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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2017 21:15:59 GMT -6
"Yes, they do most of their business after people have finished working....mostly cowboys, correct..........the occasional thirsty veternarian," Nathan smiled.
There was a bearded man on the other side of the bar deep in discussion with two customers. Nathan leaned in just a bit toward Claire.
"The man behind the bar is the owner."
Just then appearing from a side door near the back of the bar was a young lady wearing a bright red dress too low cut for a proper woman but just about the norm for a saloon one. She spotted them even as Nathan noticed her and made her way toward their table, with a friendly smile and energetic bounce to her step. Again Nathan attempted a quick explanation for Claire.
"And this is his daughter, Caroline."
tbc next post
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2017 21:32:46 GMT -6
Caroline recognized the well dressed man at the table, Dr. Stroud, the local vet. Always a pleasant enough customer and quite the gentleman too, they didn't get enough of that sort in the saloon business. But it did surprise her that he was with an equally well dressed woman. One she had never seen before, not that she knew everyone in this town. Instantly she wondered if the lady was perhaps a relative visiting from the East. He had told her once he came from New England. He also had informed her he had never been married. So it couldn't be that possibility. No matter.
Upon arrival at the table, Caroline flashed her best welcoming saloon girl smile as she addressed the gentleman first, "Why hello there, Doc. Lemme guess, here for the stew."
"And ma'am," she nodded acknowledgement to Claire.
The vet then did an immediate introduction of both the women.
"Ahh, Miss Larson, welcome to our establishment then," she declared.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2017 7:14:08 GMT -6
Claire acknowledged Nathan pointing out the owner with a nod after looking the man’s direction. Just from the look of him, it appeared he would indeed be the type to keep all the rowdy patrons in line should they decide to cause a disturbance.
The low-cut dress didn’t surprise Claire that much. She’d worn similar attire during her days and nights working in New Orleans both before and after she married and lost her husband and child, but the makeup did catch her eye. She was, indeed, a pretty girl and it didn’t detract from her appearance.
She smiled as the younger woman greeted them and Nathan made the introductions. “Thank you, Caroline. It’s a pleasure to meet you and please call me Claire. Nathan’s assured me you serve the best stew in town,” she added. “I’ve only been here a few days, busy setting up the Gazette I purchased from the previous owner.” She guessed the young lady might be curious, not sure whether her companion made a habit of bringing ladies by for lunch or not.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2017 12:26:18 GMT -6
"Claire, alright, I happen to like that name too. Nice ta meet ya, Claire," Caroline declared, "And I might serve the stew but lucky fer you I don't make it. We got us the best cook here at the Palace."
"So two bowls of stew if you will, Caroline?" requested the vet.
"Sure! Comin' right up then," Caroline nodded but turned her attention back to the other lady, "Newspaper huh? Don't ever read any of those. And anything local we tend to hear all about it from various customers."
She had to add, "The last jasper to run the paper, he didn't much care for us. He would write these articles about how bad saloons were for towns and the evils of alcohol and loose women."
"Editorials they're called, not really news but opinions....he certainly had enough of those," Nathan seemed amused.
"What'd he know anyways? He never even walked in the place," Caroline pointed out.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 8:20:24 GMT -6
Claire chuckled at Caroline’s statement regarding her not being the one to prepare the stew. “Lucky for your father then that he found a good cook. So far, I’ve taken all my meals at the hotel, but I’ve been assured by Nathan I can’t go wrong with what you serve here.”
After her companion requested two bowls, Caroline addressed her again. “Yes, when I was a reporter in Houston, the taverns there were where I got a lot of my information.” She didn’t mention that Nathan, being the gentleman he was, probably didn’t really approve of her frequenting such places, but they were a good source.
It was interesting to hear the younger woman describe the former Gazette owner’s opinions. She shook her head and smiled after Nathan added his comment. “You have a good point there, Caroline. Besides, a saloon’s not the only place you’ll find alcohol and loose women. You can rest assured the editorials I write won’t be judgmental on anybody’s character…well, unless I find out somebody like the mayor turns out to be corrupt. I think in that case, I might feel obligated to let the good people know.”
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2017 10:08:08 GMT -6
"Nope, probably can't....we only serve stew," Caroline nodded in agreement.
Conversation moved on to this newcomer, turns out she was a reporter down Texas way and easily admitted to getting some of her information from saloons. No surprise there, Caroline knew such businesses brought in a lot of folks and alcohol sometimes loosened their tongues too. Now how reliable what folks had to say...that was more doubtful. No business of Caroline though. But she did learn something, this young woman was the new owner of the local newspaper. Ralph and her never liked the previous owner who had had only bad things to say about the saloon, well all saloons in general. Now this new editor promised she wouldn't be like that, a good thing in Caroline's estimation and Ralph would be pleased also. Live and let live, Caroline thought.
