The Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 9: Dinner Guests
3:30pm: Sam stepped to the side as large group of kids aka 'The Wild Bunch' ran past her along with barking dogs. Cassie happened to be at tail end of the group stopping with her dog, Loki to catch her breath. "Hi Aunt Sam, do you like my new hat?" Cassie asked showing it to her. "...come on Cass, we're burning daylight!" a boy named James yelled. Loki barked at the boy then looked up at Cassandra wagging his tail happily. "Shut Jamie, I'm talking to my Aunt Sam." Sam stifled a laugh watching Cassandra mimic Janet placing hands on her hips. "Why yes I do Cassie, it's a well worn hat." Sam replied looking closer at the hat. "Come on Cassie, you can talk to her later. My Dad has the pony all saddled up and ready." Ry'ac said getting his friends attention. "Bye Aunt Sam, I'm coming Ray." She responded running up to the group. Loki took off after Cassie but not before Sam pat his head a few times tail wagging at full speed.
Sam walked into Janet's house not finding her. That usually meant she had a patient. "Hi Sam, I didn't hear you come in. Have a seat; I'll be finished with Siler momentarily." Siler waved his non bandaged hand and shrugged his shoulders. "What did you do this time Siler?" Sam asked wondering what the black smith did this time. "Just the normal, I got burnt by an ember again." He answered like it was no big deal. The man must have a thick skin given how many times he's been burned. Broken bones were another reason for his frequent visits to Janet. "There you go Siler; I don't know how your wife deals with you at times." She commented watching him stand up and pull out his wallet. "...same as last time Doc?" Siler asked getting a nod. "Thanks for helping; I'll have my wife bake you a few apple pies before the weeks out." He added tipping his hat to the ladies then leaving.
"I swear that man is so accident prone that he keeps' your practice running all by himself."Sam said from her cushioned chair. "You're not wrong Samantha; He's in here once a week sometimes twice." Janet responded finishing cleaning up. She noticed something off with Sam because she was chewing on her bottom lip. Her friend had something pressing to discuss but didn't know how to ask. This only happened when it involved men. "Okay out with it Sam, what's bothering you?"Janet said walking into her personnel residence with Sam following. The two friends sat down with coffee like they did every Sunday, except today. Janet added some sweetener aka whiskey. "This afternoon when Pete went off on me got me thinking." Samantha said with a sigh. "What about this morning exactly Sam?" she asked hoping she'd come to her senses. "Maybe your right about him Janet, that wasn't the first time he yelled at me." Janet gave her a questioning look wanting to know more. "When was the first time Sam?" She asked placing a comforting hand over Samantha's. She sighed not wanting to remember the event but pushed forward anyways.
"Pete wanted to make our two month anniversary special. Mr. Jefferson gave Pete permission for us to picnic by his cabin on lake Mallard." Samantha said with sigh. "I hear the sunsets are picturesque." Janet said to fill the silence. "The place is amazing but Pete ruined it." She replied then continued with her story. "We finished our picnic lunch then he held me as we watched the ducks play. The moment was romantic in every sense of the word." Samantha told her friend honestly. "The place would be an ideal honeymoon get away for newlyweds." She added after drinking some coffee. "So what happened to change the mood?" Janet asked checking the time. She'd have to start dinner soon. Jonathon always had an appetite after coming off the trail. "Pete suggested we take a walk by the lake to get a closer look at the ducks. I agreed quickly wanting to see them up close. Everything was perfect until he decided we needed to 'join' the ducks in the lake." She said getting upset at the memory again. "He didn't..!" Janet replied placing a hand over her mouth. "He did and then started laughing. I was furious. The new dress I just got clung to me and my hair was mess. I spent two hours on getting it just right." She said leaving out how he looked at her. The look made her feel like a whore on display. "What did you say to him after you got out of the lake?" Janet asked suspecting Pete got her friend wet for other reasons.
"I told him to take me home so I could change into dry clothes and not say a word to me." Sam told her friend as she held onto her coffee cup. "...and Pete said?" Janet asked knowing how pissed she'd be if Daniel did that to her, of course he wouldn't though. "He countered by suggesting we...go skinny dipping with a grin." Her best friend told her as if she was reliving the moment. "I walked past Pete heading for the carriage intending to leave him there. He caught up to me then berated me for being a killjoy. He also said there's no harm is having a little fun." Samantha replied finally getting how she felt out in the open. "You should've ended it right then and there Sam. I mean he clearly took you to the cabin out of self interest." Janet said moving to sit by her friend who was on the verge of crying then let first one fall.
