finch, the elderly attorney, hastened to calm his client. “Ramses…” he murmured, placing his hand on the man’s shoulder. Suddenly aware of how close he’d come to losing control, Kingsley seated himself. The judge seemed to be fighting an impulse to snicker.

“Your honor,” Finch began, turning back to the judge, “I’m sure that none of us would dispute this child’s wise words. Nonetheless, this is a court of law, and the law requires proof of some sort that she is, in fact, the daughter of Mike Hodgekiss.”

“True,” the judge said with a nod, then looked over to Arabella. “Well, child,” he said, his voice gentle, “have you some means of proving who you are?”

“Sir, I have this,” Arabella said, taking her family bible out of her coat. Bringing it forward, she handed the worn book to the judge. “Everything about my folks is in here. Ma put my name in it when I was born.”

Looking at The Kid, Kingsley’s eyes narrowed. “And who might you be — this child’s nursemaid?”

As Judge Claxton pored through the family history that was inscribed on the inside cover of the bible, he said without looking up, “You two haven’t met before? My, my. Kingsley, allow me to introduce you to the Tequila Kid.”

At first, Kingsley seemed to think the judge was joking. Then he went pale. As far as he knew, he’d already lost his stolen gold to The Kid — now she was ruining his chance of getting the gold mine as well.

Claxton was conversing quietly with Arabella, asking questions about the names and birthdates he saw in the bible. Thumbing through the volume, he found a folded piece of paper tucked inside, took it out and read what it had to say, a smile slowly appearing on his face.

“Well, Kingsley,” the judge said, “This is another contract between you and Mike Hodgekiss… dated later than the one you have. This contract supersedes that one.” The judge handed it to Kingsley’s lawyer. “What say you, Finch?”

Putting his spectacles on, the lawyer studied the document carefully, then said, “Well, now, Ramses, it appears that since the girl is alive and the sole descendent, the mine is hers. You are her partner. She gets eighty percent of the profit, with you receiving the remainder — after all taxes and expenses.”

Ramses Kingsley looked as if he had a bad taste in his mouth — but he was smiling, even if his eyes were colder than ever. “Very well.” Kingsley said, his voice gone smooth and even, “I suppose that my lawyer will be talking with you soon, Miss Hodgekiss.”

“You best have your lawyer speak with Arabella’s aunt. She’s the child’s legal guardian now,” the Kid said, taking off the ladies’ hat. The disguise had served its purpose, and she was impatient to be shut of it and back in her everyday clothes.

“That’s right,” said the judge, “Clementine DuMount is the girl’s aunt. Says so right here in this bible.” He glanced up at the lawyer. “Finch,” he said, his voice low and deadly serious, “you’re already on thin ice in my court. If I hear even a whisper about you botherin’ this here child. I’ll have your license.”

With that, Kingsley turned and stalked out of the judge’s chambers. “Er — we’ll be in touch,” the lawyer said, then hastened after his client.

Letting out a guffaw of laughter, Judge Claxton sat back in his chair. “By God, that was the first time I ever saw Ramses Kingsley get that flustered. Did my heart good.” He turned to Arabella. “Little lady, I’d like to shake your hand for standin’ up to that dirty cur.”

“Thank you, sir,” Arabella said, blushing adorably as she extended her hand to the judge.

“You deserve credit, too, Kid,” Claxton continued, looking over at The Kid. “Everything worked out just like we planned. Better, by God!” Pulling a watch from his vest pocket, he noted the time. “By now, I reckon Frank Sims is coolin’ his heels in a jail cell. When we adjourned to chambers, I let Sheriff Milligan know to hit Sims with that warrant we drew up.”

“Good,” The Kid said.

“Kid,” the judge said, shutting the watch with a snap and tucking it back in his vest. “You’d best take this child and get you gone. When Kingsley gets told that I’ve got his right-hand man locked up, he’ll be back — and madder than a wet hen, too.” He chuckled. “Wait ‘till he finds out just how high I’m settin’ Sims’ bail. Go on, now — guess how much!”

