Bride Gone Bad by Sabine Starr

mouth drop open in surprise.
    Lucky chuckled. “You’re spinning a tall tale.”
    â€œIt’s no story.” Manny bristled. “I’m their stock handler. Mama Lou is their cook. This business is homegrown. And it’s getting bigger by the day.”
    â€œLast year Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show opened in New York and it’s a huge success. Folks want more of the Wild West,” Bob said.
    â€œThat brings us to why we are here,” Burt added. “We believe folks will pay hard-earned cash to see on stage the Reenactment of Temperance Tempest Chopping the Legendary Bar of the Red River Saloon. ”
    Tempest put a hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter at the absurd idea.
    Lucky laughed out loud.
    Manny appeared offended. “Laugh all you want now, but we’ll laugh last when we’re rolling in dough and you’re still hunting in the mountains for gold.”
    â€œAs much as I appreciate your suggestion,” Tempest said, “I’ve hung up my hatchet.”
    â€œWe’ll buy you a new one,” Burt said.
    â€œPaint it red. Add some sparkles,” Bob added.
    Lucky laughed harder.
    â€œMiss Tempest,” Manny said. “Please give the notion some consideration. Your legend is growing. Once your painting hangs in the Red River Saloon, you’ll be even more famous. If you’re in our Wild West show, folks will come to Delaware Bend in droves to see that artwork. We’ll all be rich and famous.”
    Tempest looked from one to another as realization dawned on her that they were totally serious. “Perhaps an actress could play my part?”
    â€œDiana might do it, but she’s got other parts to play,” Burt said.
    â€œDiana has agreed, as well as Mama Lou?” Tempest shook her head in wonderment.
    â€œDon’t forget me,” Manny said. “We wouldn’t sign on to no flyby-night operation. I’ve known Burt and Bob all my life.”
    â€œYou forget Tempest has several jobs already,” Lucky said. “She doesn’t have time, even if she was interested in your show.”
    â€œWe wouldn’t think to impose on you now,” Burt said. “We’re in the planning stages. We’re gathering backers. We’re soliciting talent.”
    â€œ Temperance Tempest and Her Hatchet, ” Bob added. “Think about it.”
    â€œAnd the Bend would sure appreciate your help,” Manny said.
    Tempest felt her heart constrict with sadness. Now she understood. Nothing in the Bend had been free. She owed the town’s residents, and they were calling in their marker. She glanced over at Lucky, hoping she didn’t appear as disillusioned as she felt.
    â€œYou can see you’ve caught Tempest by surprise,” Lucky said. “She isn’t used to being famous yet. We don’t even know when we’ll be back in town.”
    â€œConsternation!” Burt shook his head. “Miss Tempest, if we sound pushy, we apologize.”
    â€œWe don’t mean to wreak havoc,” Bob agreed. “We understand you might need time to ponder setting foot on stage. But we want you to know that our ladies will receive the utmost privacy, respect, and protection.”
    â€œMama Lou, Diana, and Ludmila are gonna have my hide.” Manny spit a stream of tobacco to one side, and then wiped his mouth with a bandanna. “They told me not to make you feel like you owed the town something, ’cause it’s not true. Everything we done we done from our hearts. We want you to join us in this adventure ’cause we like you and you fit in with us.”
    Tempest smiled, feeling a little better at his words. “Is Ludmila part of this enterprise, too?”
    â€œWho else is gonna order us what we need?” Manny asked.
    â€œMaybe we didn’t make it clear that everybody is getting paid top dollar or a percentage of the profits,” Bob added.
    Tempest