I woke up groggily, feeling as if someone had set my nose hair on fire. I turned my head to the side and my eyes slowly started to focus. The first thing I saw was Doc Willis kneeling beside me, trying to stick his bottle of smelling salts up my nostril. I raised my hand and pushed the evil smelling bottle away.
The next thing I heard was Anna Lopez's angelic voice from right behind me.
"He's awake!" she yelled excitedly.
That seemed to start about a hundred people talking at once, their blended voices buzzing in my head like a swarm of hornets.
I groaned and tried to sit up. Doc Willis helped pull me up. I closed my eyes as a wave of vertigo rolled over me. When the dizziness stopped, I opened my eyes again and looked around.
"How is Pedro?" I asked.
"Better than you," the doctor replied. "He only had the breath knocked out of him. Son, what you did was the bravest and stupidest thing I've seen since the war. What the hell were you thinking?"
I shrugged, which cause my head to pound like a tom-tom.
"I guess I wasn't. Now if you are through insulting me, help me up."
He laughed and stepped backwards, as suddenly Belle was on one side of me and Maria on the other, both of them gently helping me stand. Once I had my feet under me and another little dizzy spell passed, I was fine on my own. I tried to tell the women that, but they still insisted on holding on to me anyway.
When I was standing, people started applauding. I looked around and saw the fence around the arena was still crowded with people, and that most of the clapping was coming from a large contingent of women from the various saloons. I waved towards them as Anna handed me my hat, and I gingerly sat it on my aching head.
"How long was I out?" I asked no one in particular.
"About five minutes," Belle replied. "You scared the tarnations out of us, you..."
Before Belle could finish telling me what an idiot I was, Pedro and Rosalinda were standing in front of me. Pedro had tears in his eyes as he grabbed me in a bear hug only slightly less painful than his woman's.
"You saved my sweet Rosalinda, Amigo, for that I am forever in your debt. We will name our first son in your honor," he blubbered.
I awkwardly patted Pedro on the back and praised his ride on that maniacal bull. He finally let go of me and stood back.
"I told you I was the greatest vaquero in all of the world and now you have seen for yourself that Pedro, he does not lie. It is you who are the big surprise, Señor. I never would have dreamed that my abogado would be my closest competition."
It turned out that I did finish a very distant second to Pedro by finishing first in the pistols and second in bull riding. Pedro finished first in four events and second in the two others. I also lost the overall pistol competition to Sheriff Faulkner, when he came out and shot a ninety-one with seven bulls. Oh well, I had started the day with the notion of earning some respect and I think I accomplished that. As a bonus, I won a pair of boots from Joaquin and twenty-five dollars. I was going to have Joaquin make me a pair of thirteen inch tall, square toed, black boots, with inch and a half stacked and tapered heels. The boots were going to be of a more modern style than seen in the eighteen-seventies, yet still have an appearance close to the Wellington style boots many cowboys wore. Actually, I'd been surprised that about as many cowboys wore the lace up Packer style boot as wore the Wellington.
After they passed out prizes, Belle walked with me back to the stables and helped me square away Melosa. I had a slight headache, but it was down to a dull throb. I curried my little filly and praised her efforts while Belle set her up with a bucket of oats. Melosa was the only reason I'd finished as well as I had in the competition, with someone like Pedro Diaz riding her, she'd have won everything. Melosa seemed contented with her effort and happy about being spoiled by Belle and me.
After we finished at the stables, Belle fell in step with me and walked me home. I expected Belle to drop me off at my room and either head back to the festivities or go home. Instead, she helped me undress, got naked herself, and then pulled the sheet back on my bed.
"It's too hot to wear clothes," she said by way of explanation, "so I usually sleep nude. You don't mind, do you?"
"Sleep?" I asked incredulously, as I ran my finger over one of her absolutely perfect breasts.
"Sleep!" she affirmed with a giggle as she slapped my hand away. "Sleep, then talk, then who knows? Now roll over so I can cuddle."
"Yes dear," I replied and rolled on my side.
Truth be told, sleep sounded like an excellent idea to me. I was bone weary after my adrenalin charged day. I don't think I had fully turned over, before I was out like a light.
I slept like a log for two solid hours. It was five in the afternoon when I finally woke up. I guess Belle hadn't been lying about wanting to cuddle, because she was draped over my back with her arm around me. The feel of her firm breasts pressing into my back gave me a tortuous erection and to top it off, I had to pee something fierce. I tried like hell to hold still and stay in the bed, but I only managed a couple more minutes before my needs became too urgent. I gently rubbed the arm Belle had thrown over me until she stirred.
"Belle, let me up Honey. My headaches gone, but I've got to go to the bathroom."
She mumbled a reply and sat up, rubbing her eyes.
