Cha'Nara's Gift

Chapter 28

Chapter 28 A Record Week

Deak Picks Up the Story

We find ourselves sitting in Cha'Nara's "unit" preparing to return to the past. It's been a busy week, I got the BATF paperwork taken care of, got a seven inch barrel installed on Emily's Armalite, along with all the new furniture, it is one damn wicked looking weapon. Got my Colt Combat Elite at my side, the banking is all squared away, as well as the money we got for the last of the antique guns, which came to $ 8560.00. Everybody (with the exception of Annie) can't wait to get back; the craft is stuffed with everything we could think of, food medicine supplies of every kind, more gifts for the "girls" and other friends.

Emily Picks Up the Story

Wow! What a busy week, Annie helped me collect all sorts of stuff, fresh supplies, gifts for everybody come next Christmas, camera CD players DVD players, all kinds of crap, the next time we return to our time it will be for the last time (whenever Cha'Nara calls it, really) The computer data looks good, everything appears to be OK, I give Cha'Nara the thumbs up from my end, she initiates the "travel" sequence and minutes later we're back in 1879 about a week and a half after we left. After shutdown, Deak and Ben take a peek outside making sure everything is still there. "Looks good to me," announced Deak, "The rest of you grab a duffel bag and head up to the hotel, Pip help me get the recharge going on this."

Annie, Ben, and I struggle with the heavy duffel bags out the door and up to the hotel. Ike, our desk clerk spots me and gives us a shout, Rachel and Jenny appear in the doorway between the saloon and the hotel, they rush up to Annie and I hugging us and bombarding us with a million questions. After the bags were secured in the office Annie and I strolled into the saloon to see what had been happening. Before we left 2013, we changed into period clothing so we did not attract too much attention. Ben tells me he's going to see his mother so I take my place at my "table" I can see there are only three or four miners and a couple cowboys in the place, but it's only five in the afternoon so things could still get busy. "How have things been?" I ask Sally as she sits down along with Sarah. "Welcome back Emily," said Sarah, "Things have been about average, there's talk going around about a fresh strike northwest of here but nobody's confirmed it yet." Sally then spoke, "Haven't seen any miners flush with dust come in here as yet." "Been any trouble?" "Nothin we couldn't handle, sheriff James had to deal with a couple saddle tramps a day or two ago, other than that nothing really." "Good, I'm glad to hear it," I replied, "Speaking of hearing things; Annie's got quite a story to tell. I will vouch for everything she says, but I'll let her tell it." Sally showed me the accounting for the time we were gone, which was what I had pretty much figured on. Before long Deak came in giving me a quick report he'd received from the sheriff, which was basically what Sally told me, then left again.

About an hour later, a couple of strangers came in and walked over to the bar, speaking briefly with Sam the bartender, then coming my way. "Understand you're the proprietress of this fine establishment," I snickered, " "I take it you two are interested in a game of cards?" "Most definitely ma'am, what are the stakes?" "Dust or nuggets," I replied. Both men looked at each other, "We got some dust, but mostly greenbacks, still interested?" I thought, not really, what I'm interested in but maybe the game would attract others that did have dust or better yet, nuggets. "I suppose, but only because I'm bored, play the dust first gentlemen. By the way, mind telling me who you are, don't believe I've seen you here before." "My name's Dr. Joseph Wexler, this is my partner Dr. Townsend Mayfair." "Doctor's eh! Doctors or field surgeons?" both men gave me a funny look, Wexler said, "I beg your pardon madam, we are considered very capable physicians, we're on our way to Georgetown to set up practice." I studied them both, "We've got a little hospital down the street, well equipped, just needs someone to run it, if you're interested we'll let you two set-up there no charge, however my husband may want to ask you two some questions concerning medicine and medical procedures, after our game I'll have him talk to you two."

"If you gentlemen will indulge me, I've got a little game I call "Texas Hold-em," it's poker with a different twist, I think you'll find it interesting." I dealt the cards and we began the game. While we played, I asked the two doctors some questions, "I wonder if I might engage your services, My girls haven't had any check-ups in a while, how about we set up down at our little clinic tomorrow," They agreed to examine the girls, however they didn't know I would be there to keep an eye on them, and make sure they washed their hands and took basic precautions, in many ways, I knew more than they did concerning medicine.

After a little while two more men, a traveling salesman and a prospector sat down to play, as the game was starting to heat up, I began to get nervous, I had Rachel get my cigarettes, I kept them in a silver case as Marlboro lights pack would beg too many questions. , I didn't smoke much here in the saloon but I sure needed one now. The men were a bit taken back when I lit up but said nothing. Occasionally Sarah smoked, and when she did, I shared my Marlboro's with her.

The stakes were starting to grow, there was almost a $600.00 on the table, most of it in dust and a few nuggets, we began to attract attention, my girls took advantage of the action keeping the men distracted, by showing a little tit and making suggestive comments. They always did a good job for me, and now I really needed their help, the pressure was starting to grow. When another man entered the saloon, looking every bit a professional gambler, I knew that I had to be very careful. I winked at Annie who knew what I wanted, easing away from the group she went to get Deak, at this point I really needed armed back-up just in case. "Care if I join your game?" he asked, "I waved to the last empty seat, "Help yourself, your name is?" "Albert Walsh ma'am, I take it you're the mistress of this fine establishment?" I couldn't resist a snigger, "Flattery will get you nowhere sir, we all know the score here."

