HD novella

[HDNB]

At the train station Coleen gave her new friend Eck a kiss and said" i hope i can make it back by the weekend!"
The kiss was long and enjoyable. Eck could feel the heat building and replied "Yeah, that would be great, I hope to see you then!"
Coleen turned and boarded the train for Washington. She was going right to headoffice for a debriefing on her knowledge of the counterfeit money. As she reached for the handle beside the coach's door Coleen caught the movment of two men in her peripheral, striding towards the train. the hair on her neck rose and she quickly boarded and found her seat. A few seconds later one of the men walked by her inaisle, the second had already taken a seat towards the back of the passenger car. The first man continued up the aisleway and sat opposite her, portside about 6 rows up.
Coleen was on full alert. These men were dressed professionally, in stylish suit and neck ties. Almost like they were Feds she thought, but those suits just a little to nicely turned. Custom tailored for sure, not an off the rack that had been altered by a seamstress.
The train lurched into gear and started rolling down the tracks, just as she had been thinking to hasten a departure. The movement gave her a bit of a start and she gasped a bit.
Catching the eye of an older gal sitting beside her, Coleen settled back to her seat when the lady reached over and patted her knee. "first time on a train is it? she asked. Coleen looked back at her and replied "No, just startled me. I was just getting up to make for the little girls room."
"they like you to wait til the train is out of the yard for that honey", the old gal contined "you know when you flush it just falls right out the bottom of the train" she said screwing up her face with a pinched look.
Once they had built up a head of steam, Coleen excused herself to get a look at the other man behind her. "I think i'll take that walk now to the powder room, mum." when she rose the older lady politely informed her it was one car back.
"Perfect", she thought as she walked down the swaying aisle. The man was sitting in the rear most seat, on the handle side of the door. Casually she continued her walk and had a good look at him while she reached for the handle. The man returned her gaze, with a flat look and coal-black cold eyes. Coleen shivered involentarily and slid the door open to the racket outside when she stepped through the transom there was a ladder to grab hold of to steady her way across the short distance. As her hand closed on the rail, another hand had reached out and grabbed her wrist, tugging her to the open side of the walkway.
The well dressed man man had her arm and was pulling hard! Coleen whirled and stomped the heel of her shoe into the top of the high arch of his shoe. she felt a bone crack and he let go, howling in pain.
She regripped the ladder, one hand on the rung and the other on the rail, just as the man regained some composure and lunged for her again. With all her might, Coleen coiled on the ladder and let go with a powerful two footed kick right to the man's chest, with dead aim any missouri mule would have been proud of.
He let out an "Oomph!" and took a couple steps backwards, perilously close to the edge of the walkway.
The moment Coleen's feet caught purchase, she unhinged a high single foot and connected with the bridge of his nose.
The big man's head flipped back, and he flew a couple feet backwards through the air. When the wind rushing by the side of the train caught him, he disappeared.
Coleen checked around frantically to access the situation. she saw the first man from father up the passanger car coming down the aisleway fast. out of breath and rushing on adrenaline, she turned to the next car and opened the door. Jumping inside quickly she grabbed a fire extinguisher and artfully used the hose to jam the handle. Coleen turned and made her way through this coach and into the next, the dining car. She glanced back and turning, she stumbed and fell into the first table, and the lap of the man sitting there. "Coleen?" he enquired
Jed followed up with more formal "Agent O'Mally, what are you doing here?" "Jed, Jezzuschrist" she said breathlessly, "look out!"
Hearing the urgency in her voice Jed automatically drew his service pistol, and just then the door burst open again. The well dressed man had a revolver in his hand and Jed said calmly: "don't move" his gun came up a bit and Jed put two rounds in his forehead. The man fell back against the door frame and slid down with the echo of the deafening shots.
"Wha" Said Coleen, rubbing her ears
Jed Repeated "are there any more of them?" a little louder
"Na, I don't think so," she said standing up and shaking her head. "what the fuck are you shooting? I think i'm deaf" she shouted at him
".357 magnum, not the best for indoor shooting, but damn, it gets the job done" he said with a smile, nodding towards the dead man.

