Ask No Tomorrows

by Hestand, Rita

  “Most girls your age have one.” Sam didn’t look at her. “Did you ever…wasn’t there anyone…”

  Riley felt the color on her cheeks. “I guess you find that strange too.”

  Sam glanced at her then looked away.

  “There was one fella I took to, but it didn’t do me any good. He was after the ranch and that was all. He was actually in love with my neighbor, Cilla. They married months later. Look Sam, I know I’m homely, oh…maybe downright ugly compared to most. I don’t have all the social graces, my dad told me that, but he said it didn’t matter; there would be gold diggers no matter and that I shouldn’t set my heart out there to be trampled on. So I turned my attention to the ranch, and I didn’t go to parties like most of the young girls did.”

  “You’re not ugly, Riley…” Sam said standing up, but not moving toward her. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever known.”

  She stared open-mouthed at him and he cleared his throat.

  “I am plain…”

  “Beauty is always in the eyes of the beholder, Riley, but I don’t want to hear you say you are ugly, or plain ever again. Come here.” He directed her toward the dresser where an old mirror looked back at them. “Look into the mirror.” He touched her hair, curling his fingers into it. “Your hair is like silk, your eyes are the color of heaven, and when you smile…Lord…when you smile sunshine comes into the room.”

  Riley gasped, she wasn’t looking at herself, but him and the way he stood staring into the mirror at her. Their eyes met and held each other for a long moment. It was as if the mirror allowed them the pleasure of looking at each other, holding each other. As though staring into a mirror was safer for them both. Riley felt her heart flutter. She wanted to turn into his arms and be swept away with his kisses but knew he wouldn’t touch her.

  “No one’s ever said those kinds of things to me,” she murmured.

  He firmed his lips and stepped backwards.

  “Well, they should have…”

  Sam loved her; she knew it as sure as she breathed and wished she could say the words out loud without him getting upset and mad. But she was sure of it now and it brought sunshine into her heart like nothing ever had. She needed time alone to think on that love.

  She looked down now and gathered her thoughts. “You better go eat now…” she murmured.

  “Yeah…” His voice was raspy, and he didn’t argue. He left.

  “I love you, Sam,” she whispered the words as he closed the door between them. “I’ll always love you.

  Chapter Eleven

  “You got any money?” Sam asked that night as he checked on her once more.

  “Yeah, a little, why?” she asked, not prepared for that question.

  “Because you gotta be your cousin now, and you’ll need Eastern duds, fancy stuff. Maybe even one of those silly hats they wear,” Sam insisted. “By the way, what’s his name?”

  “Dr. Ethan Morgan.”

  “A real dude, huh?”

  “Do you really think I can fool them?” Riley asked, narrowing her glance on him.

  “You don’t have any choice. It might be best to go to a barber here in town and let him fix your hair; it’s a little rough looking. You have to if you want your place back,” Sam continued. “It won’t be too hard. We’ll practice it a few times. Then you can go and collect your money. Do you want to see the ranch again?”

  Riley took a deep breath. “I don’t know, Sam. I don’t know if I’m good enough to pull this off, especially alone.”

  “Well, how the heck do you expect me to come with you?” Sam jumped at her.

  Riley flopped on the edge of the bed. “There’s a way, but you might not like it.”

  “What way?”

  “Well, bein’ a doctor and all, I’d probably have a man servant,” Riley explained.

  Sam gritted his teeth, his expression was not pleasing.

  “That way you could help me stay in character,” she insisted.

  Sam sighed heavily, not looking at her. “I thought I’d be moving on, Riley.”

  Riley jumped to her feet. “Move on? You can’t do that.”

  “Well, Riley, once you get your money and land…you won’t need me any longer,” Sam explained, still not looking at her.

  “You’re wrong. I’ll always need you, Sam,” she protested, coming to stand just in front of him.

  “It ain’t gonna work, Riley.” He moved away from her.

  “What?” she asked, innocently following him.