Pondering for a moment, The Kid shrugged. “Uh… five hundred?”

Another burst of laughter from the judge. “Nope… a thousand dollars, by God!”

The Kid whistled, long and low. “You sure do know how to kick a man when he’s down.”

The judge’s smile twisted into a grimace. “Some folks need to be kicked when they’re down, and believe you me, Ramses Kingsley is one of ‘em. I’m just glad to finally get a chance to make him sweat a little.” He fingered his watch again, but didn’t take it out. “Now get goin’, Kid. Take the back way. He’s gonna be stompin’ back in here any minute, and I don’t want this little lady to be here when that happens.”

“Judge Claxton, I’m mighty obliged to you.” The Kid picked up the fancy ladies hat, peered at it disdainfully and, with a sigh, placed it back on her head. “C’mon, Button,” she said.

Arabella followed The Kid to the door, then turned around to give the judge a big smile. “Thank you, sir,” she said.

Judge Claxton nodded. “The pleasure was all mine, little lady.”

Then they were gone. Settling back in his chair, Claxton took out his pipe and began to clean it, patiently waiting for Kingsley to show.

*****

The Kid’s next stop was at Doc Stone’s office. “Wait here for me,” she told Arabella when the doctor stuck his head into the waiting room. “I’ll only be a couple minutes.”

“Figured you’d be droppin’ by sometime,” Stone said as he escorted The Kid into the back, “though not wearin’ a dress, that’s for sure. You goin’ to some fancy ball tonight?”

“Didn’t want certain folks in town to know who I am just yet, that’s all,” The Kid replied.

“None of my business,” Stone said with a wink, leading her into a small room, dominated by a cloth-covered table. He whisked the cloth away, revealing the body of Charlie Redeye. “Here he is.”

“What can you tell me, Doc?”

Indicating the fatal wound with the stub of a pencil, Doc Stone said, “Shot once through the heart. Odd thing is, looks like he was shot from above. Maybe from an upstairs window.”

“Got his things?” The Kid asked. “I need to go through ‘em.”

The doctor produced a box in which he’d put Charlie’s personal belongings. The Kid saw Charlie’s medicine pouch. Most Native Americans carried one, as did The Kid herself. There was also an unsmoked cigar. Not much else. Three dollars in coin was all the money Charlie had.

The Kid held the three dollars out and said, “Can he be buried, Doc Stone?”

Doc Stone scratched behind his ear and said, “Well, I suppose so. Not in the white cemetery, but I can get him put in Boot Hill. You want a marker?”

“I reckon not. Is that enough money, Doc?”

“Depends. You want a pine box for him? Or just wrapped in canvas.”

“Canvas is fine.” She shook her head. “Charlie was a no-account son of a bitch, but I reckon he deserves to get planted in the ground, at least.”

The doctor rubbed his nose. “This’ll be enough.” He took the coins from the Kid’s hand.

The Kid put the medicine pouch and cigar into her bag, then left, saying, “Much obliged, Doc.”

*****

The next day, the Kid was glad to be back in her regular clothes and wearing her pistols again, while Arabella had given up her disguise for the blue gingham dress and bonnet that Annie Bloom had bought in Hellsfork for her.

After thanking and saying goodbye to Mrs. Lee, May and June, The Kid borrowed a horse and buggy from her old friend Pablo, pausing briefly to catch up on old times with the burly blacksmith. Once mounted, The Kid headed out to Clementine DuMount’s ranch, Arabella by her side.

As they reached the gates of the ranch, an older man on a horse rode up, blocking the buggy.

“Howdy,” he said, squinting hard at the Kid. “Is Mrs. DuMount expectin’ y’all?”

“Are you Slim Green?” Arabella asked.

The man looked her way for the first time, and his deeply lined face broke into a slow smile. “Arabella Hodgekiss? Why, land o’ Goshen! It’s been a spell. We thought you was dead, child.” His smile vanished, and he shook his head sadly. “I am sure sorry to have heard about that business. Your folks was mighty good people.”

“Thank you, Mr. Green.” Arabella gestured toward her companion. “This is my friend, the Tequila Kid. She saved my life.”

