With: Clara Redmond, Charlie Wentworth
Time of Day: Early afternoon
It's not that Clara did not like it on the farm, she had always been the dutiful daughter and with her mother deceased she had taken over the running of the household plus did her fair share of the farm chores too - all this and she did not complain. But it was indeed refreshing to go to town on occasion even if it was to just stop into the General Store for necessary foodstuffs or other sundries. So it was that on this breezy bright sunny September afternoon she was strolling down the boardwalk of one side of Kalispell's Main Street with basket in hand. She liked to wander and look into various windows of the variety of shops and businesses the town had. It wasn't exactly a big town compared to Philadelphia (where she had lived for a short time during her childhood) but it was vibrant and growing. It was....well, interesting.
Now that she worked at the Lost Lake Ranch minding the Thornton children she actually had a bit of money to spend on occasion for herself too even though she gave the vast majority of her wages to her father and quite willingly too as the family needed it. So she was always on the lookout in case there was an opportunity to buy something interesting...as long as the price was not exorbitant naturally.
She paused then just outside the entrance of the rather fine looking hotel in town, even the name sounded elegant in Clara's opinion, the Belle-St. Regis Hotel and took a quick peek into it's wide bay window. Of course she had never set foot inside the building, no reason to but a part of her did wonder what the rooms looked like. She imagined them to be fit for royalty or at the very least, rich folk. Both things she would never be.
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
Charlie walked out of the hotel and stumbled a little over the threshold. Standing to steady himself, he took a deep breath and noted that he should stop while he was ahead. Being left to his own devices was something he liked but at times like today, he enjoyed it just a tad too much.
After making a quick visit to his room to get more money, he was feeling good that he had managed to avoid Matt and there was no chance that he would be running into any of his other brothers as well. Mike had left earlier in the day to go to check out some work that was being offered at one of the ranches. He couldn't for the life of him, remember what the name of the ranch but it didn't matter as he had more pressing matters to get to. Sam was, God knows where...most probably chasing down that woman he had seen yesterday.
As he turned to head back to the Stardust Saloon, where he had been playing poker and drinking beer, he saw the girl looking in the window. For a moment, he wondered if brother Matt would approve of someone staring at the customers. By the way she was dressed, she was probably the daughter of some ranch hand or storekeeper and definitely not someone who would be staying here. Then again, he could be wrong but then again...
Going up to the girl, he cleared his throat, "You know the guests really don't like kids gawking at them while they go about their business."
Clara was so busy trying to get a better view of the hotel interior she was then startled by the sudden interruption of a male voice to her left. Head turning she instantly assessed the young man in front of her. Needless to say she had no idea who this jasper was but then, in truth, not living in town she did not know a lot of townsfolk either by name or sight.
"First of all I am not gawking at anyone. In fact right now there is no one even in the lobby. I was looking at the ......architecture," she informed him then added with a bit of emphasis, "And I am certainly not a child."
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
One of his habits when he was drunk was that he could be very direct and not afraid to say what he thought. Even though he hadn't had enough beer to hinder his judgement or his ability to stand on his own two feet, he was tipsy enough to not hide what he was thinking. He laughed at Clara's remark.
"If you're not child then what are you?" he asked in a slightly authoritative voice.
He then wagged his finger at her, "And don't tell me that you're a grown woman because I can tell you aren't that either."
Just as he finished speaking, another thought popped into his head, "Shouldn't you be in school or whatever it is they have around here for kids your age?"
For some reason the young man found amusement in her retort and even laughed at it. Instantly her youthful features screwed up into a glare.
"I am a young lady and a true gentleman would show a lady some respect," she snapped.
"And I have no need of school attendance, I am quite well educated already. Why I could probably teach the children in our local schoolhouse," she then informed him.
"Have you been drinking?" she now suspected he had been.
I took an oath for this job. The oath says bring him in. That's what I'll do.
"I am a young lady and a true gentleman would show a lady some respect," she snapped.
Charlie smiled. He had to admit the kid showed some spunk.
"And I have no need of school attendance, I am quite well educated already. Why I could probably teach the children in our local schoolhouse," she then informed him.
Really? Too bad they didn't teach you how not to gawk and I doubt that you could teach a dog to sit let alone a bunch of kids your age."
"Have you been drinking?" she now suspected he had been.
