Character: Pronto Pike

Posted October 15, 2018

After leaving Kalispell Pronto veered off east of the main trail and began a slow methodical back and forth pattern. The man he had seen leaning on the awning post intrigued him, as had the young women who walked out of the Emporium, but in his opinion, she would not be as deadly and the gunman. He knew he had ridden out to the north-east and Pronto wanted to know where the man had come from more than wanting to catch a tiger by the trail.

It was as he returned toward the trail he spotted the buggy and the girl. The outfit she was wearing was hard to miss at any distance. He drew out his binoculars and trained them on the slow-moving vehicle. She was a sight alright, and as well to do as she was pretty. It didn't take an expert to see that. It was only a few moments until the road curved just enough to block his view so he stuffed the glasses in his saddlebag and wheeled the horse around, he wasn't getting his questions answered lollygagging.

He pushed on with his search another half hour until he came on some fresh tracks heading north. They were spaced at a walk, Pronto urged the roan onto the trail, knowing he was not too far behind his quarry, although he was none too keen on catching up to him. He was in no mood for gun-play. He lifted the roan to a trot to close the distance, a man on the move at a casual pace would not be looking over his shoulder. He was counting on that.

Just at the edge of a clearing, he spotted him, same fellow, no doubt about that, and in the distance several fingers of smoke trailing into the sky. Once again he pulled out his glasses and focused not on the man but beyond him and sure enough, the outskirts of Whitefish and the home of the Marshal he had a run in with. Interesting that this man was headed there. Pronto turned the roan back south and disappeared into the trees again, heading for Kalispell with his question answered. Not who sent him or why, but from where he came from.

Posted October 23, 2018

It was late afternoon when Pronto entered Kalispell. He walked the roan down the main street as he considered his next move. For sure he was not spending another night in the out of doors. Oh, the weather was fine, but it was well past time that he have himself a room, somewhere to light.

The hotel looked inviting, but perhaps a bit more expensive than he wanted to spend. He had cash, that was for sure, but extravagance was hot his forte so he pulled up at the boarding house, which would be less expensive and serve him well until he figured out his next move. There was still the matter of a gunman obviously looking for him, and the unanswered questions of what and why.

He stepped down and flipped the reins over the hitching post in front of the White Rose Inn and Boarding House. He looked up and down the street and then stepped up on the boardwalk stretched and exhaled, then walked to the door, entered and closed it behind him, the bell over the door tinkling to announce his arrival. A quick visual told him the place was well kept, and he appreciated that. The parlor had a warm welcoming feel to it as he stood, waiting. It wasn’t long before he heard footsteps.

Posted October 31, 2018

"Good afternoon." The voice was soft and melodic, yet older, more refined. Pike immediately removed his hat as he turned to face the demure woman standing at the foot of the stairs. "I am Missus Everson, proprietress of the White Rose, how can I help you?"

"Pike Ma'am, Pr-BranabusPike. He stammered. "I'd be interested in a room."

"Well then, we have a couple of vacancies which might suit your need." She looked him up and down, paused at the guns. "Your business here in Kalispell? If I might ask."

"Lookin' about, Ma'am. Looks to be a likely place to sink some roots." He explained, "then, just need to find the right place.

"Well then, a room at the back is a dollar a week, no meals. Other rooms are two dollars, meals included." She explained. "Either is a week in advance." Although he appeared a bit unkempt, there was something about him that garnered her trust. "Now, there is one room on the second floor," She paused a moment, "with a view of the street, and another across the hall."

"The window would be fine." Was his choice. He fished out a coin from his pants pocket and offered it to her. a double eagle. "Might be here a while."

Linda Everson took the coin, somewhat taken aback by the twenty dollar gold piece. She stepped to the reception desk and took a key from the peg marked '3'. "Top of the stairs to your right, at the end. And welcome to Kalispell, Mister Pike."

"Thank you, Ma'am, good to be here." He turned and went out to his horse for his saddlebags. Noting the livery directly across the street.

Posted November 5, 2018

Once the animal was taken care of Pronto walked back to the hotel where Linda Everson stood waiting; "Mister Pike, I wonder if I might ask you a question?" Her voice was quizzical without being demanding.

"Yes Ma'am, you go right ahead.

"Your're from Texas?" She asked.

"Yes 'um, been many places, Texas bein' one." Was his response. "Born and raised there."

"Then you may know a Rye Everson?"

Pronto turned cold for a moment, "I do, rather Ma'am, I did. Why do you ask?"

She visibly stood straighter as if bracing for what was to come.

Pronto exhaled. "Perhaps you'd like to sit Ma'am." Without a word she moved to the divan and took a seat. "He was back shot up near White Settlement. Card game gone bad and he was goaded some, so they tell me. Well, the challenge went down and once outside he was shot down from behind. Rode with Rye a bit, he was a good man, no gunfighter mind you. Never heard who shot him."

Linda Everson stared at him a long moment. "What would you have done if you knew who did it?"

"Why I believe I'd've settled the score. Like I said, Rye was a good man, and a friend." Pronto replied honestly. He had not pursued the matter, other things came up that needed his attention at the time, but had he been there things would have worked out differently.

"I had heard rumors, but never knew for sure." She said softly, tearing up. She was not what he had expected. She took the news as if she knew something bad had happened. And down Texas way, there were a lot of bad things that happened to men. "Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me." She rose, walked calmly to the office, closing the door behind her.

Pronto looked after her, admiring her strength, and thinking about Rye Everson.