At least the company will be nice.

“Well, I hear the plains are nice this time of year. When bandits and Indians weren't trying to kill you. At least the company will be nice and I couldn't ask for a better view.” I raised my glass to Madame Kitty and took a shot.

“I am glad you approve. One more for our little wagon train.” Miss Kitty called Abigail over.

“Ma'am.” The serving girl came over.

“Be a dear and tell Mamie Mae to make a plate for Mister Flint here and prepare him a room for the next few nights and maybe a bath.”

“Yes Ma'am. Right away.” She shyly nodded and gave me a coy smile as she brushed her hair back.

“She is a little shy to be a saloon girl.” I smiled. “Though she is quite lovely.”

“She isn't a whore though she has the looks to be one. My family owned hers though I think of her more as a little sister. When I fled Georgia during the war I brought her and her mother with me and used my family fortune to buy this place. She cleans rooms, waits tables, and takes care of me. That sort of thing.” Miss Kitty smiled. “Glad you think she is lovely though. You will be spending a lot of time with her since she is coming with us.” Miss Kitty looked up toward the stairs as a tall slender woman came down and sauntered over in a long flowing red dress and a form-fitted corset. She moved with a mysterious allure and an air of sophistication. She had striking blue eyes and wavy chestnut hair that cascades down her shoulders with pale porcelain skin that made her seem more refined. A porcelain choker around her neck.

She wore a tight bodice that hugged her figure like a glove and a full skirt that flares out at the hem. The dress was made of velvet with intricate lace detailing and a ruffled neckline. The sleeves had a slight puff at the shoulders and were trimmed in lace. She wore a pair of black leather boots, long lace gloves, and a small feathered hat, completing her elegant ensemble.

“Flint. This is Madam Juliette. The love of my life.” Miss Kitty said and pulled the woman into her lap.

“You as well ma chérie.” Juliette gave Miss Kitty a small kiss on the lips and Miss Kitty smiled, her arms wrapping tightly around Juliette's waist. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I couldn't help but be captivated by the dynamic between them. It was clear that Cassidy and Juliette shared a connection that transcended more than polite society would allow.

“Enchanté Monsieur.” The woman extended her hand across the table. She spoke in a seductive French accent that

"Ma'am," I replied, my gaze meeting hers. A smile formed on my lips as I took her delicate hand in mine, feeling the softness of her skin. Gently bringing her hand to my lips, I placed a light kiss, catching a waft of the sweet scent of rosemary that surrounded her. The touch of her hand and the fragrance that enveloped us only deepened the intrigue I felt toward her. As our fingertips gently parted, a sense of desire filled the air.

“Flint will be joining us on the trail.” Miss Kitty looked at me.

“Is zat right? Looks like we added one more to our leetle band of misfits and prostituées.” Madame Juliette said with a coy sly smile.

“Why are you leaving? You seem to have a good life here.” I smiled as I looked at the two women together who clearly seemed to have money, a prosperous business, and each other.

“Why are you two leaving? You seem to have a good life here.” I looked around.

“St. Louis is changing into a proper polite city and women like us don't exactly fit in polite society.” Miss Kitty looked at Madame Juliette.

"I reckon there's a certain freedom in venturing out into the wild unknown," I chimed in.

"Oh, you have no idea, Flint. Les stories we'll share, les sights we'll see..." Madame Juliette laughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she looked at me.

"And the trouble we'll get into," Miss Kitty added with a playful wink.

"Well, count me in," I said, raising my glass. "I'm always up for a good adventure. So which way are we heading?"

"We are heading out with a small group and plan to head for Independence, maybe join up with a larger group there and either follow the Oregon trail or the Santa Fa Trail. We have a month to talk it over so..." Miss Kitty replied.

“Here you are, Mister Flint,” Abigail said as she came back with a heaping plate of food.

“Please just Flint." I smiled.

"Okay, Flint." Abigail smiled brightly.

"This looks delicious. Thanks, Abigail.” I could smell the food hitting me as i hadn't realized how hungry I was until now.

“Of course. I will tell Mamie Mae you like it and she says there is more if you like." Abigail touched my shoulder.

"Thank you." I nodded as i looked up at her. I had a feeling she had a bit of a crush on me now.

