Juicy Secrets Forbidden Tales of Lesbian Love

The story thus far: Seeking a missing Texas Ranger, our old acquaintance The Tequila Kid comes across a poor family named Miller. Like many others in the area, this widow Sarah and her two little girls, Amy and Cindy, have been brutalized by a wealthy scoundrel named McCuller, who intends to drive away all the owners of small farms and ranches in the area and take their land. Later, drying off from heavy rain at the local stable, Sheriff Lucas Clay comes in search of The Kid, demanding she surrender her guns. Knowing Clay to be corrupt (and in league with McCuller), The Kid asks to speak with him in private. Moments later at the jail, he threatens her, and she deals him a beat-down, then informs him that she means to arrest McCuller and Tyson Avidite (a banker who is part of the conspiracy) before she leaves.

From the sheriff’s office, she goes to the Silver Slipper, the town’s saloon, gambling house and brothel. There, she encounters a young man named Jud Nelson, who she’d seen Sheriff Clay harass earlier. Recognizing him as a decent sort, she hires him to watch the jail to see if Clay leaves. Then she meets a twelve-year-old girl named Dixie, who does menial work at the Silver Slipper and is bullied by Toots, the brutish bartender. The Kid asks Dixie which girl is the most popular of the whores. Star, the girl replies, and The Kid gives Dixie the money to pay for Star’s services that evening.

Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, The Kid enjoys an intense hour of sex with Star. Afterwards, she asks the prostitute a few questions about the town and its doings. She learns that Clark Hansen, the missing Texas Ranger she seeks, disappeared around the same time as Dixie’s older sister Dallas, who was one of the whores at the Silver Slipper. The Kid asks about Ben McCuller, but Star refuses to answer, claiming “it’s too dangerous.” When The Kid goes back downstairs, Jud returns to let her know that Sheriff Clay just left town, riding hard in the direction of McCuller’s place.

Figuring she’s done as much as she can for one night, The Kid decides to join an ongoing card game, where she ends up winning a decent amount of money, as well as a neglected horse, which she takes to the local stable where her own horse is being kept.

The next morning, The Kid is informed by Jud Nelson that Cy Warren, McCuller’s enforcer and dirty-jobs man, has just entered the sheriff’s office, using a key. On their way to confront him, The Kid is taken aback to recognize the horse Cy has hitched up outside as Thunder, who she knows to be the property of Clark Hansen, the missing Texas Ranger she is seeking. More determined than ever to get answers from Cy Warren, she boldly strides into the sheriff’s office, a nervous Jud close behind.

The Kid quickly catches Warren in an obvious lie about his having purchased Hansen’s horse, and arrests him on the spot, drawing her gun before he can. Once Cy is locked up, she and Jud set off for banker Tyson Avidite’s office. With the genuine ranch deeds in her possession, she and Jud quickly establish that the ones Avidite is holding for McCuller are obvious forgeries, created in an effort to steal the area’s small ranches from their rightful owners.  Confronted by the evidence, Avidite breaks down and confesses to his role in McCuller’s crooked conspiracy. 

Later that day, The Kid steals onto McCuller’s land while he is away. She encounters his vicious pair of trained dogs, and deploys Indian methods she learned as a young girl to make friends with them. That accomplished, she carefully breaks into his study, where she fiddles with a certain something in the man’s desk drawer before making her escape.

The Kid has one more task to accomplish before turning in. She drops by the Silver Slipper to liberate the young girl Dixie from her menial position. The vicious bartender Toots is intent on stopping The Kid, but she takes him down with a couple of well-placed punches, then helps herself to a large wad of cash from the man’s pocket for Dixie’s back wages. The Kid and the girl then depart, leaving an enraged Toots behind.  

And now, dear readers, we make our way into the next installment. Read on…

by Purple Les

Leaving the Silver Slipper with young Dixie in tow, The Kid took the girl to a cafe. There, she drank coffee and watched as Dixie devoured a big bowl of beef stew and a slice of pie.

