Chapter 10
Posted: July 01, 2007 - 10:03:42 pm


I screwed up my courage on Thursday morning and went to the courthouse to present myself to the court. I had with me a letter of introduction I'd written, listing my qualifications (all of them true, except for the name of the college). It turns out that the process was much easier than I had anticipated, as I didn't have to do anything except present my letter to the clerk of the court, fill out a form and take an oath.

The Clerk of the Court of El Paso County was an officious, humorless man who acted as if I was a great bother to him. He did tell me that if I was competent as an attorney, I'd be most welcomed by the court because of its caseload. If I weren't competent, Judge Howard would soon send me packing.

It seemed that for all his other faults, Howard ran a progressive court. The clerk kept a list of available attorneys, so that when a defendant asked for an attorney, he was provided with two names off the list. The client and the accused worked out fees for services, but woe be unto you if you turned down a client outright. Howard was strict in his enforcement of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. I later figured out that Howard was outwardly running his court so properly, in order to deflect criticism from some of his other dealings.

I was one happy shyster when I left the courthouse. For some reason, I was bursting to tell Molly, so I clucked Melosa towards the boarding house, singing the Hollywood Argyles's "Alley Oop" as we went. The song had a great beat that Melosa loved, plus it was a blast to sing. Go ahead, try it yourself:

He got a chauffeur that's a genuine dinosaur,
(Alley Oop, oop, oop-oop)
and he can knuckle your head before you count to four.
(Alley Oop, oop, oop-oop)
He got a big ugly club and a head fulla hair,
(Alley Oop, oop, oop-oop)
Fights great big lions and grizzly bears. (Alley Oop, oop, oop-oop)
(Alley Oop) He's the toughest man there is alive,
(Alley Oop) Wears clothes made from a wildcat's hide,
(Alley Oop) He's the king of the jungle jive.
(Look at that cave man go!!) (SCREAM)

Told you.

So anyway, Melosa high-stepped me back to Molly's place. When we arrived, I slid out of the saddle, tied Melosa to the hitching post by the kitchen and burst through the door. Molly was at the sink when I flung the door back onto its hinges. She spun around, her hand in front of her defensively. When she saw it was me, her green eyes squinted to little slits.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Tyler McGuinn, you've scared ten years off me life," she said sternly.

She was probably pissed at me for startling her, but it didn't matter — I was the new king of the jungle jive. I closed the distance between us in two strides, swept her up in my arms and spun her around in a great swooping circle. She squealed and beat against my chest as I slowed and set her feet back on the floor.

"Quit your bellyaching woman," I growled, "and kiss the newest attorney of the El Paso County District Court."

That got me the smile I'd been aiming for, then she threw her arms around my neck, kissing me soundly.

She sat me down at the table and told me to tell her all about it. I pulled her into my lap and kissed her again.

"It is your doings, Molly Dean. You made me feel so good this morning, that I went to my office, wrote up a letter of introduction, saddled up my horse and rode straight to the courthouse."

Molly blushed in pleasure at my praise and hugged me tighter. I could see that she was genuinely happy for me. Then she leaned back in my arms and gave me that mischievous twinkling smile.

"So where's me reward then, cheeky lad," she said, putting on the lilting Irish brogue I loved to death.

"Right here's your reward lass," I said as I stuck out my tongue and wiggled it at her.

She hit me on the arm and called me a pig. Then she hopped off my lap and dragged me to her room just down the hall. By the time I had one boot off, her hair was out of its bun and wildly flying around as she worked on the fasteners of her dress. My second boot was barely on the floor when she stepped out of her bloomers and did the Fosbury flop, naked onto the bed. I finally struggled out of my trousers and moved towards her. She giggled when I grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed.

I knelt down and hooked her knees over my shoulders, so her ass was positioned on the edge of the bed. Her giggles turned to other noises when, without preamble, I buried my face in her sweet, almost hairless little muff. I kept after her for twenty minutes. She'd climaxed about a half a dozen times before I stopped. When I pulled my head back, her fragrant nectar coated my face and the inside of her thighs.

I showed Molly how to return the favor next. She wasn't reluctant in the least to take me in her mouth. She had never done it before, but she learned fast and was a motivated pupil. She drained me as dry as the Sahara in only a few minutes.

When I was as sated as her, we cuddled on the bed. To my surprise, Molly didn't want to talk about a future between us.

"I like being with you like this, Ty, and I like the way you make me feel about myself. But you are young and have too many wild oats left unsown. For now, this is enough for me. I'm not going anywhere, so if you feel differently a year from now, we can talk about it again."

Everything she said was true. I liked, probably even loved Molly, but I didn't think my destiny was with her. And how would I know what that destiny was if I was tied down so soon?

By Thursday night, I was an old hand at running Pen's saloon. Some of my little ideas, like free rounds for the gamblers, had started drawing us a bigger crowd. Chip sales were brisk right through to Saturday night, and three tables were usually full. I tasked the working girls with spending an hour each, fetching drinks for the players and giving them some eye-candy. Then I set the example by tipping them for their efforts.

