Boundless

Chapter 12

It was dusk when we left the restaurant. Lights glowed out of windows and the streets had become even more crowded.

“Thank you for dinner,” I said just to have something to say.

He glanced down at me quickly then continued scanning the street. “It was nothing.”

I looked up at his profile in the fading light, still wanting him to smile so openly at me like he had before.

“Do you come here a lot?”

“Every once in awhile.”

I was about to respond when a group of three men approached Sam. “Hull,” one of them, the leader I presumed, nodded to him. The leader had dark black hair and matching dark eyes. He stood even taller than Sam.

“Hirsch,” Sam responded. His tone wasn’t repelling, though it wasn’t friendly, either.

“It’s been ages, where’s the rest of the gang?”

“They aren’t around.”

“Well, damn, we all could’ve had a hell of a time,” the he said.

Sam glanced from Hirsch to me then back again.

“Oh,” Hirsch said, noticing me for the first time, “pardon my language, miss.”
I didn’t say anything.

Hirsch swept his dusty, dirty hat off his head. “John Hirsch. Everyone calls me Jack.”

“Rebecca Colson.”

He took my hand and kissed it. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Miss Colson.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Hirsch.”

He laughed then turned towards the two men behind him. “That’s Travis Uley there and next to him is Richard Baldin.” They tipped their hats to me then Jack tucked my hand by his elbow and we began walking slowly.

“Now, tell me, how did a pretty girl like yourself get to be with someone like Hull?” Jack nodded his head back towards Sam who was following us closely.

I shrugged. “A chance encounter.”

“Oh? And will you be staying here long?”

“Not long. Until tomorrow morning.”

“I see,” he paused. Loud music was playing out of a nearby building. “Do you like to dance, Miss Colson?”

I glanced at Sam. It was too dark to see the expression on his face. I nodded. Jack led me towards the music and over a threshold. Twenty or thirty people were spinning around to the music. Fifteen more were sitting at the long, wooden bar on the other side of the room. Even more still were lining the balcony above the main room.

Jack slipped his hand around my waist and swirled me around the room. “Where are you from, Rebecca?”

“Lawrence.”

“You’re a long way from home…how’d you get here? Stage?”

“Horse.”

“Horse?” He shook his head. “You are one persevering young lady.”

“It didn’t take too long.”

“If you consider a month ‘not too long’.”

“More like fourteen days.”

The song ended and Jack swept me back to where a very impatient Sam was waiting. “I like her, Hull,” Jack said.

Sam just glared at him.

“What are you so miffed about?” Jack leaned nonchalantly back on a pillar.

Sam glanced at me then at Jack. He was doing that a lot lately. “You know very well, Jack.”

“I haven’t the slightest—oh,” he said abruptly, “that.” Jack glanced at me, too.

“Yes, that.”

I stepped back into the shadows; they didn’t seem to notice.

“What do you want me to do about it?”

“I want you to do what’s right.”

“Oh, Samuel, you’ve always had a set of morals about you.”

“I was hoping some would rub off.”

Jack grinned. “Not very likely. A choice was made and the consequences must be dealt with…by the, uh, other party.”

Sam clenched his teeth. “No doubt you were a very strong influence.”

“What can I say, Sam? I have no obligations.”

Sam and Jack stared at each other for what felt like hours. “Now,” Jack turned to me, “we’re boring Miss Colson.” He sent a charming smile my way.

“Miss Colson and I have to go.”

“Oh, leaving the party so soon? Why doesn’t Miss Colson stay then I’ll escort her home, safe and sound.” Jack lightly touched one of my arms.

“I don’t think that’s in her best interests,” Sam grabbed my other arm. I wondered if they were about to begin pulling at my limbs like a rag doll.

“How would you know?”

“Witness accounts.”

“Well,” Jack smirked, “if you say it’s for the best then, it’s for the best.” He slid his hand down past my elbow and forearm until it was resting underneath my fingers. “Goodnight, Miss Colson,” he kissed my hand. “I hope to see you again soon.”

With that, Sam pulled me out of the saloon and back onto the dark street.