Hard Ride to Wichita by Ralph Compton, Marcus Galloway

convince them to give me a mighty fine discount.”
    Rather than try to burst his friend’s bubble, Luke held his tongue and followed Red toward the place with the busiest front porch in town. “Shouldn’t we find a place for the horses?” he asked.
    â€œThere’s a hitching post and trough right here.”
    â€œIf we’re staying, I want someplace better than—”
    Having caught the eye of the prettier of the two ladies in front of Stormy’s, Red tipped his hat and said, “Excuse me, ma’am. Could you tell me where I might find some feed for this fine horse of mine?”
    She stood up from her chair, allowing one hand to linger on the shoulder of the man sitting beside her. The fellow looked to be in his forties and had a finely clipped set of sideburns. His dark blue suit was slightly rumpled after being rubbed by both women, but he didn’t seem to mind that nearly as much as he minded losing one of his companions to the two young arrivals. The girl on his other side brushed up against him a bit more to take up the slack.
    â€œThere’s a nice little stable out back,” the prettier lady said. “Just go right down that alley and around. You won’t be able to miss it. Of course, that’s for our paying customers.” Slipping her fingers through the raven black hair flowing over one shoulder, she added, “You will be staying on with us for a bit, won’t you?”
    â€œIndeed we will, ma’am,” Red said in a hurry.
    The woman smiled, which made her skin seem even smoother and her face even more beautiful than before. “Good,” she said. “Why don’t I show you inside? Just one thing. Don’t either one of you call me ma’am. Makes me sound like some kind of spinster.”
    â€œYes, m— I mean,” Red chuckled. “I’ll call you whatever you like.”
    â€œYou two put your horses up and I’ll meet you inside.” When she turned toward the building’s front door, she captivated every man within eyeshot. Her hips swayed. Her hair swung against the creamy curves of her shoulders and neck that were bared, thanks to the plunging lines of a dark green dress that clung to her like a coat of oil paint. When she opened the door, a few bars of music drifted from inside. Whatever song it was, it did a mighty fine job of accompanying her enticing gait.
    â€œI might need some more of that money,” Red mumbled.
    Although he tried to put on a stern front, Luke didn’t have any trouble sympathizing with his friend. He’d seen a few women that drew him like a cat tugging at a bit of string, but none of them had the polish of that black-haired beauty. Even knowing that she was just trying to bring them in to spend their money, he couldn’t help going along with it. In some respects, that didn’t seem like such an outlandish request. Luke didn’t mind paying for a show, and her walk alone was one unforgettable performance.
    The stable was a narrow building that was just over half as long as the main structure. Its twin doors were tended by a bald man with tired eyes and a waistcoat that looked to have been plucked from a heap of trash. From the grime on his face, it was difficult to discern whether he had a dark complexion or was just in need of a good scrubbing.
    â€œWe need two stalls,” Red announced.
    â€œThey’s for paying customers only,” the tired man said.
    â€œThat’s us, sure enough.”
    â€œIf’n one of the managers comes out to check and you ain’t a customer, your horse and gear will be kept for a fee.”
    â€œHeld for ransom, sounds to me,” Luke grumbled.
    â€œCall it what you like,” the stable man said. “I’m just providing fair warning, is all.”
    Red slapped the older guy on the back hard enough to get him to wobble where he stood. “No need for the warning, old man,” he said.