The Gambler's Ruin - (Closed)

[EklectikChik]

Kate made a small face after regarding the fish for a moment. She watched him sharpen his knife before he got started and then looked away. "If it's all the same to you, I may skip this lesson for tonight so I'm able to eat my dinner. You could teach me on a day I'm not going to be eating right after."

He let out a small chuckle and nodded as she busied herself. Digging out one of his pans, she found a few packets seasoning and as he handed her the clean fillets, she added a little flavor and then began to fry the fish over the open flame. The scent made her mouth water and stomach clench with hunger.

[Ravenloft]

Martin washed his hand s in the pond and came back while Kate cooked. "Smells good, damn good." He said as he sat beside her, drying his hands by the fire. The fillet's were done in short order and Kate served them up onto plates. Martin took his and dug right in. "Mmm, this is excellent. I could get used to this." He said with a smile.

[EklectikChik]

She took pleasure in his praise and smiled, blushing softly. "Glad you enjoy it. A man should have a warm filling meal after a long day of work or travel. Right? I know Mama always took care of my Papa very well. I wanted all of that once upon a time..."

Her voice trailed off and she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm trying to leave all that behind, but I suppose I'm holding on to some bitterness. I'm just glad that a child was never involved."

As they finished up, she took his plate and urged him to stay where he was while she cleaned up the small mess they made and then returned, drying off their plates and utensils.

[Ravenloft]

"A warm filling meal should be what everybody gets at the end of the day, don't matter if their a man or a woman." He looked up at Kate as she stood up. "Seems to me you're entitled to some bitterness, the way you've been treated." Martin said as he made to get up, but Kate urged him to stay, so he stayed seated with a shrug giving her his plate.

He looked down and plucked a long blade of grass. "Think you'd ever want kids? There's men on the ranch, decent young hard working fellers. You might find someone you could take to that would treat you right..." He said, playing the blade of grass between his rough fingers.

[EklectikChik]

Pulling her knees up, tucked her dress around her legs and hugged them close, pressing her chin to the tops and regarding him a moment before shifting her gaze to the fire.

"I like children...though I don't have much experience with them. I just...I don't know that I'd ever want to marry again. I don't know that I'd want a man in control of me. Who has that power and...well...I just don't know...I don't even know that I can have children...."

She flushed, this intimate subject a little foreign to her. Clearing her throat, she kept her gaze fixed on the flames. "Wilson didn't...well, that is...he didn't touch me often, but it would seem as though it would be enough to get with child. I prayed though...every time that no innocent soul would be born."

[Ravenloft]

"Wilson sure gave you a funny notion of what marriage aught to be. It's women who have real power. A man can rage and beat his chest all he wants and still all he makes is dust and bone in the end. I've got some books left me by Maeve you aught to read. It's some pretty enlightening stuff... Anyhow, I figure all the pain you've gone through, you deserve some joy, however you can get it, Kate, when you find it, grab on and don't let go, you hear? Life's too short for sorrow."

[EklectikChik]

"Perhaps..." Was all she said and smiled softly. He certainly was one of a kind, reminding her a lot of her Papa who was a quiet man most of the time, but around Mama he lit up and the two had been inseparable.

Letting out a soft yawn, she muffled it behind a dainty hand and sighed. "I think I'll call it a night." She glanced at him and then the tent."Tomorrow will be a good day...I look forward to seeing your home. Good night Martin."

Standing up, she bite back a groan and then moved past him to crawl into the tent, feeling guilty all over again that he was out there. But fatigue won over quickly and she slept. That evening though, nightmares plagued her. She was restless, bleary...waking up what seemed like hour after hour when Wilson's face and hand came back into the picture.

Tears wet her face before she pushed them aside, her braid a mess, her dress tangled around her legs. "Martin!" She called out hoarsely.

[Ravenloft]

Martin snapped to attention where he'd been dozing by the fire. He drew his gun in a flash, not knowing what to expect. Once he saw that they were alone and Kate was disheveled and looking kind of frightened he quickly stowed his gun. "Yeah, Kate, you okay?" He asked softly as he shuffled over to the tent, peering in. "You look as though you've had a fright." He whispered, fixing his eyes upon her.

