“I’ll definitely spank you.”
“In the sitting room?”
I gave him a look.“Sure.Why the sitting room specifically?”
He shrugged and went redder.
“I don’t know.It feels dirtier and more wrong, somehow, and I like that.Because it feels like… It feels like we’re thumbin’ our noses at polite society.Fuckin’ in the parlor, my goodness, let alone that we’re two men doin’ it… And it reminds me a bit of Miss June’s, where we could say whate’er we wanted in any room, and there was all kinds of mischief goin’ on everywhere.”
I walked o’er and took his chin, kissing him with softness before gazing into his brown eyes.“I like the way you think, Oscar Yates.”
* * * *
The weather was warm and pleasant for our ride, and ’twas nice to breathe the air that smelled of new growth and blooming wildflowers.Oscar was almost as good a horseman as me now, and Onyx and he had developed a close partnership.
He loved that horse so much, and she loved him.Together, they made a good team—just as good as me and Dixie.Maybe better, because though Dixie and I cared for each other, she was a practical consideration and I reckoned she felt the same about me.I’d be sad when she died, but I reckoned Oscar would be devastated when the time came for him to say goodbye to Onyx, even more than he’d grieved for his first horse, Sprite, after which he’d named his kitten.
Oscar went out riding every day, now that the weather was better.Irene would often join him, since they seemed to enjoy talking to each other and their characters were similar.I loved that Oscar had such a good friend in Irene and that Clarence and I got on well.I tried to join them when I could, so Dixie would get some exercise.
In town, we hitched the horses outside the general store and went inside, the jingling of the door making our presence known to the gentleman working there—I believe his name was Samuel—behind the counter.He glanced up at us and smiled, then seemed to start.
“Oh, Jimmy Downing!You’re the man I need to speak to.”
I was caught off guard for a moment.“I beg your pardon?”
Samuel grabbed a small envelope from the counter behind him and came around, handing it to me.T’was battered, bent and a little roughed up, but t’was dry, at least.
“A fella came in here and gave me this here letter for you.Said it was real important and asked if I could make sure you got it.I figured you and Oscar would be in here this week, and if not, I’d have given it to Tim or Carson to bring out to you.”
“A letter?”I glanced at Oscar, but he seemed as confused as I was.
“’Twas a fella wearin’ soft bear-skin trousers and embroidered boots—one of the Tsimshian people.He spoke English pretty well, and he said ’twas a message from some folks you know in Telegraph Creek.They needed to get a word to you, and he said he’d take it.I reckon they probably paid him to do it…at least I hope they did.That’s a long way to travel.”
Oscar and I exchanged concerned glances.I opened the envelope, unfolded the letter and started to read it right there in the store, because I’d never expected anything like this, and I needed to know why Miss June might reach out to us, when she didn’t even know for sure we were here.
Dear Jimmy,
I’m hoping this note finds you and Oscar, because I don’t know what else to do or who else to turn to.You and Oscar were always so kind to Cal, and she’s in a bit of trouble right now.
“It’s Cal,” I said.
“What’s wrong?”Oscar replied, reaching for the note.
“Shh, I’m still reading.”
He let his hand drop and stayed quiet so I could finish.
At least I think she must be.She hasn’t been back to see us since she left three months ago.And she promised she’d let us know how she was getting on so we didn’t worry.The man she left with, who said he was going to marry her, is someone I didn’t entirely trust, although he claimed he was after the best for Cal, and she believed him.You know my girls don’t have their pick of men except the ones who come to visit them here, and there’s not often a man who really would do good by any of them.
But Cal was a little bit in love, and she was dreaming of a wonderful life and, well, I hope she got it.But, Jimmy, I don’t think she did, and I’m scared to death of what might have happened.
If you get this letter, please think of us and consider coming back to The Angel if you can, to help me find her.I don’t know what to do.
Sincerely,
Your Good Friend,
Miss June Blaise
