The Shady Ladies of Tumbleweed Gulch (Closed for Sinful & Sparkyman)

[Sinful_whispers]

“Welcome to the wild, Wild West where danger and desire come to a draw ladies and gentlemen and I use that terms loosely men!” Madam Blaze has said with a hoot and laugh to the crowd that was gathered in her Saloon as she began to walk down the steps from the second floor where she had twelve beautiful females that worked for her in her up stairs bordello that as well came down and joined the crowd and served drinks with the other women. Blaze made her way down to the last step as many of men came to her aid as they offered hands to help her down from that one last step and to the bar where she always started with personal greetings. Blaze had been known to run an infamous Saloon and bordello; she was left with the saloon when her husband at the young age of thirty five was gunned down while he walked out into the street. From that point on Blaze had become self supportive, she ran what was once their ranch as well as the saloon with working girls.

Blaze was five foot five inches tall, with deep red locks of curls that she pinned up high upon her head with soft spiral curls that dangled down around her china doll featured face. Tonight’s attire was a long flowing black silk dress, with a black bodice and a golden yellow velvet jacket that stopped at her hips on the sides and had a train down to the floor in the back. Her creamy mounds pushed over the top of the black tight lace bodice as her placed one hand on her hip and tossed the other into the air in a wave as men fell to her feet wishing to be her escort for the evening. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires in the light of the saloon as she took the arm of the town’s most handsome card shark Wild Bill Blackstone, and allowed him to lead her to the bar.

Blaze wasn’t thinly built, she had a little meat upon her bones, but that never bothered the suitors that constantly asked her for her hand in marriage. Her name fit her she carried herself well and was a very confident woman. Most men knew when they came into her place, they went by her rules. She liked her independence even with the problems it had been bringing her as of late. Bill Blackstone stood tall and proud as he escorted her from the bar to the tables, moving along from one to the other as Blaze greeted her nightly customers, and those that always made the Gold Nugget Saloon a permanent stop upon their journeys. Bill had been after Blaze since the day her husband died, he knew Blaze was a rich woman, and a woman that could handle his ways.

They had made their way about the card tables, she had most of her girls available for the men tonight, and some were just serving drinks till their weekly men showed up to pay and go up stairs for the night. Once she made her rounds, Bill led her to her table that she normally sat behind which she was able to see the whole saloon as well as the steps leading to the balcony and rooms on the second floor. The saloon had red painted walls, crushed velvet red and black curtains as well as oil lamps upon the walls as well as the tables. There were sets of steer horns and leather saddles as well upon the walls that once belonged to her husband. As Bill Blackstone went to speak to her there was a sudden loud sound, a sound that Blaze knew well.

Blaze stood up as she quickly pulled her six shooter from under her deep gold jacket where it was stuck within her dress pressing against her back. She cocked it back as she stuck her arm straight out and pointed the gun as Doc Smith and spoke out as the saloon got quiet. “Doc you done made me mad enough to swallow a horned toad backwards. Now you either sit down or git out there and shake a hoof with one my ladies. You know better to fire off in my saloon!” Doc placed his gun back in his holster and apologized to Blaze a few times as the whiskey had taken its course upon him as he wobbled trying to settle in the old wooden chair. “Doc, you can’t hit a bull’s ass with a handful of banjo’s but I can. One more time and I’m banning you from the Nugget. Your gonna kill somebody one these there days and be sitting in the jail till they hang your ass. No more waking snakes tonight Doc, I mean it! Now everyone get on back to dancing and drinking!” She yelled out as the fun began again, and took her seat laying her piece on the table while Bill poured them a double whiskey and tried once more to talk her into marriage.

Velvet heard the gun shot and quickly headed toward the bedroom door as she looked down over the railing and listened to all the commotion going on, and smiled as she knew Blaze had it all under control. Velvet returned back to her room and crawled out of the window and stood upon the narrow balcony as she leaned against the railing. She sighed as she looked to the shimmering moon that looked close enough that she could reach out and grab it within her long slender fingers. A soft melody sang from her lips as she sung out into the darkness of the night. Down below the doors of the saloon opened and closed as some drunken men stopped and listened to her as if she was the one serenading them from above.

Velvet was left to be raised by anyone that wanted her. Her mother used to work for Blaze before Velvet was even born. Apparently her mother answered a flyer and joined a wagon train that brought her to tumbleweed Gulch. She was eighteen and one of Blaze’s best ladies as well as entertainers. She had a voice that was like a song bird, which is apparently who velvet got her natural talent from. Pearl had a bunch of regulars that would ride into town and Pearl would take care of them, and quite well as the story goes. One day a handsome man rode into town with his posse on a bounty and fell in love with her. He told her he would return for her one day, and when that day came she begged Blaze not to tell him she had gotten pregnant and had a daughter. To him Pearl was only an entertainer, she served drinks, sang and danced but never was she one that sold her body for sex.

In the late of night he had returned just as he promised to get Pearl to make her his wife, and to make her a proper woman. Blaze had taken baby Velvet out to her ranch for a while to get her out of the saloon, and while she was away with pearl’s baby, Pearl and the dark haired stranger packed up Pearl’s things and slipped out the back door never to be seen again. From that night on Blaze had stepped in and taken the role of Velvet’s mother. Velvet moved out and on the ranch with Blaze and Jesse and grew up there as well as the saloon since that’s where they were most of the time, more so once Jesse was gunned down.

Not to long after they put him in the ground trouble started with the local banker and his henchmen. Blaze wished Velvet to not work as one of the working ladies but velvet was as stubborn as both her ‘mother’s’ and turned a few tricks now and then for local men, thought Blaze wouldn’t allow it to be a habit but realized she was growing up and either she did it there or grabbed a stagecoach and did it elsewhere. Blaze knew it was best she kept her under foot, Blaze’s foot.

Velvet looked down as she saw in the distance a lone rider upon a dark horse. On his back she could see his bedroll sticking out above his shoulders as he got closer. She hadn’t recognized his face; then again he had it hidden under his black cowboy hat. She watched him stop before the saloon and glance up at her, then reached up with his hand and removed his hat and nodded to Velvet above. She blushed softly as she noted his handsome strong features and waved back being polite. “Tie up and welcome to the Gold Nugget Saloon, come on in have a shot of Ol’ Red Eye” she shouted down greeting him like she did most.

Velvet slipped back into her bedroom window the same window that got her out to the balcony and grabbed the deep purple garter belt and slipped it over her foot and moved it up along her stocking clad thigh, letting it sit two inches above the lacy top of her thigh hi. Next she placed a pair of black heels upon her petite foot and made sure her chestnut brown locks were secure upon her head as she grabbed the purple jacket that was designed like Jade’s and placed her arms into it and fitted it upon her shoulders as she took one last look in the mirror at herself. The red glow of the oil lamp aside her bad made her facial features seem to glow as her skin was pale in color. She was very petite and looked more fifteen than her age of eighteen.

Opening the door she headed to the steps looking down as she smiled to Blaze then descended down them. Instead of turning right to the saloon she turned left, there were no men to greet her as there was Blaze, her arm extended out as her slipped her fingers through the slit between the long dangling crushed red velvet curtains that lead into the parlor. Like the saloon walls these were red as well, and the windows were covered with long flowing red drapes, upon the walls were oil lamps with red glass hurricane lamps that accented the atmosphere. It was lavishly decorated and the walls were flanked with decorative sofas and matching chairs. There was a piano in the corner and Belle was singing softly as the men gathered at the tables playing Faro, Five-card-Monte and dice games such as high-low, chuck-a-luck and grand hazard.

The men smiled and tipped their hats as Velvet entered the parlor and headed towards the long paneled mahogany bar that was polished with a splendid shine. Encircling the base of the bar was a gleaming brass foot rail with a row of spittoons spaced along the floor next to the bar just like the one in the saloon. Along the ledge, the saloon patron would find towels hanging so that they might wipe the beer suds from their mustaches as they drank waiting in line for a few hours to a night of pleasure.

The night had just begun for Velvet as the parlor seemed to have more life tonight than ever just like the saloon. She settled at the of the bar and sipped a shot of rye while eyeing up the customers as well as the ladies and watched as they grew restless in waiting their turns. She sighed softly and got up from her stool and went to speak with the girls to find out who was next in line as far as the gentlemen in waiting go. She turned her head and looked to the barkeep, and smiled as he nodded knowing the routine and spoke out. “We could use a bit of Cactus wine maybe a case or two, got plenty of whiskey and blackberry liquor and I have enough cases of house rockgut to get us till the next stage delivery Miss Velvet. I think we’ll be fine till then I hide a stash of Firewater and bunch of them there barrels of beer to the side.” He smiled a cheesy smile as he reached up and twirled his mustache tips tossing her a wink. Velvet chuckled softly and nodded, she had a good feeling about this night tonight she could sense it was going to be a better night than the last few even though the current problems still loomed like dark clouds over head.

 

[SparkyMan]

The sun had been hot and burning upon him for the past four days as he rode his horse on the well-worn trail. Many travelers had taken the same route from the east, where he came from, making their way to the untamed west, where land was aplenty, along with an opportunity to claim homesteads upon the lush greens. He had been told that the trip to the next town was a four day journey, and was not recommended to travel alone. He disregarded the warnings about the "Red-faced" savages that shortened the life of many that did not complete the trip, along with the warnings of bands of gunslingers that left many travelers, if not dead, without money, food, and transportation.

