Forever Ecstasy (35 page)

Joe sent the observer a displeased frown. “If that’s true, it could mess up my other plan,” he muttered, then scowled in feigned displeasure.

“What is that?” Orin questioned as he leaned against the counter.

“I thought about starting a traveling trader business. I figured if I could join up with someone who owns an established post, I could travel around taking orders and delivering them for a nice profit for both of us. I think people— Indians and whites— would buy more goods if they’re brought to their doors. I thought I’d try it out until fall; if I found I didn’t like it, I’d go back to trapping. You interested in such a proposition?”

The red-haired man didn’t take time to think before answering, “That idea sounds as dangerous as yer first one.”

“A man don’t make much money playing it safe. Since you’re sitting in the middle of Indian country, you know you have to take risks to get rich.”

Orin grinned as he fingered his smooth chin. “Ye be right, tae ae point. It’s an interesting idea, but I don’t think this is the season for it. Yere plan will be safer in ae year or two.”

Joe decided to be bold, especially before he entered that back room. “You know a big man named Zeke? Hauls goods in these parts.”

“E’er’body knows Zeke. Why ask about him?”

“I hear he transports most of the supplies in this territory, so I figured I’d better not infringe on his territory without checking him out first. Maybe he’d be interested in having a partner. From what I’ve been told, he knows this area and these people better than anyone.”

“I haven’t seen him in weeks.” He glanced to his left at the closed door before saying, “I’ll warn ye about Zeke: he’s ae loner. He can get mean and odd on ye. I doubt he’ll want tae share earnings with ye ’r anyone. He’s high-priced, but I’ve used him many times because he is dependable. Zeke isn’t scared of anything ’r anyone. I can’t blame him for charging so
much; his job is dangerous, especially with those Indians acting up.”

“You have much trouble with them? I noticed your cannons.”

“None sae far. Ne’er had to fire ae shot. They’re tae scare off thieves and renegades. Robbery is ae big threat in ae wilderness. No big problems with the Indians. Tae be honest, I don’t like or dislike them. They’re paying customers like anybody else, sae I’d be foolish tae offend them. And stupid taw rile them. Sometimes they’ll try tae cheat ye, ’r intimidate ye into giving them ae cheaper price ’r goods for free. They know they’re welcome here and I treat them fair. Best way tae get along with one is tae treat him like any other man, if he’ll let ye. That’s why I don’t let them know about tae whiskey; they don’t take kindly ta being lied tae ’r cheated. ’Course, it’s against tha law tae sell whiskey tae Indians, e’en though it’s done all tha time.” Orin changed the subject. “Let’s get our business settled, then ye can join tha others for cards. I pay three dollars ae pound. That suit ye?”

Joe smiled and said, “That’s fair. You want to buy those two mules?”

“I’ll have tae take ae look at them.” He headed for the door.

Joe followed, then watched Orin examine the furs and animals. He glanced at Morning Star, who appeared busy with camp tasks. Yet he sensed her eyes on them, and had to suppress flashing a smile in her direction.

“I can pay ye seven dollars ae piece, and three hundred for tha furs.”

Joe looked at the laden beasts, pretended to think a minute, smiled again, and said, “It’s a deal.” At least he would recover his investment.

“I’ll make ye another offer: if ye decide tae buy ae wagon and supplies tae trade on tha trail, I’ll make ye ae good price on both. If ye live tae see September and ye make good money, we’ll talk about ae partnership then.”

“After I leave, I’ll look around and check out the area and any brewing trouble. If it suits me and appears safe, I’ll return and deal with you. If I’m not back in four weeks, you’ll know it
didn’t look good and I moved on.”

“Ye be ae smart man, Joe Lawrence. Let me introduce ye ta tha boys before I unload these furs and corral these mules.”

Joe followed Orin back inside the trading post. The big man halted at the counter; and he took some money from a metal box and paid Joe the amount due. Joe pocketed his earnings and took a deep breath as the older man opened the door to the other room. As soon as Orin’s large frame was out of the way, Joe’s gaze rushed around the area. He was relieved to find that none of the three men present was familiar.

“Tha Army scout is George,” Orin said. “He likes ta take his leave here with tha best women and whiskey.” The soldier nodded, then returned his gaze to his cards. “George doesn’t talk much. I suppose he doesn’t want civilians getting worried about this trouble brewing.” The scout didn’t look up or respond to Orin’s genial remarks. The red-haired man moved on, “That’s Ben; he’s ae prospector. He’s been searching this territory for several years for ae lucky strike.”