“Thank you, Kid,” Dixie finally said, laying her napkin to one side. “I can’t rightly recall the last time I ate so good.”

“Looks like you needed it,” The Kid replied. “Like another piece of pie?”

“No, no,” Dixie quickly said, patting her tummy. “That was plenty. I’m fit to bust!”

The Kid got to her feet. “Best be on our way, then. There’s somewhere else we got to go before gettin’ you settled in.”

A few minutes later, The Kid led Dixie to the town’s general store, knocking on the locked door while Dixie gawked at a fancy dress in the window. The owner had just closed for the day, but when The Kid told him, “I aim to spend a lot, and it won’t take long,” he relented, opening up to let The Kid and the scruffy -looking girl inside.

Using her poker winnings, The Kid bought Dixie a winter coat, two plain dresses, a skirt and blouse, a week’s worth of underwear, stockings, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, two pairs of shoes, a green ribbon for her hair, two nightgowns, a small sack of peppermint candy and a sturdy carpet bag. The Kid and Dixie left with bundles and packages wrapped in brown paper, stacked in their arms.

Earlier at the cafe, The Kid had asked the waitress if she knew of a respectable boarding house. “You could try Miz Tisdale’s place,” the woman replied. “She’s down to the end of the next street over.”

As it happened, Mrs. Tisdale was a cheerful German widow who did have a single vacancy left. The room was small, but tidy and reasonably priced, so The Kid put down a week’s rent.

After depositing the packages in the room, The Kid left Dixie to rest while she went to fetch her saddle bags and rifle.

Upon returning, she sought out Mrs. Tisdale, who was seated in the kitchen, peeling potatoes. “You folks provide baths? Me and my friend need to get ourselves washed up somethin’ fierce.”

The plump German woman nodded. “Ja, all who stay here get one bath a week, no charge. Any extra is half dollar.” She put her paring knife down, dropping a peeled potato into a metal tub filled with them. “You want now?”

“Reckon we do, ma’am,” The Kid replied.

 ***

Dixie found herself all but overwhelmed by it all. Just a few hours earlier, she’d been working as not much better than a slave in the town’s whorehouse. Now she sat in a tub full of hot soapy water.

The room was a small shack attached to the kitchen. There were four nice metal bath tubs arranged in a square with a white bed sheet hanging between each one.

“This is good, ja?” Mrs. Tisdale inquired, once The Kid’s tub had been filled.

“It’s just fine, ma’am,” The Kid replied.

“I go, then. Call when you need to rinse.”

Dixie heard Mrs. Tisdale leave as she studied the silhouette of a naked Kid slowly lowering herself into the tub, then heard her murmur, “My, that feels nice.”

The sound of small splashes and sloshing water could be heard as Dixie and The Kid put their soap, washcloths and scrub brushes to work. Then it was quiet as they luxuriated in the hot water, each lost to her own thoughts.

After a while, when the water was growing tepid, The Kid called for Mrs. Tisdale, who returned with a young girl, about thirteen or so. “My daughter Beth. She will rinse.” Mrs. Tisdale said, then left.

Approaching Dixie, a bucket in her hands, Beth said, “Stand up, please.” When she complied, Beth carefully poured half a bucket of warm water over her, washing the soap away, then handed Dixie a towel. “You can dry off now,” she said. “Just wear the towel up to your room, and I’ll collect it in the mornin’.” With that, the girl moved to the other tub. Glancing at the sheet, Dixie saw Beth rinsing The Kid.

Towels wrapped around their bare bodies, Dixie and The Kid padded up the back stairs to their room.

Dixie stared wide-eyed as The Kid removed her towel, using it to finish drying her hair. The Kid’s back was to Dixie and the young girl looked appreciatively at the lean, tight frame of her benefactor.

