The small bustling town had been amuck in the early morning! The young heiress to the Burrett estate and fortune was in the irritating heat that came down every weary travelers' backside and seemingly roasted their skin to a ruby shade of embarrassment for those of the fairer skin. Thankfully, the traditional curls were picked up in an orderly fashion and a cool large shadow casted over her face due to sporting an obnoxiously wide white hat. Ruger had been at her heels and barking ecstatically at passing folks that greeted with a simple "Morning," or the rather personal touch added, "Morning, Dorothy," or "Morning, Miss. Burrett to his master. "Good tidings," a small quaint chime escaped her lips as she dipped her head and at those walking by the duo. Large wagons came in with their heavy steeds throttling on in hopes of getting to Oregon and claiming a dip of the new Western or even to California to discover the new prospects of the assembled state.
"Ruger, honestly, the whole town seems to be getting ready for a sandstorm!" Dorothy laughed as she slid off her hat and lightly fanned herself for the breeze to give some temporary euphoria. Ruger's tail wagged and he barked, padding around her. The dog's head snapped upward, his nostrils flaring. He caught a scent as Dorothy could see and his nose buried in the ground and left a slobbery trail for her to follow. "Honestly, boy? You need to track down everything?" Ruger's head snapped up. He barked several times while spinning on the spot. Dorothy could only scratch the back of her head and wrinkle her nose at this peculiar but familiar happening. The dog charged on without her! His master rolled her eyes and slightly kicked her boot heel into the ground and acted as her companion's lackey for once.
Brown eyes wondered throughout the small section where the inns and pubs were neighbors or even story's above or below another. Horses lined up at their troughs nickered and neighed as there was fresh hay and drinking water were replenished for the true settlers and carriers to the explorers of the West. solo riders eyed in suspicion through the murky window at her passing but she kindly tipped her hat and went by. Until, a husky voice bellowed, "Miss. Dorothy," with an Georgian accent only ripening in sweetness like peaches ready to be forged.
A larger man with a black vest and a white apron tied to his bulging stomach stuck his head through the farthest left window at the "Silvery Injun" where the bar station was located. A gingerly smile rekindled social need for her as she picked the ends of her khaki skirts and walked over to the wooden porch that thankfully had a hanging roof with boots tied to the roof by their shoelaces. The sight was so common that residents of the area heed no attention, not even did the owner publicly complained about this deed of mischievousness.
"Mr. Jenkins!" She excitedly called out. Mr. Jenkins, the bartender, nodded his head and held out a sweaty hand. Her brows furrowed together as she glanced at the palms and back at his face out of respect. Quickly but efficiently, she began to peel back one silk glove. Not once did she look away to the scenery but the shifts of vision came and went from the man. Still, she hadn't noticed his lips quivering and his face slightly reddening much like the bricks that made her home stand.
'Bwahaha! Missus, you know you mustn't need to do that!" The bartender laughed. Dorothy shook her head, giving a cool sigh. but a soft chuckle escaped from her. "It's a bit hard teaching an old dog new tricks," she admitted while gently sliding the glove back onto her hand. Shortly, Ruger came running back and yipping happily.