“Gonna find me one, too, you’ll see,” the gold seeker declared, then smiled through several missing teeth.

“Not if ye head into them Black Hills like ye’re planning.”

“Don’t be worryin’, Orin. Them Injuns are headin’ fur the Plains as we jaw. Soon as they git outta them hills, I’m takin’ me a look-see. You kin bet yore britches they’s gold in there somewheres. I’m gonna find it.”

“What ye’re going ta find is yer hair missing,” Orin jested.

Ben chuckled and stroked the thinning strands that needed a good washing and brushing, as much as his body and garments needed scrubbing. “Hell’s bullets, them Injuns think I’m crazy! Theys don’t bother no crazy folk. I’ll be back here, rich as a king, afore the leaves are fallin’.”

“I wish ye luck, Ben, but ye best be careful of those Lakotas. They’re real protective and selfish with their territory. Ask George; he’ll tell ye tha straight of it.” Getting back to the last introduction, Orin said, “That’s Ephraim; he’s ae trapper like ye, Joe. He’s down early this year. He might know more about tha western area than any of us.”

“You ’tending to trap over my way?” the buckskin-clad man
asked, squinting his already beady eyes to examine Joe from head to foot.

“Haven’t decided yet. Trapping sure isn’t good east of here. I came by to sell my furs to Orin, then take a look around. I may get into trading.”

“You wuz smart to come here. Orin’s got the best prices. Them American Fur boys at Benton and Union don’t pay as good as him. I has to haul my pelts further, but Orin makes it worth me while.”

Orin smiled and thanked Ephraim. He motioned to the last person in the room, a woman with blond hair and green eyes. “She’s Mattie Lou. I only have one girl at present. Three more ’r coming by tha fifteenth. Most of tha boys don’t come in until tha end of June or first of July. Mattie Lou is ten dollars for one service, twenty-five dollars for all night. She’s tha best trained pleaser I’ve e’er hired. She can give ye any treat ye want. Right?”

The pretty prostitute sent Joe a seductive smile and agreed with her boss, “Anything you like or want, I’m best at it.”

“I’ll get ye ae drink, Joe; first one’s on tha house. I’m sure tha boys would like ae fourth hand in their card game. Relax. I’ll finish me chores and join ye boys later.” Orin made eye contact with the woman before he served the newcomer a glass of aged rye whiskey. He asked the other customers if they needed anything, and everyone shook their heads no. He left the room and closed the door.

Joe caught the interaction between Orin and Mattie Lou, but did not comprehend its meaning. He sat in the empty chair at the square wooden table. “Good to meet you boys. Don’t get to see many faces when you’re trapping. Right, Ephraim?”

“Nope, but it don’t trouble me none when I’m working. How much pelts did you bring in?”

Evening shadows were dimming the three-window room, and Joe saw the prostitute light two lanterns. “A hundred pounds of beaver, otter, and muskrat. Prime quality, but not enough critters in that area. How is it over your way?”

“Not as good this year as most. Thick and healthy, but slim takin’s. Too much work to keep going. Figured I’d come on in
and have some fun.”

Joe noticed how Ephraim eyed the pretty woman nearby and assumed the trapper was whetting his appetite to enjoy her later. He sipped his free drink as he studied the men.

“Any trouble over your way this spring?” George asked.

Joe wondered why the Army scout didn’t look up at him, but just kept staring at his card hand. “Nothing that I saw or heard about. Did my trapping on the upper Minnesota and James rivers. Those woodland tribes are pretty friendly, if they come around at all. What’s the trouble between the Lakotas and Crow that Orin mentioned?”

“Same as always: old enemies, and too many whites settling in.”

“What about that rumored treaty the Indian agent is working on?”

George didn’t look up to respond, “It’ll be summer here all year long before those two nations make peace. Longer before whites are accepted.”

“Sounds as if you don’t care much for Indians or treaties,” Joe hinted.

The scout looked him in the eye. “I don’t care for anybody who ain’t a friend of mine or anything that makes my life harder,” he revealed. “Out here, it’s risky to accept strangers fast. Too many men who’ll put a bullet in your back or slit your throat while you sleep just to get your horse and supplies, or to empty your pockets, or to take your winter’s catch. If you stay here, you’ve got to keep your eyes and ears open to survive. Don’t trust anybody until you know for sure he’s worth your time. You playing?” he asked, his tone gruff.