Removing her own towel, Dixie got into her new cotton nightgown. Meanwhile, The Kid had donned a pair of men’s red flannel long johns. She took Dixie’s towel and finished drying the girl’s hair, then hung both towels on the door hook.

The Kid opened the parcel that held Dixie’s new hairbrush, then patted the bed. “Sit you down, and I’ll fix up your hair.” They sat together, and as The Kid brushed out Dixie’s hair she asked the girl, “What d’ye think happened to your sister?”

Staring at the floor, Dixie shook her head. “She’s dead.”

“How you reckon that?” The Kid asked back, pausing in mid-stroke.

“It’s been months,” Dixie said, a mournful cast to her voice. “The only way Dallas would be gone this long is if she was dead. She’d never leave me behind without a word like this. Never.”

“That gal Star says her and the other girls figured your sister ran off with Ranger Clark Hansen. You don’t think that might of happened?” Putting the brush aside, The Kid began to braid the girl’s hair.

“No. Like I said, the only thing that would keep Dallas from comin’ for me is if she was dead.” She gave a heavy sigh. “I stopped waitin’ for her weeks ago. I don’t know where she is or how it happened, I just know she’s gone forever. I feel it, deep inside.”

“Were she and Ranger Hansen close?”

“She liked him, I guess,” Dixie replied with a shrug. “Not sure how much. He rode out to see McCuller, and when Dallas heard that the next day, she followed him out there.” A long pause. “Never saw either one of ‘em again.”

A silence fell on the room as The Kid put the last braid in Dixie’s hair. “There. All done,” she said.

“Thanks,” Dixie said. “You best watch out for Toots. He’ll come looking for you, tryin’ to fetch me back.”

“Why’s that?” The Kid asked.

“It’s ‘cause this man named Ben McCuller bought me from Toots. He gave Toots five hundred for me now, and he’ll give another five hundred when he marries me.”

That caught The Kid by surprise. “Marries you?” she exclaimed, rising to place the hairbrush on a small oak dresser. “How old are you, Dixie?”

“Twelve. When I turn thirteen in March, McCuller will marry me, and Toots gets his money. If Toots don’t get me back, he’ll prob’ly have to give back the five hundred he already got. He sure won’t like that.” With a mirthless snicker, she added, “Star says Toots would rather eat a rattlesnake than part with a dollar.”  Dixie bounced a few times, testing the mattress. “This here’s a soft bed. I ain’t been in a real bed for a long time.”

Frowning, The Kid muttered, “I just don’t get why McCuller wants to buy you like that, Dixie. And why in hell would he leave you with that polecat Toots?”

“I can’t figure it, either,” Dixie replied. “All I know is he come into the bar one night, and when I went over to his table, he looked at me like he seen a ghost. ‘Betsy’, he called me. I’d never laid eyes on him before… and I got no idea who this Betsy is. That’s when he gave Toots the money to hold onto me. Toots says that’s the only reason he don’t make me whore for him. My sister didn’t like it none, but what could we do?”

The Kid turned the lamp down, then seated herself in a wingback chair. “Well, by the time you turn thirteen, McCuller will either be dead or in prison, so don’t you worry no more ‘bout him or Toots.”

The Kid was about to say more, but the words died on her lips as Dixie got to her feet and padded over to where she sat, the girl’s eyes never leaving hers.

Looking Dixie up and down, The Kid liked what she saw. She’s taller and better formed than most girls her age. And maybe she’s still a child, but her body has other ideas about that.

Dixie’s shape was clearly visible through the nightie she wore. Her breasts were small but well formed, the stiffened nipples pressing against the white cotton.

Dixie murmured, “You done so much for me, Kid. I want to thank you, but there’s only one way I know to do it proper.”

The girl reached down for the hem of her nightie, tugged it over her head, then let it drop to the floor.  Now naked, she extended a hand to The Kid.

Dixie guided The Kid to her feet, then wrapped both arms round the woman’s neck, standing on tiptoe, drawing her close until their mouths met.

