Waiting

"Kid, I'm going, and you're staying."

We had been in Arcadia for about 3 day and were waiting on Colonel Harper to show up. He had promised us a high paying job. It was a nice little town, didn't know the sheriff and the hotel was clean. Heyes was a little frustrated with the lack of "real" poker but it was enough to keep him occupied of an evening. We spent the days exercising the horses, getting my shooting practice in; even watching the kids play Red Rover at recess time at the local school. So…it was kinda relaxing. We struck up a friendship with Harry and Bella, the owners of the local mercantile/restaurant. Never saw one like it before. One side of the building was the mercantile with Harry; go through the door and you were in the restaurant, which Bella ran. They were a nice older couple and Heyes and I enjoyed talking with them when we went to eat.

But…it was going on to a week and still no Colonel Harper and the waiting was getting a little boring. And now this…

Heyes was playing poker, it was a real quiet game. He had played with these fellas before and they were a friendly group not looking to make a fortune off of the game. - and it was a small take game anyway. I was getting tired and singled that I was thinking of going to bed, 'specially since the saloon would be closing in about a half an hour. Don't come to Acadia if you want to stay up past 11. Heyes got my message, and a nod of his head sent me on my way, figured he'd be following soon enough.

I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. Heyes woke me with this message…a lady had offered a job – taking her to her husband who was holed up in Devil's Hole- Lom sent her his way- offered a lot of money.

What? Who was the lady, why did she think her husband was at the Hole? How did she connect with Lom?

"Han, are you crazy! Going back to Devil's Hole. You know,,,,"

"Jed, not talking about it tonight, I'll fill you in, in the morning, go back to sleep."

Go back to sleep – not happening.

"What about the rule, Han? What about the rule? From what you told me, Santana seemed pretty set on no women at the Hole. What about that?"

"I'll take care of Jim, don't worry about that. "

"Don't tell me what to worry about! This is a crazy idea, where did all your, "I'm the thinker part of this partnership go?"

"Jed, calm down, stop shouting, we'll talk about this in the morning, go to sleep. I'm going too."

I didn't get much sleep; he never seems to get enough sleep. So, the morning wasn't the easiest going. We went to Bella's for breakfast.

Bella greeted the two as they came in the door and immediately sensed that the boys seem a little off kilter.

"Morning boys, how are you today?".

"Morning."

"Morning"

"Am I bringing the usual breakfast? Coffee and toast for you Joshua; full breakfast for you Thaddeaus?"

"I think I'll just have coffee today, Bella."

"Me too, Bella, just coffee."

"Harry, something is going on with the boys."

"What do you mean?"

"They both ordered just coffee for breakfast."

"Kid, someone needs to be here when Colonel Harper shows up with that job,"

"Think he was half drunk when he offered, don't think he's coming. Heyes, you know every lawman around is constantly patrolling the area around the Hole."

"Yep, but you know any sign of trouble and I react like a whip snake."

"You know the only thing that's been keeping you alive is me"

I saw a glint of resignation in Han's eyes as we both knew there was some truth in what I had said.

He gave me the money Mrs. Phillips gave him for taking on the job. I knew why and he knew why …but he rode out.

Didn't know what to do with myself…. was never any good at waiting, especially when the waiting was married to worrying.

Went out to do some practicing and when I got back into town, debated a stop at the saloon….nope, gotta be totally alert in case ….Checked in at the hotel to see if Harper had registered…..stopped at the telegraph office to see if there was a message…nothing.

Sigh…. don't know what to do with myself…guess I'll go get some dinner.

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"Evening, Bella."

"Hello, Thaddeaus, are we waiting for Joshua?" "

"Nope, he is on a job. Won't be here."

"Oh, I thought you were waiting for word on a job for both of you.?"

"Yea, we were, this one came up sudden."

"Thaddeus, I don't want to seem to interfere but at breakfast, you boys seemed at odds?"

"Yea, we had kinda of a different opinion on whether or not he should take the job,"

"Oh, you seem to think that maybe it was a job he shouldn't take?'

"Yea, don't like him going on his own, where he's going."

"Oh, where is he going?"

Damn, I already said too much.

"Oh, just through the mountains, he's not good at riding through the mountains. He tends to start thinking about things and loses his sense of direction."

"I'm sure he'll be fine, I just think you are at a loss, with nothing to do and I have an idea. This time of year, Harry goes to Denver to meet with other merchants, talk about products, prices, all that. Personally, I think it's just an excuse for these men to get together for poker and whiskey. I don't mind though; Harry works hard and he deserves some time without responsibility. Usually, I close the restaurant to cover the mercantile while he is gone but if you're willing to cover the mercantile, I can stay open. It's only for 5 days."

