Page 2 of Westbound Awakening

Without notice, the walls began to close in, and the room swayed. John lifted his drink and held the cool glass against the side of his face the relief was slight. At the small reprieve, John decided it was best to get some fresh air. If he continued to feel badly once outside, then he'd to head back to camp. His men would in all probability not notice his absence. With a deep breath, he got to his feet and his balance, though precarious, seemed to hold. Grateful to be somewhat steady on his legs, John walked across the room toward the hallway that lead to the kitchens at the back of the house, where his horse was tethered.

Once he exited the crowded room, the air was immediately cooler making it easier to breathe.

"Go back to the saloon Butch and leave me be," Mae's harsh whispered words made John stop, and he squinted into the darkness. The outline of two people filled the darkened hallway, Mae against the wall, a man's arms on both sides of shoulders palms flat on the surface.

The man, whom John recognized as Butch Mason, a local banker, leaned in as if to kiss Mae. He noted that her hands were pressed against Mason's chest, but with the dimness it was hard to tell if she welcomed the male or not. Just in case the attention was unwarranted, John cleared his throat.

Mason swung toward him, his reddened eyes meeting John's for a second before training them back to Mae. "I'll leave you be for now Mae, but I'll be back don't you worry." The man caressed her cheek before sauntering past John without a word.

Releasing a deep exhale, Mae remained against the wall without looking at him. Her hand shook slightly when she reached up, her fingers pushing the golden strands into place.

With mechanical moves, she pushed away from the wall and went to brush past John. "Excuse me."

He reached out and touched her arm. "Are you all right?"

Flat eyes met his, the proud visage reappearing. "I can take care of myself John," Mae replied, her head held high. When he reached for her again, she leaned away from his touch. "You worry about your men and let me worry about mine." The light floral fragrance tickled his nose as she swept past toward the saloon.

No need to go after her. She'd not speak to him about it and rightly so. This was her domain so he continued down the hallway.

The night beckoned, and John walked through the large kitchen to the back door. He pulled it open and stepped through with desperation. When the cool evening air hit his face, John closed his eyes at the relief from the sweltering interior.

Finding comfort in the solitude, he allowed his body to slump against the back porch column. He'd always preferred the freedom of the outdoors, preferring the quiet and stillness to being cloistered indoors. The silence of the moonlit night was broken only by the muddled sounds from inside the house. The moment gave him a welcome relief to the throbbing at his temples. Hands in his pockets, he walked off the back porch and looked up to the star-filled sky. The stars twinkled in a vivid display, and he turned in a full circle until finding the telltale sign of Orion's belt then followed it to outline his favorite constellation. It was several minutes before he tore his eyes from it, the night sky never failing to fascinate him.

When he turned to go back inside and took a couple of steps, the dizziness returned full force. John blinked repeatedly and shook his head in an attempt to get his balance. Just as he reached for the porch railing, his knees buckled from under him, and he slammed to the ground. His head smashed into the packed dirt with force, and he moaned. When his stomach lurched, John took deep breaths to keep from vomiting and rolled to his back. What the hell just happened?

The horse's whinnies became softer, and the breeze cooled even more as everything shifted sideways. He was in trouble, needing to get back into the house. With all the strength he could muster, John pushed to sit, but his arms gave out and fell back again.

Next, John attempted to whistle for his horse; with his parched mouth it impossible. Wetting his lips, he finally did. The beast turned toward him, but his tie prevented it from coming closer. "Damn it," John cursed, then called out through a clenched jaw. "Can anyone hear me?"

Please don't let Mae find me like this. He pushed up again using his arms and legs. Pain seared through his injured leg, and it was too much to bear, so he groaned and he fell back once.

The stars overhead began to blur, and he closed his eyes.

2

Mae returned to the saloon and went directly to stand by the bar where she could keep an eye on everything that went on. Thankfully Butch Mason had rejoined a poker game and was oblivious to her, instead concentrating on the cards he held. The middle-aged man was a power to be reckoned with in the town. He served as the town's banker, one of his less obscure dealings. On more than one occasion he'd demanded she invite him to her bed, and when she turned him down, he threatened to take the brothel from her. Although she owned the property free and clear, she had no delusions that if Mason set his mind to it, he could find a way to do it. It worried her that as time passed, he became more and more demanding. She couldn't afford to have him for an enemy, but she'd rather lose everything than sleep with a man in exchange for anything.

When Ruby-Lynn, a new girl who'd just arrived from Chicago, neared, Mae touched her arm. The redhead smiled. "Yes Miss Mae?"

"Go to the man over there, the one with the red silk handkerchief in his pocket. Keep him company and ensure he's taken care of. No charge."

How she hated catering to the man, but her girls depended on her for their living, not to mention Miss Lady. Mae frowned at Ruby-Lynn's retreating back. She'd find a way to get Butch Mason to lose interest. An idea would come to her hopefully sooner than later.

"What's gotten into you Mae?" Miss Lady's concerned face was partly turned from her even though Mae could tell the older woman scowled. Sitting in her favorite place, a corner behind the piano, the older woman could watch the goings on and not be bothered by all the commotion, as she was prone to say. "You frownin' 'stead of smilin'."

Mae placed her hand on Miss Lady's thin shoulder and smiled down at her, careful to remove all signs of frustration. Ever since the slight woman came to look after her when she was a toddler, Miss Lady always seemed to sense every one of her emotions. After so many years Miss Lady was more a mother than her caregiver or housekeeper. It had come that Mae could not see living without her.

"Nothing you have to worry about Miss Lady," she replied airily and bent to press a kiss on the soft mahogany cheek. "That damn Butch tried to get fresh with me in the back hallway, demanding and threatening as usual. I held him off and just now sent Molly-Lynn over to placate him."

"We need to just get Big James to kick his no-good carcass out," Miss Lady huffed, scanning the room in search of her new nemesis. "He'll think twice 'bout messin' with you. The man has no scruples."

The oversized bartender, James, looked over at hearing his name, and Mae shook her head to let him know all was well. If only she could do it, she'd have Mason thrown out a long time ago, but her hands were bound. "Now Miss Lady, don't you go fretting. You know I can take care of myself. Besides Captain McClain happened by, and Butch went on his way."

"Did he now?" Miss Lady cackled. "I bet the handsome Captain told him a thing or two about bothering you. He is a man of worth, sees after his own."

Mae took a breath and looked about the room to see if the new subject of their conversation had returned from out back. Perhaps the Captain had left after all. "No Miss Lady, he didn't say anything to Butch. Probably thought we were fooling around. You know John McClain always thinks the worse of me." Her chest constricted, and she forced the annoyance away. It did not matter what the man thought of her. Most people would agree with him.

"Well no matter what he thinks, a man should always come to the aid of a lady." Miss Lady huffed and patted her hand. "I think he sees you with different eyes, as what you are. And you is worthy Mae Hawkins."