The Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 6: The softer side of MR. Wayne
2pm Carters General Store: Jonathon walked into a hive of activity filled with families and older couples shopping. The store owned by Jacob Carter looked like the place to be on a Sunday afternoon. Kids at the checkout counter eyed candy filled jars while others pointed at dime novels and toys. He remembered how much fun his wife and son had just looking around while talking to neighbors. Had it not been for a friend in need he'd stayed on the hunt avoiding such memories. True friends are hard to come by these days so here he was staring at his past, a past of happiness and joy.
"Thank you Samantha, this material will make lovely dresses." Miss Martian said happy with her purchase. "You're welcome ma'am; I look forward to seeing the finished product." She always made the best dresses in town of which she owned a few. They had a section just for her unique dress designs that sold well. "You'll be the first to see them my dear, have a blessed day." The older lady replied walking out the door past Mr. Wayne as he tipped his hat to her.
Miss Carter noticed the bounty hunter choosing to ignore him. He let her win on purpose leading to an argument with her beau. She walked Pete to Doctor Frasier's office where he was checked out. That's when Pete went off about 'winning' his gun back by arm wrestling. Pete complained it made him look weak. She had thought Pete would be grateful about having it back quickly instead of walking to his office. Samantha got the feeling he wanted to hit her like Jonas did once. She didn't cower back standing her ground making him even madder. Pete left shortly after being given a clean bill of health besides the black eye and bruised man hood. Samantha wanted to blame Mr. Wayne but couldn't because he wasn't the one who yelled at her.
Jonathon felt Samantha looking at him from the counter. She had changed into a royal blue dress that fit her nicely. Her blonde hair was tied into a pony tail only increasing her beauty in his opinion. Jonathon tipped his worn out Stetson going over to look at their selection of shirts and Levis. The few pair he had left weren't fit to wear anymore. His shirts weren't much better along with his long underwear.
Samantha kept an eye the bounty hunter for she was still leery of him. She also wondered if her dad was correct about miss judging the man. Mr. Wayne hadn't done anything wrong other than baiting Pete. Samantha wanted to know more about the man for some reason, he was an enigma to her currently.
She helped various costumers while an eye keeping on Mr. Wayne. Valla ran the counter enjoying talking to everyone. Samantha glanced at the main entrance from her spot when Cassandra Frasier walked in. She had on a yellow floral dress on with her blondish brown hair in twin pony tails and was looking around the store intently for someone. Samantha wondered why the 8 year old was out by herself. Cassandra never ventured out without her mother or soon to be step-father, Daniel Jackson. The child was timid around most everyone except for a select few. Janet wouldn't explain what happened to her adoptive daughter only saying it's complicated.
Samantha put down the shirt she had folded 4 times already while observing both the bounty hunter and young girl. She was about to approach Cassandra when she smiled big then bolted towards the men's wear section where the bounty hunter was. "Uncle Jon! You found us!" the little girl said with joy. The outburst caught everyone in the store totally off guard. How did Cassie know Mr. Wayne and why wasn't she afraid of him.
The short time Mr. Wayne had been in town most everybody knew who he was. They even heard about what happened in the diner and Kings Bar. People either wanted a glimpse of the infamous bounty hunter or avoid him out of fear. Mr. Wayne turned around bending down on one knee allowing Cassie to embrace him in a hug. Samantha almost fell over at the sight like others who witnessed the hard man turn soft.
"Little one..!" he answered hugging the young girl back with a smile. "I knew you'd come. Momma didn't think you'd get my letter in time." Cassandra replied kissing his cheek. Mr. Wayne pushed her back a bit looking at her. "If missed your birthday Cassie Janet would track me down with a frying pan." He answered making the little girl giggle. "Mom sent me to get you Uncle Jon. She said you kept us waiting long enough." ...pausing to catch her breath. "Momma also told me to tell you to behave. What did momma mean by that?" Cassie asked with curious eye looking at her uncle. "That means I got to be good or she'll stand me in a corner." Mr. Wayne answered making the little girl giggle again. "I hate standing in corners, it's no fun." She replied speaking the crossed her arms. "Tell you what little one, how about you help me pick out some new clothes. Then we can go see your momma." Cassie nodded all too happy to help her uncle. Unbeknownst to Mr. Wayne and Cassie three people in particular were paying close attention to their interactions.
