The Saloon is the best place to get a drink in town. Miss Mae is here most of the time I you're looking for her. Anyone looking for local hearsay might as well start here.
Mae began her day like she always did, by cleaning the mugs, glasses, and the bar with a damp rag. It was a little early for people to come into the saloon and she wasn't expecting too many people until the mining crew got back from the mines in the afternoon or if the Sheriff decided to stop in for a stiff drink.
Mae walked back into the saloon and across to the fireplace to throw the logs she'd brought in onto the fire to keep it burning.
Mae stood behind the bar cleaning it. Easy enough when no one was there having drinks. Maybe if no body came in she'd be allowed to close early and send Daisy, the other saloongirl home.
Elmer strode across the road to the Saloon, pausing briefly to watch the blonde woman leave on her brown and white horse. Women wearing trousers and carrying two guns... what was the world coming to?!
At least Miss Mae knew how to be a proper and decent lady, he thought as he entered the saloon. If Conner came in behind him, he'd hold open the swinging door for him. Being suspicious of the well armed half-native wasn't an excuse for him to be rude, after all.
"Miss Mae?" Elmer said to get her attention, which didn't seem like it would be too hard considering how devoid of patrons the place was right now. "Deputy wanted ta know if you'd take us out ta your ranch to talk to George?"
At least Miss Mae knew how to be a proper and decent lady, he thought as he entered the saloon. If Conner came in behind him, he'd hold open the swinging door for him. Being suspicious of the well armed half-native wasn't an excuse for him to be rude, after all.
"Miss Mae?" Elmer said to get her attention, which didn't seem like it would be too hard considering how devoid of patrons the place was right now. "Deputy wanted ta know if you'd take us out ta your ranch to talk to George?"
Connor appreciated Elmer's gesture even if he remained completely silent. He filed in next to the old man and crossed his arms across his chest, standing there looking imposing. Whenever Connor talked to anyone there was always a chance that they'd get spooked or get defensive which made communication very difficult, he rather let Elmer handle the talking since he looked more like a people person.
Mae stopped what she was doing and nodded. " I'd be happy to bring you to talk to George." She turned towards the saloon's owner, an older woman who shrugged and said. " I doubt we're getting much business today. Go home if you like. Miss Daisy, you can go home too!" the owner called out to the younger saloongirl.
" I guess, I'm free to bring you. I just need to get Wilbur 'fore pa notices he's not helping out with the ranch. I think he's at the general store. It's on the way so I'll just yell for him as we pass."
" I guess, I'm free to bring you. I just need to get Wilbur 'fore pa notices he's not helping out with the ranch. I think he's at the general store. It's on the way so I'll just yell for him as we pass."
"Really 'ppreciate it, ma'am," Elmer said. "The deputy thought he might be more willin' ta talk ta us iffn yer there."
She didn't seem too bent out of shape about Conner's imposing stance. But he supposed if her family employed some of the native folks, she must be accustomed to their odd and unusual ways. That, and she probably saw all sorts of folks working here at the saloon.
He'd wait for her to collect her things before opening the door and letting her walk ahead of them.
"Is it just George workin' fer ya pa?"
She didn't seem too bent out of shape about Conner's imposing stance. But he supposed if her family employed some of the native folks, she must be accustomed to their odd and unusual ways. That, and she probably saw all sorts of folks working here at the saloon.
He'd wait for her to collect her things before opening the door and letting her walk ahead of them.
"Is it just George workin' fer ya pa?"
" Yeah, as far as natives go just him." Mae said as she walked to the hitching post to un hitch her horse, a grey Arabian mare.
Elmer nodded, just to show he'd heard her. As they re-emerged back onto the street, he called across to the deputy and the ranch hands that Esme had sent along to help. "Miss Mae says she'll take us! Just gotta find Wilbur!"
He went to retrieve the steed that Esme had let him borrow. So far, the mount had been pretty cooperative, but Elmer was a mediocre horseman at best, so hopefully it remained that way.
He went to retrieve the steed that Esme had let him borrow. So far, the mount had been pretty cooperative, but Elmer was a mediocre horseman at best, so hopefully it remained that way.
" Good. It shouldn't be too hard to find him. Let's ride down to the general store to see if he's there." the deputy said as he tipped his hat to Mae and nodded at Elmer.
Mae returned to the saloon and got behind the bar, a fellow saloongirl, Belle walked up to her once she'd finished wiping down tables. " Mae, where were you?" She asked.
" I was helpin' out the search team look for the missing miners when the deputy was injured and I was sent back here," Mae answered as she started cleaning out glasses and pints.
" Oh Lord, is he ok?"
" He'll be fine, he's on his way to Doc's."
" I was helpin' out the search team look for the missing miners when the deputy was injured and I was sent back here," Mae answered as she started cleaning out glasses and pints.
" Oh Lord, is he ok?"
" He'll be fine, he's on his way to Doc's."