Dinner with Sallie

Between the heat of the forge and his troubled mind

Jacob thought he might very well die

All that whiskey kept rising up his in his mouth

More than once he had to step out

Of the forge and vomit in a bush

Not great timing as the afternoon rush

Continued. Petra was too busy to pay him much mind,

Trying to get the orders out on time.

His head pounded every clang of iron only making it worse.

He made it through his shift upright, muttering a curse.

Petra told him to be here bright and early in the morning

Sober too as they had lots of work to do.

Jacob rushed to take Lady Imogen to the stables before he went back to the hotel.

Luckily only Ron was there as far as he could tell.

Jake had no time or energy to get from Bella the third degree.

He was going to be late he knew as he quickly made his way up to the room.

Josie must have already been down in the restaurant with Sallie waiting on him.

He washed up quickly and changed.

He knew there'd be hell to pay.

He could see it on the face of Sallie McClain

When Jake walked into the restaurant thirty minutes late.

Josie gave him a smile. One he hadn't seen in a while.

But as Jake made his way to the table, something else caught his eye.

Rue at a table with that Jasper guy!

Rue was smiling at least until she saw him.

The snake from the forge gave Jake a smug grin.

Jacob was seeing red.

Had anything Rue said,

Been true?

She'd played Jacob for a fool!

Sallie cleared her throat.

"Jacob dear, the foods getting cold "

"I need a minute", said Jake.

"Well can't it wait? 

We need to talk about our wedding for pity's sake. 

And Josie was just saying how she thought it'd be lovely to have it here right at the hotel! 

Oh, won't that be swell!"

Jake ignored Sallie's rambling, 

for later which he'd pay. 

But right now he had something he just had to say. 

He strode over to Rue and that snake too.

"Rue, I see you're looking well. And who is this care to tell?"

Rue looked over Jake and was sad to see.

Jake looked in misery.

"I wish I could say the same.

I see you've reunited with what's her name?"

"This here is Jasper... Wildkat."

Jasper grinned, "I like that."

Rue smiled back, "I thought you would."

Jasper looked up at Jake

As he took a bite of steak.

"I've already told you,

I'm friends with Rue.

I thought you understood."

"What? You two have already met?"

"At the stables,

but it seems

I'm easy to forget."

Rue laughed.

"I highly doubt that is true."

Jasper gave a wink of appreciation to Rue.

"Uh, I think you're being hailed.

From your tables?" Jasper said. 

Rue looked over to see

Sallie waving frantically.

"Is there someone you wished I'd meet?"

Rue stood up so she could greet.

"Don't trouble yourself. No need to Rue. I guess it's true. You've moved on mighty quick I see. No need to bother meeting Sallie."

Rue gave him a tight-lighted smile, "Oh but I think I do. And I could say the same thing about you."

Jacob muttered a curse under his breath. Rue threw her napkin down and left,

Her table to make her way across the room.

Jake wished he could pay a visit to the saloon .

Rue held out her hand

"You're Jake's fiance I'm to understand?"

Sallie gave a smile sickening sweet

"And you are?"

She refused Rue's hand to greet.

Rue dropped her hand it was easy to see

The look on Sallie of jealousy.

My name is Ruechari.

Rue's eyes drifted over to Josie.

Something didn't seem right

Josie sat ramrod straight

her lips tight.

"Oh is this the Native

did you mention to her me?

The one who owns this hotel.

A lady? Hum. I'll bet your husband left it to you.

It must be hard on your reputation,

To own a saloon.

And hotel with pay by the hour rooms I presume."

Sallie cleared her throat and took a drink of tea.

Josie sighed from her seat and mouthed the word sorry.

Rue looked at Jacob and his date then,

"So you have heard of me.

Jake, I see you found yourself

a real gem."

"The hotel is not that kind of establishment.

If you want that, to tent city you should have went.

I own the casino, the hotel is the Baggage's

But we are partners, too."

"It's really a pleasure meeting you.

I should get back

to my date.

It's rude to make him wait."

Jake knew it was best to let Rue walk away.

Not to defend her, nothing to say.

If Sallie saw Rue as a rival or threat,

He could only imagine how bad things would get.

He didn't care what happened to him anyway

But he wasn't going to put Rue in harm's way.

"Yes, truly a pleasure to meet you too. 

We'll have to do this again soon," smiled Sallie, 

"Jake dear, I just felt our baby kick. Here quick!"

Sallie grabbed Jake's hand before he could stop her

And place it atop her round belly.

Jacob sighed and caught Rue's eye.

"Congratulations are in order to you both," said Rue.

Jacob's anger only began to stew. 

And he felt not a thing from Sallie's belly too.

 Another lie of hers to add to the list.

Only hours in town and Jacob was already sick of her games.

"Yes, Jake and I are so happy. 

We intend to marry within the month, 

before the baby is due."

Josie took a big gulp of water with wide eyes. 

The announcement wasn't a pleasant surprise.

"But don't let us keep you from your date," said Jake irate.

Jasper gave him a smile and a wave when Jake looked his way.

It was equal parts torture and relief when Rue walked away.