[jedneck]

If Coleen wouldn't have been in the way it would have ben, two to the chest and one to the head, but shit happens.
" Here take this" Jed tells Coleen handing her a Smith and Wesson snubby. "Watch that thing barks and bites on both ends."

[ga flatwoods]

Man! A western poker game, a mule train, a big city Chicago with elevator, 44 Colts peacemaker, 357 s&w, 1911 colt, Sharps rifle, a James Bond classic train fight (Angella Jolie as Colleen), shack with no electric, etc. What damn year is this story suppossed to be?
Drinking some Blackbeard's Treasure-whiskey and just plain confused
Ga Flatwoods

[jedneck]

I figure 1953 atleast buy the vehicles.

[HDNB]

I figure 1953 atleast buy the vehicles.

i like the two divergent story lines city/country that are sure to come back together with a big bang.

53 is what my time machine says too. the rules are loose, you can jump ahead to the 60's, present day or go prewar with jesse and the boys again...just need more characters...or a time machine.
I checked with the continuity editor, mr. google. he said our people are gun aficianados that have some pretty stylin' old pistols! but... we're all in the realm of possibility!

i kinda had Annie Wersching (with red hair) for Coleen. I'll check with the casting director.

[HDNB]

the cast was getting out of hand so i made a map. maybe this will help.

[HDNB]

Coleen felt the heft of the .38, rolling it around in her hand. It felt good but she handed it back to Jed. Nimbly retrieving her .32 PPK from what appeared to be thin air.
"I prefer the more European styling in my firearms," as she warmly caressed the Walther, like a generous old lover.
"where you heading" jed asked
"Head office called me in" she made coy "something about some mis-filed expense reports, how about you?"
"FD-302's, apparently they got some questions about a report i filed on some other guys i was ridin with" he said, equally obtuse.

Coleen whistled low and said "damn, there is sure to be some questions about this shit show!" she looked up at the sunlight glinting through the two holes the .357 had made in the skin of the train after exiting the loser's skull.
"Uh-Yup' said Jed, admiring his handy work. "whaddya do to this fella anyways?" "Lead him on a bit too far?" he winked.
"Screw you, Jed." she kicked him in the leg. " I tangled with his partner between cars, and sent that prick to his maker, just before you perforated this waste of skin.' "I don't know who the hell they are or what they wanted, other than they wanted me to not arrive in Washington".
"Shee-it" Jed pulled his hat off and ran some fingers through his slicked back hair " I can't wait to get to town now" he said.
Coleen surveyed the other diners further back in the car and the bartender, all standing there slack jawed with big cow eyes gazing back at her. She pulled out her badge and waved it around. "FBI, there's no more danger here folks, go back to your business."
like that helped...
"Yup, gonna be hard to question them now." she agreed.

[Truckinbutch]

I figger early '50's about right , too . I spent a lot of weekend nights in remote ranch bunkhouses in the Rockies with my Dad during that time period . Listened to some fine stories told by old timers of cowboyin and outlawin while the potbellied stove glowed red and coal oil lamps cast weird shadows around the room .

>Horse and mule strings are still in use in rough country . Poker games are timeless , as are those differences of opinion that make horse races ................

[HDNB]

Phil and Eck had been biding their time all week, waiting on the poker match. being thursday night they decided to get a tightner in and had slept in late this morning with the purpose of conditioning for a late night. They had booked yet another rich dinner at the Palmer House's restaurant. Sitting at the usual perch on the balcony, keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the Il forza.
It was still unseasonably warm, Mid November with daytiime highs into the 70's and the nights very pleasant.
"I've sent some money back to Halfbaked in Pagosa, so him and Boston could enjoy a few meals too" Phil said.
"Damn decent, Phil" said Eck
After getting caught up on my bills and sending a grand home to Ma, I'm still sittting flush a bit over 6 grand. Do you think that will get us through the night?" he questioned Eck cautiously.
Eck, being a little more accustomed to rolling with some dough replied " Aye Phil, we'll be fine! I'm holdin my own... and a bit theirs still. So don't worry about me." "That Beck is a greedy bastard, you can tell just by lookin' at him" Eck continued.
"Use that to your favour. give him a taste, when he thinks he has you... thats the time to take a bit back. Get his dander up and he'll go deep to show you where the bears shit in the buckwheat. Then let him have a bite...but not too much, then you will be able to close him for the large!" Eck smiled with a distant look on his face. "you gotta let the big fish think they are pulling the boat around, give them a bit of line."
"I wish you were playing him, Eck." said Phil
"Nae lad, ye'll be fine!" Eck said confidently. "Look how you did last week, taking candy from a babe!"
"What are we doing for the rest of the nite?" he enquired
"Dunno" said Phil," How about a movie?"
"all i know is we can't sleep 'til the sun's comin' up!"