James Fargo, had spent the last two years, in search of a better life. He was tired of the cold winters back east, and had heard many stories of nearly lawless life in the wild west. The stories and tales had so intrigued him, that he knew deep inside, that he was destined to be part of a new history. At eighteen, he had managed to run with several other men, moving cattle along the trails, giving him a strong sense of independence, and a knack for handling the rougher side of life. He had his share of run-ins with roughnecks who tried to make a habit of gunning their way through life, rather than earning a reputable living. Every one either met one of the bullets from one of his Peacemaker pistols, a .45 caliber, single action revolver, or from his trusty Yellowboy, lever action rifle. Only once had he, along with a few others that he was travelling with, strung up someone for killing one of his tag-alongs.

"Fargo," as he liked to be called, had become quite handy with the firearms, even though he only used them when absolutely needed. He liked to hunt, and live each day as if it was his last. The death of both his parents, had left him with a jaded sense of life, and a non-existent fear of death. He was a thrill-seeker, always looking for something new to challenge him. He was not one to stay in one area long, opting, rather to move on, leaving his mark and legacy behind him, only to forge new ones at every stop along his way to the west. The past ten years had been filled with astounding adventures, that he gladly recounted on numerous occasions to anyone that was willing to listen.

At twenty-eight years of age, he began growing weary of spending nights alone on the ground, either above, or below the comfort of his blanket roll. His only true companion was Nugget, a wild Mustang he managed to capture and quickly tame several years earlier. The two of them left many acquaintances and stories behind as they moved from town to town. Fargo would only stay long enough till he felt it was time to search for something else. The accompaniment of women was something he took very casually, choosing not to become involved with any one in particular. He didn't want to feel confined to one place, and felt he would quickly get bored. Fargo enjoyed the casual company of the women he came in contact with along his travels, never minding having to pay for their attention, usually getting more than his money's worth in exchange for several of his travelling stories. On other occasions, he had suited many a young lass with knowing lies of returning to retrieve her, once he secured a nice parcel of land for them to share a future together.

He had a natural charm about him, hidden beneath the rugged, sun-dried features. His skin was toughened, his face, coarse with occasionaly shaven hairs, and a thick mustache that regularly needed trimming. He stood a solid six foot, three inches tall, towering over most people he came in contact with. His years of roughing it had also strengthened his features, making him quite muscular.

On this particular evening, Fargo had reached his destination. It was a little stopping point on his way westward. After three nights of sleeping on hard ground, he looked forward to the comfort of a soft bed, along with the comfort of a soft woman, with smooth, silken skin, and soft pillowy breasts. All that, of course, was after a relaxing bath in clean, hot, water. He could only feel, so clean, after bathing in cool, shallow creeks along the way. There were no lakes, or ponds on this past journey, giving him an opportunity to swim while bathing.

As the sun began to settle on the horizon, and the orange sun painted his view, Fargo spotted the town in the distance. He continued on even as darkness began to envelop him, keeping the yellow lights of the town in front of him as his guide. He and Nugget meandered down the winding trail of the mountain top, coming to the outskirts of the scarcely populated town. From what he had been told, a few travelers had begun to settle into Tumbleweed Gulch, slowly turning it into a full fledged town. He vowed to find out more about the town tomorrow, but as of now, he had only one thought on his mind. He wanted some good beer, good whiskey, and some good sex.

The sound of a gunshot rang out through the air, making him instinctively reach for his hip, wrapping his hand around the handle of one of his holstered guns. The ensuing silence reassured him, the shot was not aimed at him. He continued at a slow pace, easing past the darkened buildings, heading for what seemed to be the source of the gunshot. Up ahead, Fargo spotted several horses standing quietly in front of a well lit building that seemed to be drawing plenty of patrons. He tipped his black hat up slightly giving him a better view of the townsfolk, eying each one, sizing each one up to determine whether they'd be a threat or not. His black duster hung heavy on him as Nugget carried him at a careful walk through town. Fargo's black, leather chaps protected his legs from the chafing associated with the long travel upon horseback.

As he neared the Gold Nugget Saloon, Fargo descended from his mount, and walked towards the raucous commotion, leading Nugget by his rein. He happened to look upon the two story building and spotted a fair-skinned young lady, whose chestnut hair was illuminated by the light coming out from the window behind her. Trying his best to be gentlemanly in this new town, Fargo removed the hat from his head and tipped it to the lovely lady. He was attracted by the way her invitation was nearly sang to him. Her voice was high, sweet, and extremely welcoming. He vaguely saw a rosy color upon her cheeks as he neared closer to her and the saloon. He continued to watch as she disappeared from the balcony, returning the hat to his head. He led Nugget to a nearby trough and secured him as instructed by the nameless beauty.

He stepped noisily along the length of the wooden patio adorning the front of the saloon, his spurs clinking with each step he took. He pushed the swinging doors, making room for his broad figure to enter. Surprisingly, he didn't gather too many glances from the patrons, since most of them were glued to the ladies on display, and the ladies walking about the various tables. Fargo wanted to let his eyes linger on the beauty of each one, but the beer and shot were more important to him at this time. He walked with bowed legs to the bar and perched a foot upon the brass rail along the floor. He had the attention of the burly man standing behind the bar. "I'll have a beer," Fargo commanded. He added, "and a young lady suggested I havea shot of 'Ol Red Eye."

The bartender laughed heartily, filling a mug from a tap plugged into a wooden keg perched above the back of the bar. He slid the filled mug from his position down the length of the polished wood till it stopped in Fargo's large grip. The bartender reached below the bar and pulled a bottle from the shelf and walked towards Fargo. Standing in front of the nameless new guy, the bartender placed the empty shotgun on the bar and tipped the bottle until the shot was filled. "The young lady's name is Velvet!" The bartender knew Velvet's signature request.

Fargo downed the shot, holding back a cough, letting the burn cauterize his throat, following it with a healthy swig of the fresh ale.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Blaze looked up and watched as the stranger entered the saloon, her saloon. She raised a brow as she never seen him before and new he was a newcomer to the small dusty town of Tumbleweed. Bill Blackstone watched Blaze’s face seeming her brow raise as he turned his head about and saw what, or whom she was looking to and then turned back to Blaze and spoke, “never seen him here before I guess I will go over and introduce myself and let him know the rules to this here town, just call me the welcome wagon I reckon. I’ll be right back Honey.”

Just as Bill went to get up Blaze grabbed his hand and pulled him back as she glared at him. “I appreciate the help Mr. Blackstone But this here is my saloon and if anyone is going to do any kinda welcoming around this here place it will be the owner and as far as I last knew that would happen to be me.” Blaze released his hand as she stood up fixing the few spiral curls around her face as she reached for her small six-shooter and stuck it back against the small of her back under her jacket. With her soft dainty hands she smoothed the creases from her jacket as well as her dress and began to head toward the stranger. The music never stopped but that was when all heads turned to see where she was headed without an escort. Blaze winked a few times at a few of the gentlemen and smiled letting them know to carry on and continue to drink and enjoy or whatever they were doing as long as it wasn’t causing trouble.

Blaze made her way over to the bar where she heard his deep husky dry voice ask for a drink and then heard the tender speak about her ‘daughter’. The man in black moved from the bar letting Blaze have the area next to the rugged handsome young guy as she placed her elbow up upon the oak top and turn so she could look him in the eyes. “Welcome to the Gold Nugget saloon, my name is Blaze and I’m the sole proprietor of this fine establishment, Most call me Madam Blaze, but Blaze will do. I haven’t seen you here in these parts before, must have blew in with the dust and tumbleweeds.” She offered him a smile as the corner of her garnet painted lips turned upwards and her sapphire blue eyes held a sparkle within them, even with the lighting as dim as it was Blaze’s eyes shined like two deep blue gemstones.

“I don’t mind strangers stopping here but I don’t like trouble, trouble seems to swarm like buzzards to a dead carcass these days. I let you wranglers know right off the bat that you give me trouble you ain’t welcomed back here in my establishment.” She watched as Jeb tapped his beer and placed it down upon the top of the bar then poured him a shot of Ol’ Red Eye. She watched as he took the shot letting it skip his taste buds and head right down along his throat knowing he would feel the burn if he wasn’t used to drinking it.

Blaze nodded her head and watched as Jeb grabbed a shot glass from behind the bar and placed it up on the top and poured another shot and refilled his once more as she placed her long fingers around it and gripped it to bring it to her lips and tilt her head back as she took it as if it were water, then settle the glass down again. “So stranger got a name?” she asked him as she looked him over knowing he was days without a shave as well as a bath. “Silver will get you cleaned up as well as anything else you need here, I run a smooth place, my girls are clean and friendly. If you’re looking for drinking, fine music, clean gambling and companionship you came to the right place.”