Green turned his friendly smile on The Kid, tipped his hat and said, “Pleased to make your ‘quaintance, ma’am… and many thanks for what you done for Arabella.” Climbing down from his horse, he shuffled over to the gates and opened them. “Follow me on up to the house. Child, your Aunt Clementine will be more excited than a cat in a roomful of rockin’ chairs when she lays her eyes on you!”

The old man climbed back into the saddle, and The Kid trailed behind as he led them up the road toward the DuMount house.

Clementine DuMount was on the front porch shaking out a rug when they drew near. Shielding her eyes from the late afternoon sun, she saw Slim leading a buggy with a little girl and what appeared to be a young man. Then she recognized Arabella. Dropping the rug, Clementine raced toward the buggy.

The Kid reigned the horse to a stop as Arabella jumped out and ran toward her aunt, calling, “Aunt Clem!” Clementine swept the ten-year-old up in her arms and spun her around. Arabella hugged the woman tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Clementine put Arabella down, then immediately went down on her knees and embraced the sobbing girl again, murmuring, “My poor, sweet child. We all thought we’d lost you.” Tears came to Clementine’s eyes as she drew away, gazing at her niece. “Oh, Arabella. My poor sister’s little girl. You’ve come home.”

They hugged for a while longer, then Clementine took notice of the buggy driver, who she’d first thought was a man, but was actually a tall woman dressed in men’s clothing. A white woman, who wore a pair of six-shooters and had tattoos on her chin. She put Clementine in mind of an Indian for some reason, even though she obviously wasn’t one.

Slim said, “Mrs, Clementine, this here is the Tequila Kid. Arabella says this woman saved her life.”

Clementine’s thoughts about this odd woman suddenly softened as Arabella said, wiping her tears away, “That’s for sure the truth, Aunt Clem. I would’ve died in the desert if it weren’t for The Kid.”

Clementine came over to the buggy and extended her hand. Smiling, she said, “We are forever in your debt, Miss Kid.”

The Kid took Clementine’s hand and held it for a moment, saying, “Shucks, ma’am, it was chance that brought me to her when she needed someone.”

“No,” Clementine said, “It was the providence of the Lord. We can never thank you enough. Slim, please show Miss Kid where she can put the horse and buggy. Then bring her back to the house, so she can meet the girls.”

As The Kid followed Slim off to the stable, Clementine took Arabella inside and cried, “Mimi! Susie! Come quickly!”

Two girls came running down the stairs, both of them squealing in surprise as they hastened to greet their cousin, embracing the overwhelmed little girl. It was a moment of mixed emotions — sadness for their lost relations, and joy for Arabella, that she was alive and safe after all.

The Kid hesitantly came to the door with a small valise. When she knocked, Clementine came to let her in. Arabella was busy fielding questions from her cousins.

Setting the valise down, The Kid said, “Mrs. DuMount, this here bag is all Arabella has. It’s not much, but more than when we started out together.”

“Thank you, Miss Kid. Please come in and meet my daughters.”

As The Kid hesitantly entered the front parlor, two girls eagerly approached her. Clementine put an arm over the shoulders of the smaller girl, twining the other around the waist of the older one.

The Kid studied the family with genuine interest. Clementine is downright beautiful. Full-figured, well-dressed without putting on airs. I love how she piles all that auburn hair up on top of her head. The bigger girl has her hair the same — she’s already as good-looking a woman as her mama. And that little one with the braids is cute as a baby bunny. Easy to see that they’re mother and daughters… and kin to Button.

“This is my oldest, Naomi,” Clementine said, proudly indicating the older girl, “Sweetheart, this is Miss Kid, the woman who saved Arabella’s life.” Naomi curtsied, and the Kid tipped her hat.

“Everyone just calls me Mimi. I hope you will, too.” Naomi said.

The Kid smiled. “Be glad to.” Naomi was almost as tall her mother and blossoming into a lovely woman with small, firm breasts and a nice curve to her hips. Gesturing the younger girl forward, Clementine said, “And this is Olivia Susan.”

