Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 32: Jacob Speaks
Jack entered Janet's house putting his hat on the coat rack. Almost immediately Cassie ran in hugging him around the middle. Loki jumped up and down barking then started smelling Jacks pants taking in all the different scents. "Your home Uncle Jon, did you find any Indians? How about mean old rustlers that steal people's horses. I bet you did, isn't that right Loki?" she asked rapid fired not letting go happy for him to be home again. "Give your uncle a chance to answer Cassandra. I'm sure he'll tell you about his trip to Reynolds ranch." Janet lightly reprimanded her daughter. "Sorry Uncle Jon, the other kids ask me about your adventures." His niece said letting go as Janet had waved them into the kitchen. "Let's see what you mother wants first." He replied as they entered the room. "Where's Daniel at, I thought he'd be with you." Janet asked a little disappointed. "The profes...Daniel will here by dinner time. He said something about having words trapped in his head." Jack answered taking a seat as Loki nudged him using his nose. "How are you doing buddy, keeping Cassie safe and out of trouble." Loki wagged his tail enjoying the attention. "How do words get trapped in your head Uncle Jack?" Cassie asked with wide eyes. Janet rolled her eyes understanding what Jack has said. Daniel wanted to get his thoughts down on paper. He didn't want to lose his train of thought.
"When you think real hard words form in a person's head. Unless you speak or write them down they become trapped bouncing around which causes headaches." Jack told his young impressionable niece. "They can...Momma; I'll be in my room writing in my diary. Can you tell me about your visit later Uncle Jon?" Cassie asked from her chair. "...anything for you little one." His niece smiled then ran out of the kitchen with Loki following. Janet watched with amusement shaking her head then looked the smiling jokester. "Jonathon Jack O'Neill, you know she takes your word as gospel" The doctor scolded her friend. He let out a belly laugh needing the release. "You say that likes it's a bad thing, besides Daniel can explain to her over dinner, ought to prove an amusing topic." Jack explained with a mischief in his eyes. Janet shook her head liking this side of him better.
"Speaking of dinner, I have clothes laid out for you." Janet said placing a cup of coffee in front of the man, his facial expression changing instantly. "You didn't expect to wear one of your trail shirts did you?" She asked peering over her coffee cup. "...Janet, its only dinner. It's not like I asking for permission to court Samantha." Jack replied trying to reason with her wondering what 'clothes' were on his bed. "...are you sure Jonathon? Samantha's father invited you over for a reason. He rarely invites anyone over. " She asked giving him a hard time like he does to her. "I suppose you know that reason." Jack replied wondering if the good doctor is just messing with him.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe that the two of you have seen around town a lot." Janet answered with an innocent smile. "Now wait a minute...we were just spending time together as... friends. Showing off Thor's dancing abilities, playing pool and just talking. Noting that would lead her father to believe I wanted to court her." He said running the past few days through his mind. "Have you considered that's what he wants to find out? I do recall a certain boast you made to a now ex-beau." Janet answered reminding him. "Following- you –still- not!" he said sarcastically. "You know exactly what I'm referring to so stop being a 'Jack'-ass." Janet fired back equally as sarcastic. "They were just words meant to get under the idiots skin, nothing more than that Janet." Jack answered honestly. "Maybe but everyone doesn't know you like we do." She replied standing up. "Regardless, you're going to dress up for dinner whether you want to or not." Janet added motioning the man to follow her. "Oh for crying out loud...I'm a grown man. I think I can figure things out on my own." He replied following the short doctor anyways. "That's funny; you act like a little boy in the body of full grown man. Then again men never fully grow up." Jack didn't respond trying to think of a reason not to dress up. "Jacob has nothing to worry about Janet. Samantha could find a man better than me." He said as they entered his room. "Jonathon, your good man...better than most, besides...shouldn't Samantha make that determination herself?" Janet replied showing him the black suit. "Funny you should say that. Samantha said the same thing about you when we talked." Jack didn't know how to reply. Samantha felt the same way he did. Could that be a good thing he thought? "Jonathon, get dressed and just go. Have a good time and be yourself." She told him walking out of the room. "Should I start digging a hole now or later?" Jonathon asked from the foot of his bed. "No need to, Jacob had one pre-dug for Pete just in case." She replied closing the door behind her. "Janet's not wrong; I did set myself up for this. 'Open mouth insert foot' (A/N1) will probably be etched on my tombstone." He said to himself then got dressed. Janet listened to her friend speak to an empty room smiling at what he said. Jonathon would be fine as would Samantha despite their worries about dinner.
