Bill and Laura walked slowly down the hill from the schoolhouse towards the town in a companionable silence, Laura's fingers tucked into the crook of his elbow and Bill's free hand holding onto Husker's reins as the old horse lumbered down behind them. Bill had suggested that Laura ride Husker, her heeled boots not being the best footwear for navigating a relatively steep hill littered with loose stones and dirt that gave way beneath their feet with the lightest of touches. Laura had declined the offer, stating that she made the climb every day and was more than capable of taking care of herself. Bill had learned very early on in their relationship that she was stubborn as a mule and it was pointless arguing with her.
The local café they were making their way to wasn't even really a café; an older couple whose four children had long left the nest owned the small plot of land that now held a small outdoor seating area. After the children had left to pursue their own ventures, the lonely couple had taken on the task of making sure that everybody in the community was well fed after Sunday church services. This undertaking had then subtly expanded when the couple began making more than enough food for themselves and sending out leftovers to anyone who they felt needed it, often taking people in for lunch and supper. Of course in the beginning, when people began offering payment for their meals they were refused, the enjoyment of their company being payment enough. It was only after the Reverend convinced the couple that people didn't like to take advantage of their kindness that they began to accept the money that they were offered. Nobody was ever turned away, and thus they had become the de facto eatery for weary travellers and anybody else who felt in need of a good home cooked meal and pleasant company.
Bill gently guided Laura in the direction of the small stable behind the jailhouse so that he could return Husker. She talked quietly to the animal and petted his flank as Bill removed the saddle and bridle, returning them to their place in the stable. He smiled as she led the horse into his stall and slowly lowered the bar to shut him in, all the while telling him what a good boy he was.
"You're good with horses." He said as Husker nuzzled his nose into her palm.
Laura looked over her shoulder, a small wistful smile on her lips, "My father was a cattle rancher," she paused and turned back to Husker, "He taught me how to ride, how to behave around the beasts. Sometimes he let me help him on the drives."
Bill grinned, imagining a young, redheaded firecracker galloping around the prairie with her lariat, corralling cattle that were at least twice her size. The image quickly faded, however, when he recognised the sadness in her voice. She had never told him what had happened to her family, instead preferring to lock away the pain that came with the memory deep inside her. He had never pushed her to share her grief with him, knowing that she would tell him when she was good and ready, but also knowing that some things were too painful talk about openly, and that Laura was not a woman who suffered other people feeling pity for her.
When she looked at him again, he gave her a small understanding smile, holding his arm out for her to take. The small gesture was enough to restore to bright smile to Laura's lips. As they stepped into the main street they were greeted with curious gazes and less than subtle whispers, a common occurrence which had began long before their courtship had. Residents of a small town such as Colonial Fall's always had an ear to the ground for the latest gossip and the problem with everybody knowing everybody else was that the rumour mill was always running full tilt. Their friendship had had the effect of whipping up the locals into a frenzy of speculation and conjecture, most of which Bill and Laura had both found amusing.
"How is Lee doing these days?" Laura asked cautiously. Ever since Bill's eldest son had given up on helping his father keep the peace in Colonial Fall's in favour of pursuing a career as a lawyer in one of the bigger cities, an endeavour Bill thought to be idealistic, Bill had become somewhat guarded and temperamental when his son was mentioned, a habit Laura was hoping to break him of knowing how much he loved his son.
She frowned when he made a small sound of distaste and turned his face away from her, "I received a letter from him about a week ago. He says he's coming to visit on the next stagecoach." Laura squeezed his arm lightly and smiled warmly when he glanced at her.
"That's wonderful, Bill. I know how much you've missed having him around." Bill grunted in response and she frowned at him again, "Don't give me that, you know it's true, and besides, you said it yourself that Lee was always more interested in becoming a lawyer than a lawman." She felt him shrug and resigned herself to that being the closest she was going to get in the way of an admission of agreement from him.
When they reached the café they were greeted with a small wave from Mrs. Tucker, a frail looking old woman wearing a dress that was too large and her long grey hair tucked up underneath her bonnet. She gestured to an empty table and scuttled off to fetch a pitcher of cold water and whatever it was she had cooked that morning. Bill held out Laura's chair for her and waited until she was fully seated before he sat opposite her, both for the purpose of maintaining an air of plausible deniability about their relationship and he wanted to be able to see her smile.
They had barely taken a bite of the pie they had been given when they were interrupted by a small cough. Bill's head whipped round to send a withering glare at the small boy who looked as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Laura smiled at him, immediately recognising him as one of her students who often helped his father run messages and beckoned him closer.
When he didn't speak, Laura pulled him closer and whispered encouragingly in his ear. The boy nodded and smiled weakly at Bill, "M-mr. Sheriff, M-mayor Adar wants t-to see you." He stuttered, glancing at Laura to see her smiling her approval.
Bill gave an annoyed huff but softened his intimidating gaze and nodded at the boy. Laura straightened the boy's flyaway hair, "Thank you, Jason. Now, why don't you go get yourself something to eat and I'll see you for afternoon lessons."