She felt a shadow cast over her as Bill Blackstone came up behind her and placed his hand upon her hip and stood close as if he was guarding her like she was his wife. Blaze hated that feeling as she reached down and removed his calloused hand from her hip, knowing that would piss him off but she was not his prize possession nor did she intend to be. Just at that moment blaze looked beyond the stranger and smiled as Velvet walked through the imported red crushed velvet curtains and stood at the end of the bar with a smile as she waved the tender to her for a drink. Blaze never minded the girl having a drink as long as she never overdid it, she had no plans of this one turning out to be anything less than a proper lady. If there was one possession blaze had taken pride in it was velvet, she mothered that girl like she was of her and Jesse’s own blood and as far as blaze was concerned she was just that.

 

[Liquid_Gold]

Velvet wandered around the gambling tables as she smiled and greeted her customers personally like Blaze had taught her to do. She didn’t mind as most men knew she was off limits except to a few chosen ones that were hand picked by Blaze herself. She walked over to the window and stood there for a few minutes looking across she could see the town sheriff office and the jail which were one combined building. It was made to look like a two story building when it was only one. It had a high facing of wood upon the top with four big black letters painted upon it that read JAIL.

It had 1 front window and door and there were four wooden chairs out on the front porch of it where she could see the faint red embers of the sheriffs cigar burning as he looked across to the saloon. The hanging tree was no more than fifty feet away from the old wooden jail building. It was a tall tree with nothing but cut off branches with one long one that hung out farther than the rest with a heavy thick rope with a nose on the end of it that swayed back and forth with the wind. Everytime velvet looked at it; it sent chills up her spine, as she remembers being a youngin’ in her early teens and seeing her first hanging, and the nightmares it brought for long time afterwards. Velvet remembered Blaze or Jesse coming into her room and waking her from her screaming fits, nightmares where she was the one swaying from the tree within a gust of wind while the noose held tight around her long slender young throat.

Her eyes quickly cast to the taller building aside it, made of the same oak wood as the rest and owned by the Anderson family was the Rocky Mountain general store. Rumor had it that John Anderson’s father Pat moved his family to Tumbleweed from Kansas after his mother had died, leaving his sister, himself and his father left. John’s sister took off on a wagon train headed east leaving John and his father Pat alone. Pat then became marshal of Tumbleweed, and he was no saint.

They say he used counterfeit money and ran guns but nobody was able to prove it. Pat was gunned down by a gang that rode thought town one cold winter’s eve, and John stepped into his father’s footsteps as marshal and then built the general store. That only proved that what went around came back and gotcha in the end velvet thought. John was no different than his daddy, crooked as they come, he wanted something and he would get it no matter what the cost as she was finding out.

John was forty four and known to be the youngest marshal around those parts, and velvet knew he was trouble from the moment he approached Jesse about a year back wanting to buy him and Blaze’s ranch. Velvet swore she could smell the imported stench of his cigar and see his grinning rattlesnake face when he puffed on the end of his stogie. There wasn’t a man in town that would stand up to John, he was a feared man, and there were reasons to fear him, which Velvet was sure of.

She moved along with her eyes as she crossed her stomach with her arms and wrapped herself within them as she felt a night chill go through her as Fall season was about to descend upon Tumbleweed. The Photo building was the next in line It was the smallest building on the line. It had one window in front and a door to enter nothing else like the rest which all had porches to hide those whom sat under them all hours of the day and night shielded from the rain and harsher weather. That business was owned by Clay Allison, whose family has been around these parts even before it was named Tumbleweed. Clay is a story teller he tells tails of how he’s killed fifteen men in a single night in a saloon gunfight over game of poker that went sour with a cheater. Velvet heard the story so many times she could tell it in detail. When Clay told it, the story seemed to grow and grow like one those old tales the men in suits would tell anyone that would listen as they rode into town trying to sell their elixirs for whatever ailed you.

That end building aside the photo one was the town land and deeds building. It wasn’t much taller than the photo place but old Henry Dorgan owned that place. He had been here when they were going through the Gold Rush years. He was said to be the original man to start this town up, or least his family was. Nobody knew Henry’s true age; he hated to make it known. He always said ‘that if a man told his age the next day he would wake up feeling it.’ Velvet could remember sitting with him on the porch when Blaze was busy tending the entertainment when Jesse was alive and running the saloon. Henry would tell her those true stories which were nothing like those that Clay told, false truths that he’d try and charm the ladies with for a night in the sack.

Tumbleweed Gulch had all types that either lived there or rode through, stopping and causing trouble or drinking at the saloon. There were outlaws, gunfighters, lawmen, explorers, desperados and bunko artists as well as painted ladies that heard about Blaze’s establishment that came in on the coaches looking for work. Velvet loved that Blaze took careful choosing of who worked for her, though she picked a few bad apples from the basket but not many.

At the end of town sitting all alone was the Tumbleweed Gulch bank. It sat off to the side and alone which made it easy pickings for bank robbers. Velvet knew why it was never moved as she shook her head and glared into the darkness just in time to catch the ember glowing red hot. She turned as belle was finishing up her song and nodded as belle got up and tended to the next gentleman in waiting while another ‘painted lady’ took over at the piano.

Buckskin Joe stood there tall and proud, looking over Velvet as she headed across the wooden floor, the sounds of her heels drowned out by the music and laughter. Buckskin grabbed her elbow and leaned in as Velvet listened and nodded her head and pointed to a woman at the bar with two beers in her hand, “she’s the one you need to see Buckskin, sorry but that’s not my line of work unless your on the list and as far as I can remember back Blaze never placed you there, so have a seat at the bar and I’ll let her know your waiting in line.” As those words left her crimson lips she headed toward the bar and tracked down the redhead and whispered to her as she frowned and sighed softly. Buckskin wasn’t a well liked man, but he was a good paying customer, plus he only rode into town once a month so the girls learned to put up with him since he always rewarded well before he left.

Velvet turned and headed toward the doorway as she walked through and felt the crushed red velvet curtains brush against her soft hands as she stopped at the end of the bar where Blaze, Bill and the stranger were. She watched as the tender lined up the drinks as she curled her fingers around the shot glass and took a sip of it, she wasn’t able to sling it back like the rest of them were. “Good evening Blaze, Mr. Blackstone…” her words stopped as she looked to the stranger and cocked her head and smiled like a young proper lady would that was raised by Blaze.

 

[SparkyMan]

Fargo stood at the bar, drinking is beer, surveying the loud, but well-mannered crowd. Just then, he spotted a man dressed in black, rise from his table, looking directly in his direction. Fargo’s first instinct was to reach for his gun, readying his hand for the inevitable draw if necessary. However, by the time his hand hit his duster, to pull it out of the way, Fargo watched the lovely redhead rise from her seat and block the unknown man’s path. It was quite apparent that she wasn’t going to allow him to move any closer. Fargo moved his hand nonchalantly along the long black duster, adjusting the way it hung on his shoulders. The whole incident was over within a split second, and anyone watching would have thought nothing more of it. But to Fargo, he had learned it was always best to be on your toes, waiting, and watching!

He watched as the curvy red-haired madam strolled in his direction, occasionally offering glances and quick comments to the many men she passed on her way towards him. She had definitely caught his eye, and he seemed transfixed, yet, kept an open eye for any sudden movements. The men she passed, all seemed to know her, and offer a few words, making her trip past the tables, longer than normal. Fargo was more than pleased as she neared him, inhaling the unique aroma of some fine perfumes that had to have been brought from overseas travelers and merchants. It had been four days since he even had the scent of a woman cross his nostrils, and the effect was immediate. The swell in his tight-fitting jeans would have been noticeable, had it not been for his constraining chaps.

“Welcome to the Gold Nugget saloon,” he heard the entrancing lady announce. The word “Blaze” was immediately branded into his brain, along with an image of her posted next to it. The rest of what she said was a blur, because he really wasn’t paying attention. The bits he did process were identical to the same welcoming he got, every town he landed in. “… new in town … don’t want no trouble …” It was the same thing every time.

Fargo nodded politely, gripping his dusty, black hat. He removed it briefly, to show his manners to the lady. “No problems ma’am. The name is James Fargo, but folks, just call me Fargo. Nice to meetcha.” He returned the hat to its rightful place and turned to the bar to down his shot. It was warm, but did not burn his seared throat. He watched in silent amazement as Blaze, the saloon owner, easily downed her shot without even a blink, or a watery tear forming in those sparkling blue eyes. “Ma’am,” he continued, “what I need is a nice hot bath, a clean shave, and a comfortable bed for the night.” Fargo took another swig of his beer as he watched the black dressed gentleman, rise once more from his seat, making his way towards the two of them. As he kept his eye on the unknown stranger, Fargo continued with his request. “If I could have the company of a fine lady for the night, it would be greatly appreciated also.”

Fargo eyed the interaction between Blaze and the unknown man, quickly sensing that something was amiss between the two. Fargo assumed that maybe the guy was a jealous gentleman friend, the way he had placed his arm protectively around Blaze’s hip. But she was quick to remove his menacing touch, making it quite apparent that she didn’t appreciate his gesture. Fargo didn’t press the issue, nor did he offer to introduce himself to the nameless guy.

He redirected his gaze back to Blaze and those captivating blue eyes. “Ma’am? If it is at all possible, I believe the young lady that had invited me in, uh, Velvet is her name? I would prefer the pleasure of her company tonight?”