"Good, always nice to meet a fair minded person, too many ain't."
Then she decided to make one point clear lest the woman take her wrong, "Oh and since we were talking about loose women, think you should know....I am a saloon girl, I wait on customers, bring out drinks...and stew....chat with the menfolk and listen to 'em also, they like that. Then too I also am an entertainer...I go up on that stage and sing and dance. But one thing I am not is a whore. I don't sell myself to no man. Just so you know."
"And you're a fine singer, Caroline, if I do say so myself," Nathan added then glanced at Claire, "She's got a good voice, think she could have made it back East on stage."
Caroline beamed, "Why thank ya, Doc! Spoken like a man who is angling for a free drink, are ya?"
"I wouldn't turn one down, young lady," Nathan chuckled.
"Thought so....well, I better go bring you two back your stews then. You want anything to drink, Claire?"Caroline looked then to the lady.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 15:57:13 GMT -6
“I suppose if that’s your cook’s specialty, you probably don’t need anything else,” she agreed regarding the stew, especially with the hotel providing three meals a day, though she realized that might be a little expensive for a good many of the townsfolk.
“Oh…I’m aware of that.” Claire smiled as Caroline made sure she knew she wasn’t one of the loose women referred to earlier. Nathan had told her the previous afternoon what the younger woman’s duties included, or at least most of them. She was surprised, though, once learning Caroline was also an entertainer when she pointed that out. “I’m sure the men enjoy the attention. I imagine they’d find it pretty dull if there wasn’t at least one woman in the place.”
She turned to Nathan when he spoke up, adding his comments to the discussion. Perhaps one evening she’d have the opportunity to come and listen to Caroline perform. For the moment though, she was content to enjoy their meal. Had it been evening, she wouldn’t have passed up the opportunity for a drink when asked, but as early in the day as it was, she thought better of it. “A glass of water would be good, thank you,” she said to Caroline.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2017 21:50:54 GMT -6
Caroline nodded, pleased with Claire's answer then smiled, "Well, never said I was dull though. I think I hold their attention, don't you think so, Doc?"
Nathan chuckled, "You do that alright, you have a way with folks. It's a talent I don't have which is why I stick to animals."
It was Caroline's turn to be amused, "Oh I don't know. Seems like Claire here is rather taken with you, if I'm any judge and I think I am."
Anyhow enough talk, the saloon girl knew when to break it off so she could wait on them, do her job. They wanted stew and something to drink with it, even if the newspaper woman only wanted water? To each their own, she thought.
"Be right back then!" she declared and sauntered off, "Behave yourselves while I'm gone, you two."
Nathan waited a moment then addressed Claire, "Not shy is she?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 6:26:52 GMT -6
Claire sat silently, content to listen to the banter between Caroline and Nathan. It was obvious that the saloon owner’s daughter did have a talent for mingling with the customers and not being one to blush, she simply smiled when the younger woman gave her opinion on how she felt regarding her handsome companion.
She did chuckle though at her parting advice, turning to Nathan as he spoke. “No. I doubt she’s been shy a day in her life, but that’s what makes her perfect for entertaining the customers. It really is too bad her talent’s being wasted in a town this size, but then the folks’ loss back east is Golden Valley’s gain. I imagine she can handle herself just as well should anybody get out of line.” It was a common occurrence she knew in a place like this when a customer had imbibed a little too much.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2017 21:33:05 GMT -6
"Oh she can. I heard from a local farmer who was here one night when some angry drunk attacked her. Seems she gave him a swift knee in ....well, a particularly vulnerable part of the male physique," Nathan smiled, "He doubled over real quick but that was only the beginning. She hit him with a bottle and Ralph had arrived by then armed with a chair leg he keeps behind the bar. Ralph proceeded to throttle the fellow into unconsciousness then dragged him out the front doors and left him in the street."
He shrugged, "Like I said earlier, this can be a rough place. But then given your own experience, I am certain I'm not telling you anything you don't already know."
Nathan was no stranger to violence either since he came to Golden Valley, in fact he had shot a man but he was not about to tell her all the grim details of that fateful day. He prided himself on being a gentleman but once pushed to far, he was more than capable of taking action. Even if it meant using a gun.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 6:13:42 GMT -6
“Oh, my goodness!” Claire couldn’t help but smile after hearing about the beating the rowdy drunk got on top of the lesson Caroline doled out. “I’m sure he’s probably never set foot in here since. I suppose that means the sheriff seldom if ever has to intervene.” Of course had Ralph actually killed the man, that would be a different story.
