The Filly & the Gambler (Book Fifteen of Brides of the West Series)

by Rita Hestand

  "Just because you got married?" She laughed. "Lots of my customers get married, in case you didn't know." Polly huffed, not looking straight at him. "Most of them are back within a month's time. You think you're going to be so different?"

  He took his hat off and stared at her, seeing her for the first time he wondered why he'd wasted so much time with her. Granted she was pretty, and she had a luscious body, but he'd thought they had an understanding. He'd been wrong. He was just another customer. And he didn't owe her any explanations. True he'd paid her every visit, gladly. But unlike others he hadn't ventured to any other whore. Polly hadn't picked up on that, he could plainly see that now. What's more it wouldn't have made a bit of difference if she had.

  She walked past him, not bothering to close her robe, and reached for a full bottle of whiskey on top her dresser. She drank straight from the bottle and then turned to look at him, her hands on her hips. He got a whiff of her perfume and for a moment, he wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how grateful he was for all the times she'd been with him, but how did one say such a thing. There'd always been money between them, and he knew that. Still, she was good at her trade and he never realized how good until today. What she was displaying today wasn't love, or hurt, it was jealousy.

  "I felt I owed you some explanation. I can see I don't."

  "You don't owe me a thing, Cole." She turned to look at him. "You're just another cowboy." Her words hung in the air between them.

  God, how had she come to this?

  She smiled acidly at him.

  He nodded. "Right…well, I'll be going then."

  He could see through her jealousy and she was tempting, but not as much as she had been. Especially, since that cowboy had been here. He suddenly realized with clarity that she was just another whore, and there was a big difference in a whore and a lady. Maybe he'd made too much of their relationship all this time. Maybe he had used her for his own pleasures, but she'd put herself in that position and she obviously liked it, for the money at least. Staring at her now, he realized she was a drunk and a whore and she didn't want to change that.

  "Well…good luck with this so-called marriage of yours. You'll need it. And you'll be back in no time, I'm sure." She snapped. "Remember, my door is always open. You're a good lay…. goodbye Cole, for now."

  "Look," he heard the censure in her voice. "You weren't going to give this up, and I never promised you anything either."

  She sighed with some semblance of feeling. She turned her pretty, green eyes on him, lifted her chin, and nodded. "We were good together, and I'll admit a time or two I was tempted to walk away from this life, but, I'm not sure I really could. It keeps me in money, and I get a certain amount of satisfaction out of it. And all the whiskey I can drink."

  "I know that. I always did. It's just well, we've had some nice times."

  For only a moment she seemed to consider his words. Then she turned, posed provocatively and smiled.

  "So, tell me, do you love her?"

  Cole stared at the floor again, his face screwing up in a frown. "Wish people would quit asking me that, I'm not sure how I feel. But I made a promise to Harmon that I aim to keep. I am sure about that. And she is…. special."

  "Is she as good as I am?" Polly cracked a smirk.

  Cole felt a bit peeved by that question, he put his hat on and turned to leave then tossed his answer over his shoulder at her, "I have no idea. But maybe someday, if I'm lucky, I'll find out."

  "You mean you haven't…."

  "Goodbye Polly," He smiled and left.

  He knew Polly would have a hard time imagining that. He smiled to himself. He also recognized that he got exactly what he deserved out of this relationship, nothing.

  He went downstairs and had a drink. It didn't help. He wasn't sore or mad, just disgusted with himself to have wasted so much time and feelings on someone who had none. Maybe Gabby wasn't the only one that was naïve. Polly had played him, just like the other cowboys. Still, it wasn't saying goodbye that ate at him now, it was the sucker he'd been for thinking it meant something to Polly. Their relationship was a farce. He shook his head and grimaced.

  "So how did it go?" Sam asked him, when he came down the stairs.

  "Fine, no regrets Sam, on either side."

  Sam nodded. "Yeah, whores don't change very easy Cole. You're just another cowboy." But he looked at Cole's expression and added. "At least, to her way of thinking."

  "I realized that, just now. What a cold heart."

  "If you loved Polly, why'd you take this gal for a wife?"