Fargo immediately sensed he had said something possibly wrong. He did not know the fair maiden beauty was standing behind him, downing her own shot of the same liquor that he and Blaze had just consumed. All Fargo could see, was Blaze’s blue eyes double in size as she looked beyond him, towards Velvet. The eyes were big, and Fargo did not understand what had caused the reaction, nor did he realize that Blaze was not even looking at him. There was an uncomfortable period of silence, only deafened by the noise coming from those sitting at the tables, watching the performance on stage. “Ma’am?”

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Blaze listened as the stranger spoke, the corners of her mouth turned up as she heard his catchy name. Along time back there was another feller that had passed through these parts with the same name he even looked kind of like him as she eyed him up and then down only to lift her eyes back up as she cocked her head while her elbow found the corner of the bar, resting it there. “Blaze will do, Ma’am I know is said in respect but dang it I feel like my old granny when you call me that. If you really feel the need to add anything to my name let it be madam, not Ma’am. So Mr. James Fargo what brings you into Tumbleweed Gulch? Just passing through? I like to know a bit about a man before I send him up stairs with my ladies.” Blaze couldn’t but help snicker as she heard him mention Velvet just as she entered and took her place at the bar behind him around the curve of the heavy wooden top.

Blaze turned her head as she glared toward the man behind her, and then spoke. “Mr. Blackstone would you please check the tables and make sure there are no sidewinders trying to corrupt a game, I really don’t need the trouble and I’m sure this here gentleman won’t give me a lick of trouble will you Mr. Fargo?” Blaze grinned as she turned her face back to Fargo and she felt the eyes drill through her from behind from her gentleman friend, if she even considered him that.

Blaze felt a warm breath upon her neck, ear and cheek as Mr. Blackstone moved to her side and placed a kiss upon her cheek, his eyes looking to Fargo as he did, letting him know to back off his territory, to let him know this town, these ladies were his…so he thought. He reached up as he stood tall, fixed his hat upon his head, moved his hands to his hips as he rested both upon the handles of his revolvers as he opened the sides of his long black jacket up making sure the stranger knew he was fully armed as he walked by him letting the left half of his broad muscular body bump against Fargo’s pushing him back a bit and almost into Velvet. Blaze shook her head as she tapped a long red claw like polished nail upon the bar top and watched the tender smile, wink and pour her another as well as Fargo.

“Please excuse Mr. Blackstone; it seems he lost his mannerism today. Perhaps it dropped into his shorts when I deflated his ego; shame the man is only a gold digger. He tends to like to claim everything him that he touches, and that’s why I haven’t left him touch me. He thinks I’m a stupid woman and don’t know what he’s up to, I know his kind seen ‘em come and seen ‘em go all too much through Tumbleweed.” Blaze curled her ivory creamy fingers around the shot glass and lifted it to her lips, then flipped the shot glass back drinking the shot as she dropped her head back. The booze was going down smoothly, so she knew she’d better back it off, she never liked to get out of control like the younger ladies that came on through trying to find work. Blaze liked class, not a whore in all senses of the word. She liked her working ladies to be classy, and to show it, to be ladies on the floor but behind closed doors they could be anything they wanted to be.

“Mr. Fargo, Velvet is my daughter I’m very picky as to who I allow her to spend her time with working as well as her free time. Call me over barren or a bitch that’s your choice. I will ask you to join me later this evening at my table, I will give you a room for the night, and I will allow velvet to tend to your bath as well as shave once dressed you shall join me, we shall have a nice dinner and from then on we’ll see how it goes. You are a charming one, even if you smell like a 5 day ol’ mule.”

Blaze turned to velvet, as she looked past Fargo and smiled. “Velvet if things are slow and everything is in order with an extra girl available would you please show Mr.’ Fargo to his room, and tend to his hygiene needs then join me at my table for dinner please.” Blaze got a good feeling about Fargo, feeling her was a half way decent man, she knew that name sounded familiar and decided over a meal she would inquire about it. She smiled to velvet as she turned and headed to the table once again but not until she spoke, “Mr. Fargo enjoy your bath, I hope to see you at my table for a meal…till then...adieu” she smiled and walked away as all those same men that watched her walk to him, watched her begin to socialize.

Blaze had class that was one thing she was known for other than running a fine establishment with fancy ladies. She never took a man’s lap, nor did she mess with a man. She kept it business and business only; she never liked mixing her personal life with the business. There were suitors that came calling upon her, most never gave up, those that became regulars normally bought her trinkets from places they been or even shared small baubles with the ladies they enjoyed which blaze didn’t seem to have a problem with as long as it didn’t cause a riff within the saloon. She headed towards the small makeshift stage and walked up the two small wooden steps and smiled as she turned around and began to sing softly as an older man played the ivory keys. Every now and then she liked to let herself loose and entertain her customers, it brought back a time in her life when her Jesse was alive yet, it hurt within as much as it brought her pleasure. All eyes were upon her, the games stopped, the cards were placed face down upon the tables as the crowd listened to her soft voice.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

(argh..lol..fuggered up Sparky!)

 

[Liquid_Gold]

Velvet smiled as she heard herself mentioned, her name rolled from the handsome strangers lips as she blushed and then listened as Blaze spoke. To her hearing Blaze call Velvet her daughter made her feel good, no great inside. She had always wished she was Blaze and Jesse’s daughter in real, and she knew that in all senses of the word daughter she was just that. Blaze and Jesse had always treated her as such since she could remember; the memory of her real mother was fading fast as the years went by, each year a bit more of her seemed to fade. Velvet knew if she ever had a child she’d never allow anyone to take them, and she was so soft hearted and caring she’d never allow herself to just abandon her own blood.

Velvet felt a twinge of excitement within her as she was asked to join him, she felt honored and really had no reason to, perhaps she was a bit down and it was an ego lift that she needed to make her feel good about herself. Velvet knew she had potential, even if she was a…”painted Lady”...as the bible thumpers called the working ladies as they stood out front preaching as if they were high and mighty, which only caused the other ladies to stand outside and blow kisses to the men as they strolled by just for spite, knowing it upset the wives or other towns folk that were against the saloon whom thought it was a house of ill repute. It never seemed to bother Blaze that they spoke behind her back, Velvet could remember one night as she closed up and Velvet and her headed home and a group of those so called holier than thou’s children started throwing things at them and the women started preaching then one called her a whore which Blaze really didn’t care to hear being slung about. Blaze never called her ladies a whore and she didn’t bed men, Blaze politely told them to’ kiss her ass while they were speaking about her behind her back’ then turned and boarded the wagon and headed home.

Velvet held a grin upon her face while thinking back; the sound of her name from Blazes lips brought her back as she nodded catching the tail end of the conversation. “I have the parlor covered Blaze, everything is running smoothly. I can tend to Mr. Fargo and have him ready for supper looking spit shined and shaven clean, and he will defiantly not smell like ol’ Jacobs farm mule.”

She offered her hand as she felt him bump into her as Mr. Blackstone purposely bumped into him, she sighed softly and shook her head as well. “He’s getting worse and worse as time goes on Blaze; he’s thinking he’s running this saloon anymore, got the men scared and running. He’s just like…” and her words stopped as she didn’t wish to bring up personal business in front of a customer. “Mr. Fargo please follow me to your room for this evening and I shall tend to your needs,” Velvet said in a soft feminine voice that was like a song bird. They watched as Blaze walked away, and began to move amongst the tables once again and head toward the stage.

As velvet headed up the steps she heard Blaze’s voice ringing out and all else stopping to listen. Blaze didn’t sing much these days but when she did it brought the house to silence as they all listened. Velvet leaned against the railing as she stood up on the fifth step and watched in awe as the woman she considered her mother sing. If anyone didn’t know better Velvet would easily pass as her blood daughter with no questions asked. Velvet slowly took each step careful not to make them creak as she did not wanting to disrupt or disturb the melody that flowed from Blaze’s lips, as she sang softly to the wind, letting herself go, letting her mind and heart be among the angels and Jesse once again. Once the song was finished Velvet hit the last step and then headed to her room she had there at the saloon, though she lived at the ranch, and that was where she stayed at nights. Some of the working girls stayed in the saloon, but there was a rule, from a certain time to a certain time there was no business to be conducted till the crack of dawn, those staying there the evening used the back door and steps to come and go as they pleased. Blaze was strict on that. She thought all free girls that didn't have gentlemen callers for the whole night could have that time as a break, and do as they wished, even though there wasn't one girl that worked constantly, blaze was fair about that.

 

[SparkyMan]

Fargo’s eyes watched with harsh intensity as the nosy intruder seemed to butt in on his conversation. He felt very uneasy about Mr. Blackstone, and his actions did nothing to change his opinion of him. He watched as he tried to make it apparent that Blaze was his property. At this point, taking Blaze for the evening was the farthest thing from his mind. A nice hot bath, some good food, and maybe a bit more good drink, was what he really needed. After that, the company of a fine woman would satisfy his urges, and he sincerely considered Blaze off limits anyways. So Mr. Blackstone’s actions were really quite unnecessary.

It really ruffled Fargo’s calm demeanor when he intentionally bumped him, acting as if it was an accident, and not even turning to apologize about it. If they weren’t in Blaze’s fine establishment, Fargo was sure he’d teach the old sot some proper manners.

