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guess
I’ll go get some sleep.   Sounds like you
don’t need my help.”   Knowing it to be
well past midnight , he sauntered
outside turning his head to survey the bar one more time before leaving to go
to the hotel.   He saw no sign of the man
from the bar.   Ever on alert, he watched
everything along the way, glancing down alleyways and up at windows and
rooftops as he went.
                The
man at the desk greeted Cash when he walked into the hotel lobby of the newly
refurbished hotel.   In the last year new
paint, expensive fixtures and plush carpet were added looking elegant and well
suited for the elite class of businessmen wanting to get richer in the new
expanded territory filled with silver and gold.   The dining room had seasonal meals, closing up during the winter months
as much of the town.   When winter set in,
enforcing the law became easier but traveling the region more difficult when
prisoners from other territories coming under his jurisdiction needed to change
venues for the proper courts.
    Cash ascended the
stairs two at a time, glancing around the hotel then entered his room, taking
in all four corners in a swift survey.   Donated for the town marshal, the small room had a comfortable bed,
though he would have preferred one larger to accommodate his stature.   A thick tan carpet lay on the floor and a
chest of drawers stood near the window to the left.   The washbasin, pitcher of water and a glass
lay on top of the chest along with his shaving gear.   The rack on the side held a plush towel and
an armoire to the right stored his clothing.   One of the older rooms, he shared a bathroom down the corridor with
other visitors occupying the less expensive section of the hotel.
    He undid the
hold-down leather tie around his thigh, unbuckled his gun belt, hanging it on
the bedpost within easy reach.   He pulled
a wood carved chair next to his bed and removed his shirt to hang over the
back.   Sitting on the bed, he pulled off
his boots letting them fall to the floor with a thud.   Standing to pull off his trousers, tossed
them on the chair for easy access if something came up during the night.  
    Cash reached for
the bottle of whiskey he kept in a drawer, poured a generous glass of the clear
amber liquid before setting it down on the stand by his bed.   He downed the burning sedative then flopped
on top of the covers, his arm under his neck, glancing at the ceiling.   He hoped to fall asleep sometime before
dawn.  

 
    Four

 
 
                Raeden
jumped up, facing her aunt.   “What?   I can’t call of the wedding.   It’s tomorrow.   Are you out of your mind?”   The excitement brought heat to her face but a
ray of hope began to emerge while her thoughts raced.   She paced the room.
                Diane
frowned.   “Look, Rae.   If you don’t think you want to get married
then chances are you shouldn’t.   You
would be doing Chris a favor by letting him go.   He is young, rich and handsome.   There will be no problem finding someone else who really loves him the
way he deserves.   He will be fine.”
    She put her hand
on Raeden’s shoulder and stared in her eyes.   “Look, I will take care of it. I also think it would be a good idea if
you came home with me to South Dakota.   When the gossip dies down and things return
to normal, you can come home and start over.   Trust me.”  
                Raeden’s
cheeks burned hot while she paced, breathing in short gasps and realized she
must appear a lunatic.   “Oh, do you think
I can do this?   I really don’t want to
get married but I don’t want to shame my family and Christopher’s.”   She dropped her hands to her sides.   “This is awful.   I am so embarrassed.”   She slowed her pace and could not help but
notice the look of amusement on her aunt’s face, a Cheshire cat with shimmering
blue eyes.
                “You’ll
get over it.”