[corene1]

Corene and Sarah had been up in the Skodies for a few days watching the old still sight for any signs of activity. The first day they had gone to the place and were checking it out . Typical still setup with submarine pots corn and a lot of sugar. These guys were making shine but it looked as though quantity was paramount over quality. They had looked around the cabin and had found a small stash of money in a leather satchel , no doubt it was some of the counterfeit that had been floating around. It made her wonder who had hired them and set them up making shine. Probably a couple of dumb young men that had been seduced by the big money promised to them by either the Mob or the Feds, now they were dead and buried in the hills they thought would make them rich. She left everything as it laid so as not to bring any suspicion should someone come looking for the 2 men. She figured since TB had the pack mules the shine and the 2 packers that someone would be up there checking out why there was no hootch coming down the mountain. She knew that Marcel would spill the beans to the boys back in Pagosa to save his own neck but she didn't know anything that was happening down there. Best she just keep low and watch things here for awhile. Sure enough on the third day she spotted a fella coming up the draw towards the still sight , as he got closer she could start to make him out. Well I'll be she thought , it was Jed sneaking up to the still sight looking around, pretty obvious he knew the layout, and could tell it had been abandoned. He figured them fellas had grabbed as much money as they wanted and hightailed it out of the area. She could see the panicked look on his face knowing that liquor was due and none was to be had and the Mob boys didn't take kindly to broken deals. As Jed rummaged through what was left in the cabin he found the satchel of money , now he knew something was up and he was in deep shit. He grabbed the cash so it could not be used as evidence and headed back to Pagosa as fast as he could. He definitely had to do some cover up work to save his butt. Corene just laid low in the rocks smiling. Yep he screwed me , he screwed Sarah and he is trying to screw the good folks of Pagosa but he is going to get his just deserts when all this comes crashing down on him and his cohorts . After Jed was out of sight she went back to Sarah's cabin and told her what she had seen and said that they needed to head back to town and tell the society what they had found out. She figured Jed would be long gone by the time they got down the hill but the society could still use the information to strengthen their trap.

[ga flatwoods]

Bump. Anyone, I got nothing.

[HDNB]

Sorry...kinda waiting on a poker match...didn't want to Bogart the story.

They cleared everyone out and took up residence in the middle of the dining car, pistols on the table watching each others back. Sitting there talking about nothing, each was playing their cards close. how long had it been, he wondered...it had to have been two, maybe three years since he had seen Coleen last, when she had been deemed field ready, fresh out of the farm.
Coleen was even more reticent. She knew Jed to be a senior agent, but he had never taken the management track and earned his "supervisory" designation. She knew he was posted to the same division as SSA Williams, not reporting directly to her but far to close for any comfort after seeing her and her partner Adams in the Mob's house.
"That prick is starting to stink up the joint" Jed wrinkled his nose. "Phew"
"Hey, You shot him. I just wanted to talk" Coleen replied as she struggled with the window, trying to get some fresh air in.
"Good thing it's only another hour to the station, don't know how much more of this a girl could take." He said
"Don't worry about me" Coleen said flatly.
Glancing over at the body, she knew there really would have been no talking to this skel. If Jed hadn't drawn down on him, who knows how this could have gone. She had lost her footing coming in the car and if she hadn't been able to get her PPK out in time, it could have been her on the floor just as easily.
"Thanks" Coleen nodded to Jed.
"De Nada" He replied touching the brim of his Stetson.
"No, really. I owe you one." Coleen had a solemn look on her face "I was running on adrenaline and tripped up coming in here. I'm not sure i could have got Basil loose here quick enough." She petted the PPK on the table.