When The Kid bent forward to deepen the kiss, Dixie parted her lips, slipping her tongue into The Kid’s mouth to explore.

As their tongues mingled and danced, Dixie let her hands slide down The Kid’s back. Fondling her older lover’s ass with the left hand, she used the right to undo the two buttons that held up the trap door of The Kid’s union suit.

When The Kid felt the child’s hands cupping her bare bottom, her head swam. Guess I oughtn’t to be surprised. Star told me Dixie and her sister was sweethearts. 

Breaking their kiss, Dixie began to undo the row of buttons that ran down the front of The Kid’s long johns. Once she’d unfastened the last one, Dixie spread the front open and helped The Kid finish undressing.

Now nude, The Kid stood before Dixie, giving the girl a good long look. All she wore was a gold ring on a fine silver chain.

“You sure are pretty,” Dixie said, feeling herself blush as she looked The Kid up and down. Even with those tattoos and that scar on her nose, there’s somethin’ about her that makes me all hot and crazy inside. I’m gonna enjoy doin’ the deed with her.

“So are you,” The Kid replied, that familiar warmth making itself known between her thighs. Much as she loved coupling with other women, there was something about the bare body of a young girl that sent her lust soaring… and Dixie’s was exquisite. A touch too thin, but surely that was Toots’ doing. Bet he begrudges his girls every bite they eat, she told herself. Then Dixie gets left with the scraps. 

But what really angered The Kid was the bruises she saw on the girl’s body. That nub-fingered polecat, she fumed. By God, he makes me mad enough to swallow a horn-toad backwards. She kept those thoughts to herself, not wanting to spoil the moment. Instead, she bent to scoop Dixie up in her strong arms, then carried her over to the bed, where she gently set the girl down.

“This right here is thanks enough for me, Dixie,” said The Kid. “Just knowin’ you’re safe.”

Dixie smiled up at her protector, eyes sparkling. “Nope,” she said, patting the bed next to where she lay. “You lie down here and let me love you. I’ve been wantin’ this all day long.”

Once more, The Kid looked the girl up and down. The sight left her giddy with need. The small pert breasts and stiff, succulent nipples. Dixie was thin about the shoulders and waist, with hips that were beginning to take on a woman’s contour. Her legs were long and shapely, and the light dusting of golden pubes adorning the girl’s mound couldn’t hide her moist labia.

The Kid absently licked her lips, the storm rising inside. Yep, she’s still a little girl… but she’s hungry for what a woman wants. 

“Please, Kid,” Dixie insisted. “I want to so bad. Please?”

Even if she’d wanted to, The Kid couldn’t refuse. Stretching out next to Dixie, she waited, ready for whatever the girl chose to give.

Dixie scooted down to the foot of the bed, crawling between the young woman’s legs. She licked her lips at the view of The Kid’s cunt, then buried her mouth in the thick pubes, her tongue emerging to explore the dripping interior.

“God almighty,” The Kid moaned, thinking, It sure as hell ain’t her first time doin’ this. Looking down the length of the girl’s body, she admired her pert little bottom. I’d like me some of that.

“Why don’t you turn yourself around,” The Kid said, “so I can get a taste, too.”

Without removing her mouth from The Kid’s sex, Dixie quickly swiveled her body until she was straddling the young woman’s face.

So pretty, The Kid thought, lightly tracing the twelve-year-old’s downy cleft with a finger. Dixie gave a muffled moan to encourage her.

The Kid’s began to tease the girl’s pussy with light, glancing flicks of the tongue, but it tasted so good that she hungered for more of her little lover’s essence. Fastening her mouth to Dixie’s cunt, she pressed her tongue inside.

By an unspoken but mutual agreement, they quickly fell into a game of bringing each other to the point of climax, then retreating.

Finally, The Kid gasped, “Now, Dixie, now,” then fastened her lips to the girl’s tiny clitoris.

