MORNING GLORY
by HBK © 2002
Sweat ran down his face as he dropped the box containing Cody's books carefully at the foot of the blond cowboy's bunk. He heard Jimmy groan and curse as the tough rider dragged a heavy luggage across the room.
"You okay, Kid? You look a little pale," Buck said with concern.
He managed to smile although deep inside he felt like fainting. "I'm fine."
"You know, I really thought it was a good idea to move here in Rock Creek. I thought it would do some good to have a change of scenery," Jimmy said breathlessly. "Guess I was wrong. Hell, I'm beginning to hate this place already."
Cody walked in with an apple in his hand. "Quit your whining, Jimmy! You've only been here an hour, and you're already complaining."
Jimmy rolled his eyes at the blond cowboy. "I guess I'd be having more fun if all I do is sit on my ass!"
Cody rose from the bunk. "Wait a minute here! For your information, I already helped Rachel get her place organized."
"Good for you. You want an award for that, Cody?" Jimmy said sarcastically.
"Maybe if you both shut up, we'll get more work done," Buck told the bickering riders seriously.
"This place sure ain't no Sweetwater," Ike signed as he helped Jimmy arrange the table.
Cody smiled. "You're right, Ike. Have you seen the ladies here? They're more beautiful than I ever thought possible."
Jimmy shook his head. "I thought you were seeing somebody in Sweetwater."
"I still am."
"So why are you flirting already?"
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with flirting," Cody said indignantly. "Besides, if she doesn't ask, I won't say anything. Don't ask, don't tell."
"Well, I just think it's wrong," Jimmy told him.
"Jimmy, just 'cause you don't know how to flirt doesn't mean you have to hate those who do!" Cody defended himself.
"Enough! Both of you," Kid yelled. His headache was worsening, and the verbal fights between Jimmy and Cody were not helping either. "You guys should just ignore eachother. We may be here in Rock Creek, but it sure still sounds like I'm in Sweetwater."
"You boys ready?" Rachel asked as she walked in the room.
"Ready for what?" signed Ike.
"We need to go to town and get some supplies," Rachel told the boys.
"Now?" Cody asked.
"I can wait. I guess y'all need to get cleaned up first." Rachel smiled, studying each of the young riders. There were Buck and Ike who were unpacking their clothes. Jimmy stood frowning with his arms across his chest, obviously upset about going to town. Cody continued to eat his apple while sending angry glances at Jimmy every now and again. Kid sat quietly on the lower bunk, staring at nothing in particular.
"Noah and Jesse back yet?" Jimmy asked.
"They should be here in a hour," Rachel said. "Teaspoon's already in the marshal's office. Are you okay, Kid? You look kinda sick."
"I just have a headache. I guess it's from all these moving and dust and riding."
"If you're not feeling well, you don't have to go to town," Rachel suggested. "Maybe it's better if you rest."
"No, I'll be fine."
When Rachel left the room, Cody burst out laughing.
Kid glared at him. "What's so funny?"
"I don't know. If I felt sick, I'd just stay here and sleep. But I guess you wanna see the ladies in town."
"Cody, that didn't even cross my mind," Kid told him angrily.
"Well, to tell you the truth, someone already finds you . . . oh, how should I say this . . . attractive," Cody confessed.
The young riders frowned. "Who?"
"When I was in town, this woman came up to me and asked me if I knew who you were. She said she'd like to know you," Cody said with a smile.
"Whatever, Cody," Kid said, believing that the blond rider was lying again.
"Honest, Kid. She said she thinks you're cute. She said your eyes are gorgeous."
"Does she even have a name, Cody?" Kid asked, waiting to bust Cody's lie.
"Yes, her name's Samantha," Cody answered without hesitation, which made Kid wonder if his friend was actually telling the truth. "She 's a schoolteacher here. You should see her ride in those tight pants she wears. Hey, maybe we'll see her in town this afternoon. And maybe you can ask if she has a sister."
The riders laughed. No wonder Cody was so interested. If Samantha did have a sister, he truly had something to gain.
"You stupid idiot! How could you make such a stupid mistake!" Boggs yelled at his oldest daughter.
With eyes still glued on the floor, Louise McCloud refused to answer. She was frightened and terribly sorry.
"What am I supposed to do with you, huh?" Boggs stared at her. He'd about had it with this young woman. If she wasn't his own flesh and blood, he surely would have offered her to the customers.
"I'm really sorry," she apologized. "I didn't know he was the banker's son."
Boggs sighed. He was close to hitting her, but fought the urge. "Well, stay away from me for the rest of the day. I can't stand you right now."
He walked out of the room, making sure he slammed the door. Lou burst into tears as she lie on the bed. An hour ago, she accidentally slipped while serving drinks in the saloon that her father owned. It wouldn't be so bad if she just slipped and spilled the drinks, but she spilled the drinks on the banker's son. How was she supposed to know he was the banker's son? Her father had scolded her, yelled at her, screamed at her stupidity.
She cried even though she knew she should be used to her father's furious attitude and negative mood towards her. Her mother had passed away years ago. Since her death, her father became violent and aggravated, but only with her. Her younger sister, Teresa, and younger brother, Jeremiah, were sent to the best school in the East while she remained stuck with her father who wanted nothing to do with her.
