<hr/><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/thumb/e/e4/Natehunter.png/437px-Natehunter.png)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Nathan Hunter<br/><strong>Faction:</strong>Senior Deputy (Law Dogs)<br/><strong>Date:</strong>May 3rd, 1876<br/><strong>Time of Day:</strong>Morning<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Vigilance Ranch<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Margeurite, Closed<br/><hr/>The lawman smiled, well aware she was teasing him.  The humor managed to undercut his awkwardness, and he held a hand over his heart, as if sorely wounded.<strong> “It's just me,”</strong>he mimed, repeating himself from earlier.  He passed her the dress, offering a welcome, and then paused.  The possibility that he might dance to the left at the exact same time she did, or dance to the right and the two of them would end up in a collision of arms and soft flesh somehow ended up in his mind with the two of them akimbo and his earlier declaration for naught.<br/><br/>He missed it completely when she mentioned she was going to get dressed, still paralyzed in his attempt to conjure a method to get by her gracefully, and then her teasing quaestion made him laugh, and finally realize the solution to his dilemma.  He stepped back and extended an arm, inviting her in, and slipped into the doorway after she'd given him the fond smile.<strong>“I will... saddle Ergo,”</strong>he resolved.  He gave a small bow at the doorway, wondering if it was possible to run at a walking speed, and slowed his retreat to something more dignified.<br/><br/>The rancher's wife looked at the coins, and smiled softly.<strong>“You don't have to do that,”</strong>she said.  She hesitated a moment longer, but a need for the coin shone in her eyes.<strong>“We... we'lll put it to good use,”</strong>she promised.<strong>“If you're ever back this way, and need a horse... I'll make sure my husband finds you a fine mare.”</strong>She left the offer open, grateful for the contribution and unused to the generosity.<br/><br/>He took in the warm desert air outside, giving a sigh, and made for the barn.  He buried himself in familiar things, brushing down the stallion while he waited for the beguiling woman to emerge, then saddling Ergo.  He'd once again managed to yoke his impure thoughts when she emerged, the grateful rancher's wife in her wake, and gave a smile at the dress.  The modesty of it was as alluring in its own way as the sight of her half-naked in the steamy shed.<br/><br/>No.  No, it didn't hold a candle, but it still looked fine stretched around her curves, her face clean and washed.  He had a new appreciation for how she'd look in Paris fashions or New york finery, though, and he pulled the steed up offering her his hands to help her sit side saddle once more.<br/><br/>Then he swung up into the saddle himself, and smiled back to her.<br/><br/><strong>“Gomorra or bust.”</strong>he switched the reins, and a well rested Ergo raced out of the paddy and onto the road, as the ranchers offered friendly waves.<br/><br/>[continued in Around Town (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=167796.msg7845788#msg7845788)]