  "I didn't love Polly, Sam. I guess I've been as guilty as she is, I got what I wanted from her. She got what she wanted. Just not something that lasts for any length of time. I'm just now figuring that out. But the marriage was for Harmon. He was worried about his daughter, stuck out there on the prairie, alone, vulnerable."

  "How come none of us knew about her?"

  "It's hard to explain, she's not comfortable in town."

  "Who worked that place, the last couple of years, it sure looked a lot better, every time I rode by it." Sam remarked offhandedly.

  "She worked it, Sam. Alone, by herself. Harmon's been ill a long time. We just didn't know it. None of us noticed."

  "Looks like there's a lot of things we didn't know. Don't it?" Sam nodded. "Did you talk to Martha?"

  "Yeah, I did. She's going out to the place with me this afternoon, to see Gabby. Gabby invited her to supper."

  "Gabby, what for?"

  "Gabby likes her, Sam. Matter of fact, Martha was the only one that came up and really talked to her at the funeral. So, Gabby took a shine to her. Especially since Martha knew her daddy pretty well."

  "Well, I'll be damned. She must be some little lady. So, is she livin' at your place now?"

  "No," Cole reflected on that with a grimace. "She's an unusual woman, Sam. Not like any other. In fact, I need Martha's help right now. See ya Sam."

  Cole went back up the stairs. He knocked on Martha's door again. "It's still open." She hollered.

  "Miss Martha, I need your help." Cole didn't waste any time telling her.

  But as he looked around her room for the first time, he saw the difference right away. Martha had made this room her domain. She'd fixed it up nicely, adding lace curtains, and a pretty quilt on her bed, and she made her bed, which was something Polly never did. There was no whiskey lying around either, Cole noted.

  "Oh," Martha looked up at him, as she was sewing a button on a blouse.

  "Look, I'll get right to the point. Gabby needs some clothes she can wear around town when she comes. As you know Harmon didn't have much money, and Gabby kind of suffered in that regard. I don't want her to suffer any longer. I want her to be able to hold her head up when she comes to town. She's only got one dress that I know of. She works herself to the bone out there on that place. I want to provide for her, the best I can, but coming from me would be too much, she wouldn't accept them, so I got an idea. I'll buy her some and you take them to her and say they are from you. Tell her Harmon would have wanted you to do it. That way she won't be too proud to accept them. Will ya do it?"

  Martha looked at him strangely, "But…"

  "Please, she needs some clothes and stuff. And I don't know how to judge her size, so I need your help, you think you could help me?"

  Martha's eyes twinkled with a slow spreading smile, "I know I can. That's very generous of you Cole. You must think quite a lot of her, to do this."

  "I do. She's…. I don't know, kinda special."

  "Good. And Polly?"

  "No more Polly, Martha." Cole admitted. "My eyes have been opened."

  "Excellent. I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up to that." Martha smiled. "I'd be happy to pick out some things for her. I'm pretty good at figuring sizes, since all the girls here depend on me for help like that. I can take them to her tonight, and she'll never know they came from you."

  "I'd appreciate that."

 
"Why don't you want her to know?"

  "This marriage was for Harmon, we both agreed on that but…I like her, Martha. And I want to do right by her. She's legally my wife. Harmon couldn't do all the things he wanted for her. Maybe I can see to them…She's a head-strong, independent young woman, but she just happens to be my wife. I want her to have things that she should have. Eventually everyone in town will know we married, and I don't want them thinking I don't provide for her. Besides, she deserves them."

  A tear formed in Martha's eyes, "He'd be so happy to know this…. You really mean to see after her, don't you?"

  "I'm gonna try Martha. As much as she'll let me."

  "Well Cole I'm proud of you. And especially for getting rid of Polly. That girl has ice in her veins." She tiptoed to kiss Cole's cheek. "Now," she put her hand on his shoulder and winked. "Let me get dressed and I'll be right down." She told him.

  "Thanks Martha, I owe you." Cole said as he was leaving.

  "You don't owe me a thing. This is as much for Harmon as anyone." She smiled.

