A Gunfighter's Gold

Hickson walked out of the livery and across the street over to the Saloon. Garrett walked to the back of the livery where Hickson kept the saddles. He unbuckled his saddlebag and took out the unopened bottle of whiskey he had purchased at the Saloon. He put his hand down to the bottom of his saddlebag and pulled out a shot glass. He opened the whiskey bottle and drank straight from the bottle and welcomed the burn in his throat. Hoping he could he could get rid of the hurt in his heart he was feeling, with the death of his sister and brother-in-law. He wanted all of this to be a dream and he wanted to wake up. He took another long swig from the bottle and then another, rested his head against the wall. Realizing this was no dream, and waking up from it was not an option, he walked out to the stall where his horse was standing. As he walked up to the stall, Poker Chip walked up to greet him. Garrett poured a shot of whiskey. Garrett rubbed his nose with his finger, “Looks like were drinkin partners again buddy.” Chip hung his head out of the stall. Emily walked in the Livery but then stepped back behind a large support beam, in order for Garrett not to see her there. Garrett looked Chip in the eye, “Alright, you gonna be mine forever?” Chip nodded his head up and down. Garrett put the shot glass up to the horse’s lips. The horse grabbed the edge of the shot glass with his upper and lower lip. Garrett tipped the shot glass to help the horse drink the whiskey. The horse licked his lips after taking the shot and shook his head. Emily could not believe the scene she was witnessing. She couldn’t fathom why would anyone give a horse whiskey? Garrett then poured another shot of whiskey and stated, “Are we ever getting married?” The horse shook his head back and forth as to say, No. Garrett put the shot glass up to the horse’s lips and the horse proceeded to drink another shot of whiskey. Emily thought about being be angry with Garrett for giving his horse whiskey. However, she found herself struggling not to laugh, putting her hand over her over her mouth to conceal it, and to not give up the fact, she was spying on him. Emily decided to come out from behind a beam and act as she had just entered the Livery. Garrett looked over, to the sight of Emily walking right toward him. As she past she looked him right in the eye and stated, “Do you always give your horse Whiskey?” Garrett leaned up against the stall to let her walk past, “Would ya be happier if I gave him Beer?” Emily came out of the tack room carrying her saddle and bridle, “Why, would I be happier, if you gave your horse beer?” Garrett stepped in front of her stopping her from passing, and set the whiskey bottle and the shot glass on the railing. He reached out and took the saddle from her, walked it over and set on the lower half of the stall door, he turned and stated, “Well, your not happy that he was drinkin whiskey with me.” Emily not understanding his actions, “Do you, always do that!?” Garrett picked up the shot glass and raised it slightly, as if he were making a toast, “Poker Chip enjoys drinkin shots of whiskey with me from time to time.” “No. I mean. Take a saddle when a woman is carrying it?” Garrett smiled pretending not to understand, “I thought we were talking about me given my horse whiskey, and you wantin it to be beer.” Emily got a look of frustration on her face, “I never said I wanted it to be either one!” Garrett pretending to look puzzled, “Oh.. So now, you don’t care if I drink with my horse?” Emily was frustrated, “Are you always like this?” Garrett starting to smile again, “Did anybody ever tell ya. Ya ask a lot of questions?” Emily could not help herself, she grinned as she looked up at him. Garrett smiled at her, and stuck out his hand, “Garrett Stone. How ya doin?” Emily did not expect this at all, however, she could see what he was doing. She shook his hand and was intrigued by his gentle touch. She also noticed again how good looking he was, as she looked up at him, “Emily Kennedy” Garrett continued to hold on to her hand, “ You sure about that?” Emily questioning, “Am I sure about what?” Garrett let go of her right hand gently grabbed her left, “The Kennedy part.” Emily did not pull her left hand from him, “If your asking. Yes, I am married.” Garrett lifted up her hand and bent it foreword, “You could have fooled me. I don’t see any kinda, ring. When a man marries beautiful woman, like yourself. They usually, have sense enough to, hang around. Any man who would let a woman like you out of his sight, would have to be the stupidest Son of a Bitch in the world.” Emily’s heart was pounding again, she didn’t know what to say. No man had ever spoken to her in this way. She dropped her gaze from him, “I should probably get my saddle on my horse and head for home.” Garrett found himself getting lost in her blue eyes again, and was not sure if the whiskey, then his mind returned to the waterfall for a split second. He knew he going to have a hard time hiding his heart with this girl. He also knew, Emily was not the type of girl who to just give herself to just anyone, “Yea, I gotta get my nephews over to the National and up to the room.” Emily looked surprised, “Oh, I didn’t know they were here!” “Yea, they’re right over here in this stall.” Garrett smiled as he walked over and opened the stall door. He lowered the sound of his voice, “They’re sleeping.” Emily smiled as she looked into the stall, “They are adorable.” Garrett looked over at her smiling at them. He could see that she genuinely liked the boys. Emily looked up, “Do you want me to help you carry one of them to the hotel?” Garrett shook his head, “Oh no, I can get em.” “No, I insist. ” Emily smiled up at him “You are going to have to make two trips. and you have to walk up the stairs with both of them. Let me help you.” Garrett could not believe what he was hearing. Was this the same woman who yelled at him for pulling her off of her horse and had not said one kind thing to him since he arrived. Garrett just smiled slightly, “That would be nice.” Garrett walked into the stall and picked up Tyler. He turned and handed him to her. Emily reached out and took Tyler, his head resting on her shoulder. Garrett went back in the stall and picked up Taylor. He held out his free hand, “After you.” As they walked with the boys across the muddy street Emily saw a familiar horse and Surrey. Her heart sank. Garrett could see the woman was driving the horses in front of their path on purpose. He looked over at Emily, she had a look of dread on her face. Garrett put his free arm out in front of Emily as if to tell her to stop, because it was obvious this woman was not going to do so. The woman stopped her wagon when the surrey seat was at Emily’s shoulder. Garrett could see the anger in this woman’s eyes. She was not happy in seeing Emily holding his nephew, “Emily, aren’t you out kinda late!” Emily gave a cordial smile, “Just helping a friend.” The woman smirking at her, “Is that what you call it.” Garrett looked over at Emily. He could see this woman’s presence and remark made her extremely angry and uneasy. The woman cued her horse to move on. The wagon moved foreword and Emily watched as the wagon drove down the street. Garrett did not want to make the situation worse and put his hand out for Emily to begin walking. Emily walked in front of him until they entered into the hotel lobby. Garrett could tell she was somewhat embarrassed by the women and all of the activities going on the Saloon, Emily looked up at Garrett, “I don’t know where your room is.” Garrett smiled at her, “It’s number ten, up those stairs”