"Don't know much about running a store…wouldn't want to mess up."

"Oh, you'll be fine, Harry doesn't leave till noon tomorrow. Stop by tomorrow morning, he'll run you through the basics and I'm always just a door away."

"What? We don't close the mercantile when I'm gone?"

"I know, my love, but he's at loose ends with Joshua gone and seems to be worried about him, why exactly I don't know. Just thought this would be a distraction for him and no problem for us."

"Well, it's fine with me, as long as you'll be around to keep an eye on things. You know Biddy Brewster will probably be in, it's been almost a month since we've last seen her."

"Well, that alone, should provide a distraction for him!"

It's been a full day since Heyes left…He should be about a half day away from the Hole…half day from who knows what….

"Morning, Thaddeus! I understand you are helping out while I'm away."

"Well, I'm gonna try. Don't know much about the mercantile business."

"Oh, it's not that complicated. I've been doing, it that should give you some confidence. I'll do all the reordering when I get back."

"Well, I'll do my best."

"You'll be fine and Bella is right next door, don't hesitate to call on her. I do!"

I smiled; I like this couple. They certainly love each other and have such an easy relationship.

We spent about a half hour going over the store, the prices, the "on the tab" system. I was a little anxious about knowing it all but it was time for Harry to make the train so I knew what I knew.

I had a few customers come in. Fairly easy stuff, two ladies. one looking for some sewing stuff, the other needing material for some curtains. The ladies helped me fill their orders and I knew Bella was close by watching so it was going okay…then…..

"Harry, Harry! Where are you, where are you hiding?"

Ah, Biddie has arrived. I shouldn't be so gleeful but I'm kinda looking forward to seeing how Thaddeaus handles Biddie. I'm sorry that Harry will miss all this.

"Can I help you ma'am?"

"Who are you? Where is Harry?"

Standing in front of me was a lady, not a young lady, kinda glaring at me and stamping her walking stick as she talked. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bella at the door between the mercantile and the restaurant, peaking through the door. Maybe she's gonna come in to help…? No doesn't seem to be making any moves…

"My name is Thaddeus; I'm helping out while Harry is at a meeting in Denver. Can I help?"

"He's gone to Denver again? So, when he gets back everything will cost more, right?"

"Ah, I'm not sure ma'am. I'm just helping out while he's gone."

"Never needed anyone to help out before, he goes to Denver every year to find out how to raise his prices, Bella always covered. Where is she?"

"Opps, I will have to come up with an explanation for Thaddeus about why I'm not covering this year…I think I'll just be honest and tell him that I felt he needed to do something until Joshua returns. I continued to watch and listen….

"She's over in the restaurant (Bella always covered? What's going on?) I'll try to help, what do you need?"

"What I always need! My provisions!"

"Sure, ma'am, what provisions do you need?"

"Harry knows."

"I'm sure he does, but since he's not here, can you help me out and tell me what you're looking for?"

I saw some hesitation and some embarrassment when I asked what she was looking for…started to wonder if this lady was a special case for Harry and Bella, would fit in with what I knew of them.

"Ma'am, can I ask your name? I think Harry wrote down some instructions for his special customers."

"I'm Biddy Brewster, been coming here for a long time."

I made it look as if I was shuffling some papers to find her name,

"Ah, here it is! Biddy Brewster. Loyal customer. Monthly provisions, bacon, potatoes, flour, bone marrow for soup, candles and coffee. Does that sound right?"

"Well, it's a bit more than I usually get…"

"Seems as if there is a note here, let me read it…Biddy has a balance to use, loyal customer, make sure she knows next time she is in. Looks like you have some extra this month."

"Really, I don't know how that happened."

"Don't know ma'am but I'm not going to go against what Harry has written down. You can take it up with him when he's back if you have a question."

"All right young man, I will."

I watched Biddy melt as she talked with Thaddeus. I thought she would be as cantankerous as usual and it started out that way but Thaddeus seems to have charmed her. Harry has always been very kind to her but Thaddeus made it seem as if she was not just being taken care of but was important to us- and she is, however, we maybe didn't make her think about herself in that way. I'll have to talk with Harry about our "Biddy is due in" attitude. I also watched Thaddeus put some money in the till, I'm thinking to cover her extras. That night I explained to Thaddeus why I suggested he cover for Harry, more for him to have something to do than the mercantile needing coverage while Harry was gone, I had always done that. He accepted and even agreed that working in the store had helped fill his day while waiting for Joshua to return.

