Once again the shopkeeper looks startled. He glances up at the imposing Englishman.
"What my associate means," hurries Kate, stepping in with a gentle smile; "is we're veering from the beaten path for a spell. Headin' down to San Patricio to fetch our stock and run 'em up the Chisholm, but thought we might nose about over here a lil' while."
The tradesman relaxes some, switching his muddy brown gaze onto the friendlier (and better-looking) young blonde.
"Cattle." Another nod, as he finishes up Gene's order. "Don't see much of that out here."
"It was the stories of your fine establishment that drew us so far off course."
Kate can be charming when there's a call for it. She's pretty and well-bred, and men like that. Disingenuousness doesn't come to her naturally either, but folk around these parts ask questions. It's in their nature. And the less you leave them to speculate on, the less you'll have to worry about later.
The shopkeeper almost instantly relaxes, resuming his banter with a more agreeable partner. The paper bundle of tobacco is tied off with horsehair twine, and then wrapped with a count of twenty twofers and enough paper to last a decent smoker two weeks. By the end, Kate has even allowed herself to be talked into the purchase of an inexpensive turquoise hairpin.
no subject
"What my associate means," hurries Kate, stepping in with a gentle smile; "is we're veering from the beaten path for a spell. Headin' down to San Patricio to fetch our stock and run 'em up the Chisholm, but thought we might nose about over here a lil' while."
The tradesman relaxes some, switching his muddy brown gaze onto the friendlier (and better-looking) young blonde.
"Cattle." Another nod, as he finishes up Gene's order. "Don't see much of that out here."
"It was the stories of your fine establishment that drew us so far off course."
Kate can be charming when there's a call for it. She's pretty and well-bred, and men like that. Disingenuousness doesn't come to her naturally either, but folk around these parts ask questions. It's in their nature. And the less you leave them to speculate on, the less you'll have to worry about later.
The shopkeeper almost instantly relaxes, resuming his banter with a more agreeable partner. The paper bundle of tobacco is tied off with horsehair twine, and then wrapped with a count of twenty twofers and enough paper to last a decent smoker two weeks. By the end, Kate has even allowed herself to be talked into the purchase of an inexpensive turquoise hairpin.
"That should about do ya. Anythin' else?"