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Mary-Beth shook her head, still flustered but smiling like the sun breaking through clouds. "You're impossible, Caleb," she murmured. "Maybe," he said, grinning. "But I'm yours." They lingered a while longer, enjoying the soft clink of glasses and the easy hum of life in Valentine.
As they enjoyed their drink together in silence, the sun slipped lower, dragging the last hues of orange and pink across the windows of the saloon. The quiet lull that had filled the room during the afternoon faded as the evening crowd began to pour in.
Boots clacked against the wooden floorboards, voices grew louder, and laughter rolled like smoke through the air. The scent of whiskey and tobacco deepened as men pushed through the swinging doors, eager for a drink after long hours of labor or lawlessness.
With more patrons filling the saloon, the upstairs creaked to life. Doors opened, and the soft murmur of women's voices floated down the staircase.
The working girls began to appear, gliding out from the back rooms and upstairs halls like painted specters ready to charm money from the patrons eager hands. They were dressed to dazzle under the dim glow of the hanging lamps, corsets drawn tight, skirts swishing, smiles sharp enough to cut.
And then they saw him.
Caleb.
The man they had not laid eyes on in weeks. A man who had, in his own quiet way, turned more than a few heads before his disappearance. Caleb had always been a puzzle to them, handsome, sharp eyed, and utterly unshaken by their charms.
Many had tried to pull him into their orbits before, only to find him elusive, distant, or politely disinterested. To some, that made him all the more desirable. Now, seeing him back in Valentine after so long, the flicker of delight in their eyes was unmistakable.
A ripple of whispers spread among them like wildfire. Smiles curled. Hips swayed as they prepared to make their approach, to welcome him back with teasing words and fluttering lashes. But when they rounded the railing or leaned against the pillars for a better look, what they saw stopped them cold.
There he was, Caleb, sitting at the bar as casual as could be, with a woman at his side.
Not just any woman.
She had a softness to her, a quiet grace that shone even in this rough edged room. Her dress was simple but clean, her posture unguarded yet elegant.
And the way she looked at Caleb, the way he looked at her, told a story no amount of paint and powder could compete with. They weren't just sitting together. They were connected, tethered by something far stronger than passing fancy.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the group. Several of the working girls immediately pulled close, forming a huddle near the foot of the stairs, voices sharp with curiosity and disbelief.
"Who the hell is that?" one hissed, eyes narrowed.
"She doesn't work here," another replied, stating the obvious.
"Look at her," a third muttered, arms crossed tight against her bodice. "Graceful as a damn swan. Ain't like none of us."
"I heard Caleb didn't take no woman serious," one scoffed, though her voice faltered halfway through. "Maybe she's just passin' through."
"If that's just passin' through," the first shot back, "then I'm the damn governor's wife."
They stole glances at the pair again. Caleb was leaning in slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he spoke low to the woman, Mary-Beth, they'd later learn. She laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks warm with a blush that looked far too genuine to fake.
The knot of women buzzed with questions, speculations flying like sparks from a fire. After a heated round of guesses and half baked theories, one of them, the boldest of the bunch, peeled away from the group and stalked toward the bar, hips swinging like a challenge.
Her hips swayed like pendulums as she approached Mr. Douglas, who was busy lining up drinks for a crowd of impatient cowboys. The bartender caught her reflection in the mirror, smirking even before she opened her mouth.
"Evenin', darlin'," he said without looking at her, setting a foamy beer down with a practiced flick. "What can I do for ya?"
The girl leaned an elbow on the counter, her voice dripping with sugar. "You can tell me who she is." She nodded discreetly toward Caleb's table. Her eyes burned with curiosity. "That lady sittin' next to Caleb. Never seen her before."
Douglas barked out a laugh so sudden it startled the ranch hand waiting for his drink. "Knew that question was comin' sooner or later," he said, shaking his head as he grabbed two more bottles from the shelf. He didn't answer right away, taking his sweet time serving the men lined up along the bar before finally leaning close enough for the girl to hear.
"Name's Mary-Beth," he said, keeping his tone even. "And Caleb's been introducin' her to damn near everyone in town since he got back. That's his lady, clear as day. Hell, from the way they look at each other, I'd wager they're already married in all but name."
The working girl froze, her painted smile faltering into a flat line. Married? That was worse than she expected. Way worse.
She glanced over her shoulder at them, at the way Caleb's hand rested casually close to Mary-Beth's, their faces bent toward one another in quiet conversation, smiles soft and private. It wasn't a fling. It wasn't a game. This was something real.
Her mind whirled. Who the hell was this Mary-Beth? She leaned in again, voice sharp now. "You ever seen her before? Ever hear her name in town?"
Mr. Douglas didn't miss a beat. "Nope," he said with conviction. "First time layin' eyes on her was today. But I'll tell you this, she ain't like the rest of us. Carries herself different. Like she comes from good stock." He held up a hand before the girl could spit venom. "Ain't sayin' you ladies ain't fine folk. But maybe Caleb wanted someone… pure. Someone outside the smoke and whiskey of this place."
The words landed heavy. The working girl's face hardened, but she said nothing, just flicked one last glance toward the couple before stalking back to her circle at the stairs. The others pounced on her return, peppering her with questions, but the look on her face said everything. Whatever hope they'd clung to was gone.