Even though her room was on the second floor of the saloon, there was no escape from the noise and laughter that thundered downstairs. She was not expected to socialize with the customers in any sexual manner. Boggs had insisted she served drinks and worked at the desk, taking care of complaints or requests. There had been men who had wanted her, and Boggs had been furious each time she refused. He had even threatened to make her one of his whores if she continued making stupid mistakes like she did that afternoon.
Perhaps she was treated worse than how Boggs treated his prostitutes. He was actually kinder to the women who worked for him than to his own daughter. Their relationship was bitter and rough to the point that Lou did not even consider him her father at times, and she was sure he felt the same towards her. She kind of understood his hatred. He loved her mother, and when she died, Lou became the scapegoat of her death. Sometimes she wished that she was the one who had died instead of her mother.
Her thoughts were disturbed by a soft knock on the door. She wished it wasn't any customer who accidentally stumbled in front of her room. Her room was at the very end of the hall next to the sleeping quarters of the prostitutes.
"This room is occupied!" she yelled angrily.
"Louise, it's me, Charlotte."
Lou let out a sigh of relief at the discovery. "Come in, Charlotte."
The brunette woman walked in. She was still wearing her working attire. "You okay, honey?"
Lou smiled at her friend's kindness. Charlotte was the only one who was truly nice to her. The rest of the women could care less about her, or were afraid to socialize with her because of what Boggs might say or do to them. But Charlotte was different. The woman was like an older sister to Lou. Since her mother's death and her separation from her siblings, Charlotte was the only person who actually showed sincerity, kindness, and concern for her.
"I'm fine," Lou said, wiping the tears. "I should be used to this by now. It was a stupid mistake, and I'm sure I won't do it again."
Charlotte shook her head, putting her arm around the young woman. "It's not your fault, Louise. Boggs should be happy that you were trying to help."
"Well, he's never happy with anything I do," Lou told her. "He should have sent me to the East if he hates me so much."
"Maybe he just doesn't know how to deal with you. Maybe he's still learning. It's not easy losing a wife. But don't think I condone his behavior. I'm just saying that I kinda understand it."
Lou nodded. "At least I spilled the drinks on someone who actually has some importance. If I'd be yelled at and scolded so much, it sure is worth spilling the drinks on the banker's son."
Charlotte laughed, admiring the strength that refused to die in the young woman. "Well I'm glad you're okay." She dreaded finding Lou with a cut lip or a bruised face. Boggs had used his hand on the young woman before, and she was sure he wasn't afraid to do so again.
"I wish he'd just send me away," Lou told Charlotte. "I don't even know what to call him anymore. I can't call him father or dad or papa or anything."
Charlotte frowned. "So what do you call him? Boggs?"
"No. I just don't call him at all," Lou said sadly. "I just don't speak to him in front of other people so I won't have to call him."
Charlotte rose from the bed slowly, arranging her dress. She stopped in front of the mirror to fix the curls of her hair. "Well, I'm just glad you're okay. Listen, why don't you go outside and buy a dress?"
Lou shook her head. "I hate going outside. All these women give me dirty looks. I could care less, but sometimes I just can't stand them staring at me. You know what I mean?"
"At least you're free to come and go as you please."
"I may be, but if I'm gone too long, he starts yelling at me, asking me all these questions. He never tells me not to go out, but when I do, he gives me so much trouble."
"Listen, I gotta get back outside before they find out I'm missing," Charlotte told her. "Be good now, Louise."
Lou smiled. "I will." She sighed and got up to open the windows. The air in the room was getting pungent, and the smell of alcohol from the saloon below was slowly reaching her room.
I need some fresh air, she thought as she stared outside, running her fingers through her tangled hair. She noted a group of young men led by an older woman walking into the store. All the riders were good-looking, but there was something about this one rider in particular. She couldn't really get a clear view of their faces, but she sure had a good look at the top of their hats. But there was something about this one rider in the blue coat that caught her attention. Maybe it was the way he walked, or the way he nodded politely at the ladies.
Lou felt as if she was watching the world from a looking glass. She felt insignificant as if she didn't belong there. Hell, she didn't belong anywhere. She noticed a woman walking towards the riders. The woman was familiar.
Wait a minute, Lou thought as she steadied her eyes on the woman. That's the schoolteacher, Samantha. A frown set on her beautiful face as she watched Samantha approach that one particular rider, eagerly extending her hand, which the rider in the blue coat gladly shook. I should have known, Lou thought bitterly. Samantha always attracted the best-looking men in town. The woman was irresistible in her tight khakis and white blouse that showed a little cleavage.
As Lou slammed the windows shut, feeling a bit angry and jealous for what she witnessed, she didn't realize she made more noise than necessary. As she drew the curtains close in order to dismiss the happy scene outside and return to her dark, depressing world, the rider looked up. She quickly turned away, completely oblivious that she caught the rider's attention. He caught a glimpse of the long auburn hair. Crystal blue eyes continued to stare, and they sure weren't Cody's.
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