  “You and me, that’s what,” he insisted. “You gotta ranch to run, I got places to see. I’m black and that ain’t gonna change for sure. I can’t live in your world, Riley.”

  “There’s always a way if you really want it.” She stared into his somber face and came up close, but not too close. “You are the best friend I’ve ever had, Sam. Truly. I don’t want to lose that friendship no matter what. I value it, I keep it close to my heart. No one has ever taken the time to know me so well, to help me so much. My gratitude is deep seeded. I need you Sam, I think I’ll always need you…But I can’t hold you, even I know that. But if you’ll help me get my ranch back, you’ll be a part of it, a big part of it. I’ll draw papers up saying we are partners. Whatever you want, Sam, that’s how much I trust you.”

  Sam noticed she swallowed hard to keep the emotions that were close to surfacing at bay.

  “I want you to come with me and be my foreman…for now.” The tremor in her voice made him consider her words.

  “Why?” He looked up at her, seeing the unshed tears in her eyes.

  “Because of all the people in the world, I trust you most…with my life and my money,” she added.

  His heart throbbed with a passionate message, but if he allowed himself to speak the words, they couldn’t be taken back. Instead of confirming his own feelings, he squashed them in a small part of his heart and nodded. “It’s against my better judgment, but I’ll go along with you as your man servant.”

  His lack of commitment hurt, as he watched her swallow her unshed tears. “Thank you, Sam…”

  “I suppose the first thing we need is a proper haircut, and clothes for you. And the safest place for a haircut like you need will not be to your liking,” he announced, cutting his emotions with disguised words.

  “I don’t understand…” she hesitated.

  “I’ve been thinking. A barber would just ask questions and consider you strange. It wouldn’t work there. The only people I know that would give a woman a man’s haircut is at the whorehouse,” Sam announced.

  “Whorehouse…you’ve got to be kidding. I’d never set foot in a whorehouse.”

  “No, I am not kidding. I’ll arrange it. You’ll come in the back way so no one will see you. You’ll get your hair cut there and no one will say a word about it,” Sam announced. “Well, you can’t very well go into a local barber and ask for a man’s haircut. What would they think and say to others?”

  “But I’ve never been in a whorehouse…” she exclaimed.

  “Doesn’t matter. You aren’t a whore and you don’t want anything but a haircut. They’ll do it, and keep quiet about it. They are the only ones I know that could keep quiet. Understand?”

  “How do you know…?” she gasped. “How can you be so sure?”

  “It’s not important how I know. A man knows these things. I’ll arrange it all, don’t fret,” Sam instructed.

  Indignation was on the verge of exploding at Sam as he smiled at her. “Do you want my help or not?”

  She nodded, her face crimson.

  “Good, now you sit tight ‘til I get back,” he instructed.

  ***

  The whorehouse was on the edge of town and Sam had no trouble finding it, for the lights were on way into the night and music and noise came from it at all hours.

  He walked inside and looked about. The furnishing were the best probably straight from St. Louis, red sette’s and a big grand piano in the middle of the room, women
adorning every corner with assorted underclothes on. All of them looked him over, flirted with their eyes.

  All around the place were painted up women who didn’t hesitate to saunter up to him and ask if he needed something. Peek-a-boo kinds of gowns, made of silks brought his attention front and center. They smelled like a lilacs and jasmines. Their lips were ruby red, and their hair was long and shiny. All of them were different shapes and sizes and there were enough to please any man’s sexual appetite, Sam decided.

  “Well, aren’t you a handsome black devil.” A little Asian girl cuddled up to him. He marveled at her beautiful slanted eyes, at her smallness, at the way she moved around him. She was gracefully stalking him.

  “Thanks…I guess. Look, I’m not really here for this…” Sam explained.

  Sam pulled at his collar.

  “Whatever your pleasure, I’m sure we can handle it.” She cut her dramatic eyes at him.

  “A haircut,” he said as the lady started unbuttoning his shirt.