"Basil!" Jed roared, tossing his head back and snorting. "You named your gun Basil?!!" He laughed to split his sides, his big cowboy hat rolling off on to the bench seat beside him, all the while clattering the heels of his shit stompers on the wooden floor.
"Hoo-wwee" Jed pounded the table
"You done?" enquired Coleen dryly, a little pink in her cheeks.
"ui'm ss-ssorry," He continued with a snicker. "I heard a man's pistol called a lot of things: Gats, Rods, burners, even one guy used to kill me up when he said his 'Cobra was gonna spit'....But Basil?" "that cracks me up, darlin'!"
"so who are you working with these days, Jed?" Coleen asked casually.
"well, that's kinda classified at this juncture" Jed replied. "I been riding with a few boys, looking to make some inroads into the mob scene, but them boys gone an got they'selves some trouble. It was a new start for me, to get out of the city. But now i'm lookin' forward to getting back."
"How about you?" he asked
"They got me running surveillance out in Chi. It's a pretty cherry gig, hanging out in the Palmer house watching the comings and goings. A lot of paperwork." Coleen Sighed nonchalantly. "I guess that's why they want to see me, it's so expensive downtown it's hard to stay on top of all the little details."
"What are we going to tell the bosses on this one?" she asked, thumbing over her shoulder towards the body
"Nothing but the facts." He replied. "That man was drawing down on me, and i'd shot him three times if he hadn't dropped on the second."
"you're right." she agreed " That was as righteous as it gets"

[Jimbo]

Can someone write more of that Sarah and Corene gettin nekid together bit again already....

[woodshed]

Can someone write more of that Sarah and Corene gettin nekid together bit again already....

I must have been one sip behind you cause I was just thinkin the same thing.

[Bigbob]

As I tell my wife... Men are pigs...

[HDNB]

Can someone write more of that Sarah and Corene gettin nekid together bit again already....

I must have been one sip behind you cause I was just thinkin the same thing.

just dont want to get my ticket punched on a #4 violation. as long as imagery and images are not not classified in the same way, i'll see what i can do.

your wife will love it bob.

[corene1]

Well you guys just might get your wish. I have a brand new bottle of 15 year old Glenfarclas single malt on my counter right now.

[ga flatwoods]

Needless to say but Corene's actions shocked both her and Sarah. Fortunately they shock was short lived and not witnessed by the drugged bootleggers. The shock grew sensual. Neither woman had ever kissed another before or had a hand placed so softly and caressing upon their breast. The men too had never seen such and were in awe but the their dismay they were feeling oh soooo tired. The women were feeling everything but..... itmwould not be long now for either couple!

OMG What did I start?

[Jimbo]

Well you guys just might get your wish. I have a brand new bottle of 15 year old Glenfarclas single malt on my counter right now.

Sarah walked in, and the door being opposite the 15yo Glenfarclas bottle, saw Corene's lithe graceful body in her favorite sheer pink satin camisole straight through the caramel glow of the aged whiskey. 'Now there's a couple things I could drink all night' she immediately thought to herself, the immediacy of that thought taking her aback in surprise and leaving a wry smile on her face. 'Hello beautiful' she uttered breathily. Again, taken aback by her own candor, almost as if overtaken by an inner carnal drive that she could not, nor really cared to understand, only explore further as she stepped toward Corene.

[Bigbob]

THE PAGOSA SPRING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

EAT
DRINK
AND BE THANKFUL!

[Truckinbutch]

