Conchita

Weary and sore from his ride on the ass he finally arrived at the log cabin, it was a welcome sight. He called for Conchita, a half Injun half Mexican slave, he'd rescued from the Medicine Man and his tribe, with a heavy bribe, many years before.

She had passed the age of childbearing, in truth apart from a wretched life as a skivvy, she had no value to an injun brave. This suited Red Rock Bill, he needed someone he could trust to look after his place, an aged woman was a perfect fit.

She also knew he could be trusted, he gave her a home and the safety she'd never known before. Until Rue, she was the only person around here that knew of his double life, and the quest he had undertaken, in the name of love. When she looked into his tired eyes she could see a deep sense of pride that suggested he was nearing his prize.

Tears of empathy welled in her eyes, something she was not accustomed to after a lifetime as a slave when any sign of weakness was met with a beating. Without asking she set about preparing him a hot tub, something to eat and drink. She asked, "What would you like first Bill, the hot tub or your food?"

"Oh, I think the hot tub please, I'm sure I stink and don't have a muscle or a bone that ain't aching."

"Well, you go out on the porch and take a nap in your rocking chair while I get things prepared, it'll take a while to heat the water."

"What would I do without you Conchita, if we were much younger I'm sure I'd be chasing you around the bed by now?"

She giggled and said, "You old flirt Bill, we know that ain't true, but I'm flattered all the same, I know that woman of yours in New Orleans means more to you than all your gold."

Bill was woken from his nap by the sound of some young rascals who'd dared to venture into the wilds, this was extremely unusual and the last thing he wanted. Rather than chase them away, he thought it better to scare them and they'd be certain not to return.

He could see they were already scared as he welcomed them onto the porch, where he filled their naive heads with terrifying stories, it wasn't long before they fled in fear. He didn't like it but thought it was for the best as in truth the wilds were no place for a man let alone a child. As they scampered into the woods, he heard Conchita call, his hot tub was ready.

Like a mother, she stripped him bare and held his hand as he stepped without pants and boots into the tub, the water was charged with essence and smelt like heaven. She poured an urn of hot water over his head and scrubbed his hair and beard with soap, easing out the grim, gave him a full body scrub, cleaned and cut his nails.

As adept as any barber she cut his hair and shaved off his beard with an open razor, she wasn't surprised at what she saw, an incredibly handsome middle-aged man appeared from behind his hairy disguise, and she found him extremely pleasing on the eye.

She made him stand and wait whilst running a fresh tub laced with both rare essences and oils to reinvigorate his skin. With unbelievable pleasure, he eased himself low into the water, and Conchita covered him and the bath in a wet towel, right up to his neck.

He soon settled into a deep sleep, the bath was kept warm by a constant supply of hot ashes slipped underneath.

He awoke to find all the clothes of gentleman laid out before him, long black jacket and his knee-length carved leather boots that were a gleaming testament to his stature. When fully dressed she slipped an ornate black tie around his neck, adding the finishing touch, to his transformation.

Like the perfect gentleman, he helped Conchita on to Ghost, then mounted Nugget. Before riding off to the next station along the line from BG, he looked long and hard into her eyes and said, "Remember Conchita, you will want for nothing and this your home for the rest of your life."

She knew Barton Denver meant every word he said and was full of joy as they galloped off.