The chattering of the men who sat at the bar robbed Richard of his quiet time. He was always at the tavern after work hours every day to have a drink, clear his head and watch Missy; the beautiful barkeep who had captured his heart, from a safe distance.
He looked around and got up, there was no way the men, who had nothing better to do on a Friday evening, could leave before sunset when Missy went around the tavern, dusting the tables and chairs.
Richard decided to visit his oldest friend, Gina. Gina had not only been his friend, but she had also been his woman, as she liked to call herself.
Richard was a fine man, he had a couple of horses, and whenever he participated in town wrestling, he always won.
Gina made her intentions towards him as clear as day the first time she saw him. It was on her father's ranch; Richard had gone in to purchase pigs when Gina saw him from her room which stood at an adjacent angle to her father's office.
She liked his build. She liked the way he carried himself so much that she made herself available to serve her father lunch on that very day, just to catch a glimpse of his features up close.
The moment she walked into the office with the silver tray in her hands, she knew, on thhat spot, that Richard was the man she wanted for herself.
After he left, she asked everyone willing to listen for the route to his house or anything that could help her find him. The town was small, so it did not take long before she did.
She did not waste any time giving herself to him. She offered her body and any other thing she possessed that he might find useful.
Richard did not have the habit of using women, but Gina left him no choice. She wanted him and he wanted a woman. It was the perfect match and also at the perfect time because he had just broken a courtship with a woman he described as 'pale and tasteless.'
Gina and Richard had an agreement. They always met at a shed on the outskirts of town just before sunset on Fridays and they spent the rest of the evening and a small part of the next morning together, satisfying each other's carnal desire.
Richard never wasted his time talking to Gina about his profits or losses for he knew she could not understand, and she could not bring him the comfort he desired.
She was just his woman, and he did to her what he did to his women. He had her and without any emotional attachments, he watched her sleep the next morning before leaving her alone on the cold hard floor of the shed he paid two silver coins for.
Gina was always at the shed, naked beneath white worn linen, waiting for Richard and this Friday was not any different.
She did not like the idea of having to wait before getting her clothes ripped off her body, so she did the honors hours before Richard showed up.
When he got to the shed, he whistled a tune, it was their way of knowing if the coast was clear or not.
She completed the tune and he peeped into the shed. He looked at her, knowing exactly what she wanted. He looked at her, wishing for the first time that she was Missy because he had feelings for Missy.
His heart always raced when Missy so much as looked at him. He liked her because she wore clothes that covered her up.
He liked her because she greeted everyone with a smile, even Bolton, the drunk who had smacked her across her butt cheeks once.
He wanted Missy to be at the shed, waiting naked with the worn white linen hanging loosely around her bosom but unless he could summon the courage to talk to her, he could not have her.
He also knew there was no guarantee she was going to be loose like Gina, but he had hope that his gait, good looks, and wealth could woo her.
He walked into the shed and sat on a stool that was placed beside the entrance.
Most of the time, he sat down there to look at Gina and remind himself that he was doing her a favor. He was giving her what she wanted because he often felt guilty that he was using her naivety against her.
She was also sitting on a stool, but she was in the middle of the shed.
She let go of the linen revealing her bare breasts. They were full and round. And as though molded by a sculptor, they stood firm on her chest, just like headlights on a vintage-classic car from the 1800's.
It was one of the things Richard liked about her, she had nice breasts as he would often say.
'I hear suitors are seeking your hand.' He removed his bag from his shoulder and set it down beside him.
Word had gotten to him that Gina was about to get married because her house was always swarming with men who sought her hand in marriage.
'I have not seen you yet. I shall continue to decline all offers until you make your intention known.' She responded sharply.
Gina loved Richard. She did not only like him for the satisfaction he offered her; she liked him because he was man enough.
He had his ranch, he took care of his mother so well and when he wrestled, he wrestled like a lion that would never accept defeat.
She liked the way he spoke. He was a gentleman. He never asked how she was fairing or if anything was bothering her, but she told herself that his eyes shone whenever he looked at her and it was her sign that he in fact loved her.
'Whatever do you mean? I am not going to seek your hand.' He picked up his water container and took a big swig.
'Of course, you shall seek my hand. Whose hand shall you seek then?' She picked up the linen and covered herself.
The moment Gina had dreaded since she started sneaking around with Richard two years ago was finally unfolding before her.