Winnter Takes It All by R. Cooper

Winner Takes It All by R. Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story was an unexpected pleasure for me. Based in a setting which I'm not usually inclined to read...historical western...it was amazingly well-written.

This is a short story that uses that fact to its full advantage; in fact, the author seems to revel in the short story aspect. We get a glimpse at the relationship between these two characters, a rugged, cowboy lawman and a cultured, drifting gambler. They come from two different worlds, and yet have similarities that seem both shocking and not to the main character, Morgan. He is a man truly at war, both with his own desires and his need for a place in the world, a need to fit it but be happy.

I like how he's conflicted with Dixon...he sees him as both a threat and a promise. He's a threat to the life he's built, the place that he's made into a home and that has allowed him to finally settle down. He also sees the man as a chance to fill another void, one that has always seemed to torment him...his loneliness. He's conscious of the fact that Dixon is a man, but seems to have gotten past that by the time of the story (well, mostly).

I also like that we end before anything truly happens. We don't see the sex, or even what becomes of their relationship. There are a lot of unanswered questions; is this a one-time sexual encounter, or the start of something more long-term and committed (it seems to imply the latter)? Is Dixon going to give up his own wandering ways and settle down with Morgan (a risky prospect)? Is Morgan, rather, going to leave the life he's built and resume wandering with Dixon (maybe more attractive idea)? Or are they going to scratch out something in between, with Dixon still wandering and gambling about, and returning frequently to Morgan's side?

I can see how this last option would not be favorable to Morgan, who imagined in the course of the story, Dixon injured or dead...and it disturbed him greatly. Now that they have consummated their desire, I think he would either try to persuade Dixon to stay with him somehow, or offer to travel with him. He would make a good protector for the gambler, even though he may not need one...he can be the visual distraction of a guard, allowing Dixon to defend himself as the ace-in-the-hole if needed. Staying in town would be harder to manage, as their companionship would be noticed, and talked about, by the residents of the town...even if Dixon chose to retire from gambling.

All in all, I like the possibilities this story presents, and the writing is superb...it gives a real sense of the torture Morgan is going through, and how he feels for Dixon. My only niggle is that we don't get to see or know much of Dixon, except through Morgan's memories. Their interaction is really short...only about a third of the story is actually them talking and teasing, and the rest is setup and Morgan's memories. I would have liked to see more of him, as well as get a better idea for where they may be heading, relationship-wise.

Strongly recommended, even for those who don't care for historicals.

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