Enjoy the short story below and as an added bonus two lucky commenters will win an e-copy of my novel HALF! So be sure to leave a comment with your email or Twitter below.
by Elise VanCise
Miners had started to fill the room, their pockets filled
with gold nuggets and ready to spend their new found fortunes. Caroline was
ready to relieve them of it. One man burst with laughter, her husband had
laughed that way. May he rest in hell.
With that thought it was time to get to work. She checked
her bodice and her gun hidden in her skirt, and then walked down the stairs. A
young miner eager for company caught her hand at the landing. “How much for
your time? “
She raised a brow was he referring to her as a … she tilted
her head with a sassy grin. “Sorry, darlin’, you can’t afford me?”
Caroline paused at the bar to pick up a bottle. After a
glance around, she sat near the poker table to watch the players for a few
hands. After the fourth hand played one of the men folded, closed his cards and
gathered what was left of his wealth.
When he vacated the table with the remainder of his cash to
the bar, Caroline smiled as she takes the seat. “Evening boys, mind if I take
some of your money?”
A few laughed heartily as she poured herself a drink and
tossed her ante into the pot. The pot was well stocked with cash and gold bits.
She would be able to move out of his stink hole and into the hotel for a few
days on this kit.
The dealer began the ritualistic shuffle and toss of cards
before he passed them round. Caroline waited until all five were dealt before
she picked them up in her dainty gloved fingers.
The player to her left a well-to-do rancher leaned over with
a grin. “Just match the numbers, honey.”
Caroline closed her cards and held them to breast, with an
innocent expression. “Thank you, for your advice. I’m such a novice at the
game.”
Three hours later….
The dealer called for the final time and Caroline laid a
straight flush across the table top. Two of the men swore and sighed as they
tossed their cards back to the dealer. The third shook his head. “You must have
that beginners luck or somthin, Miss Watson.”
Caroline grinned and reached out to pull the large pot her
way. “Thank you, gentlemen. It’s been a true pleasure meeting your acquaintance
this evening.”
The rancher scoffed and grabbed her wrist. “You’re not
taking my money. This was a con of some sort.” He jerked her sleeve up
searching; the pearl buttons snapped off and tumbled into the cash.
Caroline tried to pull her arm back but his grip was too
tight. “Sir, I assure you, my game has been honest. Or do you question my skill
as to deflect attention from the real cheat?”
Calmly she reached to his far vest pocket with her free
hand. Caroline slipped the ace from her cuff. From the view of the other men
around them, it appeared she pulled the card from his pocket. “So do I, sir. I
think these gents do as well.”
One player grabbed the rancher, another swung, it didn’t
take long before Caroline was forgotten. She plucked the rancher’s hat from the
back of the chair and swept everything from the table with her arm into it.
She’d sort chips and shot glasses from the take later.
Caroline hurried upstairs for her bag and an exit out the
window. It was a new year and time to find another town, she’s been too naughty
here.
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