The 10-Gallon Tale of Alburney Jones

Chapter 12: The Red Fox Lounge

Alburney was greeted by the rustic scent of aged wood and whiskey when he entered the saloon. The sound of bluegrass filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of glasses and the hearty laughter of cowboys, miners, and drifters. Beautiful saloon gals of different sizes and skin tones graced the room, talking and serving their patrons. A table had seven men playing poker when they noticed Alburney. He smiled meekly and waved at them, but they only tipped their hats and continued playing. The other side had a bar of a long, polished slab of oak lined with different sizes of liquor bottles. He sat at an empty stool between two patrons. Well, one patron since the one on his left passed out.

"Hey, hon. What can I get you?" He caught the eye of one of the saloon girls, a dark-skinned dame with strawberry-blonde twists and a knowing smile.

"Whiskey," he said gruffly before clearing his throat. His voice was still rough from days spent in the harsh desert. "Whiskey~."

She grabs a bottle from the shelf and pours him a glass. "Here you are. Hope you like it warm."

Alburney raised the glass to her and pressed it to his lips. The first sip hit him hard. The fiery liquid burned a path down his throat, causing him to cough and sputter, his eyes watering involuntarily. He heard the poker players murmuring and chuckling from behind. The saloon gal suppressed her giggle as Alburney regained his composure.

"It's, uh...it's been a while," he lied. Truth is, Alburney never had any alcohol before. He'd always seen his father and Clint have a few beers occasionally, but he never thought to drink himself.

"Well, take it slower next time. Whiskey ain't for the faint of heart, y'know."

Alburney nodded, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he took another sip, more cautious. The burning sensation had dulled slightly, replaced by a warm, comforting feeling that spread through his chest. Suddenly, Alburney heard shouting coming from the stage. He saw the men fighting and pulling each other out of their seats as they crowded the tables by the stage.

"Don't mind them, babe. Those animals always want a good view whenever Peaches performs."

A soft harmonica started playing, followed by the seductive twang of the banjo. The tempo followed the sound of boot heels clicking on the floor as a young African American woman sauntered out from the backstage curtains. Alburney paused from drinking his shot to get a good look at her. A 5"4' beauty with copper brown skin and a full, voluptuous figure. She dawned a grey flock coat with a matching hat and black boots while holding an umbrella.

As she sang a sultry song, Peaches threw her umbrella to a man in the crowd. She strutted to the right side of the stage and took off her hat to let down her passion twists. After throwing the hat, she struts back to the left side while unbuttoning her coat, revealing a black and red bustier dress. She did a little hip shake to fluff out her ruffled plaid skirt. The men in the crowd howled and whistled at what they saw. Even though Alburney was brown, he felt his face go red as he let out a heavy exhale and a chuckle.

A man held out his hand to help Peaches walk down the steps into the horny audience. Alburney watched her sashay through the crowd, flirting with the men and singing to them. Peaches laid her eyes on Alburney and winked at him, making him blush harder and spin back around on his stool. She proceeds to strut toward his way as the men continue to gawk at her. One man tried to look up her skirt, and she kicked him with her heel. The patrons jeered at the man as three other men jumped him.

Alburney was about to finish his whiskey when he felt Peaches' hand running across and up his back. He smiled stupidly and felt his cheeks grow hot as she massaged his chest and shoulders before taking his hat. She sashayed behind the bar to sing to the newcomer. Alburney couldn't help but stare into her beautiful hazel eyes. After Peaches ran her hand through his hair, she wrapped his ascot around her fingers and pulled him towards her. He puckered his lips for a kiss before she pushed his hat into his face.