Young Guns: Fire and Steel

Chapter 29: A Not-So-Official-Date

Time passed slowly for Kristal as she viewed her room. The bed against the wall was quaint and looked inviting. Sitting on the edge, a soft sigh blew through the blonde's lips. The bed was as soft as it looked. The mattress formed around her posterior. It invited her to relax against its silky comforter. Ignoring the overwhelming fatigue that beckoned her, green eyes flicked to the fancy furnishings before landing on the door. She vaguely wondered where Billy's room was. He hadn't told her, but she also hadn't asked. A part of her didn't care. While another part of her felt a protective sense of needing to watch over the reckless man.

With another sigh escaping her lips, she pushed those thoughts aside and allowed herself to fall back on the much too comfortable bed. The mattress and silkened lace comforter cradled her body and Kristal found she was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. The exhaustion she had felt for days was gaining in strength. It was becoming harder and harder to fight.

Staring up at the wall, her gaze flicked over the wooden beams above her which seemed so out of place in Texas. Most homes and buildings were adobe built. The adobe buildings were far more practical in such a hot state. Sage green eyes followed the beam across her room before she let her eyelids shudder. She was losing her battle against her fatigue and she knew it. Maybe just a short nap wouldn't be so bad. She was safe in the room, alone. The door was locked and no one knew who she was. She would try her best to keep it that way. There was also no one out to get her here. That thought let her relax enough to drift off to sleep.

****

When she awoke, Kristal gasped and quickly sat up. She immediately knew she had slept longer than she had planned. How much time had passed? Quickly moving to the window she feared it would be dark. The sun was thankfully still in the sky, though it had dipped much lower than before she had drifted off to sleep. By her guess it had been at least four or so hours. Cursing the relaxing bed, she turned to the mirror attached to the vanity near the bed. Her hair was strewn all wild and crazy around her face. Reaching into her saddlebag, she pulled out her silver plated brush and pulled the bristles through her golden hair.

It took the blonde woman minutes to once again feel and look presentable. Her hair was free of snarls and knots and left loose down her back. Gripping her fallen hat, she placed it back on her head, satisfied with her weathered appearance. Now all she needed to do was find Billy. He had mentioned to her earlier about going to the saloon, so she exited her hotel room with that destination in mind.

The saloon was as loud and rowdy as ever when Kristal reached it. Pushing past the double swinging doors, sharp eyes glanced around the room. Only a few patrons and a couple working women stopped to stare her way. She ignored them as her gaze searched for Billy. A loud roar came from a card table near the back side of the room and there she found Billy, a whore leaning against his side. The boy had a broad grin on his face as he collected his winnings, the whore trying to sidle up against him.

Disgust curled in her chest and she turned her gaze from the sight. Billy hadn't noticed her, he was too engrossed in his game, so she headed for the bar. There was no sense in bothering him.

"Soda water." The woman sat at the tall stools against the counter, nodding to the fancy dressed bartender.

The barkeep nodded back and slid a glass to her not even batting an eye that her drink wasn't alcoholic.

"Why not a whiskey for the lass instead," sounded a man to Kristal's right. He waved to the barkeep who rolled his eyes, but obliged.

As the whiskey slid in front of her, Kristal grimaced. "I didnt ask for whiskey. I'm fine with my drink."

"Aww, come now, sweet'eart. Ya don't come into an establishment like this and not have a little alcohol." The man was slurring his words as he spoke and leaning precariously close to Kristal. "Ain't nothin' wrong with a little drink. C'mon. Ya'll like it."