  “You’re serious?” the girl asked as she tiptoed to kiss his lips. “Mmm…I like black men, they have such big full lips to kiss me with. You got nice ones,” she tempted, pulling on his bottom lip. “I can almost feel them covering my nipples right now…” She smiled then laughed softly. “Such soft lips against my swelling breast. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

  “Thanks…but I’m not here for this…” he began.

  “No, don’t be shy, I’ll show you how easy it is. Ever been in one of these places before?” she cooed into his ear.

  Sam felt the heat rise between them. “Once…ma’am.”

  “Then why are we wasting time, let’s go upstairs…” she breathed and kissed him all in the same breath.

  Her kiss was practiced, well schooled, and tempting. He shook his head.

  She was young and her dark nipples shown through her gown, like dark mountains waiting to be discovered. It would be so easy to take her offering. Her hair was the color of a raven and her lips red like a ruby. Sam licked his lips, he was tempted, but he had to keep his mind on why he came.

  He kissed her back, but moved away instantly. Her kiss was different than Mavis or Riley’s and he knew he had to cut this short or he’d be here all night. These women were professional, not the kind a man thinks on in a serious manner, but for pleasurable delights.

  “No, ma’am. I need to talk to the owner…would that be you?” he asked lowly.

  “No…the owner is out on the porch,” she purred. “But…I’m a lot younger than she.”

  Sam tipped his hat. “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you. Then if you’ll excuse me…”

  He backed his way to the porch, then after one last look at all the half-clad ladies, he moved away and glanced around for the lady in question.

  The veranda was long and wrapped around the entire house. Rocking chairs were all over the place.

  Then he saw her. She had an air of sophistication her girls didn’t. Mature, beautiful and in control, she draped the chair she was in with dignity and pure female delights. Sam squirmed.

  She was big and beautiful in the same breath, painted and older, but still very beautiful. He had no trouble spotting her, as she had one leg thrown over the top of the chair and a smile as big as Texas on her ruby lips. She’d been in the business too long already; she began to take on the has-been look of an older whore. Yet when she turned her sparkling blue eyes on him, he was still tempted.

  “You Miss Tilda?” he asked.

  “That’s me, what can I do for ya?” She batted her extremely long lashes at him.

  Her breasts were nearly falling out of her gown and her skirt was slit to the thigh and flashing a lot of white skin at him.

  He leaned down and kissed her lips. The way she kissed told Sam she could please any man, but it would be a false pleasure as her heart was not in the kiss, merely sexually satisfying. She would expect him to know it, and he wouldn’t disappoint her. Her kiss was warm, inviting and professionally perfect.

  But her kiss lacked the fire that only Riley had offered him. Again Sam bolted from the realization that only Riley’s kisses were the ones he wanted. He silently scolded himself for that thought, but it didn’t go away. He sat down in a rocking chair next to Miss Tilda, sighing heavier than he meant to. “I’ve got a favor I need to ask.”

  “Well, you certainly know how to attract my attention, honey. If you’ve got the money, I’ve got the time, ask away.”

  “I’ve got this friend that needs her hair cut short like a man and I need you to do it. Then I need you to keep quiet about it. Can you do something like that?”

  She laughed aloud. “Oh…so you like boys, do ya?”

  “No…no, ma’am.” Sam quickly realized she was going a different direction with her thoughts. “It’s not like that. Well, can I lay my cards on the table with you?”

  “By all means, honey. I like an honest man.” She studied him.

  She moved so one breast fell out of her dress. She didn’t move it or hide it, but smiled at him as she watched him fidget. He almost gasped at the creamy white exposure. Never had he seen a breast so plump and pretty and daring him to take into his mouth. Her nipple perked, alerting him to her arousal. But he stood up and backed away. She glanced up and smiled at him. “Oh I’m sorry, you are a bashful fella, aren’t you?”