Blaze’s apology for Mr. Blackstone’s behavior, seemed to soothe and settle his rising anger. Her comments actually brought a smile to his face, almost letting out a chuckle of sudden understanding. “You need not apologize for him. A gentleman would apologize himself.” Fargo liked the way Blaze’s eyes seemed to roam up and down along his tall form. She made no attempt to hide her brazen sizing of him.

He could tell she was the type of woman that liked to take charge, and could operate a smooth running establishment like this one with a stern hand. She reminded him a lot of her mother when he was growing up, and that brought a warm smile to his face.

He was relieved to hear her acknowledge his request and grant him a comfortable room for the night. He was a bit shocked though to hear her command him to join her for dinner. He hadn’t really planned on that. Bath, shave, bed, sex, and sleep, were foremost in his mind. Food had obviously been left out somewhere, low on his priority list of necessities. However, the mention of food, now made his stomach rumble, and he agreed to her terms. “Ma’am … uh … um, Blaze, I’d be honored to join you for dinner.” He tipped his ten gallon towards her.

At that point, he turned and saw Velvet standing directly behind him, and suddenly realized why there was that awkward moment when he mentioned her name. Fargo stuttered and stammered, “Ah, um, oh, nice to meet you Miss Velvet!” Her beauty was much different than in the dark shadows he spotted her from outside. She was just as breathtaking as Blaze was in her own way. A ripe, smooth peach complexion, radiated from her face as her smile broadened, baring her pearl white teeth. “It’s a pleasure to meet Blaze’s daughter,” he spoke, taking her hand and placing a kiss upon the back of it. “Thanks for inviting me in.”

He accepted her lead as she offered to take him to his room and tend to his needs. He strode with the young beauty who took him halfway up the stairs before stopping to peer down at the tables below, scattered among the floor. There, she pointed out Blaze to Mr. Fargo, and the two of them watched as she meandered through the tables and up onto the platform where she joined the elderly man playing the piano. The two of them continued to watch as Blaze began serenading the crowd, her lovely voice easing the souls of every patron in the saloon. Like a songbird sings in the morning, her voice touched every person as if it were the dawn of a new day. It was at that moment that Fargo knew where Velvet got her lovely singing voice from. Like mother, like daughter, he surmised, for he did not know about Velvet’s true past.

They remained there a while longer, till Blaze finished her first song to a thunderous round of applause, and shrill whistles from the crowd. She began another song, quickly quieting the crowd. Velvet however, dragged Fargo from their perch and pulled him towards her, further up the stairs.

Once they reached the landing, he followed Velvet down the row of rooms, and into the hallway. They continued past all the doors, some of which were left ajar. It was clearly evident what was taking place in some of those rooms, and Fargo briefly wondered if he’d get any sleep tonight. Velvet led him to the farthest room, and opened the door to a spacious living quarter.

There was a large bed, overstuffed, to make it extra comfortable for weary travelers. Next to the bed was a large chair on one side, and a table with a hurricane lamp on the other. Against one wall was a large fireplace, with a fire already started, and plenty of tinder to the side. Along the other wall was a claw foot tub, partially hidden by a folding wooden divider, over which some ladies garments were already strewn. There was a large mirror on a pedestal, and on the walls were several sconces which lit the room in a soft, warm yellow light. It wasn’t much, but then again, it didn’t need to be.

He watched as Velvet glided around the room, seemingly preparing everything for his stay. He wondered if he should just get undressed, or let Velvet tend to him completely. Without direction, or comment, Fargo simply headed for the comfort of the chair, easing himself into it, finally taking a load off his feet, and sitting on something other than the ground, or his trusty steed. He pulled his hat from his head and tossed it. With seemingly practiced ease, it landed on the near corner of the four-poster bed, twirling about till it came to a rest. Fargo stretched out his legs, leaned back and closed his eyes …

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Blaze belted out another three tunes as the man on the piano played along; from there she took her bow and headed around greeting those who entered while she was entertaining. She smiled to the men, wandering to then as they placed kisses upon her cheek as she returned the favor back. The scents of cologne mixed in the air around her as she wrinkled her nose, there were a few gentlemen that tended to wear it a little heavy but then again there were those who didn’t wear it at all, and those were the ones that usually been out in the hills for days on end, the ones you wish you could burn their clothing, the ones that you could smell as they rode into town and their needing to bathe seemed to whirl in the breeze.

Blaze stopped at the bar, and had herself a shot once again, as long as she placed time between them, they never affected her, nor did she find it a need to drink alcohol but it did help get her through the day as well as the lonely nights. As she placed the shot down upon the bar top, she looked out and noticed it was time for her favorite part of the day, well one of them which was sunset time, the time where she loved to watch it drop down. Blaze made her way through the crowd as it seemed to be getting busier earlier these days, perhaps because the days seemed to have shortened a bit and the nights grew longer.

As Blaze made it to the swinging bar doors, they opened for her like the parting of the Red Sea, two cowboys beat her to them as each stood to the side, reaching forth and pulling a door towards them and holding it there so she could pass by as they tipped their ten gallon Stetsons like gentlemen should. She passed through with a smile and thank you to both, then stepped out upon the wooden walk as she wandered by the other shops looking around, she heard the sound of hooves in the distance as she turned her head and watched as the stage coach headed towards town.

She stood at the end of the wooden decking and looked out towards the mountains as she looked out the corner of her eye watching the stage master stop the coach, and jump off to help the patrons off the coach and then their luggage, after that he unloaded the mail and handed that into the office of deeds where it was sorted and one of the younger males from Tumbleweed Gulch went about passing it out. Blaze watched as Doc Weston and his new younger bride arrived back to town after being away for a week, she looked over to Blaze and then turned her nose up like she was better than Blaze.

Blaze snickered and turned her head to watch the sun kiss away the day and the moon welcome the night’s beginning as the sun dropped behind the mountains upon the horizon. She thought about the new bride, and if Blaze was a bitch she’d have marched over there and told the old man what kind of wife he really had, that she strolled into town and asked to work for her, that she was a ‘painted lady’ from another part, not Tumbleweed but Blaze turned her down because she seemed like she was trouble. Blaze shook her head, that wasn’t like her, she was cruel and vindictive, least not until she was backed into a corner then she always came out fighting.

Blaze sighed as the moon moved higher into the sky, she could hear old lady Mabel’s dinner bell ringing as she was fixing to feed the cowboys on her ranch. She made the best cowboy stew and cornbread in these parts, and gravy, no lumps that was just wonderful, and even if it had lumps it would have still been the best around. Blaze turned as she headed back to the saloon, as she walked along, she stopped in the shadows and watched as a group of men she hadn’t seen before follow Blackstone into his office. Blaze knew he was up to something, she just wished she knew what it was.

Something was up, she could feel it in her bones, and normally when that happened there was shit going down around her. This recent problem with her trying to have her ranch and land taken away was taking its toll upon her mentally as well as emotionally. She crossed her arms under her breasts and strolled along the wooden walk, listening to the sounds around her. Ever since Jesse had passed the bank has been trying to screw her out of everything she owned, from the cattle to the land, the ranch home itself to the saloon. Blaze was always hearing sounds in the darkness of the night, she knows that somebody somewhere has got their eye on everything she owns, she just needs to figure out who’s in cahoots with whom.

She entered the saloon again as she placed that false smile upon her face and wandered through the crowd to her table, as men came from the right and from the left to greet her and see if they had a chance with a lady for the evening or at least a few hours. Blaze kindly told them to go into the parlor and inquire there, that that wasn’t her area, she over seen it but didn’t know what the list was like that evening thus far. The tended brought her over a red wine, imported from abroad, as she liked the semi sweet taste, the wine wasn’t to sweet nor was it to bitter. She sat there and awaited Velvet and Fargo to join her for dinner as the crowd was taking their rightful places as the tables were now available in the dinning section for those that had plans for having dinner that evening.

 

[Liquid_Gold]

Velvet opened the door and entered allowing Fargo to follow directly behind her as she left him past then shut the door after him, and then the sound of a click echoed in the room as she locked the door. She watched as he looked around, and then watched as he took a seat upon the Victorian high back plush chair in the corner. She walked around and smiled to him as she made sure there were clean linens in the small wooden cupboard, soap and shaving needs for him. She turned and walked to the window where she drew the shade down and then looked to him. “Mr. Fargo would you mind getting undressed, I will have your clothing cleaned for you to have in the morning. If you don’t have clean clothing, I can either have something brought up or you can place those clothes on again, I’ll leave that to you to decide. Now, I’ll return with hot water and we can get you cleaned up in a few.”

Velvet walked to the small bathroom area off her room, most had to share the one in the hallway but since she was like Blaze’s daughter and pulled more weight as well as worked harder than the rest of the painted ladies she got the one with the private bath which was a toilet and a sink tucked away in a nook off the bedroom. She began to fill a ceramic basin of heated water and walked back and forth between the sink and the tub as she began to fill it.

Velvet took no mind to him undressing as he stated he had another set of clothing in his bedroll that would work well for dinner tonight with her mother Blaze and anyone else that should join them. She caught a sound outside of the window and went to look, she raised the blind and watched as a few of the town ‘ladies’ stood out yelling to the saloon all she could make out were a few words, ‘trollops, whores, sinners and shameful hussies’ were what she caught. Velvet shook her head and then pulled the blind back down and turned around, when she did there he was standing stark naked by the old cast iron tub. He eyes ran along the backside of his muscular form as she couldn’t believe the shape he was in, his body was like a statue, one that was so perfect with only a few blemishes upon it, yet still perfection.