Samantha noticed Mr. Wayne had finished shopping with the help of Cassandra heading back to the checkout counter. She dropped the shirt on the stack leaving it unfolded and forgotten taking Valla's place. Valla almost protested at not being able to wait on the bounty hunter missing her chance to flirt with him. Valla had noticed Mr. Wayne and Samantha trading glances when the other wasn't looking. She could see Samantha ending it with Pete in favor of Mr. Wayne. Valla didn't like Pete; she got the feeling he wasn't being completely honest with her friend. Samantha's track record with men wasn't that great, not that hers was any better. She could read people like a book and these two where easy to read. Her beau, Cameron was different though. He just might be the one for her to settle down with and enjoy life.
"Did you find everything you were looking for Mr. Wayne?" Samantha asked smiling nicely for Cassandra's benefit, at least that what she told herself. He sat the clothing on the counter giving her a smile back. Jonathon couldn't help but look into Samantha's baby blues once again. His attention was pulled away by Cassie tugging on his shirt sleeve pointing at a Jar of 'Wunderle Chewy Gum Drops (A/N1). "Your mother might actually hit me with the frying pan if buy you candy little one." Jonathon said looking at the little girl missing the full blown smile Samantha gave him despite herself. "...but you love me Uncle Jon." Cassie replied giving him puppy dog eyes. He turned back to Samantha with a mock sigh. "Add a bag of gum drops for my niece." Jonathon said making the little girl jump with joy. "Don't worry Uncle Jon; I'll protect you from momma." Cassie answered smiling widely. "I'm going to hold you to that." He replied patting her head.
Samantha couldn't believe what she was seeing. The bounty hunter was somehow related to Janet Frasier, her best friend for one. Secondly he wasn't heartless as she thought. Lastly Mr. Wayne was definitely hiding something painful behind his chocolate brown eyes. The look he gave Cassandra gave her a look into his soul. Samantha chided herself for wanting to know more about the man but couldn't help it.
She rang up Mr. Wayne's order messing it up having to redo it because of her thoughts. "Sorry Mr. Wayne, your correct total is $25.45."(A/N2) Samantha told the bounty hunter watching him get his wallet out. Not wanting to end the conversation she spoke again. "You bought quite a bit Mr. Wayne. How long have you been on the trail if you don't mind me asking?" the man before thought for a second then answered. "...long enough to know better. A person could get lost out there admiring Gods handy work." He answered feeling another tug on his sleeve. "What is it little one?" Cassie put her hands to her hips giving him an 8 year olds version stare down. "You can flirt with Aunt Sam later Uncle Jon, Momma is waiting for us and I would like my candy please." She said not fully understanding what flirt meant. Cassie just repeated what she heard some adults said when men and women talked. "I wasn't flirting with...Here's your candy little one." Jonathon replied handing over the requested candy making the little girl happy, hopefully she'd forget about the flirting comment.
Samantha mentally slapped herself knowing full well they were flirting and Cassie called them out. "Can you have these delivered to my room at King's bar, room #9?" he asked getting a nod from Samantha. "Good day Mr. Wayne, I'll see you around town." She said handing him change back feeling a second electric shock of the day as they touched. "You do the same Miss Carter." Jonathon answered walking out with Cassandra picking her up presumably heading to Janet's. Cassandra looked not only happy but completely safe with Mr. Wayne, which had to count for something Samantha thought before helping the next customer.
