Molly Malone:
“Hope that breakfast was to your likin’ . . .” Molly stood out of his reach, commenting with just enough sugar and spice to her tone to keep him in his seat and happy. “Are you back for seconds?” she asked, smiling teasingly as she rested her hands on the curve of her hips while her green eyes watched him closely.
Battles couldn't help but smile at the redheads moxy. She was smart enough to fear him which was obvious by the way she stood her distance, but she had the backbone to ignore her fears and faced him head-on. Brains and guts was a hell of a combination. Not many men had both let alone a woman on her own in the west. Battles assumed she was on her own making her way or she wouldn't be working a saloon.
Before Battles could reply however a bit of bluster and commotion came through the door.
Battles was briefly embarrassed when his temper flared at the way the old man treated the young lady. Hadn't he treated the red-haired bartender much the same way earlier? There had been no malice in Battles' reaction earlier, just instinct, but had it been much different from the pure cruelty the old man was displaying toward the young lady who it seemed may be his daughter? She had called him "Daddy" and he had reacted violently to it.
Battles looked to the red-head as she answered the old man, and he smiled again as she told him in no uncertain terms that the owner of the saloon, a woman, would deal with him at her own convenience. Oh yes. The Irish lass had moxy to spare!
But the old man's crudeness didn't end with abusing his daughter...
Flossie McKenna:
"As I was sayin'," Robert said as he turned back to the maid, "What time might a business man expect the Lady t' be here? If there's enough time, I just might like some comp'ny," he finished with another leer at Molly's bust.
Battles didn't like the way the old man leered at the red-head. Not even a little bit. Before he knew it he had come out of his seat and walked right up to the old letch. The man instantly cowered away though and even Battles didn't have it in him to strike such a coward.
"Mister, you're making it hard for me to enjoy my breakfast. But I'm a peaceable man and I'd be all to happy to oblige your wish for company. I have a pack mule down the livery. That ol' pack mule ain't as likely to enjoy your company any more than the ladies here present, but he's less likely to stove your head in than I am right now! Now you make your apologies and GIT!!!"
The look in his eye was unmistakable, and Battles realized he was again being the hardass and was probably putting a scare into the women as well as the old man. Slowly his frame relaxed, but he didn't take his gaze from the old man for a second or two. Finally he looked at the young woman. Then he looked back to where the red-head stood at his table. Then back to the young blonde.
"My apologies." he said awkwardly, then slowly he returned to his table keeping his gaze lowered so as not to meet that of the red-head. He took his hat from the back of the chair he'd set it on and placed it on his head pulling it down to hide his eyes. But then he looked up to meet the red-heads gaze and said again, "
My apologies. I've been away from fit company for some time and I have no excuse. If you could point the Marshal toward the stables if you see him I'd very much appreciate it." Then bowing his head again he headed for the door again, but not before glaring at the old man one more time.