Velvet knew the wives were solely for taking care of the home, bearing children and then raising them. The Victorian wives were to not act the way the ‘painted ladies’ did, it would have been improper, and since their husbands always came to the sinners the wives took it upon themselves to stand out front and shout out words that they shouldn’t even be saying from their pure lips. Velvet thought they were nothing but hypocrites, and that was it. She went back to the sink and took a few more trips between there and the tub, filling it with hot water around his naked form as she had seen naked men, but he was different. There was something about Fargo that velvet liked, and she knew Blaze felt the same thing, Velvet saw how she treated him, and it was different.

Velvet watched him relax, settling back against the cold tub as she laughed watching him sit forth really quick when his flesh touched the cold porcelain. Velvet swooshed a bit of water up behind him and smiled as she leaned back feeling the difference against his flesh. She placed a soft pad on the floor by the tub and then knelt down with soap in one hand and a soft rag in the other as she dunked the rag and then lathered it up. “Those ladies outside Velvet don’t let them bother you,” Fargo said as she offered him a slight smile and continued to lather the rag till the bubbles were just dripping from it. “You have the ‘good girls’ and then you have the ‘bad girls’ and then to me you have the best of both when you find one in between. Times are changing, and if you let them ladies bother you like I think you do, I just don’t know if you will survive Velvet. You are just as good as them if not better okay?” Velvet knew her expressions were showing and he pegged exactly what was on her mind and bothering her.

She began to wash his chest, letting the rag slowly glide over his well defines features, her eyes watching what she was doing as she began to bathe him, “Mr. Fargo, I know my job, I know what I do is considered wrong. I know the men and even the boys come to us ladies, this house of ill repute because they wish to save the virtue of their wives to be, preserve her virtue till they marry, and I know what I am, I’m just as they say. Those words they shout are what I am; I have faced that a long time ago. I am my mother’s daughter Mr. Fargo, I am a whore. She’s still probably a whore just in another town somewhere. I have faced that a long time ago, even though Blaze tells me different. Those women are to offer romance, and the husbands are to give it back, where we are to just give our bodies to them, as they see fit.”

Velvet looked up to him and said a few more things that she believed in, while her hand went to his crotch, as she began to wash above his soft prick as he left his hips under the water. He eyes met his as she spoke, “My mother never instructed me about anything, not one thing from men to whatever else is within this world. The one shop keeps wife was having a conversation with her daughter and she said to her… Mother’s duty is to instruct their daughters accordingly, for shame cannot be covered up no matter how long one lives or how good one becomes in later life. A woman's entire life cannot atone for such a sin. Once a girl lost her virginity without benefit of marriage or, at least, once it became generally known that she had--there was no hope for her. So, if you become like those hussies in the saloon you will no longer be able to step upon this door step again, and I mean it. She made sure I heard every word; I know I shouldn’t down myself but that’s part of this business. I’m sorry Fargo, Mr. Fargo. I rambled on, I apologize.”

Velvet blushed, she got a few things off her chest for once, and she didn’t give him an edge to jump in and counter her words until she was done. She washed his cock, wrapping her hand as well as the rag around his length and stroked him as she looked to him, feeling a bit embarrassed that she had run off at the mouth like that but she felt better within. Her hand went down and under his cock, as she gripped his balls and rolled them around her palm with the rag making sure she got every inch of his body from the top of his brow down for now. Velvet looked him over and smiled, “Yanno, Mr. Fargo you sure do clean up nicely.”

She rinsed him off as she got fresh water and poured it over him as she leaned forth, she then took care of his hair, and got him ready to be shaven. “I’m damn good with the razor Mr. Fargo, no need to worry none.” Just as she said that she wrapped his face in a heated towel, and then left it sit as she went and opened his bedroll, and took out his clothing. “Oh, no, this will not due Mr. Fargo. I’ll be right back. She noted the size and then headed out quickly and found Blaze and told her what she thought was his size. Velvet returned to the room and locked the door once again behind her as she went back to him, and took the towel from his face. “Those whiskers should be softened now, lets get’cha all cleaned up Sir.”

Velvet began to sing as she lathered his face, and then rinsed her hands as she reached for the straight razor, she could tell Fargo was nervous as she began to shave him, she stopped singing and chuckled lightly, “Mr. Fargo Sir, I really wouldn’t move if I were you.” She smiled and began to sing again as she continued to shave him, once done she rinsed his face as well as the razor, the lather brush and placed it back in the cup once she as well washed it up in the sink. She grabbed a fresh towel from the cupboard and handed it to him. He stood up from the water and she gazed upon his naked glistening body once again before her, and felt her heart thump within her chest as she eyed him, he was handsome in all the right ways.

“Velvet, I’ve been around since I was a young boy. I know what the ladies make a week; last I was told it was ten dollars, some get commissions on the drinks they sell, and some by dancing with the men, and some by lying on their backs. Most these painted ladies are a refugee from mill or farm, lonely stage station, or other depressed or humdrum environment, lured by posters and handbills advertising high wages paid promptly in gold every week," easy work, and fine clothing. A large share of both types are widows or needy women of good morals, forced to earn a living in an era that offered few means for women to do so; some had husbands who were missing or worthless. Not all men and women look down upon these women like you, like Blaze, remember that.” He spoke as he dried off, and just as she was about to speak, there was a knock at the door.

Velvet walked to the door, making sure he was behind the divider and then opened it to see Blaze standing there with a set of the finest threads about Tumbleweed gulch. Blaze smiled and handed the clothing to Velvet and then winked as she closed the door again letting Velvet standing there with the suit. “You are more respectable than many of those Puritans, and I mean that, I never say something I don’t mean from the heart. If you knew me better you’d know that about me. Hmm...it seems my clothing really wasn’t good enough, what’s that ya got there pretty lady?” he asked as he wrapped the towel around himself and stepped from behind the divider and looked at her standing there holding a suit.

Velvet held out the attire for him, “Blaze sent this up for you, for tonight it’s yours actually. She agreed with me and thought this attire would be more fitting for dinner with her and me. It should fit, I tried my best to guess your size, I might have been off so I added another size up, I really had a hard time since you’re built very well. It was a guessing game; if it doesn’t fit we can have another sent up.

 

[SparkyMan]

Fargo climbed into the tub after the first bit of hot water had been dumped in. He was too lost in the moment, forgetting about the cold porcelain. Leaning back, he lurched forward, sudden jolted by the reality of sharp cold against his flesh. Velvet was nice; almost too nice. It was easy to tell that she was a sweet young girl, trapped within the walls of her own creation, partly liking what she was doing, while the other part battled with the morals set forth by those pompous assed ladies, barking like dogs outside the window.

He tried to tell her in his certain manner, that the moral values she fought with were only created by jealous women who felt threatened by the openness of the ladies at the saloon. But he was not here for some great moral debate. He was here for some drink, some food, some sex, and some sleep. Which order those items came in, he didn’t really care. He merely didn’t want to spend the whole time debating moral issues. She was a lovely girl, a beautiful young woman that had a full future ahead of her. He kind of felt sorry for her, being trapped within the walls of her own creation.

Everything seemed to stop for Fargo when Velvet began washing his private area, seemingly trying to be nonchalant about the whole ordeal. She had performed it with practiced ease, yet her actions were hard to ignore. It had been a while since Fargo had enjoyed intimate company with a lovely woman, and none had been as attractive and appealing as Velvet. Within the short period of time that she spent cleaning him, she had him nearly solid, and ready for action. By the time she moved to his heavy jewels, he was glad for the delay; finally exhaling softly, giving him an opportunity to relax. He shifted his mind once more to her bantering to distract him from the other rising problem. It worked for the time being.

The shave had caught him a bit off guard. It had been a long time, since he entrusted anyone with a razor anywhere near his neck. It was a natural reaction for him to flinch, and be prepared to grip her wrist. It still bothered him, to entrust this seemingly peaceful woman, who was still a stranger by definition, with such a sharp razor that could easily slit his throat. He had heard of similar misfortunes, of some unsavory women who had found it beneficial to take advantage of an opportunity, and run off with the out-of-towner’s assets. Velvet’s words, actions, and singing voice somehow put him at ease, lulled into a sense of safety and security with her. Blaze seemed to have a similar effect on him; however, Mr. Blackstone was a different story.

After relaxing, and letting her continue, Fargo was amazed at how precise and accurate Velvet was with the razor. It had been a long time since his dried, skin had felt this smooth. He ran his hands over his face, appreciative of the clean feel. Velvet was an expert, much better than some of the barbers he had occasion to visit.

He rose from the tub and grabbed the towel from Velvet, beginning to dry off, unaware of her stare and admiration. He glided confidently behind the divider, ready to dress, continuing to reassure Velvet, that if things were slightly different, he’d gladly take her from this environment and make her an honest woman. But alas, he knew better. She was way too young, he, way too old, and he was not really the settling down type. However, he felt something for her, and felt the need to reassure her that her future held hope.