The tension in the air was like static electricity . The situation was subject to go either way . That's the main problem when you make a battle plan . You can make all the plans you want until the fight starts . Then , you gotta go where the fight takes you . Plans be damned . I could see Forrest's eyes change as Howard and Jack started gatherin their wits . He had the home court advantage and he was gatherin bold . I knew he still had that big Colt hid out under the table and was calculating the odds of reachin for it .
>"Forrest !", I barked , "We came here on a tradin venture , not on the war path . You set easy and think a bit on where the profit is . I don't know which of us is the better at gun shootin . Fact is that I don't want to find out . You drag that Colt from under the table and we are gonna both end up with holes in us .That new woman of yours is gonna get a second mouth under her her chin bigger than the one she's wearing now before my woman cuts loose with that shotgun layin over there . She will do what she can for Howard and Jack ."
>Brock interrupted from the doorway ,"Don't worry about them , Pilgrim , I got my Winchester on them ." Crazy Howard's eyes got lots bigger when he looked across the room into the little black hole of Judgement Day peepin at him from the door sill .
>Flatwoods was as cool as I had expected him to be . Just sittin there calm and collected . I was the only one that could see the little twitch in the corner of his right eye that showed how tense he really was .
>Forrest , he rubbed his fingers across the scar that circled his neck from where his thoat had been cut a few years back and relaxed ."That woman don't need no bigger mouth than what she was born with and I don't want to shoot with you , neither . Why don't we have some supper and we will go to tradin tomorrow ."
>And , just that quick , the tension left the room and we all started regaining our composure . Brock walked on in and took a seat . I couldn't help but notice that He brought his Winchester with him . Howard , he reached for a bottle and took a long pull . Jack straightened his fancy clothes and kept lookin at us .
>That boy was gonna bear some watchin .

[HDNB]

The day after being debriefed by the bosses Coleen had decided on a spa day at the hotel. Since she was in town at their request and sequestered in the hotel pending more meetings, she thought she may as well make the best of it, since after all, they were paying.
After all, had she not delivered the best intel of the decade? "I damn well deserve this!" she justified to herself out loud.
The hotel Monaco was a chic historic hotel. It's massive limestone facade gave way to a well appointed lobby, soft overstuffed furniture gathered around a big fireplace and the walls were painted a vibrant emerald green that made her think of her island home.
"Miss Coleen!" the beautiful Puerto Rican attendant at the front desk called out, waving a slip of paper to get her attention. "Miss Coleen," she continued, "I got a message forjou. It's kind of strange but a nic' lady asked me to tell you: 'orcaborks' " "I don' unnerstand, miss. That's all she said to telljew."
Coleen Laughed "Ha, that's my sister, Anne! How in the world did she ever figure out i was staying here?"
"Well, she will just have to wait. I have a massage booked, and i'm late!" she scooped up the message and headed for the spa.
Just as the spa door closed behind her, the big revolving door at the front of the lobby jumped into action, and out spilled Wooteck. He glanced around admiring the opulent furnishings and made his way to the front desk. "Can you get me in touch with one of your guests please? Miss Coleen McNally?" he asked, drinking in the voluptuous curves of the young Puerto Rican.
"I could ring her room forjou sir, but i'n afraid chees not in righ' now. Maybe jew like to leave a message?"
"Can you direct me to the lounge miss?" Eck enquired
"Oh, jesssir. If jou take the doors to the lef' there, jou'll be right into it sir." The clerk said.
"Thanks." Eck replied. "If you see Miss McNally, would you be kind enough to send her my way?" asking as he turned for the lounge.

[HDNB]

Eck had been sitting there almost three hours. He ordered his third Glenfarcas and was very happy that he had ordered a nice big lunch with the second one. He was starting to wonder if this was a good idea, chasin' skirt for a state and a half. Especially since he barely knew her.
Taking his beverage out to the lobby he looked to the beauty at the front desk and nodded towards the fireplace. There was a comfortable sofa there and he settled in with his feet up to wait some more. The whisky was making his eyes grow heavy when, with a squeal of delight, Coleen landed in his lap.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a long wet kiss.
"Oh, my god!" She gushed, invigourated from her pampering in the hotel's spa, Coleen's eyes sparkled.
The green of the room reflected and set her iris' on fire, Eck found himself speechless. Lost in the gold sparks in her eyes and brought suddenly awake Eck was floundering.
"These are for you" he said, producing a boquest of flowers from the side table. "I had almost lost hope to see you here tonite!"
Coleen repeated "Oh, my god! I can't believe you are here!" she wiggled around with enthusiasm in Ecks lap and he found himself not just a little bit aroused.
The spa had worked wonders on Coleen. She was freshly spiced with the right amount of perfume and her hair and makeup made her look like a model from the magazines.
"Our poker game got postponed." He said by way of explanation "one of the guys had an opportunity of vacation, so we were just cooling our heels. I left Phil back in Chicago to keep and eye on things, and thought it would be a great opportunity to see the nations capital!" he said with a grin.
Coleen laid into him with another long, wet kiss. "I'm so happy you made it all this way to see me!"