I hungrily took a bit of the food. "Tell her I said it tastes delicious as well, sorry ladies. I just haven't eaten since breakfast." I said as I realized I was talking with food in my mouth.

"Don't apologize. We have seen far worse zen a man with poor table manners mon cher." Madame Juliette smiled.

"Well here comes trouble.”

I looked up to see a woman walk in. At first, I might mistake her for a cowboy from the way she was dressed but no boy walked like that. She was dressed in a cowboy hat pulled down over her eyes. Her fiery red hair pulled back over her shoulders cascading down her back in gentle waves, stray locks on either side framing her face and accentuating her bright green eyes. Her face was sun-kissed with freckles that hinted she wasn't one who sat in the shade and let the men do the work. Soft pink lips curled into a sly smile as she nodded at the bartender.

She had a few buttons undone on her shirt and her chest slightly glistened with sweat. Her breast bounced in her shirt with each click of her spurs as her boots hit the hardwood floor. She was dressed in a tight-fitting pair of jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places as she walked into the saloon, her hips swayed in an inviting rhythm to the tune of the piano.

“Cassidy. How are you dear.” Miss Kitty smiled.

“Tired. Father sent me to come and see if you will be ready on time tomorrow.” Cassidy took a seat across from me.

“We will be there at noon as planned..” Ms. Kitty replied.

“Good. Who is the greenhorn.” Cassidy looked at me with her mesmerizing emerald green eyes that held an enchanting allure. They sparkled with a mischievous glint, drawing me in with their captivating beauty. Framed by long, fluttering lashes, her eyes seemed to dance with excitement, revealing a hint of curiosity and playfulness.

“Flint. Ma'am” I offered my hand. Cassidy coyly reached out and then grabbed the bottle of whiskey instead.

“Cassidy.” She said and took a deep gulp from the bottle as she wrapped her rosy lips around the end. Cassidy's exquisite lips encircled the bottle's edge with a passionate intensity, teasingly drawing in its essence with a seductive allure. She sucked in deep and took a deep gulp. She slammed the bottle down and let out a noise. She squished her face and shook her head as the liquid burned on the way down her throat. I could see what Miss Kitty meant by her being trouble. She looked young but she was probably a handful. "That hit the spot.”

“Flint will be joining us on the trail.” Ms. Kitty said.

“Please try and keep up cowboy. Hate to lose you on the way.” Cassidy smiled slyly at me.

“I will just follow your lead, Ma'am,” I said looking her figure over. I would follow her cute ass to hell and back.

“I am afraid Cassidy is no Ma'am Monsieur Flint.” Madame Juliette said sliding her a glass.

“You will have to forgive her manners. She has spent too much time among the cowboys."

"I was raised by them you mean. I was riding before I could walk." Cassidy smiled and poured herself a glass then slid me the bottle then looked at Abigail and pointed at my plate. "Abigail. Can I get a plate of that?"

"Coming right up Cass." Abigail smiled. I guess they were friends since they seemed to be on familiar bases.

Madame Juliette said as she stood up and offered Miss Kitty her hand. "If you will excuse us Flint I think our buyer just walked in cher." She looked at Miss Kitty and then at a man who entered dressed in a suit. The kind that just screamed money.

"Care to see if we can't pinch him for every penny we can get out of this place." Miss Kitty looked over.

"Of course, mon amour," She replied as she looked at Miss Kitty. I smiled at them and took a bite of my food, observing as they walked over to engage in conversation with the wealthy man. He respectfully took off his hat and brushed his palm on his suit before extending his hand to them. Miss Kitty and Madame Juliette, arm in arm, gracefully accepted his gesture, leading him away to a more secluded spot for their business discussion. I couldn't help but wonder if the unsuspecting man truly understood the kind of venture he was embarking upon by dealing with those two formidable ladies.

"So how did Miss Kitty rope you into our little wagon train?" Cassidy said as she looked at me and down another shot and made a face. She could drink like a guy but she still wasn't used to the burning taste of whiskey going down her throat.

"He protected me from three ruffians earlier so you be nice," Abigail said as she came over with a plate of food for Cassidy.

"I am always nice Abbey." Cassidy gave a sly smile and looked at her.

"Um hmm," Abigail smirked setting the food down.

Cassidy waited till her friend was gone and gave me a sly smile. "So you any good with those six shooters or you overcompensating for something."

