Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 2 - Struck By Lightning

It was just before dawn and Bill was already up, loading the wagon ready for the long day ahead. He felt mixed emotions about venturing into Cedar if it not been for the events that Silas had told him about he would have been extremely excited to be visiting the town but there was an awkward uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Once he had made sure that the load in the back of the wagon was secured he headed from the barn towards the house, there was light in the house and smoke coming from the chimney. As Bill entered he headed straight for the kitchen, once there he saw Silas attending to the stove.

"Is that food ready old man?" asked Bill, hunger had made him grumpy.

"Just about ready, I couldn't let you depart on a long journey with an empty stomach now could I?" replied Silas.

"You sure as shit wouldn't want to want to find out the hard way Pa," said Bill with a smirk.

"Enough of your sass son, unless you know what's good for ya," Silas laughed.

With that Silas slid Bill an enormous plate of food, so big that it looked like an audacious task even for Bill to attempt. Silas brought over two large cups of coffee and set them down, then brought over his food. His plate was large, but nowhere near the size of Bill's. The men ate their food quickly and in silence. Once they had eaten and almost finished their coffee, Silas stood up and cleared the plates from the table and refilled the coffee cups, as he did Bill looked at him and smiled with a chuckle.

"Are you trying to get rid of me old man?" Quipped Bill.

"No. But it's almost sunrise and by wagon, it takes well over an hour to get to Cedar. After that, you have to unload, re-load and then secure the wagon. Then, after you have done that you've got to get to the Cody's again, unload and get home. Don't forget Cedar is almost the halfway point between here and Cody's ranch" said Silas almost losing breath as he finally came to the end of the list.

"You make it sound like a full days work" remarked Bill who almost felt exhausted just listening to the task in hand.

"Why do you think I gave you a plate of food that size?" replied Silas.

With that Bill chuckled to himself stood up then went back out to the barn to add a couple of more things to the wagon before setting off, after finishing loading the last bits of the wagon Bill sat for a moment on a bale of hay and reminisced about days gone by. He was interrupted by the door opening and Silas coming into the barn.

"Are you sure you're alone?" Silas asked.

"I wish I wasn't..." replied Bill with a rueful smile.

Silas tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, almost with a disapproving look. Bill who still had a smile on his face knew that was his cue that he should make a start with his errand that he had been given, he stood up and made his way to the wagon, climb atop of the wagon and gave Silas an approving nod.

Silas extended his hand that was holding a shotgun and passed it to Bill, once Bill had taken receipt of the shotgun Silas slapped Coal's hide and Bill's trusty steed started to move at a leisurely pace, with that Bill tipped his hat to Silas who gave a wave back.

As Bill made his way through and out of the ranch he noticed that even though the day was young and the sun was just rising it was already warm. Bill preferred warmer, drier weather. Time spent with his tribe made him realise just how harsh and cruel the elements could be and that he only really enjoyed the cold and wet weather was when he could view it from the comfort of a warm bed or embraced in a women's arms.

It was not until almost halfway to Cedar that Bill encountered another person on the road, as he did he tipped his hat and greeted them warmly. If there is one belief that he stood by that was to treat strangers with kindness and respect, after all the times that they lived in could be extremely harsh and unforgiving.