Get Along Little Dogies (Arkady)

[Deleted]

Dusty’s momma sure sounded like an amazing woman, to go from nothing to pretty much running her own place; it was pretty impressive. It reminded Caden of his own mother in some ways, only his had had everything but had given it all up, choosing a life of hard work and near poverty to be with his father. It had been hard news to take when he’d first been told, but Caden loved his family so he hadn’t taken it as hard as he could have. Still, it had helped in his decision to go off in the world on his own.

He didn’t know what to say about the last bit, though; about her mother being more like a friend. It just didn’t seem right. Parents were supposed to take care of their kids, not treat them like all the other saloon girls and sell them off to whatever man was willing to pay. Caden frowned and threw his stick into the fire.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. Sorry that she didn’t have a dad, and sorry that her momma would do that to her, but he didn’t spell it out. Instead he grabbed the blanket that lay folded beside them and draped it as well as he could around her without disturbing her too much. “You should lay down and get some sleep.”

[Dusty Fae]

Dusty’d never minded the way her life had turned out. Things had happened and she’d just rolled with it. ‘Course her mother taught ‘er a lotta useful things in ‘er life and it seemed natural to her to end up workin’ in the Saloon. The townsfolk never liked ‘er much anyhow. None o’ their boys were gonna marry ‘er and she didn’t wouldn’ta wanted ta marry them much neither. She weren’t sorry fer anythin’ so she were awful surprised when Caden said he was sorry.

She hadn’t said anythin’ that he needed ta be sorry for, had she? She didn’t think so, so what were he apologizin’ for? Dusty were awful confused now. But more’n anythin’ she were tired. Even more so now that he’d draped the blanket ‘round ‘er. It were warm and the fire were warm and Caden were warm. Ever’thin’ were warm and it were real nice. “Not just yet,” she murmured, ‘cause it were real nice ta just sit here with Caden, even if she were fightin’ ta stay awake. Just a few more minutes.