We were having dinner the night before Harry was due to return when a familiar face showed up at the restaurant door

"Hi"

"Joshua, you're back!"

The look on Thaddeus's face was one of pure relief.

"Yep, for now."

Now a look of confusion.

"Right now, I'm hungry, what's on the menu Bella?"

"How does beef steak and potatoes sound?"

"Perfect! Thanks!"

"Okay, I'll get it ready…Sit down, won't take long,"

"Thanks, Bella."

"Heyes…"

"We'll talk about it later, Kid. Let's just eat."

"Here you go, Joshua. Thaddeus are you okay? Dessert?"

"No thanks, Bella, I'm fine."

Don't know how she does it but Bella makes the best steak I've ever had, Kid doesn't seem to be so hungry, and I know he's waiting for an explanation. Concentrating on coming up with that explanation while I enjoy this meal.

"So, what's going on Heyes?"?

"It's a little complicated, Kid, Mrs. Phillips wasn't really telling the whole story about her need to let her "husband" know he wasn't wanted by the law anymore. Her story now is about her daughter and how her daughter was mistreated by a guy taking refuge in the Hole. The proof that she has a daughter is supposed to be in a locket in her luggage and I told Jim I would get it and bring it back. Just need to get with Carlton and get it and take it back to Jim."

"And you're going to risk going to the Hole again?!"

"Kid, you have to have more faith! I know what I'm doing."

"Ya do? So, what do you need from Carlton?"

"The locket."

"Well, let's go."

"Kid, not asking you to do that."

"Isn't that what I'm here for?"

"What does that mean?"

"It means you're getting a locket. Let's go"

Isn't that what I'm here for? What does he mean by that – thinks it's more than just the locket but can't worry about that now…

"Thanks, Jed, not sure Carlton would have been so cooperative even with the letter form Mrs. Phillps if you had not been there."

"Yea:"

Got on my horse and headed out but before I left…

"I know we have things to talk about when I'm back. Right now, I'm hoping that Jim makes a good decision. He was the guy who gave me a home after Plummer. I feel as if I owe hm now that he has served his sentence and can live free. If he makes the wrong decision so, be it, if he makes the right one, I'll be happy for him, I'll see you in three days."

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** I

"You promised Han! You promised, we wouldn't be separated!"

"I know Jed, I know, but I can't help this and it's only for three days, maybe really two and a half. "Listen, count on your fingers when you go to bed, three days, I'll be back then."

"You promised me, Han, you promised me."

"Jedidiah, what's wrong?"

Miss Cooper was one of the nice teachers. She seemed to care about me and Han.

"Han promised me that we would be together. He left; he's gone, he's gone…"

I remember almost starting to cry….

"Jedidiah, or do you want me to call you Jed," she said with a smile.

"Jed, ma'am."

"Okay, Jed. Han didn't break his promise. He didn't know that he would have to help the farmers out at harvest and if you're still here when you are ten, you will have to help out too. It's just the agreement the home has. We help out with the harvest; they help us out with corn and oats and wheat. He will be back on Sunday night. How about this, when you go to bed tonight, cup three fingers in your hand, tomorrow morning cup two and Sunday morning one. Han will be back then."

And Han was always back.

I woke with a start…had been dreaming about the home. Han had promised me that we wouldn't be separated when we were sent there and then I found out we would be at least for weekends during harvest time. The home had an agreement with local farmers to send out boys to help with harvest. Any boy at the home 10 years old and older would be gone for about four weekends, Friday night to Sunday night. Friday night to Sunday night seemed like forever to me at the time….

So, Han was back now, Jim was with him, as was Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Phillips and Jim look to have gotten very close. Han seemed to have met his goal of having Jim take advantage of his current state of freedom and Mrs. Phillips was happy to Jim join her in San Francisco.

We saddled up. The Colonel hadn't showed up so we were moving on and thanks to Mrs. Phillips with a bit of a stake. Said good-bye to Harry and Bella and promised that we'd see them if we were ever in the area again.

"Han, I hafta say I'm sorry for giving you a hard time here. I was kinda mad, I think worried, about you going to the Hole alone."

"No Jed, if it was you going to the Hole, I would have felt the same way.

"Yea, Han but I would have had more sense."

The grin told me that we were back to normal.

"One thing though, "Isn't that what I'm here for? I'm kinda thinking that you meant that you're here for your gun?"

"That was worry talking, Han. Didn't mean it the way it sounds."

"Ya know though that you are the reason I'm alive but not the way you think… someone had to take care of you."

"Take care of me! I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Well, let's just talk about that….."

"