Samantha cried on Janet's shoulder for a little bit feeling better. With refilled cups Janet waited for Samantha to continue. "I did but Pete came back and apologized promising to behave more like a gentleman should. That's when he started wearing the east coast outfits and things got better. I figured things were looking up." Janet understood why Sam would think that. Pete changed his behavior rather quickly. He even escorted Sam to church until the sheriff was killed. When he became Sheriff Sam didn't see Pete as often due to his duties. This clearly bothered her friend but she never said anything just excepting it.
"Sam, have you considered that it's all an act?" Janet asked making her friend look up with an appalled look. "Think about it Sam. He rides in looking to make a name for himself by bragging about his time in the Calvary. He then hears about you, the daughter of a town councilman." She finished hating to tell her friend what others said behind her back. The hurt on Sam's face was evident yet not wanting to believe. Sam had a kind heart and just wanted to find her knight in shining armor. The kind of man that would love her unconditionally and never let her down. Jonas happened before she moved to town. Janet found out second hand that he was manipulative coupled with a dark side. Sam was blind to it until Jonas smacked her one night causing her to end the relationship. Sheriff Barkly ran the SOB out of town and was never seen again.
"Pete wouldn't, would he? I mean he asked my father for permission to court me. He even clerked for us before taking the deputy position." Sam asked running through Pete's behavior from first meeting him to now. "Sam, what I believe is irrelevant. You need to decide if he's being totally honest with you." Janet answered patting her friend's hand looking at the time once again. "I'll have to think about this tonight before bed. I need clear mind to think this over, right now I'm conflicted." She replied finishing her coffee then leaning back.
"Tell you what Sam, how about you stay for dinner. I'm sure Cassie will love the extra company." Janet asked getting up. "I'm making fried chicken with mashed taters and corn on the cob. It's Jonathon's favorite meal." She said gauging Sam's reaction. Janet noticed a faint smile cross her friends face. "I don't know if I should Janet, Pete is jealous of Jonathon. He's afraid of losing me to an 'outsider'." Sam replied fidgeting with her dress. "Since when did you let a man dictate who you ate dinner with?" Janet asked pulling out pots and pans to get started. "Just my dad but he doesn't count." She said with a smile deciding to stay. Maybe she'd learn more about the mysterious man.
"That's my girl; now let's make a meal fit for a king." Janet replied planning working her magic on two people she cared about. The two women worked together making diner talking about various things until Sam asked the one question Janet tried to avoid. "How did you meet Mr. Wayne Janet? He's a hard person to figure out. One minute Jonathon is hard and direct. The next thing you know he's being pulled around like a puppy on a leash by an 8 year old girl." Janet paused slowly taking deep breaths trying to push out memories of the past. This always happened when someone asked that question. "...are you okay Janet, Did I ask something I shouldn't have?" Sam asked placing her hand on Janet's shoulder. "No, you didn't Sam. The first time we met wasn't under ideal circumstances." She replied getting her breathing under control. "You don't have to tell me if it's that bad Janet. I don't want to bring back bad memories. We are supposed to be having fun, not drowning in sorrows." Sam said giving her friend an out.
Janet turned around to look at her friend, the one true friend she ever had. "I'll tell you over a bottle of wine tonight. I need to tell someone the story so why not my best friend." She said knowing talking about such things helped. Her psychology teacher said as much. "Sounds like a good plan. I got a few things I could talk about too." Sam replied as they hugged. The rest of the time was spent in silence making the meal.
Kings Saloon: 5:45ish... "You did what? What the hell are you thinking Maybourne?" Pete asked questioning his friend's logic. "Pete, if you ever played chess you'd understand. Mr. Wayne is an unknown. Having him on the 'payroll' will give me an idea of who he really is. I need to think 3 moves ahead of him and so do you. The man had you beaten before you even got up from the table." Harry wasn't wrong with his take on the fight, if you'd call it that. "Now grow a pair and listen! Don't concern yourself with the bounty hunter unless he breaks the law, understand." Harry stated pointing a finger in the sheriff's chest. This made Pete upset at being ordered around. He didn't like it in the cavalry either. The money was too good to let his ego run wild; there would be time for that later. "Should I just let him steal Samantha from me as well?" Pete asked letting out of some anger. "If you can't compete with a heartless bounty hunter you already lost her. Mend your fences with her and swallow your pride. You should be concerned with what the men didn't do as opposed to what Miss. Carter did." He added making a valid point to Pete. "The mayor and the others didn't make a fool of me like Samantha did Maybourne." Pete replied not understanding his friends point. "You can't see past your own nose at times Shanahan. Think about it, they hold positions of power in town, Samantha doesn't." Pete cursed under his breath realizing what Maybourne said was true. His ego dug another hole to climb out of once again. "Let's just get on with the reason I'm here Harry. I do have a job to perform after all." He replied not giving his partner any credit. "Now that we're on the same page here's our plan." He answered informing the sheriff of his part and nothing more.
