This is one of those stories based on fact. Bar room liaisons like this were pretty common in the northwest. The names have been changed to protect the guilty.
*
Gabe Wilson put his tool belt in the locker. Thank god the shift was over. Being a master carpenter wasn't easy, but the money was really good. He had been a carpenter all his working life, becoming a journeyman at eighteen. Now at twenty five he was a master carpenter. There was damned little he couldn't do with wood.
Gabe was a big man. He had sandy brown hair cut short and pale grey eyes. He stood six foot five inches and he weighed around two hundred forty pounds. He owned a house in the Spokane Valley. He was a younger reflection of his dad who had also been a carpenter until his untimely demise in a car wreck. His mother still lived in Spokane. Gabe took care of her needs and didn't let her want for anything.
Gabe liked working out of town and Libby was about as far out of town as he wanted to go. He jumped into his four wheel drive Chevy truck and headed for the motel. It was Wednesday. He didn't have to be back in Spokane until Friday night. He stripped off his work clothes and took a long easy shower. He got dressed and headed for the restaurant.
He ordered a T-bone, rare and a chocolate malt. After the meal, he wandered into the bar in the back of the joint. He surveyed the customers. It was still a bit early for any action, so he drove out to the river and watched the fishermen for an hour or so. Daytime entertainment was hard to come by out here in western Montana.
The sun was setting when he drove back into town. He stopped at the Silver Dollar Inn and had a beer. There wasn't much happening there, so he drove out to the Green Lantern Bar just outside of town.
When he walked in the door, the band was just setting up. He waved to them and they waved back. It didn't take long to make friends here. He had gotten to know some of the band members the first night he came in. It was also very easy to become acquainted with the local girls. One of the local honeys was sitting at the bar, so he sidled up to her and sat down.
"Hi Gabe."
"Hi Suzie, are you up for some action?"
"Sorry Gabe. I'm on a losing streak."
"I don't mind if you don't mind."
"Eww, it hurts when I'm on the rag. Try me next week."
"Okay babe, no problem."
Just as he was about to leave for the next honky tonk, a new girl he hadn't seen before stepped through the door. She was about five foot one, maybe one twenty or so. She wasn't drop dead gorgeous, but she was very pretty. She had nice, round tits and a definite flare to her hips. Mousy brown hair and big brown eyes completed the package.
Gabe waited until the bartender carded her. He strolled over to her and said, "Buy you a drink, honey?"
"Okay."
"What's your name?"
"Jennifer Wells."
Gabe ordered the drinks and brought them back to the table. He looked her over carefully. She had a small scar on her forehead and her nose was a little crooked. He knew she'd been rode hard and put away wet.
"What brings you out here?" he asked.
"I'm running from my old man, David. He's mean when he's drunk and he's drunk right now."
"Did he hit you?"
"Not tonight, I got away before he could. I'm not going back."
"You just stay with me, sugar and I'll keep you safe. Do you want to dance?"
She got up and held out her arms. He stepped into them and crushed her tits against his chest. She smiled.
"I guess that means you like my titties, huh?"
"They're big and soft. What's not to like?" He whirled her across the floor.
They had been dancing and drinking for about an hour when the door banged open and a big, mean looking guy stepped in. "So, there you are, you goddamned whore! Get your ass in the car. You're goin' home and you're gonna pay!"
"Is that your old man?" Gabe asked.
"Yeah."
"Do you want to go with him?"
"Definitely not."
Gabe stood up as the big guy approached the table. "Out of my way," the guy roared.
"You ain't hurtin' the lady," Gabe replied.
"She's my wife and I'll do what I want. This is none of your goddamned business. Get out of my way before I kick your ass."
"You're kind of a mean asshole. Do you only hit women? Let's see how you do with a man!"
The guy took a big roundhouse swing at Gabe. Gabe easily sidestepped it and sunk a big fist into the guy's gut. A hard left hooked ended the debate. When the guy started to come around, Gabe leaned down and said softly, "Get your stupid, woman beating ass out of here before you make me mad." The squeal of tires on asphalt signaled the bully's departure.
"He'll just get me tomorrow," Jennifer cried.
"Naw, you come and stay with me and you can get rid of that piece of shit later." He stood up and offered her his arm.
She held on to him all the way out to his car. They got in and he drove to the motel.
"I thought you had a house," she said.
"I do, but it's in Spokane."
"When are you going home?"
"Friday night. Do you want to come along?"
"I may as well. There isn't anything left for me here."
"Does your old man work?"
"Yeah, he works up at the dam. He'll be gone all day tomorrow. Can we get my stuff then?"
"Sure thing, darlin'. Now why don't you get your pretty little butt in the shower? Are you hungry?"
"Yup. It's kind of late though."
"I've got a hotplate. I'll just warm up something for you while you warm up something for me."
"You've got a deal, cowboy!" she giggled as she headed for the shower.
Gabe warmed up some pork and beans and fried a little spam. He got a coke out and opened it just as she stepped from the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her.
"Mmm, spam steaks, my favorite." She commented and sat down on the bed to eat. "I don't want you to think I'm just one of those honky tonk girls."