A Man Called Candy

A Lady's Honor

Stepping off the stage coach and landing in a pile of dust while the driver cackled as I tried to assemble myself back into a lady, was not the way I thought I'd arrive in Virginia City. Despite that incident occurring over an hour ago, my cheeks still gleamed pink from embarrassment, I could just feel it!

My thoughts were still in a frazzle too; I just prayed I'd be able to collect me lady-like composure before I made an even bigger fool of myself.

I gulped and stood up from the side walk bench I had been sitting on. The sun blared down it was hotter then hades out here. I was a poor Colorado girl, used to the cold snowy mountains; not this dry rugged terrain. My thoughts drifted back to when life was good, Pa, the wealthy pastor of our town and Ma, sweet Ma and her apple pies. All gone. Gone forever, they both resided in a pine box buried feet beneath the earth now, thanks some saddle tramp who though he could simply waltz into our town and rob the bank without consequence. If only Ma and Pa hadn't been- it was at that point I gathered my wits about me. That had been fifteen years ago. I was twenty-nine now, a woman; a woman living a suffering on her own accord. Oh Lord help
me.

After getting in trouble with the law a few cities over I decided to migrate further west; Virginia City.

I didn't have the slightest idea wether or not I could find work here or not. But at least I have my freedom, I look around the old town, a general store, a leather working store, the blacksmith, sheriffs office, along with many other buildings lined the board streets.

"Could you direct me to the nearest hotel?" I asked a man in a maroon colored shirt as he hopped off his horse.

"Yes mam'. Down that street and take a left, right there on the corner."

I looked up into the stranger's eyes; they were a dazzling blue. I batted my plain brown in a flustered manner. Goodness sakes alive! I must look a mess.

"Well aren't you gonna thank me, or just stand there lookin' flustered?" He grinned re-adjusting his hat.

"I-I-" I sucked in a breath, this was no way for a lady to act around a man. "I'm very sorry, I suppose I'm just a bit attle-brained at the moment."

"Yeah I guess so." His smile didn't fade.

"So yes, thank you!"

A old man on a buckskin horse rode up, next to the cowboy in maroon. His gaze caught mine for a brief second then I realized I was staring, I had hoped the man in maroon would say something else, his voice was very attractive.

"Miss?" Came the old man's voice.

My eyes widened. "Uh, me?" I gestured to myself.

"Yes, yes you young lady." He shook his head. "I must say you bare a striking resemblance to Pastor Iron Baker. My heart skipped a beat at my fathers name. He and I had the same browm eyes or so people said, the thought brought my attention back to the young cowboys blue eyes.

"Yes sir. He was my father."

"Your father? Well my goodness, is that so? I'm Ben Cartwright, your father was chaplain years ago when I was a soldier. We became quite close. Now what brings you to Virginia City?"

"I was run out of the town I lived in before. Its good to know theres someone here who knew my father. He died about fifteen years ago."

"Yeah I had heard about that, please accept my condolences. I'd love for you to come out to my ranch, the Ponderosa some time however, I'd like to know Iron's daughter."

"You own the Ponderosa? I hear that spread is nearly big as navada itself."

Ben's expression softened. "Yes, well not quite as big." He smiled.

I giggled. "Yes of course. I'd love to see your ranch but I may not have time I must get a job soon."

Alright. But do me a favor.

Of course.

"If you ever need help, with anything even financially you come see me."

"Oh I dont want charity." I bite my tongue he was simply being kind. "But thank you for your offer I'm beholding to you!"

With a slight nod and one last look in the  younger cowboy's direction I take my leave.

Music drifts through the streets of the quaint little town; piano music, but not the dramatic flowing music I'm accustomed to. Someone banging on that piano and calling it music. I see a man stumble out from set of swinging doors, he staggers our and looked all around with a dazed look and bloodshot eyes. I don't know why he's walking so frazzled.

Stoping where the piano music was coming from I glanced inside. Women walked around in dresses so low cut and so short they were more like belts than dresses! Men were being served amber colored drinks in shot glasses or big mugs. I placed a hand over my gaping mouth. I'd never seen a saloon before. My old Colorado town had never had such scandal.

"Hello there miss." I twirled around to the man who had stumbled out earlier. "Your real pretty." His smile was filled with yellow teeth, and he looked as though he hadn't shaved in a week; and he smelled as though he'd gone longer without a bath.

The man snatched my arm. "Owe! Your hurting me! Let me go!" I scratch and hit his forearm.

"Jake! Jake! Get over here we got a wild cat!"

A chubby man who looked even more rough than his friend busted through the saloon doors. "I ain't seen no woman with spunk like that in a real long time." Laughed Jake.

"Please just let me go, I know nothing of what you men want." The men laughed, pleading my case may be the only way of escape I thought. "I'm a pastors daughter so just pleas-" both men hollered in laughter

"Jake, we got ourselves a real lady." He pulls me close and I get a whiff of the liquor on his breath the very smell makes me want to faint. "I ain't never kissed no real dignified lady before."

"Yeah, and you won't today!" Shouts another man.

All I remember is fainting and the man in the maroon shirt and dark vest-and and those blue so very blue eyes, I just remembered how they sparkles when everything went black.