Joe was surprised by the amount of words George spit out. He nodded. “If you boys don’t mind, I’ll join in on the next hand.”

“Be happy to take your money,” Ephraim said with a lopsided grin.

Joe waited patiently while the three men finished the game in progress. Mattie Lou came up behind him and rested her ivory hands on his shoulders. She pressed her body against the chair and him. He felt the heat radiating from her like a blazing
sun. Her open overture made him uncomfortable.

She bent forward and murmured into Joe’s ear, “You’ve been in the wilderness a long time. I’m sure I can help you relax between supper and bedtime. Ephraim has me later.”

“I got her all night, Joe,” the trapper boasted.

“She’ll wear you out in an hour,” the crusty prospector jested.

“Ain’t seen the day or night any female could tire me, Ben.”

“He ain’t had a go at you, has he, Mattie Lou?” the prospector refuted as he leaned over and playfully patted the woman’s buttocks.

She laughed throatily and tickled Joe’s ear. “I’ve never left any man awake, hungry, or without his money’s worth. I promise you’ll never forget me, Joe. You’ll be hanging around for days just to get stocked up on me before leaving.”

“You don’t git no free sample of her, Joe, like whiskey.”

Joe felt the woman rub her ample breasts against the back of his head. Her skilled fingers drifted over his shoulders to his chest where they caressed the flesh through his shirt. He smelled her cloying perfume in the air. He was repulsed by the provocative invitation to hire her.

Ben nudged the scout and jested, “Only person who gits it free is George there for keepin’ Orin up on news around this ter’tory.”

“That’s not true,” she refuted with a giggle. “George has to pay like everyone. Isn’t that so, George?”

The scout spread out a winning hand as he muttered, “If I’m in the mood for a woman, I pay for her, if she ain’t for the taking.”

Joe was unconvinced that Orin didn’t give Mattie Lou to George anytime he desired in exchange for scouting information. That didn’t strike Joe as being too suspicious, as Orin had a profitable business and his life to protect. But Corporal George Whatever, he was a man to check out with Jim. Joe grasped that the scout didn’t like attention and questions, so it was best to avoid both until tomorrow after they had gotten friendly.

The prostitute’s forefingers began to make erotic circles
around Joe’s nipples. He jerked in surprise at her vexing boldness, and captured her invading hands and pushed them away. With a genial chuckle, he discouraged, “Sorry, Mattie Lou, but I have my own woman with me. I won’t be needing your fine skills.” When the female made a noise of displeasure, Joe assumed it was because few men had refused her charms.

“You have a wife with you?” she questioned.

“Nope,” Joe replied, picking up the cards passed to him.

“A squaw?”

“Yep, perfect in obedience, and skills. I’m sure you are, too, but one woman is plenty for me,” he added to soften his rejection.

“Men need variety. Wouldn’t you enjoy bedding me for a change?”

“Thanks, but no. Little Flower provides everything I need. You open?” Joe asked Ephraim, displeased with the personal topic. It was common for men to talk and joke about conquests, but it left a foul taste in his mouth for his beloved Morning Star to be discussed openly this way.

Mattie Lou left the handsome newcomer and stood at one window to watch the dark-haired beauty in Joe’s camp while she sulked.

The four men played cards for a time and talked only when betting. Joe pretended to concentrate on the game, but he was closely observing each man. More drinks were ordered, and the quiet female served them. One game drifted into another and another, with Joe winning two of them. Small talk ensued by all except George, who remained distant, sullen. Even Mattie Lou calmed down and joked with the men, particularly her customer for later.

When Joe felt confident enough to query the men, he asked, “Any of you know a man named Zeke?”

Ephraim and Ben nodded, George shrugged, and the woman grinned.

Joe tried again. “Where I can find him? I have a deal to discuss.”

“What kind of deal?” George asked. “Zeke don’t like strangers.”

With a smile and in a genial tone, Joe related the travelingtrader story he had told to Orin. “Zeke and I could make good partners.”

“Zeke works alone. He’s real strange,” George remarked.

“If he isn’t interested, at least I won’t get him mad at me by working his territory. I’d be obliged if you can tell me where to find him.”

“Don’t know. Zeke’s all over the place all the time. If I run into him while scouting, I’ll give him your message. Just hang around any of the trading posts, he’ll ride up soon. Zeke stays on the move this time of year. Everybody knows him, so he won’t be hard to locate.”