Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 10 - A Problem Shared

The late morning sun was high, any higher and it could have been mistaken for high noon. The weather dry and there was a slight breeze that made the heat bearable and was somewhat refreshing. There was a soft rumble coming from the wheels of a wagon and a faint thud of hooves as the wagon made its way across the dry landscape at a very leisurely pace, the two people sitting on the wagon were engaged in conversation.

"So tell me, Bill, what is the plan now?" Rose asked, still unable to believe that she was a free woman. There was an excitement to her voice, she sounded happy. The difference was that the happiness that was in her voice now was genuine, it wasn't an act that was put on to please some drunk. The look that she now gave Bill was one of pure love and devotion, the look was reciprocated by Bill.

"Well, I ain't got a plan, to be honest darlin'. I guess that we could spend some time together, maybe work the ranch," Bill replied with uncertainty. All he knew is that he wanted Rose to be safe.

"Is that where your devious plan ends Mr Roberts? A life of working your land while you reap the benefits, hiding me away from the world?" Asked Rose with a tone of jest to her voice. Apart from the obvious, the other thing she enjoyed was teasing Bill, she knew how wild it made him.

"You know it's not like that, but I know my parent's ranch was always like a second home to you. I just thought that you would be more comfortable there." He replied, his weakness was Rose.

"How did you know where I was?" Asked Rose inquisitively, with this Bill paused before he answered.

"I can't really say. I didn't even know you were there, I didn't know where you were." He didn't want to admit, but once he saw Rose in the saloon, he realised what the word of the mysterious stranger John had meant that night in the barn when they met. Since that night this was the first time that Bill had thought about John.

"I am sure glad that you found me, Bill, you think Silas will be happy with me staying at the farm?" Rose asked cautiously.

"I sure as hell am glad that I found you, I reckon Silas will be too. That is that he gets after the initial shock of seeing you" Bill finished his sentence with a burst of laughter. The rest of the journey carried on with small talk, the two hadn't seen each other for almost two years so they enjoyed catching up on the long and leisurely journey.

They were fast approaching the ranch, even from a distance, the ranch looked impressive. Bill could see Silas making his way about the ranch. He wasn't how Silas would react both because he hadn't returned like he said he would and also because he would have his ultimate distraction in toe, he knew that one way or another he would find out soon enough. Since losing his wife Silas in many ways was very protective of Bill. It almost broke his heart when Bill left for so long, Bill was expecting some heat.

"Boy! Where the fuck you been?" Came a roar from Silas, his mood quickly changed when he saw who was alongside him on the wagon "I'm so sorry Rose. Please pardon my tone, just I was expecting Bill back yesterday" Silas tipped his hat to Rose to signal an apology. He knew that he had come across far too aggressively, even if Bill had been alone. The one thing that scared Silas now more than anything was the thought of being alone.

"That is quite alright Silas, Bill was helping me with an urgent matter. It's thanks to him that I am here with you today, rather than lining Abraham Cohen's pockets" Said Rose in a rather relieved tone. Silas gave Bill and Rose a look that said - please tell me what is going on. "This sounds like the sort of conversation that should be talked about in private" replied Silas, with that the three of them went inside.

While the three of them at there Rose and Bill relaid the story to Silas in full detail, as they did Silas listened intently. They told him about the whole situation with the duel, the issue with the land that Rose was hoping to sell and paying Abraham off to release Rose from his employ. When the two of them had finished talking there was a moment of silence which was then broken by Silas.

"So you have spoken to marshal Andrews and he says that he doesn't know much? Somehow I don't quite believe that is true, I would like to think that he does know something! If you don't mind Rose. Me and Lucas have a lot of history, mostly good, some bad. I'd like to think if I talk to him I might be able to find something out, no matter how small?" Said Silas, now waiting for Rose to answer.

With that there was again another silence between the three of them, neither of them wanted to be the first to speak. Bill looked like he was about to talk before Rose started.

"That would be mighty kind of you Silas, I really do appreciate it but if you don't feel comfortable doing it I completely understand. She knew that there wasn't any reason why Silas wouldn't feel comfortable about speaking to marshal Andrews but she felt like it was her job to resolve the issue.

"It's not a problem at all Rose" Silas gave Rose a sympathetic smile. "I've been meaning to go into Cedar myself for a while now, I guess now that there are two of you here I can feel confident that the ranch will be in good hands for a day. You two still remember how to work a ranch?" Silas laughed.

"I reckon there's only one way to find out old man" Bill replied in jest. With that, the three of them broke out in laughter. Silas was happy to have the house full of laughter and noise again, even if he knew that a little less work would be done because of it.

"Well that settles it, after lunch all three of us will get to work and then I will go into town in the morning, I might even set off early," said Silas.

"As soon as that?" Rose asked in surprise. She knew that Silas was not a man to dwell on such matters but she didn't expect him to act almost immediately.

"Well, the sooner this whole issue gets resolved, the better" replied Silas in a matter of fact tone.

"You're right, Silas, when it does get resolved and I am paid the money that I am owed I will invest into the ranch." Rose smiled sweetly, she knew that Silas would likely refuse but she felt compelled to make the offer.

"No need Rose. I am just happy knowing that you are here and that you are safe." Replied Silas, giving Bill a knowing look.

Authors Note
Will we get some more answers? When will we find out what's going on? I hope you liked the chapter