  He nodded and left.

  Chapter Nine

  He drove Miss Martha out to Gabby's about four that evening. As usual Martha was dolled up in a pink silk dress and matching hat. She had spent a while in the General Store picking out things, she thought Gabby might need, and Cole was generous with his money. It had been a glorious afternoon for a good cause.

  It was a brilliant afternoon with the sun shining, the birds singing, and Gabby was feeding her stock.

  When she saw the wagon coming, she closed the chicken pen and went toward the house.

  As Cole brought the wagon around Gabby went up to it and smiled up at Miss Martha, "I'm so glad you came."

  "Well, I couldn't turn down a dinner invitation." Miss Martha expressed her delight in being there.

  Cole helped Martha down from the wagon and she immediately grabbed Gabby and hugged her. Gabby didn't hesitate to hug her back. She'd found a friend.

  "I got a roast in the oven cooking. I've got to make some cornbread." Gabby told her.

  "Sounds wonderful, nothing better than roast except a good stew." Martha smiled, glancing around the cabin.

  "Well ladies, I'll leave you to it." Cole started excusing himself, when he saw he was no longer needed.

  "Oh, well, if you want to come back for supper you are welcome, Cole." Gabby told him.

  "Thanks, I'd like that, about what time?"

  "About seven, I want to have some time to talk with Miss Martha, so it will be a little later."

  "Fine, I'll be back and then I can drive her home." Cole smiled at them both.

  "Oh, Cole, would you get those packages out of the wagon for me. I want to give them to Gabby…."

  Cole nodded, "Sure thing."

  Cole brought several packages in and put them on top of the bed. As he did, he realized that was where Harmon had died, and it hit him hard. He swallowed and moved along. He wasn't used to feeling such an emotional rush, but he knew deep down he missed Harmon more than he ever expected.

  "Thanks Cole," Miss Martha told him, seeing something in his face that she'd never seen before.

  "You bet. I'll be back in a while then." He told them.

  Gabby stared at the packages, wondering what that was all about, but she said nothing. She figured if Miss Martha wanted her to know, she'd tell her.

  "I want to thank you for inviting me out. I seldom get a good home-cooked meal, although I do manage to cook about once a week down in the kitchen behind the bar." Martha chuckled.

  "I'm so glad you came." Gabby declared as she offered her a cup of tea. "I feel like I can talk to you. I'll admit, I've never had a female friend before."

  "Certainly, you can. I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised." Martha said, watching Gabby move about her kitchen so easily.

  "Oh, why?"

  "Well darlin' I'm a whore, and most good women in town don't have a thing to do with me." She chuckled.

  Gabby brought her a cup of tea, to the table.

  "I guess that seems funny to you," She blurted, "but, you see stuck out here alone all the time, well I don't see much difference in one lady or another. Granted, some dress better, some talk better. But I suppose what impressed me most about you, was that at the funeral, you came right up to me, and you spoke so well of my dad. I liked that, I could tell you really knew him, cared for him. The others came out of curiosity of me, more than their feelings for dad."

  "Well, I hope you know there are some that would look down on us being friends."

  Gabby turned to stare at her. "Why? You just get paid for what married women do for nothing. At least, that's how I see it."

  Martha nearly choked on her tea.

  "Gabby, you are married now too, you know." Miss Martha said quite softly.

  Gabby eyed her a minute as she brought a cup of tea for herself to the table and joined her. "I guess I am."

  "Doesn't seem much like it though, now does it. With you here and him there." Martha said tactfully.

  Gabby bowed her head unable to know how to explain it.

  "Well, you see, it's not really a marriage."

  "Oh, then what is it?"

  "I mean, it's legal and all, but, the whole thing was so my dad could rest easy. It's not like we knew each other and fell in love."

  "Is that how you want it?" Martha asked her brow going up a notch as she asked.

  Gabby didn't know how to answer. "Well sure, I mean, I know all about Polly in town, and…."

  "No, you don't." Martha shook her head, going forward with a hint of carelessness. "Look, I might as well tell you right now. Cole rode into town this morning and told Polly his rambling days were over."

