Filling A Need

Seconds behind him, Brandy kept out of sight. Knowing she'd have to ride through the night. She had to keep ahead of him. "Let the fun begin."

She felt a little envious of Lou. How in the world did she manage to make these men want to be better? She pushed the thought away. After all, where did it get her?

Shot by an ex-husband. Who ends up killing himself. Now they were all depending on Bruce.

"I could probably do a better job myself."

Brandy knew she wasn't one to lead. More of a "fill a need", which made her more of an absentee when it came to Lou, certainly.

Dad wanted to keep the family together, but it turned out to be an impossible task. Lou and her turned informers. The more people they could ask.

That's how Lou found her in a brothel in Rickety. Lou paid a handsome sum to set her free. Brandy stuck around for a while but Lou's new life didn't fit her style.

Brandy knew how to manipulate a man. Getting what information she can.

Yet with all the information running around, still, her siblings could not be found.

She shook off the melancholy. Patted her horse, Holly. "Come on girl. We need to get going if we're to reach BG. The sooner I get this over with the sooner we head back to Destiny."

She already missed her bar. "To Hell and Back" was a reservoir of never-ending information, coming from both near and far.

Brandy had a variety of clientele. Some of them made her offers but her soul she wouldn't sell. She had a good operation. Complete with the right muscle.

Then she got Lou's letter. Brandy knew the moment she read it, she'd already lost Lou. She headed to Oh Aces to see what she could do.

Bruce decided he's all in. The charade had to begin. He seems strong-willed but she knew what he didn't. This job, not done right, will get you killed.

She had to watch over Bruce until she felt certain. At least it kept her from thinking and therefore hurtin'. She hoped he had connections in BG that could make that happen more easily.

She got to town, and she was impressed. More to this place than she would have guessed. The forge and stables the first thing she saw. Better get Holly some rest in a stall.

Petra stopped hammering she couldn't believe her eyes "There's no way this is happening," she grinned. "Brandy Vine?!"

Brandy was about to reply.

"Hey Petra, are you free perhaps to get some dinner with me?"

Brandy's eyes grew wide. "How did you? That was one hell of a ride! Is he with you!? I just knew I shouldn't trust you," Brandy gave Buck a shove. "At least this will make you easier to get rid of."

Petra pulled Brandy back. "What are you on about? This is my boyfriend, Buck." Petra said, giving Brandy the information she lacked.

Buck's eyes grew wide. He pulled Brandy aside. "You've seen Bruce!?" It wasn't hard to deduce. Only his brother could make a woman this mad.

A Twin? Thanks, Lou for leavin' out that bit of information. "Yeah, I had."

"Where is he? Is he with you?"

"If he was, do you think I'd be attacking you?"

"Good point." Buck had to concede, but for information on his brother, he had a real need. "I haven't seen him since County. Since a friend of ours died. They said in the paper he went after the killer but I wasn't sure if they lied."

Petra tried, to hand signal Buck to stop talking. Into an emotional mess, he was walking.

"It's okay, Petra. I know. I learned it all from Roe."

Petra breathed a sigh of relief. "Brandy is Lou's sister," Petra explained.

Buck palmed his face, "Good grief! I'm sorry I didn't know."

"By the way where is Roe?"

Brandy looked at Petra. "She's not coming back. Couldn't take the pressure the courage she lacked. So she just went on her way. Leaving it up to me to explain things to Brody."

"Explain what?" Petra looked at her confused. Rosetta not coming back was not good news.

"That it was Shamus that killed Lou. He hadn't meant to. He was after Pearce Wade. Lou got in the way. When he found out he threw himself off a cliff and now I have the pleasure of telling Brody this."

"So Bruce didn't go after Shamus?"

"Oh that he did. Shamus had a little help ending it."

Buck felt sick. "Shit! How do you know all this?"

"We had a talk in Oh Aces."

Petra exclaimed, "Brandy! Tell me you didn't put Bruce through the paces?"

Buck had seen that look before. Similar to one Lou had wore. He worried about Brandy's grin. He knew it meant trouble was on the horizon.

"If I got it right, Bruce will be here by morning's light."

"Can one of you take me to Lou's place? I'm a little turned around." 

Buck offered. As they walked by the hotel Ronan threw someone out on the ground.

Buck asked, "Mind telling me what transpired?"

"Minor drunken brawl is all. My bartender needs to be fired."

Ronan went back in. Brandy questioned, "Who's that?"

"That's the Casino's Manager, Ronan."

Brandy beamed. "Be right back."

She raced into the place, saw the broken tables and chairs. As Ronan looked around he had a look of despair. She watched as he told the bartender he was outta there.

"What a mess." Brandy peered over Ronan's shoulder. "Over a woman would be my guess."

Ronan turned around to the blonde from outside. His roguish grin he could not hide.

"Can I help you?"

"No, but I can help you."

"Is that so?"

"I can tend bar, just so you know."

"Let's see what you got."

Brandy mixed with flair, pushing three different drinks in front of him.

He liked the lot. "Can you start tomorrow night?" asked Ronan.

"I promise to be here on time." She held out her hand, "Name is Brandy Vine."

Ronan shook it. "Welcome to the Grande Hotel. You got a place to stay?"

"I was just on my way. I got a place in Tent City."

"Careful out there. That place gets rather gritty."

Brandy gave him a wink and grin. "Don't worry about me. I'm a big girl, Ronan."

"Yeah, that I can see."

"I can also guarantee. Something like this wouldn't happen around me."

Ronan once again looked around with gloom but he was more concerned with a drunken Jacob being alone with Rue in a room.

"See you tomorrow, Brandy."

Brandy met back up with Buck. "Well, that was a bit of luck. Looks like I got myself a job."

Buck looked at her rather odd. "You seemed rather upset when we first met. Thinking I was Bruce. You two have a thing... I probably shouldn't be asking but I couldn't help noticing you're wearing a wedding ring."

"I am, aren't I? Smart of you to spy. An interesting twist in life turns out you and I are also related, for I'm your brother's wife."

Buck stopped walking. "He was in love with Lou."

Brandy stopped too. "This is true. He plans to take over Lou's informant ring. As you may have noticed... trust isn't really your brother's thing. So, what better way, to convince them you plan to stay than marrying Lou's sister straight away."

"And you agreed?"

"Let's just say for now I'm filling a need."

They stopped at Lou's place. Brandy took out a key. She looked back at Buck whose face seemed filled with worry. "Don't think on it too much. This thing with Bruce and me and such. I promise I understand what I'm in for," she said opening the door.

Buck bid her a good night, hoping against hope she was right. She turned to see the darnedest sight. She felt she unknowingly stepped into a trap. Bruce was soaking in a bath. He held up a sponge. "Mind getting my back?"