Demon Hunters - The Truck the Witch and the Blacksmith

Chapter Thirteen - The Plow

Chapter Thirteen – The Plow

The next day back at the Boardinghouse Suzy was in the kitchen, and Benjamin, Henry, and Emily were having a pancake at the table. When Benjamin whispered, "Do you know Suzan has a pet bird?"

Emily replied, "You mean the crow? I've seen her feeding it her bread from my window."

Benjamin went on, "It showed up the day they arrived. It's always sitting in the tree watching Suzan through the kitchen window. I was coming back from the smoker yesterday, and I swear it was on her lap. Suzan was talking to the bird and petting it. I think it followed them from where ever they came from."

Henry whispered, "So she has a pet bird. What's wrong with that Benjamin?

Benjamin replied, "It's a crow Henry."

Henry teased. "Don't tell me you're superstitious Benjamin?"

Benjamin replied, "You know everyone thinks Mrs. Hanson's a Witch."

Emily spoke up, "Benjamin! Edna comes in the store all the time. Just because she buy's some strange things and is eccentric don't make her a witch. She's rich and that dose that to people. Heck you can't buy a pace of beef in this town that isn't Hanson beef. You know you're a little eccentric yourself Benjamin. I have to go to work."

Emily got up and left as Henry informed, "I think you pissed her off Benjamin, but you didn't know she had a pet squirrel she'd feed in the backyard. I think it died over the winter, because it didn't come back this year."

It was just about lunch time when Albert and Jim came in the back door. Albert announced, "The rich guy's here."

Jim exclaimed, "I haven't seen a penny of that money yet."

Then Jim saw Suzy standing at the edge of the kitchen with an apron on, and her hands on her hips. With an evil look Suzy questioned, "Clint Eastwood James? Really James how could you do that. You could have been killed. What the hell where you thinking. I thought we talked about this. The only reason I'm not mad as hell is you saved Emily from that sick bastard. Now get over here and give me a hug and tell me you're sorry."

Jim gave Suzy a hug and squeezed her tight as he whispered in her ear, "I missed you so much."

Rebecca came through the room saying, "Got to catch the stagecoach for my story."

Going out the back door she called out, "Don't worry James I was kind."

Suzy slipped away as she whispered, "You're famous you know. Hope you can take it."

Victoria knew Suzy was feeding the bird. She'd been watching her do it from the first day they arrived. So Victoria took a slice of bread out to Suzy and insisted, "Feed your friend sweetie."

Then Victoria sat in her chair, and watched Suzy tear off peace's of bread and toss it out for the bird. Albert came out and sat on the bench next to Victoria. Watching Suzy Albert explained, "I saw you had supper on the table, but I need to wind down some. I can't eat right now. In fact I don't even think I'm going to open the shop today. I see we have a new friend."

Victoria replied, "I just hope she don't go through a big letdown like Emily went through this spring with her squirrel."

Albert agreed, "Yes love can hurt, but somehow we keep going. I don't think that kind of wound ever heels. It's been six year since my wife was taken by Smallpox, and it still hurts when I think about her."

That night when Suzy and Jim went to bed Suzy question, "What was with the Clint Eastwood quote?

Jim replied, "Courage is being scared to death but doing it anyway. I always wanted to say that, so well I had the courage it just came out. The truth is I was scared to death, but I had to do it. I had no idea he was a rootless killer. I know people will think I did it for the reward, but I didn't even know there was one.