Busted Gulch vol 10

The Art of Deception (NehpetsEnal)

The Art of Deception

Denver sank slowly into yet another bath, this time at Missy's insistence, she immediately had all his wet clothing removed from their cabin, claiming he and they smelt like a dead and decaying River Rat.

She enjoyed giving him a good scrub and was for once grateful his overprotection and insistence that she remained onboard, even though she misses all the fun. In an instant, she's soaking wet, awash with the dirty bath water, when he jerked bolt upright as fast as a startled cat and yells.
"That crafty two-timing b****, she's really done me this time, I must be getting complacent, or putting too much trust in that girl, I didn't see that coming."

Missy was in a state shock, having no idea what the rant was all about and wasn't about find out. from Denver. He always sought to keep her out of harm's way, so as a rule was very careful to keep his more unscrupulous actions secret. in fact, it was rather ironic, Talulah was the nearest person he had to a confidant.

Missy, however, was not blind to his sometimes-nefarious wheeling and dealing but chose to keep a somewhat watchful blind eye, which in itself is a contradiction, but it had worked well in their life together.

She also knew that in another life it could quite easily be Talulah by his side and not her, knowing instinctively it was her he referred to, he'd never get that excited by another woman.
This was confirmed when his blaspheming turned to the adoration of the intelligence and cunning, she'd used to plan and deceive him. What she didn't know was what she'd done but could see from his smile that he was going to enjoy his revenge.

Talulah was convinced that in the commotion Denver had not seen her shoot the horse, and with immense discomfort flung rifle, with all her might, from the bridge into the river and continued shooting with her pistol, making sure that he saw her.

Bright and early next morning Denver up and about, whistling away to himself as he got ready to introduce Missy to the Town, without any sign of aggravation from the previous evening's event. She was quite clearly his priority, there was no evidence that his mind was elsewhere.

However, Talulah and her clutch of witches, something that Denver now called them, had been up all night planning their next moves, that was proving more difficult to manage than expected. However, they had the good sense to get themselves prepared, just like any other day at the office.

Denver was out on the Top Deck, leaning against the rail, taking in deep breaths, which was his normal practice at the beginning of each day. He caught a glimpse of Talulah giving instructions to some of her girls. Without a second thought, he swept down the stairs to the next deck and striding toward Talulah with a huge smile on his face.

To say she found this disarming would be an understatement, however with years of practice in the art of deception, she returned his smile, but he wasn't deceived any more than she, in this game of social chess.

He took her by the hand and raised and gave it a graceful kiss and thanked her and her girls for their courage and support on the bridge, and keeping the Sheriff happy, by returning half the money.

Talulah didn't wince, but the pain from her wounded shoulder was evident in her eyes, that was all he needed to confirm his suspicion. He quickly followed the kiss, with an invitation. Let's celebrate over dinner, after me Missy return from our trip into town. Oh, please bring with you the rifle gifted to you by Buffalo Bill, for services rendered and we'll shot some Alligators from the Top Deck.

With a rather self-satisfied smile, he turned and walked away, leaving her to dwell on what she would do, with the rifle now soaking in Davey Jones's locker.