  "Oh, my, I had no idea." Gabby gasped, glancing at her almost guiltily. She rubbed the rim of her cup absently. "I mean I did tell him that if he wanted her, he should seek a divorce as the townspeople would talk once they find out we married. But I didn’t mean it like that. I mean…"

  "Don't you fret honey, you did right. It would be adultery and people would talk up a storm about it." Martha nodded. "You may not have city charms, but you got good sense."

  "I guess this being married is more complicated than I thought. I didn't want to change him in any way. It's just the good book says adultery is one good reason to divorce, and I thought he'd be getting one before now."

  "Have you and him…. had…."

  "N-no!" Gabby rushed to assure her.

  "Then he'd need an annulment if he wanted one. But it doesn't look as though he wants one, now does it?"

  "Oh, Martha it's much more complicated. I've come to realize that Cole takes things seriously. My dad, so wanted to know that I'd be alright after he was gone. He shanghaied Cole into this marriage. And us marrying set his mind to such ease. But, it's kind of complicating things, for both of us."

  "You sweet on someone else?" Martha asked trying to put two and two together.

  "Oh no, nothing like that. If I was, I'd have never agreed to marry him. But you see, the longer we stayed married the more beholdin' I am to him and I don't want to be a responsibility to someone. Dad and I never relied on anyone to help us. We took care of each other."

  "That's all fine and good dear, but he's gone now. It's just you, and you should be thinking about your future a bit. Don't you fret. It's good for Cole. It's been a long time since he had a real home, or anyone to care for him." Martha went on.

  "It has? He doesn't talk a lot about himself. He seems so self-sufficient."

  "Yes, you are right. But his father died a long time ago, and his mother not long afterwards. He's been on his own a lot longer than most men should be. I think maybe he's forgotten what a real home is."

  "I didn't know. There's a lot I don't know about him. We're practically strangers. He really seems like a good man, and he is terribly handsome, with all that hair and dark eyes." Gabby giggled. "Please don't tell him I said this, but I've never seen such beautiful hair on a man."

  Martha chuckled.
"You're attracted to him."

  "Well, I mean, who wouldn't be? He's the best-looking man I've ever seen."

  "Honey, there isn't a woman this side of the Red River that doesn't think Cole Martin isn't the best-looking man in Texas. And he's got a heart of gold."

  "I agree, he's very handsome, and he meant to keep his promise to my dad, for which I'm grateful, but he's taking this marriage much too seriously. You should have seen the look on his face the first time he saw me, I was dressed in men's clothes and I looked so dirty. I'd just come in from the field; my clothes were full of dust and dirt from working all day. I was a mess. I can just imagine what he thought of me." She chuckled then sighed a bit after thinking about it. "What any man would think of me like that. But he had the good manners not to say anything. Not one word of insult."

  "Well, we are going to change that impression." Martha told her and got up and went toward the bed. "I bought you some clothes young lady, so you can dress nicely when you come to town, and I expect to see you there regularly now."

  "You bought me…clothes?" She shrieked.

  "I did…. Oh, don't worry, I can well afford it. I'm not a drinker like most the girls. I don't squander my money. Why, I've got enough money, and I could buy Sam out of that saloon, if I wanted to. But I always wanted to find something worthwhile to spend it on. I never had any children, a big regret in my life. But finding you, well, I kind of feel like maybe I have."

  "But…oh no…now I'm indebted to you too!" Gabby flustered.

  Martha whirled around in her beautiful silk dress making a swishing sound and smiled. "You are not! I wanted to do it. Why, no one has befriended me so quickly and been so nice as you. Besides, I kinda think of you as my daughter. If I had one…Harmon was my friend too. And he talked so much about you, I felt I knew you."

  "Oh Martha," Gabby took her in her arms and hugged her tightly. "That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."

  Martha was shocked but pleased too.

  They opened each package together and they laid the dresses out on the bed, so she could look at them. "I'm pretty good at judging sizes, as I do it for all the girls in the saloon. And this package is last. This one is for when there is a dance, so you'll be the prettiest girl there." Martha laughed.