The two lovers furiously lashed each other’s clits with their tongues until they came — The Kid first, Dixie soon after — riding their ecstasy as far and high as it could take them, finally lying side by side, exhausted.

A couple of minutes later, Dixie roused herself, climbing from the bed and padding over to the ewer and washbasin. There she cleaned herself up, carefully washing between her thighs. The Kid watched, then got up to do the same.

The room was cold in the aftermath of their loving, so they both got back into their nightwear before returning to bed. The Kid put out the lamp, and they cuddled together under the covers, listening to hard raindrops battering the window.

“That was real nice,” Dixie said softly. “I haven’t had such good lovin’ since Dallas left.”

“You and your sister… you did this sort of thing?” The Kid asked, pretending to be surprised. She already knew the answer, Star having mentioned the true relationship Dixie shared with her missing sister.

“I can’t hardly recall a time when we didn’t,” Dixie said. “Dallas taught me how when she was sixteen. I think she learned it from Ma, ’cause when Pa died, she took us into her bed; then all three of us was lovers.” She sighed. “Ma passed the next year. The bank took our house and land, so me and Dallas had to move on. Here’s where we ended up.”

“Damn those bankers,” The Kid muttered. “They’d steal a fly from a blind spider.” She touched her lips to Dixie’s head. “You go to sleep now, child.”

“G’night,” Dixie whispered, nestling into The Kid’s arms.

***

The next morning found The Kid up early. She took clean clothes from her saddlebag and put them on, then gently awakened Dixie.

“Mmmm… g’mornin’, Kid,” Dixie said, stretching her limbs.

“Mornin’, sweet stuff. I got some business to take care of; shouldn’t take too long. When you get up, go on downstairs for breakfast, then come back here and wait for me. While I’m gone, why don’t you unwrap them new clothes and pack ’em in the carpet bag?”

“Aw, do you gotta go right now?” Dixie pouted. “We could have some fun first.”

“Whoa, girl,” The Kid chuckled. “You ’bout wore me down to a nub last night. We start foolin’ around now, I won’t get nothin’ done.” Bending down, she gave the child a kiss. “You be good while I’m gone, okay?”

“Reckon I can… if we can be bad some more when you get back,” Dixie replied.

“I’ll hold you to that,” said The Kid, winking as she left.

She went to the cafe for a quick breakfast, then bought two bags of food to take to the jailhouse — one for Jud, one for their prisoner Cy Warren.

Jud had already made coffee, and The Kid tried a cup while he devoured the bacon, eggs and gravy biscuits she’d brought him. She took a sip, then made a face. “If I get a minute, I’ll show you how to make proper coffee, Jud.” She added more to the cup, then picked up the second bag. “I’ll just take this back to Warren.”

“Cheapest breakfast on the menu, right?” Jud said, polishing off the last of his eggs.

“Yep. Grits and fatback,” The Kid replied, unlocking the door to the cells.

They could hear Cy bellow, “God damn it, when you gonna let me outta here?”

“Shut the hell up,” The Kid called, opening the door with her elbow. “Or by God, you’ll be goin’ hungry this mornin’.”

***

The Kid and Jud had just stepped outside for some air. “Reckon I better cut Warren loose sometime soon,” The Kid murmured, rolling herself a smoke. “I ain’t got enough to hold him, and he knows it.”

Jud frowned. “What the…? If that’s so, why in tarnation did you arrest him in the first place?”

“To make him sweat a little,” The Kid replied, “and to show him I mean business. That’s a big part of bein’ a agent of the law, Jud. Lettin’ folks know you ain’t to be trifled with. Otherwise, they’ll eat you alive…”

The Kid trailed off, her attention caught by a large buckboard wagon with a team of horses. Two men were loading it. She recognized one of them from McCuller’s ranch, where he’d been splitting logs.

“They’re both from McCuller’s, ain’t they?” she asked Jud.

