“Even though my staff is typically not up for discussion, in this case, we are in agreement. I let Oren go yesterday after a confrontation at another site. Apparently, he made some very inappropriate comments to another person’s wife. He was told to leave town on the next stage, but that is not until tomorrow.”
“In that case, I will place the order with you shortly. I am also looking for a crew to build the home and barn. Can you recommend anyone? I will pay a fair wage, but would like to have the home finished before winter sets in.”
“You’re in luck, since we just finished supplying the last lumber on a big job which should leave several crews available. They may be able to start right away. Why don’t you stop by the lumber office later in the week and we can discuss this further?”
“How does Thursday sound? I have to bring a load of coal in for Harvey.”
“Thursday it is, and I look forward to working with you.”
I’ve just turned and I’m walking past the saloon when I hear a commotion inside. “You cheat … give me my money back!”The entire place seems to be in an uproar, and the next thing I know, a man is thrown out the door. He rolls across the ground, but not before he pulls the pistol strapped to his hip.
He fires wildly, shooting all around. I duck down and around the corner as bullets fly amok. People run in all directions as his crazed rants continue. The next thing I know, the man who had been thrown out the saloon door is suddenly facing down the Marshal.
“Put the gun down Lieber, don’t force me to do it for you!”
His eyes are crazy, and I can tell he’s not going to back down. He raises his gun, but not before the Marshal is forced to act. Two shots later, the Marshal is standing over the body, yelling out,
“Shows over folks, you all go on with your day, nothing else to see here.”
Standing, I come around the corner. My only thought is Lauren, and my eyes instantly find her, way too close, standing on the corner, her hand against her mouth, her eyes wide. Old man Harvey has his arm around her as she stares down at the man on the ground, her former abuser … Oren.
Crossing the street quickly, I pull her into my arms. She isn’t crying, but she does clutch me tight. “You with me, Little Mouse?”
“I heard shots, recognized the voice … was terrified it was you he was screaming at. I remember Harvey yelling my name, but I had to find you.”
Looking over her head at Harvey, he motions for us to come back into the store. Picking Lauren up, we walk back in and I sit her in a rocker he has on display while he pours her a cup of coffee. I bend down so that my face is right in front of her.
“Talk to me, Mouse.”
“He won’t hurt anyone else ever again.”
I can barely hear her soft words, but I swear I can see the years of abuse wash over her as she remembers them. “No honey, he won’t.”
Harvey is standing on the other side of her when she starts rocking back and forth in the chair. “You look good in this chair, Mrs. Hayes. You should make Grant take this one home for you.”
Lauren doesn’t say anything, just holds the cup in her hand while she rocks back and forth, completely wrapped up in her own thoughts. “Do you happen to have two?”
“Actually, I do, Grant. We also gathered a couple of crates of supplies while you were gone. Your little Missus strikes a hard bargain.”
Glancing out the window, I see them dragging Oren’s body out of the street. Taking my finger, I tilt her chin up so that she must look at me. “Little Mouse, you ready to head home?”
She shakes her head and smiles up at me sadly. “No, I’m fine, but thank you. I know we still have several things to do while we’re here in town.”
Thankfully, old man Harvey takes that as an opportunity to get her mind off what just happened, at least temporarily. “If you two would like to come with me into the back room, I just mighthave exactly what you’re looking for, Mrs. Hayes. I ordered this for another customer, but they never picked it up.”
I help Lauren get up before heading into the storeroom with Harvey.
“This stove is the newest thing on the market, an Oberlin. It has some handy features, such as a warming oven and a damper to help regulate the heat. These broiling plates work well with the cast-iron pots most of us use daily. It will run off wood or coal as well. I thought that was a nice feature, especially since you have coal readily available on your homestead.”
Lauren running her fingers across the enamel with pure awe on her features, makes me determined to purchase it. “How much is it?”
“Twenty-six dollars. But that comes with delivery and set up too.”
“We’ll take it! When can you deliver it to the cabin?”
“Tomorrow, midday. I already have another delivery scheduled for early morning.”
“We will have the space cleared and ready for it.”