I kept station at one of the poker tables, my back to the wall so I could watch the entire salon as I played. It soon became second nature to scan the place every opportunity I had, yet still concentrate on my playing. I bought into the game with twenty dollars every night and quit if I lost it. That happened for the first time Friday night, as a run of bad luck drained my stake by ten o'clock. I shrugged off my luck, wandered over to the dance floor and bought myself a ticket. I spent most of the rest of the night over there, getting to know the ladies.

I liked most all of the women Pen had hired. I had to give the wiry little Englishman credit; he had good taste and high standards. None of the women caught my fancy, but they all seemed to think I was just swell. I'd like to think that they really liked me and weren't being nice just because I was the boss.

By closing time Saturday, despite my one bad night, I'd netted almost fifty dollars for the week in gambling. My stash of money was up to over three hundred and fifty dollars, all of it in coins or U.S. currency.

My law practice didn't do as well, as the only legal work I had came from Pen Smythe. I was looking for that to change after I hung my stylish new shingle Saturday afternoon. Molly also dropped by on Saturday with my new curtains and table drape. I borrowed a hammer and some nails from Miguel, and tacked the curtains across the top of the window frame. Molly had also made two tiebacks to hold the curtains open.

To show her how much I appreciated her efforts, I locked the door, closed the curtains and gave her a little oral treat as she sat on my desk. Molly protested the entire time, but orgasmed in less than two minutes. She said she was scared to death of being caught, and that had made it the most exciting thing she'd ever done.

After christening my office, Molly walked over to Pritchett's with me so I could buy myself a second suit. She recommended this brown number that fit me well, so I took it. Handy little Molly said she'd hem the trousers that evening for me. While I wasn't looking, she also bought me a darker brown tie and pocket square.

I was wearing that suit the next day, as I stood with Melosa under the shade of the same big tree next to the San Elizario Mission. I was once again waiting on the Lopezes. I only had a five-minute wait this Sunday, before Hector pulled up with his brood. When they walked up to where I was standing, I doffed my hat to the ladies and greeted Hector. When my hat came off my head, Melosa did her cutest curtsey yet.

This Sunday was a repeat of the last, with Little Anna getting restless about three quarters of the way through the service. Once again, I escorted both Annas outside. I took the little girl from her grandmother when we reached Melosa, and swung her up on my shoulders so she could pet and love on my horse. Anna the Elder was standing close by my side, making sure I didn't drop her nieta. I made sure no one was around and put my arm around Anna's waist.

"You are lucky you have the baby for protection, Anna, else I would ravish you right here in the churchyard," I teased.

Instead of chastising me for being so brazen, she looked up at me with those witchy eyes.

"What would you do to a frail defenseless old woman, cruel hombre?"

She shivered when I told her how I'd make her hold onto the tree, bent over at the waist as I plundered her. We teased back and forth for another minute before she switched off the seductive mode and changed the subject.

"It is time you pay some attention to Maria, my young stallion. Her feelings are very hurt that you ignore her so."

I expressed my reservations about that.

"I don't mean to hurt her feelings, Anna, but you know by now that I can't resist any of you. I don't trust myself to deny her if she does that thing to me that you and Juanita do."

Anna gave me a slow and sultry smile and patted me on the cheek.

"The rest of us will protect you, Tyler, and reward you for having restraint. You need not do more than just talk to her and pay her some attention. Hector is already working on arranging a marriage for her."

"Who is this, 'rest of us'?" I asked suspiciously.

Anna gave me a positively wicked little smile before answering.

"Juanita and I aren't the only Lopez women around here, Vaquero. Once the others heard about this thing that exists between some of us and you, they are all curious about it. They are badgering me to introduce you to them; so today you will meet my niece Drina."

I made a production of groaning, and Anna's smile widened.

We congregated on the steps of the church again after Mass. This time, Hector introduced me to the distinguished looking middle-aged priest. Padre Estaban was a gregarious, hearty man who seemed to care deeply for his flock. He was very interested in my budding legal practice, when he found out I was bilingual and would be serving the Mexican community as well as the Anglo one.

When Father Estaban excused himself to talk to other parishioners, I winked at Anna before turning to Maria and whispering next to her ear.

"That dress is very becoming, Maria, you look exceptionally beautiful today."

She blushed at the praise, but looked pleased.

We were about to walk away from the front of the church, when Rosa, Feleena and a few of Rosa's other girls came out the big double front doors. Feleena saw me and gave me a brilliant smile; I nodded courteously to her and turned my attention back to the Lopezes. I guess being ignored was a new thing to Feleena, because she detached herself from her party and swayed over to us. I was very surprised by her doing that, as I didn't think Feleena was one to make the first move.

