He got a few waves of greeting as he passed by the stores on the wooden decks supported by thick square-shaped posts. He passed the general store, Jim’s Fine Jewelery, Darryl & Son’s Crafted Cabinetry, but he stopped at Healy’s Barber Shop.
The door’s bell jingled as Daniel entered the barbershop and hung his coat on a wall-mounted coat rack in need of a new coat of paint. He was greeted by Michael Healy, a local who grew up in Cheyenne. He’d learned the trade from his father, which had been passed down through generations of Healys.
“Come sit, right here, Doc.” Michael said, his booming voice full of enthusiasm, “This chair is the first of more fine chairs headed here by freighter.”
Daniel tilted his head and scrutinized the chair. At first glance, he didn’t notice much difference from the others. Then again, he hadn’t been to the barber in a while. He usually just shaved and trimmed his hair at home. Abad cutasElizabeth would say. The other chairs were typical wooden chairs, but this one had a brown leather seat and headrest along with a footrest.
“This is a Koken recliner, one of the finest barber chairs on the market today,” Michael grinned with pride, stroking his well-shaped gray beard. “What’ll it be today, Doc?”
“Just a clean shave and see what you can do with this curly mess on top,” Daniel chuckled as he sat on the recliner. “Make sure it’s a close cut. That way I don’t have to come back too soon—not that I don’t like seeing you, Healy,” he joshed.
Michael roared with laughter and pulled on a lever that shifted the chair downward into a horizontal position. The sudden change took Daniel by surprise, and he could barely see his face in the framed Victorian mirror in front of him. To his right were a cast iron adjustable stand holding the shaving blades and a leather strap. Three old chestnut desks with drawers sat to the right of three mirrors, surrounding individual barber chairs to create a sense of privacy. Only two of the four suspended lampshade-style gaslights were working. The walls were covered by cupboards, and shelves, all holding jars and bottles of various types of hair products.
“Nice one, Doc,” Michael said as he placed a crisp white cover that smelled like after shave over Daniel’s front and began chattering as he clipped away at Daniel’s unruly mop.
***
The Healys boasted on their grooming talents and as a strictly family business, they didn’t hireoutsiders. With a fresh haircut and after a few drinks at the Old Gem Saloon, Daniel headed home feeling like a new man. He gave Spark an apple in apology for taking so long and happily trotted home to the ranch.
Daniel knew the landscape so well he didn’t admire its beauty. Instead, he thought about Ruth and whether it had been a good idea to leave her alone with Matthew. They were going to be living under the same roof while she looked after his son, so there was no way he could avoid her. He’d have to speak to her at some point, but he was tongue-tied at the thought of conversing with someone he barely knew. From his experience, he knew that children had a good sense of people and if Matthew accepted Ruth, then maybe he should, too.
Lord, Daniel thought, why are you doing this to me?He shook his head and felt the old despair. Was God trying to torture him? Hadn’t he been through enough?
He wasn’t ready to have a woman in the house, but he felt drawn to Ruth. Perhaps he should send her to stay in one of the single outbuildings or build another cabin. But, what of Matthew? He needed his nursemaid close to him. Daniel felt his emotions turbulent within him but had no idea what to do.
When he finally reached the ranch, he thought he’d come to the right decision. He’d move Ruth into one of the outbuildings until he could build a cabin for her, as he had done for Elizabeth, and he would look after Matthew at night. That sounded like a good solution.
As he dismounted, he heard high-pitched whistles and a dog barking. Daniel grinned and turned to see Jimmy, followed by an excited, panting border collie sauntering sauntering toward him.
“Coyte,” Daniel bent down, and she licked his face, her tail wagging in excitement. “I haven’t seen you in a while,” he crooned and patted her on the head.
“Thanks for keeping an eye on her for me,” Daniel said and watched as she sat at Jimmy’s command. Her tail swept the dirt, ears alert, panting and waiting as if expecting something good.
“It’s not a problem,” Jimmy said with a crooked smile. “She’s a sweet ole girl, but she’s been lazy, hiding out in the dog trot. I suppose these days have been on the warm side. It’s nice and cool there. If it were me, I’d hide in the dog trot too.”
Both men laughed.
“Here’s your treat, girl.” Jimmy took a piece of dried meat and threw it over to her. Immediately, Coyte stood, caught her treat and returned to a seated position, poised for another.
“Ah, no, girl,” Jimmy ruffled the top of her head. “We need to round ourselves up some horses in the field. For an old lass, she’s still got spunk.” With a quick nod, Jimmy turned and Coyte followed close behind him.
“Later, Daniel,” Jimmy tipped his hat and nodded.
Daniel felt as if someone was watching him and looked up at the house. He thought he saw Ruth’s face at one of the second floor windows. He felt a flush of embarrassment and realized she must’ve been looking out the window and seen everything. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but he felt awkward, strange; she made him feel like he’d forgotten something he should remember. He removed the saddle, relieved Spark of his riding gear, and led him to the corral.
Elizabeth heard Daniel coming up the steps and came to the door to greet him.
“Good afternoon,” she stopped short, and a smile crossed her face. “Now that’s a real nice change, Daniel. You’re looking quite the gentleman now; I approve,” she said, smiling broadly.
“Yep, I figured a visit to Healy’s barbershop was long overdue.” Daniel lifted his nose in the air and sniffed. “Is that pie or is my nose playing tricks on me?”
Elizabeth laughed; she knew better than anyone how to get Daniel’s mood up to par. Typically apple pie did the trick.
“I’ll look forward to it,” he grinned and took off his hat, placing it on the wooden coat rack. No one made apple pie like Elizabeth. “I need to speak to Ruth before I go help Jimmy. Is she upstairs?”
Although he already knew the answer, he waited for Elizabeth to answer.
“Yes, she just brought Matthew inside from playing out back. It’s his naptime.”