In that moment Martin felt the urge to kiss her and hold her mighty fierce but he held back. She'd not invited him into her bed and he had no business expecting she ever would, so he just gazed on her as she caught her breath and dried her tears. "Is there... Anything I can do for you, Kate?" He asked, hesitantly.

[EklectikChik]

Kate shuddered and hugged herself, still trembling as she gazed up at Martin. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to wake you. Was dreaming...a nightmare." She told him, her voice wavering. "I know I have no right to ask, but would you stay with me? Just for a little while?"

The question seemed like a massive step to her, but he made her feel safe and she needed that in that moment. To feel as though she wasn't alone and he was there to chase the bad memories away.

Shoving aside her hair, she drew in a deep breath and shuddered again. His eyes showed concern and something else she didn't dare identify, but she knew he wouldn't treat her poorly.

[Ravenloft]

"Sure, Kate, I'll stay with you." Martin replied with a soft smile. He slid in next to her and drew an arm around her, letting her lay her head against his chest. He propped his head up under one arm and looked down into her eyes as he gently stroked her hair. "I'll stay with you for as long as you need." He whispered.

[EklectikChik]

Kate should have been nervous, should have stiffened up, but as soon as she rested her head against his shoulder, she felt her body give. Relaxed, she snuggled closer and sighed softly, closing her eyes as one hand shyly slid up to press against his chest.

She felt the strong beating of his heart, the warmth of his body and before long she was fast asleep again, this time safe in his arms. She let herself sink into the blissful warmth of her dreamless sleep.

The following morning, Kate up slow ly, still wrapped in Martin's arms who was sound asleep and snoring softly. She yawned and slowly shifted, unable to break free without waking him. "Martin...it's morning."

[Ravenloft]

"Mmmh, Maeridd?" Martin sighed as Kate woke him. He kissed the top of Kate's head and breathed in the scent of her hair before opening his eyes. He opened his eyes and drew back finding himself looking into Kate's big blue eyes. "Oh... Oh god, Kate... M'sorry!" He drew back and sat up, letting go of her quickly. "I... I was dreamin..."

[EklectikChik]

She drew away slowly and nodded. "It's okay. You didn't harm me." She told him softly. In truth, it had all felt nice. He'd been sweet and a total gentleman, keeping her safe and warm.

"Excuse me. Nature calls." She said and crawled out of the tent. Finding a suitable spot, she took care of business and then rinsed her hand and face with cool water before finding her brush. Absently she untangled the mass of hair and then tied it back again.

"Berries for breakfast?" she suggested as she watched him start the coffee.

[Ravenloft]

Martin nodded silently, watching as Kate excused herself from the tent. His eyes lingered on her as she went off to do her business. "Damn..." He muttered to himself while she was gone and got up, busying himself with making them coffee.

Kate came back and offerd the rest of the berries she'd made. "Sure, sounds good. Here, let me have a hand full of those." He said, putting his hand out. He left enough for the two of them to eat out right, but put the hand full into the pot of boiling water along with the coffee. "Flavored brew." He said with a smile.

Once the coffee was steeped he poured them each a cup, passing Kate hers. He sniffed his own and took a careful sip. "Hmm, not bad for a spur of the moment idea, huh?" He asked. "You like it?"

[EklectikChik]

She took a sip and smiled. "Well...not bad, no. It's...interesting." Another sip later and she was chewing on a piece of berry. "And chewy." She teased and laughed. You are an interesting man...but I like your style."

Grinning, they finished up their light breakfast of berries and berry flavored coffee and then broke camp. Martin carefully helped her mouth Ceri and then joined her on his own and together they finished their travel towards his home.

She couldn't wait to see his home and wink to her chin in a hot bath if he allowed it. To cook a proper meal for him and sleep in a real bed. "May I ask why you were traveling away from home?"

[Ravenloft]

Martin chuckled as he came across his own piece of berry in his cup of coffee.

Once they were on their way, Kate began a conversation to pass the time. "I was bringing some of my horses to a buyer. I sell them all over the area. Not to brag but I've become fairly well known for my breeding and training. I employ a soft breaking method of training, makes for a much better riding horse really. Ceri and Cael are examples of that, althought they were trained before I came into the picture."

