Chapter 7 – Wishin' and Hopin' and Waitin' and Prayin'

So I got myself down to The Gazette offices and placed an ad for a bartender. I sent a telegram to Claytonville and placed an ad in their paper, too. Just in case. I was hopin' that Logan had somebody that might be willin' to move to Little Bend. I couldn't promise them the position of head bartender, but I could promise a full-time job.

I went back to the saloon and worked on paperwork for the B Bar M. How could there be so much in just one day? But there was, and it kept me busy thru lunch and on into late afternoon. Logan had come in and ducked his head in the office to let me know he was there. I finally finished an hour later and went out to the bar to see what kind of sandwiches Lidia left today for her delivery from the bakery. I snagged a chicken sandwich on some kind of roll and got a cup of coffee from Doralice to go with it. I took 'em both back to the office and started on the bank deposit for the saloon. Logan picked it up about an hour later and took it to the bank. I was worn out but had the rest of the saloon work to do.

I struggled on all evening, taking one break to come out and get some more coffee. Doralice had a whole flock of admirer's hangin' out at the bar and Logan was keeping a close eye on them. My wife told me there was one man who wanted to apply for the bartender job, but he'd never done that kind of work before. The ad in the paper specifically stated that I required an experienced bartender. I talked to Logan briefly, but he hadn't heard back yet from the person he wired.

I went back to workin' on the weekly reports for Maude, who would be lookin' over 'em since I was preparin' 'em. Before I knew it Doralice was standing in my office doorway. "Bart, honey, it's time to close up."

"Huh? Already?" I pulled out my watch and looked at it. Three o'clock in the morning! Where had the day gone? "I'm comin'." We closed up and I locked the doors. I was so tired I asked Doralice to drive home. I could only hope that tomorrow would be better than today.

But it wasn't. For one thing, we hadn't cleaned up last night. Tables had to be moved, chairs rearranged, and dirty glasses had to be washed. By the time we opened I was already exhausted, and I hadn't even started the day's work yet. So I tried something different today. I did the saloons work first. That seemed to work a little better, and I had everything done, including the bank deposit, by the time Logan got there at three. The work for the ranch was light and I sent Doralice home at six o'clock. She looked completely worn out.

I took off my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and stepped behind the bar. Of course we had a big night, or maybe it just seemed that way. By closing time the only thing holdin' me up was all the coffee I'd had to drink.

"How you gonna get home, Bart?" Logan asked me. I hadn't given it a thought. "I've got a wagon I can hitch a team to, if you don't mind waitin' a few minutes."

"Naw, that's alright with me. I'll just lock up and sit on the bench outside."

"I'll be back soon as I can." That was the last thing I remember until Logan was shakin' me awake. I'd fallen' asleep on the bench that leaned up against the building. "Bart, Bart, wake up." I started to jump to my feet and grab my gun when I heard him say, "Boss, it's me, Logan."

"Sorry, Logan, I fell asleep."

"Bart, why don't you give me the keys and I'll open up at noon. You can stay home and get some rest."

"Thanks, but I'm alright. But if you can come in at noon I can let Doralice go home."

"Alright, boss, whatever you want."

Logan drove me home, and I had to stay awake; he didn't know where he was goin'. By the time we got there I could barely keep my eyes open, and I kinda staggered into the house. Doralice was in bed asleep and I got undressed as quietly as I could. I lay down beside her and before you could say 'Bart Maverick' I was asleep, too.

The next morning Doralice tried to get up without waking me, but it didn't work. As soon as she moved out of my arms my eyes were open. "Tryin' to sneak off without me, huh?"

"You need more sleep. I know what time it was when you came home. You can't keep goin' like this, Bart."

"I don't see any way around it, babe. Until we get a bartender I've got no choice. Logan's comin' in at noon and you're comin' home. You drive the buggy in today and I'll ride Baron. That way we can both get home."

"But I . . . "

"No but's about it. You need rest." I had that tone in my voice that told her not to argue.

"Can't Lucien do any of the ranch work? Or Maudie?"

"Maudie is already doin' some of the work, but I suppose I could give her more. Lucien is capable, but not trained. And I don't have time to train him."

"Can Bret do any of the work?" Doralice was tryin' her best to find a way out for me.

"Same as Lucien. Capable but not trained."

She had one more trick up her sleeve. "What about Mama doin' it again, just until you can get a bartender?"

"Babe, I appreciate the suggestion, but your mama can't do the work anymore. She's gotten too old, and her eyesight's too bad." While we were havin' this conversation I was shavin' and gettin' dressed. I didn't feel as bad as I did yesterday; of course, who knew how long that would last. Especially with me tryin' to do ranch work when I wasn't busy at the bar. But I was determined that Doralice get some rest today. I'd almost lost her once when Tim was born, and I had no intention of ever gettin' that close again. No matter the price I had to pay.

"Stubborn. You're just stubborn." And just to emphasize her meaning, she stamped her foot. As if I wouldn't know she was talkin' about me.

"Yes, ma'am, that I am. I should think you'd be used to it by now."

"Sometimes you're just . . . just . . . "

"What, pig-headed? Stubborn as a mule? Impossible to get along with? Yes I am, all those things. And you love me anyway. So until the day I collapse with exhaustion we're gonna do this my way. And that means you drive the buggy in and I ride Baron, and when Logan comes in at noon, you're comin' home. I won't have you so tired that you drop from exhaustion. You're too important to me to risk your health. Understand?"

"And what about you, and your health? What am I supposed to do while I watch you run yourself into the ground? The very things you're accusing me of doin', you're doin' to yourself."

I tied my tie and slipped my coat on, not answering her. "Come on, we're gonna be late. I'm not arguin' with you about this again."

I went out to the barn and hitched the horses up to the buggy while Lucien saddled Baron for me. Then I rode Baron up to the house and Lucien brought the buggy. Doralice climbed in and took the reins, then flicked the horses with the whip and took off like the devil himself was chasin' her. Needless to say, there was no exchange of pleasantries on the way to the saloon. Once we got inside she offered me a bargain. "I'll go home at noon if you'll promise to be home by midnight."

"Alright, I can do that."

"You promise me?""

"I promise." And I fully intended to keep my promise. I really did. And there was a very good reason I didn't. I was talkin' to a potential bartender.