"Well, can I take you out for dinner girl?" Eck asked.
"Unfortunately, I have something much more pressing to do." she replied
"Aye?" asked Eck "and what might that be lass?"
"You" she said with a wicked grin, grinding her hips into his hard pelvis. "I think I owe you, from the other night."
Coleen jumped up out of his lap and pulled Eck's arm up over her shoulder and dropped his hand squarely on her breast. She led the way to the elevator with some urgency.

[HDNB]

Eck looked out towards the the front desk to see the Puerto Rican smiling knowingly as the elevator doors slid closed and Coleen wrapped herself around him.
Coleen buried her hand in the back of his hair and kissed him fiercely, crushing her breasts into his chest. Eck was basking lasciviously in her desire, grasping her hips in both hands and kissing back deeply. The scent of her perfume was mixing with the erotic smell of their embrace in the small elevator.
Coleen tasted the Glenfarcas on his tongue as she slid her hand down, under his belt and grasped his manhood. "There better not be no whisky dick down here" she breathed into his ear
"Nae, Lass." Eck assured "I can hold my piss just fine!" with that, he turned her back to the elevator wall and crushed up against her, drinking in the scents and flavours of their passion mixed with perfume and makeup.

[HDNB]

The elevator dinged for the third floor and as the doors slid open, two old birds waiting in the hall gasped and tittered at the sight of their embrace.
"scuse us ladies" Eck bowed his head and led Coleen out by the hand, turning left.
"no, no, this way" Coleen said pulling Eck back in the other direction and the old gals erupted with laughter, one of them whispering to the other "they never learn!"
Coleen opened the door to her suite. the grande style of the hallways gave way to the high butressed ceilings and the inviting warmth of the king sized bed. As they stepped into the room, the door clicked closed and Coleen shrugged her loose blouse from her shoulders.
"Ahh, what fine tits you have." Eck stepped forward cupping her breasts in each hand.
"Mmmm" Coleen replied, pulling his head toward her taut nipples as she fell back onto the softness of the bed.
Eck settled into her bosom just as the telephone jangled to life with a shrill ring.
"Damn it to hell!" Eck exclaimed as he ripped the wires from the wall. "the world can fucking well wait!" and he went back the warmth of her embrace.

[S-Cackalacky]

Jimbo was about his business getting ready for the lunch crowd. Bubba was in the kitchen tearin' apart a pork butt that he had just taken from the smoker out on the back loading dock. He worked on it with his hands and a big cleaver – pulling pieces away and then goin' at it with the cleaver. He collected up this minced up smoked pork into a beat up stainless mixing bowl and walked the worn plank floor over to the cookin' stove. He lifted the lids of two big stock pots and set them aside. Bubba went about his business with a calm confidence - repeating motions done time and time again over the past thirty years. He reached into the bowl and pulled out a generous handful of the pork and dropped it into a bubblin' pot of collard greens and did the same into a pot of pinto beans. He leaned over the bean pot and inhaled deeply. Just the slightest bit of a smile came to his lips. He gave each pot a good stir and made his way back to the pork butt to continue to pull it apart.

Jimbo had been most of the morning loading new kegs into the massive kegerator for the coming day's business. Fifteen taps line the wall behind the bar. Twelve of these were for the beer he had brewed himself in the brewing room adjacent to the restaurant. The other three taps were for commercial beers that he kept on hand for those passing through town that didn't know any better. One end of the bar was open with an access door to the kitchen off to one side. On the other end there was a big chest freezer. Jimbo casually strolled over to the freezer, opened the heavy lid releasing a cloud of frozen condensation, pulled out a frozen glass mug, closed the lid, and turned to contemplate the row of taps along the wall. He made a little clicking sound with his tongue and made his way to the hard cider tap. He pulled the tap and let the flow go into the trough to release any excess gas from the line. He put the mug under the tap faucet with the inside of the glass tilted against the tap, letting the cider flow easily down the side of the glass. A heavy layer of frost immediately formed on the outside of the glass. He held the mug out in front of his face and admired the sight of the golden cider through the cold translucent frost. As he was about to tip the glass to his lips, there was the sound of a rapid frantic pounding on the door to the rear loading dock. Jimbo gave a little frown as he turned and set the mug of cider on the bar and hastily made his way to the back door. When Jimbo went through the door into the kitchen, Bubba stood with pork grease coated hands and eyes wide with astonishment as Jimbo crossed the room toward the back door – the door pounding continuing the whole while.