Jonathon entered the house to a pleasing aroma, fried chicken and apple pie. Janet always made this for him upon his return from hunting down bad guys. Jonathon heard the front door open behind him noticing Cassandra and Loki enter. They both were out of breath from running home. Loki was panting yet grinning like he always did. Jonathon pats the dogs head then looked at his niece. "Is your head cold Little one?" he asked pointing at the Stetson she stole from him. "No Uncle Jon, I just forgot is all. Did mom make fried chicken?" the little girl said taking her hat off placing it beside his new Stetson. "It smells like it kiddo. Why don't you go find out?" He suggested watching Cassie go into the kitchen. Much to Jonathon's surprise Samantha came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on an apron. "I see you made it on time for dinner Mr. Wayne." She said with a grin. The stories Janet told her about him were both sad and interesting. They added depth to the man standing in front of her.
"Miss Carter, it's a pleasure to see you again."Jonathon said greeting her. He sincerely hoped Samantha wasn't mad at him. He didn't cheat but letting her win wasn't fair to her either. Samantha looked at the bounty hunter dressed in the clothes he had bought from her father's store. 'He looked handsome to say the least. Why Janet didn't try to lasso him for herself was beyond her. If she didn't have Pete maybe she'd...get a grip Sam. He's not the settling type and you have a beau.' "...are you okay Aunt Sam?" Cassie asked tugging on her aunt's skirt. "Yes I'm fine Cassie, just talking with Mr. Wayne."She replied pulling herself away from his chocolate brown eyes. "But you didn't say anything back to uncle Jon." The little girl said making Jonathon chuckle. "...Little one, why don't you help your mother while we talk." Cassie protested but did as he said hesitantly.
"You clean up nice Mr. Wayne. The shirt fits you well." Sam answered back liking how it looked on him. The shirt was loose yet tight enough to reflect his muscular body. Her thoughts started to stray when the bounty hunter spoke again. "Thank you, I feel much better now that I'm in clean clothing." He replied drinking in Samantha's beauty. Deep down in his heart a locked door opened showing a sliver of light. Hope was peeking out checking if it was safe to love again. "I can't disagree with you. Cassandra has an eye for fashion." She said complementing him.
Jonathon scratched the back of his neck then looked the women before him in her baby blues. "I owe you an apology Miss Carter." He said getting her attention. "Yes you do Mr. Wayne." Sam replied somewhat surprised he'd even offer to apologize. "Your challenge did intrigue me. I let you win for a couple of reasons, one being to see you smile." Jonathon answered honestly. "Why did you want to see me smile?" She asked curiously. Many people have complemented her on having a friendly smile. "...because this morning you didn't look happy. I was rewarded with a megawatt smile for letting you win though." He told Samantha getting another smile. "Apology accepted on one condition Mr. Wayne." She said stepping closer to him without realizing it.
Cassie was peaking around the cornet watching the two adults with interest. Janet was listening as well thinking about how easy setting them up would be. "What condition would that be Miss Carter?" Jonathon asked smiling to. "Next time we arm wrestle I win on my own, deal." Sam said looking him in the eyes still smiling. "You have a deal Miss Carter." Jonathon replied looking into her baby blues wondering how kissable she was. "Dinner is ready you two." Janet yelled causing the two adults to separate quickly creating some distance. They entered the kitchen finding the only two seats left were right across from each other. Cassie smiled innocently while Janet fixed plates for everyone. Jonathon knew better than to believe this wasn't planned. Samantha didn't buy it either but went to sit by Janet so Cassie could be near her uncle Jon.
"Would you say, Grace, Cassie?" Janet asked her daughter knowing how she liked to talk with God. "Yes momma." She replied bowing her head along with the other three. Samantha noticed Jonathon fidget a bit feeling uncomfortable for some reason. "Thank you, God, for bringing Uncle Jon home safe again. Bless our delicious smelling food, specially the chicken. It looks finger licking good. Keep Daniel safe too. I want to also thank you for dying for our sins and please convince mom to let Uncle Jon buy me a pony for my birthday...Amen!" Cassie prayed hearing a yelp come from her uncle. "You okay Uncle Jon?" she asked looking at him then her mom who simply looked at Sam saying 'thank you'. "Yeah, I'll be okay. I just had a sudden sharp pain in my leg. It'll be fine little one."Jonathon said looking at the two women. "Next time Little one you can sit from across me, it'll be safer." Cassie gave him an odd look the asked 'Why' making both Janet and Sam break out in laughter.
A/N1: Life was forcing me to act like an "ADULT' this week, so not fun. Thus the chapter is coming out a bit late, enjoy and Comment.
LoneWolfO'Neill