"I might have had a beer or two but not enough to see that you're too big for your boots."
Maybe it was the fact that he did have too much to drink and along with losing at poker, he was in the mood for a fight. Whatever it was, he didn't like young upstarts like this girl who tried to appear more important, or in her case more grown-up than she really was. In his opinion, she needed a good dose of reality and he would have no problem in giving it to her.
"I told you...it was not gawking. I was curious about the interior of the place having never set foot inside. And besides what is it to you anyhow?" Clara stood her ground even though the young man seemed relentless in his criticism of her. Almost like it was personal? What brought this on she had no idea.
Defending her education only drew more derision on his part. A part of her said walk away from this confrontation, it wasn't worth it. But he continued to goad her.
"I will have you know I do teach children, I have a job tutoring two youngsters at the Lost Lake Ranch. And as for dogs, they are really not all that difficult to train if you do it properly," she begged to differ.
She also had him pegged too about the drinking, he even admitted it...well somewhat. But he had to continue with the insults.
"If a woman does not stick up for herself in this world, she cannot expect anyone else to for her. My mother, bless her, taught me that," she then pointed out.
I always feel I belong where I am.
It was at this point in time, Sam decided to step in. He was coming back to the hotel when he saw Charlie come out on and address the young lady. At first he couldn't make out what they were talking to each other about but as he drew closer he realised that his brother was saying too much. The boy still hadn't learned enough to control his tongue, especially when he was intoxicated.
Walking up to them, he tipped his hat at Clara. "Pardon me, miss but I think it's time for my brother to apologise."
Charlie blinked, "Apologise for what?"
Sam grabbed his brother by the arm, and squeezed it tightly which resulted in Charlie letting out a squeal. "My brother regrets anything he might have said to offend and he wishes to apologise."
"No I don't," Charlie said as he shook his head. There was no way he was going to back and down from either of them.
"Yes you do," Sam replied. Looking at Clara, he smiled, "I can assure that the rest of our family aren't as ill-mannered as my younger brother is. "
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of another man, not that Clara minded as the whole situation was becoming a bit uncomfortable. Though it might have been prudent to have simply turned about and ran off, that was not in her personality. But the new entry into this little confrontation was not piling on her but rather coming to her rescue. And he was a gentleman too, tipping his hat to her. She liked that and gave him a bit of a smile even. And he was suggesting........strongly suggesting his younger brother apologize.
"Thank you sir," she nodded in agreement.
The brother was proving to be quite unwilling though.
"My brother regrets anything he might have said to offend and he wishes to apologize."
"Well, that is...." Clara started.
"No I don't."
The jasper was not only ill-mannered but stubborn as a mule, Clara thought. Then the older of the two turned to her with what she decided was a sincere smile.
"I can assure you that the rest of our family aren't as ill-mannered as my younger brother is. "
"If the rest of your family is like you, sir, then I believe it. Every family must have it's black sheep I suppose," Clara declared again giving Charlie the stink eye.
"Thank you though for trying. I appreciate it. Besides he has been drinking and my father says that spirits will often cause a man to do and say things they might later regret."
I always feel I belong where I am.
"If the rest of your family is like you, sir, then I believe it. Every family must have it's black sheep I suppose," Clara declared again giving Charlie the stink eye.
Sam laughed a little at the black sheep remark. His brothers had always called him that because of his hair colour was different to the rest of them. Hearing Charlie being called one as well, made him feel good. "Well ma'am, my brother here has been called many things, but I think black sheep is undoubtedly the most appropriate under the circumstances."
"Thank you though for trying. I appreciate it. Besides he has been drinking and my father says that spirits will often cause a man to do and say things they might later regret."
"Your father sounds like a good and honest man to me. I hope I get the pleasure of meeting him one day." He tightened the grip on Charlie's arm. "For now, I think my stubborn brother should be taught a lesson in manners."
Charlie turned his head to face his brother. Whatever it was Sam was thinking, he didn't like it and it would probably involve Matt and Mike. "Aww c'mon Sam I meant no harm. I was just expressing my opinion."
"Expressing your opinion? Well, younger brother you have a lot to learn on that account." Turning his attention back to Clara, he smiled, "It seems my brother is in need of a keeper. I can assure you that the next time you see him, he will apologise for his loutish behaviour."