I slipped out of bed and pulled on my pants, shirt and boots before dashing to the bathroom. Yes, I could have used the chamber pot under the bed, but I felt shy doing that in front of Belle this early in our relationship. That didn't stop her from using it while I was gone though.
When I came back into my apartment, Belle was sitting up against the head board, with the sheet pulled up over her lap. She patted the spot next to her.
"Get naked Baby," she said. "It's time for us to have a little talk."
I shucked out of my clothes and dove into bed, my dick hard enough to pole-vault with. Belle laughed at my eagerness.
"I said talk," she said with a giggle.
I had to chuckle myself, as my unit waved around with my every move.
"So talk," I said, "and don't mind him, he's just happy to see you."
Belle shook her head at my lame humor.
"You are not like any man I've ever met, Ty. You are so comfortable with your nudity that you can even joke about it. You also treat women differently. I don't just mean how respectful you are; I'm talking about how you treat us as equals. It makes me wonder how you feel about women's suffrage."
That was a question that required no thought on my part.
"I think it's criminal that women can't vote or stand for election. I am all for equal rights for everyone."
Belle smiled at that and patted my arm affectionately.
"See? That's what I mean. You are the most enlightened man I've ever met. Does your enlightenment extend to sexual matters?"
I had to wonder where this conversation was going, but I knew Belle was headed somewhere, so I answered her honestly.
"I've had some experience with sex and I can honestly say I've enjoyed everything I've tried. I have no interest in being with another man, but past that, I'm game for about anything. If there was one thing I think myself selfish about, it would be that I don't want to share a woman with another man, even if I'm seeing more than one woman at a time."
Belle's smile grew bigger.
"How about sharing your woman with another woman, how would you feel about that?"
For a woman in eighteen seventy-seven to ask that question surprised the hell out of me. Still, I was intent on being honest with Belle. I had participated in only one ménage à trois in my life. That happened when I was a young GI in Okinawa, and it was hot as hell. I was all for the idea with one caveat.
"If both women were with me and we all cared for each other enough so that no one's feelings were hurt, then hell yeah! I would especially want to avoid anyone sneaking around and keeping secrets. Now why all the questions, Belle?"
She looked at me thoughtfully for a second or two, then took a deep breath.
"Ty, you have to promise me that no matter what you think of me after I tell you this, that not a word of it leaves this room."
"I'll do you one better," I replied solemnly. "Nothing you can tell me will affect how I think of you as a person, and I don't kiss and tell. What is between you and me will stay just between us, unless or until you say otherwise."
She gave me a shy but bright little smile.
"I knew that was exactly what you were going to say, and I believe every word you said. That's exactly why I feel I can talk to you about this and you won't judge me about it.
"Baby, the story circulating about my husband in Alabama is pure fiction. I am the one who started that rumor to keep people from bothering me about my past. The truth is, that it was my husband that caught me in bed with another woman, not vice-versa.
"I am not complete without both a man and a woman to love, that's just the way I am. I want you to be that man, Tyler McGuinn; I am drawn to you stronger than I have ever been to anyone in my life. We also seem to share an attraction for the same type of woman. All of that makes me think we are made for each other."
You could have knocked me over with a feather about then, because I was as dumbfounded as I had ever been in my life. Of all the things I had expected from Belle, this wasn't even in the top thousand. I was going to have to give this some thought before I jumped into it. I wasn't about to live Cora Leigh, Chapter Two. I told Belle that, minus the Cora Leigh part.
"Let me think about that for a day or so, Belle. Then we can talk about it some more. The idea from a sexual standpoint is very compelling, but the relationship part of it worries me. I've had some bad experiences with relations in the past."
Jesus, that last line out of my mouth was the understatement of the century. Belle just nodded though and smiled serenely.
"While you are thinking about it, consider this. I can almost guarantee that Maria is going to want to be the first addition to our relationship."
I swear Belle was throwing me one curve after the other. How in the hell was I supposed to handle all of this?
"I'll think about that too, Belle, I promise."
I had more to say, but before I could, I glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost six in the evening.
"Honey, as much as I love having you naked in bed, I promised the sheriff that I'd be available to help keep peace at the festivities as they moved into the night and the serious drinking started. What say we go grab a bite to eat and walk around some? We can talk more then."
Belle was all for that and hopped up out of bed. I sat and admired her beautiful naked body, she had it all, medium sized breasts that rode high and proud on her chest, a narrow waist, long slender legs and a firm and perfectly proportioned ass.
"My gosh, Belle, you are one gorgeous woman. You look even better naked than you do with clothes on."
Belle laughed and struck a sexy pose.
"It's all yours Tyler McGuinn, if you will accept me the way I am. I promise you I will never deny you anything; all you have to do is ask. I can help you live the life of the Sheik of Arabia. If you take me as I am, I'll be totally devoted to you, heart, soul and body. Think about it, Ty, and you'll see we were meant for each other."