“Yep,” Jud answered. “The big one’s Sam, I told you ’bout him. He’s McCuller’s cook, handyman, whatever the boss needs. That little feller feeds the boys in the bunkhouse, so they call him Cookie.” Jud chuckled. “It weren’t the best grub I ever ate, but it was hot and there was plenty of it.”

The Kid saw a man timidly approach Sam and Cookie. It was a farmer whose home she’d visited a few days earlier, inquiring into the whereabouts of Ranger Hansen. Jack Vale, that’s his name.

“Howdy, fellas,” Vale said, taking off his hat. Pointing at a large barrel, he said, “Um… think you could spare a handful or two of that flour?”

“You go to hell,” Sam said, then studied the man closely. “Huh. You’re one of them farmers out that way, aintcha?”

“Th-that’s right,” Vale replied. “See, it’s been mighty hard–”

“Listen, you,” Sam growled. “Instead of beggin’ from us, what you oughta be doin’ is packin’ up your shit and movin’ on. You damn dirt scratchers ain’t welcome round these parts. Now git!”

“Now hold on!” Vale protested. “We got a right to be here–”

“Sam, Sam,” Cookie said. “You oughtn’t to talk to this fella like that.” He turned to the farmer. “Now, what was it you wanted?”

“Well, just a little flour…” Vale began.

Cookie drove his fist into the man’s stomach. Vale dropped to the ground, gasping for breath.

“There,” Cookie muttered. “That’ll learn ya.” He glanced at Sam. “Next time, don’t talk. Just hit. Saves time.” Turning to spit on the groaning farmer, he said, “Now get you gone, less’n you want a boot in the nuts to go with that.”

Vale crawled a few yards, then struggled to his feet. McCuller’s men snickered, watching him make his way down the street in a painful stagger, then they got back to loading the wagon.

Her arms folded, The Kid looked thoughtfully at the huge load of supplies. “C’mon, Jud.” she said.

What’s she up to now? Jud wondered as they sauntered over to the two men, who were carefully placing one last barrel on the wagon.

“Howdy, boys.” The Kid said amiably as Sam and Cookie began to tie their load down. They gave her a bored glance and continued their work.

The Kid said nothing, just stood there looking at the two men. Finally, Sam snapped, “Need somethin’ from us?”

“Just for you to come with me to the jail,” she said, smiling pleasantly. “See, you’re both under arrest.”

Halting in mid-motion, the men glared at her. Jud felt his gut tighten again. Godamighty, he thought, that girl’s sure got some sand.

“Under arrest?” the larger man bellowed. “Who the hell are you, then? I know the sheriff ’round these parts, an’ he ain’t no goddamn girl.”

The Kid reached into a pocket and pulled out her Texas Ranger badge, holding it up. “And this here is actin’ sheriff Jud Nelson,” she said, jerking a thumb in Jud’s direction.

Sam spit on the ground, while Cookie, who remembered Jud from when he worked on McCuller’s ranch, said, “This some kinda joke, Jud?”

“Ain’t no joke,” was The Kid’s firm reply.

“Under arrest for what?” Sam asked with a sneer.

“Assault, for one. Also, you boys is wearin’ guns in town. I understand that’s against the law here.”

Both men laughed. Sam said, “Assault? That broke-down scutter was beggin’ in the street. He got what was comin’ to him. Hell, Sheriff Clay would of cracked his head.”

“And so what if we’re wearing our guns?” said Cookie. “You can take that there tin badge and shove it up your snatch. We’re leavin’ now, so get lost.”

“Come on down now, boys, ‘fore you get hurt.” The Kid said as she opened her coat, revealing her guns.

“Jud, what is this? Is she crazy?” Cookie asked Jud.

“No, she ain’t,” Jud said. “This here is the Tequila Kid.”

The two burly cooks exchanged a quick glance, then slowly climbed out of the wagon. “Now, listen here,” Cookie said, “You’ll be in a fine mess when McCuller hears of this.”

