Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 7 - A Problem Solved

The sun broke through the curtains lighting up the room, the rays that shone through directly hit the two lovers that were entwined in a tender sleep-induced embrace. Bill woke lazily to find Rose still asleep in his arms, he looked down at her and thought how beautiful she looked. It was as if she was smiling in her sleep. Bill longed to know what she was dreaming of, he hoped that whatever her dream was it would involve him. He gently kissed her forehead, in doing so it stirred Rose from her slumber.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, flower," he murmured an apology, his tone low and groggy, he was not quite fully awake himself.

"I'm so glad that you did, I thought yesterday and last night had just been a wonderful dream" replied Rose, her voice full of satisfaction and joy. She kissed Bill passionately then returned to her position in his arms.

For a few moments, Bill and Rose laid in silence and enjoyed each others company, their naked bodies firmly pressed against each other. Occasionally they would look at each other and share glances of pure devotion. It was clear that they didn't want their time together to end, but they knew that it would soon have to come to an end and they would have to go their separate ways. They were about to break the silence when there was a knock on their door.

"Breakfast will be ready in 10 minutes," Pearl called.

"We'll be down in 5 minutes," replied Rose, with a hint of sadness.

The lovers dressed begrudgingly, the simple task was hindered by their bouts of playful fondling and distracting each other. When they were finally dressed, it was Bill who broke the silence.

"It's almost criminal to look on you and not to be able to see your beautiful body," sighed Bill, lamenting leaving the room and returning to reality.

Rose raised her eyebrow, and replied in jest - "Oh, poor you Bill, the men I usually have to satisfy look like hogs in a scarecrows clothing!"

The cheeky look that Rose gave to Bill lit a fire inside him, now more than ever he resented the fact that she would soon have to spend her day at the beck and call of other men's wishes. They finally left the room and headed down for breakfast, as they ate they engaged in idle chit-chat and knowing glances. When they had finished their meal and was time for them to go their separate ways Bill tipped his hat to Rose.

Bill walked over to the bar where Amos was engrossed in conversation with a large man, the man in question was not as tall as Bill, but the man was as wide as he was tall. He was heavyset and not in a flattering way, his face was gnarled with long thin hair and an overgrown patchy beard. Bill waited for the two men to seemingly finish their conversation before he interrupted them.

"Morning Amos, morning Edgar. I hope you're both well," Bill said announcing his presence to the two men. Amos acknowledged him with a brief nod, then left to attend to another man waiting at the bar and Edgar turned his attention towards Bill.

"Reckon I am, for the time being," mumbled Edgar, with that he turned back to his previous position of focusing his attention to the coffee before him.

With that Bill placed two gold coins on the bar and slid them under Edgar's gaze who then looked at Bill with renewed interest. "I need to speak to Abraham as soon as possible," said Bill, who now had Edgar's full attention.

"The boss is busy at the moment," replied Edgar reaching for his drink. As he did Bill placed two more coins on top of the pile. Edgar paused, "I apologise, I'll go let him know you have business with him." He left Bill alone, pocketing the money as he left.

Bill waited at the bar, he enjoyed a few moments of silence before a voice called from the balcony - "Abraham is ready for you". Bill paused for a moment, Abraham may be ready to speak to him but he knew that the man may not like what he had to say.

Bill walked at a brisk pace, he knew when it came to negotiating with Abraham Cohen that the best way to do it was with authority and to not show any weakness. He walked into Abraham's office, it was a reasonable size, fairly open with a large desk facing out of a corner at an angle. On the desk, there was a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

"Edgar tells me that you wanted to see me?" Abraham asked Bill who had barely crossed the threshold of the office. Abraham finished talking and poured two large glasses of whiskey. He looked at Bill expectedly and motioned for him to respond.

"I have a proposal for you," Bill began in a firm tone.

Abraham eyed Bill with disbelief. "Am I to get on my knees for you or do you want to bend me over the desk?" Abraham said with a chuckle, Bill swallowed the contents of his glass in one go, eyeing Abraham with a look of disdain.

"I want you to release Rose from your employment," said Bill, the proposal sounded more like a statement, he wasn't giving the landlord a choice in the matter. Abraham's demeanour changed to that of confusion.

"Done" replied Abraham. Bill's eyes widened in surprise, he had expected there to have been more bargaining to the proposal or some sort of demand.

"Are you sure?" Said Bill, shocked at his surprise victory over Abraham.

"Get out of here before I change my mind," said Abraham calmly. The two looked at each other before Abraham cleared his throat. "For thousands of years my people were persecuted, we fought so much and so hard to be free, but this Jew? This Jew, in my short time on this earth, has managed to do what my people never could and that is accept defeat. Maybe in time, your people will do the same".

Neither man said a word, Bill tipped his hat and Abraham nodded in response. As Bill left Abraham's office, he closed his door and made his way to Rose's room. He knocked on the door with three short taps with his knuckles and waited for a reply, he could hear giggling coming from inside the room. The door finally opened; it was not Rose who met Bill but a young naked woman. She was a very young woman; she was petite in height and build, with long blonde hair. There was a naive innocence to her face, the girl was very pretty, but Bill thought that her breasts looked too big for her slender frame.

The young blonde looked Bill up and down, then without warning she grabbed him. Much to Bill's surprise, there was also a look of surprise on the young woman's face. She looked over at Rose who laughed loudly. "I told you I wasn't lyin' Betty," smirked Rose.

With that Betty left, red-faced and unable to look Bill in the eye. Now it was just Bill and Rose. He looked at her disapprovingly. "Betty is only young and been doing this a couple of weeks, she didn't believe a man could be..." Rose was interrupted by Bill grabbing her and embracing in a passionate kiss.

"I have got some good news, you no longer work for Abraham Cohen," said Bill breaking away from the kiss.

Rose looked at Bill in shock. "What do you mean?"

Bill then went on to explain what had taken place and that Rose was now free. She set about gathering her effects, and once she was done Bill loaded the trunk that she had filled on to the wagon. He waited patiently for her while she said her goodbyes to the other woman. Rose felt so overwhelmed, she longed to be out of that saloon. She worked there out of desperation but that was now all over.

As she left, she stopped for a moment, taking in the sights and sounds of the town. She knew that soon she would be in more comfortable and familiar surroundings. She approached Bill's wagon with a beaming smile. "Oh my God, Coal!" she exclaimed, excited she hurried to the horse and rested her head on his neck and stroked his mane. Coal snorted in approval.

"You didn't think I'd ever let another horse take Coal's place?" Bill laughed. He loved seeing his woman adoring his horse.

Bill assisted Rose's ascend of the wagon and then he climbed aboard. Before they set off, they shared a brief secretive glance, as if reminiscing about their activities the day before.

"Ready when you are ma'am," Bill said to Rose, with that she smiled at him and winked, her cheeks were flushed pink with excitement, and the wind blew through her long hair. At that moment she looked perfect to him.

"Ride on, William Roberts," Rose commanded.

"Yes ma'am," replied Bill, tipping his hat and then grabbing the horses reigns.

Authors note
Aww, young love! So Bill gets his woman (and gets groped by a horny young whore) but I can't help but think there is more to Abraham than meets the eye.