Carters General Store Office (When Mr. Wayne arrived at entrance)
George Hammond and Jacob Carter sat in the office drinking bourbon while trying to figure out why Mr. Wayne was in town. They both served as major generals in the union army during the civil war commanding a division each. Between the two of them they should be able to figure out the man's reason for causing so much talk. "This bounty hunter may say he's here visiting a friend but I just can't believe that." Jacob stated looking at George from behind his desk. "I can't fully believe it either Jake. Mr. Wayne rides in before church starts and by 2:00 he's made his presence known. There's a definite reason for him being in town." George replied setting his glass down. Jake nodded in agreement filling both of their glasses with bourbon. "The fact Mr. Wayne knows who we are means he has an information source or sources." George added going over what was known about the man. "Then there's the fact he singled out Sheriff Shanahan right away making a fool of him in front of everyone." Jake said with a smile. Yeah he didn't approve of the guy but his daughter did unfortunately. "The man knows something about Pete, that's obvious." Jacob continued his thought drinking his bourbon. "Bounty hunters need to be on good terms with sheriffs. Mr. Wayne knocking out and taking Pete's gun was a statement, but to who, the rustlers or to Pete?" asked George while rubbing his chin in thought. "He went further insulting by using Pete's coffee as an ash tray then letting Samantha win the gun back." George said with a laugh, Mr. Wayne didn't hold back. That was for sure. Jacob laughed as well remembering Pete's reaction, one for the books he thought.
"Then there's what Mr. Wayne did to Ned in Kings Bar. He broke his nose and big toe. That wasn't necessarily a statement but it sent one." Jacob replied sitting back feeling a buzz after 4 drinks. "Maybourne even offered him a job running the floor. Do you suppose that was why Mr. Wayne came on strong like he did?" George asked trying to connect the dots. "Possibly but I doubt it. From what I've heard he's makes a couple thousand a month. That's unless he's wanting to lay low or looking for someone in town." Jake thought out loud. George snapped his fingers sitting up right. "The rustlers...he must be after them. Mr. Wayne took out Pete to make them think he's not after them." Jacob thought it over coming to the same conclusion. "Mr. Wayne makes an enemy of Sheriff Shanahan then takes the job with Maybourne. The rustlers will be cautious and wait but eventually make a mistake." Jacob added is thoughts to the theory. "Can it be that simple Jacob? We probably need to have a chat with the man." George replied then looked over his shoulder to sales floor not hearing the normal chatter.
"What is it George? Is something going on in the store." Jacob asked getting up going to the office door. The two men looked out seeing Cassandra Frasier hugging the bounty hunter lovingly. The scene made no sense at all. Cassie didn't trust easily sometimes taking months to have a short conversation. "Jake, I think figured out who Mr. Wayne is getting his information from." George said observing Cassandra pick out shirts for Mr. Wayne. The little girl would hold up a shirt then refold it putting it back. He was patient and supportive letting Cassandra take her time. "I'll go have a talk with Janet tonight. Hopefully she'll be willing give us insight on this bounty hunter." He answered turning his attention to Samantha. She would glance over at Mr. Wayne the look away folding the same shirt over again. This went on until Cassandra made her choices happily skipping over to the counter with Mr. Wayne in tow.
Samantha surprised both men by taking Valla's place in order to wait on Mr. Wayne. "Jake, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they are flirting with each other." George stated not believing his eyes. "You're not wrong George. I could use another drink, how about you?" Jake replied pouring two more drinks feeling a headache coming on. "...Pete's day's look to be numbered my friend." George stated wondering how this new development would turn out. "You say that like it's a bad thing George!" Jake answered hoping things would turn out for the good.
A/N1: Phillip Wunderle immigrated from Gernshiem, Germany in 1865 at 20 years of age. Phillip got his start in the candy business with Sundermeyer Candy Company (1867). In 1871 he started Wunderle Candy Company making both 'hard & chewy' gum drops. The company went on to introduce marshmallows and in 1888 'chicken corn aka candy corn.
A/N2: I searched the web for general store prices during the 1880s. The results I got were not satisfactory. Therefore I'm just going to make an educated 'guess' and go with it.
A/N3: My plan is to complete Mr. Jonathon Wayne's first day in Haven then speed things up from there. Haven is a fictional town from the movie 'Serenity' aka The Firefly TV series.
LoneWolfO'Niell