I threw on some clothes and walked out to the bathhouse to get cleaned up. Belle slipped her frock over her head and went out with me. Belle was ecstatic on seeing the bathtub, and joined me in it. We fooled around as much as we bathed, but still managed to get cleaned up. While we were in the tub, I mentioned to Belle that one day I'd love to wash her long blonde hair for her. She actually shivered when I said that.
"Damn it Ty, why do you have to keep saying and doing things that make me love you more? It is as if you are reading my mind and plucking out all of my fantasies."
I was wearing black trousers, a white shirt and a leather vest with my badge pinned to it, when we went back to the park down by the river. Belle was wearing the same dress, but she looked and smelled as fresh as sweet clover. We walked over to the tent where the Lopezes were serving food and ate with Maria and Anna.
After dinner, Maria and Belle each took one of my arms and we strolled around the park, looking at the sights I'd missed that morning. I paid for us to walk through the dime museum. The place was a hoot, because it was so campily phony. That didn't stop my less jaded companions from ohing and ahing though, as they stared in wonder at the displays.
When it was almost fully dark, we headed down to the edge of the river to watch the Chinese fireworks display. The crowd was peacefully having a good time, so I relaxed and prepared to enjoy the show. As we were walking and chatting, I suddenly felt both women's grip on my arms tighten. When I looked up, Feleena, on the arm of a smugly smiling George Howard, was walking towards us. When we were abreast of each other, we all stopped and Feleena made the introductions.
"Jorge, this is my abogado, Tyler McGuinn, I think you know his companions already."
Feleena looked as smug as George when she sniped in that little comment. I didn't say anything, but I did extend my hand to shake his.
"Yes, I know Maria and Belle intimately. Glad to meet you McGuinn, I've been hearing your name a lot lately."
Howard's voice was condescending and dripping with sarcasm, and like a schoolyard bully, he was trying to squeeze my hand. George Howard was bigger than I expected him to be, he was at least my height and probably ten or fifteen pounds heavier. He was also cruelly handsome, with black curly hair and china blue eyes. No wonder he was so successful with the ladies. But even at his young age, you could tell that Howard's consumptive lifestyle was starting to wear on him. He was slightly paunchy, and his skin looked sweaty and pallid in the light of the rising moon.
I had anticipated him trying to embarrass me, so I had pushed my hand well into his as we shook. As he squeezed, I just stared at him mildly, the position of my hand keeping him from gaining any leverage.
"I've heard your name as well George, you are a well known man around these parts."
He gave me a little conceited sneer.
"Yep, I suspect I'm about the best known real man in town, even though I don't own a fancy suit and sing in a saloon."
I smiled thinly at his obvious insult and started squeezing his hand. The grip I had allowed me to grind the bones of his hand against each other. His eyes opened wider in surprise and I let him go.
"Don't let looks deceive you Georgie Boy; sometimes a dog's bite is much worse than his bark."
Before he could formulate a reply to that, I tipped my hat to Feleena and walked away.
Throughout the conversation, Belle and Maria's fingernails had been digging into my arm as they tried to pull me away. As soon as we were out of earshot, Belle pulled us to a stop and turned towards me, concern written on her face.
"What was that all about, Baby? That man scares me to death."
I looked at her and then glanced at an equally frightened Maria.
"So he has taken advantage of you too," I said through gritted teeth. "The bastard is making it harder for me everyday to keep from killing him. No matter how I try to fight it, I am convinced that it is his fate to die by my hand."
Belle looked at Maria then and took her hand.
"Don't move an inch Tyler, while we talk for a minute," Belle ordered.
The two women walked around the trunk of a big live oak to talk as I stood there fighting to regain my composure. I vowed again to myself that if and when I tangled with George Howard, it would not be in anger. I was in control of myself when Belle and Maria rejoined me about five minutes later. It was fully dark by now, as they wordlessly took my hands and pulled me into the shadows of the tree. We were well away from the crowd that was by now lining the riverbank, waiting for the first of the fireworks, and separated from them by the large bole of the giant old tree. They pushed me backwards until I bumped against the tree trunk.
"So now we all know the same things, Tyler," Belle whispered, "and we are more convinced than ever that you are the man for us. Forget about George and concentrate on us."
Before I could reply, she kissed me fiercely. When she broke the
kiss, she moved into the crook of my right arm, and Maria leaned
against me and planted one on me too. They had it down to a science, as
they kept me quiet by taking turns kissing me until I was light headed.
We missed the fireworks display as we made our own there under the
tree, the three of us all in a tangle. I didn't even ask what they had
conferred about, nor did I question the way things were happening. I
mean hell, if I could accept that I was a hundred years in my past,
residing in my great-great granduncle's body, I could certainly bear up
to the idea of having two women that wanted me as well as each other.