Olivia also made a small curtsy. She looked to be just a little older than Arabella. She was adorable as could be — still girlish, but starting to bloom with hint of budding breasts.

“You can just call me Susie, like everyone else does. Thank you for saving my cousin,” Susie said, then suddenly moved forward to give the Kid a warm hug.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you folks. And there’s no need to call me ‘Miss Kid’ — just ‘Kid’ will do fine.” In spite of the family’s warm welcome, the quiet elegance of their home made The Kid all too conscious of the shabbiness of her clothing. “I reckon I’ll go get my own things out to the stable. I need to speak with Slim, anyhow.”

The girls looked at Clementine, who touched the Kid’s arm and said, “You’ll stay here in the house with us.”

The Kid looked at the floor for a moment and said, “Much obliged, ma’am, but I don’t want to put anyone out none. The stable’s more like what I’m used to.”

“I will take it as a personal insult if you spend a single night in that drafty old stable,” Clementine said, with a smile that was warm and genuine.

The Kid had to grin at that. “Well, then, I reckon I’ll accept your kind invitation, Mrs. DuMount.”

“And you can call me Clem.” Clementine said, looking at her girls. “Everyone else does.”

“All right.” the Kid said, still feeling a bit shy. “I do still need to speak with Slim, though. Pardon me, ma’am — uh, Clem, sorry. I’ll be right back.” Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she made her exit.

Catching up with Slim Green, The Kid spent a moment getting acquainted with the old hand, then asked him about the workings of the ranch. He explained that the ranch proper was a mile or so away. He and the other five hands stayed in a bunkhouse there. Slim assured The Kid that they were all fiercely loyal to the DuMounts.

“Pete DuMount was a mighty fine man,” Slim said. “Treated his men like they was family. When I busted my leg ridin’ a wild horse, he paid for the bonesetter outen his own pocket, even kept my wage comin’ while I was laid up. Damn few ranchers woulda done the same. As for Mrs. Clem… well, she’s as good a woman as I ever knowed. She’d be a catch for just about any man, and a few come sniffin’ around after Pete died. Weren’t interested in none of ‘em, though.”

“Listen, Slim,” The Kid said, “I got reason to think that Arabella could be in real danger. There’s a couple of bad men out there who’d like to see her dead… the same ones as killed her folks.”

Slim shook his head. “So they didn’t get scalped by Indians.” He gouged the ground angrily with the heel of his boot. “I ain’t surprised. Me and the boys all agreed — that story didn’t make no kinda sense.” He stared at The Kid. “Well, then, miss… what can we do to keep that child safe?”

The Kid nodded. “If you and your men could keep an eye out for strangers, that would be a big help. Also, can you spare a man to stand watch at night — maybe sound an alarm if there’s a need to?”

“That I can,” Slim replied. “We got us a big ol’ bell that you can hear right up to the house. Don’t worry, you’ll have your watchman. Anything more?”

“If any of the other womenfolk go to town, it’d be good to send a man along. Best to keep Arabella here, though.”

“Sounds like the smart play. But I gotta ask ya, miss… how long’ll we need to do this for? If we know who the killers are, can’t we put the law on ‘em?”

The Kid’s response was to take out her Texas Rangers badge and display it to the old cowhand. “The law’s already on ‘em, Slim. I just need a few days.”

He nodded, resolve in his eyes. “You got ‘em, miss.”

She extended her hand, and they shook. A good man, she told herself. Gettin’ up in years, but there’s still iron in that grip.

As the Kid and Slim exchanged goodbyes, Susie came dashing up. She said, “Ma told me I was to take you to the washhouse, so’s you could get cleaned up. She’s fixin’ chicken for dinner. Mimi’s gettin’ Arabella settled in and is helpin’ her get freshened up.” Susie took The Kid’s hand in hers and said, “Come with me!”

Now ain’t she the little charmer, The Kid thought. Taking off her hat, she said, “Sounds good. Lead the way, little lady.”

With a delighted giggle, Susie did just that.

On to Chapter Nine!