Jason grinned widely at her, showing off a missing tooth and momentarily forgetting his nervousness, "Yes Miss Laura." His grin turned sheepish as he faced Bill again, "Bye, Mr. Sheriff, sir." He said quickly before he scampered away.
Bill chuckled and ate another quick bite of his pie before setting his plate aside and smiling apologetically at Laura, "I'm sorry, Laura, but it seems I've been summoned."
Laura nodded and leaned across the table to wipe his mouth with her napkin, "I understand. We wouldn't want you to end up inside one of your own cells for disobeying the mayor now, would we?" Bill chuckled and shook his head, reaching into the breast pocket of his waistcoat to pull out some money for Mrs. Tucker. "Why don't you come to the homestead for supper tonight?" she asked needlessly, she already knew he would be there.
"Of course, I'll try not to be too late."
Laura smiled coyly and set her own plate aside, "I'll have it ready."
Bill smirked and stood, pulling his hat on in the process and mindful of the sets of curious eyes watching dipped his head cordially, "Ma'am."
Laura sat for a moment and watched him leave, his stride confident as he made his way towards the town hall. She waited until he was out of sight before she began to make her way back up to the schoolhouse. It was a little early for the children to be returning yet, but at least she could begin to prepare for the next set of lessons.
When Bill arrived at the town hall a young voluptuous brunette who could have easily passed as one of Baltar's whores greeted him. Bill assumed she was acting as Adar's secretary, but why Adar required the aid of a secretary was beyond him. If rumours were to be believed, the good Mayor had most likely hired her for more than her calendar organising skills.
She smiled dizzily at him when he removed his hat and nodded at her, obviously she was missing a few brain cells, which gave more credibility to his theory of Adar's motives for hiring her. Before she could tell him that the Mayor would be ready for him in a few minutes, he strode past her and pushed his way through the closed door behind her, passively demonstrating his lack of respect for the residing town mayor.
Adar was stood staring out of the window in the corner of the room. From what Bill could see of his face, something was weighing heavily on his mind, and if it was enough for him to summon the sheriff in for a meeting, it had to be bad. The uneasy feeling that had been niggling at the back of Bill's mind all day until he had been distracted by Laura's presence came back in full force.
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Mayor?" he asked gruffly, holding his hands behind his back and keeping his stance straight and professional.
Adar made a small sound of acknowledgment but didn't turn to face Bill, "I received a wire with some rather disturbing news, Mr. Adama."
Bill frowned and stepped closer to the mayor, "Oh?"
Adar finally turned and looked at Bill, "Mmm, the folks down in Dogsville have reportedly seen Thomas Zarek and his posse of bandits not far from there." Bill growled low in his throat and Adar smiled thinly, "Yes, apparently the mayor of Dogsville thought it appropriate to forewarn us."
"Dangnabbit!" Adar arched an eyebrow at Bill but said nothing, "Don't suppose they knew where theys was headed?" he asked.
Adar shook his head and walked over to an old table, taking a small wooden box off the surface and removing a cigar and offering one to Bill, who politely refused. "No, if brains were dynamite they wouldn't have enough to blow their noses down there." Adar replied bitterly. Despite the seriousness of the meeting, Bill had to repress urge to laugh.
"Well sir, there ain't much I can do now. Zarek's not come into this territory yet and even if he does he's untouchable unless he crosses the law again." Bill smoothed his hair back and shifted his feet, "I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled and with your approval sir, I'll deputise Thrace for the meantime."
Adar nodded absently and waved his hand in Bill's direction before turning to light his cigar, effectively dismissing him. Bill glared at Adar's turned back for a few long seconds before making his way out of the room, passing the dizzy looking brunette who gave him another flirtatious smile, curling a stray lock of hair around her fingers. Bill rolled his eyes and stepped out into the blazing sun, shielding his eyes with his hand as he looked up and down the main street.
When he made it back to the jailhouse he saw that Saul was curled up in one of the bunks, snoring contentedly as he slept off the after-effects of his latest bender. After collecting his water canteen and checking to make sure that it was full, Bill went round back to saddle up Husker returned his revolver to his side-holster.
If he were to deputise Thrace, he would first need to find her. Leading Husker out into the main street, Bill thought about where he was most likely to find the young, hotheaded gunslinger. Hauling himself onto the back of his mount, he headed out into the open prairie, hoping that his hunch would be correct and that she would be practicing her already perfect aim down by Wolf Creek.
It was a long ride, taking nearly an hour and seemingly longer under the heat of the sun before he reached the creek, pleased when he heard the distinctive crack of the two guns that Kara Thrace liked to use. When he was within shouting distance, he waited until she had finished emptying her guns into a bullet-ridden tree trunk before he called out to her, "Wha'd'ya hear Thrace?"
The young woman spun on her heel and pulled the bandanna covering the lower half of her face down to her neck and grinned at him, "Nothin' but the rain." How she could wear full buckskins in this heat Bill would never know.
"I've got a job for ya." He told her. Kara gave him a cocky smile and spun her revolvers twice before depositing them back into the holsters at her hips.
"I'm all ears."