He backed his way to the porch, then after one last look at all the half-clad ladies, he moved away and glanced around for the lady in question.
The veranda was long and wrapped around the entire house. Rocking chairs were all over the place.
Then he saw her. She had an air of sophistication her girls didn’t. Mature, beautiful and in control, she draped the chair she was in with dignity and pure female delights. Sam squirmed.
She was big and beautiful in the same breath, painted and older, but still very beautiful. He had no trouble spotting her, as she had one leg thrown over the top of the chair and a smile as big as Texas on her ruby lips. She’d been in the business too long already; she began to take on the has-been look of an older whore. Yet when she turned her sparkling blue eyes on him, he was still tempted.
“You Miss Tilda?” he asked.
“That’s me, what can I do for ya?” She batted her extremely long lashes at him.
Her breasts were nearly falling out of her gown and her skirt was slit to the thigh and flashing a lot of white skin at him.
He leaned down and kissed her lips. The way she kissed told Sam she could please any man, but it would be a false pleasure as her heart was not in the kiss, merely sexually satisfying. She would expect him to know it, and he wouldn’t disappoint her. Her kiss was warm, inviting and professionally perfect.
But her kiss lacked the fire that only Riley had offered him. Again Sam bolted from the realization that only Riley’s kisses were the ones he wanted. He silently scolded himself for that thought, but it didn’t go away. He sat down in a rocking chair next to Miss Tilda, sighing heavier than he meant to. “I’ve got a favor I need to ask.”
“Well, you certainly know how to attract my attention, honey. If you’ve got the money, I’ve got the time, ask away.”
“I’ve got this friend that needs her hair cut short like a man and I need you to do it. Then I need you to keep quiet about it. Can you do something like that?”
She laughed aloud. “Oh…so you like boys, do ya?”
“No…no, ma’am.” Sam quickly realized she was going a different direction with her thoughts. “It’s not like that. Well, can I lay my cards on the table with you?”
“By all means, honey. I like an honest man.” She studied him.
She moved so one breast fell out of her dress. She didn’t move it or hide it, but smiled at him as she watched him fidget. He almost gasped at the creamy white exposure. Never had he seen a breast so plump and pretty and daring him to take into his mouth. Her nipple perked, alerting him to her arousal. But he stood up and backed away. She glanced up and smiled at him. “Oh I’m sorry, you are a bashful fella, aren’t you?”
“Look, I’m here because of my friend Riley, she’s in trouble. You see, some men are trying to steal her ranch out from under her. I promised her I’d help, that’s all. But she’s got to pretend she’s someone else…hence the haircut,” Sam explained. “She’s got to be a man to pull this off. That’s where you come in. Can you help me make her look like a man?”
The woman’s smile faded. “Are you serious? You want us to cut her hair like a man?” The woman seemed surprised.
“Yes, ma’am. And I’ve got some clothes, well, she’ll need some help makin’ sure she has everything on right, if you know what I mean.”
“Well, where is she?” the woman asked.
“Over at the hotel, waiting until I collect her and bring her here,” Sam answered.
The woman gently eased her breast into place, and covered her leg, then looked at Sam. “She’s in a real pickle?”
“Yes, ma’am. And we need someone we can trust to keep their mouths shut about it. I thought of you and your girls first.”
“You been here before?” Miss Tilda batted her eyes at him.
“Once…but I was so drunk I don’t remember much…”
“Hmm…that’s too bad. You’re a handsome devil. You couldn’t have been with me, or I’d have remembered you.” The woman stared at him. “Why you helpin’ her?”
“‘Cause she needs help. I guess.” Sam closed his eyes and firmed his lips.
“She black like you?” the woman asked.
“No…she’s not,” he answered, studying her face. “That’s another reason for the secrecy.”
Miss Tilda straightened in her chair and stared at him. “Oh…well…this is a situation, isn’t it?” She frowned. She considered his answers and smiled a sultry smile at him. “Okay…you bring her round the back about midnight, we’ll fix her up.”
“How much will it cost?” he asked.