[EklectikChik]

"Sounds very nice...it's good to know that you care so much about them. I know not a lot of men care much for the well treatment of horses, cattle or even pets..." Her opinion on him grew all the more. He was a good man through and through - from what she could see. And he'd lost a lot in his life.

"I hope it'll be alright for me to take a bath once we get to your home. I feel as though my skin is crawling. It's been a long time since I've had the luxury of a hot bath and after all this riding, I can't wait to ease away the soreness."

[Ravenloft]

"There's a balance to be maintained, some times it can be painful, some times there's great satisfaction to be had in doing it, but it's gotta be done, so I do it. Wish more folks would have the sense to do the same instead of just being out for themselves..." Martin said as he rode along with Kate.

"Of course, I don't have anything terribly fancy like the folks at the saloon had, just a big metal tub really, but I'll see to it you get a nice hot bath in private."

[EklectikChik]

Kate smiled. "I don't need fancy. You could put me in an over-sized bucket as long as the water was hot." She giggled. She hoped she could also wash her dress and figure out what to do with the rest. Maybe she could fashion something to cover her bosom. Though she wondered how he'd want her to dress in order to work with the horses...a dress would be in the way and she'd never worn britches a day in her life. But these were new times...and she would learn.

Excited to see his home, Kate chattered about this and that, picking his brain. Asking him little tid bits...how many hands worked, how big his home was, did he live completely alone...she rambled along and Martin seemed to be happy to answer her questions. He never once pulled a face and told her to be quiet. He never insulted her for asking what might have been a silly. She was becoming more at ease and comfortable freely talking and sharing and by the time they reached 'home', Kate had run out of things to talk about and was a little sleepy.

Her excitement grew again though when he pointed to his ranch and she beamed.

[Ravenloft]

There were about ten ranch hands keeping things going as Martin rode in with Kate. Some of them looked up, taking notice of Kate before they carried on with their work. One man, an older fellow with a creased and balding brow and a rather burly beard rode up. He wore a patch over his left eye.

"Derry!" Martin called out waving, leaning toward Kate. "That's Derry Dugan, Maeridd's father. Don't let his smile fool you, he's an ornery old bastard." Martin joked. "Martin, you sorry old dog, did you finally find yourself another she-cat?" Derry called back, laughing. "And aparently not one for tact, either." Martin added loudly. "Fie! I can be tactful, if I wanted." Derry countered turning his eye toward katherine. "Merry meet young lady, I trust this old scoundral has treated you with the utmost respect, if not, I'll be happy to cuff im for you. Its bout time he learned some manners!" Derry joked, laughing loud and heartilly.

"She's here to work, Derry..." Martin said with a chuckle. "Right, and I'm Mary, Queen of Scots! Man cannot live by bread alone, little Martin, remember..." Derry shot back, laughing some more before nodding to Kate and riding off to go back to work.

[EklectikChik]

Kate felt her face heat up at the old man's teasing. She knew he probably didn't meant any of it, but it still flustered and a little embarrassed. Some ranch hands within ear shot glanced her way again and smiled, giving their boss a nod of approval and she wanted to die on the spot.

Martin shot her a sympathetic smile, but said nothing else as they rode up to the house and Kate gaped at the structure. Perhaps he'd been playing things down or maybe he was used to seeing grander things, but his house was beautiful in her eyes. Constructed with love, she was sure of it. With big windows that let in plenty of light and a huge wrap around porch with rockers decorating it here and there. It was beautifully worn, warm and inviting looking.

"You have a beautiful home." She told him and smiled. "I was almost expecting a shack in the woods."

[Ravenloft]

"I'm glad you like it, Kate, you can go on inside and make yourself at home. I'll go see to getting you that bath you wanted." Martin said as they rode up to the front doors. A young woman with flowing red hair peeked out at them from the front door before ducking back in, hiding. "Millicent, come on out young lady." Martin called out having spotted the red headed waif. "That's Milly, Maeridd's younger sister, she's... A bit, off, not been the same since her sister died. Hasn't spoken a word... Poor thing." Martin said, lowering his eyes as the girl, Milly peeked out again, looking curiously at Kate.

