Wilbur Jonas waited patiently for Nathan Burke to re-calibrate his weigh scale. Burke regularly maintained the apparatus for Jonas as part of an agreement between the two men.
The widowed Beth Miller waited even more patiently behind the store owner. Finally she spoke. "Seems just about ever time I come in here you have Burke looking at that thing. Why don't you just buy a new one?"
Jonas looked over his shoulder and smiled. "This one works just fine Mrs Miller. Just needs adjusting, just like a new one would."
She huffed lightly at the brush off Jonas just delivered in a very gentlemanly way. He turned back to watch Burke finish with the scale. Burke had a small smile on his face noting what Jonas had just said, to which Jonas smirked.
Widow Miller was often a handful. A temperance woman right to the core. Many times she locked horns with Kitty about the Long Branch and the "scum it created" in the streets of Dodge.
Burke finished and paced his little tools into a roll of cloth to protect them. As he stepped passed Widow Miller, he stopped. "Say, how's Festus doing with that fence of yours?" He asked abruptly.
Beth Miller gasped at his approach. "You men are all so uncivil!"
Burke looked back to Jonas who could only shrug.
"I was just asking! I mean he was hurt and all." Burke got frustrated with Mrs Miller.
"He's just fine. That is, if he could keep his mind on things." She answered gruffly and with her nose now in the air she waltzed passed Burke toward Jonas' counter for her order.
Burke made a sour face and snorted before leaving the store. "I'm sure glad I never married, if that is what women are like..."
His voice was loud enough that widow Miller heard him. Her eyes scowled and she wanted to burn holes in the back of his head. "Nathan Burke will get a letter from me...you can be sure of that." She talked gruffly to Wilbur Jonas who wanted nothing more than to run from the widow scorned.
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Burke headed toward the Long Branch, purely out of spite. He didn't really want a drink, but widow Miller miffed him enough that he now felt like he wanted one. As he stepped up onto the broadwalk at front of the saloon, he was met by Doc and Matt.
Doc looked at the freight clerk like he had somehow transformed into a human form. "Burke. You okay?"
Burke was flustered. "That widow Miller and her self righteousness! Why, Doc...she could drive a man to drink!"
Matt chuckled and bid his farewell leaving Doc and Burke standing outside the saloon. "Come on Burke. I'll buy you a beer."
Burke's jaw almost fell open. "Why...thanks Doc..." He was now wondering if the doctor was feeling well as the two men entered the saloon.
"Kitty. Two beers please." Doc ordered from the end of the bar.
"Are your sure Doc? I mean you haven't bought me a drink in years." Burke couldn't believe what was transforming.
"Yes. And don't get your hopes up! This is a one time offer." Doc barked back. "Now drink your beer."