I dealt him a hand, and we settled down to serious play. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Annie resume her spot next to the crowd and a few moments later Deak and Ben quietly entered through the hotel, taking up strategic positions. About five minutes later Sherriff James entered and sat down at a nearby table. Along with my "girls", the regulars looked at Deak, Ben and the sheriff and knew bad trouble could be just a heartbeat away. We kept playing, Walsh was no slouch, finally the prospector and Dr. Mayfair packed it in. Trying to remain calm, by smoking, and thinking of the games I played with fellow Marines back in the 'Stan. I got along well with hardened combat vets trained killers, who would kid around tell dirty jokes, and flirt, but these guys made me nervous as hell, Annie and Rachel knew me better than the others , and could tell I was on edge and did everything they could to help me.

Deak Picks Up the Story

I was down at Alice's with Ben talking to his mom when Annie came rushing in, "Deak, Emily's in a high stakes poker game, and she looks pretty nervous, there's a gambler named Walsh that just joined the game, she sent me down here to get you, as a precaution, but Deak, I don't think she realizes who this man is, I've heard of him, he's got a real bad temper, if things don't go his way, he starts insinuating somebody's cheating, she's in bad trouble Deak!" All three of us were out the door right away, I saw Clifton coming out of his office, I whistled and pointed towards the saloon, he nodded and Ben and I ran toward the saloon. There was quite a crowd around the table, the other women gave me a nod and indicated the table with their eyes, Ben and I took up positions where we could see the action, Sherriff James entered quietly a moment later taking a seat at a nearby table. Emily was smoking, indicating total relaxation or nervousness, but I could see she wasn't enjoying herself. The pot on the table was hefty, two men had already checked out, I was concerned now, this wasn't some impromptu game with fellow Marines, Emily was in over her head, she was running a bluff with her life. This guy Walsh seemed cool so far, but that could change at any second, the other girls kept looking at me concern written all over their faces, their boss was in big trouble and they were helpless to do anything about it.

Emily Picks Up the Story

Everybody was watching me intently, all the others had cashed in, it was down to Walsh and I. I was holding four of a kind, the ace of hearts, ace of spades, ace of diamonds ace of clubs and a 9 of spades. I didn't care for that nine of spades, Walsh was playing it cool, like the professional he was. I got rid of the nine card and drew another, king of hearts, damn! Couldn't ask for a better hand, but if Walsh also had four of a kind, everything would fall on who had the better fifth card. The suspense was killing me, and like an i***t, I didn't have my gun handy, Deak and Ben would have to be fast, if this guy tried to pull something.

Walsh drew another card and I detected a trace of a smile on his face. Crunch time people! "I call" said Walsh, slowly he laid out his hand, Damn! The same as mine, but wait, his fifth card was a queen; I had him beat with my king. I laid my cards down there were gasps, Walsh sat there for a moment, studying the hands, then started to rake in the pot, "Hold on there mister!" I said, "Seems to me, a king trumps a queen, I believe that's my pot buster!" Walsh suddenly got an evil look on his face, and his right arm started to move downward until Deak suddenly appeared right behind him, his colt pointed at the side of Walsh's face, "Slowly place both hands on the table mister very easy, if you want to make it out of this place alive you'll do as I say, my wife doesn't cheat, under any circumstances, because of assholes like you." Walsh did as he was told, Sherriff James moved in and escorted Walsh outside, Deak followed him out right away, the saloon started breathing again. Annie, Rachel, Sarah, and Jenny rushed to my side, I just sat there thinking on how close I had come, I jumped up and headed out the door after Deak and the sheriff.

Deak Picks up the Story

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, After Walsh laid down his hand, I could tell from Emily's body language she had the winning hand, so I carefully moved behind Walsh drawing my Colt, ready for anything. I saw Walsh start to move his arm down slowly as he realized what Emily had been holding. With one quick movement, I charged a round into the chamber and pushed the barrel up against Walsh's face. I ordered him to place his hands on the table and calmly told him Emily didn't cheat. By this time, Sheriff James moved in and escorted Walsh outside. I quickly followed him, "Sheriff, what do you intend to do with this guy? Keeping his eye on Walsh, the sheriff, reached into the mans pocket and pulled out a very short-barreled Colt, and handed it to me. "Here, for your collection, I was going to…" "Stick that asshole in the "box" Goddammit!" shouted Emily who came boiling out of the saloon. "Sheriff, I demand you stick Walsh in the "Box" right now, he was going to kill me, Emily then got right in Walsh's face, "You Goddamned Son of a b***h, NOBODY accuses me of cheating! For one, I'm not that good at cards, what happened was just pure luck, you were going to shoot me, I'll show you what happens to people who try and shoot me Dickhead!" She turned to James and said, "Are you going to stick him in the "Box" Sheriff?"

The sheriff looked confused, "Deak, what do…" I shrugged and said, "Walsh, you've got two choices, ride out of here right now, leave everything, get your horse and leave NOW! And never come back, 'cause if I see your sweet ass in town ever again, I'll assume you're here to kill my wife, I will shoot you on sight, no warning, the next thing you'll know is that your head is exploding, GOT THAT! Or you can spend a night in the "box" what's it gonna be?" Putting on a defiant act, Walsh said, "I'll leave!" "Good!" I said, "Five minutes, Walsh Counting from NOW!" He ran for the stable and a couple minutes later came riding out, trotting off into the darkness. I shouted after him, "I wasn't kidding pal! Show up here again and you're a dead man!" I turned to Emily and held her kissing her lips, "Babe, Annie told me Walsh is a very dangerous man when he thinks he's been cheated you were just damn lucky." Emily shook as I held her close. "Well I'm all done here, night to you folks!" said James, as he headed for his office. I walked Emily back to the saloon, Annie came up to us and held out a hat with gold and money in it, "Looks to be around $4000.00 here, as she handed Emily the hat. "Drinks on the house!" Emily announced to a cheering, Annie, "Tell the girls I intend to share this with you ladies." Annie smiled and hugged Emily, "I'll tell them, thanks."