The Kid drew her right hand Colt. “Take off them gun belts nice and slow, then hand ‘em over to Jud.”

Once the men were disarmed, she marched them to the sheriff office and into the cell block, where she  locked them up separately. Cy Warren was as surprised to see Cookie and Sam as they were to see him.

“You boys like a cup of coffee?” The Kid asked as she pulled the key from the lock.

“Don’t do it!” Cy snapped, “Not unless you like drinkin’ water from the outhouse.”

“Well?” asked The Kid, looking from Cookie to Sam.

“Reckon I’ll pass,” Cookie muttered, rubbing his head.

“Don’t drink coffee nohow,” said Sam.

The Kid shrugged. “Suit yourself,” she said, and left the cells, elbowing the door shut.

Jud was leaning back against the desk, frowning. “What’s he sayin’ about my coffee?”

“Never mind that,” The Kid said, seating herself at the sheriff’s desk and opening the large drawer. “I got a job for you, Jud. And I guarantee you’ll enjoy it a lot more’n listenin’ to these prisoners bitch and complain all damn day.”

“This office is gettin’ a mite stuffy,” Jud agreed. “I’m in a mood to be out and about. What ya got that needs doin’, Kid?”

“Makin’ folks happy,” The Kid replied. Taking a fat leather pouch from the drawer, she placed it in Jud’s hands. “You’ll find the deeds McCuller stole in here, plus eighteen thousand dollars of that bastard’s money. I want you to go round to each of those families and give ‘em their deeds back, plus a thousand dollars each. Tell ‘em McCuller ain’t meddlin’ with their affairs no more.”

Weighing the pouch in both hands, Jud frowned. “I don’t know ‘bout this, Kid. Shouldn’t you wait to do this until you got McCuller locked up? What if he sends his men out to get his money back? Shit, he’ll prob’ly kill ‘em all and say they stole from him. And my life won’t be worth a plugged nickel.”

The Kid rested a hand on Jud’s shoulder. “I promise you this. It might mean puttin’ a bullet in him myself, but I will stop that black-hearted scoundrel from hurtin’ any more families.”

The young man studied The Kid’s face, then nodded. “Fair enough. I’ve come with you this far… might as well finish the job.”

“I knew I was right about you, Jud. Say, once this all blows over, you might think about keepin’ this sheriff job. I’d say you got the grit for it.”

Jud was clearly pleased, but tried not to let it show. “Thanks, Kid. I’d best get saddled up. Lot of ridin’ to do.”

“Hold on a second,” said The Kid, looking out the window at McCuller’s wagon. “I got me an idea.”

Jud gave a weary laugh. “Aw, Kid… not another idea,” he said, but listened attentively as The Kid explained. Finally, he shrugged. “Might as well. It ain’t like you can make McCuller any madder than he’s gonna be.”

“Good,” The Kid said. “You’ll need a hand, though… and I think I know who to ask. Lemme see that pouch for a minute.” She delved inside for a moment, taking what she needed. “Come with me.”

Stepping outside, The Kid looked up and down the street for Jack Vale. She soon spied him, seated on the steps of the general store, hat in his hands.

When she and Jud approached, Jack gave her a strained smile. “I’d like to thank you for runnin’ them two ruffians in, ma’am. They had no call to be treatin’ me like that. Hell, I wouldn’t ask no one for help if it weren’t for my young’uns goin’ hungry.”

“Just doin’ my job, Mr. Vale. Here, I got somethin’ for you.”

Before the man’s astonished eyes, The Kid counted a thousand dollars into his outstretched hand, then added the deed to Vale’s property.  When he held it all, Vale stared up at her. “Wh-what is this?”

“Ben McCuller ain’t runnin’ things around here no more,” said The Kid, “so here’s your deed back. We reckon he owes you compensation for the trouble he gave you folks, and that’s what the money’s for. Now, can I ask you to do somethin’ for us, Mr. Vale? It’d be a kindness to your neighbors.”