"She can show you around though, I'm going to go get your bath started..." Martin rode off, leaving Kate with Milly, who was hesitently approaching her, her head tilted and her eyes wide. She wore a simple white dress with a red sash tied about her slender waist. She walked carefully on her bare feet up to Ceri, giving her a hug on her snout. Ceri snuffled and knelt down without a command for Katherine to dismount directly onto the porch. Milly kissed Ceri's cheek and smiled, patting her gently.

[EklectikChik]

Kate smiled softly at Millie, her heart going out to the child. She knew what it was like to lose someone you loved dearly. "Hello." Kate said softly as she dismounted and gave Ceri a gently pet on the head. "She's a beautiful mare and so smart. Looks like she loves you."

Millie's big eyes regarded her, still curious, but her mouth remained shut as she finally let go and motioned for Kate to follow. Inside Martin's home, Kate was again in awe. The place was tastefully decorated with brightly braided rugs. You could easily tell that a woman used to live here. The lace trim on the curtains, the many pillows made with care around the living area.

She almost got lost in taking it all in when Millie gently nudged her hand and indicated for her to follow. "Oh sorry." She smiled sweetly and followed, up the stairs to where the bedrooms were situated. She didn't see many of the other rooms...all the doors were shut, and she didn't ask, only followed until they reached a large room that seemed to big to be a guest room. It was also distinctly male.

"Oh...um...is this Martin's room? We're not...we're not sharing. That is. I'm here to work." She told Millie gently, feeling her cheeks heat up. "I'm going to help with the horses."

[Ravenloft]

Millie stared at Kate for a moment then took her hand and led her up to a portrait of a couple riding horses. She pointed at them and shook her head before placing her hands next to her ear, indicating sleep. Then she pointed at the bed, shrugging.

Downstairs there was the rumble of metal on wood and Martin could be heard instructing one of his ranch hands to lift. They were bringing the tub in for Kate to bath in. "Millie!" He called out from down below. "Start heating some water, please!" Millie suddenly took Kate's hands and drew her over to the bed, gently pushing her down to sit on the edge before sneaking out without a sound. Comming to the second floor banister she peered down at him, wide eyed, nodding. "Millie! Oh, there you are, thank you Millie."

Martin and his helper carried the metal tub into another room, giving Kate a moment to herself. The room she was in was indeed Martin's but he hadn't slept in it for several years. It was dimly lit and smelled vaguely of leather. There was the portrait that Millie had showed her hanging over a dark oak wood dresser. On the dresser were wood carvings of horses in various poses, some finished and painted, some still in need of carving.

The bed had four posts and a carved head board of a mountain rising magesticly over a pond with a waterfall spilling into it. A woman bathed in the pond and two horses grazed near by. The bed was made with rich black and red blankets with pristinely fluffed pillows. It did indeed look like it hadn't been slept in in a very long time.

There was a wardrobe, but it was closed and locked up.

[EklectikChik]

Kate didn't know what to make of it all. Slowly it dawned on her that this had been the room Martin had shared with his life. She felt like a bit of an intruder being here, but apparently this was to be her room, like it or not.

Soon the tub was brought in with grunts and soft curses. Her eyes widened slightly. The thing as huge! More than likely so that Martin himself could bathe in it occasionally. Back whens he was a child, they usually bathed downstairs by the fire, but Martin seemed to be going to great lengths to make her feel comfortable. With all the men on the ranch and her in a new home, it warned her heart that he cared so much about her feelings.

"Thank you." She told the men, hugged herself, giving everyone a shy smile as she moved out the way. They nodded, tipping hands and shuffling out of the room. No one paid her too much attention as the boss was standing nearby. "Are you sure, this is...alright." She asked, gazing around the room a moment before meeting his even stare. He didn't seem comfortable stepping, so she stayed near the door as water was slowly brought it, bucket full by bucket full.

"I'll have to bake several pies to thank your men for helping." She said lightly and smiled. "Why don't you let me make dinner tonight? It'll help me get acquainted with your home. Will it just be us or do I have to account for ranch hands as well?"