The Six-Gun Solution (TimeWars 12)

She looked up at him. “Scott. I’ve been with lots of men. You know that. But that’s all in the past now. Oh, I still sit with cowboys and get them to buy drinks because that’s my job here. Sometimes I might let them put their arms around me. but no more than that, honest. No more trips to the back room. All that’s over now. It’s been over ever since I met you. Things are different now. Does it really matter what happened in the past?”

“Sometimes it matters more than you might know, Jenny,” said Scott, somewhat distantly. Then he smiled at her. But that doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

“Then that’s all that really matters.” she said.

Ben Stone put down his cards and got up from the table. He picked up his hat and cane and came over to them. Scott watched as he approached. He was a tall man, very fit looking. with short, neatly trimmed dark hair and gray eyes. He was clean-shaven except for a dark, close-trimmed, pencil-thin moustache. He was wearing an elegant dark suit and waistcoat, a gold watch chain, and a neatly tied cravat held down by a pearl stickpin. He would have looked like a fashion model. Scott thought, if it wasn’t for those light gray eyes. They were alert, shrewd and calculating eyes. Eyes that didn’t miss a thing.

“You must be the Montana Kid.” said Stone. He offered his hand. Scott took it. “Benjamin J. Stone, at your service.”

Scott nodded. “Mr. Stone.”

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” said Stone.

“Is that right?”

“I wanted to see the man who managed to capture Jenny’s affection. The moment she saw you, she excused herself and rushed right over to you. If I wasn’t such an easygoing man, I might have taken exception. Jenny brought me luck. The moment she got up from the table. I started losing. A man can’t afford to do much of that in my profession.”

“No. I don’t guess he can.” said Scott. “Jenny’s told me about you, but I don’t believe I’ve seen you in here before.”

“I’ve been playing down at the Alhambra for the past week or so,” said Stone. “Thought, I’d come back to the Oriental for a while. You never want to push a streak of luck too far in just one place.”

“So you’ve been lucky, then?”

“I like to think that skill has a bit to do with it. but luck plays a part, as well. May I buy you and the lady a drink with my winnings?”

“It would be a pleasure, Mr. Stone, thank you “

“Call me Ben. Kid. All my friends do. And from what I’ve heard about you. I’d rather count you among my friends than among my enemies.”

“You have many enemies, Ben?”

“A few, here and there Some men like losing less than others. But I’ve always taken great care to stay on the right side of the law. Sometimes the only thing between you and a bullet is the local lawman, isn’t that right, Marshal?”

Scott turned to see that Wyatt Earp had come up behind them.

“Isn’t what right, Mr. Stone?”

“I was just telling the Kid here that a man always has to have respect for the local law, because sometimes it’s all that stands between him and a bullet. Isn’t that right?”

“I reckon I can go along with that.” said Wyatt. He glanced at Scott’s open coat. “See you got that fancy gun rig George Spangenberg had over in his shop.”

“That’s right, Marshal. But I made sure to get that special permit from your brother before I put ’em on. And I picked up that one that he was keeping for me, too.”

I know. I heard about that Seein’ as how you’re workin’ to keep order in here. I don’t guess I mind that too much, so long as things don’t get out of hand. And I suppose that havin’ you wearin’ your guns is a lot safer than havin’ you without ’em. Otherwise you’re liable to prove a temptation to certain folks around here.

“I appreciate your understanding, Marshal.” Scott said. “Like I told you before, I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble.”

“Speakin’ of trouble,” Wyatt said, you bought those guns from Zeke didn’t you?”

“That’s right said Scott, suddenly on guard.

“Mind if I see one?”

“Not at all.” Scott took one of the Colts out and handed it to Wyatt.

“Sure is gaudy-lookin’.” Wyatt said. “I figure folks will be askin’ about your guns as much as they talk about how fast you are with ’em. You seen Zeke since he sold ’em to you?”

“No. I can’t say as I have. Why’?”