Jack Vale was flabbergasted, staring in disbelief at the money he held in one hand, then the deed in the other. He looked up at The Kid, eyes wide. “Anything you need from me, ma’am. Anything at all!”

The Kid instructed the man to take the wagon of supplies to the farms and ranches that were being starved out by Ben McCuller and divide the contents among them, his own included, then bring the empty wagon back to the jail.

With a hearty nod and a few more words of gratitude, Vale climbed into the buckboard and took up the reins.

Turning to Jud, The Kid said, “You take Thunder and ride along with Mr. Vale.”

With a quick nod, Jud addressed Vale. Follow me down to the stable, and I’ll get saddled up.” He set off, walking briskly down the street with Jack Vale and the wagon close behind.

The Kid stood with arms folded, watching the two men go. Returning to the office, she seated herself at the sheriff’s desk, pondering Jud’s concerns.

Maybe he was right — I should of waited to pass out that cash. I’m pokin’ a hornet nest here. 

Tapping her fingers on the desktop, she pondered. One thing for damn sure – I gotta make a move on McCuller ‘fore he finds out about me takin’ his money. Tomorrow night, that’s when I’ll do this.

From where she sat, The Kid could hear the three prisoners talk amongst themselves, mostly griping about their lot. Rolling a cigarette, she had a leisurely smoke, then got up and went back to the cells.

“I hear tell the fine for wearin’ guns in this town is twenty-five dollars… or a day and night in jail. What’s it gonna be, boys?” The Kid asked.

“We ain’t got that money on us!” Cookie protested.

“Too damn bad,” The Kid replied. “You’ll be out tomorrow mornin’, then.” Turning to Cy, she said, “I got thirty dollars of yours in the desk from yesterday. You care to pay your fine now, or you gonna stay here with your friends?”

“I want out!” Cy Warren snapped. As The Kid unlocked his cell he told the other two men, “I’ll be back to get you sprung, boys.”

Out in the office, The Kid took twenty-five dollars from the money she’d confiscated, then gave him the remaining five.

Stuffing the money into his jeans, Cy hissed, “Just so you know, bitch, I’m ridin’ hard for the ranch and comin’ straight back with McCuller’s men. Then I’ll gut you like a goddamn trout. Maybe we’ll wreck this town too; show what happens to them that mess with us.” Looking about, he bellowed, “And where’s my fuckin’ gun?”

The Kid stood slouched, thumbs hooked in the belt of her pants. “There won’t be no ‘ridin’ hard’ for you, mister. That horse is evidence, and he ain’t goin’ nowhere. Don’t try to borrow, buy or rent a horse from the stable, either. Abner’s under strict orders not to do business with you, else I’ll close him down.” That was a lie, but she figured it was a good bet Cy wouldn’t check on the story. “Now about the gun…” She took Cy’s gun belt from the lower drawer. “If it was up to me, I’d drop this in the well, but the law says you get it back.” The Kid handed it to him. “Don’t strap it on till you leave this town, or I’ll toss you back in jail.” She tossed his stiletto onto the desk. “And this stays out of sight.”

With a look of purest hatred, Cy bent to tuck the knife back into his boot.

Folding her arms, The Kid said in a soft but ice-cold tone, “You’ll walk back to the ranch. And when you get there, tell McCuller I’ll be comin’ to arrest him.” She gestured dismissively at the door. “Now get out of my town.”

On his long walk, Cy Warren fumed with every step, gritting his teeth so tightly it gave him a headache. He dreaded the thought of facing McCuller, telling his boss that a goddamn girl not only locked him up for the night, but took his horse…

He drove his balled fist into his palm with a satisfying smack. I’ll kill that bitch if it’s the last thing I do. Only I’ll make her hurt first. Get her beggin’ me for mercy before I put the knife in.

Soon to come: Chapter Seven!