Up close, Feleena looked even better. Her European style dress was expensive and well cut to suit her stunning figure, and her hair was artfully pinned up at the sides with tortoise shell combs. The upswept hair highlighted her high cheekbones and dark eyes. Her complexion was lighter than the average Mexican woman. She looked more Mediterranean than anything else. I had to suppress a smile as the Lopez women, including Ramona, all moved closer to me. It was almost as if they were protecting me.

When she was in front of us, I greeted her formally and introduced her to the Lopezes. By now, Juanita was hanging on one of my arms and Maria on the other.

"Señor McGuinn, I have a legal matter I would like to discuss with you," Feleena said. "Perhaps you could stop by Rosa's tomorrow evening, so that I may tell you about it."

"I am at your service Señorita," I replied. "However, it would be best if you came to my office for such matters. My references are there, after all."

It was easy to see that Feleena didn't especially like that idea, but if a meeting was going to happen, I was determined that it would be on my turf. In the end, she smiled thinly and agreed to meet me at my office at ten the next morning.

After Feleena said goodbye and walked off, we all headed towards Hector's wagon, Juanita and Maria still holding my arms. The girls walked slowly enough that their parents and grandmother were well in front of us. Juanita was the first to speak.

"I do not trust that woman, Tyler; do not let her beauty fool you. She looks at you as the coyote looks at the lamb."

Maria nodded emphatically in agreement.

"I agree, Nita, which is why we are meeting in my office during the day instead of the cantina at night. Yes, she is as beautiful in her own way as you two are in yours, but she doesn't bewitch me as you Lopez women seem to be able to do."

Once we were at Hector's wagon, I assisted the girls up into the back, and accepted Hector's invitation to Sunday dinner. As I started to turn around, I had a thought and asked if little Anna could ride with me on Melosa. Juanita gave me a big grin and agreed. I went over and mounted up, returned to the wagon and hoisted the child out of her mother's arms and onto the saddle in front of me. Anna squealed with glee as we rode off, her tiny hands clutching Melosa's mane.

It was a lot of fun for all three of us riding back to the Lopezes' house. As we rode, I taught Anna how to sing Old McDonald, except we changed it to Hector Calis Had a Farm. Her singing was like mine, loud and enthusiastic. By the time we arrived at her house, the smart little scamp had it down pat. We hustled up to catch the wagon, and gave the family a concert when they arrived in their yard. I sang the refrain and Anna oink-oinked and quacked-quacked the chorus. Little Anna had a giggle fit as everyone made a big deal over her singing.

I handed Anna back to her mother and dismount from Melosa. I volunteered to unharness Hector's horse and put away the wagon. Anna Senior said she'd help, so the two of us headed off to the barn. We made short work of unhooking the wagon and put their big dappled grey Percheron mare in her stall.

While we were in the barn, Anna said she had something to show me in the tack room. The list of things my nasty little mind had thought she might show me didn't include the saddle at which she proudly pointed. The saddle was highly polished black, with gleaming ornate silver trim. One look at it and you could tell that someone spent considerable time lovingly maintaining it. It was about the best looking rig I'd ever seen, yet it was also very functional. The seat was centered between a high pommel with a thick horn in the front and a high cantle in the rear, to help keep a cowboy in the saddle when working cattle. The fenders were wider than usual to allow for more silver colored decorations.

I examined the saddle in awe and told Anna how beautiful I thought it was. She smiled sadly as she put her hand on the pommel.

"Next to me, this was my husband's prize possession. You are the first man I've met since his death I think is worthy to sit on it. It would make me proud if you were to put it on Melosa and used it for me, Tyler."

The generosity of her gesture brought a lump to my throat. I wasn't about to dishonor her feelings by refusing her offer. I took her hand and kissed it, an idea forming in my mind.

"I would be honored to use it Anna. However, I would like to wait until Wednesday to try it out. Will you do the honor of accompanying me on a picnic that day?"

Anna said she would be delighted. We shared a hug and a sweet kiss, and then walked back to the house.

I met cousin Drina later that afternoon. She turned out to be Juanita's partner from the restaurant. Drina had the Lopez good looks, but her charisma wasn't quite as strong as Juanita's or Anna's. The seating arrangements had Hector at the head of the table and me at the foot. Ramona was on one side of Hector and Maria on the other. Juanita and her grandmother flanked me, with little Anna in her highchair next to Juanita, while Drina sat between Maria and her Aunt.

It was a very interesting meal, as all of the women took turns teasing me with that Lopez look. Hell, even Ramona got into the act, and her look was devastating. She smiled smugly when she saw my reaction, then thankfully turned her attention to her food. Maria started practicing that look on me, too. She got my attention when she did it, but thankfully she hadn't perfected it to the stage that it made me helpless. If she perfected it like her sister, mother and grandmother, leaving her alone was going to be a real challenge. I sincerely hoped that Hector found her a suitable husband quickly.
Joe J & Wet Dream-Girl
El Paso 11