Flower of My Heart
Steel blue eyes continued to watch as Lilly made her way to the saloon. Those same eyes also watched the Chinaman enter the general store.
"I can't believe she's here, and with a Chinaman to boot."
"Who?" asked another.
"Lillian Montgomery that's who."
"You mean the new singer at the saloon, Miss Lilly? How do you know her? We just wired her last month to replace Cassy."
"I knew her father . . . once."
"When was that?"
"Let's just say we were acquainted." The man with the steel blue eyes said. 'I didn't expect to see you here, girl,' he thought to himself. 'Well, we'll just see if you remember the bargain that was made eight years ago. Mr. Crabtree certainly will be pleased to see you.'
The man left the Doctor's office and headed for the saloon. This meeting was going to be interesting.
***
Caine entered the general store, aware that someone had been watching them. For now, he ignored the feeling that something wasn't quite right and decided it would be best to get the supplies.
"Can I help you, mister?"
A young boy of about five came up to Caine. Caine gave a small smile. It was obvious that this young man was not the storeowner, but he could not help playing along with the young lad.
"I need some supplies," he said and handed the young boy the list.
The boy looked at the list, but could not make head or tales of what was written there. "Pa! There's someone who needs help!" The boy called out and a tall man came out from a back room, holding a shotgun. It was obvious that the man was disturbed about something.
"Tommy, how many times have I told you not to shout. Go out back and get those things I asked you to and stop bothering the customers." The man took the list from his son and the boy ran to the back of the store. "Don't mind the boy. He wants to be like his old Pa here, but . . ."
"I do not mind. It is an honor to have a son follow in his father's footsteps," Caine replied with sadness.
The man looked curiously at Caine. "You're not from around here."
"No. I am staying with . . . Lillian Montgomery? It is she that needs the supplies."
The owner of the store looked at the list. "I'll get this filled for you right away. The wood you'll have to go to the saw mill to acquire."
As Caine waited for the man to gather what was on the list, he could not help but hear the faint sound of a piano on the wind and a sweet voice that had the clear tones of a nightingale float towards him. He was about to investigate where the sound was coming from when the storeowner returned carrying a crate with the needed supplies.
"That will be four dollars," the man said.
Caine pulled out the money and paid the man. He then took the crate, placed it in the wagon, and headed to where the singing was coming from. He stood in front of the swinging doors and looked into the saloon. Lilly was standing on the stage and singing. Her voice was clear and rich. He had not heard such singing in a long time. Caine was mesmerized by the tone. He could not take his eyes away from her. At that moment, she had captured his heart and he wanted nothing more than to do what he could to love and protect this beautiful creature. Suddenly, she stopped as a man approached and roughly tried to take her from the stage. He watched as she tore her arm from his grasp and slapped him across the face, her dress tearing in the process. The man picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. Caine acted immediately.
"Let her go."
"Get out of my way Chinaman, this is none of your business."
Caine grabbed the man and taking hold of Lilly at the same time, he freed her from the man's grasp while forcing the man back where he fell heavily against one of the poker tables, smashing it into firewood. The man lay stunned, not sure how he had ended up on the floor.
"Are you all right?" Caine asked Lilly with deep concern in his eyes as he cupped her cheek in his right hand.
Lilly nodded, but her eyes became wider as the man attempted to attack Caine from behind.
"Look out!"
Caine kicked out, hitting the man in the solar plexus, knocking the breath from his lungs.
Then a shot rang out through the saloon and bits of plaster fell from the ceiling.
"Enough! Carson, get the hell out of my place until you can behave yourself." A thin older man behind the bar held a shotgun in the air.
The man named Carson pulled himself off the floor and headed for the door of the saloon. "This isn't over Lillian. And you Chinaman, stay out of this or you'll find a bullet in your back."
"Out! I'm sorry about that folks. Miss, Lilly, he didn't hurt you did he? I wouldn't blame you if you decided to leave on the next stage."
"No, that's all right." Lilly stared at the saloon doors and could not help wondering where she had seen Carson before. He seemed to know her, but when she searched her thoughts, she could not place him.
"Are you sure you are all right?" Caine asked,
"I'm fine. Well, it looks like I'm not going to get much rehearsing done. Oh look at that, he tore my best dress. What am I going to wear for tonight? It's the only dress I brought with me until I could unpack."
"Why don't you go over to Karoline's. She'll fix you up. And mister let me buy you a drink. That was some fight. I've never seen anything like that. Names Jasper, Jasper Peabody. I own this saloon, and your name is . . ."
"Caine. Water would be fine."
"Water it is."
Lilly was about to exit the saloon when she realized she had no idea where to find the woman that Jasper had mentioned lived.
"She's just two doors down. She's the dressmaker. She'll fix you up real quick."
Caine watched Lilly leave. He really did not want to lose sight of her. The man named Carson was so determined. He knew the man would be back. Perhaps it would be best that he stay, just until this business with Carson was settled. As long as Carson was around, Caine was going to make sure he stayed as close to Lilly as possible. If any harm came to her, he would not hesitate to act.
End of Part 5
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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