  “Look, I’m here because of my friend Riley, she’s in trouble. You see, some men are trying to steal her ranch out from under her. I promised her I’d help, that’s all. But she’s got to pretend she’s someone else…hence the haircut,” Sam explained. “She’s got to be a man to pull this off. That’s where you come in. Can you help me make her look like a man?”

  The woman’s smile faded. “Are you serious? You want us to cut her hair like a man?” The woman seemed surprised.

  “Yes, ma’am. And I’ve got some clothes, well, she’ll need some help makin’ sure she has everything on right, if you know what I mean.”

  “Well, where is she?” the woman asked.

  “Over at the hotel, waiting until I collect her and bring her here,” Sam answered.

  The woman gently eased her breast into place, and covered her leg, then looked at Sam. “She’s in a real pickle?”

  “Yes, ma’am. And we need someone we can trust to keep their mouths shut about it. I thought of you and your girls first.”

  “You been here before?” Miss Tilda batted her eyes at him.

  “Once…but I was so drunk I don’t remember much…”

  “Hmm…that’s too bad. You’re a handsome devil. You couldn’t have been with me, or I’d have remembered you.” The woman stared at him. “Why you helpin’ her?”

  “‘Cause she needs help. I guess.” Sam closed his eyes and firmed his lips.

  “She black like you?” the woman asked.

  “No…she’s not,” he answered, studying her face. “That’s another reason for the secrecy.”

  Miss Tilda straightened in her chair and stared at him. “Oh…well…this is a situation, isn’t it?” She frowned. She considered his answers and smiled a sultry smile at him. “Okay…you bring her round the back about midnight, we’ll fix her up.”

  “How much will it cost?” he asked.

  She tipped her head toward him, he bent and kissed her again, this time lingering and she smiled. “Let’s say we put it on your account.”

  Sam smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You’re a very clean man, Sam. I like that in my men.” She blinked hard and laid his hand on her breast. “I also like black men…” she purred. “Very much, in fact. I’ve found they are much more patient and slow with the hands.”

  He felt her nipple grow taut, and in one movement circled it with his thumb before he removed his hand from her.

  She threw back her head and pulled him down for another kiss, this time more sultry.

  When she let him go, his eyes were glassy and his stare was on her beautiful breast.

  “Oh…why is that?” He let
his curiosity get the best of him as he slowly rose and cast her a warm smile.

  She smiled as he stood up once more. “They tend to be so gentle, and thorough.” Her eyes got big and her smile spread across her face.

  “Miss Tilda, you’re an absolute delight…” He smiled back and tipped his hat. “Thank you.”

  “And because black men know how to rouse a woman to pleasure.” She laughed.

  Sam smiled and winked at her.

  “Bring her around; I’ll take care of her personally.”

  ***

  Riley sat on the edge of the bed, confusion and a strange tinge of fear and excitement curling through her. Sam exposed her to new ways of thinking, new adventures and her life had ceased to be dull the minute she met him. Still, the prospect of going inside a brothel bothered her more than she could say. The things she knew about sex were minimal and Sam had probably already guessed that from her untamed kisses.

  Yet something else to consider was what she might learn from these ladies, if only briefly. Her pulse accelerated. What she knew about being a woman would fit in a thimble; however, that might change quickly.

  Her disappointment in Sam’s lack of emotions just now ebbed as the prospect of learning so much plied through her mind.

  Remembering her cousin, she wondered if she could mimic his character.

  The challenge to change into something she was not, made her giddy. What an adventure it was to be with Sam.

  But thinking of Sam sent the strangest flutterings of feelings through her. He wasn’t leaving her, and that in itself was a good sign, it gave her longer to figure out how to make him love her. Love! Yes, she loved Sam with all her heart. Still, making him see it, making him respond to her was another matter, entirely. If she wasn’t white, he would have already said something about his feelings, she was sure of it.

  But he had some feelings for her or he would have left by now.

  Just a little before midnight, Sam crept into her hotel room once more. “Okay, it’s all arranged.”