He was in the midst of conversation when he heard a knock upon the door. He peered around the edge of the divider, only to see Velvet retrieve a set of clothing from a pair of unidentified, outstretched hands. When Velvet brought the suit to him, he was astonished with the quality and workmanship of the suit. This was not something one would carry on the trail. No, this was something best kept at a comfortable home, worn only on special occasions. He knew that he had nothing that would compare to the fine threads he was about to don.

Velvet’s guesses were impeccable, for as he put the items on, each one fit perfectly. The black trousers went on with ease, as Fargo tucked himself away, making his semi-swollen member, not overtly obvious, shifting it within his undershorts. Fargo fetched the shirt from atop the divider and slipped it over his long arms, buttoning up the front, noting the fresh pressed creases down the front. He tucked the long shirt into his pants, ensuring the vertical, thin black pin stripes were evenly spaced, and in a straight line. He slipped each arm through the attached suspenders, precisely adjusted, in lieu of a gaudy, oversized belt. He looked like a million bucks. He felt like a million bucks! He exited from behind the divider for Velvet’s appraisal, which was quick and appreciative. Fargo moved to the lone chair in the room and sat down to pull on his stockings. It was just after that, that both Fargo and Velvet, both, realized he did not have any clean boots!

Rather than spoil the atmosphere, Fargo moved to the window area and leaned out, making sure no one was standing below. He banged his boots together several times, ridding them of the caked on dirt, days old from being on the trail. Satisfied, he quickly dipped them into the bath water, and did a quick scrub to make them presentable. It worked!

He donned the boots, stood and modeled one more time for Velvet. She, again approved, though, pointing to the divider once again, reminding Fargo of the suit jacket still draped over the top. He chuckled. “Oh I almost forgot! It’s been a while since I’ve gotten all duded up for a meal, so please forgive me!” He retrieved the jacket, slipped it on with Velvet’s assistance, and spun in place. “Whaddaya think? Will I pass for presentable?”

He knew the answer. He just wanted to hear the words sing from her lovely voice, just as they did from Blaze’s. He was not disappointed; her song of praise was music to his ears. Fargo beamed with confidence, and newfound energy. He was a revived and refreshed man; something he hadn’t felt in a long time! He crooked his arm, offering Velvet his elbow. “Shall we go join Miss … um … Blaze for dinner?”

 

[Liquid_Gold]

There were only but a few men that Velvet felt comfortable around and Fargo was beginning to feel like one of those kinds of men. She watched his shadow dance upon the wall behind him as he dressed behind the oriental divider that was trimmed in gold with pictured of cherry blossoms on one part and a whole dragon upon the other three with a garden behind it. There were two in the saloon like it, the other belonged to Blaze in her own private room that was at the very end of the hall. She only used the room when she was exhausted, or the weather was too bad to travel back to the ranch. Velvet knew that she stayed in the saloon more so because it was Jesse’s and her dream, he slaved to build it and make it into what it was today with her help, a join venture that she couldn’t even think of parting with just like the ranch.

Once he was done dressing he stepped out from behind the divider, and Velvet’s eyes lit up as she ran them along his muscular form. Her eye dropped slowly following along his tall stature, slowly rising back up as she seemed to inspect every inch of him till her eyes met his and she answered his question. “Fargo Sir, I can’t believe such a handsome man isn’t snatched up. You look very nice; everything seems to fit very well and hangs very nicely upon you.” She pointed to the jacket and smiled as he reached for it and placed it on. That was the icing on the cake; she was very pleased with her choice in clothing. “I will be the envy of all ladies tonight,” she said as she powdered her nose and then turned taking his arm with a smile from ear to ear. “Yes, we shall I do hate being late for dinner.”

They exited the room, as they did Fargo pulled the door closed behind them and escorted the lovely Velvet down the steps and across the saloon floor to the table where Blaze was settled with Mr. Blackstone. Velvet noticed the look on Blaze’s face and she didn’t seem to be enjoying her current company. Her eyes lifted as Velvet saw a smile move across her face when she looked at the two headed towards her table. Velvet knew that Blaze had about all she could take of Blackstone for the day that she could handle. Blackstone did the gentleman thing and stood as velvet approached the table, his eyes ran over Fargo and he raised a brow as he spoke.

“Well, seems anything can look good in a million dollar suit once cleaned up.” Blackstone took his dig and Blaze shook her head, “Sit down Blackie you’re just jealous he cleans up so nice and his suits twice as nice as yours.” She turned her attentions back to the couple, “Fargo I do say you look rather dapper in those new duds and cleaned up. I am impressed but then again I knew under that un-kept face there was a good-looking man. Sit, sit your two lets get this dinner going, I haven’t eaten since this morning and my tummy is telling me I better do that soon.”

Fargo pulled out the chair for Velvet and then took his place between the two ladies as Blackstone looked him over with an evil eye. The waitress bough the men an ale and the ladies each a glass of the house wine, “Please speak up if you prefer different as a beverage for dinner,” Blaze said as she settled back in her chair allowing the busty waitress to place a basket of fresh made warm bread upon the table, and a few other little snacks to nibble on while their meal was being prepared. They chatted among themselves as the couple watched as Blaze didn’t respond to the actions of Blackstone trying to grasp her hand within his own.

The busty girl in the short blue cress returned to the table, and placed four plates upon it, each filled with a baked potato, steak and carrots. Blaze was pleased with the service as well as how the food looked. Everyone seemed to be quite happy at the moment as she looked around the saloon, her saloon. They began to eat, Blaze and Velvet cut their meat into small bites, and each placed their linen cloth upon their laps as they began to enjoy the fine foods placed before them. Misty began a series of songs while the piano man played along, giving the late night feast the right ambiance to be enjoyed.

Blaze, Fargo and velvet seemed to stand on their own in good conversation amongst each other; every time that a story was told Blackstone jumped in and topped it with a better one so he thought anyways. The group of three laughed and enjoy the meal as well as drinks afterwards even if they all knew Blackstone was trying to ruin the night, the night seemed to be quiet, the first quiet one in a long time. The music went to a soft tone, Misty belted out a sweet evening lullaby that seemed to have calmed all those in the saloon as they turned and watched her move along the stage, they whistled now and then when she climbed upon the piano and sat there exposing her luscious long legs through the slit of her dress.

The doors suddenly burst open with a loud banging sound as they both hit the wall behind them; catching everyone’s attention as Well a young boy of nineteen came rushing through them in search of Blaze. “Blaze! Blaze! You gotta come quickly…hurry!” He yelled out trying to make it through the crowd. He was out of breath by the time he made it to their table and about fell into Blackstone’s lap as you could head the mumbling and grumbling as he pushed the kid to his feet once more. He was breathing hard as she tried to get his words out which at first didn’t make sense until Blaze held her cold water to him and allowed him to drink it.

Once that task was finished he let out a long lingering breath and looked to her as the sweat beads ran from his brow. “Ms. Blaze…there, there was five or six or even more, a full posse I think came from nowhere and opened the gate and left the horses out. They chased them up into the mountains. I-I tried to stop them but one feller came riding by and kicked me down with his foot. I-I’m sorry Ms. Blaze I will pay for anything you ask me.”

Blaze rose up and gripped the sides of her long dress with her fingers as she quickly moved around the table and took the boy by his hand, Velvet immediately followed as Blaze led him to the bar, as she walked she yelled to the crowd to continue on as well as Misty to finish singing her songs. She led young Wells to the parlor and settled him down. She removed his head and saw the smudge of dirt mixed with the blood that slowly trickled from a cut on his upper forehead. Velvet quickly ran and got a rag soaked with wet hot water for his head and returned to listen to the story once again with Blaze as they took a seat upon the crush velvet couch and tended to him.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Blaze lifted the hair from his brow as Velvet tended to the wound; Blaze knew that the young man was telling the truth, you could see the hell mark that was left upon his brow as she sighed softly. “Let me get this straight Hun, there was a posse that came to my ranch and left my horses out and then drove them up and into the mountains?” Wells just nodded his head a few times in a ‘yes’ fashion and then winced as he felt Velvet move the warm cloth of her open wound. “Damn it, they are trying my patience with all this. They want my ranch, my saloon and their not going to git it I swear. I promised myself that since Jesse’s death that I will remain here and run this place and keep our home that we built with out bare hands from scratch when it was just a dust bowl piece of land.”

Anyone could see the kid felt bad, he felt as if he’d done something wrong. “Wells you don’t owe me anything, this wasn’t your fault Hon. It didn’t matter who was there tonight or any other night somebody has tried to pull a fast one on me. I’m just glad you didn’t get hurt any worse than you did. I think you need to have Velvet escort you over to Doc’s place and have that looked at. Think its going to take a few stitches to fix it all up so it doesn’t leave a scar.”

“Ms. Blaze I never even seen ‘em coming and I was in the barn taking care of a few chores. I heard a gun shot and then I heard them carry on trying to git the horses out of the corral. They all were wearing dark clothing and had bandanas wrapped around their faces. I opened the barn door, stepped out and that’s when one rode by and kicked me in the head. I tried running after them once I got up but they were moving fast, had them horses at the edge of the land by the time I gathered up my marbles. I tried to ride after them but lost them once they moved themselves into the mountains. I ain’t ever been up them and didn’t wanna git myself shot so I came here immediately. I ran as fast as I could, that stupid horse of mine bucked me off and took off for home, like something spooked it.”