“You’re right about that, but my father wasn’t quite as aggressive. He did manage to keep the peace though and fortunately I never had to defend myself in the same manner, but had it come to that, I’m sure I wouldn’t have hesitated to do the same.”
Too late, she thought she should’ve attempted to defend herself against the recent attack, but matters had escalated so swiftly she hadn’t had the time or advantage to do likewise.
“At least now I know it’s safer to come here should I happen to be alone than before, though I wouldn’t be so foolish to be out after dark by myself.” She knew the street could be just as dangerous, especially for a lone woman.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2017 11:36:09 GMT -6
"Like I said, saloons can be rough places, not for the faint of heart," Nathaniel didn't waste any sympathy on the what had happened to that man, he had asked for it. He nodded at her declaration though, "Yes, I can see you handling yourself quite well. You don't seem..........faint hearted, let's put it that way." Somehow Claire was not put off by the recounting of the violence in fact she remarked she would be more likely now to visit a place like this by herself....just not at night alone. Nathan thought on that a moment but then nodded affirmatively, "Honestly I don't mean to mislead you that the town is too dangerous a place to live. It isn't. We also have law in town and our sheriff is a competent one. You really should meet him too. Sadly though..........he does not serve beef stew." With that he grinned. Just then Caroline was back carrying a tray with two large bowls of steaming hot stew along with a taller glass of water and a shotglass of liquor. "Here ya go, folks! Nice and hearty. Hope you enjoy it, Claire. I already know this one does," she jerked a thumb toward a smiling Nathan who nodded in agreement. She then proceeded to set a bowl in front of each of them and then their appropriate drinks too. "Your water. And your whiskey......oh......and it ain't on the house, Ralph'd be angry with me for giving away the merchandise," she grinned at the man. "Never expected you to, Miss Caroline. Thank you for everything," he acknowledged as he reached for a spoon.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2017 7:18:20 GMT -6
Claire smiled at what she knew and accepted as a compliment regarding her ability to look out for herself. “Of course carrying a Derringer in my reticule makes me feel a lot more confident than I might otherwise,” she informed him, adding, “And I hope to meet the sheriff before long.” A smile tipped the corners of her mouth at his jest that the lawman wouldn’t be providing stew.
It was then that Caroline returned with their food and drinks. She listened, amused, at the exchange of teasing banter with Nathan as she explained he’d have to pay for his drink.
Placing her napkin in her lap, she smiled, adding her thanks. “I’m sure I will, Caroline. It looks and smells delicious. I know I won’t be disappointed and prompt service is another reason I’m sure your customers keep coming back.”
(OOC: Sorry it’s short. Hubby’s had another eye surgery and expected back from his follow-up any minute.)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2017 20:51:13 GMT -6
OOC: Hope your hubby's surgery went well!
Claire now revealed she carried a gun, a derringer. Not completely surprising and Nathan was not about to be critical of her for it. This was the frontier and you never knew when danger would threaten, he merely nodded as he said, "The gun is the great equalizer."
She wanted to meet the local sheriff, that too only made sense given her interest in the news and events of the town. The sheriff could make for an excellent source. He figured the two of them should get along well enough, both being reasonable sorts. And then the saloon girl came back with their food and drinks. Caroline put down the tray while Claire complimented her for the service. With a return smile an thank you, Caroline left them to their meal.
Both bowls were steaming as Nathan reached for one of the soup spoons, "Be careful, Claire, you might burn your tongue."
In the meantime he took a sip from the whiskey newly arrived at their table, "I'm content to wait. So do you have a favorite soup or stew that you make?"
It was merely a little conversation to pass the time.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2017 20:40:58 GMT -6
OOC: Thanks! We thought it did, but he’s having complications that are really normal, but he’s been off work since 7/6 and not going back till at least 7/24.
“Well, I haven’t used it and hopefully won’t have to, but just having it makes me feel better,” she said of the weapon in her possession. "I believe I mentioned the little encounter earlier with an Indian. Thankfully, he was no real threat to me, but he could’ve been had he a mind to and been the sort to prey on a lone woman. As it turned out, he was in trouble himself.”
“Oh, I will and so am I,” Claire reassured Nathan regarding the stew with steam rising from the bowl and took a sip of water to give it time to cool, answering his question.
“I don’t really have a favorite. Mostly, I add whatever’s handy…you know, lots of meat, vegetables, and potatoes. It’s a dish that good any time, but mostly on cold winter days. I’m assuming here you probably get a lot of snow.” She’d considered that before moving, but it was just another of those risks involved in relocating clear across the country.
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