milliways_bar | EP: Kate Barlow | Outside, Stables / Main Bar

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EP: Kate Barlow | Outside, Stables / Main Bar

It's been a long time since Beaut's had the pleasure of startling the bar with her presence. The front door admits the five-foot cowgirl and her mount, obviously on their way someplace else, depositing them smack dab in the middle of the bar.

Beaut snorts.

"Oh, come now. S'good t'be back, ain't it?"

Kate wins an ear twitch for her trouble. With a chuckle, she sets about navigating the tables and chairs — and waitrats, we mustn't forget them. She'll get Beaut resettled out in the stables and check on the stock, and once she's done there she'll find a calendar. Once she knows the date and has stopped to look for messages in the stables, at the board, or with the Bar, she'll settle in for a while.

Then again, it's such a beautiful evening out. Maybe she'll take advantage of the lingering light and give Beaut a proper ride up the mountain path.

[ooc: I'm so sorry for inundating the bar! I did try to space everything out. ~sheepish~ Post open indefinitely; catch Kate anywhere you like, she'll be making her rounds and she's in a great humor.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I was just gettin' back to it once I finished the chapter. How are you doin'?"

Its been months since he's seen her.

"Please don't hurry on my account; I was bein' sincere. The mind needs t'work every once in a while, too."

She smiles brightly as she makes her way inside the room.

"I'm doin' jus' fine, thank you. S'been a while. I keep missin' you."

"The ranch has been keepin' me busy, but its good to see you,"

There's a slight not quite scar on his lip from where it finally healed.

"An' the winter's been keepin' me busy, both here an' elsewhere."

Like most proper ladies, the closest she comes to talking about heartache is using words like 'busy' and 'fine' and 'nice weather, isn't it?'

The closer she moves to him, the more apparent that scar becomes.

"Now, hold on. What happened here?"

He reaches up and touches his lip and looks down,

"Oh, that, ran into some trouble in Bisbee. I wasn't lookin' for it and got away quick as I could."

"Oh, William. You're never lookin' for it, but it sure does seem t'find you a lot."

She touches his cheek gently.

"Looks like it's healin' up well. It was a while back, then?"

"Finds my family a lot and yeah, a few weeks ago,"

She's right and he keeps trying to change that but can't seem to.

"How is your family? You ain't havin' no serious trouble, are you?"

"No, we had to deal with a bad flash flood not too long ago, but got through it. Mark got tired but not sick again, that was a blessing."

"Is there any way I can aid you all?"

'When it rains, it pours' is a phrase custom cut for the Evans family. They've all been through so much.

"Even if I couldn't come out an' help, I could maybe help with supplies. Feed, tools — perhaps books for Mark?"

"We're doin' alright for now. He's gettin' books through school. Miss Ruth likes him and she's always keeping him busy,"

They probably could do with another hand from time to time but can't afford one.

"Good. That makes me happy t'hear."

But her smile melts into seriousness, put on solely to get her point across.

"But I mean it, William. I keep hearin' stories 'bout people pickin' fights with you, I'm liable t'sneak out your door when you ain't lookin' an' give 'em a stern talkin' to."

"I know and they ain't always pickin' fights with me. I've just got bad luck, always have had it especially with fights. I mean, yeah, I've started a few of 'em cause people are stupid but I haven't as much. Just get angry. I do appreciate it but it wouldn't do much good, its just how the world is,"

He's someone that gets knocked about and he can't change that.

Because people are stupid ain't always the best reason to get into a scrap, but it's the most common, and Kate certainly can't fault him for that. Her lips twist wryly, and she shakes her head.

"I know, sugar. I don't have good luck my own self. Jus' so happens my luck's with men rather'n fists, but I know what it is not bein' able t'change the way the world is. Doesn't keep me from wantin' to, though. Like it or not, I've grown rather fond of your face the way it is."

Her smile gains a little strength, letting him know it's okay to laugh about it.

"I'm gonna worry 'bout you, whether or not it'll do much good."

"Thanks and I wouldn't want to see you hurt either. I'll let you know if we're in need of another hand, but its hard to know what days are goin' to be harder than others,"

Kate would also do his mother good, they would understand each other and he worries about her being lonely.

Kate can fill any number of roles when called upon. Loneliness is a pet rattler, forever coiled in the pit of her stomach; she could while away some time with his mother, if she ever got the opportunity.

"I know. Jus' remember, if the occasion ever appears. Y'don't hafta be right in the middle of a hardship for the offer t'stand; I'd be happy t'do what I could on a calm day, too."

"I know and I will. I'd like you to see our land sometime."

She smiles.

"I'd like that, too. An' maybe someday you'd like t'see Texas."

"I'd like that and we ain't doin' badly."

"Why don't y'tell me 'bout it?"

The eagerness has crept back into her expression.

"I've spent so long talkin' ranches an' stock, it'd seem odd not askin' about somebody whose luck actually makes a difference t'me."

"Course and I think the coffee's done. Come sit down and I'll pour it out. We only lost three head in the flood and there's news of rustlers about but they'll probably go after Hollander's cattle before ours cause he's got more,"

As he talks, he goes into the tack room to pour out the coffee and set out the biscuits that Bar gave him before he headed out.

"Thank you, that sounds fine."

She's left Beaut tied to a hook outside her stall, in easy access of fresh water, so she can stand to sit long enough to have some coffee. She smiles at the spread.

"Hollander. That name sounds familiar — what trouble is he tied up in?"

"He owns most of the land around Bisbee and he works with the railroad. He was the one who burned our barn and owned our water rights until we could buy them out from under him,"

At the cost of his father's life.

Her jaw stiffens, expression gone hard.

"That's right. I hope y'can forgive me for hopin' the flood took out more'n a few head of his stock, as nasty as the declaration may be. If rustlers tampered with his cattle, I certainly wouldn't cry no tears."

She sips carefully at her coffee.

"How's your herd now?"

"In decent shape and it ain't as bad as some of the stuff I've thought about him."

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