-Unwanted Attention-
Jack walked down the side walk getting odd looks from the town folk. Young women looked at him with interest while older ones envied the lucky lady. Then there were the ones that either scoffed or ignored him. The men let Jonathon pass not wanting to pester the bounty hunter. Walking past Kings Saloon Pete caught sight of his nemeses, the bounty hunter, tuning out Thelma in the process. "Pete, didn't you hear me?" she asked while sitting on his lap. "Sorry babe, the 'towns savior' just walked by. " He replied mood changing immediately. "Let's go upstairs sheriff; I'll let you have your way with me if it'll change your mood." Thelma offered pushing his face into her cleavage. Pete enjoyed the view but felt the need to confront the man. He pulled back giving her an evil grin. "We'll go upstairs but let's ruin the bounty hunters evening." Thelma smiled wanting some payback as well. "You promise we'll go up to my room after." She asked wanting sex more than payback but Pete would be more fun in bed this way. "Babe, short of an emergency you'll be moaning my name all night." Pete replied leading her outside. "I'm going to hold you to that promise." Thelma responded following him outside.
"Hey...mister bounty hunter, where are you going all dressed up?" Pete yelled stepping outside getting the attention of the man. Jack stopped in his tracks turning around slowly. The people around him moved to the sides and out of the way. They wanted no part of what might happen between the two men. "Did someone loan you those clothes?" Thelma added leaning against the wall arms under her chest. Jack ignored the two turning around going about his way. The pair wasn't going to let the man go peacefully. Pete caught up with him with Thelma hanging back a bit. Pestering the bounty hunter might not be a great idea judging from his facial expression. "Don't ignore me Wayne...are you going to answer me or not?" he asked getting angry. Pete looked at the man who wasn't pleased at all. The bounty hunter had on a nice black jacket, white shirt complete with bolo tie. The fact he had flowers in his hand wasn't lost on the sheriff. Thelma noticed this to figuring out where he is going, dinner at Samantha's. "...are you curious or writing a book?" Jack asked advancing on the sheriff pushing him back to where Thelma stood. The sheriff didn't expect him to respond at all. Now he had a 50/50 chance of being made a fool of again. "Writing a book, what it is to you?" he answered smirking. "Well kiss my ass and make it a love story then!" Jack promptly turned around with a smile on his face leaving sheriff looking like a fool once again. Everyone around them busted out laughing including Thelma. She might not like the bounty hunter but that was a great answer. "What are you all laughing at...come on Thelma, I have a promise to keep." Pete said taking her hand in his then storming off. Thelma smiled because she knew he'd work frustration out with her, it would be a good night after all.
-Dinner-
Jack knocked on the side door to Carters General store. Jacob had told him that it lead to their upstairs residence. He readjusted the bolo tie straightening it for the third time. Jacob opened the door looking the bounty hunter over. He dressed for the occasion too, probably Janet's idea. Jonathon even brought flowers for his daughter, how thoughtful of him. Deciding to mess with the man he smiled. "Did you bring those for me son?" Jacob asked holding back a smirk. "Uh...no sir, they are for your daughter." Jack replied resisting rolling his eyes. "That's nice of you, they're even yellow roses." He commented then moved aside allowing the Jack to enter. "Go right up son, dinner should be ready soon. Sammie worked real hard, hope you're hungry." Jacob told him as they went upstairs. This would be a fun night he thought following the bounty hunter upstairs.
"Sammie, your 'friend' is here." Jacob said closing the door behind him. Jack could tell by the elder Carters tone there wasn't any turning back, not that he would. "Okay dad, I'm just finishing up the biscuits. Why don't the two of you talk until I'm done?" Sam replied reaching for mittens to take out the main course. "Wait right her son...I'll get her for you." Jacob said walking into the kitchen leaving him in the sitting room. Jack looked around while holding the flowers feeling awkward. "Let me finish up Sammie, go talk to your friend." Her father said taking the oven mittens. "I can finish up, won't take long Dad. Why don't you two talk?" Sam replied biting her bottom lip. "He's here to see you Sammie, now go." She hesitated a second then did as her father said. Jacob watched his daughter leave the kitchen smiling. Her hesitance happened to be a good sign. She didn't hesitate with Pete or Jonas. That was probably due to being too eager. Samantha seems to have learned patience and not force love to happen overnight. That and Jack respects her which the other two never did. The bounty hunter put his daughter off balance, dinner will be fun Jacob thought.
