Trego. J. D. Oliver

She said, bending over to pet Jake. I know she just did that on purpose.

      Funny thing about women, they always get what they wanted, one way or the other. Me, I always like that ‘other’ way.

      The three of us, went to the saloon, Bayard Benoit, the bartender had long sense given up on protesting about me bringing Jake into the bar. But his eyes opened wide when he seen Brie. Not just because she was a ‘good’ woman, but because he couldn’t take his eyes off of her pants.

      Evan Blythe and those two body guards of his were standing at the bar, they turned when we walked in, Blythe started to say something, I let my hands fall to my gun butts. His mouth snapped shut.

      I took Brie and Jake to an empty table in the back corner. Then I went to the bar and said. “Bayard old boy, would you dish up three plates of your beef and beans, plus three beers, two in mugs and one in a bowl?”

      “Sure Trego, no problem.” Then he turned to do so. Blythe must of got some sand back into his backbone, because he said, “You have your nerve bringing your wife in here and wearing pants to boot. It’s not seemly.”

      “Well Evan, you could be right about it not being seemly. But times are changing. Here it is 1880 already. And since she’s my wife and not yours, I don’t see as you have much to say about it.” He bristled, the guy on his right said, “Boss take it easy, can’t you see he’s just itching for you to draw.”

      Evan looked at him and said, “That’s why I hired you two, to take care of people like him.”

      “Well Boss, no you didn’t. You sort of hired us as your flunkies. We shoot pretty good, but we’re not in his class. If you want someone to go up against him, you’re going to have to hire a real gunslinger.”

      “What makes you think I haven’t?” Evan said, and then downed the last of his drink and stomped out. The two hired hands stood there, they didn’t follow him out. They looked at me and then one of them said, “We’re just cowboys, we hired on with him early last fall, just before you got here. We needed someplace to winter. I reckon we’ll drift and see if we can’t find a riding job.”

      “I hear the Specter Ranch might be hiring. Anyway that’s what the Ringer brothers told me.”

      “Thanks Trego, I know you could of plugged us a couple of times, but you didn’t. Thanks a lot.” They said.

      Bayard came back with our food and drinks, I helped him haul it to our table. “What was Evan Blythe talking to you about?” Brie asked.

      “He was some upset about you and your pants being in here. He thinks it isn’t seemly. But I told him you’re not his wife, but mine. And to mind his own business.”

      The saloon was busy, more than usual. Must be due to the warm Chinook winds. They were all careful not to make eye contact with me, though they wanted to look at Brie. I couldn’t blame them any, I wanted to look at her also.

      Jake finished his food and beer in short order. Then he hopped up on a vacant chair beside us. He sat looking around at everybody. Brie and I finished ours, then we talked a little. “Honey, do you think we can go somewhere, being cooped up all winter has given me the blues.” Brie said.

      “As soon as the snow melts and the mud solidifies a might. I think we can. How far and where would you like to go?”

      “Oh, just out and around, I haven’t been on a horse for months. I used to ride all of the time when I was a kid in Chicago.”

      “Did you wear pants then?” I asked with a leer.

      “No silly, a riding skirt. But these pants are a lot better, more freedom. You can do anything you want and they can’t see your underwear.”

      “Hmmm, I didn’t think you were wearing any underwear.”

      “I’m not silly, that’s part of the freedom, I feel absolutely sinful.” Brie said, while wiggling her hind end on her chair.

      “Stop that, everyone is looking at you. Including me. You know when you’re as beautiful as you are, you shouldn’t go around exciting everyone’s passion.”

      “Really? I do that? Oh look, even that saloon girl is licking her lips.” Brie said, while bouncing up and down. I laid my hand on her arm, she calmed down.

      “My, you are going stir crazy, aren’t you?”

      “I’m sorry sweetheart. Come on, let’s go home.” She grabbed my hand, “I know what we can do….” And did she ever.

      It was a warm night, the moon was full, Brie stood at the window, that was half open, enjoying the warm Chinook breeze on her naked body. “Come see how pretty it is. The birds are singing, isn’t it nice?”

      I got out of bed and put my arms around her, she cuddled her backside up against me. Then laid her head back against my shoulder. “Why can’t we be like this all of the time?” She said.

      “What do you mean, the weather?” I asked.

      “No, naked, no clothes. Have humans always had to wear clothes?”

      “No, they haven’t. Don’t you remember the Bible account of Adam and Eve?”

      “No, my Dad didn’t like religion.” Brie said, as I kissed her neck. As to her question about clothes, I said:

      “Well, man and woman were created au-natural, just like how we’re standing here.”

      “Why did they start wearing clothes?”

      “Because they disobeyed God and got kicked out of the Garden of Eden. I tell you what, in the morning I’ll read you the whole account. So you will understand. You know, I’m like your Dad, I don’t like religion either, but I love the Bible and what it tells us. The problem is most of the religions of the world don’t follow what the Bible says. That’s why I hate organized religion. In that, I guess your Dad and I are on common ground.”

      “I think you have a lot more in common than that, you both love me.”

      “Yep, your right on that point, I do love you.” I said as I picked her up and carried her back to bed.”

      She was sleeping soundly with her head on my left arm. There were a few strands of hair laying over her eyes and across her perfect nose. I brushed them away. She had a few freckles on her nose. I leaned forward and kissed her nose, lightly. She stirred a bit, but didn’t wake up. This was a common occurrence, me kissing her freckled nose.

      It was starting to come on dawn. I scooted out from under her and went to look at the sunrise. It was the kind of sunrise that only Montana can conjure up. I stood there watching it’s changing patterns. But perfect moments only last so long.

      There was a horse and rider coming into town. He was still to far away to tell who it was. But I didn’t need to see, to know. I knew. I watched him all of the way, as he rode down the muddy street. He stopped in front of the Saloon.

      Bayard was an early riser. He was sweeping the boardwalk in front of the saloon. The rider dismounted and asked Bayard something. I could see that Bayard motioned toward the open door. Probably telling him, that yes he was open.

      I heard Brie stir, “Honey, what are you doing?”

      “Just watching the sunrise, come see.” She threw the covers back, used the pot, then came and stood beside me. “Oh, yes it is pretty. Look, there is already a horse at the saloon.”

      His horse was standing there, hipshot, with his head hanging low. I hated a person who would feed his own belly before taking care of his horse.

      “Whose horse is that?” Brie asked.

      “The rider just went in the saloon.” I said.

      “Yes, I know he probably did, but didn’t you see who he was?”

      “Yes I did.”

      “Well?”