Blaze placed a soft kiss to the boy’s cheek as she held back a chuckle as his face turned beat red. She turned to velvet and spoke, “Honey can you pleas take him to see the Doc, and tell Doc I’ll square the bill with him tomorrow afternoon when I return back into town. Have Well’s escort you either back to the ranch or here to the saloon. I’m going to go home and see if there’s anything I can do, or see if anything else is out of place.

Velvet rose up and helped Wells to him feet as she returned to the saloon and found Fargo and explained to him what happened. She explained that she needed to take the Well’s to see the Doc but she would return as soon as she could and tend to him. Blaze wasn’t far behind her; Blackstone met her by the parlor entrance not to far from where they were having dinner. Everyone could hear his voice as he tended to like to make a scene and belittle Blaze when he could, yet he had asked her for her hand in marriage twice now.

“Blaze I told you this here business and that ranch isn’t any business to be in; you’re a woman, and a widower. These men are not joking around one these times they are going to either hurt you or kill the lot of ya’s. This here place and the ranch either needs sold out or you need to get yourself a husband and fast. I offered to marry you and I offered to buy you out but you’re so damn stubborn!”

You could see the fire in her eyes as she looked to him and raised her arm, her index fingers pointed to his chest as she spoke in a low tone trying to do just the opposite as him and not create a scene but it was to late he already did that. “Mr. Blackstone, I swear you had something to do with this and if I could ever prove it you betcha’ sweet ass that I will make sure you sit in the town jail for this or hang. You sweet talk me but I know your up to something I’ve seen you with them men, don’t think your fooling me ya hear?”

Blaze turned and walked towards the bar and let the tender know that she was going to the ranch and that he knew what to do, also that she would raise his salary this week for helping her out tonight. He shook his head and declined, “Ms. Blaze you go take care of whatcha’ need to. Don’t worry about the saloon I have it all under control. You been kind to me and the wife for years no fret on payment in return. Just be careful and if you need anything I’ll get the boys and help, don’t you git stubborn on me like you did him.” He chuckled softly and smiled. “Now, git going!”

Blaze leaned over the bar, her bountiful breasts spilling out of the top of her tight corset top as she placed a kiss on his cheek and then thanked him. She quickly moved through the saloon as the men gathered to find out what happened. If there was anyone they would do anything for it was her. Blaze exited the saloon and undid her horse; she climbed up into the seat of the wagon and headed home to the ranch. She thought the whole way back, she thought about selling it all out and starting someplace else but she knew that she couldn’t do that even if she wanted to. Jesse was laid to rest in Tumbleweed; she couldn’t move on and not be able to visit his grave daily. He was placed to rest on the far side of the property under the old oak they planted when they first bought the land. She rode into the night and never looked back, she had her shot gun loaded and aside her incase of any trouble.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

-bumps it along till Sparky returns-

Blaze rode along the dirt road to her ranch, once she got close enough to see, she noticed that the barn doors were open. “Whoa” she yelled out as she pulled back on the reigns and felt the horses slow down as they approached the barn slowly as she guided them along feeling the leather straps held tightly within her small feminine hands. They can to a halt outside the barn, where Blaze climbed down and tied them to the post. She grabbed her shotgun from the wagon as she quickly stepped with her right foot up, grabbed the wagon with her left and then reached for the gun and left herself jump back as she turned suddenly and silently as well as carefully approached the barn doors.

She reached out and grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it back slowly and then stepped around it enough to get a look into the barn. As far as she could tell there was nobody in it so she moved around the door, placing the gun up to her shoulder as she looked down the long barrel and carefully entered. Blaze looked left and then right seeing nobody as she walked down the center; she figured if they were going to kill her they would do it whether she was walking on the left of the right side so might as well die in the middle the road. She had a backbone and that was one reason Jesse said he fell in love with her. She was one you didn’t care to mess with, she could be as sweet as candy but piss her off or Welch on her and that was it.

Blaze finished walking the barn and turned around quickly as she held the gun to her shoulder. Once she felt there was nobody around she pulled back and carried it at her side only after flipping on the safety. She walked out the doors and closed them behind her, hitting over the latch and then grabbed the reigns and untied them as she walked the horses up the rest of the way to her ranch house. She tied them to the post there not sure she really wanted to leave them out in the corral due to what had happened to the other, that was all she needed to wake up and have no horses at all.

Unlocking the door to her home, she entered with caution; no longer trust anyone she thought, except for a handful that she kept dear to her. She knew that Blackstone had his hand in this whole thing; she knew he was as crooked as they come. Blaze just couldn’t figure out why in the hell this was happening to her. Why would they want to run her from her land? They have been trying to get her ranch and land as well as the saloon for the past few months. Nothing was making sense and there was nothing said about it in the saloon.

She kept the gun handy as she walked through her home, she hated that unsafe feeling. He home never gave her that feeling till all the shit started happening after Jesse died. She had her cattle run off, only got a bit over half back, she’s had liquor deliveries stolen, as well as other things and now her horses she wondered what the hell was next, then again did she really wish to know the answer to that she thought. Blaze did her walk through and everything seemed to be fine, she placed the gun by the kitchen door and sat down upon her chair, reaching out she lit a candle giving her enough light to see by which was all she needed as she was fine in the semi-darkness of her home now that she found nobody in it.

Blaze felt bad for the young man, she felt responsible for him being hurt, as this seemed to be something against her and he took the blow for her by being there. She knew that it wasn’t her fault but she was so damned pissed and cared for the kid like her was her own. It often came to her mind what she and Jesse’s children would have looked like; they were talking about youngins shortly before he was gunned down. Jesse’s death she had a feeling tied into this whole mess somehow, but Blaze was missing the connections to everything, she sat there racking her brain to try and piece it all together. She then remembered the men going into Blackstone’s office when she was out for a stroll to watch the sunset, and then it occurred to her that those may have been the guys that run off all her horses to the mountains.

Getting up she reached out and took the handle of the candle holder and used the light to move around the house. She wandered back to her bedroom and placed it on the dresser and began to undress. First the long tailed jacket went, and then she exhaled out letting it linger from her lips as she felt the looseness of the corset around her upper body and slipped it off and then reached back and undid the zipper to the bottom half of her dress. Blaze dropped it down and watched as it fell around her feet, she stepped out of it and placed it over a rocking chair that sat in the corner of her bedroom that Jesse had made for her when there were first married.

She moved around their bedroom, she still considered it Jesse and hers and probably always will, she could feel his presence n the house, or she was just wishful thinking, either way it would always remind theirs because Blaze could never see herself married off to another ever again. Most the saloon folks told her once time healed the would she’d be married off again and more than likely split from Tumbleweed, but in all honestly majority hoped that last part would never happen, as she was the bright spot in many of their lives.

Blaze slipped on a thin long white silk nightgown filled with lace and buttons she felt the coolness of the material against her warm flesh. Her nipples grew erect almost immediately as they came in contact with the material. She then slipped her matching floor length robe and stepped into a pair of heeled slippers and took the candle and walked to the main room and took a seat by the window as she waited up to see if Velvet would return home tonight or stay in town at the saloon. She figured she would give her a few hours as Blaze was too worked up to sleep as it was.

She rocked in another rocker that was a gift from Doc, the candles flame danced as she could feel a draft coming from the fireplace. She moved to it and lit up a small fire, tossing a few logs into it as they caught on and began to burn nicely. She blew the candle out and took to her rocker again. Would she ever leave Tumble wood, she asked herself as the sounds of the crackling fire and the night meshed together while she sat in thought. Tumbleweed held so much in it, she could remember one evening after Jesse had passed. It was her and the tender in the saloon when a bunch of cowboys came riding it. There were five that she could remember.

They walked into her saloon, and decided that they were going to hold the bank up right after the stagecoach had dropped off the money in it, four men sat at the table and ordered whiskey and told Blaze as well as the tender that the saloon was closed and they better be convincing when the town people came about. The one left leaving four and they began to play a game of poker using various bits of cash that they stole from a pervious stagecoach robbery and jewels. Blaze watched as they played, seeing how one guy seemed to do all the winning. She whispered to the tender that he was slipping cards from his sleeve.

Blaze walked to the table as she poured each of the four a new drink as she listens the guys begin to bitch how the guy was winning ever hand and Blazed reached to pour the winning man a drink and instead she sat the bottle down and quickly pulled a queen of spades from his sleeve and tossed it on the table and stated he’s been cheating the whole time. As blaze stood back to return to the bar another guy pulled his gun out and shot the cheater. Blaze watched him fall back off his chair to the floor as he laid there dead. Blaze ended up in that game with a fresh new deck and agreed to play only if they were willing to keep their words and clear town if they lost, and she’d get to keep the winnings with no repercussions.

The three agreed, and Blaze played and won, and they kept to their words and rode out of town just as peacefully as they came in. that was only one of the stories she wanted to tell her children, there were so many different ones. Tumbleweed had been good to her even when times seemed to have been getting rough they always pulled through. Even the high nosed ladies helped out with certain things with the painted ladies, side by side thought the bitching became unbearable at times they all seemed to get thought it. Blaze rocked slowly as she looked out the window letting her mind wander. She reached up and began to pull the pins from her hair as the strands of deep rich red locks fell down about her bosom and back.