"Good evening Samantha, you look lovely tonight. " Jack said complimenting her. Samantha blushed slightly giving the man a smile. "Thank you Jack, this is one of my favorite dresses." She replied twirling around. Jack took in her beauty enjoying her long legs in particular. "These are for you, yellow roses for a Texas lady." He told her with a charming smile. "They're beautiful Jack; did they come from Janet's flower garden by chance?" Samantha asked giving him a knowing smile taking the flowers happily. "Guilty as charged, she insisted I dress up and behave like a gentleman. How am I doing so far?" he asked with a smirk. "Not bad son, you're doing better than the other two." Jacob said from the kitchen making Samantha rolled her eyes. "Thanks Dad..." Jack replied following his daughter into the dining room. "Don't mind my father; he still thinks I'm a little girl at times." She retorted loud enough for Jacob to hear. "Doesn't matter if a child if full grown, to a parent the kid will always their baby." He told her taking the vase from Samantha.
"Is that how you feel about Cassandra?" Samantha asked placing the flowers in the vase then added water. "She may not be blood but I consider her my own." Jack answered honestly. She smiled at his comment admiring the flower arrangement. "Would you get the red china dishes from the cabinet? I'll follow behind you with the silverware." Samantha asked feeling relaxed around him. "These look like new, are they for special occasions?" He said placing the plates on the table. "They came in today along with the stores shipment." Samantha replied happily. Pete and Jonas would've balked at helping do a simple task like setting a table she thought. "You have excellent taste Samantha." Jack answered placing three plates on the table. "Thank you, I thought we'd use them tonight with you coming over." Samantha said with a smile glad that they had arrived. Jack smiled back stepping towards the cabinet where the glasses were kept. Samantha had the same idea bumping into him. "Oh, sorry...I didn't expect you to be there Jack." She said feeling butterflies form in her stomach. "...are you okay Samantha? You look flustered." Jack asked studying her closely. "I'm fine, you surprised me is all." Jack gave her a perplexed look. He never let Sara do all the work aside from the cooking. Ever after a long day on the ranch he'd help set the table with Charlie.
"What my daughter is trying to say is that Pete always sat like a bump on a log doing nothing to help." Jacob said bringing in the meatloaf. "Sounds about right from what I've seen." Jack replied handing Samantha the glasses. "Would you grab the biscuits son, they're sitting on the stove." He asked giving his daughter a reassuring smile. Jack nodded heading into the kitchen letting Jacob have a moment with Samantha. "Loosen up Sammy, he won't bite." Her father whispered. She relaxed a bit entering the kitchen as Jack took out the biscuits. "These smell great Samantha. You'd make a fortune if this was a perfume fragrance." He said giving her a wink then walked out. She thought about his comment then smiled. Samantha brought the last bit of food out then went to sit down. Jack pulled her chair out being the gentleman he was told to be. "...are you saying I'd be irresistible then?" Samantha asked earning an eye roll from her father. "Who says you aren't already...I mean a blind could see that." Jack amended quickly covering his slip. Jacob poured their drinks ignoring their blatant flirting, kids these days he thought. "Jonathon, would you do the honors of saying grace." He asked breaking the silence that followed Jacks comment. "Sure..." Jack replied not expecting to be asked. Jacob cringed a little after lightly being kicked by his daughter, yep he deserved that one. The three of them folded their hands and bowed in payer. "God bless us and our friends and family. Bless this food for it looks heavenly." He said keeping it short and sweet.
After filling their plates Jacob decided to break the silence. The bounty hunter and his daughter stole glances at each other but said nothing. "Did you find what you were looking for at Malcolm's ranch?" He asked with genuine looking at their guest. Samantha rolled her eyes at the question. She had hoped the topic wouldn't be brought up. The question on her mind leaned towards Jacks observations of the heavens. Then mention the telescope on the roof, maybe he'd show some interest. If he did they could spend some time alone without dad listening in. Samantha smiled at the thought as she halfway listened to the conversation. "Sammie, are you listening or daydreaming again." Her father asked while Jack just smiled as if he knew what she was thinking. "Yes dad, you know how these things bore me." Jacob rolled his eyes then responded. "What would you like to talk about then?" He asked seeing his daughters eyes light up. Samantha looked at the bounty hunter giving him a warm smile. "I'd like to talk about the night shy. What's it like sleeping under the stars Jack?" Jack thought for a minute before replying. "I'm glad you asked, I've seen many sight in the heavens above. I never shared them with anyone but Janet or Cassie." He started sharing gaining Samantha's undivided attention which wasn't lost on Jacob.
A/N1: The phrase dates back to the 1870s making reference to foot & mouth disease. A deadly virus found in cattle. The phrase is metaphorically applied to human whose words have gotten them into trouble.
A/N2: My sincerest apologies about the time in between updates. Work has been really busy these last several months. Between being understaffed and an influx of new customers I've been over worked. Not to mention stressed out mentally. Enjoy this chapter with more to follow monthly from here on in. Be safe and have a great week.
LoneWolfO'Neill