Page 81 of The Saloon Girl's Only Shot
“She did?” Owen sat back, smile falling away.
Temperance felt as though she was being lowered into an icy stream. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath, couldn’t move, and she was pretty sure she would soon drown.
“She made clear that she hadn’t discussed anything with you.” Felix held up a staying hand, then withdrew a sealed whiskey bottle from his saddle bag. “This is uncut bourbon directly from a distillery owned by a friend of a friend. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to show you I understand the market.” He touched his nose and grinned. “I brought two, but one has developed a slow leak. Cold nights, I’m afraid.” He winked.
Felix offered Owen a letter. Owen slowly unfolded it, glancing at Temperance.
She stood to read it over his shoulder.
It opened with reassurances from Pearl that she was well and that Marigold was happy in her marriage. Temperance skimmed past that, then read aloud:
“It’s wonderful to be with my sister and her new family, but I feel I’m in the way of the newlyweds. I would prefer to live in town where things are not quite so rustic. There’s a potential opportunity I wanted to put to you for consideration. I haven’t spoken to Virgil, or his partner, Mr. Stames, but I’m given to understand Mr. Stames has purchased a saloon in Denver. It may be some time before it is operational, but Virgil wonders what Mr. Stames will do in the spring, when all the partners will be needed in camp to work the diggings. This leads me to think there may be a position for you as a tender of the bar. On my arrival in Denver, I had the chance to learn a little of whisky-making and serving. I would happily assist you there if you would be amenable to my living with you again.”
Temperance quit reading. She felt Owen’s eyes on her face but avoided looking at him by taking her bowl with its few bites of cold stew and setting it for the dog to clean up.
“There’s no presumption on my part,” Felix said. “My education is law, and I have the pleasure of writing for two newspapers which is a small income, but enough to get myself settled here. Marigold has put to me that there is always need for labor at the mine.”
“True,” Owen said noncommittally.
“You needn’t feel obliged. I’ll only add that I play piano and sadly lost my accordion in our house fire, but I’ve made an arrangement with a man in Fort Kearney to purchase his. Saloon work isn’t something I’ve ever done, but it’s something I imagine I could enjoy.”
Owen picked up the bottle to turn it over in his hand. “How much do I owe you for this?”
“I brought it as a goodwill gift, in hopes you would consider ordering from my friend.”
“If it’s any good, I will, but the whole town is dry. Take advantage and take my money. Will you accept five dollars?”
“I will take four and a shot from the top of it.”
They sampled it, and both men released satisfied hisses of breath.
“Paint us a new sign, Rose,” Owen said. “Pure bourbon, sixty cents. Limited quantity.”
“Sixty cents! That’s robbery.”
“That’s business. The casks will arrive tomorrow. After that, we’ll be lucky to get thirty-five cents no matter how good it is. How much will you charge me for your open bottle?” Owen asked Felix.
“At the profit you’re making? It will cost you another four,” Felix said with a chuckle of amusement.
“Go get it,” Owen said with a nod.
Chapter 22
Word traveled quickly, and some of the most affluent and influential men came in for a drink, including Elmer and his father, Woodrow, and a man named P.J. Hartigan.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” Temperance greeted, bringing three glasses without being asked because they wouldn’t have come in if they weren’t here for whiskey.
“Miss Goodrich. That’s a fetching gown you’re wearing,” Elmer said with what sounded like sarcasm.
Woodrow shot him a glower.
Temperance was very tempted to ask Elmer about his wife, but pocketed the coins they gave her and invited Felix over with a wave.
“Can I introduce you to Mr. Felix Martin? He’s the uncle of Virgil Gardner’s wife, Marigold, and her sister, Pearl.”
“Ah, yes. Good to meet you.” The men stood to shake Felix’s hand and invited him to join them.
Felix had brought Owen his second bottle and stuck around to meet the townsfolk. He was a personable man who possessed natural curiosity and a keen grasp of politics, so they all fell into conversation very quickly.