A Secret and A Kiss by Regina McKinley

Author:Regina McKinley [McKinley, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-07-17T04:00:00+00:00

Piney’s Saloon was situated two doors down from the livery, towards the end of town. The two story structure was indistinguishable from other businesses in town, save for the sign in front. The bar was to the left of the doorway and ran the length of the room. The shelves behind the bar were filled with liquor and framed a rather impressive mirror which happened to by the pride and joy of Nick Piney. He told anyone he caught looking at it the story of how he had it especially commissioned for his saloon and delivered all the way from Kansas City.

A stairwell in the rear of the room led to the four rooms that could be rented out for an hour or the entire night, whichever was your preference or need. It was still too early in the day for the ladies to be moving about much, as they usually entertained well into the wee hours of the morning. Carter suspected that is where his brother had been spending his time since he rode into town alongside him.

Carter found his brother there nursing a glass of whiskey. Porter sat in the back corner with his feet propped up on the chair next to him. The brim of his hat was pulled low across his brow. Carter felt the moment his brother saw him. The intensity in Porter’s eyes was like a physical weight settling on his chest.

Carter stopped by the bar to get a fresh glass and a new bottle. His intent was not to get drunk, but rather to wash away the foul taste of having to deal with Monroe and White. Even the rotgut passed off as whiskey is preferable to that foulness.

Carter took the chair across from his brother and removed his hat. He filled his glass with the pungent amber liquid and topped of Porter’s before he turned to survey the room. Clive Johnson, the town drunk, leaned against the far end of the bar and stared into his cup.

Other than Clive and Nick Piney and the ladies upstairs, the saloon was empty.

“Pleasant evening?” Carter asked.

Porter tipped his hat back out of his eyes and grinned wickedly. “Decidedly so. Told you that you should have stayed in town.”

“Pass,” Carter said. “I was busy elsewhere.”

“Eh? You’ve got a twinkle in your eye, Carter,” Porter teased. “Could this be love?”

“Twinkle, my ass,” Carter scoffed. “I do have my eye on someone, though.” He held up a hand to cut off his brother’s remark. “You’ll meet her soon enough, I’m sure. We’re not here to talk about my love life. There was another raid last night.”

“How many were taken this time?” Porter asked.

“They culled eight from the herd, lost control of five. They were driven to the North, onto the next ranch. I followed them this morning but was kindly asked to leave before I got that far.”

“Peculiar, isn’t that?” Porter asked.

“At first, the raids seemed like petty retaliation. Nothing dangerous has happened so far. Threats have been made, but nothing attempted.

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