Jimbo pushed the door open hard and felt it contact whoever was on the other side. When the door was finally opened completely, Jimbo didn't see anyone at first, but then glanced down and shouted, “POGO, WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU?! Jimbo bent down and gave Pogo a hand up while Pogo jerked and struggled frantically to get to his feet. MR. JIMBO, MISS CORENE, MISS CORRENE, SHE...! Jimbo took him by both shoulders firmly and spoke as calmly as he could, “Pogo, easy man. Calm down and try to tell me what's wrong. What happened with Miss Corene? Pogo was hyperventilating to the point he could hardly speak. His words were labored between each frantic breath. “I went down to the swimin' hole there by Miss Corene's cabin to take a bath and I seen it, I SEEN IT!” Jimbo with a hint of impatience in his voice - “Pogo, you got to calm down. Now, what was it you seen, er saw?” “Mr. Jimbo, you know Miss Corene is a good woman. She always good to me, let's me use her swimin' hole, but I don't unerstan'.” By this point Jimbo was getting a little frustrated and impatient, so with a sterner voice than before he said, “Pogo, you need to calm down and tell me what it is you don't understand. Get a grip old man.” “OK Mr. Jimbo, but I don't want to git Miss Corene in no trouble. Like I said, I went down to the swimin' hole to take my bath. Well, I think Miss Corene was tryin' to kill somebody.” “Pogo, I don't understand what you taking a bath has to do with you thinking Miss Corene would try to kill somebody. Now please, just tell me what you saw.” “Well Mr. Jimbo, there musta been some hell of a fight because they had already tore each others clothes off and was both neked thar in the swimin' hole. Miss Corene had ahold of this other woman from behind with here arm wrapped around her chest with the other hand in front under the water. Frum what I could tell she musta been stabbin' that woman cause her hand was splashing back and forth under the water and that woman had her haid laid back screaming for God's help.” A thoughtful pondering look came across Jimbo's face that quickly transformed into a wide grin. “Pogo, come inside. Bubba's got some pork butt inside with your name on it.” “I didn't get Miss Corene in no trouble did I Mr. Jimbo? You know I like Miss Corene. Mr. Jimbo, I like your barbeecoo.” There voices faded as the door closed behind them.

[corene1]

They had both wrapped themselves in towels and had returned to Corenes cabin. Gently toweling themselves off Corene felt alive, like the flood gates to her emotions had been blown open and flooded her entire being , Sarah's naked figure, gently glistening in the sunlight that was flowing through the cabin window was like a magnet that Corene could not resist, and drew closer to her again and gently started toweling her dry. As they again embraced each other , bodies molding together like warm clay in the sunshine , they both marveled at the feel of each others smooth sensuous skin and how it reacted to every minute touch. Electricity bolted through them with every caress. A knock on the front door quickly broke the embrace and Corene threw on a little top that was laying on the bed and went to answer the door. As she opened the door she saw Jimbos smiling face. Quite a kind and handsome man she thought, but married and off the market. Jimbos eyes widened as Corene answered the door. Her body silhouetted in the sunshine and the top barley covering her body. He could make out the outline of her smallish but perky breast under the gauze like material of her top . Uhh , Howdy miss Corene, he stammered I was just coming to check on you and Sarah, Pogo came runnin down to the store and said there was some trouble going on down here so I thought I would just come down and see if you was OK. Everything alright? His face blushing a bit. Oh yes everything Is fine we were just freshening up a bit in the swimming hole and we are just relaxing a bit before the meeting tonight. You look parched come on in and I will get you some fresh Iced tea. Sarah has just made a new jar, and you can fill us in on what has been going on down here while we were gone. Jimbo nervously walked in and sat down , he somehow felt like he was the prey instead of the hunter . As Corene poured him a glass of tea she asked if he would like it warmed a bit. Yes mam, he replied . so she spiced it up a bit with her famous Lemoncello and handed him a big glass. As they sat down to talk Jimbo was finally able to take his eyes off her breasts and noticed the door to her bedroom was open and he saw Sarah in there . Naked laying on the bed with nothing but a sheer top on. A gorgeous women to say the least. He knew he was in trouble.

