Many thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr for their photo prompt, THE UNICORN CHALLENGE.  03/28/25). No more than 250 words in length. [For those interested, a background flash, part of the Lula stories, is found here: https://valleyofthetrolls.blog/2024/10/02/mark-of-the-mountain-lion/ ]

Like most of the girls that found their way to Lula’s Saloon, Tucker found a way to fit in, using her own special gifts and learning other invaluable skills. All accepted Lula’s rules of community, or moved on.

Still tiny, even after a decade’s growth, Tucker was strong and fast, silent but deadly. She stepped in to help but backed off when not needed, never asked for thanks but received them with full-eyed gratitude. The other girls understood. All had their own histories.

An eye-patch was needed? Angel provided. Simple shifts, breeches with deep pockets? Ornate working girl dresses were altered. Piano player Carlo shaped Tucker’s one-eyed vision and acute sense of tone into a piano-tuner’s expertise. Even Roughneck Amy found a companion spirit in Tucker’s fierce soul; when they fought, both felt healed by the expressed conflict.

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Lula slid another shot of whiskey down the bar into the meaty hand of a man with an astonishing handlebar mustache. Beyond, Tucker jumped as a piano wire snapped, a result of her too sudden, too strong pliers twist.

Carlo placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. “It’s fine. Take a break, kid.”

Tucker slapped her head hard, and again, knocking off her eye-patch. “Something coming. Cougar claw. He-e-e-ere!”

Lula eyed the dregs in the whiskey bottle. If Cougar was coming, Tucker would know; she was never wrong about such things. She upended and drained the bottle, then smashed the its top against the bar rail.

The saloon doors burst open.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2025)