Black Diamond.
I walked into the saloon this morning and smiled at the man behind the counter. “Hey there.”
“Howdy ma’am! Did ya come for a drink?”
“I’d love a coffee and a whiskey actually. You work here?”
He nodded and said, “Names Bob, I’m the bartender here.”
“Bob, nice to meet ya,” I walked over to the counter. “I’m Detective Trin Paige.”
His eyes widened and he smiled as he got to work on my coffee. “Oooh a detective! How exciting!”
“Mmhmm. Been awfully quiet lately though. Would love to have something to do again. I’m excited about how this place is coming back together.”
He brewed a fresh pot of coffee and slid over the cup with a grin. “I heard the bank gets robbed mighty often here.”
“Oh yeah, they like this bank... Probably ‘cause there’s been such few law. Hoping that’ll change soon though.”
“But I’ve been only here a few days myself, so I’m not to certain of all the who’s and what’s going on.”
“Mmhmm, takes a bit to get situated, don’t it?”
“Aye still finding out everyones name,” he nodded.
“I’ve been debating if I want to move to this area. Every time I think about it I start to like the idea more. Things are awfully quiet in Tombstone.”
“Was a big event last night, grand opening here. Think the whole town showed up!”
“Oh yeah? Well that’s great to hear. Bet that kept ya hoppin’!”
He rubbed his sore arm muscles, “Oh aye was runnin’ like a chicken with it’s head cut off, but managed to survive.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” I chuckled. “Ya don’t look much worse for wear, as my grandma used to say.”
“Only my third day here and I’m sore as heck, Will be an old cripple in a week I’m sure.”
Alex walked into the saloon then and smiled at me. “Hi Trin.” He looked at the bartender and said, “Hi there, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Alex.”
I smiled, seeing him again for the first time in a while. “Well hey there, Alex. Bob, this is my best friend, Alex Torii... Alex, this here’s Bob, the new bartender in town.”
“Howdy Mister! What can I get for ya?”
“It’s awfully nice to meet you, Bob. I’ll have a beer please.”
“Some things never change,” I patted Alex’s knee teasingly. “How are ya?”
“Okay, I guess. How are you?” He looked around and said, “The place looks nice! Been awhile since I’ve been over this way.”
“Bored as heck. Loving the new look of Diamond though. Krell’s starting to turn this place around.”
“Howdy all,” a woman said, walking into the saloon.
“Hey there, Ma’am,” I smiled to her.
Alex took the beer from Bob and paid him some coins. “Thanks! Hello, ma’am.”
“Nice ta see it’s gittin’ popular here,” she smiled politely.
“Mmhmm, ain’t it though? I don’t think I’ve talked with this many people at once in weeks.”
“What can I get ya Miss Alyssa?” Bob asked her and I took in the woman’s name.
“I haven’t either,” Alex chuckled.
“Oh I don’ think anythin’ too strong Bob, don’ wanna be spendin’ tha day sleepin. so jes water, please,” Alyssa said.
“Have a seat, Alyssa. I’m Trin and this is Alex,” I said.
“Nice ta meetcha.”
“Nice to meet you, Alyssa,” Alex smiled.
“Always with the water these days,” Bob chuckled at her.
“Well Bob, I’ll always be orderin’ coffee and whiskey. If I order straight whiskey ya know somethin’s wrong,” I said then.
“Hey I had whiskey last night too...granted, if people hadn’t decided ta propose it wouldn’t have happened,” she chuckled.
“Propose?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t know those people since I’m still new. Seemed happy enough.”
“Oh, fergot yer whiskey!” he fumbled a bit with his bottle and poured a cup for me and added whiskey to the cup.
“That’s nice,” I looked down at my mug and then nudged Alex with my knee. I really was starting to feel better about the whole thing and said, “Guess some people enjoy that sort of marryin’ thing. I’d say work is more reliable but that don’t seem to be the case either, eh Alex?”
“I don’t usually drink that. Like she said, somethin’ has ta be wrong,” Alyssa giggled.
“Work? What’s that?”Alex raised an eyebrow.
“My point, hon,” I chuckled.
“I’d agree, nothin’ ever gits don when people git distracted wit tha whole love nonsense bit. See jes this mornin’ I’ve already repaired a few thangs,” Alyssa said.
“Mmhmm, true enough, Alyssa,” I nodded.
“Ah love..a splendid thing it is,” Bob sighed.
“I’ve been workin’ on my memoirs finally... Editing the journals about what brought me to Tombstone,” I said.
“So tha’s what yer really doin here while pretendin ta wash them glasses....bein’ in love,” Alyssa said and smiled at me.
“So Alyssa what do you do for a living?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.
“Who me? Eh no...well maybe...” Bob blushed a bit.
“What did bring ya here?” she wondered.
“Several number of things really.”
Alex swallowed the last of his beer and put the mug on the counter. “Bob, could you serve me up
another?”
“Mainly a fresh start to get away from all those things that did happen. But then my past caught up with me,” I said and looked at Alex with concern, noticing he’d been quiet.
“Don’t it always,” he finally mumbled.
Bob poured him another beer and Alyssa said, “Sounds a bit familiar I think.”
“Alyssa? Don’t think ya said what you do for a living?”
“Right now jes gittin’ settled, only been here about five days myself. But while here, built myself a unicycle, tried out the bakery, and jes explorin. I did, however, express interest in tha pony express. I’m fast.”
“Oh that’d be a great business for you to get into then,” I smiled.
“Now that sounds fancy and fun,” Bob said.
“Yes an’ I think a good way ta git to know tha area and its residents.”
“Mmhmm for sure,” I nodded.
“And git tha’ local gossip,” she giggled.
“Mmhmm. Well then you can pass it along to me. I’m a detective and work with the law, passin’ information to them. Would be handy to have a scout.”
“Well a’ight, I don’ mind that but I don’t spread gossip, jes tell things like they are,” she smiled. “But if I hear anythin’ I think needs reportin’ I sure will!”
We talked a bit longer and then I decided to go for a ride on my horse around town.
No comments:
Post a Comment