The Course of True Love - Book l

Beecher's Hope - An Honest Day's Labor

The following morning, John awoke to dew layering his forehead. Wiping the dirt from his face, he sat up in his tent, looking around to see Minnie and Arthur sleeping peacefully in their tent close by as well as Charles and Maria. Checking his pocket watch, he saw that the time was a quarter before eight a.m. 

"Mornin', Uncle." John nodded as Uncle met him by the fire, enjoying his second tin of coffee. 

"Mornin'. Feels like old times, doesn't it?" 

"I guess. Just glad we don't have to follow Dutch's orders no more." He admitted. 

"Ain't that the truth. Never thought I'd see Arthur married with a youngin. Charles, too." 

"I know, but they deserve it. Well, look who's up." John nodded at Isaac, who rubbed his eyes as it was clear he didn't want to be awake and moving as Arthur guided him towards the fire. 

"He's like his momma in the mornin'. Actin' like it's a chore." He chuckled. 

"Ah, he'll grow out of it, I'm sure," Uncle nodded. "Whatchu got planned today?" 

"I think Minnie said last night before we went to bed was that she wanted to take Isaac into town for breakfast," Arthur answered. "You needing help when you start buildin' the house?" 

"Sure, I'll take all the help I can get. I reckon it'll take us a couple of weeks." 

"Alright, John. You wanna go with us into town for somethin' to eat?" 

"Sure. I'll go wake up Charles and ask if he wants to go too."

───※ ·❆· ※───

"Is that Sadie?" Minnie asked Arthur as they entered the Blackwater Saloon for their intended breakfast. 

"I do believe that is, darlin'. John, you think that's Sadie?" 

"Actually, I know that's Sadie. C'mon." John motioned. "Hello, Sadie."

"Oh, John... Come, sit down," She looked up at him smiling. "And who's this little feller?" 

"This is Isaac. Arthur's boy."

Sadie tilted her head, "Arthur's boy? Oh, Arthur!" She smiled up at him, standing up to give him and Minnie a hug. "It's so nice to see you two!" 

"So, uh, since I'm here. You uh, got any work?"

"Yeah, why there's always work. Whole country's gettin' robbed, robbing, or stopping robbers. Well, seems like there ain't much else in this world except bastards, victims of bastards and the bastards who want to put the bastards in the ground."

John chuckled, "And which are you exactly?"

"Me? In my time, all three, but same as most people."

"I guess." John nodded. 

"Funny thing about this job, well, opportunity... I just might be all three again."

"How you mean?" 

"You ever heard of a Shane Finley?"

"Cattle rustler?" John guessed.

"Murderer, thief, child killer. He's wanted in five states. I caught him last week. He was disguised as a lady in a house for fallen women. I was bringin' him in when I got robbed by a professional rival of mine, James Langton. He's a nasty bastard. I didn't much like him even before he robbed me."

"That happen a lot in this... Line of work?"

Sadie scoffed, "Yeah, but they're all people like me. Anyway, now they're holed up in the desert down south waiting to head north so they can hand him into the state troopers in the North Country. I'd given up on the job as just a bad lot but now that you're here maybe we can rob him back."

"Is the money good?" 

"Yeah," Sadie nodded. "It's real good. Plus, I don't much like getting robbed by no one."

"Okay. Where is it we're headin'?" 

"South." 

"Okay. Well, I'm gonna get me a bite to eat and I'll be ready." 

"Okay, John. So, Arthur, how you two been? This little boy you got here is as cute as a button." She smiled down at the boy, watching him cheek a smile before hiding behind Minnie. 

"We've been good! Got us a ranch upstate. I see you're a bounty hunter now." Arthur replied. 

"To say the least. Couldn't find anything else I quite enjoyed doing." Sadie shrugged. "What you two doin' down here?" 

"Helping John build him his house. That's probably what Charles and I will start doing while John is with you." 

"You don't have to do that, Arthur, I-"

"I told you we'd help you all that we can. You're makin' money to help pay for things. The least I can do is help you build this house. Charles and I will get Uncle to help us start laying the foundation." 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes, John." 

"O-Okay, then. I already told Charles where I want the house to sit." 

"Don't worry, John. We'll get it taken care of. You can't live like you're camping for the rest of your life." 

"I know. I've already spent a good portion of it camping." He chuckled. 

"Haven't we all?"