"They get the job done." I shrugged.

"Why do you need two then?" She teased and took a bite out of the sausage.

"I hate reloading in the middle of a shootout." I shrugged. It was a pain to reload both of them but I never had been in a fight where I had to.

"Afraid they won't do you much good on the trail though," Cassidy said as she chewed. She didn't have much in the way of table manners and seemed to be as famished as I was.

"I can use a rifle as well." I nodded.

"Hope so for these girls' sake and you aren't just doing it for the money." Cassidy gave me a look. She was sizing me up because she was worried about the girls.

"One thing you need to know about me is when I start something I intend to see it through to the end Ma'am," I replied. If I left with them I intended them to reach where they were going come hell or high water.

"Fair enough. I will hold you to that greenhorn." Cassidy smiled and reached for the whisky. I grabbed the bottle first and poured us both a glass.

"Nothing else I have to live just long enough to see you in a dress." I teased. I love to see her all cleaned up and looking like a proper lady.

"Tell you what. If you die I will wear one to your funeral." Cassidy gave a wink. We talked for a while as our playful banter could almost be called flirting.

Abigail came to find me and I followed her as she led me to the back of the saloon, where she gestured towards a door. I entered the small room, which was sparsely furnished with just a bed and a washbasin. I undressed and got in and I felt like I had died and gone to heaven as I couldn't remember the last time I had a hot bath though it might be the last I had for some time to come. It was weeks till Independence Missouri and then who knew where next so it would be cold river baths for a while to come. Abigail came in with another bucket of hot water.

I could see her trying to steal a peek underneath the water as she poured in more hot water. "Warm enough for you Flint?" She said as she softly touched my shoulder.

"Perfect Abigail, thanks." I smiled

"Thank you for running those men off earlier. Most men wouldn't have stood up for me like you did." Abigail said and squatted down beside me and gave my cheek a little kiss.

“No woman should ever be mistreated, and I couldn't stand idly by while they caused you harm. Especially not one so beautiful." I said as I reached over and gave her cheek a gentle stroke. She seemed too pure for a place like this.

“I wouldn't call myself beautiful. Not compared to some of the girls who work at the saloon.” Abigail shook her head.

"Don't compare yourself to anyone else. You are unique, and that's what makes you truly beautiful."

To my surprise, Abigail reached out, her fingers brushing against my cheek, and in a moment of boldness, she leaned in, her lips meeting mine. The kiss ignited with a potent mix of passion and longing, both of us yearning for more. However, her nervousness soon overtook her, causing her to pull away abruptly.

"I... I'm sorry, sir," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Yet, a shy smile curved on her lips, and her cheeks flushed with a delicate rosy hue. "That was forward of me. I shouldn't have..."

Before she could finish her sentence, I gently cupped her face in my hands, guiding her gaze to meet mine and I kissed her back. My rough lips pressed against hers as she let out a little squeak before she started to kiss me back slowly and put her hand on my arm. It was sweet and tender. She shyly pulled away and bit her bottom lip. “I should get going before I am missed.” Abigail blushed brightly.

“You already are.” I smiled and caressed her caramel cheek and she left me in the bath to soak. Probably for the best as I would most likely end up breaking her heart. I began to wash myself when the door opened and a Chinese woman walked in. I hadn't never seen a Chinese person before coming to Saint Louis but there seemed to be an abundance of them here.

"Hello. I am Mei Ling." The woman said and did a polite bow. She carried herself with elegance and displayed an air of poise. Mei Ling's dark hair cascaded in smooth waves, framing her face with a touch of mystery. Her eyes, almond-shaped and warm, held a captivating gaze that seemed to draw you in even with her head downcast as it was. She was dressed in a vibrant silk robe adorned with intricate floral patterns, she exuded an aura of serenity.

"Flint Ma'am." I nodded.

"Madame Juliette asked me to look in on you." She moved with a cat-like grace as she came over and added something to the bathwater. I smelt the flowery scent of lavender tickle my nose. "These herbs help soothe body and help you relax."

"Thanks." I nodded.

"Do you want to shave or maybe wish me to wash back, or any other place might like?" Mei Ling said as she slid her fingers along my arm while she walked slyly around me like a wolf circling its prey.