Wednesday, March 25, 2015

October 18, 1869

Colorado Springs. 

This morning I sat in front of the saloon and saw a man walk in. He introduced himself as Jack and we talked about how we both had done a lot of traveling. 

“You sound like a sailor... from Scotland...?”

“Aye the Isle of Skye, Portree.”

“Decided to set anchor yourself did ya?”

“No ma’am, left Portree years begone, now I have a shed on a island with a ship to big to weigh in,” he smiled. 

“Oh, I see.” 

“Do you skulk here a lot?” 

“I plan to. Like I said, I’ll go where the work takes me.”

“Aye and what be you work lass?” 

“It’s a fresh start for me... my last town is in the past where it’s meant to be. I am writing my memoirs though so hopefully I’ll catch up on those. I am a private investigator, sir.”

“No the right type of person to be hangin out with a pirate,” he chuckled.

“Well ya seem trustworthy enough.”

“Who you be investigate at this time?” 

“No one at the moment,” I said, which wasn’t completely true. 

“Good to know you keep it to yourself. True Private Investigator style.” 

“I don’t discuss cases with people who don’t need to know, no offence.”

“That is with out saying.” 

“Well I think it’s time for some coffee, what do you think Jack?” 

“And where is the coffee wench?” he asked and I chuckled. “Not you, ma’am.” 

“The saloon is right there behind ya... We’d have to make our own coffee though.”

“Long as there is some Sailor Jerry to put in.” 

We walked into the saloon and I poured some coffee, handing him a cup. “So Sir.... Anything else I should know about you?”

“Well it’s a long yarn lass...” 

“Well does it look like we goin somewhere?”

“Short version. I was a blacksmith and got tired so I runs away to sea. Short, very short.” 

“Well we all need a change sometimes...” I chuckled. 

“Yes we need a change of scenery people and attitude to keeps us sane.” 

“Ain’t that the truth,” I nodded. “So Jack... are you here alone? Sorry Jack, I tend to be too curious for my own good sometimes. Well Jack... I either need to sit somewhere or start moving around...”

“Oh oh... Trin now this rum has gone to me heads would ya like to dance?” Jack asked. 

“I would love to,” I smiled and followed him to the dance floor. “So Jack... Now that we’re dancing... You’re here alone? No wife gonna be upset with me?”

“Wife! Wife! Which one, lassy?” 

“You have more than one?” I coughed. 

“Let me thinks... Trinidad, Florida, Barbados, Tasmania, Oh and Central park. That makes... twelve.” 

“Wow,” I coughed, wondering what on earth he would want to ask me to dance for. 

Daisy walked into the saloon then and I looked over. “Hey Daisy!” 

“Howdy, Trin, mister!” 

“This here’s Jack. Jack, this is Daisy. How are things, Daise?”

“Howdy Jack. Dead.” 

“Dead?” I looked over while we danced. “Who’s dead?” 

“Everybody in Amiville’s snoozing.” 

“Oh...” I chuckled. “Don’t scare me like that, woman!”

“Hell, dead would be an improvement,” Daisy muttered. “‘cept there ain’t no healers, neither.” 

“So if somethin happened we’d be sunk, huh?”

“Might’s well make myself useful. Well, you could always acquire a taste for grass,” Daisey said. 

I smiled as Daisey went over to play piano. “Doubt that’ll happen.”

“Look out, number thirteen...... Kiddin’,” Jack teased as I leaned my head on his shoulder. 

“Hey now...” I winked at him. “Jack you know if we did, I’d be number 1, not 13.” As we danced to the Latin music, I thought about how long it had been since a man had held me like this. 
Adder walked into the saloon and I introduced him to Jack. “Jack, Adder. Adder, Jack. We just met this morning.”

“And apparently not getting married yet!” Jack smiled. 

I chuckled and said, “Sush you.” 

“Well for a land lubber you got a keen sail,” Jack winked. 

“Do I want to know what that was a metaphor of?” I laughed. 

“Well if the sail is keen then it is good sailing, if the sail is loose in the wind then your dead in the water,” he smiled. 

I looked at him and looked over at Adder for help and he just shrugged. “I’m just gonna smile and nod, hoping that was a compliment.” 

“A smile is as good a galleon full of treasure... You don’t have to kill as many people to get it.” 

“True story,” I chuckled. 

Bo came into the saloon and we talked about I had set up an office to investigate crimes with the local law. We met a woman named Coral and I thanked Jack for the dances. I headed across the road to my office and started to get some work done. 

A few hours later, Chane came into the office and I showed him around. We spent time together in the office and it was good to see him again. Whenever we were together it was like we could pick up just where we left off the last time. 

This afternoon I walked outside and sat in the chair in front of my office. A Native woman walked past with a dog at her side and I greeted her. “Good day!” 

“Hau. How are you?” 

“Gorgeous day, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is. But everybody must be having nap.” 

“It does get quiet here sometimes.”

“Just out wandering or can I help you with something?”

“We fine. We were looking around.” 

“A nice animal ya got there,” I smiled at the dog. 

“Yes it is Poeso,” she said and I held out my hand to let the dog sniff me. “He is bit shy.” 

“That’s okay. So where are you from?”

“Doesn’t trust all humans at first sight. I am from the Oglala tribe but I have Cheyenne family in Kansas.” 

“I know a few cheyenne from there. I am friends with their chief, Hawk.”

“But I live in this camp near on other side of stream.” 

“I go out there and visit quite a bit.”

“Yes I know him well.” 

“Oh I see. I’ve wondered about that camp. I would be lost without Hawk most days.”

“Hawk good chief and good man.” 

“He is,” I nodded. 

“Well I don’t want to keep you, just thought I would say hi.”

“You did good. Was very nice to meet you.” 

“You as well. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”

“I was trying to find miss Coral.” 

“I have not seen her since this morning.”

“My name s Whispering Wind.” 

“You’re not the woman who sold bread in Amiville, are you?” I smiled. 

“You can call me Whisper or Wind. Yes, I am,” she smiled. 

“I thought you looked familiar! I am Trin Paige.”

“Hello Miss Trin.” 

“I ran the newspaper there and was a detective. Also worked at the saloon.”

“Have you tried my bread?” 

“Oh yes, I’ve bought loaves a few times from you. Very nice bread.”

“Now I think I remember you. In Mr. Gramps’ saloon.” 

“Would love to buy some more whenever you have some fresh.”

“This here is my office so you can find me here most times now. Yes, that’s right.”

I sighed, realizing how much I missed Gramps, and she said, “Aww.... You haven’t seen him lately?” 

“I... I moved out of Amiville a few days ago. I won’t be going back there.”

“Aah... Well when I go there sell bread, I tell Mr. Gramps to come visit you.” 

“Do that,” I nodded. 

“I will.” 

“Tell him where my office is...”

“But which house?” 

“I miss him dearly. I live above the post office. Just tell him to come to the post office and he’ll see me.”

“Ah good house. Bigger than my teepee,” she grinned, looking at the building behind me. 

“I’ll usually be sitting outside,” I chuckled. 

“Don’t worry Miss Trin. I will bring Mr. Gramps. Poeso and I will make him come.” 

“Well I’m glad I came out to say hi! I’ll let you get on your way then. Will be looking forward to Gramps’ visit.”

“Yes... I was so hoping I would see Miss Coral.” 

“She was at the saloon just this morning.”

“We have to pay visit to Cherokee camp,” Wind said. 


“Safe paths then,” I nodded and watched them walk off. 

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