[Truckinbutch]

>Forrest , he rubbed his fingers across the scar that circled his neck from where his thoat had been cut a few years back and relaxed ."That woman don't need no bigger mouth than what she was born with and I don't want to shoot with you , neither . Why don't we have some supper and we will go to tradin tomorrow ."
>And , just that quick , the tension left the room and we all started regaining our composure . Brock walked on in and took a seat . I couldn't help but notice that He brought his Winchester with him . Howard , he reached for a bottle and took a long pull . Jack straightened his fancy clothes and kept lookin at us .
>That boy was gonna bear some watchin ......
>Jack allowed that he had supper plans elsewhere and left . Rumor had it that he was sneakin around some fundamentalist preacher's back yard to sniff where his daughter had pissed . None of my bidness ....... Howard had Howard things to do and declined supper as well .....
.Just left Forrest and Maggie and my party . SOH volunteered to help Maggie cook supper . They made their own peace in the kitchen and we all enjoyed a fine supper . Forrest offered rooms inside that we declined . We opted to bunk in the barn with our stock and what we had brought to trade on the morrow . I ventured that what we had to trade had value and there was sneak thieves about . Forrest couldn't dispute that comment. He escorted us to the barn and bid us good day . Opined that we should look forward to some good trading tomorrow ........

[Truckinbutch]

The ones of us bunkin in the barn huddled for a quiet strategy meeting before we bedded down and got our game plan down solid . That done , the rest of them headed for their blankets . Me and Brock stepped outside for a last lookaround and last smoke . We stopped at the corral where the mules were . We studied them . They was used to me and Brock by now and paid us no mind . Was there someone else around they would let us know .
Brock rolled himself up a Bugler and I packed my pipe while we watched the mules . They were at peace and pretty much dozing in a three legged posture . Brock opened the conversation .
"That was a close run thing in there today , Pilgrim ."
"Yep , sure was ."
"We gotta start thinkin ahead of our fists and guns ."
"I thought we was . It's them that we can't count on to think the same way as us . Let's just get our straight up tradin done in the morning and see where it goes from there . Flatwoods done cleaned them out of their foldin cash so they got to trade in hard goods if they wish to trade ."
"You trust that Flatwoods feller ?"
"Like I would you , my friend .........."
"Nuff said ," said Brock as he toed out his smoke in the dirt and headed for his blankets .
>I knocked out my pipe and headed inside to snuggle with my lady .............There was a long day awaiting us . The measure of our prosperity depended on the greed of others .

[Truckinbutch]

It was just shy of breakin day when I felt the call and stepped outside the barn to piss . The night critters was on their way home from work and the day shift critters was just fixin to come on . That quiet before the dawn that folks speak of . One of my favorite times of the day .
Then the sky began lightening and a rooster crowed . I saw a match flare in the house and then the glow of a coal oil lamp . It traversed the windows to the kitchen . Soon , the smell of woodsmoke from a newfired cook stove permeated the barnyard .
>Maggie came out the kitchen door in the gathering dawn light and headed toward the chicken coop . I crossed the barn yard to intercept her on her way to gather eggs . Seeing me coming , she stopped in a defensive posture .
"Um , Mam , about yesterday ..........."I stammered .............
"Makes no nevermind ," she said ,"Your woman was tryin to protect her man and I was doin the same . She got the upper hand . Did it turn the other way it would have turned out different . Worse , I think . Mister , I just want to survive here and be with my man . I think your woman wants the same . "
"So do I . Simple tradin for the folks back home is what we came for . That's bidness . The foolishness of card flippin and fist fightin is just that ; the foolishness of menfolk . You like nice dresses and fooforaw ; that's your vanity . The vanity of us men is pissin higher on the tree than the last dog what came through . I got little vanity left . I came to do some tradin to help improve my community . All I'm after ."
"I got to gather eggs . Breakfast will be ready by the time you all have tended to your mules ."