At the table, Mary-Beth felt the weight of eyes on her long before she saw them. She could feel it, like little needles pricking her back. When she finally turned her head, she spotted the group at the staircase, their painted faces taut with thin smiles, and the lone figure at the bar cutting glances her way. Mary-Beth let out a soft chuckle before she could stop herself.
Caleb caught the sound, his brow furrowing. "What's funny?" he asked, leaning closer.
Mary-Beth shook her head, smiling faintly. "It's just… I can feel 'em looking. All of them."
"Who?"
"The girls," she said simply, nodding ever so slightly toward the staircase where a cluster of women stood whispering behind painted fans. "They're staring at me like I've grown horns. I suppose I must look like an anomaly to them, sitting here with you, laughing like this. They all must have tried and failed, and here I am, doing so effortlessly."
Caleb scratched the back of his neck, looking more amused than annoyed. "Let 'em look," he said finally, his voice steady as a rock. "Let 'em think whatever the hell they want. We don't owe 'em a damn thing."
Then, with that signature confidence that made him untouchable, he rose from his chair and reached for her hand. His fingers closed around hers like a promise. "C'mon," he said, his smile softening. "Time we got some rest. Enough excitement for one day."
Her heart gave a little flutter as his fingers closed around hers, steady, warm, and sure.
Together, they walked out of the saloon under the silent, simmering gazes of the working girls, the low murmur of their whispers fading behind them like the dying hum of bees. The cool night air kissed their cheeks as they crossed the muddy street toward the hotel. The lamps were lit now, throwing long golden fingers across the boardwalk.
The lobby was warm and well lit, the scent of old wood and coal stoves welcoming after the chill outside. Caleb strode to the counter, fishing in his pocket without hesitation. He slapped 50 cents from his satchel on the polished surface.
"Want a hot bath drawn for the lady," he said, his tone leaving no room for question.
The clerk, thin as a fence post and twice as stiff, arched a brow, but his voice was courteous. "Of course, sir." He slid the coins into the till and gestured toward the hallway. "Right down that hallway, first door on the left. Sign says 'Bath.' Water'll be piping hot in a few minutes."
Mary-Beth blinked, caught off guard by the sudden arrangement. Before she could form words, Caleb leaned close, his breath warm against her ear.
"You ain't had a proper bath back at camp for Lord knows how long," he murmured. "Figured you'd like the chance while we're here."
Temptation struck swift and sweet. Her lips parted on a soft laugh. "Thank you, Caleb," she said, sincerity shining in her eyes before she disappeared down the hall, skirts swaying lightly..
Caleb leaned against the counter, exhaling slow. For a rare moment, he let himself relax. But peace never lasted long in his world.
The doors banged open behind him, letting in a gust of cold night air and a familiar figure. Jasper stepped inside, boots scuffing the floor, a lockbox tucked under one arm. His sharp eyes found Caleb instantly, and he grinned.
"Look who's standin' pretty over here," Jasper exclaimed, striding over.
Caleb pushed off the counter and patted his friend's shoulder in greeting. "Jasper."
Jasper leaned in closer, voice dropping to a hush. "Got somethin' for ya. All the money from these past weeks you've been gone."
Caleb's eyes flicked to the lockbox, then back to Jasper. He nodded once, firm. "Go on up to your room. I'll meet you there as soon as I'm done here."
Jasper didn't argue. Just tipped his hat and slipped toward the staircase, his shadow stretching long across the floor before vanishing upstairs.
Caleb stayed where he was, the hum of the lobby settling around him like distant thunder. He had decisions to make. Too many, and not nearly enough time.
The hotel lobby was quiet save for the ticking of an old clock on the wall and the occasional murmur from the clerk behind the counter. Caleb stood there, arms crossed loosely, eyes flicking toward the hallway every so often. He'd been waiting for about half an hour now, maybe a little more, but he didn't mind one bit.
Every tick of the clock brought him closer to her.
Finally, footsteps echoed faintly down the hallway. The sound stirred something in Caleb, anticipation, warmth, a strange sense of pride he didn't often let himself feel. When Mary-Beth appeared, framed by the glow of the hallway lamps, Caleb's breath nearly caught in his throat.
The change was subtle, yet striking. Her chestnut hair was damp at the ends, curling slightly from the steam. Her cheeks glowed a natural rose, and the fine tendrils of hair that clung to her temples gave her a softness that nearly undid him.
Her dress clung a little differently now that the dust and wear of travel were gone, and the faint scent of lavender and soap drifted around her like a whisper.
Caleb let out a low whistle, unable to stop the smile tugging at his lips. "Wow, would you look at yourself," he drawled, voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "You're downright radiant, Mary-Beth. Thought you were somethin' before, but now?" His grin widened. "Now you're somethin' else entirely."
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 6/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 3)
- Rifle (Lvl 3)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 3)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 2)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 3)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 4)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 2)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv 2)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,582 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 3,245 dollars, 7 gold nuggets, 8 gold bars, 7 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 large bags of jewelry, 4 gold rings, 2 silver rings, 4 silver pocket watches, 3 gold buckles, 1 gold pocket compass, 2 platinum pocket watches, and 2 Colm's Schofields
Bank: -