Chapter 2: Hardware

Andy had left the hotel too early in the morning to suit Nora. Not that she was one for lazing around, but he was up and out before the sun had barely risen. She rose sometime later, still taking to the streets for her shopping before the main rabble had woken from their drunken hazes.

She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the foul smell greeting her when the wind blew. The morning's wind wiped straight through the gulch, coming from Chinamen's alley, bringing with it the exceptionally pungent odor of pig shit. And as Nora dodged another pile of what looked to be human waste, she knew it would take a hell of a lot to get used to this town.

But she felt up to the challenge. She'd almost been ready for a change back in Virginia, and this certainly counted. She stopped before a rickety tent, a banner strewn across reading 'Miner's Supplies.'

"Mornin' ma'am," a gangly, nearly toothless man hobbled out of the tent, a surprised look across his weathered face, "ya lookin' fer sumthun'?"

"Um, yes," she said, walking a little closer, "soap." The man almost looked puzzled.

"Um…we're miners ma'am…we ain't really gots no need fer soap."

"My mistake." She said politely, nodding her head, trying not to laugh. Maybe she was on a fool's errand. She continued on past, the man having disappeared into the dusty tent just as quickly as he'd come forward. She tried not to notice the lusty looks, but acknowledge the men who smiled and tipped their hats as she walked down the street. She couldn't help but feel so out of place.

The sign on the next tent down read 'Star and Bullock Hardware.' Might be another worthless attempt, but there had to be some soap in this camp somewhere.

"Morning." The stiff man with the walk from yesterday stood at the back, tipping his head in polite greeting.

"Good morning." She said warmly as she perused the nearest table, and of course it was all mining tools. A smart business move. She looked back upat him,taking notice that he was somewhat handsome. He looked up, meeting her eyes almost curiously. "I saw you yesterday," she started, not sure why she'd said it, "from the hotel window."

"S'that so?"

"You looked to walk with a dead arm and a purpose." She moved around the table, as he narrowed his steely brown eyes.

"And what purpose would that be?" She leveled her crystalline blue eyes to his.

"Afraid only you can know that." He found himself impressed by the confidence with which she held his gaze. Stronger men had faltered before it, usually because they were lying.

"Seth Bullock." He tipped his head politely.

"Nora Hunt." She tipped her head in return, smiling softly before continuing her browsing.

"Your husband here to prospect?" He asked, for lack of anything better to say.

"No husband anymore. Died of pneumonia," she said disinterestedly, inspecting a wash pan, "I came west with my brother."

"Elder? Younger?"

"Twin." Seth's eyebrows raised in surprise amusement, a slight lift coming to the corners of his mouth. "Surprise you does it?"

"No," he couldn't help but be proud of guessing them related, "you two must be exceptionally close to have come all the way out here with him. Where were you before?"

"Richmond Virginia. War took away all that remained of the family and its fortune, so we packed and left when our parents died."

"Hoping to find a replacement for your lost fortune?" She picked a few spools of various heavy threads.

"Don't know what my brother aims to do. As for myself," she walked over towards him, "I'm ready to make my purchases Mr. Bullock."

"Just the thread?"

"And a few bars of soap," she said, eyeing the soap almost gladly, "as well as two of your large tubs." Seth moved around another table, pulling two large tin tubs down from a table.

"You planning on starting a business?"

"Well seems to be a pretty lucrative market. Sure seems to be a need for a laundress-seamstress of sorts."

"I'm sure you'll do well for yourself. Sounds as though as you're planning to stay."

"Long as we're able."

"Where'll you'll be living? Surely not paying Farnum's rates through your stay."

"How'd you know we're staying at Farnum's?" Her voice took on a curious tone as her eyes narrowed warily.

"I saw you yesterday as well. You and your brother had just pulled into camp." She seemed to visibly relax a little, and a small smile came to her striking face.

"Well then it seems a good thing we met," her smile widened for the briefest of seconds, "how much do I owe you."

"15."

"15? For everything?" She looked up at him skeptically. "Forgive me, but those tubs must be at least ten each."

"That they are ma'am," a second man suddenly entered the tent, "Sol Star."

"Nora Hunt," she said warmly before turning to Bullock, "never mind how much it costs now. Andy'll be by in a bit for supplies himself. You'll know him—he bears a striking resemblance to me," Seth couldn't help but chuckle silently, "if you'll add it all to his bill, I'd much appreciate it."

"Sure thing Ms. Hunt."

"Nora." She said quietly, suddenly.

"Nora." He nodded in understanding.

"Good day gentlemen. Nice to meet you both."

xxxxxxx

"Who the hell is that?" Swearengen fixed his beady eyes on the woman who just walked out of the hardware men's tent. "Saw her yesterday too…."

"Who Al?" Farnum asked, coming to stand alongside him on the balcony.

"Her." Al nodded down to her, and Farnum's eyes followed, a smile coming to his face.

"Nora Hunt. Her twin brother and her justpulled into camp yesterday."

"Prospecting?"

"Didn't seem too enthused about the idea. They're stayin' with me, I can sure find out what they really intend for ya Al."

"Yeah, do that," Al said, his eyes never leaving the tall, slender woman in the plain gray skirt and white shirt, "Nora Hunt…."