Chapter 12

"Do you know of any reliable men that might need a job?"

"Not really, but Frank might. If Silas were here he could probably tell you about several, but I've never tried to keep up with such," Mary said.

When I went out into the store I heard steps on the boardwalk and then someone tried the door, which was still bolted. I opened it just as Sarah Johnson was about to knock.

"Good morning Sarah, come in. Mrs Brown and Mrs Clancy and the twins are still in the kitchen. If you'll come with me I might be able to talk them out of a cup of coffee for you," I said, smiling at her.

"Oh, thank you. The men that returned said you might be moving today and I came to see if I could help," she said, smiling back.

"I'm sure we can put you to work and thank you for offering, but in that case Mrs Brown might need to fix you some breakfast. I don't want to work you on an empty stomach," I said, waving a hand toward the door to the kitchen and inviting her to lead the way.

She did and I noticed that she wasn't wearing chaps today but she was in buckskin trousers, and they fit her firm young ass to perfection. I knew I probably shouldn't, but I couldn't resist reaching out and giving a round cheek a little squeeze.

It startled her a little and she looked back at me, blushing around her neck. I just winked at her and gave her another friendly pat. She seemed almost smug in her acceptance of my temptation and she went on into the kitchen.

"We have our first volunteer and I think you should feed her before we start working her fingers to the bone," I said.

I left Sarah in Mary's care and made it to Frank's shop before he started anything important. Frank didn't smile much but I could tell he was glad enough to see me this morning.

"Good morning, Frank. Seems like every time I need something I come to ask you about it, and here I am again," I said.

"Don't bother me none, I'm glad to help if I can."

"I've got a big place now and I'm going to need some hands. I was hoping you could steer me right. I also need to know the going pay rate around here," I said.

"The colonel has pretty much set the rate, for cowhands anyhow. It seems a little high to me, but then again he don't have trouble finding men to work," Frank said.

"Then I guess you know what that rate is?"

"He pays top hands thirty a month and found. Saddle trash like that Jenkins you had to deal with get twenty a month and found, but he don't hire many like that. I'd say he was cheating himself on Jenkins but ones like him don't stay long."

"That sounds like less than I'd been expecting, but I don't want to stir things up by paying more and seeming like I'm trying to take his men from him, I guess I'd better offer the same thing, for now at least.

"Do you know any men that are looking for that kind of work and are worth the money?"

"I know a couple who could be top hands and they're worth the money if anyone is. Trouble is, both of them married in the last year and they don't want to leave home on any cattle drives. They might have to if they don't find something else though.

"I know how they feel too, cause since I've got a wife and now one young'un I don't want no more of that myself. I'm just glad I can scrape by with the smithy and by keeping up a few horses for folks in town," he said, but he didn't realize what music it was to my ears.

"I'm glad you said that, how would you like to be my foreman? I'll buy you out here and pay you a hundred a month to run my place for me," I said.

"Are you serious? What do you want me to do first?" he asked.

"First thing, I need the carriage ready to roll. I want to get moved in out there today. When you get the team hitched, just park it over by Silas' store so the women can load up. You'd better tell your wife first of all though.

"After the carriage is ready, you'd probably better see about hiring some hands. If they're married, tell them they won't have to go on any cattle drives or even be away from home at all unless it is a real emergency.

"If you find good single men, I think we can use twenty before we have to build another bunkhouse. We need a cook for them too, better make the cook your first hire if you can find one. If it's a woman tell her I'll make sure the men don't pester her unless she wants them too," I said, grinning.

"Colonel Johnson's last camp cookie got married not long ago too. He was a damned good cook, if he can stay home nights I know I can get him."

"Get him then, and pay him double what the colonel paid. He needs more money to keep up a wife and kids. Ask him to keep it to himself though."

"Won't be no trouble there. Bob Jakes don't talk much, especially for a cook," Frank said.

"That's probably enough to get us started. I know we'll need some others by and by, but we can worry about it later. I need to go see Mrs Carlson to make sure she's about ready and there's a few other things I need to tend to. I'll let you know before we head to the house."

When I knocked on Marjorie Carlson's door Jimmy yanked it open right away. I could see that he was excited but he remembered his manners and invited me in.

Marjorie had heard and she came in right after.

"Good morning, Mrs Carlson, are you about ready?" I asked.

"Yes, Mr Jefferson, we are. We have all our clothes packed anyway. We might have to make another trip later for some of my sewing things," she said.

"You'll probably need a few days to get adjusted before you do any more sewing, and I'll make sure everything you need is moved promptly. I do need to ask if I can hire Jimmy for a little running around for me today though," I said.

"Jimmy will be happy to do it, there's no need to pay him," she said.

"Nonsense, a man's worth his hire. Jimmy, would you be my messenger for today? I can pay you a dollar," I said.

"Yes sir, I sure will," Jimmy said, smiling wide.

"Good. Run down to Silas' feed barn and tell Robert that Mrs Brown needs to see him at the store. You don't need to wait on him; you can go right on to the store and wait for me after you've given him the message. If I'm not there, tell Mrs Brown I said to give you a stick of candy while you're waiting," I said.

Jimmy's eyes shot open even wider, and then, showing his native intelligence he disappeared before his mother could complain about his outrageous salary.

"You're going to spoil him already," Marjorie said, half-heartedly complaining.

"Of course I am. I'll work it out of him when he's older, but when I raise a boy I want him to like it. Besides, I needed for him to leave fast, so I could ravage his mother," I said, pulling her to me.

Something I said must have sat right with her. She kissed me passionately and when I got hold of her ass outside her dress she pressed her body to me. I didn't really have time for even a quick fuck, but that didn't mean I couldn't feel around on the goods.

I had her dress's skirt up and my hands on her naked bottom, fast. She hadn't bothered with bloomers today either and that suited me fine.

When my fingers found her pussy it was already damp so I slid one on in for the fun of it. After working it up her a little I pulled it back and teased her rosebud with its wet tip. She stiffened a little but then hugged me to her tightly and kissed even harder. Finally I broke the kiss and stopped my abuse.

"Damn, I wish it weren't going to be such a busy day, but it probably wouldn't be fair to make you move to your new home with come dripping down your thighs," I said.